Plaid Cymru calls for Wales' health minister Eluned Morgan to be sacked

Plaid Cymru is calling for Welsh Labour health minister Eluned Morgan to be sacked.

Following prominent issues in Betsi Cadwaladr health board and the ongoing NHS crisis, and a catalogue of health failings, Plaid Cymru health spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth, has today (Saturday, March 4) said that Ms Morgan has “no authority” and that it’s up to the First Minister to bring in new leadership. Mr ap Iorwerth was speaking ahead of his speech to Plaid Cymru’s Spring Conference in Llanelli.

“The people of Wales have lost faith in the Health Minister," said Mr ap Iorwerth. "Time and again, she’s evaded scrutiny and shifted blame onto others when challenged with the disastrous outcomes of her own policies.

“This is particularly true in the north. The patients and staff of Betsi Cadwaladr deserve better from their government. The least they deserve is an apology, but what we all need is the government to step up and take responsibility for this mess."

Read more: Minister leading roads freeze has claimed for nearly 12,000 miles of car journeys but only three train trips

“In a democracy, the authority to govern flows from the people. It’s clear Eluned Morgan no longer has that authority. If she’s not willing to take responsibility now, the First Minister should do the right thing on behalf of the people of Wales, and remove his Health Minister."

WalesOnline recently conducted an investigation into Welsh NHS waiting lists and found that thousands of people in Wales had died while waiting years for operations.

Mr ap Iorwerth added that there was wider significance to the unwillingness on the Labour Minister’s part to accept responsibility: “We fought for devolution so we could design a politics that was different to the elitist politics of Westminster. Conservative Ministers – and Prime Ministers – have been rightly derided for their shameful arrogance towards the public. But here we seen Labour ministers also acting as if they are beyond reproach, shielded from scrutiny.

“Soon, the people of Ynys Môn will have a chance to give a verdict on both the Conservatives record and Labour’s actions. Electing a Plaid Cymru MP is the best way to turn our disillusionment into positive action for the people of Ynys Môn.”

READ NEXT:

• Living and dying in pain: The victims of Wales' NHS waiting list scandal

• Adam Price says Plaid Cymru 'must do better' after accusations about party's culture

• The £3.90 fry-up Welsh politicians can enjoy that makes a mockery of plans to make us eat healthily

• Wales' Future Generations Commissioner's jet-setting flights round the world

• Eight claims about Brexit which have proved totally untrue