We’ll revitaliseWales, it’ll be a land of opportunity
In the first of a series of articles in the run-up to next Thursday’s Assembly election, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams makes her pitch for your vote...
FOR more than 100 years Liberals have believed in Wales having our very own parliament. But the question is, since the establishment in 1999 of the National Assembly, has it delivered for people? In my heart of hearts, I have to admit that the answer is “no”.
The Labour Welsh Government is the longest-surviving government in Europe. It is bankrupt of ideas, tired, and with flawed priorities – 17 years in power, yet no vision for Wales’ future.
One needn’t look any further than Labour’s crusade to ban the use of e-cigarettes, all while NHS waitinglists continue to grow and health services are failing.
People, rightly, expect their Welsh Government to deliver effective public services and economic stability.
Yet NHS waiting-lists in Wales remain the longest in the UK, our schools’ standards have fallen in the international league tables and our economy continues to lag behind that of our counterparts.
Despite Labour’s failure, I still firmly believe in the power of our National Assembly to do good. But we cannot wait any longer to make devolution work for the people of Wales. Politics in Wales has to change.
People have had enough of politicians lecturing them. I want to turn that on its head; for the Assembly to be centred on action, with Members listening to a variety of voices. Welsh Liberal Democrats consistently put our community first and take a stand on issues neglected by others: be that human rights, the environment, or mental health.
One recent example of our approach was when the Welsh Liberal Democrats voted against the outrageous £10,000 Assembly Member pay hike – the only party to do so.
Similarly, in February a Welsh Liberal Democrats’ initiative, the More Nurses Bill, became law, making Wales the first country in Europe to introduce safe staffing levels for acute health services.
We will build on this success by extending this bill to include maternity wards, children’s wards and community care.
We want Wales to be a leading example to others on how to deliver the very best services.
Being a mother of three girls, I know every parent wants a good start for their children. We have many great teachers, but too often they are forced to work in overcrowded classrooms.
The average class size in Wales is higher than nearly all other developed countries. Parents’ calls for smaller classes have been ignored for too long.
Our priority for education will be to cut class sizes to a maximum of 25 pupils, enabling teachers to deliver a first-class education for our children.
I want my daughters’ generation to grow up and live in a Wales where people can fulfil their ambitions and prosper. But for that to happen a dramatic change is needed. The Welsh Liberal Democrats’ focus is to deliver an Opportunity Economy for Wales.
We will give young people the skills they need to get on in life by providing an extra 140,000 apprenticeship starts, more than any other party. We will establish a Small Business Administration that will bring independent advice and finance together, giving growing businesses the best chance of success. Our offer on childcare is unique; as we are the only party offering free childcare to help working parents as soon as paid parental leave ends.
And unlike Labour’s almost sneering attitude to the idea of supporting aspiration, we will help people achieve their dream of getting on the housing ladder by enabling them to buy their own home without needing to pay a deposit.
As we all know, the digital revolution has changed every aspect of our lives over the past 25 years, from learning or working to shopping and socialising.
Yet Wales has the lowest level of superfast broadband of anywhere in the UK, and unacceptably poor levels of mobile coverage.
I am determined that Wales should be able to take advantage of its historical passion for innovation and hard work in the digital age, but to do that we need to improve our infrastructure and digital inclusion across Wales.
Modern Wales can reach its potential. We will support people’s ambitions, so that if you live in Wales, were born in Wales, have moved to Wales or work in Wales, then you are part of our project to revitalise our nation.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats’ ambition is clear: to work in the Assembly for you and to deliver a Wales that works for you.