The Senedd Building, Cardiff Bay.
Wales: Land of the pulled punch
Brenig Davies
‘The land of the pulled punch’ (Davies, Geraint Talfan. 2008): Geraint Talfan Davies, former Controller of BBC Wales and currently Chairman of Wales National Opera, coined the phrase in his book entitled ‘At Arm’s Length’ The phrase was used to illustrate our oft reluctance in Wales to tell it as it is. It seems that reading Carwyn Jones’ piece in yesterday’s Sunday Times, that he has been too busy as an AM, and First Minister, to read or at least digest a few critical observations made by Geraint, of those holding senior positions in Welsh public life.
Disney Land in Scotland
In the early days of the devolved government in Scotland many commentators in Scotland and England remarked on Alex Salmond’s tendency to promote – though not actually implement – policies that suggested that Scotland was far more camaraderie in solving difficult social policies, than the adversarial cut and thrust of Westminster politics. One old senior sage of the Scottish further education sector remarked that Scotland has all the attractions of Disney Land – papier-mâché appearance – that deflects the cost of resourcing the social, health and infrastructure needs of a town and country outside of Disney Land.
Wales just loves Scotland
Wales often finds it convenient to compare itself favourably with Scotland’s approach to prioritising social policies, often at the expense of the perceived harshness of Anglo Saxon England with its liking for some USA public policies, though with a selective abhorrence of EU social protection policies. A common view is that Wales and Scotland favour a big state, whereas England gets – whether they want it or not – a smaller state. The obvious corollary is that a big state needs a higher tax base than a small state. Big state proponents are popular – at least for a while until the money runs out – but policy delivery comes with a (oddly) vagueness that fails on two counts: accountable measures and the cost (tax bill) of implementing policies that require money from somewhere; that. somewhere is often a cost that is hidden from public eyes for a while; the while being when it becomes evident to the public, that the service is failing and to bring about an improvement, the service needs to become more efficient, reduced or additional resources (or all three) are needed to meet promises made by politicians seeking your vote.
Welsh Government Plan
The Welsh Government’s published plan for this current assembly term, summarised by the First Minister in the Sunday Times, has the characteristics of a big state, which we seem to like in Wales – and equally like – Disney Land taxation rates; that is if we dare to ask – a fine example, by the way, of the Welsh pulled punch. Disney Land taxation pays for Disney Land services and heavily used rides; resources in the form of an entry fee (Disney Land taxation) will always cover the cost of service delivery, growth and improvement. This is where creating a Disney Land impression of town and country public services is deceitful.
Respectful honesty
Respectful honesty, coupled with realistic aspirations – with voters and others, such as school children – may provide a greater understanding and respect of politicians charged with prioritising and administering the scarce resources for sustaining good public services.
With the implementation of the Wales Act ‘The land of the pulled punch’ may not be pulled so often in future by assembly opposition parties. This can only be for the good of Wales and its politicians.
Have you heard the one about the education service in Scotland?
Have you heard the one about PISA results in Wales?
Satire Wales Uk
