Wednesday 7 November 2018

New Junior Governor for Wales appointed.

I wonder if the Tory Goveremnt in Westminster are signaling  that they are planning to do away with the Wales Office has another new junior minister - the fourth to hold the post this year.
The news that Mims Davies has been replaced by another representative of English Constituency Nigel Adams, who represents the Yorkshire constituency of Selby and Ainsty.
Ms Davies was moved to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport following the resignation of Tracey Crouch.
Welsh local government secretary Alun Davies said the UK government was not taking the Wales Office seriously.
She was not paid for the role, and had made her first appearance at Welsh Questions in the House of Commons a fortnight ago.


Adams  seems to have absolutely no-connection to Wales and his Wikipedia bio states that 
File:Selby UK locator map.svg
The constituency of the new Junior Governor General for Wales
"He was re-elected as Member of Parliament for Selby and Ainsty at the 2015 general election with 27,725 votes, a majority of 13,557 votes and 52.5% of the total votes cast, a swing from Labour of 1.0% compared to a negative national swing of 0.4%. He was re-elected again at the snap election on 8 June 2017 with 32,921 votes and an increased majority and vote share of 13,772 and 58.7% respectively.
In January 2016, Adams was one of 72 MPs who voted down an amendment in Parliament on rental homes being “fit for human habitation” who were themselves landlords who derived an income from a property.
Until June 2017, Adams was Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Biomass Group and in 2013 he wrote an article describing the benefits of biomass] He regards wind and solar generation as relatively expensive and inflexible methods of renewable energy. Whilst coal is reliable and available, it is not renewable and converts inactive carbon stored underground into carbon dioxide thus increasing CO2 levels. Drax and Eggborough power stations are major UK electricity producers in his constituency. Both power stations are capable of burning biomass.[14] In January 2015, Adams introduced the Onshore wind subsidies (abolition) bill to Parliament which passed to the next stage following a close vote. The Conservative government has announced new onshore wind subsidies will end on 1 April 2016. He has however faced criticism for accepting more than £50,000 in political donations and hospitality from companies in the biomass sector.
Adams' constituency office in Tadcaster; the second largest town in his constituency
Until June 2017, Adams was Chairman of the All Party Group for Music and in November 2015 he instigated several Parliamentary debates on the difficulties facing UK musicians accessing visas for touring the US. The group has additionally held a session on the State of Access report aimed at improving access to live music for deaf and
disabled people. Adams has campaigned to change the law on Secondary Ticketing and he successfully persuaded the government to outlaw the use of bots for the purpose of purchasing event tickets for resale.] He also gained praise by successfully lobbying to outlaw the use of flares and fireworks at music events and festivals.] He was Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Industrial Heritage.
Adams was in favour of Brexit prior to the 2016 referendum."

 Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: "I look forward to working with Nigel, with his robust parliamentary experience, I know he will help us to deliver on policies that drive Wales to succeed in economic strength and international recognition."
Alun Davies tweeted
"So not even the UK [government] takes the Wales Office seriously any more."
Mr Adams, who is also an assistant government whip, had previously served as a local government minister.
Tracey Crouch resigned last week amid a row over fixed odds betting terminals.
Jonathan Edwards, Plaid Cymru MP, said: 
"For the third time, an MP representing an English constituency will be asked to understand and respond to the needs of our nation. Does the Prime Minister think none of her Welsh Tory MPs are up to the job?"
A Wales Office source said it was "surprising to see Alun Davies providing commentary on the ministerial appointments of another legislature".
There are eight Tory Welsh MP's none of whom apart from Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns appear to hold high office and unless they  are senior ministers who are not in the cabinet it seems odd that the Welsh Office cannot find any to appoint as a junior minister.


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