7. & 8. Debate: New Coronavirus Restrictions (Postponed from 8 December) and a Welsh Conservatives Debate: Coronavirus — December Restrictions

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:28 pm on 9 December 2020.

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Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 6:28, 9 December 2020

Thank you very much, Presiding Officer, and could I thank everyone who has contributed in this debate? I think the note from the Deputy Presiding Officer, who chaired the meeting, said that there were 17 participants in the debate in total. So, I couldn't do justice to everyone who participated, but I thank you all, and I think the Government should take note of that level of interaction that has gone on here this afternoon. And in particular—and this is a plea that I do think the Government should listen to—in bringing these regulations before the Assembly so that we can vote on them, that is one of the big disconnects that many constituents who approached me—. And you can argue whether the regulations are right or wrong, but they cannot for the life of them understand why there has not been a vote on these regulations.

And the Minister, in his opening remarks—and I don't disagree with some of the points that he made and the passion with which he delivered them, because we all agree that there is a public health epidemic out there. We are all concerned at the rising numbers. Let's face it, as we stand here tonight—as we stand here tonight—Wales has the highest death rate of any part of the United Kingdom, has the highest infection rate of any part of the United Kingdom, and, as Darren Millar, who opened the debate said, of the 10 top local authorities with infections across the United Kingdom, nine of them are here in Wales.