I joined the First Minister's 'listening' tour of Wales - one thing surprised me most
The 'listening exercise' tour may not have been the biggest in the UK this summer, but it was intended to herald a new era for Eluned Morgan, the latest First Minister of Wales. The journey across the nation, which Plaid dubbed a PR stunt and criticised for its lack of formal stakeholder meetings, aimed to gauge the mood of the Welsh public.
We joined the informal and low-key tour in the heart of Bangor, where these events are typically tightly managed and the FM's convoy will arrive for a meticulously-planned visit. This time, however, we had to rely on approximate locations and text exchanges upon arrival to locate the FM and her small entourage near the city centre clock. She was already mingling with passing shoppers, so it would have been easy to miss her. For the latest analysis of the biggest stories, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
I must admit, I've never seen a leading politician conduct a visit in such a manner - far removed from the usual pre-arranged guest list. After brief introductions, the First Minister continued her walkabout, sometimes even striding after passers-by to strike up a conversation. While some mistook her for a survey or salesperson and hurried past, I was surprised by how many people recognised the new First Minister. This is generally a positive sign for any politician, although the extensive coverage of the Betsi health board's troubles during her tenure as Health Minister could explain the negative side.
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A photographer was on hand to document her interactions with the general public, backing up the PR stunt accusation. The choice of Bangor high street as a backdrop was intriguing, given its lack of alignment with the Welsh Government's 'town centre first' ambitions. The vacant units and other issues plaguing the city centre were among the most frequently discussed topics by those who stopped to chat - a situation exacerbated by the Welsh Government's failure to extend the full business rates discount to the retail and hospitality sector this fiscal year, a point I later raised with her.
As you might expect, the state of the health service in North Wales - characterised by lengthy waiting lists and Betsi still under special measures - was another recurring theme. Transport for Wales, a shortage of sanitary products in a local school, and the reduction of the winter fuel allowance were also brought up by those who seized the opportunity to question the First Minister. Women were the most likely to stop and engage in conversation, and the fact that she is the first female leader in Wales was remarked upon several times.
She appeared comfortable interacting with the public - a trait not always exhibited by politicians - although she didn't really face any tough questioning, save for a muttered complaint from one passing man, the subject of which remains unclear. I was promised a chat at the end of the tour, and as time went on, I began to wonder when this opportunity would arise as she spent a good 50 minutes or so engaging with shoppers. However, once their high street duties were done, the team invited me for a coffee and a chance to discuss some of the issues that we know are important to our readers with the First Minister.
Any conversation with a Welsh Government minister over the past year has inevitably involved discussing the 20mph speed limit, and I think she's probably the least enthusiastic about the default limit I've encountered. It seemed like she wished it was an issue that would disappear, and in retrospect, a path they'd never taken - fully aware that it remains hugely unpopular with a significant majority of the country's population. There is now hope that reverting some roads back to 30mph under new guidance will satisfy more drivers.
On the subject of the NHS - specifically Betsi - she didn't resort to the usual Welsh Government line about a lack of funding from the now previous Tory UK Government, perhaps because it was pointed out that Wales was lagging behind England on most health measures. Instead, she mentioned the increased demand on service - a valid point - but also said health boards were receiving additional funding, although questioning whether this was leading to improved performance.
The first minister also expressed a belief that while some health boards were working tirelessly to deliver for patients, others were not matching that commitment - a sentiment shared by many I know in the health service. Her proposed solution is greater transparency and accountability, and only time will reveal if she can instigate change as First Minister, having witnessed problems escalate during her tenure as health minister from 2021 until her appointment as FM last month.
So, was this 'listening tour' merely a PR exercise or a sincere effort to understand the concerns and aspirations of the Welsh people? Personally, I believe it's beneficial for politicians to occasionally sidestep the usual stakeholder groups and engage directly with the public. However, ongoing consultation with the public and specific industry and other groups must be an ongoing process, as there was a sense under Mark Drakeford's government that engagement was sometimes a mere formality - with the course of action already predetermined.
Ultimately, what truly matters to the public is delivery - people need to see waiting times reduced, ambulances reaching the sick and injured promptly, and pandemic-hit high streets beginning to recover. Listening is the straightforward part. The real challenge lies in starting to address the issues raised and offering genuine hope for the future - especially after a quarter of a century in power.