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Euro 2016 - Poverty of ambition

According to the BBC, Scotland and Wales have now ditched plans for a joint bid to host Euro 2016 because of the global economic crisis.

Deputy first minister and minister for economy and transport Ieuan Wyn Jones said the money required was excessive. "The cost of bringing other venues up to this standard would run into tens of millions of pounds," he said. "In the current economic and financial climate, this is unaffordable."

There are a number issues with this statement:

(a) the European Championship isn't until 2016 - does the Assembly Government now think the recession will last another seven years?

(b) one of the main reasons for abandoning the bid is that "Both countries would have had to spend many millions upgrading and building new stadia for the tournament". However, I was under the impression that the main thrust of government interventions with the recession was to bring forward capital projects for local construction workers.

(c) major sporting events are a massive moneyspinner for the host country in terms of tourism. Does the Assembly now think that this is not the case?

So much for an Assembly Government that wants to punch above its weight.

Of course, we will never know whether this decision was down to overcautious civil servants or just a dearth of ambition from our politicians.

Comments

Anonymous said…
"Of course, we will never know whether this decision was down to overcautious civil servants or just a dearth of ambition from our politicians".

Both - third rate politicians who would be lucky to sit on the county council backed by fourth rate civil servants who were just not good enough for Whitehall.

God and St David help us!
March 02, 2009 8:13 am
Anonymous said…
Shame. This weould have really put us on the radar for millions of people around the world.
March 02, 2009 11:42 am
Anonymous said…
Dylan
Could nt you get your Party to ask some questions about this, it would be good to see some opposition getting up.Your questions are perfect for them to ask IWJ, if he is around that is.
March 02, 2009 12:51 pm
Anonymous said…
Perhaps Cairnsy is happy to ask the questions, now he is back on the economic brief.
March 02, 2009 4:28 pm
Anonymous said…
If it were a proposal to fully host the rugby world (huh) cup then ieuan would wet his pants with excitement.. football to that lot consists of man united vrs liverpool on the tv.

Lack of ambition and imagination shines through once again - no wonder convergence funding is becoming a joke as there are no planes or trains involved!

logicalman
March 03, 2009 8:56 pm
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