The new-look State of Wales launches, albeit still as a work in progress (expect bugs to iron out), with one of the new recurring features – Word Salad – which will be a sardonic (haters will say nit-picking) take on strange, funny, confusing, flowery and reality-bending statements from our politicians, the media and public bodies.
The 2021 Senedd election is first up with a particular focus on the manifestos. It’s true that nobody really cares about manifestos, but political parties really, really do.
You can see there’s a drop-down menu to skip to different sections. The days of a massive 3,000-word wall of text are hopefully over.
“In the face of a global pandemic, the dedication of the social care workforce has inspired a nation. Welsh Labour will deliver the Real Living Wage for all our social care staff.”
The sector didn’t inspire you enough before the pandemic, then. For example, outlawing zero-hour contracts (though, in fairness, they have been curtailed) which you’ve been asked to do multiple times over the last five years.
“The next Welsh Labour Government will build a greener Wales with jobs fit for the future and deliver 20,000 new low carbon social homes for rent.”
The previous Labour government’s prosperity plan recommended the Welsh workforce out-smarts and out-thinks robots. They also oversaw the completion of just 6,000 new social homes in the last five years. Somehow that’s now going to be more than trebled.
“We know people are worried about having their treatments delayed because of the pandemic.”
I think a lot of people were worried about long waiting times in the Welsh NHS before the pandemic.
“Developing a more sustainable relationship with the natural world must begin in our local communities – access to local green spaces for the wellbeing benefits it can bring, a local economy that avoids waste, locally generated renewable energy, locally grown food, and keeping all communities safe from the impact of pollution and the changing climate.”
The people of Hafodyrynys and Ystalfera are to be kept safe from pollution and the impact of climate change by having their homes demolished. I suppose it’s the quickest and easiest way to deal with it: remove the people.
Also, where do you think these promised new homes will be built? What problems do you think they will cause? It’s difficult to grow cucumbers under concrete.
“Through the Reducing Infant Class Sizes Grant, the Welsh Labour Government has reduced the average infant class size to 23….”
Except you didn’t. The average infant class size in 2020 was closer to 25 pupils. The average fall in infant class sizes over the term was the equivalent of one fifth (0.2) of a child. Are there loads of one-legged six-year-olds hobbling about now?
“We committed Wales to be a Nation of Sanctuary and provided over £1m to the Asylum Rights Programme offering advocacy and support.”
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“Wales hosts internationally renowned events such as the Hay Festival, the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race and Wales Rally GB.”
Radio 4’s Big Weekend, a competition Wales can’t compete in, a one-off three years ago and an event cancelled two years in a row and linked with a permanent move to Northern Ireland.
“(Labour will) Invest in our world-class sports facilities, promote equal access to sports and support young and talented athletes and grassroots clubs*.”
* Doesn’t apply to supporters of grassroots Cymru Premier clubs playing in crucial end-of-season European play-offs.
“(Labour will) Develop a set of Codes of Welsh law, making it easier for people to access and understand their legal rights.”
….which you’re legally required to do so since passing the Legislation Act 2019. Hardly an earth-shattering pledge.
