Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:22 pm on 2 May 2017.
Russell George
Conservative
3:22,
2 May 2017
Cabinet Secretary, can I thank you for your statement this afternoon? I think Wales has got a proud history of hosting major sporting events that far exceeds the norm, I think, that would be expected for a country of our size. I fully agree with you, Cabinet Secretary, that it’s a great honour for Cardiff to be hosting this prestigious global event that has, of course, the potential to showcase the best of Wales to the world and have a significant benefit to the Welsh economy and also provide a boost to the tourism industry.
Such major sporting events not only spark our national pride and boost tourism levels but they also raise the issue of supporting the broader public health agenda as well. So, with that in mind, Cabinet Secretary, can you outline what steps the Government has taken since the Euro 2016 success to boost the virtues of an active lifestyle and other benefits of sporting activity, and doing so of course in the face of reduced funding in that area as well?
Economically, the hosting of events such as the Champions League final also creates a fantastic opportunity to advertise Wales as a tourist destination, not only to other Europeans but also across the world. I was pleased to hear that the Welsh Government has also taken steps to showcase our nation at the UEFA Champions Festival and has also invested in cross-curriculum materials for Welsh schools. I was pleased to hear that.
You also referred to the potential for security threats at the championships. Can I also endorse your advice to spectators to remain vigilant and take note of advice from police and security staff?
Finally, I would like to ask what lessons have been learned from hosting previous major events, particularly from a transport perspective. During the Rugby World Cup, the experience of Cardiff was tempered by problems with public transport, with lengthy delays of up to 4 hours in some cases, and incidents of overcrowding, which, I expect, may well have a knock-on effect of putting people off visiting in the future. Now, given the fact that the footfall at Cardiff Central station has increased dramatically in recent years, are you confident that the station is able to cope with the overflow? I'm sure you will agree that we must be careful to avoid a repeat of the incidents. So, can I ask what steps you’ve taken, alongside talking to transport providers, Cardiff city council and tournament organisers, to minimise the disruption for travellers, residents and fans alike?
The cabinet is the group of twenty or so (and no more than 22) senior government ministers who are responsible for running the departments of state and deciding government policy.
It is chaired by the prime minister.
The cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes, despite any private doubts that they might have.
Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
However, during periods of national emergency, or when no single party gains a large enough majority to govern alone, coalition governments have been formed with cabinets containing members from more than one political party.
War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
From time to time the prime minister will reorganise the cabinet in order to bring in new members, or to move existing members around. This reorganisation is known as a cabinet re-shuffle.
The cabinet normally meets once a week in the cabinet room at Downing Street.