Political knives out for First Minister’s ‘Cardiff-centric’ five mile rule

THE First Minister for Wales has come under fire from political parties in Wales for his latest extension to the lockdown and the slight adjustments including a 5 mile travel limit and being able to stand in a garden and have a chat with the next door neighbour.

Plaid Cymru launched an attack immediately after the First Minster’s briefing today, Friday (May 29).

The party highlighted the unfairness on rural communities, calling the decision a ‘Cardiff-centric’ approach.

We questioned the First Minister on this subject and asked if the new adjustments were not unfair on rural communities where the ‘r number’ may be considerably less.

In a letter to the First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, said the 5 mile rule serves to further isolate those in more rural locations, and calls the guidelines “impractical”

The Welsh Government’s cautious approach on lifting restrictions had been largely welcomed by Plaid Cymru, but Shadow Health Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, has said the introduction of a 5 mile travel limit disproportionately favours those in city centre locations.

Under the new guidelines, people from two different households in the same local area would be allowed to meet outdoors – and “local” has been confirmed as within a 5 mile radius. But in a letter to the First Minister, Mr ap Iorwerth points out that this new rule is “impractical”, it disproportionately favours those in city centre locations, and serves to further isolate those in rural communities.

Plaid Cymru Shadow Health Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:

“I’d previously urged Government to look at allowing families to meet in the open air, on the grounds of welfare, as long as it was based on science and risk management. It is not clear where the figure of 5 miles comes from, nor is it clear how this rule can be effectively governed.

“What is of greater concern is that in rural parts of Wales, including my constituency, 5 miles is a very small area. Many people who consider themselves to live close to family or friends, would still be unable to see them.

“To have a plan that disproportionately favours those in city centre locations is both unfair and is another Cardiff-centric policy from a government which seems intent on ignoring the needs of rural Wales.

“There is a very different understanding of what ‘local’ means in different parts of Wales, and I appeal to the First Minister to allow more flexibility to reflect the geographic realities of Wales and its communities.”

UKIP Leader at the Senedd Neil Hamilton also criticised the First Minister and said that all the science pointed to a disastrous handling of the pandemic, which he said in other parts of the world was being handled very differently and successfully. He called the Senedd a shambles and said he believed it was safe for children to return to school. Mr Hamilton’s interview can be listened to in full here:

The slight adjustments will leave some people confused as to how they measure the five miles and what the consequences are for breaching this distance. Some may find themselves in a difficult position because fo their rural and isolated positions. The First Minister did offer a glimpse of hope asking businesses to ‘be prepared’. Another three weeks in the glorious sunshine may be heaven to some, but will be living hell for others.

Mid and West Wales MS Helen Mary Jones also criticised the 5 mile rule and said that she had been inundated with emails from upset constituents, who had been hopeful that they would be able to see their loved ones again. The Plaid Cymru MS also said that she believed the 5 mile rule had manifested because that was the approximate distance from one side of Cardiff to another. You can hear the full interview with Helen Mary Jones here:

Speaking later on in the day Rhun Ap Iorwerth said:

“In his lunchtime press conference the First Minister unpicked his 5 mile rule, and eventually asked people to use their “own judgement in local geographies.

“Whilst Plaid Cymru welcomes that flexibility for rural communities the problem arose in the first place because the Welsh Government tried to make a “Cardiff shaped solution” fit a “Wales shaped problem.

“I’m glad he said that the limit shouldn’t be viewed as absolute, that geographic differences should be taken into account and that people should use their ‘judgement’. But clarity of communication is so important. The easiest thing would have been to try and tailor an approach that suits all of Wales, rather than stretch a Cardiff shaped solution over a Wales shaped problem.

“Whilst the Welsh First Minister was trying to unpick the 5 mile limit, the Scottish First Minister explained that there was no limit as such, but that people should stay local enough that they won’t want to ‘use the bathroom’ on their visit – because you shouldn’t be entering a house! I think most people get that kind of message in a much clearer way. For your own safety – stay local, and use your common sense.”