THERE have been outcries of confusion from the people of Wales, following Boris Johnson’s television broadcast tonight (Sun, May 10).
The stay-at-home message in Wales has not changed, the First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed.
This is despite Boris Johnson having announced a change to the UK government’s advice in England – calling on people to “stay alert, control the virus” and “save lives”.
But the slogan has been rejected by Welsh ministers.
Mr Drakeford said people should stay home “wherever you can”, The Herald can confirm.
“Our advice has not changed in Wales,” he said.
Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price says Boris Johnson has made a “reckless move”.
Boris Johnson has relaxed the exercise rules in England saying can people “drive to other destinations” for a walk.
But the Welsh Government’s Counsel General Jeremy Miles has said this is not the case in Wales.
Cardiff South and Penarth MP Stephen Doughty has said Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement begs “many more questions than it answers.”
“What a mess!” he said on Twitter
Speaking to the BBC earlier this evening he said: “Our regulations do not permit people to get in their car and drive to destinations in Wales,” said Mr Miles.
“And that also means people getting in their cars in England.”
Mr Miles says the police in Wales “absolutely have the power to fine” people for making non-essential journeys and not exercising near their homes.
UK labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, told the press that the prime minister’s statement lacked “clarity and consensus”.
He told reporters: “This statement raises as many questions as it answers. We see the prospect of England, Scotland and Wales pulling in different directions, so there’s a big gap here for the government to make up.”
He says that if he were PM, he would have “tried to build a consensus” and would have made sure – if possible – that the devolved administrations, trade unions, and community groups were “on board” and knew “exactly what was required of them.”
Sir Keir later added: “I accept a plan had to be set out, but to lack that basic clarity and consensus is a real problem.”
