COLUMN: Do what’s best for Wales
As we come to the end of another year, and the winter solstice of December 21 has recently been, the dark and dismal weather highlights the wider gloom.
After 14 years of Conservative austerity we have:
- Financial pressures on families
- A Cost of living crisis
- Services being cut
Only to be followed by a Labour Government which has:
- Scrapped the winter fuel payments for pensioners
- Dismissed support for WASPI women pensioners
- Increased National Insurance costs
- Done circa £20bn in cuts
And if that wasn’t enough we have the news that Powys Council, as other authorities, are under huge pressures and will raise council tax by up to 13.5% next year only to be followed by Welsh Water who intend to increase their charges 42%.
Yes, in these dark times, it is far too easy to shout on social media, to make sweeping statements and to blame, but there can be light. There can be positivity, so let’s just focus on what needs to be done to make those changes.
We reiterate getting rid of the Barnett Formula, the funding model for Wales to properly reflect our needs.
In the recent budget, Northen Ireland got £785 per person, Scotland £620 & only £541 per person for Wales. Why is Wales treated as second class again and again?
If we were funded as Scotland, it would mean £237m extra for Wales.
Also, deliver the £4bn HS2 funding due to Wales which would transform our road and rail infrastructure.
Devolve the Crown Estate and create a wealth fund using resources from our wind and water resources to invest for a sustainable future. The group values amounted to a combined worth of £853,030,454. The value of the Welsh Crown Estate has risen from £49.2m in 2020 to £853m now.
Of the Crown Estate revenue; 75% goes to the UK Treasury whilst 25% is given to the monarch. It’s already devolved to Scotland, so why not Wales?
All of this would transform the funding of our services, support our communities and lighten the darkness from everyone’s shoulders.
As they say in Welsh after the shortest day, that light will come “fesul cam ceiliog” as the steady confident equal steps of a cockrel.
As we face 2025, let’s have HOPE over hatred, positivity instead of negativity. Shared commonality of minds – putting Wales first.
We need independence of minds to challenge the status quo, a commonality in humanity, and emphasise fairness and parity for Wales which in turn will bring fairness to all its residents. Unite with me for fairness and justice in 2025.
Cllr Elwyn Vaughan - Plaid Cymru
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