Let’s all pull together in 2017
WITH each new year comes an opportunity to reflect and to look to the future. The last 12 months have been challenging at times but the year closes with every reason to feel confident for the year ahead, and there were notable moments in 2016 which left us with so many reasons to feel great pride.
After 58 years a Welsh team reached a major football championship; making history, and friends, at every step of the way. And we mustn’t forget the wonderful efforts of our Olympians and Paralympians, proudly representing Wales as part of a hugely successful Team GB effort in Rio.
The efforts of Gareth Bale, Jade Jones, Becky James and countless others will inspire a new generation of Welsh children to take up sport and to wear the national shirt with pride.
In so many ways 2016 was a momentous year for Wales, and for the United Kingdom as a whole. While it started with the shadow of TATA looming large like a black cloud overhead, for the families of Port Talbot there are at last positive signs of the rewards of working together – with a deal on the table that could provide a sustainable future for Wales’ largest steel plant.
But where 2016 ends with reasons to be optimistic about the future, 2017 must represent a red line for this Welsh Labour Government.
Devolution is not to blame for Wales’ poor GVA figures, or for Pisa results which show just how far behind the rest of the UK the Welsh education system is – that responsibility lies squarely with the First Minister. After 17 years of devolution it is clear that in the three main devolved competences, the Welsh Government has failed to make adequate improvements: whether measured in terms of economic development, educational performance or health outcomes.
2017 must be make or break for a First Minister who has had seven years to turn things around. He needs to show the public that his government has reached its low water mark in terms of delivery, and that the tide is starting to turn.
For the country as a whole it is without question Brexit that poses the greatest challenge – and opportunity – in 2017. The Prime Minister has been clear that the result of the referendum will be respected, and that negotiations will commence promptly once Article 50 has been triggered in March. She should be supported.
The Welsh Labour Government must now show greater leadership. The First Minister and his colleagues have become too preoccupied with Article 50, and spent far too long coming to terms with the result of the referendum.
We now need to see a positive and productive approach to shaping our new relationship with Europe.
With more than £1bn of structural funding yet to be allocated between now and 2020, there is a pressing need to consider how this money can best be spent to deliver economic growth.
Despite the rhetoric, our democracy isn’t broken. Far from it.
More people than ever voted in the EU referendum – we just need to work harder to bridge the gap between groups in society who disagree.
It’s considered “progressive” to preach the values of tolerance and diversity, but tolerance and diversity must also extend to those who hold opinions with which we do not agree.
Wales has bags of potential lying dormant and incredible opportunities lie ahead. In 2017, let’s pull together and secure a brighter future for Wales.