The Welsh Secretary has written a letter to both First Minister candidates, demanding they “reset Labour’s agenda” to “get Wales moving”.
In his speech at the Welsh Conservative conference in Llandudno, Monmouth MP David Davies held up an identical letter he has sent to both Vaughan Gething and Jeremy Miles, calling on both candidates to prioritise fixing the NHS, education, farming and transport – all areas that are devolved.
He argued even more money would be available to the Labour Welsh Government if the candidates abandon their “expensive vanity projects”, including spending £120m on creating more Members of the Senedd.
The letter Mr Davies sent reads: “At present, Wales suffers from the worst waiting lists in the whole of the UK, with roughly 25,000 people stuck on a waiting list for two years or more. Yet health boards are now being forced to make tens of millions in cuts.
“The enormous potential of the Welsh economy is continually being stifled. Wales-based companies face some of the highest business rates in the country, with Welsh workers taking home the worst pay packet.
“Welsh schools also finished bottom of all the UK nations in the 2023 PISA rankings. I am sure you will agree with me that our children deserve far better than this.
“Addressing these significant devolved issues should be among your top priorities as First Minister, as well as ditching the many damaging flagship policies of your predecessor.
“Economically, reversing the 20mph default speed limits would undo, according to your government’s own analysis, over £4bn in damages, and unblocking the ban on any new roads being built would provide better infrastructure for businesses to flourish.
“Wales also desperately needs more nurses, teachers and doctors, not more Senedd Members – especially when such a move would cost the taxpayer over £100m.
“It is crucial that you urgently reset the agenda to get Wales moving."
In his speech on Friday (23 February), Mr Davies added: “Wales is experiencing a crisis, where our economy is on its knees, and we have the worst waiting lists in the whole of the UK.
“Both Vaughan Gething and Jeremy Miles have been at the Welsh Government helm for the entirety of Mark Drakeford’s term. Not once did either candidate voice their concerns at the disastrous policies being implemented, from forcing health boards to make tens of millions in cuts to then spend over £100m on creating more Senedd Members, or introducing a ban on any new roads being built or potentially forcing farmers to forfeit their land for tree planting.
“That is why I have written an identical letter to both, because they are two peas in a pod. But it is high time that both commit to putting Wales’ interests first.”