Another 'historic first' for Welsh Labour
Welcome to this month's Hiraeth Review, our latest comment and favourite content from the last month that we think will add to, or improve, understanding of matters local, national, union-wide, or international. We hope you enjoy!
The last month has been a historic one in Welsh political and civic life, marked by the election of Eluned Morgan as the first female First Minister and her recent Cabinet announcement. However, as we have recently learned with the short tenure of her predecessor, historic firsts do not guarantee a successful premiership.
Her tenure began with a “listening tour” aimed at engaging directly with the public saw her visit various locations including Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfil, and parts of North Wales. The tour has been both praised and criticised, with some viewing it as a genuine effort to connect with voters, while others, including Plaid Cymru, have dismissed it as a public relations stunt. Morgan has stated that the feedback from these interactions has shaped her government’s priorities.
Eluned Morgan also announced her new cabinet, marking the fourth Welsh Government ministerial team in 2024 alone. Key appointments include Huw Irranca-Davies as Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, and Jeremy Miles accepting the ‘poisoned chalice’ as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. (Though shrewd observers might note that Wales’s last three First Ministers held this brief prior to leading the government. Perhaps Mr Miles will have another chance.). Mark Drakeford, the former First Minister, returns as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language. These appointments reflect Morgan’s focus on climate change, public health, and economic stability and the necessary compromises from 2024’s factional in-fighting. Vikki Howells is the new face in the room taking the deputy minister role for FE and HE.
In the Senedd, the Welsh Conservatives have been pressing the Welsh Labour government to reconsider plans to end winter fuel payments for most pensioners. This issue has sparked significant debate, with concerns about the impact on vulnerable populations. Additionally, plans for a more gender-equal Senedd were dropped by the new First Minister. This decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some advocating for continued efforts towards gender parity in Welsh politics.
Priorities for the new Labour administration have been announced and perhaps there is no surprise they are somewhat similar to those that have come before, focusing on reducing NHS waiting times and improving schools. Morgan has emphasised the need for tough decisions due to the challenging state of UK public finances. Her administration aims to support jobs, fix roads and buses, and hold health bosses accountable for long waiting lists. Meanwhile, the future of many pharmacies in Wales is uncertain amid rising costs and increased pressure to deliver more services, leading to concerns about the sustainability of the sector and its ability to meet public health needs.
Plans for a new tram system in Cardiff, known as Cardiff Crossrail, have been revealed. The first stage of the project would connect Cardiff Central station with Cardiff Bay, aiming to improve public transport infrastructure in the capital. Wales also celebrated the 75th anniversary of its first listed buildings, with over 30,000 listed buildings now reflecting the nation’s rich cultural and historical heritage as September’s open doors campaign gets underway.
Elsewhere, a report from the auditor general has highlighted the need for better training for members of Wales’ Fire Rescue Authorities. The report warns that some members do not have the required skills, which could impact the effectiveness of fire and rescue services. Additionally, there has been widespread opposition to the plan to impose 20mph speed limits on 1,500 roads in Wales. Despite this, police have pointed to a drop in casualties and crashes as evidence of the plan’s effectiveness.
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A New Cabinet for a new First Minister?
First Minister Eluned Morgan unveiled her new cabinet, marking significant changes in the Welsh Government. Huw Irranca-Davies has been appointed as Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. Jeremy Miles takes on the role of Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, while Mark Drakeford, the former First Minister, returns as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language.
Rebecca Evans has been named Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning. Jayne Bryant will serve as Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, and Lynne Neagle has been appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Education. Ken Skates takes on the role of Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales.
Jane Hutt has been appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd, and Chief Whip. Jack Sargeant will serve as Minister for Culture, Skills, and Social Partnership. Vikki Howells has been named Minister for Further and Higher Education, and Sarah Murphy takes on the role of Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Dawn Bowden has been appointed as Minister for Children and Social Care, and Julie James will serve as Counsel General Designate and Minister for Delivery.
Eluned Morgan emphasized that her new cabinet reflects the priorities and concerns she heard during her summer listening tour across Wales. She stated that the new team is dedicated to delivering positive change for the people of Wales, focusing on key issues such as climate change, public health, education, and economic development.
The new First Minister's priorities
Eluned Morgan, has outlined four key priorities for her administration. These priorities reflect her commitment to addressing pressing issues and driving positive change across Wales.
Firstly, Morgan aims to tackle the climate crisis by accelerating efforts towards a greener Wales. This includes enhancing renewable energy projects, improving public transport, and promoting sustainable practices across various sectors. Her administration plans to introduce a Clean Air Act and expand the National Forest, which will contribute to Wales’ environmental goals.
Secondly, Morgan is focused on improving public health services. She has pledged to reduce NHS waiting times and address the backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes increasing funding for mental health services and ensuring that healthcare is accessible and efficient for all Welsh citizens.
Thirdly, education is a top priority for Morgan. She intends to enhance the quality of education by investing in schools and supporting teachers. Her administration will work towards reducing class sizes and ensuring that every child in Wales has access to high-quality education. Additionally, Morgan plans to expand vocational training and apprenticeship programs to better prepare young people for the workforce.
Lastly, Morgan is committed to tackling poverty and inequality. She aims to support the most vulnerable populations by increasing social welfare programs and ensuring that everyone has access to affordable housing. Her administration will focus on creating job opportunities and supporting businesses to drive economic growth and reduce unemployment.
Where are the brave inciters of Britain’s race riots? From Tommy to Elon, they’re far, far away
The recent race riots in the UK have been a significant and troubling development, with far-right figures like Tommy Robinson and influential voices such as Elon Musk playing notable roles. The unrest began following a tragic incident in Southport, where three young girls were fatally stabbed at a dance event. Misinformation quickly spread online, falsely claiming the attacker was a Muslim immigrant, which fueled anti-immigrant sentiment and led to violent protests targeting mosques and asylum seeker accommodations.
Tommy Robinson, a well-known far-right activist, has been at the forefront of these riots, using social media to amplify false narratives and incite violence. His actions have drawn widespread condemnation, but they have also mobilized a significant number of supporters who share his anti-immigrant views.
Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter has also been involved in the controversy. Musk has used his platform to criticize the UK government’s handling of the riots, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of discriminatory policing. Musk’s comments have been seen as supportive of the far-right rioters, further inflaming tensions.
The UK government has condemned the riots and the spread of misinformation, emphasizing that the violence is being driven by a minority of extremists. Prime Minister Starmer has called for unity and condemned the actions of those exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
The situation highlights the dangerous impact of misinformation and the role of social media in spreading false narratives. It also underscores the challenges faced by the UK in addressing far-right extremism and maintaining social cohesion in the face of such divisive events.
The only thing worse than a slow hand clap is no hand clap
Party conference speeches aren’t known for soaring oratory and few would accuse this year’s UK Labour conference of being responsible for quickening pulses across the UK. However, it was the big opportunity for Eluned Morgan to introduce herself as the new First Minister of Wales and leader of Welsh Labour to the UK Party, many of whom will not know her. Despite the evidently warm relationship between Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens and Eluned, the audience in the room clearly needed a bit of warming up.
Her opening salvo of describing herself as the first female Labour of any country was met with muted cheers (describing Wales as a ‘country’ isn’t universal inside the party) but while applause lines were there aplenty in her speech, the applause didn’t necessarily follow…
“Deall” pam nad oedd Eluned Morgan eisiau “galw allan” Keir Starmer
We are just at the start of a new dynamic between the two Labour-led governments and it is both a curse and a blessing for Eluned Morgan.
There is a much more coordinated and comradely relationship between both governments and the line ‘working together for the people of Wales’ to be repeated aplenty but, for critics, there is no longer any hiding room for Welsh Labour and no Conservative government to blame for all ills. Our very own Matthew Hexter spoke to Rhys Owen at Golwg360 about this tension:
A new framework for economic development in Wales: the Wellbeing Economy
The article from the Institute of Welsh Affairs discusses a new framework for economic development in Wales, centered around the concept of the Wellbeing Economy. This approach, advocated by Dawn Lyle, co-director of Wellbeing Economy Cymru and 4theRegion, emphasizes the need to shift away from traditional economic models that prioritize profit and growth at the expense of social and environmental wellbeing.
The Wellbeing Economy aims to create a green and prosperous Wales where local communities thrive, and everyone has access to decent housing, healthy food, nature, and a sense of belonging. This vision aligns with the Well-being of Future Generations Act and its seven wellbeing goals, which focus on long-term sustainability and the welfare of both people and the planet.
The article critiques the current globalized economy, characterized by overproduction, consumerism, and extractive practices that often move wealth out of local areas. It argues that relying on economic growth alone will not address the challenges Wales faces, such as poverty, joblessness, the climate crisis, and worsening health outcomes. Instead, it calls for a fundamental rethinking of economic strategies to prioritize wellbeing over profit.
Lyle highlights the importance of recognizing the negative impacts of the consumer economy and advocates for policies that support local businesses, sustainable practices, and community resilience. The Wellbeing Economy framework seeks to address these issues by fostering an economy that cares for people and the environment, rather than one driven solely by financial gain.
Regional Economic Development and the Case of Wales: Theory and Practice and Problems of Strategy and Policy
This article by Jonathan Bradbury and ex Welsh Economic Minister Andrew Davies considers what difference devolution has made to the development of the Welsh economy. The answer is that Wales’ performance has not relatively improved. Wales has many long-term structural economic problems, but Welsh strategy since 1999 has not met expectations for charting a clear and strong way forward either. Policies have lacked coherence and consistency, and ambitions have not been matched by effective implementation. Wales also lacks a political culture of effective democratic challenge to improve things.
Disgraced politicians on their way home?
The Welsh Parliament, or Senedd, is considering new proposals that would allow the public to remove politicians who break parliamentary rules. Currently, unlike in Westminster, there is no recall system in place for Senedd members. This issue gained attention earlier this year when a Senedd member was suspended for six weeks for inappropriate behavior, which would have triggered a recall petition if he were an MP.
The Senedd’s standards committee is exploring the introduction of a recall system as the institution prepares to expand from 60 to 96 members in the next election in 2026. Under the proposed system, if a politician breaches rules, a recall petition could be initiated. If 10% or more of local voters sign the petition, the politician would be replaced by the next candidate on the party list, maintaining the proportional representation of the Senedd.
This proposal has cross-party support, but the Welsh government did not include it in its recent legislation to expand the Senedd. The new electoral system, which will elect politicians from party lists, complicates the implementation of by-elections. The committee’s solution aims to ensure that the proportional share of parties in the Senedd remains unchanged, reflecting the voters’ choices from the last election.
Welsh Government active travel ambitions a long way from being achieved
The Welsh Government’s ambitions for active travel, which include increasing walking and cycling for everyday journeys, are far from being achieved, according to a report by Audit Wales. Despite significant investment through the Active Travel Fund, with annual spending rising from £20 million in 2018-19 to £46 million in 2023-24, active travel rates have not improved. In 2022-23, only 51% of people walked at least once a week for active travel purposes, down from 60% in 2019-20, while cycling rates have remained static at 6%.
The report highlights several issues, including inadequate target setting, insufficient integration of active travel into wider policies, and local prioritization challenges. It also points out capacity issues within local authorities and a lack of robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress and assess value for money. The building of physical infrastructure has not been matched by efforts to raise awareness and change behavior.
Audit Wales emphasizes the need for the Welsh Government to deliver on its new delivery plan, which includes developing a new monitoring and evaluation framework and a revised assessment and funding framework. The report calls for a stronger focus on evidence-based approaches to ensure that active travel initiatives achieve their intended impact
Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group Reports Published
On September 16, 2024, the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group launched a series of seven comprehensive reports aimed at guiding Wales towards achieving net zero emissions by 2035. Jane Davidson, Chair of the Challenge Group, emphasized the urgency of accelerating Wales’ transition to a sustainable future in her statement.
The reports cover various critical areas, including pathways to a prosperous and resilient Wales, enabling the transition to net zero, and envisioning the future of education, jobs, and work across Wales by 2035. They also explore how Wales can achieve self-sufficiency in food production, meet energy needs while phasing out fossil fuels, and ensure sustainable heating and construction practices.
Davidson highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach, involving government, businesses, and communities, to address the climate crisis effectively. She stressed that the reports provide actionable insights and recommendations to support this transition, focusing on innovation, inclusivity, and resilience.
The Challenge Group, comprising 25 independent members, including representatives from the Welsh Youth Parliament, aims to foster a just transition that benefits all sectors of society. The reports also call for further evidence and input from the public to refine and implement the proposed strategies.
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