Merge now ask questions later? (Eleanor Burnham )

Cymraeg
English

Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Merge now ask questions later?

February 22, 2006 9:00 AM

Commenting on the Welsh Affairs Select Committee's report on the Police merger process North Wales Assembly Member, Eleanor Burnham AM said:

"This is a hard hitting report which is strongly critical of the government's mishandling of this whole merger process. Right from the start this project has been based on a dodgy dossier and dogged by a rush to judgement on the part of the Labour government. In their desire to impose their one size fits all approach, they have consistently failed to recognise the need for consultation with the people of Wales. They have shown a blatant disregard for the concerns of police authorities, elected politicians and members of the public.

"Last Saturday I, and my colleagues Tom Rippeth and Mike German AM, were out on the streets of Wrexham asking people what they thought. 9 out of 10 people in Wrexham opposed the merger. They do not believe it will improve policing in their area.

"While the report is critical of Charles Clarke as Home Secretary, the actions of Peter Hain as chief cheerleader for the idea in Wales are also slated. He is supposed to be the voice of Wales in Westminster. Instead on this occasion he has only been the voice of Westminster in Wales. He has failed to represent the views of the vast majority of people in Wales.

"The people of North Wales have been ignored by Ministers in the way that they have pushed forward their pet project. People want effective local community policing. We want a police force that reflects the challenges we face as a community. The government in London is dictating to Wales over the shape of our Police. They only pay half the bill for policing, yet they want all the say in how the police are organised.

"The people are clear, the police are adamant. We do not want a one size fits all policing forced upon us. It is not too late for the government to listen."

End