Devolution hasn’t failed – Labour has

HOW do we judge if devolution has been a success? Has the economy improved, have public services improved, has the “devolution dividend” had any effect on Wales’ dependence on funding from England, via Barnett?

The answer is no, no and no to all. Despite unaudited European Structural Funding, all £10.5bn of it, over the last 20 years, Wales remains near the bottom of every performance table.

Wales still receives billions from England every year, via Barnett – £13,795.7bn for 2019-20. So show me the devolution dividend.

In addition Wales was also given £4bn in coronavirus funding. Despite this, the Welsh Government’s overall handling of the pandemic has been woeful. Indeed, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has called on the Equality and Human Rights Commission to investigate Wales’ care home crisis and continually missed testing targets.

Two decades of devolution in which Welsh Labour has delivered the worst health system in Britain. “Clear red water” between Cardiff Bay and Westminster has resulted in five out of Wales’ seven health boards being under some form of intervention. Even Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey called for a public inquiry into the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board.

Welsh devolution was carried on high hopes, hopes for a demonstratable devolution dividend. There is no evidence of improved economic performance (GDP/GVA). Infrastructure development suffers, as the decision to scrap the M4 Relief Road and Swansea Tidal Barrage shows.

Devolution hasn’t failed Wales. Welsh Labour has failed Welsh devolution – so failing Wales. Graham Simmonds Blackwood, Gwent