MPs in cross border Covid-19 spat
The Shropshire MP spoke out following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Sunday night update to allow people in England to visit the beach for exercise.
But with Wales taking a stricter approach to lockdown, the Welsh coastline remains closed, much to the fury of Mr Kawczynski.
He said: “The current gap emerging over this crisis results in the Prime Minister saying to my constituents you can now go for a walk on the beach, but you are prohibited from going across the frontier to get to our nearest coast.
“We must work towards another referendum to scrap the Welsh Assembly and return to one political system for both nations - a political union between England and Wales.”
But his comments sparked outrage from this side of the border which is desperate to stop an influx of potential carriers from hot spots in the West Midlands.
Mr Williams has issued a response in the form of an open letter, with the full text carried below:
“I have had a number of my constituents raise your remarks regarding devolution with me. I thought the most courteous way to respond to your thought-provoking insight into UK constitution affairs would be to write an open letter back to you.
“At the opening, I accept that at this trying time for us all, any divergence of messaging and response to the Covid crisis will cause confusion and delay. That is why I have urged our Prime Minister and Secretary of State to work with the Welsh Government to ensure coordination where possible.
“We should however, respect, that the Welsh Government and Welsh Parliament can and will exercise their constitutional powers, granted through multiple referendums by the people of Wales. The time for serious debate and inquiry into the effect of this divergence is not for now. It will come later. In the meantime, to question the fundamentals of Welsh democracy because of any divergence is wrong and unhelpful.
“The only way to ensure better coordination through times of crisis is to work to ensure we remove this current government and install a Conservative government in Cardiff Bay. This I hope will be possible next year and I urge you to join me, as a team player, to win that battle.
“This leads me squarely onto your remarks and I give you the cautionary tale of my main local opponents, the Liberal Democrats, who ignored the people’s will, evidenced at a referendum, and were shown short shrift by the people of the United Kingdom at the last general election.
“In closing, I will continue to work closely with you on cross border issues and take your lead on issues that solely affect your side of the border. Our constituencies, local and regional economy and constituents’ lives are intrinsically linked, and I can assure you there is a huge strength of feeling in Wales for being part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
“I look forward to our continued friendly rivalry when Wales play and naturally defeat England on the rugby field and very much hope you can play for the next House of Commons / Welsh Parliament game, which is a much better place for this debate. I’ve copied in the Chief Whip, who could act as referee.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|