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.
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
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!
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.
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