Political

Kirsty Williams to enter Welsh government (subject to conference vote)

The following email from the Welsh Liberal Democrats brings the news that Kirsty Williams is intending to become Cabinet Secretary for Education as part of a deal with Labour. Three points in particular are worth noting about this.

One, it is a far more palatable outcome than the unholy alliance with Ukip and the Conservatives that Plaid tried to put together.

Second, although the experience of Welsh and Scottish colleagues in coalition in their devolved governments has been mixed, it has overall worked out with rather better electoral consequences than it did in Westminster.

Third, it echoes the concentration on education which Willie Rennie has given the party in Scotland (and in contrast to Tim Farron‘s initial omission of education from his priority areas as Lib Dem leader).

Today, government in Wales has entered a new era. As a Party we have always argued that where there is common ground, we must have the confidence and ambition to work together for the good of the people of Wales.

It is in this spirit, subject to the support of Welsh Liberal Democrats, that I am accepting an invitation from the First Minister to serve as Cabinet Secretary for Education.

The test of our new approach is not the warmth of our words, but our commitment to get things done.

The agreement enables the implementation of key Welsh Liberal Democrat policy priorities that the party campaigned on during the recent election, ensuring that:

  • Infant class sizes are reduced to a maximum of 25;
  • There are more nurses, in more settings, through an extended nurse staffing levels law;
  • 20,000 extra affordable homes are funded;
  • A new ‘Rent to Own’ housing model is introduced; and
  • Mental Health discrimination is ended.
  • Full details on the agreement can be found on our website [and also below]

I will work with others in Government, across the Assembly and with parents, students, employers and teachers in our shared ambitions for the highest standards and opportunity for all. I will be open to ideas and innovation from all quarters – here at home and beyond.

I agree with the First Minister that no one party has a monopoly on good ideas. Working together we have reached agreement on a range of issue that enables us to work together in government for the good of Wales.

I’ve been fortunate to receive the support of friends, family and fellow Welsh Liberal Democrat members across Wales in the last week. We stood on a manifesto that was ambitious and optimistic, with plans and ideas for education at its heart.

I am honoured, and humbled, to be offered the opportunity to take forward those commitments.

This must however be a decision for us all. In this spirit, I have already consulted with the Welsh Party Leader, Mark Williams MP, and the Party’s National Executive Committee who have endorsed the agreement reached with the First Minister.

Our Party is democratic and the Conference Committee has therefore organised a Special Conference to take place this Saturday (21 May) at Cefn Lea Park, Dolifor, Newtown, Powys, SY16 4AJ starting at 11:00am.

With very best wishes,

Kirsty Williams

 

Full text of the Progressive Agreement between Welsh Labour and Kirsty Williams AM:

This statement sets out agreements reached between The First Minister and Welsh Liberal Democrat AM, Kirsty Williams, on a range of issues. It represents the headline issues for agreement that enable us to work together in government for the good of Wales. Throughout her tenure in the Cabinet and as Cabinet Secretary, Kirsty will be consulted on budgets, legislation and the programme for government. We have reached this headline agreement in the spirit of a new approach to Government for Wales, one that is innovative, inclusive and focused on delivery across our nation.

Common Priorities

We agree that working together we will bring forward proposals that are ambitious, optimistic and innovative so that:

  • Infant class sizes are reduced to a maximum of 25;
  • There are more nurses, in more settings, through an extended nurse staffing levels law;
  • 20,000 extra affordable homes are funded;
  • A new ‘Rent to Own’ housing model is introduced;
  • The recommendations of the Diamond Review are considered, with a view to early implementation where appropriate, but there will be no negative effect on the higher education budget if there are any changes;
  • The impact of current policy on surplus school places is reviewed, with emphasis on rural schools, to better take account of future growth trends;
  • Funding is provided to put in place a floor for future local government settlements;
  • Welsh agriculture is supported by introducing a small grants scheme in the rural development plan;
  • Mental health discrimination is ended

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