FAILURE TO FULLY SUPPORT OUR POLICE FORCE
HIGHLIGHTS RHODRI MORGAN’S CONTINUING FAILURE
TO STAND-UP FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF WALES,
IF THIS CONFLICTS WITH LABOUR AT WESTMINSTER
A media release by William Graham on 23rd January 2008
William Graham (Conservative AM for South Wales East) responding to 230 out of the 1,500 police officers in Gwent joining colleagues throughout the UK in a national Police Federation protest march in London.
“This is an impressive show of the strength of feeling, by members of our Police Force, against the Labour Government decision not to backdate a 2.5% pay increase in Wales and England”.
“I pressed the Rhodri Morgan on this issue during the opening First Minister’s questions session of 2008 – sadly he dismissed the opportunity to support our Police Forces; by dismissing the petitions of police officers throughout Wales with his answer this ‘is not a matter in which we participate’. With this answer, he revealed his continuing failure to stand-up for the best interest of Wales, if this conflicts with Labour at Westminster”.
“The Welsh Assembly Government has an obligation to raise concerns on 'matters that affect Wales' and to demonstrate their commitment to 'Public Service Delivery'. They fail on both accounts by not recognising Wales needs to hear their voice ‘loud and clear’ in support of our Police Forces”.
“Scottish, Northern Ireland and Isle of Man Police Forces have had their full (and back-dated) pay rise honoured, so have Community Support Officers in Wales and England”.
“The Prime Minister (during his first speech to the Police Service) said ‘There is no greater responsibility than that which you police officers accept. There is no greater obligation for us in government than to support you in discharging that duty - to back you in what you have to do and be there for you - because you are always there for us".
“It is time the Government acknowledged this responsibility and paid our Police Officers the value determined by an independent review of their pay”.
William Graham JP, AM
CHIEF WHIP, PARTY CHAIRMAN AND EUROPEAN SPOKESMAN
Email – William.Graham@Wales.gov.uk