During the First Minister’s statement today (May 20) the Leader of the Opposition in the Welsh Parliament – Paul Davies MS – acknowledged the U-turns carried out by the Welsh Government in recent days in response to calls from the Welsh Conservatives .
These U-turns include the decision to take part in the UK-wide testing portal, and extending Coronavirus testing to all in care homes, both staff and residents.
The Leader of the Opposition questioned, however, just how the planned “Test, Trace, Protect” programme – which must become operational by the end of the month in order for lockdown restrictions to start being lifted – could be trusted.
This came after the First Minister admitted that despite a capacity of 35,000 tests per week, less than a third – 11,000 – are actually being carried out.
Speaking later, Mr Davies said:
“I, and my Welsh Conservative fellow Members and no doubt everyone in Wales, desperately want to have confidence in this government to get all of us through this pandemic.
“Of course, I welcome these recent U-turns, but it should be a cause for regret for the Welsh Government that the courses now being followed were not adopted a number of weeks ago.
“This demonstrates an unforgivable relinquishment of responsibility by the Government.”
