I was recently on a panel with a senior Welsh Reform politician and we were asked about devolving the Crown Estate.
He said that Wales shouldn't have more powers because "we are not very good in Wales at being efficient in running things".
There are a few points I would make about the comment:
1. There are legitimate arguments for not devolving the Crown Estate. I chronicle them in my book. I do on balance believe it would be better for Wales if it was devolved (or at least the money from it was sent directly to Wales) but it is not inherently “anti-Wales” to be hesitant about the devolution of the Crown Estate.
2. However, the argument that “we are not very good in Wales at being efficient” is one of the most infantile descriptions of a nation I have ever heard, especially coming from a man/party who claimed they wanted to lead that nation. The idea that Wales and the Welsh are uniquely incapable of running something illustrates a level of self-hate and lack of confidence that we need to shed. It’s a narrative that holds us back more than almost anything.
3. Nothing says “I don’t think we will ever run the Welsh Government” like this statement. If Reform really believed they would one day have the levers of government at their disposal, they wouldn’t be so quick to deny Wales having them.
Israeli Forces Open Fire on Stopped Car, Killing 7-Month-Old BABY
The family was driving from Bethlehem to visit relatives when soldiers fired on their vehicle in Tel Rumeida. A bullet struck infant Sam Fahd Abu Haikal in the jaw, exited the other side of his body, and went on to wound his mother. His father was hit too.
The grandmother says the car was at a COMPLETE STOP, roughly ten meters from the soldier, when the shooting started. She insists the family did nothing, and cannot say why fire was opened on them.
The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the baby died. There is NO JUSTIFICATION for this
It is absolutely necessary that every British citizen who goes to fight for the IDF is arrested on their return to the UK in relation to war crimes, crimes against humanity and GENOCIDE
With 100% of Welsh universities divested from fossil fuels and over half now boycotting fossil fuel industry recruitment, it’s clear that universities in Wales are leading by example in the move towards climate justice ✍️ Maddie Bromfield https://t.co/VgTHTOf3tC
Israel executed baby Sam today with a bullet to the face in the occupied West Bank.
They killed his mother too.
Sam was only 7 months old.
They murdered a mother. And her infant.
Why are our energy bills so high when we generate more electricity than we use in Wales? 🤯
Plaid Cymru is fighting for devolution of the Crown Estate, so that our communities can benefit from our own natural wealth. 💪🏴
@RupertLowe10 Lowe is getting more deluded nearer the Makerfield election where Restore will be humiliated coming just ahead of Count Binface, Count Binface Party