BBC’s Huw Edwards slaps down Brexiteer in Twitter row over Welsh coronavirus response
Yesterday, the Tory MP for Shrewsbury criticised the Welsh Government for its differing response to COVID-19 following Boris Johnson’s lockdown exit strategy announcement on Sunday. Mr Johnson set out a new ‘stay alert’ message during his speech where he indicated the public could exercise multiple times a day if social distancing is respected and could even travel to do so. Following the announcement, First Minister for Wales Mark Drakeford said the “advice has not changed” in Wales despite the Prime Minister’s announcement.
Referencing the apparent divide in advice between the Government and Wales, Mr Kawczynski admitted a review into the “expensive” body was needed.
He said: “Happy with PM’s statement but worried what Welsh Assembly is doing to cohesion of Britain.
“Their undermining of PM at a time of crisis will I hope start a debate in Wales longer term as to whether or not to continue with this expensive & unnecessary body.”
However, Edwards was quick to criticise the MP’s statement, as he wrote: “That would be the body — the Welsh Parliament to give it the correct title — set up after a referendum.
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“It was the will of the people. And referendum results should be respected, no?”
Although Mr Johnson released a plan for the whole UK, the devolved ministers, chiefly Mr Drakeford and Scotland’s First Minister have stated the advice only referred to those in England.
However, in places such as Shrewsbury which borders Wales, there has been confusion as to how certain measures, such as being allowed to travel to do exercise are enforced between the two.
Mr Drakeford added an increased amount of traffic flow is now at risk of entering Wales.
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As the Welsh Government’s counsel general, Jeremy Miles stated some restrictions differed between both countries but ultimately, travel is not permitted from England to Wales.
He told BBC Wales: “Our regulations do not permit people to get in their cars and drive to destinations in Wales, and that includes people getting in their cars in England.”
Mr Drakeford also added: “Our advice has not changed in Wales.
“Wherever you can you should stay at home.
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“If you need to leave home for work, exercise or shopping, you should stay local and stay alert.
“If you go out, stay local and stay safe.
“The health of the public is paramount.
“It will inform our decisions and we will continue to inform you as we plan for our future in the weeks ahead.”
Mr Drakeford has also stated the Welsh Government would enforce a further three-week lockdown.
Within that time, the Government will look into how certain public services may be re-opened.
Announcing minor adjustments on Friday, Mr Drakeford said the public would be allowed to exercise more than once a day but must stay local.
In tandem with Northern Ireland and Scotland, Wales will not adopt the ‘stay alert’ slogan.
Instead, the devolved nation will continue with the, ‘stay home, protect the NHS, save lives’ strategy.
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