Although we all want to work for a Labour Government – in Wales and the UK – most people join Labour to have a say in the Party’s policies, too.
Welsh Labour’s policy consultation does just that, allowing members say in the Manifesto for the next Welsh Assembly elections.
In June, Aberconwy members met to work though what we wanted to say as a response to the “Stage 1” consualtion, and you can see what we agreed to submit below. This will now be digested by Welsh Labour, with submissions from other constituencies, organisations and members, and a “Stage 2” discussion document will be issued in the autumn.
Welsh Labour Party, Stage 1 Policy consultation
Aberconwy CLP submission, 17th June 2017
Pre-school childcare to be free
(“Education and lifelong learning”)
Proposed wording: “The Welsh Government will fund pre-school childcare from 12 months onwards, for all working families”
Gender equality for parental care leave
(“Education and lifelong learning”)
Proposed wording: “The Welsh Government will introduce 12 months shared parental leave, male and female, unless there are complications during birth or breast feeding.”
This would start families off with true gender equality from the outset (although maternity legislation is the responsibility of UK Parliament, could WAG seek powers in this area?)
Outdoor education to be compulsory
(“Education and lifelong learning”/ “Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “We will introduce compulsory Outdoor Education in every year of the school curriculum, to develop love of environment, nature, survival skills, appreciation of the ecosystems and sustainability, self-esteem and aspiration, health and teamwork.
We will examine how to increase investment in Outdoor Centres and linking those and local schools.”
Reduce time from referral to diagnosis for children with learning needs (“Education and lifelong learning”/” Health and Social Care”)
Proposed wording: “We will reduce the time from referral to diagnosis, for children with learning needs, to six months.”
Currently it takes 2 ½ years for children to have an assessment for learning needs, and that doesn’t include the referral from the doctor to the initial paediatrician and educational psychologist assessment. A way to deal with this could be a time/referral target, similar to that with cancer screening.
This is a disgrace and prevents children learning, progressing, and breaks the Equality Act and Human Rights. This issue affects swathes of our families and our future generation. We cannot have our children’s protected characteristics being ignored, finding a solution is morally and ethically right.
No more faith schools and no public funds for private schools/education
(“Education and lifelong learning”)
Proposed wording: “The steps Welsh Labour has taken on in government education are internationally renowned. We do not believe there should be any more faith schools and no public funds should be used for private schools/education, including the removal of any tax concessions for private schools where the Welsh Government has the appropriate powers.”
Health and Social Care to be provided by the public sector
(”Health and Social Care”)
Proposed wording: “It is our fundamental belief that Health and Social Care should be provided by the public sector. Any outsourced/privatised services will be brought back into the public sector.
A National Care Service for Wales
(”Health and Social Care”)
Proposed wording: “We welcome the work being undertaken in the Social care sector in Wales and will extend this to provide a National Care Service for Wales. This will include training to ensure the service is provided consistently across all of Wales.”
Review of NHS Dentistry
(”Health and Social Care”)
Proposed wording: “We will instigate a full review of the provision of NHS dentists across Wales, as more and more people are finding it difficult – if not impossible – to access an NHS dentist.”
Increase the provision of ‘one stop shops’ f
(”Health and Social Care”)
Proposed wording: “We will increase the provision of ‘one stop shops’ for the public to access as many public services as possible in one place.”
As integration of health and social care progresses, and the need to provide real, practical help to communities, we believe such “one stop shops” should include benefits and housing services, health and social care (e.g. GPs, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy. Social Services) and any other public services that can feasibly be accessed in one place.
Polling cards to be automatically issued for all elections by county councils /unitary authorities
(“Housing, Local Government and Communities”)
Proposed wording: “To assist maximum participation in local democracy, Polling Cards will be automatically issued for all elections by county councils /unitary authorities.”
Very often, turnout for elections (e.g. in by-elections for town/community councils) is very low indeed where Polling Cards are not issued, as voters are either unaware of, or do not believe there is, a n election taking place. Town/community councils are responsible deciding whether or not to ask for the issue of Polling Cards. This means decisions can be taken on the grounds of affordability (as these councils must allocate meagre budgets) or for other reasons other than the widest participation.
Polling stations review
(“Housing, Local Government and Communities”)
Proposed wording: “In Government we will review all polling stations for accessibility, not just for internal access but also whether the public can reach the station easily. Vulnerable people with no transport can be disenfranchised as polling stations close”.
Electronic voting
(“Housing, Local Government and Communities”)
Proposed wording: “We will examine the viability of electronic methods of voting and report back for debate at 2020 Welsh Labour Conference.”
Increase affordable social housing quotas
(“Housing, Local Government and Communities”)
Proposed wording: “As part of our work to tackle the crisis in housing provision for large sectors of our population, we will increase the quotas on developers for building affordable social housing”
Ban on use of all animals in circuses
(“Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “We will legislate immediately to ban the use of all animals in all circuses.”
Following a July 2018 Welsh Government statement, “The way animals are treated is an important reflection of society” and announcement that a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses on welfare grounds would be introduced within 12 months, a second consultation was launched, instead, widening the topics for responses. This showed support for a ban on the use of all animals in all circuses, be they wild or domesticated, and there is no need to delay any further.
Ban on use of all animals in all travelling shows, demonstrations or exhibitions (“Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “We will consult and, if necessary, legislate upon a ban on the use of all animals in travelling commercial shows, and other demonstrations or exhibitions.”
During the second consultation on a ban on the use of wild animals in traveling circuses, there was support for a wider ban, as cruelty or unsuitable conditions is not restricted to circuses. Static and licensed alternatives would give greater assurance of suitable animal welfare provisions. A ban may be the most economic and proportionate option, given the difficulties of enforcing regulation in travelling shows, demonstrations or exhibitions, even where these purport or are intended to be educational.
Reinstate the right of households to have rubbish collected
(“Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “In government, we will reinstate the right of households to have rubbish collected.”
This right was withdrawn by the UK Government in 2008 and means local authorities can now charge for, or place restrictions/conditions upon, if and how refuse/recycling is collected from households. Although the intention was no doubt good, the effect can be to leave households – possibly low income or where there are disability issues – unable to dispose of refuse. This can cause public health risks and/or impose costs upon households additional to Council Tax.
All charges for the public at civic amenity sites will end
(“Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “All charges for the public at civic amenity sites will end, but will continue for commercial use of these sites.”
Charges are one of the barriers to higher rates of recycling and this measure will help reduce levels of fly tipping.
Fireworks sales to and use by the public to end
(“Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “The sale to and use of fireworks (explosives) by the public will cease, in favour of officially sanctioned displays at appropriate times/events and in suitable settings. This is necessary since there is now greater understanding than hitherto of the traumatising effects uncontrolled fireworks use can have on some people, wildlife, farm stock and pets, and the environmental damage from the production and subsequent waste. Additionally, we will look at other alternatives, such as laser displays”
The sale to and use of explosives by the public is an extraordinary thing to allow, but retailers can sell fireworks to any adult, with very few restrictions on their sale or use. If fireworks really must be used, then these should be restricted to officially sanctioned and arranged events in an urban setting although consideration could be given to the use of quiet/soundless fireworks.
Total ban on the production and use of fossil fuels
(“Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “We believe there should be a total ban on the production and use of fossil fuels and will take such steps as are available to the Welsh Government in furtherance of this ban.”
Solar panels for new build and retrofit
(“Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “We will pursue policies in Government to require all new buildings to reduce the impact on the environment, including inclusion of solar panels on all roofs. We will seek to retrofit all buildings in public ownership (including residential) to include solar panels to increase production of renewable energy.”
Ynys Mon to become a renewable energy hub
(“Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “Ynys Mon will be promoted and assisted to become a renewable energy hub.”
The UK is the world leader in wind farms, we should support the funding and research into renewable energy including tidal power and carbon capture, commensurate with the investment that had been provided for nuclear power.
Support for innovative ways of powering vehicles.
(“Economy, Transport and Infrastructure” and “Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “We will support innovative ways of powering vehicles.”
We note that the hydrogen car is being built in Wales, and we should support such innovative ways of powering vehicles.
We will work towards free public transport for all
(“Economy, Transport and Infrastructure” and “Environment, Culture and Welsh Language”)
Proposed wording: “Our aim is for public transport to be free for all, as a necessary part of our work to tackle the crisis of climate change.”
Public Transport needs to be improved to a standard where people will take this option to travel, vital to any effective strategy to tackle climate change.