Corbyn’s plans would leaveWales in a perilous
FIRST Minister Carwyn Jones has been urged to disown the economic policies of UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, with the Welsh Conservatives warning of a hike in the country’s debt burden. Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has written to Mr Jones, warning he cannot afford to be a “bystander” when the policies could have major implications for Wales’ public finances and the nation’s families. Mr Davies argues that if Mr Corbyn had the opportunity to put his plans into action Wales could be left in a “perilous position” with jobs and public services at risk.
Welsh Labour has condemned Mr Davies’ letter as a “sinister” attempt to distract attention from “Tory indifference” on issues such as the cancelled plans to electrify the Great Western line to Swansea and the lack of progress on Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.
The Conservatives argue that Labour’s plans would result in the UK paying £5.8bn a year more in debt interest payments, stating: “In a Welsh context, that would be the same as paying 3,250 nurses, 2,800 nurses and 2,650 police officers.”
Mr Davies writes in his letter to the First Minister: “Over the past few months the Labour party has made some sizable and well-publicised pledges to the British and Welsh electorate, which would result in around £4,000 of increased debt for every person in Wales...
“As First Minister, you have a responsibility to the Welsh taxpayer...” “...You have been strangely mute on this issue – merely a bystander when you are usually so keen to step up and offer political commentary.
“To deliver on these promises, the economic reality is stark. Either you will need reductions to public spending ...raise taxes...or break the promises you made to the electorate. To date, both you and the Labour Party have been conspicuously silent.”
The Welsh Conservative leader concludes: “It is simply not acceptable for the First Minister to be a bystander as your UK party leader promises the world and more. Such wilful negligence is unforgivable, particularly when it could lead to such devastating financial consequences for the UK Treasury.
“Wales has a fiscal deficit worth just under 25% of its GDP – any major