Talentless, toothless and lacking charisma
THE recent situation in Northern Ireland should concern us all in Wales. By pushing the Westminster Government, they find themselves with a great deal in financial terms from Boris Johnson’s Government. They clearly have politicians of class and clout, who regardless of their values and their often-deep distrust of each other, have the wherewithal to benefit their citizens. Likewise, the Scottish Government and SNP are in a strong position to press for independence and in the meantime, Johnson would be foolish if he wants to keep the union, not to submit to certain of their financial demands.
This has all been brought about by shrewd politicians who have in many cases become household names across the UK. What then of our Assembly politicians? I imagine sadly that if you asked a wide range of people in Wales alone who Mark Drakeford is, they would struggle to answer, let alone any other Assembly minister. Throughout the recent election there was but a whimper from any of them. The result being the loss of Labour MPs in Wrexham, and Bridgend, something that would have been unthinkable some years ago.
Welsh politics in relation to its counterparts in Northern Ireland and Scotland is, to borrow a Denis Healey quote “like being savaged by a dead sheep”. In Wales alone, where we are desperate for internal investment, after wasting a fortune on consultants, Mr Drakeford lacked the courage to add new infrastructure in terms of new motorway provision. This is another example of money wasted over the lifetime of this Assembly on expensive consultants who must regard Wales as a gravy train.
Minsters in Wales are constantly swapping briefs because they prove toothless in whatever portfolio they are given, and there is often no-one capable of taking their place. What then of the opposition? Between them all, they fare little better. My concern is that as we see Northern Ireland and Scotland progress and reap the spoils, we will continue to be heard of as “these rules apply to England and Wales only”. When this happens, we know who benefits most from this.
I see no other solution, given the paucity of talent, and virtually no charisma, in any of our Welsh Assembly Members regardless of party, than to glean what we can from a wide coalition government made up of the best from all parties. Brexit is here and the future suggests a long period of uncertainty for the whole nation. Wales gained most from the EU than any other part of the UK, what chance that this Government will support the replacement of those millions, given that our Assembly will, unlike the snarling dogs of Northern Ireland and Scotland, mew like kittens at Boris’ feet.
Maybe it’s time for the people of Wales to demand that all Assembly Members get up off their knees and combine to earn the salaries they presently do not deserve, work together with Welsh MPs from all parties, and make Wales a genuine part of this nation.
Glyn Scott Barry