Covid’s set to take a back seat as MSs focus on other challenges
As the Senedd begins its summer recess, Political editor-at-large Martin Shipton finds that MSs from all three political groups agree that when they return in September, the focus should be on matters other than Covid-19
NOTHING can or should diminish the attention given by the Welsh Government to managing the pandemic.
It has been an awful time for everyone – mostly those who have suffered the disease and those who have been bereaved, as well as the heroic health and care workers who have looked after those affected and those in the community whose lives have been disrupted.
But one crisis, devastating though it has been, cannot justify putting on hold indefinitely the need to tackle other serious issues that fall within the Senedd’s responsibilities.
When MSs return after the summer – and it’s worth noting that for most of the time they won’t be on holiday, but working in their constituencies – virtually all of the restrictions imposed on us for a year and a half will have been lifted.
It seems appropriate that they should turn their attention to the other challenges facing Wales.
I canvassed opinion from three MSs – one Labour, one Conservative and one Plaid Cymru.
All thought there was a need to refocus.
Caerphilly Labour MS Hefin David said: “I think Mark Drakeford is under-reaching in terms of Senedd reform and overreaching when it comes to calls for a federal Britain.
“Nothing could happen about that until there’s a Labour government in Westminster, but he has the majority to push through Senedd reform that entails increasing the number of MSs and changing the electoral system to the Single Transferable Vote.
“I believe Mark is in favour of these changes, but so far he doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it.
“In my view it’s absolutely crucial for Welsh democracy that we have more Senedd Members and a fairer voting system.”
Mr David said he would like to see public-sector employees given the opportunity to work from home on a continuing basis if that was feasible.
He added: “As chair of the Unison Senedd group, I’m also very supportive of the social partnership legislation that will be brought forward. It’s focusing on public procurement but I’d like to see a greater emphasis as well on workers’ rights. The problem is that there are limitations to what can be done because employment law is not devolved.”
Darren Millar, the Welsh Conservative MS for Clwyd West and opposition chief whip, said: “So far as the organisation of the Senedd is concerned, I’m looking forward to getting back to a situation where we have debates that are wholly in the chamber.
“I don’t think the hybrid debates [with some MSs in the chamber, but with others participating remotely] have worked well. They’ve tended to stifle debate. Having everyone in the chamber makes for a healthier and more vibrant democracy.”
Mr Millar said that in policy terms, he’d like to see more progress towards getting a Clean Air Act for Wales.
“I was disappointed to learn that the Welsh Government is delaying clean air legislation and will be pressing them to prioritise it,” he said.
He’s also keen to see the backlog of patient cases in the NHS tackled.
“The rollout of the vaccine has been an enormous success but, as we know, the concentration on dealing with Covid has created problems for the rest of the NHS. The Welsh Government needs to get on top of this. There were waiting-time problems before Covid, and we need to make sure that they are brought down quickly.
“In education, we need to assess the impact of lockdown on young people. I’m afraid that while pupils from more prosperous backgrounds tended to have greater engagement from their parents and adapted well to working online, many of those from less privileged backgrounds missed out. That is very worrying for me and I think there’s a need to do whatever is possible to redress the inequality.
“I’m also very conscious that we need to keep our eyes on the climate change agenda. We mustn’t allow it to slip down the list of priorities.”
Mr Millar said the departure from the Senedd of MSs who were originally elected as members of Ukip was mainly a positive thing, and that it enhanced the possibility of getting cross-party agreement on various initiatives.
“It’s changed the feel of the Senedd,” he said. “This is my fourth term and I remember we could get a lot more done before we had people who were obsessed with one issue. I’m hoping we will be able to get back that spirit.”
Delyth Jewell, a Plaid Cymru regional MS for South Wales East, joined the Senedd in 2019 following the sad death of Steffan Lewis from cancer.
She said: “I hope very much that the Senedd will be able to look at the opportunity cost of Covid, which has had a huge toll on people’s mental health. There’s evidence that both old people and young people have suffered from loneliness during lockdown for different reasons. I’ve recently re-established an intergenerational group at the Senedd to look at issues of this kind.
“I’m also keen that we shouldn’t keep referring to the lost time and the lost experience of young people. I’m concerned that if we keep talking about loss, it will have a negative impact on them. I don’t want it to become a self-fulfilling process. Instead we need to be nurturing young people and helping them achieve.”
Ms Jewell also wanted to see progress on Senedd reform.
“We have a two-thirds majority in favour of it, but I’d like to see a lot of public engagement about the reasons for it.
“The Welsh Government isn’t getting the scrutiny it should, because there aren’t enough backbenchers to do the job properly. Some Labour MSs are on three committees, giving them a massive workload. Instead of asking whether we can afford to increase the size of the Senedd, a better question would be whether we can afford not to.”
If these three Welsh politicians are typical – and there is no reason to believe otherwise – we should be hearing a lot more about topics other than the pandemic after they return to the Senedd in September.