Dear me. Talk about out of touch.

We've heard time and time again in this Chamber about the need to expand the Senedd to promote scrutiny of the Welsh Government, but when it comes to promoting scrutiny now, the Welsh Government simply deflects and says they have moved on. But the people of Wales, the grieving loved ones of the COVID victims, the children who missed out on their valuable education, and those who had employment and financial worries have not moved on.

The Welsh Government's refusal to hold an inquiry shows that scrutiny is not its priority, but an expansion of its own power over the people of Wales. Freedoms were lost during COVID and sacrifices were made, and it falls on the Government to allow its actions and why it made the decisions it did be known to the Welsh people. The First Minister can't have it both ways, by having full responsibility over COVID regulations in Wales and then hiding under the UK-wide inquiry. He must stop hiding and take some responsibility and show some true leadership.

The Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats often disagree in this Chamber over the most pressing issues facing Wales today, but our coming together on this matter shows that it goes beyond party politics and ideology, and it's about doing the right thing by the people of Wales. So, I urge Labour Members to look beyond party politics, or history will look on this place with contempt of deflection of allowing elected Members to understand the Welsh Government's decision-making process. Thank you.