Speaking in the debate on Police Devolution, I stated that Labour and Plaid Cymru calls for the devolution of policing to Wales defied reality. Most people in Wales live along the M4 and A55 corridors, separated by a vast rural area, and very different policing requirements. 48% of people in Wales live within 25 miles of the border with England, 90% within 50 miles. My contacts in North Wales Police and Police Federation have repeatedly told me that they have closer operational collaboration with the Merseyside and Cheshire forces than the rest of Wales. This Labour First Minister seems to be talking about taking yet more powers from the regions of Wales and centralising these in Cardiff.
With tough negotiations ahead over Brexit, I questioned the First Minister over Jeremy Corbyn’s statement that the issue of Brexit “is settled”.
Speaking in the Welsh Conservative Debate on the Welsh Economy, I warned that in endorsing Jeremy Corbyn’s plan to borrow an extra 500 Billion, First Minister Carwyn Jones is failing to tell the people of Wales that bigger cuts will result, where countries which rejected austerity got it in full measure. After two decades under Labour, Wales stands as a warning to people across our islands, with levels of employment, prosperity and pay trailing UK levels, and poverty and child poverty exceeding them.
Questioning the Lifelong Learning Minister, I called for assurances that the Welsh Government’s Additional Learning Needs (Wales) Bill will guarantee that children with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes, will receive the support they need in school.
In Headway UK’s ‘Action for Brain Injury Week 2017’, I was pleased to sponsor and speak at the charity’s first National Assembly for Wales event, commending the work they do to improve life after brain injury.
I attended the North Wales’ Disability Resource Centre AGM and Open Day in Bodelwyddan as its Honorary Vice President.
Other North Wales engagements included the North Wales Critical Care and Trauma Network's Major Trauma Conference, 'The Patient's Experience', and the CBI North Wales Annual Dinner.
Assembly engagements included Blood Bikes Wales, a charity doing fantastic work supporting NHS Wales, and young people at both BT Cymru and the Princes Trust giving evidence to our Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee inquiry into Apprenticeships.
If you need my help, please email mark.isherwood@assembly.wales or ring 0300 200 7217.