rhifyn 1134 issue 1134
gair rhydd
18 Mawrth 2019 18 March 2019
Check out Gair Rhydd online
Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972
Paul Davies AM: I stand for giving young people the best start in life
Calls to increase support for uni lecturers by Greg Oxley
T
he wife of a Cardiff University lecturer who took his own life last year has called on the University to take further action on the increasing workloads staff are facing. 3
New Sabbatical Officers in SU by Sam Tilley
F
ollowing their successful elections, Gair Rhydd speaks to your new Sabbatical Officers. We find out what they have planned for the year ahead, why they chose to run for their respective positions and what they think is the biggest issue affecting students at Cardiff 8 University.
Possible cure found for HIV by Yasmin Begum
W
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives: Paul Davies, 49, has been in the Welsh Assembly since 2007. Photo Credit: Jayne Cowan by Charlotte King and Lowri Pitcher
P
aul Davies, AM for Preseli Pembrokeshire and leader of the Welsh Conservatives, sat down with Gair Rhydd recently to discuss his visions for Wales. After being elected as the party’s leader back in September 2018, he has spent the last six months planning to build “a credible opposition” to the current Labour administration. We questioned him on Brexit, the Conservative Party and how he believes his party can ensure a good future for the Welsh people. Here is what he had to say. What kind of Brexit are the Welsh Conservatives seeking? We have to respect the wishes of the people back in 2016; 17.4 million people voted to leave the European Union. But we also must leave the European Union in an orderly manner and that is what Theresa May is trying to do, making sure that we respect the referendum result but at the same time leave in an orderly manner. I think that the deal the Prime Minister has put forward is not perfect, but it is the best deal for Britain, and I hope that my colleagues will support it eventually because we must respect the wishes of
the people of Wales and the people of the United Kingdom. Some say, given that Wales is a net beneficiary of the EU, that any Brexit will impact Wales negatively. Should we therefore consider the option of a second referendum? No, I don’t think we should consider an option for a second referendum because we’ve already had a referendum and the people of Wales and the United Kingdom made it absolutely clear what their views are. They want to leave the European Union and we must follow through on the original People’s Vote back in June 2016. That’s what people want politicians to deliver and that is what the UK government is trying to do. I am concerned that politicians in the Senedd look to be frustrating Brexit. If we don’t respect the decision made by the people, it could damage politics in this country and that’s why it’s important we do follow through on the original referendum. What are your thoughts on extending Article 50? Is this something we should be considering? I still hope a deal can be negotiated
between now and March 29th because I think it’s important to ensure that we stick to that date. That was the promise that was made to the British people and I am still hopeful that an agreement can be sought within that time. What are the Welsh Conservatives’ main priorities aside from Brexit? A lot of people ask me since becoming leader in September of last year what my vision is for the Welsh Conservatives, what I stand for and who am I? I stand for empowering people. I stand for giving young people the best start in life. I stand for getting governments off our backs. I stand for supporting businesses which create the jobs which create the wealth which pays for our vital public services. I stand for a low tax economy, and I stand for protecting the integrity of the United Kingdom. I want to see a strong Wales in a strong United Kingdom and those are my values. I joined the Conservative Party back in the 1980s because I believe in its values and I believe in my country, law and order, freedom of the individual, choice, opportunity and personal responsibility.
The Conservatives in this Assembly obviously have a lot of work to do before the next Assembly elections in 2021, but we will be developing policies around those values over the next two years. What are the Conservatives doing to solve the growing homelessness issue in Wales and what do you think of the current administration’s efforts to tackle this? I take this issue very seriously. This would be a priority for us as Welsh Conservatives and my spokesperson on housing will be launching a policy on homelessness over the next few months. I accept that the Welsh Government, with the 2014 Housing Act, have introduced some preventative measures, but we need to do much more. That’s why we will be launching our policy on this in due course. I think firstly, we need to learn from other countries. Finland have a very good policy to tackle homelessness, so we need implement measures here which reflect where it is working well.
Continues on Page 16
16
ithin hours, two patients - one in London and one in Dusserldorf, claimed to be free of the HIV virus. They are the second and third people ever thought to be cured of the disease. Both patients underwent a transplant. 25
Welsh Varsity’s key clashes by George Willoughby
A
head of Welsh Varsity 2019, Gair Rhydd Sport takes a look at the key clashes that are set to take place across the day of sport. As the United Kingdom’s second biggest university varsity, Cardiff University will host Swansea University. 30
Photo credit: CUSU