Andrew RT Davies: Obviously, with the local government elections tomorrow, Cabinet Secretary, I very much hope that people will vote Conservative. You will say you very much hope people will vote Labour. But what we do know is what is on the table is a city deal that does need, obviously, all partners working to make sure it is delivered, and, in particular, around the transport solutions that, hopefully, will...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Last week in the news, First Minister, there were some serious concerns raised about the Tawel Fan report and the progress being made on the reporting system around the Tawel Fan ‘disaster’—I’d call it—where people were actually, as the previous report talked about, being treated like animals, and other shocking revelations. Families were showing real...
Andrew RT Davies: Well, the head of the community health council believes that it is appropriate, and, to use his words, so that ‘It may stop this practice elsewhere’. We know that report is available; it has been concluded. You are spending £5 million a year additionally running Betsi Cadwaldr because it’s in special measures, so you are responsible. When families and concerned clinicians want to see...
Andrew RT Davies: I’m really disappointed you’re not prepared to give some firm indications of when that report will be available. As I said, this isn’t a politician who’s saying this report should be made available; this is the head of the community health council in north Wales, along with family members and clinicians. So, I’d be grateful, if you’re not in a position to give an indication of the...
Andrew RT Davies: Leader of the house, I’m sure you’ll join with me in congratulating the many local councillors who’ve been elected across the length and breadth of Wales, but in particular the ones who have been elected in the Vale of Glamorgan, and in particular from the Conservatives, who now make us the biggest group on that particular council, and, hopefully, looking forward to an exciting five...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I formally move the motion on the order paper in the name of Paul Davies, which focuses on the strong and stable leadership that this country needs to continue its economic prosperity; regrets the First Minister’s public endorsement around borrowing on the nation’s credit card an additional £500 billion, which would endanger the future of the Welsh...
Andrew RT Davies: Well, if I can deal with the amendments first, Mike, and I will gladly take the—. I was just merely reading what was on the order paper at that stage, to be honest, with a few soundbites. The amendments, we will not be accepting, as is not surprising. The Government’s ‘delete all’ amendment really does call into question who wrote that amendment, to be honest with you, because,...
Andrew RT Davies: There is only one coalition of chaos on the ballot paper for June 8, Mike, as well you know, and that is the coalition of chaos that would be led by Jeremy Corbyn and the devastating consequences, economically and for the future of the United Kingdom. And, of course, you are part of a coalition with the nationalists and with the Liberal Democrats, as we’ve seen, since last May. There is a...
Andrew RT Davies: When you look at what is coming from the European Commission, a negotiation is of two parties negotiating to their best advantage. It is a fact that the EU as it currently stands has 27 members in those negotiations. We are on the other side of that table. They are of course going to galvanise around a negotiating position. Who do you want negotiating that strategy on behalf of Britain? Do...
Andrew RT Davies: I’d be grateful if you could—because you’ve obviously researched this—name one financier, one person who understands public debt, who would back this policy of putting another £500 billion on the credit card of the United Kingdom. I heard what the Cabinet Secretary said and the IMF do not support that policy.
Andrew RT Davies: Will the Cabinet Secretary give way?
Andrew RT Davies: I do find that ironic. One minute you’re slating us for austerity, the next minute you’re saying we’re borrowing too much, you are, then then, but we heard from the principal Plaid Cymru speaker of a Wales that doesn’t bear any resemblance to the Wales that you were drawing on, Cabinet Secretary. Who’s right? You or him?
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Could I just welcome back the Cabinet Secretary for rural affairs, who makes a welcome return to the Chamber? I wish you well, hopefully, in getting over the recent fall that you had, Cabinet Secretary. First Minister, you said at the end of April that Jeremy Corbyn needed to prove himself if he were to become the Prime Minister at the end of this general...
Andrew RT Davies: Giving a straight answer, First Minister, is most probably not your strongest card to stand on, to be fair, as anyone who’s asked you a question in this Chamber could attest to. But, in the manifesto that the Labour Party brought forward today, it talks of abolishing tuition fees, but yet your education Cabinet Secretary said last week that, actually, it’s not tuition fees that are the...
Andrew RT Davies: As per usual, you cut off the quote, and she went on to say what a good job I’m doing [Laughter.] But, if you look at what the offer is on 8 June, it is an offer from the Welsh Conservatives today to abolish Severn bridge tolls and actually deliver a shot in the arm of £100 million to the Welsh economy. A £100 million against the fiscal illiteracy that we see coming out of Labour that I...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Could I begin by, obviously, passing on our deepest condolence to Julie, who joins us here today, and the rest of her family, who I believe are in the gallery, from the Conservative group and from my good self personally. I well remember the first time—and I made this comment last week— when I first met Rhodri and he was busily barricading his garden to try...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. If I may, Presiding Officer, I will not take my three questions today, given I think we need to stand shoulder to shoulder and face down this act of evil, this atrocity that happened in Manchester last night. As a father, I cannot think of anything more horrific than being separated from your children, separated from your loved ones, in the uncertain knowledge of...
Andrew RT Davies: Cabinet Secretary, welcome back to the Chamber. The point about 2,000 people dying prematurely in Wales through poor air quality—that’s five people a day—surely is one of the biggest public health challenges, dilemmas that we do face. I’ve listened to several of the answers that you’ve given and I welcome the action the Government is taking across portfolios. But, what confidence...
Andrew RT Davies: I’m grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for taking the intervention and, in particular, his emphasis on the whole of Wales—mid and north Wales as well. If I could draw his attention back to south-east Wales, it is excellent news that the Conservatives—and, indeed, I think there’s a consensus now, politically, that tolls need to be got rid of on the Severn bridge across parties. But...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. First Minister, could I identify myself with the comments that you made about the tragedies in London earlier on in the week? Obviously, we do stand shoulder to shoulder with the citizens of London and Manchester, and, ultimately, by getting about our normal way of life, we are defeating these terrorists—these thugs—who are inflicting such terrible, terrible...