Laura McAllister, a professor of public policy at Cardiff University, seems to comprehend why so many Welsh voters opted for Brexit during last year's EU referendum as opposed to Plaid Cymru and Labour. She told The Daily Express that when a family is living in poverty or experiencing homelessness, money spent on vanity projects like statues will not alleviate their situation. She is correct.
When Wales overwhelmingly voted for Brexit last year, the result surprised many commentators. That is because this nation receives substantial funding from the EU.
In numerous places you visit there, Brussels proudly claims to have sponsored numerous projects that have brought prosperity to the region as part of their propaganda spree to increase EU support. One source informed Blasting News that Brussels' cash failed to prevent their primary and secondary school from being dissolved. Instead, it was used to merge the two places into one failing super-school. This proves EU grants are not being spent properly.
This area has been receiving Brussels' cash for years and it has had no impact
Geraint Davies, the Labour MP for Swansea West, is blaming the Brexit divorce bill for causing a loss of jobs in Wales. The Government does not owe Brussels a penny, that much is clear.
But to blame the settlement fee on potential unemployment shows the Swansea West MP is attempting to persuade Welsh voters that leaving the EU is not worth sacrificing the electrification of the railway line and an electricity-generating tidal lagoon. Swansea West and the Welsh Valleys passed the criteria for EU funding this year because of its extreme poverty.
This area has been receiving Brussels' cash for years and it has had no impact.
Brits voted to take back control so that taxpayers' money that goes towards the EU's budget can be returned to Westminster
This is a desperate attack from Labour to blame Brexit for Wales's misfortunes. Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood waded into this debate by accusing the Government of betraying Welsh voters.
What they both fail to understand is that Brits voted to take back control so that taxpayers' money that goes towards the EU's budget can be returned to Westminster. That way, they can invest it on projects that the elected government of the day deems best to spend the cash on. And if electors do not support the spending decisions of that administration, they can remove them during a general election. That is not possible whilst this country is a member of the trading bloc that splashes euros on schemes that fail to achieve anything.
It is clear both Labour and Plaid Cymru have failed to learn any lessons from Brexit. Brussels' spending has done nothing to curb poverty. Welsh taxpayers deserve better.
