Welsh Labour leadership contender Jeremy Miles was in North Wales on Thursday as he launched his manifesto. The education and Welsh language minister is in the running with economy minister Vaughan Gething, to take over the reins from current First Minister Mark Drakeford, who is stepping down.
Mr Miles commented on a range of topics, from the controversial 20mph default speed limit - which he has promised a review of, although he would not scrap it, the second homes issue in North Wales, business rates and Wylfa. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Here is what the minister had to say in an interview with North Wales Live as he visited Coleg Llandrillo.
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What is in the manifesto?
JM: It's a really hopeful offer for people in Wales about how we can make sure that there are decent jobs and opportunities to come, from when we transform our economy to a green and sustainable economy - and the great thing is we have been launching the manifesto feet away from apprentices working on wind turbines in the college and seeing first hand the opportunities they have, it has been absolutely amazing.
What would the review of the 20mph limit entail?
JM: What I am promising is an early review of the implementation of the 20mph default policy and what that means is - I think 20mph is good for road safety and it's good for the NHS - but we need to work with councils, on the guidance which is being used, to make sure it is what it needs to be. And we also need to provide an opportunity for people to feed back and take those views into account.
Second homes has been a big issue in North Wales, what are your views on that?
JM: As Welsh language minister, I have argued very strongly for bold action in relation to second homes and the changes we have brought in, in relation to council tax and planning - and other changes that we have brought in, we have argued very strongly for those from the start, because I believe it is very important that people have an opportunity to live in their community. And where we have got homes that are empty for large parts of the year, that is very difficult. So the kinds of policies that we have put in, in those communities where Welsh is the main language - I think there is an opportunity to do that more broadly.
What is your position on Wales devolution and more powers for the Welsh Government?
JM: When it comes to devolution, this isn't about a constitutional argument, the question is what is the best mix of powers to give people in Wales the outcomes which they need and deserve. And I think that means the devolution of further powers to Wales, around policing and the justice system and in other ways, so we can deliver on this. It is also really important that we get a fairer funding mechanism from the government in Westminster, which would mean that we can then invest in longer term projects, which can really improve people's lives in Wales - and if I'm elected leader and First Minister - I'll be making that case to - I hope - the new Labour Government.
Recently we have seen closures of pubs and restaurants and high streets struggling with empty units. Is the decision by Welsh Government to reduce the business rates discount (from 75% to 40%) from April right?
JM: The pressure on the Welsh Government's budget is extraordinary as a consequence of the fact that it's worth £1.3bn less and the Tory Government in Westminster, refuse to make up that difference. As a result of that, right across all aspects of the government's work, there are really difficult decisions, which ministers are having to make and so the business rates decision is an example of that. What we need is a government in Westminster to be a partner to the Welsh Government, in order to enable us to have budgets which can support the public services and businesses, in all parts of Wales.
The UK Government has announced its nuclear roadmap, with Wylfa possibly being in the mix. What is your view?
JM: We have ambitious targets in Wales to respond to the climate and nature emergency and we have renewable targets, which are a really important part of that to help us reach those goals. Nuclear power has a role to play in that mix of how we achieve those targets as a sustainable green Wales in the future.
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