Minister for North Wales to be ‘strong voice in the cabinet’

The First Minister has detailed his expectations from the new Minister for North Wales, pointing out that a perceived imbalance between the North and South of Wales ‘almost doesn’t matter, because in politics perception becomes reality’.

During the election we asked all local candidates about the North v South issue, with the now Minister for North Wales Lesley Griffiths MS replying to our Q&A saying: “I recognise this is a strong perception in Wrexham. Traditionally our region is more closely linked with the North West of England than the South of Wales and possibly people still feel that disconnect. I have no doubt whatsoever we receive our fair share of funding here in North Wales.”

In recent days the Minister for North Wales has been accompanying the First Minister across North Wales, with Friday seeing Labour Leader Kier Starmer also visiting.

With a range of announcements made before the election, including the £25m ‘Gateway’ project and A483 upgrades, we asked the First Minister if that was effectively it now until the next election, or if there was a more rolling programme of investment planned.

We also asked if the role of the Minister of North Wales was to correct a perception of imbalance, or if it was to give a specific voice to correct a genuine imbalance?

The First Minister told us, “I was very keen that there will be somebody in the cabinet identified as being a voice for North Wales.

“Whether it’s a perception or reality almost doesn’t matter, because in politics perception becomes reality. If people think that North Wales isn’t getting a fair share, then people behave on on that basis.”

“I was very keen to try and make sure that people in North Wales knew that there would always be a strong voice in the cabinet on any issue that the cabinet decides. The Minister for North Wales is able to read any paper at all that she feels is relevant right across the government. So if she thinks there is a North Wales interest, she can make sure that she is promoting that interest in making sure that the decision making Minister is aware of it.”

“I’ve asked her to take a particular interest in the big things that were in our Manifesto, they won’t be the only things of course that happen in North Wales over the next five years, but all of them will need a five year horizon to bring about.”

“The clinical school in the north west of Wales, that’s going to be something that will build up over five years.

“The creation of a new National Park, I had a fantastic start to the morning meeting the chair and the lead officer for the area of outstanding natural beauty that’s going to become the new national park in North Wales, there are legal processes we’ve got to go through, consultations with local people – that’s going to take this term to make it happen.

“The rebuilding of Theatr Clwyd, which I know is already started, but it’s going to be happening for a few years to come. So I’ve asked Lesley to take a special interest in making sure that all of those projects are on track, that we hear regularly about them in the cabinet and then to work with the North Wales Ambition Board and other local players on what other things will happen, and will be important in the north Wales over this Senedd term.”

Top picture: Fat Boar staff welcome the First Minister Mark Drakeford, North Wales Minister and local MS Lesley Griffiths, and Labour Leader Kier Starmer for a spot of lunch on Friday.