In a significant shake-up, the Senedd’s committee dedicated to reviewing the Welsh Government’s pandemic response has been disbanded, sparking criticism from across the political spectrum. Adam Price, former Plaid Cymru leader, referred to this as a “sad chapter” and a “great failure” of democratic processes. He emphasised that the dissolution of the committee, which faced numerous setbacks, represents a missed opportunity for Wales to learn vital lessons from the pandemic.
Price criticised the initial Labour-Conservative compromise which formed the committee, suggesting it lacked the necessary support to be effective. His call for a Wales-specific, judge-led inquiry was echoed by Tory shadow health secretary James Evans. Evans accused the Welsh Government of evading proper scrutiny, highlighting concerns over their reluctance to swear oaths in the committee.
Evans expressed disappointment over the lack of accountability, stressing that a comprehensive inquiry could have helped transparently address unresolved issues of the pandemic. He stated that the families who lost loved ones during COVID-19 deserve thorough investigations bringing ministers and experts under oath.
On behalf of the Welsh Government, Jane Hutt assured the Senedd of regular updates on the implementation of the UK’s inquiry recommendations, indicating that there will be ongoing efforts to address these critical issues.
With a focus on the future, there’s hope that the next Senedd will acknowledge past mistakes as part of a broader effort to improve and strengthen democratic processes. Improving transparency and accountability is crucial in restoring public trust and forging a resilient path forward.