Questions for the First Minister

Wales’s First Minister Carwyn Jones will no doubt claim he has been really busy over the summer doing all sorts of very important things and hasn’t been AWOL as most people suspect, but whatever he and his Ministers have or haven’t been doing as they are heading back to Cardiff Bay next week here are a few things to ponder.

Firstly is the First Minister going to release the details of his visit to New Zealand specifically if he managed to secure investment for Wales as well as any potential leads for Welsh business?

I ask not because I object to him going like some people, but because the Welsh Government’s International Business Wales office in New Zealand office was closed in July, (something that has gone unreported) probably due to the business and investment opportunities and associated operating costs not being cost effective or worthwhile.

And if the trip to New Zealand was only to met political leaders and wish the rugby team well for the World Cup then Carwyn shouldn’t be afraid to say so, not everything a Head of Government does has to be about securing trade and investment. But by telling everyone the trip was solely about investment especially in these difficult economic times then he shouldn’t be afraid to answer legitimate questions on the matter on his return to Wales.

Talking of inward investment we learnt today that his Business Minister Edwina Hart is still refusing to talk to a Committee of Welsh MP about the Welsh Government’s inward investment plans even though they are coming to the National Assembly for Wales for the meeting. Rhodri Morgan’s former right-hand man Mark Drakeford is Labour’s representative, says it all another anti enterprise dinosaur who might actually represent Edwina’s views on business well to the Committee members.

I mean what's the problem, it’s not as if the Labour Party is ashamed of its appalling economic record in Wales because it would have changed course by now if it was. Maybe it’s more simple there’s no fall out or accountability for bad Ministerial decisions by either by Assembly colleagues or the electorate so Welsh Ministers can say and do what the hell they like with impunity.

And lastly why was there complete silence about yesterday’s unemployment figures from Carwyn Jones is a 7,000 increase in unemployment in Wales to now stand at 122,000 or almost 8.5% of the workforce really unoteworthy, a holding Statement from Edwina about the Welsh Government still reviewing the best way to support Welsh business is almost comical.

Or was his silence more to do with the fact unemployment is falling in Scotland due to a more active First Minister and Cabinet perhaps exposing the total lack of action in Cardiff Bay, or the sight of a new economic policy since May’s election – rearranging deckchairs in the Business Department may be good for the Minister but for those worried about jobs it makes no difference.

Any answers to the above points would be welcome.Any source