The Welsh Secretary has said the Wales Office will be a
“dedicated champion for our nation at the Cabinet Table” as the
department marked its 60th anniversary.
said she aimed to reinvigorate the Wales Office on
her appointment and had already “forged a new partnership” with
Welsh Government as well as beginning to deliver some of the UK
Government's key priorities.
On Thursday 17 October, an event was held at Ty in Cardiff, one of the
Wales Office's two bases along with Gwydyr House in London, to
mark the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Secretary of
State for Wales in 1964.
Speaking at the event, Welsh Secretary said:
The Wales Office exists as a dedicated champion for our nation
and I believe it is critical that Wales has
its voice at the Cabinet table, steadfastly advocating on behalf
of our country. This is a legacy I will continue to champion and
strengthen.
But I want to go further and faster in strengthening the voice
and the impact of the Wales Office across government and in the
experiences of people across Wales.
When I came into office in July, I set out my plans to
reinvigorate the Wales Office and set a clear vision for its
future.
The last decade has been characterised by a fractious
relationship between Welsh and UK Governments and as a first act,
we have fundamentally reset the relationship between the Welsh
and UK governments.
The First Minister and I are forging a new partnership, based on
trust, respect for devolution, cooperation, and delivery. That is
the bedrock on which everything else is built.”
The Welsh Secretary added that as well as reforming the Wales
Office she has begun to deliver on the priorities set out on her
appointment to the post.
Since July in Wales, announcements have included:
-
A better deal with Tata Steel that secures the immediate
future of Port Talbot steelworks, lays the foundations for
future investment and enhances protections for the workforce
in Port Talbot, Llanwern, Trostre and
Shotton.
-
£13.5m released from the Port Talbot Transition Board to
support the community and supply chain.
-
Major inward investment successes with Eren Holdings and
Kellanova making huge investments in North East Wales which
will deliver hundreds of good jobs.
-
A boost to the number of trains running on the North Wales
mainline by 50%, announced alongside the Welsh
Government.
-
Creation of the publicly-owned GB Energy, unleashing the
potential we have for clean power in Wales from new nuclear
in Ynys Mon, to floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.
Seven Welsh tidal stream, solar and offshore wind projects
across the country were successful in securing contracts
earlier this year.
-
A new partnership between the UK and Welsh governments to
drive down NHS waiting lists on both sides of the
border.
Welsh Secretary said:
Our new Wales Office will be bolder, more influential and set a
positive vision for our nation, once again playing a
central role in improving people's day-to-day lives whatever
their background and wherever they live.
We will work across the two governments to deliver economic
stability and growth, clean power by 2030, border security and
safer streets and public services fit for the future.
We will deliver on our missions for government, for and on behalf
of the people of Wales.”
The post of Secretary of State for Wales came into existence on
17 October 1964 with Llanelli MP Jim Griffiths the
first to hold the position.
When the National Assembly for Wales was established in 1999, the
new Wales Office replaced the Welsh Office to carry out the
remaining functions of the Secretary of State for Wales.
MP was appointed the 22nd holder of the post
following the 4 July General Election this year. She became the
first woman from the Labour Party to hold the position.
Guests at Thursday's 60th anniversary event included a number of
previous Welsh Secretaries, members of public and uniformed
services and figures from Welsh public life. Exhibits from the
history of the department, provided by the National Library of
Wales, were also on display.
