In his latest blog for Caerphilly Observer, Caerphilly AM Hefin David calls on the Welsh Government to minimise post-Brexit fallout, and talks about being a “natural optimist” following the EU referendum.
Brexit
It seems that since I wrote my last blog post, the world has changed. We’ve seen a clear vote for Britain to leave the EU and this has had an immediate effect on our economy. It is the job of the Welsh Government now to ensure that the negative consequences of leaving the EU are minimised and that a distinctive Welsh plan is included in the exit strategy. Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy has already met with business and trade unions to develop such a strategy.
At the referendum vote count in Caerphilly, I was struck by the wild celebrations of UKIP members. I don’t think that this was appropriate, particularly given the fact that UKIP had absolutely no plan as to what should happen next. We should approach the future with maturity, holding Conservative politicians to account for their promises to match every penny we will lose in Wales as a result of Brexit.
Surgeries and optimism
During the campaign, we witnessed the brutal murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. This horrifying act was not only an attack on a young mother but also an attack on our democracy. It is vital in our open society that members of the public are able to meet with their politicians, regularly and freely in their communities. We need to consider security but it should not act as a barrier to representation. I will be holding regular surgeries in the Caerphilly constituency and these will be advertised widely.
I am a natural optimist and I’d like us to bring a new respect to our politics. I’d like to see the UK Labour leadership issue resolved sooner rather than later. It doesn’t matter to me who leads the UK Labour Party- it is far more important that they provide a clear challenge to the Conservative/ UKIP austerity agenda that is draining public funding from Caerphilly. Welsh Labour will lead confidently here in Wales and our Economic Strategy will keep us financially secure in uncertain times.
Hefin David writes regarding celebrations by “UKIP” at the Caerffili count “I don’t think that this was appropriate.” My reply, Hefin, is if you have worked years to achieve an objective, been faced with the power and money of the state, persuaded millions of voters who support other parties (Including Labour) that your cause is just and won handsomely – then I think a spontaneous celebration is not only justified but inevitable.
I have witnessed Labour celebrate in a similar manner when just winning a council election. With a very high turnout Caerffili voted 58% to leave the anti democratic EU. This was a massive result, on a par with the Labour election win of 1945, and celebrations have gone on all over Britain – deservedly so in my opinion.
With regard to there being “no plan” actually UKIP has indicated many times what it would like to see happen as we leave the European Super State. The people he should castigate for not having a plan is the Government, who in their arrogant assumption that things would go their way did not formulate a detailed plan for leaving.
Finally Hefin, I think you should concentrate on what is going on in your party as a coup d’etat is launched by Labour MPs against their democratically elected leader. They are doing this with no plan or alternative leader in sight. Leave us ‘Kippers’ to celebrate in peace.
I am sure, Richard, you also meant to say how corperative UKIP Assembly Members would be in the Assembly in supporting Hefin David and his labour colleagues By;-
“Approaching the future with maturity, holding Conservative
politicians (The conservative Government) to account for their promises to match every penny we will lose in Wales as a result of Brexit.”,
I know you will be fully supportive of this sentiment? or at least I am sure you would wish for nothing less?
I am positive that all AMs, from all parties will be putting the case for government investment in Wales. The good news is that once we leave the EU there will be a lot more money available.
I also hope that all parties at Cardiff will work together to ensure that the money is spent on proper strategic investment including, Severn Estuary power generation, rail links and high tech manufacturing instead of the dubious ‘gift’ we have had from the EU.
As Paul (see below) has mentioned more than once in his comments there is no disagreement that Wales received a lot of money for EU projects but this has done nothing to enrich Wales. Quite the reverse, from being a major manufacturer and exporter, before we joined, we in Wales have become poorer.
I never witnessed Labour trying that hard to make a case for voting to stay in the EU, on the night before the vote a rather poorly written Labour leaflet was shoved through my door which was quite obviously cobbled together at the last minute. If Mr David wants to criticise he should look no further than his own party who did very little when it came to campaigning to remain in the EU, and why when Wales is died in the wool Labour to the core did so many Labour voters vote to leave the EU. Wales has clearly benefited the most from EU funding ( well Welsh politicians have anyway ) yet Labour still failed to convince it’s supporters to vote to stay in the EU. Labour in Wales have taken their supporters for granted for far too long, they are complacent, arrogant and lazy and hopefully this poor attitude towards the people of Wales will soon see them lose power in Cardiff. .