Wales 20mph: No confidence vote in minister Lee Waters fails

A no confidence vote in the minister who led the introduction of Wales' new 20mph speed limit has failed to pass.

The Conservative motion, against Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters, was easily defeated by 42 votes to 16, after no other parties backed it.

Before the vote, Mr Waters said he understood "lots of people are angry and frustrated" and "we are listening".

But Conservative transport spokeswoman Natasha Asghar told Mr Waters he should go "before you cause any more damage".

The reduction in the speed limit came in earlier this month, and makes 20mph the default in built-up areas, rather than 30mph.

The change was a Welsh Labour manifesto pledge.

Local councils can apply for exemptions, but Mr Waters has said some are "reluctant" to do so due to legal concerns.

The Conservatives want a lower speed limit around places such as schools and hospitals, but not elsewhere.

The Senedd debate, on Wednesday evening, began in a heated manner but became more measured towards the end.

Ms Asghar accused the minister of "pushing ahead with this flawed policy without any care for businesses, emergency services, nurses, carers and motorists".

"In a short time opposition to the move has exploded, with a petition calling for the £33m project to be axed growing at an astronomical speed," she said.

"In fact, just before standing up in front of you all in this chamber today, more than 440,000 people have added their name to the ever-growing petition."

Mr Waters said he understood that "lots of people are angry and frustrated".

"My message to the more than 400,000 people who have signed a petition is simple, we are listening to what you're saying," he said.

"We understand that not everybody likes this and we are willing to be flexible and how this is implemented in your local community."

He promised to "work with local authorities to help get it right" but said that "it was never going to be perfect on day one".

The minister stressed: "Speeds are already down and, as a result, we can expect to see fewer accidents, fewer casualties, fewer deaths, fewer tragedies, a little bit slower but a whole lot better."

Labour Caerphilly Senedd member Hefin David praised Mr Waters, who he said had "stood up and been counted".

"He's taken everything on the chin and he's had a series of threats against him."

"This man has done nothing other than keep his promise, that's what he's done, that's why this is absolutely absurd."

Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell called the Conservative motion "cynical".

"We can have disagreements on policy but personalising politics in this way is courting something perilous and politics demands something better of us," she said.

In an emotional speech, former Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price regretted the tone of the public debate around the issue and recalled the death of his cousin Malcolm in Carmarthenshire 51 years ago.

Mr Price said the five-year-old was killed after being hit by a car while crossing the road.

"In preparation for this debate, I went on a personal pilgrimage yesterday to the spot where Malcolm died.

"I saw the new 20mph sign a hundred yards or so away, it had already been daubed with paint.

"And I thought to myself what have become when this sincere, decent, principled attempt to save the lives of children and others is a catalyst for so much anger and hate."

Speaking to BBC Wales ahead of the vote, Mr Waters said the row over the reduced speed limit has become personal and accused the Welsh Conservatives of "personalising" the issue around him, which he called "unpleasant".

On Tuesday, First Minister Mark Drakeford revealed he had received threats to his safety over the new law.

South Wales Police said it was investigating.

Conservative Senedd group leader Andrew RT Davies said he had also received abuse over his stance on the new law.

Senedd arithmetic meant this motion was bound to fail.

The 20mph law was in Labour and Plaid Cymru's manifestos.

It would have required a screeching U-turn for any of their members to vote against Lee Waters.

That won't surprise the Conservatives.

This is part of a broader strategy to try to convince drivers that the Tories are on your side.

We saw something similar with the row about the Ulez charge in London.