Davies: “First Minister Gaslighting Health Visitors”

Conservative Senedd member for the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend Andrew RT Davies has accused Rhun ap Iorwerth of gaslighting local health visitors.

During the Senedd election campaign, the Plaid Cymru leader signed a letter calling for all band 6 health visitors in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board to be upgraded to band 7.

Mr Davies asked Ap Iorwerth if he still agreed with the statement now he can effect the change.

In response, the Plaid Cymru leader claimed “it is not as simple as that” and that a resolution “can only come from dispute resolution between the employer and the employee”.

Mr Davies said it amounted to another Plaid broken promise, following the party’s failure to deliver its universal free childcare pledge.

Mr Davies said:

“Plaid Cymru separatists promised all band 6 local health visitors they’d move up to band 7 – only to go back on that pledge.

“This sort of cynicism is why public trust in politics is at an all-time low – Ap Iorwerth’s attempts to gaslight us will not work.

“Plaid lied to local health visitors, just like they lied to local parents.”

Andrew R.T. Davies

14:10:14

Steve Bayliss highlighted the letter that you signed as leader of Plaid Cymru during the election campaign. There was a key ask in that letter, and it’s stated quite simply: ‘Honour agreed processes and upgrade all band 6 health visitors to band 7.’ Do you still agree with that statement that you made back in April now that you’re First Minister?

Rhun ap Iorwerth

14:10:37

It is not as simple as that. This is a resolution that can only come from dispute resolution between the employer and the employee. What we need to ensure, as I said, is that we have absolute clarity now on pay structures and banding, as that relates to health workers wherever they are in Wales, because that consistency of application is crucial to make sure that we avoid this kind of dispute in future. There’s work that has been instigated by the Cabinet Minister for health, and I trust that that not only comes into play now, but that it will be of use when it comes to, potentially, nipping other disputes in the bud in future through social partnership.

How can the Plaid Cymru leader sign a letter, during the Senedd election campaign, calling for all band 6 health visitors in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board to be upgraded to band 7 and then when voters believed him, he can then change his mind when he is supposedly in charge of Wales. This is a clear example of why people in Wales have no faith and no trust in the majority of politicians. Actually I don’t think this should be allowed to happen but of course, like you, I have no control over our First Minister doing a U-turn – just hope he never has need of a Health Visitor in Cwm Taf Morgannwg…………………………………