Dafydd Trystan Davies, who was appointed to the role last month, is responsible for supporting oversight of the cabinet office, overseeing the government’s priorities, and constitutional affairs.
Addressing Senedd Members on Tuesday, June 23, Dr Trystan Davies said: “Trust and confidence in government is hard-earned but easily lost. The Welsh Government, over recent years, has lost the trust of the people of Wales.
“There has been a perception that it is distant, talking rather than listening, promising rather than doing, and failing to reflect the priorities of the nation.
“This government is determined to reverse that trend, restoring trust by delivering on the commitments we have made and ensuring change that people across Wales can see and feel.”
He emphasised the importance of constitutional reform, stressing that it is not an “abstract concept” but is instead about “whether we have the powers, the resources and the tools to deliver better outcomes for our people.”
Dr Trystan Davies also discussed plans to establish a standing national commission on the constitution to “support informed, inclusive, and deliberative engagement on Wales’s future.”
He confirmed he will be heading to Belfast on Wednesday, June 24, for his first inter-ministerial standing committee, where he hopes to achieve “positive and productive conversations” with colleagues from all four governments across the UK.
Closing his statement to the Siambr, the minister said: “My aim is to turn purpose into progress, progress into better outcomes, and better outcomes into renewed trust in the government across Wales.”
Much of the discussion in the Siambr focused on Plaid Cymru’s plans for constitutional reform.
Reform’s Adrian Mason, who is his party’s shadow constitution minister, questioned the constitutional change proposed by Dr Trystan Davies
He said: “Plaid Cymru needs to understand that the people of Wales have had enough of constitutional obsession.
“They want shorter NHS waiting lists, they want better schools, they want decent transport, safer communities and an economy that works.
“They do not want public money, civil service time and political attention diverting to yet another stage of the separatist obsession.”
Noting he was a “little at a loss” at Mr Mason’s comments, Dr Trystan Davies said his priorities are forming a “better government” and “doing things differently”.
