Lagoon rejection sparks attempt to oust Cairns
SECRETARY of State for Wales Alun Cairns will today face an unprecedented motion of no confidence at the Senedd, with the decision of the UK government not to proceed with the Swansea Tidal Lagoon scheme seen as the last straw by some of his political opponents.
But although some Welsh Labour MPs have called for Mr Cairns’ resignation, it is understood that the Welsh Government will amend the no-confidence motion put down by Plaid Cymru.
Speaking ahead of today’s debate, Plaid Cymru energy spokesman Simon Thomas said: “The decision not to go ahead with the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon was a vote of no interest in Wales by the UK government so we believe that the National Assembly for Wales should come together and join in a vote of no confidence in the Secretary of State for Wales.
“This week Westminster sent a very clear message to us that they’re not interested in the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon, tidal energy in Wales or in the cross-party and wide business case put forward for energy in Wales.
“We need to send a message back. We don’t believe in Westminster’s way and we want our resources to be used in a way that will benefit Wales’ people and economy.
“The Secretary of State is nothing more than Westminster’s voice in Wales and his role is now redundant. That is why Plaid Cymru’s motion calls for the position to be scrapped and replaced by a more equal and representative Council of Ministers.
“The vote today will also be a test for the Labour Party, who will have an opportunity to prove where their loyalties truly lie – with the people of Wales or with Westminster.”
It is understood that during a Labour group meeting, First Minister Carwyn Jones described the Plaid motion as “student politics” and said it needed amending.
Passing a motion of no confidence in Mr Cairns would damage trust between him and Mr Jones, who have a generally cordial relationship dating back to the Welsh Secretary’s time as an AM.
Former Gower MP Byron Davies, now chairman of the Welsh Conservative Party, defended Mr Cairns, saying: “I’ve known Alun for many, many years. You won’t get a more sincere Welshman than Alun Cairns.
“He’s brought a lot to Wales. I know because I’ve been at meetings with him and [Energy Secretary] Greg Clark, I know he was a great supporter of the tidal lagoon.
“There’s no issue about Alun’s commitment to it. No issue at all.”
Montgomeryshire Conservative MP Glyn Davies said: “Inevitably, I’ve spent quite a lot of time looking at these two decisions because I was instinctively in favour of them both going ahead. But I thought the electrification in particular was a complete no-brainer...
“It didn’t make any sense at all, [there was] hardly any cost benefit of any sort.
“The lagoon position is more difficult because we’re still very keen on developing tidal power.
“All I know is that the costings of the scheme weren’t going to work and I’ve known for some time.”
He admitted: “I’ve been a bit frustrated the decision has taken so long to be made public. I think the impossibility of the figures was pretty well known several months ago.”
Mr Davies said calls for Alun Cairns to resign as Welsh Secretary were “complete nonsense”.
He said: “I know I’m Alun’s [Parliamentary Private Secretary] but I’ve worked with him a long time. I’ve never seen a Secretary of State with the same level of commitment and enthusiasm since I’ve been involved in politics.
“I think he’s a terrific Secretary of State and this is sheer nonsense and just playing to the gallery and I just think [they are] making themselves look silly.”