Presiding Officer Allows UKIP’s ‘Blatant Sexist’ Comments As Carwyn Jones Becomes First Minister

The Welsh Assembly’s Presiding Officer Elin Jones AM allowed sexist comments made by UKIP’s Neil Hamilton to stand, but challenged the use of the word ‘bigot’ in the chamber today.

Neil Hamilton, who is UKIP’s group leader in Cardiff, referred to Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood and the Liberal Democrat’s Kirsty Williams as ‘Concubines’ in a ‘Hareem’, “…these two ladies have made themselves political concubines in Carwyn’s hareem”.

Later Kirsty Williams described the comments as ‘blatant sexist language’, and Leanne Wood tweeted saying “There’s no place for sexism in our National Assembly. Not prepared to accept racism or homophobia either. Be warned.”

Mr Hamilton also referred to ‘dodgy deals’ in a rambling statement that drew jeers from various people in the chamber itself, and at one point was stopped by the Presiding Officer when he used the word ‘bigot’.

Mr Hamilton was not stopped from making the sexist comments, with the implication that the Presiding Officer had no issue with those as the power to intervene, or ask for retracted, or even removal of the member from the chamber, was not exercised.

*Neil Hamilton* of cash for questions fame having a pop at others about ‘dodgy deals’ – @KenSkatesAM eyeballing him pic.twitter.com/gf9HZt1FDU

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 18, 2016

The meeting today was to elect the new First Minister of Wales, with Leanne Wood pulling out of the race. Prior to the formal agenda item UKIP’s Mark Reckless attempted to get a named voted to take place, citing various rules and regulations. The Presiding Officer made a judgement to not conduct a vote, and therefore Carwyn Jones was nominated unchallenged to take on the mantle of First Minster.

First Minister initial comments: steel, pro-euro stance, no legislation for 100 days to promote ‘new way of working’ then public health bill

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 18, 2016

Carwyn Jones said: “For the fifth time in a row, the Welsh people have asked Welsh Labour to form the next Government. And for the fifth time in a row they have said – proceed, but with caution and humility. Because we have no majority. Of that we are acutely aware, and as I have made clear since the election we have no doubt about the responsibilities on us, and the responsibility upon me in particular, to work with others, where we can, for the good of our people. No one party has a monopoly on good ideas, and I want this Assembly to be more open and more confident than the last. ”

“We will not bring forward any new legislation in the first 100 days, giving political groups in the Assembly some time to establish a new way of doing law-making in Wales. This will allow all parties to jointly develop a scrutiny and committee procedure that is better suited to this institution’s Parliamentary responsibilities.

“Once the Assembly is in a position to better scrutinise legislation we will look to bring forward a new Public Health Bill, an Additional Learning Needs Bill, and we will take forward, on a cross-party basis, legislation that will remove the defence of reasonable chastisement. We will also seek to amend the current Welsh language measure.”

Leanne Wood ‘not sorry’ & angered by ‘bullying’ & ‘arrogance’ from Labour. Makes clear today is not a coalition & will oppose when they want

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 18, 2016

Plaid Cymru ‘allowing’ Carwyn Jones as First Minister but makes it clear ‘its not support’. Says today proves no deal existed with UKIP etc

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 18, 2016

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said of today’s First Minister outcome: “In our one-vote deal, Plaid Cymru has managed to secure five out of our nine key manifesto commitments. We will help patients access innovative drugs and treatments and ensure more GPs and health professionals are trained and recruited. We will set the foundation for economy-boosting projects across every part of Wales and ensure the creation of 100,000 apprenticeships. And we will help parents access free childcare.

“From the outset Plaid Cymru has shown how an effective opposition can deliver tangible benefits for people. Our agreement will deliver for the whole of Wales, and we will scrutinise the government closely to ensure that our agreement is delivered in full.

“Plaid Cymru will continue to hold Labour’s feet to the fire during this next Assembly term and in our role as official opposition we will continue to work effectively to improve the lives of the people across the country.”

Speaking in relation to the First Minister vote today in the Welsh Assembly chamber, leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said: “I congratulate Carwyn Jones on his re-appointment to the role of First Minister of Wales. Welsh Labour took the largest share of the vote and has found itself in a position to assume a leading role in the governance of our country.

Andrew RT Davies has urged the First Minister to outline plans for local government reorganisation as soon as possible.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 18, 2016

“It must however be remembered that Labour did not win a majority share of the vote this time round, and this must be reflected in the Fifth Assembly. I would seek assurances from the First Minister that the deal struck between his party and Plaid Cymru henceforth be conducted with greater transparency than the meetings which led to its agreement. I lament that up until now, details of these cloak and dagger meetings only emerged via reports in the press.”

“I urge the First Minister to continue working with the UK Government to support efforts for a successful sale of Tata Steel, providing immediate security for its workforce and a long-term future for Wales’ steel industry, on which our economy relies so heavily.

“Secondly, I ask that the First Minister once and for all brings forward confirmation of his plans for local government reform, and I impress on him the need for a referendum on this issue so that local people are afforded the right to have their say over matters which affect their day-to-day lives.

“Thirdly, the new Government must provide details as to how it intends to tackle the crisis of chronic staffing shortages in our NHS. Much hot air was expended in the Fourth Assembly on alleviating this issue, but it remains as dire now as it ever has. The health of our nation depends on a solution, which is urgently needed.

“I look forward to continuing to offer robust opposition to the Government, and to working with other parties to secure the delivery of as many Welsh Conservative manifesto pledges as possible. I remain resolute that Welsh Conservatives are the only credible opposition to Welsh Labour, given that Plaid Cymru have shown themselves to be an enduringly agreeable partner to the Government.”

The nomination of Carwyn Jones as First Minster now apparently gets passed to London for the green light.

If we have it right democratically elected First Minister nomination gets sent to a Palace where unelected birthright lady rubber stamps it?

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 18, 2016

More reaction as and when we get it….

Pic: Local AM Ken Skates spun his chair around to listen to Neil Hamilton talk.