Andrew RT Davies: Will the Minister outline her funding priorities for education in the fifth Assembly for South Wales Central?
Andrew RT Davies: Well, as I’ve said, from my point of view, I haven’t got a problem with it because, obviously, I work in this environment and I fully understand the meaning of the word Senedd in the context that it’s used in the Welsh language, but, obviously, for many people who aren’t familiar with the way the legislature works, the Government works here, and if you take Scotland, for example, the...
Andrew RT Davies: Yes, I’m happy.
Andrew RT Davies: I welcome the Government moving the debate this afternoon. I will most probably replicate the First Minister in keeping my comments brief, because I think the Presiding Officer, in her introduction, highlighted the process that was available to this Senedd, or parliament, or Assembly—call it what you will, because there’s going to be a discussion about that. But, some years ago, I...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Leader of the house, is it possible to have a statement from the economy Secretary in relation to business rates. The incoming Government was very clear in its manifesto commitment that it was going to be making a commitment on business rates, specifically to uplift, obviously, the margin that businesses, or the threshold, should I say, that businesses would be...
Andrew RT Davies: It’s quite remarkable that you’ve wasted so much of your time—but I’m quite happy that you’re using my quotes because you’ve got so little to say, First Minister. I stand by my quotes and I’m quite happy to put that on the record. I’m quite happy to debate with you any time, any place, First Minister, on the benefits that I see, and the people endorsed that at the ballot box...
Andrew RT Davies: First Minister, the quote I gave you was a direct quote from the Record of Proceedings here and I do note that you didn’t distance yourself from that quote. If I could also ask you a question on the letter that you released on the day of the referendum of 23 June in relation to the agreement that you have with the Liberal Democrats and, in particular, the assertion made by Kirsty Williams...
Andrew RT Davies: It’s a direct quote.
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. First Minister, you earlier alluded to the fact that you and the Cabinet Secretary for rural affairs met with the farming unions and other businesses from the rural communities yesterday. In questions, two weeks ago, the Cabinet Secretary said that she did not believe that farmers—and this is a direct quote—were ‘perhaps…the best people to run a...
Andrew RT Davies: I take the response that the First Minister has given. I take that point that it’s not a situation that occurs in Westminster, namely confirmation hearings, but don’t you think that we shouldn’t always try and replicate what Westminster do? This would be groundbreaking, because they are an important part of the Government architecture, special advisers are, and having a form of...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I formally move the amendments on the order sheet, in the name of Paul Davies. I welcome the opportunity to participate in this debate. I can well remember, in the last Assembly, the debates, the discussions and the First Minister’s questions that the former leader of the Liberal Democrats used to use to cajole the First Minister into bringing forward a...
Andrew RT Davies: First Minister, thank you for your statement this afternoon. If I could also endorse the sentiments around the autism Bill, this is something that I have questioned you on in First Minister’s questions, and it is good to see that work is being carried out by the Welsh Government to see exactly what is the most appropriate way to take these issues forward. I think this is one area where...
Andrew RT Davies: Surely, that is a legitimate question to pose, and it is for us in this institution, as politicians—[Interruption.] And it is for us in this institution, and politicians of all colours, to make sure that the language that we settle on actually represents what will deliver the best deal for Wales. We have to pose the difficult questions to get the answers we require.
Andrew RT Davies: I believe there are huge opportunities—[Interruption.]—investment, innovation and to build a better, brighter future for global Britain, global Wales, and that is built on prosperity for all the regions of the United Kingdom and countries of the United Kingdom. That is what people want, and that is what we will secure if we make sure that we grab the opportunities before us. We will...
Andrew RT Davies: I welcome the opportunity to participate in this debate today. Obviously, because of the referendum last Thursday, a clear mandate was given to the Governments of all parts of the United Kingdom now to enact those wishes. It was a clear commitment from Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom that they wished to rebalance their relationship with the European Union. The negotiations will...
Andrew RT Davies: First Minister, I did not say ‘locked up in the Treasury’. I said there will be a new model for the way Government undertakes itself in any part of the United Kingdom. I have asked you two questions today. The first question was: did you commit yourself fully to the referendum? You didn’t respond to that question. I asked you what modelling the Welsh Government had undertaken to deal...
Andrew RT Davies: It’s hardly a ringing endorsement then, is it, First Minister? I do think it’s important to understand how the Welsh Government has been preparing for the outcome of the referendum. Obviously, the Chancellor has confirmed that the UK Government, irrespective of its position in that referendum, was preparing for both scenarios. And, obviously, there are people in receipt of European moneys...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Presiding Officer. First Minister, I’d like to identify first of all with the sentiments that have been expressed by other Members—there is no room for any intolerance, and, in particular, racism, in any part of our country, whether it be here in Wales or any part of the United Kingdom. And I stand shoulder to shoulder with any Member and any institution who is standing to...
Andrew RT Davies: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for giving way. We’re coming to the end of the Minister’s contribution. I would be grateful if you could confirm for the electorate next year that the mandate that will be given to elected members will be a full five-year mandate and there is, in your view, no need to curtail that mandate—so that people know who they’re voting for when they go to the...
Andrew RT Davies: I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate today. Public services, and the delivery of public services, are a vital plank of support for many people the length and breadth of Wales, and local government obviously plays a vital role in delivering those public services. I did mean my comments to the First Minister in the first weeks of this Government, when I said to him that we do wish...
