I’ve decided to start writing my blog again.
When I was appointed to government after the last election I felt that a certain degree of discretion was probably the best approach and whilst the blog provided some opportunity to contribute to a wider political discussion it also provided an opportunity for mischief to be made by those people for whom such things are a way of life.
So the keyboard was folded away.
My friends were relieved. Others looked clearly disappointed.
So why the change of mind?
The last few months have been amongst the most traumatic that I can remember. Carl was a dear friend as well as a trusted colleague and comrade. He was one of the first people I met in Cardiff after being first elected. Many of us are still trying to come to terms with losing him in such terrible circumstances. The various investigations into the circumstances of his death will continue to dominate people’s thoughts over the coming months and I hope that they will provide an opportunity for us all to better understand how and why Carl felt that he had no alternative and no way out. At the very least Carl’s family need to know why they have lost him.
But losing Carl has also dominated the life of the government. It is difficult to overstate the depth of the shadow that his passing has shed over those of us who served alongside him. It has been difficult and sometimes impossible to focus on how we move forward and deliver the government’s programme.
And this again is another reason to start writing again. I want to help move the focus back onto our politics and what we wish to achieve over the coming years.
These are the most depressing and difficult times that I can remember for the politics of Wales, the UK and the wider world. Carl’s death took place against a backdrop of anger against politicians and a deep disbelief in the power of politics to achieve real and lasting change. All too often people who are facing the hard reality of austerity simply do not believe that we as politicians have any understanding of their lives and the difficulties they face. In the debate on Brexit many people looked at their political leaders and decided that they didn’t believe a word we were saying. And this represents a real crisis in politics that goes far beyond Brexit.
But I do believe in politics. And I believe that it is only through politics that we can create change. It was politics that created our democracy, that created our NHS and it is only through politics that we can create real equality in our society – only politics gives us the platform to take on powerful vested interests.
In the last few decades it is politics that gave Wales the right to pass our own laws and create our own government and parliament. And as a member of that government and that parliament I want to play my part in repairing our politics. And without wishing to appear too precious or pompous I do believe that being elected is a privilege and a part of repaying that privilege is to use whatever knowledge or experience or understanding that I may have to contribute in a positive way to a conversation about our futures.
So this is my contribution to that debate.
It is not a ministerial blog, although I will from time to time discuss the issues for which I am responsible in the Welsh Government, but I make again the plea that nothing I say here should be over-interpreted or misinterpreted as the view of that government.
It’s my view. No more. No less.
I will endeavour to update at least once a week but such things are a movable feast.
Alun Davies MS 