Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:52 pm on 5 October 2021.
Another week in the Senedd and once again the same old Welsh Labour—more debates about powers and wanting more devolution to raise taxes, which will eventually hurt the hard-working people of Wales. One thing I've learnt since becoming a Senedd Member is that the Government of Wales don't really want to tackle the issues facing our country, and they want to use this precious time to debate constitutional matters. The people of Wales are no fools. They see that you're struggling to fix the huge problems Wales faces, but they just want you to be honest and step up to the plate and deal with them. The Welsh economy—Wales has consistently had the lowest GDP of all the GB nations. The Welsh NHS—one in five people on a waiting list. And do you know, you're currently failing to meet housing targets, and a vacant land tax will not work, as my colleague Peter Fox has mentioned. It is very complicated and very difficult to introduce.
These are just a few examples of how this Labour administration is failing, but what we want to see you do is just get on with things. All this constitutional chit-chatter is not helping this country. What is clear is the Government is just running out of ideas. You're running away from the big issues, and if you can't show the leadership the country needs, I suggest you step aside and let others have a go. We need more houses in Wales, but instead of calling for more tax-raising powers from Westminster, build more homes with the powers you currently have available to you. You're struggling to deal with the problems we currently face. We have had over 15 Government debates and statements on constitutional matters. You're dodging the real issues facing Wales. The thought of this Government having any more say over taxes sends a shiver down my spine and out of my shoes. You cannot run Wales with the powers you currently have, and you're currently not building the houses we need to meet demand. All the while, things aren't getting better, they're getting worse, and if you can't take the real steps needed to get our country back onside, I suggest Labour step aside and let the Welsh Conservatives have a go at running our country.