Adam Price ‘knew’ that ‘down payment on independence’ phrase ‘would upset Tories’
Adam Price has said he knew that using the phrase “a down payment on independence” would “upset the Tories”.
The Leader of Plaid Cymru has poked fun at the reaction from the Welsh Conservatives to his use of the phrase to describe the cooperation agreement his party signed with the Welsh Government.
During a debate about the deal, he told the Senedd that the Conservatives are “very easily upset these days”.
Price was responding to the Leader of the Welsh Tories, Andrew RT Davies who asked the First Minister Mark Drakeford: “So, is this programme for government that you’re introducing today a down payment on independence, First Minister, because it would be good to hear what your take is on it, because—and the last time I looked—I’ve always thought that the Labour Party was a unionist party?”
Adam Price said: “I knew that that phrase, ‘a down payment on independence’, would upset the Tories; they’re very easily upset these days.
“But what I meant by that, what was on my mind, was another phrase that Raymond Williams coined where he talked about real independence.
“Not independence as a theory, but real independence for him were the policies that would transform people’s lives. And although you and I, First Minister, disagree on the constitutional future of Wales, both of us would agree that the purpose of politics is to change people’s lives.”
The deal wide-ranging three-year deal includes action on free school meals for all, strengthening the Welsh media, the development of north-south railway links, the teaching of Welsh history, and on second homes.
It will also aim for a replacement for council tax, the creation of a publicly-owned construction company and an energy company, changes to the Senedd’s size and electoral system, as well measures to promote the Welsh language.
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Welsh Conservatives? Surely an oxymoron?
forget the oxy part Mick
This discussion reminds me of the words of the late John Smith (John Smith (Labour Party leader) – Wikipedia – for our younger readers!), that: “The most important thing about politics is… to remember that politics is not the most important thing.” – thinking of the society we want to create and sustain.
The best UK prime minister we never had. If he hadn’t died maybe we wouldn’t have had Thatcher let alone Boris Johnson
Thatcher was already in power when John Smith became Labour leader
Any chance that we can have a progressive tax to replace council tax?
No doubt it upset quite a few in Labour as well.
That’s true. If he keeps repeating it regularly they’ll be coming out in a form of Unionist Loyalist rash. Just as prone to it as some of the more blinkered Tories.
Anything that antagonizes the thin-skinned Tories is fine by me. Well done Adam Price. 🤣
He is correct. I am convinced that the very existence of Wales upsets the Tories.
Kick all English party’s out of wales 🏴 stop being little Englanders and be proud to be welsh start fighting for your children and grandchildren future in wales 🏴 it’s time for a new wales 🏴
Very easily upset? They are gagging for it! Outrage and bile are what get them up in the morning. Any suggestion that don’t have a god given one-true-vision and the right to do what they like to the electorate … and off they go.
Very well summed up.