Is One Wales agreement worth the paper it’s written on? (Vale of Glamorgan Liberal Democrats)

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Vale of Glamorgan Liberal Democrats <valelibdems@hotmail.com>

Is One Wales agreement worth the paper it’s written on?

October 21, 2008 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

Welsh Liberal Democrats will ask whether the One Wales Agreement is worth the paper it's written on, in a debate in the Assembly this afternoon

The agreement has already seen more a dozen key pledges either abandoned, broken or delayed.

Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "In 15 months, we have seen the Labour-Plaid Government pick up where the previous Labour administration left off: broken promises and a failure to deliver for the people of Wales.

"Much of their programme was undeliverable before the credit crunch. It is impossible now. The government should go back to the drawing board and re-consider every pledge. And if a pledge cannot be delivered, or will not help people at a time when belts are being tightened across Wales, then they should admit it.

"By scrapping some of the peripheral pledges in the One Wales Agreement, the government could free up vital resources to help keep council tax low - and put money back in the pockets of hard working families and individuals."

Welsh Liberal Democrats highlighted a dozen undelivered pledges in the One Wales agreement:

A referendum on more powers by 2011 - neither coalition partner is pushing to ensure this happens.

Delayed introduction of Foundation Phase education reforms, due to insufficient government planning and budgeting.

26-week waiting times target likely to be missed according to NHS finance directors - due to below inflation funding for the target.

No Welsh Language LCO - at this stage it looks like David Melding AM could beat them to it!

No Welsh language daily newspaper.

A national art gallery - government admits it's unaffordable.

The Green Jobs Strategy that Labour has opposed for yours has still not appeared.

Post Offices are still waiting for the successful Post Office Development Fund to re-open.

One Wales says NHS reconfiguration to be 'evidence-based' and based on 'meaningful consultation'. So why did the minister ignore all recommendations from the consultation and appoint herself chair of the new advisory board?

There is still no realistic plan to increase supply of affordable housing by 6,500 by 2011.

The flagship Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) is not actually helping those in greatest need.

Despite warm words, Government has so far failed to release public land for affordable housing.

Mr German added: "We know that times are tough, but there is some slack in the budget. For example, the pilot scheme for free lap tops could be shelved. The needlessly costly introduction of free car parking for commuters on hospital sites could be overturned. There are additional millions in the road building budget that could be re-allocated.

"The government of Wales is not a victim of the credit crunch as much as it is a victim of its own failure to acknowledge that the years of booming public spending were over. Now it must go back to the drawing board to ensure that the people of Wales are protected and supported by their government, not held to ransom."

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