Clock ticking on the devolution of water warning issued
Liz Saville Roberts MP and Dafydd Wigley have called for Wales to have full control over its water resources to address the problem of sewage being dumped in waterways, and to help reduce water bills.
Both also criticised the current model, which denies the Welsh Government the ability to stop or control the transfer of water from Wales by private companies that are mainly based in England, but whose jurisdiction does extend into Wales.
The two senior Plaid Cymru politicians were speaking at the Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod, at an event chaired by party’s parliamentary candidate for the newly created seat of Bangor Aberconwy, Catrin Wager.
Dafydd Wigley said: “The clock is ticking, and assurance is needed from the Welsh government that they are alert to their responsibility to protect the territory and interests of Wales; rather than coming to a servile agreement with Westminster and water companies in England.
“We must have these assurances now, in black and white and irrevocably. Because if there is a change of government in Westminster after the next election, how much can we then trust the Labour Party in the Senedd to protect Welsh interests when they come under pressure from Keir Starmer, who – as always – will put the interests of Westminster above the interests of Wales?”
Responsibility
Referring to the findings of the Silk Commission, which recommended the full devolution of water to Wales– as is already the case in Northern Ireland and Scotland, Ms Saville Roberts also criticised the Welsh Government for delaying the devolution of these powers despite the Wales Act 2017 allowing for their transfer.
Ms Saville Roberts said: “To say the least, it is an entirely inadequate situation that our own elected government refuses responsibilities for our natural resources. The failure of the Welsh Government to formally demand the powers proves once again that only Plaid Cymru is ready to stand up for Wales.
“The constitutional morass over our natural resources shows without a doubt that the idea of a United Kingdom is a fiction. Plaid Cymru will continue to make the argument for the full devolution of powers over water, so that decisions over Welsh resources take place in Wales.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
It’s pretty obvious why Westminster is reluctant to give the Senedd full control of Welsh water and how, once again we are being used. It’s our water so it should be our say on its use. There are so many examples of Wales being abused and missing out to suit the needs of England, enough is enough, let’s ditch this using union and forge a new independent path.
Westminster reluctant to give control? I thought it was the Welsh Government who meekly said they weren’t ready/didn’t want the responsibility a few years ago?
Doesn’t help have a pathetic weak Welsh Labour Government, in Cardiff Bay. Too afraid to rock the unionist boat.
It has long rankled with me that some of our water has been controlled by another FOR PROFIT outside water company instead of NOT FOR PROFIT Dwr Cymru with the people under their profiteering boot being shafted to enrich shareholders. The name is on the tin – WELSH Water and they must administer the water for the whole country.