Police merger dogged by a rush to judgment

Release/Rhyddhau: 22/02/06

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

The Labour Government has failed to listen to the people of Wales on the proposed merger of the four Welsh police forces.  That was the view today from Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates following the publication of a Welsh Affairs Select Committee's report on the Police merger process.

Commenting Mick 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 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, and have shown a blatant disregard for the concerns of police authorities, elected politicians and ordinary members of the public.

"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.

"Welsh Liberal Democrat street referendums in North and South Wales have shown that at least 8 out of 10 people in Wales are opposed to the merger. They do not believe it will improve policing in their area. It is not too late for the government to listen."