English: Diolch, Dirprwy Llywydd. Can I just start by saying to Sam Rowlands, who opened the debate, and to all those who have declared that they're standing down tomorrow, congratulations on the great service that you've all done in local government as leaders and councillors? Having been a councillor myself, I'm absolutely passionate about the importance of local government and the role of local councils. But, can I say that Carolyn Thomas has to be the prize role model for being a local councillor coming from the grass roots? It's a brilliant role that you've played, and now you're here representing the whole of the North Wales region as a Senedd Member. Can I say, Dirprwy Llywydd, that I find it difficult to comprehend how the Welsh Conservatives can table this motion at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is devastating people's lives here in Wales in the communities that we represent? People outside this Chamber - indeed, in our public gallery, I'm sure - will hear their words and wonder what alternate reality it is that they're occupying. They'll wonder why the Welsh Conservatives are so concerned with the well-being of communities across Wales. They've failed to stand up for them when it has mattered most. The reality that they seem to occupy is not a reality where they have urged Boris Johnson to step in on the cost of living. It's not a reality where they have fiercely safeguarded the £20 uplift in universal credit. It's not a reality where they have fought tooth and nail to secure a fair financial settlement for Wales. Instead, it's a reality where their response to the cost-of-living crisis is to allow more time between MOTs. Where is their passion to protect Welsh communities? They haven't demanded the £3 billion that's owed to our Welsh budget and our communities. [ Interruption.] Obviously, Deputy Llywydd, people across Wales are facing an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis. The OBR said - [ Interruption.]
Welsh: Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. A gaf fi ddechrau drwy longyfarch Sam Rowlands, a agorodd y ddadl, a phawb sydd wedi datgan eu bod yn camu i lawr yfory, ar eich gwasanaeth gwych mewn llywodraeth leol fel arweinwyr a chynghorwyr? A minnau wedi bod yn gynghorydd fy hun, rwy'n gwbl angerddol am bwysigrwydd llywodraeth leol a rôl cynghorau lleol. Ond a gaf fi ddweud bod Carolyn Thomas yn fodel rôl rhagorol yn y ffordd y daeth yn gynghorydd lleol o lawr gwlad? Rydych wedi chwarae rôl wych, a bellach, rydych yma'n cynrychioli rhanbarth Gogledd Cymru gyfan fel Aelod o'r Senedd. A gaf fi ddweud, Ddirprwy Lywydd, fy mod yn ei chael hi'n anodd deall sut y gall y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig gyflwyno'r cynnig hwn ar adeg pan fo'r argyfwng costau byw'n dinistrio bywydau pobl yma yng Nghymru yn y cymunedau yr ydym yn eu cynrychioli? Bydd pobl y tu allan i'r Siambr hon - yn wir, yn ein horiel gyhoeddus, rwy'n siŵr - yn clywed eu geiriau ac yn meddwl tybed pa realiti amgen y maent yn bodoli ynddo. Byddant yn meddwl tybed pam fod y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn poeni gymaint am lesiant cymunedau ledled Cymru. Maent wedi methu sefyll o'u plaid ar yr adegau pwysicaf. Nid yw'r realiti yr ymddengys eu bod ynddo yn realiti lle maent wedi annog Boris Johnson i gymryd camau ar gostau byw. Nid yw'n realiti lle maent wedi mynd ati'n frwd i gadw'r ychwanegiad o £20 i'r credyd cynhwysol. Nid yw'n realiti lle maent wedi brwydro'n galed i sicrhau setliad ariannol teg i Gymru. Yn hytrach, mae'n realiti lle maent wedi ymateb i'r argyfwng costau byw drwy ganiatáu mwy o amser rhwng profion MOT. Ble mae eu dyhead i amddiffyn cymunedau Cymru? Nid ydynt wedi mynnu'r £3 biliwn sy'n ddyledus i'n cyllideb a'n cymunedau yng Nghymru. [ Torri ar draws.] Yn amlwg, Ddirprwy Lywydd, mae pobl ledled Cymru yn wynebu argyfwng costau byw digynsail. Dywedodd y Swyddfa Cyfrifoldeb Cyllidebol - [ Torri ar draws.]