In an extraordinary exchange at the Senedd, First Minister Eluned Morgan launched a scathing attack on the Welsh Conservatives, accusing them of “just making stuff up”. She specifically called out the Tories, urging them to inform their associates at The Telegraph that they were spreading misinformation. The heated confrontation occurred during the weekly First Minister’s Questions session held on Tuesday.
During the session, Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies questioned Mrs. Morgan about reports suggesting the Welsh government planned to send Welsh patients awaiting NHS treatment to England. Responding to the allegations, Mrs. Morgan indicated that she did not oppose Welsh patients seeking treatment in England if it facilitated quicker access to healthcare. However, when pressed for details on the supposed scheme by Conservative group leader Davies, she was unable to provide concrete information.
The controversy persisted as Health Minister Jeremy Miles clarified that Wales operated under a distinct system that did not align with the reported plans. When questioned again about the policy on October 8, Mrs. Morgan reaffirmed that purchasing NHS capacity in England was not a current strategy, dismissing claims to the contrary as misinterpretations of their statements.
In a separate query from Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders regarding potential income tax changes in Wales, the First Minister unequivocally stated, “There are no proposals to increase income tax in Wales.” She dismissed insinuations made by Finch-Saunders about potential tax hikes, emphasising that the Cabinet Secretary for finance had no intentions of raising the Welsh rate of income tax.
Confronted with persistent accusations, Mrs. Morgan retorted, “What is it with you Tories? Honestly, you’re just making things up that we say.” She rebuked the Conservatives for spreading falsehoods and urged them to relay accurate information to media outlets like The Telegraph. The intense exchange underscored the escalating tensions between the Welsh Labour government and the Conservative opposition at the Senedd.
The altercation shed light on the ongoing political battles within the Welsh Assembly, with differing interpretations of policies and staunch rebuttals characterising the discourse between the ruling party and its adversaries. As the debates continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how these disagreements will shape future legislative decisions and public perceptions in Wales.