It’s always difficult to sum up a whole year – the ups and downs, the triumphs and challenges. One thing is for sure, 2011 has definitely been eventful.
On a cloudy but dry day way back on Thursday 3rd March the people of Wales voted overwhelmingly to give further law-making powers to the National Assembly. It was the day an old nation came of age. The ‘Yes’ vote was not an answer to all of our problems, but it was a show of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of doing.
Away from the political world there was one shining event that raised all our spirits – the performance of Wales at the Rugby World Cup. All of us in Wales were with them every step of the way. Every tackle, every kick every try tested our nerves every step of the way.
Ultimately our hopes were dashed and we didn’t get to raise the Webb Ellis trophy in triumph, but for six weeks the team united Wales as one in pride.
However for many, this year will be remembered for the tough economic times we find ourselves in. Wales is not immune to the global climate. We have seen job losses, a squeeze on the incomes of families and continued economic uncertainty. I want to reassure everybody that the Welsh Government’s focus for 2012 can be summed up in two words – the economy.
We are doing all we can to use the levers we have to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. This includes speeding up major infrastructure projects, improving training for our workforce, supporting businesses and most importantly creating job opportunities for our young people.
Whilst the next twelve months will be tough, I promise that the challenges we face will be equalled by my determination to support the people of Wales throughout the coming months and years. Of that be in no doubt.
May I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
First Minister Carwyn Jones
I am getting a little fed up with politicians saying, "the people of Wales voted overwhelmingly to give further law-making powers to the National Assembly"
This is only because it was the result the, said, politicians wanted. May I remind readers of the statistics.
Eligible votes = 2,289,044
Votes for more powers for the Assembly= 517,132
Percentage of people of Wales voting for more power for the assembly = 22.59%
Hardly overwhelming, I am distinctly 'under-whelmed' at the turnout or the votes for more law making powers.
Whilst it is true that the referendum didn't exactly sweep the nation by storm, it did surpass many commentators expectations of a pitiful turnout. The 35% of people who cast their votes was comparable to that of local and Welsh Assembly elections figures. It is true that only 22.59% of the Welsh electorate voted for a yes vote but a staggeringly low proportion of the electorate voted no. Just 11%!!
There does remain scepticism of politicians of all parties with decreasing participation in elections since 1992. It is the job of all politicians therefore to re – engage with the electorate by showing good leadership and by pursuing policies that really chime with the public. Its worth noting that the present Conservative Government could only muster the backing of 23.47% of the British public in a UK general election. A lot of people in the South Wales valleys would be amazed that anybody could vote Conservative given their past (and present) history but it is incumbent on all those who do not support the divisive Tory vision to stand up against it.
I believe Carwyn Jones came into politics for all the right reasons and is doing a good job in difficult circumstances. He however can not win for Wales alone. The Welsh people are born fighters and if we are united against them we can defeat this Tory Government at the next available opportunity. The entire Labour movement has come together before to defeat the Tories and we will come together again.
James Pritchard is right when he commented,
"It is the job of all politicians therefore to re – engage with the electorate by showing good leadership and by pursuing policies that really chime with the public."
As a democrat I find it worrying that the voters do not feel interested or involved enough to vote. This was my point when I made my comment; it is just not true to say that Welsh voters overwhelmingly wanted more powers at the assembly, most appear to care not one jot for the assembly or those in it.
This apathy is wholly the fault of politicians who endlessy spin, as Carwyn Jones did in this article. If he had said that the low turnout was disappointing and his 'government' would make every effort to engage with the voters to ensure that the downward trend of votes cast was reversed I would be much happier. He did not and appears to be content that only a tiny percentage of voters actually use their vote. Content, at least, that the vote went the way he wanted. If it had gone the other way would he express such satisfaction?
When are politicians going to forget their political dogma and admit there is a systemic problem with our democracy?
You acquired the tools to do the job but what have we had carrier bags, interference in family life and nothing else.
I am sorry but when are you going to sort out the health service and the vast inequalities between treatments and services offered in newport in comparison to cardiff.