Ahead of today’s draft budget debate, the Shadow Minister for Finance – Mark Isherwood MS – has said that Labour must not miss the opportunity to rebuild Wales as part of a strong United Kingdom, adding:
“The Coronavirus pandemic has been, we hope, a once-in-a generation event and therefore requires a once-in-a-generation recovery programme, which I fear Labour just can’t or won’t deliver.”
Mr Isherwood said that Wales must have a Welsh Government that works with the Conservative UK Government, because the people of Wales needs a government that works in partnership, not against others just for the sake of it, and added:
“The pandemic has shone a spotlight on the failings of more than 20 years of Labour running Wales, with the Welsh economy in decline before the pandemic hit and even at the start of 2020 GDP fell by 2.4 percent in Wales.
“But look at what Conservatives have done: to fight Covid-19 the UK Government has supported Wales by protecting nearly 400,000 jobs, supported more than 100,000 self-employed people, and more than 50,000 businesses with UK Government backed loans, and an extra £5.2 billion in the Welsh Government budget.
“Wales needs a budget that will enable Wales to recover better and faster than Labour can provide. Welsh Conservatives have a recovery plan for Wales to deliver more jobs, better hospitals and first class schools – all of which will be crucial in the months and years ahead.”
