Tom Giffard: This week, we sadly lost who, I think, is our greatest ever Briton. She was a leader of our nation, but also a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother—a badge that she wore very proudly until her very last day with us. She was someone who spanned generations, acting as a bridge with the past, as well as simultaneously evolving as times did. I know that people across Wales are feeling...
Tom Giffard: Thank you, Deputy Minister. And as this is my last question to you before our summer recess, can I wish you and your officials a very happy, and, hopefully, peaceful recess as well? And it's also the last number of questions to you before two key events: first of all team Wales in the Commonwealth Games, which I'm sure you'll join me in backing, and, second of all, whilst we won't be at the...
Tom Giffard: Okay. I'm grateful to you, Deputy Minister. Moving to a completely different arena, this time, a virtual one, I want to ask you about esports.
Tom Giffard: I recently met with John Jackson, who runs Esports Wales, who mentioned the esports Wales team will soon be competing in the Commonwealth Esports Championships, which, like the Commonwealth Games, are in Birmingham next month. I'm sure you'll be aware, Deputy Minister, of the huge economic and social benefits that esports provide. But one of the things that became very clear during the...
Tom Giffard: Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Dirprwy Lywydd, and good afternoon to you, Deputy Minister. With the World Wrestling Entertainment Clash at the Castle event at the Principality Stadium just a few months away, I wanted to ask you about the state of professional wrestling in Wales. In April 2021, the all-party parliamentary group on wrestling in Westminster, chaired by the Pontypridd MP, Alex...
Tom Giffard: Well, where on earth do we start with this one? Let’s make no mistake at all about what today’s Plaid debate is about: it has nothing to do with keeping us in the single market; it has everything to do with Plaid Cymru trying to keep us in the European Union against our will. It’s been six years, but the so-called Party of Wales can’t accept that the people of Wales voted to leave the...
Tom Giffard: I think what you fail to recognise is that these people are based in these communities. They run and operate businesses in places like Carmarthenshire. They absolutely are part of those communities and help them run. To penalise them in this way by your party and the Labour Party is totally unfair—[Interruption.]—and I think it is notable that not one single Labour backbencher got up to...
Tom Giffard: Not one single Labour backbencher got up to defend your plans today, Minister. I think that is a notable point to make as well. And so I would urge Members to vote to annul this Bill today—vote to save Welsh tourism before this triple whammy of announcements and policies from Welsh Government leave us with no sector left to save.
Tom Giffard: Yes. I think this policy has been rushed, quite frankly, to satisfy the demands and the needs of Plaid Cymru and the co-operation agreement. So, to conclude—. Well, the one thing I will say in addition to that to Russell, it was notable—
Tom Giffard: Oh, happily from the deputy First Minister.
Tom Giffard: Yes.
Tom Giffard: Can I just talk very quickly about Mabon ap Gwynfor's contribution as well, when he talked about over-tourism? I think the tourism industry wants to help solve the problems of over-tourism—it has said that it does—in those areas where the numbers of second homes are higher. But as Mark Isherwood said, that is a conflation of two different issues here, and, as a result, these businesses...
Tom Giffard: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I thank Members for their valuable contributions to my annulment motion today? We've heard from a range of Members across the Chamber, and I'll just cap off very quickly some of their remarks. Sam Rowlands kicked off by talking about the economic impact—that £6,000 additional tax bill that some of these businesses now are going to be forced to pay. Peter Fox...
Tom Giffard: Diolch yn fawr iawn ichi, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to formally move this motion by emphasising my party's continued opposition to this arbitrary increase to the non-domestic rating of self-catering businesses across Wales. And we do side with the industry on this issue. We believe that an increase from 70 to 105 days to bring them in line with HM Revenue and Customs requirements would be far...
Tom Giffard: I'm grateful to the First Minister for his answer, but I can't exactly say I share his optimism about the dental industry here in Wales. The most obvious example that we're facing a crisis in dentistry is the sheer number of questions that you and the health Minister have faced from Members in recent months on the subject. My colleague Sam Rowlands asked you about the situation in north...
Tom Giffard: 1. Will the First Minister provide an update on access to dental services in South Wales West? OQ58287
Tom Giffard: But, also, it teaches us important lessons and qualities for our lives, both for young people and for us older ones who perhaps need to be reminded sometimes—lessons like a team ethic, one for all, the team over individuals, and patience, sticking with the team through thick and thin, respect for the rules, discipline, and acceptance as well. And Altaf Hussain was just telling me about his...
Tom Giffard: Thank you, Jack Sargeant, for tabling this debate today. When I saw the name of the debate, 'creating a leading football nation', I knew I wanted to speak on it because it made me think, 'Well, what does make up a nation?' And Wales, I think, is a nation of communities and, in my opinion, nothing binds a community together quite like a local football club. As I'm sure Mike Hedges will attest,...
Tom Giffard: Absolutely.
Tom Giffard: Well, we’ve got a wonderful debate coming up next—I’m sure you’ll stay behind—on Welsh football. But Plaid Cymru’s short-sighted suggestion may be one of the Conchita Wurst suggestions I’ve heard in this Chamber. No, that one didn’t land. Okay. [Laughter.] I just wanted to finish by saying I saw little bit of nonsense on social media earlier today asking why we were using some...
