Andrew RT Davies
AS ASSEMBLY Members we have the privilege of being in a position to make a meaningful difference to the lives of the people of Wales.
My New Year’s resolution will be to carry that mantra into 2018, and concentrate on the things that bring us together rather than things that drive us apart.
As a country we are often accused of looking at our feet rather than at the horizon. Let’s make 2018 the year that we challenge that narrative and look ahead to the opportunities in front of us.
New Year’s Day is a hopeful time, as we mark the passing of one year and look ahead to a healthier and happy new one.
It is a time of positivity, and a time to be open to change.
2017 was a difficult year in so many ways. Yet it was in the very depths of adversity that we witnessed the best of human nature – and the true strength of community spirit.
The Assembly itself also witnessed great tragedy, but we have to continue to look forward and reach for the more positive future that’s just around the corner.
Above all, we must remember that in spite of our political differences there is much that binds us together.
There are huge opportunities ahead for this country and there will be times when our ability to come together will serve the people of Wales far better than working in isolation.
Wishing everyone across Wales and the United Kingdom the very best for 2018.
Carwyn Jones
AS the year draws to a close, it is a good time to reflect on the events of the last 12 months and look ahead to the year to come.
2018 offers us new opportunities and a chance to build on the progress we have made this year, and over the past two decades of devolution.
There are certainly challenges and uncertainty ahead, but many reasons for optimism too. I look forward to my ministerial team and I driving forward our ambitious plans for Wales – focusing on growing the economy, creating jobs, supporting our public services and improving the day-to-day lives of the people of Wales.
I want 2018 to be a year that unites us – a year in which we celebrate all we have in common and work together to build the fair, open, prosperous nation that we all want Wales to become.
I wish you and your families a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
Leanne Wood
PEOPLE here in Wales face many problems and challenges which cannot be solved by our National Assembly because of its limited powers and because its current Labour government lacks the necessary will and ambition to get those powers.
Neither can our problems be solved by Westminster, where the concerns of Wales are an afterthought at best. I very much hope that 2018 will be the year where we collectively conclude that only people in Wales can solve the problems this country faces.
As the political landscape changes alongside our relationships within the UK and Europe, as people in countries like Catalonia and Scotland push for self-government to have more control over the decisions that affect them, we have the chance for 2018 to be the year that people here consider how we in Wales can be empowered to tackle more of our problems for ourselves.
While the other parties may be content for many big decisions to be taken on our behalf in London, Plaid Cymru believes that decisions are best made by those who are directly affected by them. Plaid Cymru therefore believes also in further devolution within Wales.
My team and I will be dedicating time in 2018 to be in open consultation with people right throughout the country about how we can make the most of the opportunity devolution has given us to practice a different kind of politics, how we can extend and deepen our autonomy to develop a real alternative to the mess that Westminster has to offer.
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