Lewis puts child poverty centre stage

TODAY is World Poverty Day and Huw Lewis has used the opportunity to call for a “National Mission” to Eradicate Poverty. Speaking to councillors, community workers and anti-poverty campaigners in Swansea this morning, the Merthyr AM delivered what his campaign are describing as “a blistering speech” on the impact of poverty on the life chances of Welsh children:

“I think we have made strides forward, I think that the issue of what poverty means in a modern Welsh context has hit home many quarters and I think there is a will to do something about it. I think we still need though – all of us need – frequent and uncomfortable reminders about what it means to live a life of poverty. Because until that message truly rings home, not just in every Government department – but in every newspaper, pub, club, society or church – then the mission to eradicate child poverty will not become the national mission it must, if we are to ever succeed.”

He continued by attacking those who dismiss the notion of poverty in our society: ““You know I do get approached by the occasional naysayer, who insists that there is no such thing as poverty in Wales – they all have TVs, Nintendos – it was nothing like that when I was young – and so on. But I say to them, when your chances to succeed – to have a healthy, happy future, a good education, a decent job and a loving family – when all those opportunities are taken from you at the moment of birth, then think again about what you are saying. Because that is what it means to be born into poverty in Wales.”

There is clearly no doubting that child poverty would be the number one priority of a Lewis-led administration.