Welsh Labour has failed devolution

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 European Structural Funding, all £10.5 billion of it, over the last 20 years, Wales remains near the bottom of every performance table. Structural Funding unaudited.

Wales still receives billions from England every year, via Barnett. £13,795bn for 2019-20. So show me the devolution dividend. In addition

Wales was also given £4bn in Coronavirus Funding. Despite this, Welsh Government’s woeful overall handling of the pandemic. 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 demonstrable devolution dividend. There is no evidence of improved economic performance (GDP/GVA). Infrastructure development suffers as the decision to scrap the M4 Relief Road, Swansea Tidal Barrage, shows. Devolution hasn’t failed Wales. Welsh Labour has failed Welsh devolution. So failing Wales. Graham Simmonds Blackwood