PRESS RELEASE : Labour Qatar hypocrisy on full display at First Minister’s Questions [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 8 November 2022.

Labour leader, Keir Starmer will not be attending the Qatar World Cup, stating that this was ‘the position of the party’. However, Labour’s most senior elected politician, First Minister Mark Drakeford will be attending.

Commenting on the exchange, Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies MS said:

“Labour’s inconsistency on this matter is clear for all to see. The Labour leader isn’t going to Qatar, but the First Minister is. The response from the Leader of the House, as to why Starmer is wrong and Drakeford is right, was that Starmer has the luxury of playing to the gallery. This is no way to conduct serious politics.

“What is right, is that the Welsh Government is represented in Qatar, fulfilling their role of promoting Wales abroad and in particular, to highlight employment rights abuses.

“I hope that the Deputy Sport Minister will reverse her decision to boycott the Wales-Iran game. We feel that sending a female Minister will send that vital message, that here in Wales, men and women are wholly equal.”