The Welsh Prime Minister has told Welsh Labor to prepare for a general election in the New Year, believing the sudden collapse of the British government could be months away.
Mark Drakeford argued that Westminster’s Conservative government was “amazing” and could be “overwhelmed” at any moment, forcing a general election in the UK.
In an interview with The Guardian, the prime minister said the British government had damaged the union’s reputation, but added that he believed the international community had become clearer about the differences between the four nations and that the football team had improved Wales’ image. The World Cup final.
With the Welsh Labor Party heading into general elections, Mr Drakeford said his government was pushing “radical” policies rather than waiting for UK Labor leader Keir Starmer to win a poll. said he would continue.
But he notes that the Labor Party, which has been in power in Wales since the first devolved parliament in 1999, was able to take care of the most vulnerable during the first decade of devolution, when budgets were not so tight. Admitted that I could have done more to help.
“Looking back, I wonder if more could have been done, especially in the first decade of delegation when the budget was increasing year by year,” says Drakeford. “But at the time, I didn’t expect it all to turn around like this.
“Devolution is a game split in two. For the first decade, our budget was worth substantially more each year. It has shrunk over the years.
“That’s why the current challenge is much more difficult than the 2010-11 season. When George Osborne’s austerity hit, it was after a decade of growth. is back in the days of austerity, it’s a completely different proposition.”
Drakeford argued that a “fresh start” was needed at UK level. “We don’t need his 18 months of a weary government that has lost credibility and won’t even have the support of its own parliamentarians and continues to totter,” he said.
Asked if he was preparing for the UK elections, Drakeford said: A general election can happen at any time. He said Rishi Sunak could not count on the support of his backbench MP with regard to his two “relatively modest” domestic policies: mandatory housing targets and a moratorium on new onshore wind projects. I pointed out.
“A bigger problem could arise at any moment and completely overwhelm the government,” Drakeford said. We are working on the policies we will promote in the general election and look forward to doing what we can to help Wales have a working UK government.”
Mr Drakeford said he felt Britain was in a “slump”. In other words, there was a sunny plateau in front of us.
“Twelve years later, not only are wages stifled, but the ravages of inflation have left people to manage with far less money than they have had in a very long time. Taxes are 70 years. It is at an all-time high and Britain’s reputation around the world has been tarnished by political events over the past 12 months.”
Mr Drakeford said the Welsh government’s December budget proposal was the most difficult yet.
But he said his administration was determined to continue funding “something really radical”, such as a pilot for a basic income for caregiver retirees that countries around the world are eyeing. .
he said: $20 million is money when it’s being squeezed in all directions. But the Cabinet has decided that this is part of a radical agenda that cannot be given up. ”
The prime minister said the government would reform local taxes. “It’s going to be a lot of work. In a system that changes things, some people gain and some lose, and that creates a reaction. We’re also going to reform the grade and day of the week. ”
He said he could envision a time when Wales might exercise its power to set its own income tax rates.
Drakeford, 68, plans to step down later in Senned’s term, which begins in 2021 and runs through 2026, he said. There will come a time when this will be the right thing to do. ”
He believed Britain’s reputation had been tarnished, but said Wales were able to “project a unique image”. I am genuinely interested in the characteristics of
“This year will be a very tough winter for many Welsh families. But there is a better future and Wales are well positioned in many respects. It’s a way for us to be able to play roles that haven’t been possible for us for perhaps half a century since its demise.”
He said he remained optimistic. “You owe it to me to be hopeful about the work I do. Don’t despair even on the worst days.”
