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‘Defending the indefensible’: Plaid respond to Drakeford’s plan to save the UK

29 Jun 2021 3 minute read
Rhun ap Iorwerth. Photo by Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru has responded to Mark Drakeford’s plan to save UK from breaking up by saying he is “defending the indefensible”.

The party’s Deputy Leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth said that Labour “will never put Wales first” and accused it of being “stuck in the past”.

Plaid called for Wales to be free of “Westminster’s chaos and incompetence” and pointed to support for independence being at an “all-time high”.

Today Drakeford will outline an updated 20-point blueprint, which he says would make the United Kingdom stronger but he also warned that the union has “never been this fragile” and added that if “matters continue in their current vein the case for the break-up of the UK will only increase”.

The plan – Reforming Our Union – has been updated following the Senedd and Scottish Parliament elections in May and the trade agreement signed by the UK and the European Union.

Tory Senedd leader, Andrew RT Davies, has called the plan an “unwelcome and unnecessary sideshow”, and believes that Drakeford shouldn’t be debating Wales having “more powers”.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Past experience shows us clearly that UK Government, be it red or blue, will never put Wales first.

“Labour have been talking about setting up a constitutional convention for almost a decade, with then First Minister Carwyn Jones promising this as long ago as 2012. But nothing happens. Labour’s thinking on the union, appears to be stuck in the past.

“The UK is more than fragile – it is failing utterly to deliver economic and social justice for the people of Wales.

“The only way of achieving this is by putting Wales’s future in Wales’s hands, free from Westminster’s chaos and incompetence.

“It’s why support for independence is at an all-time high, and growing. It’s time for Labour in Wales to stop defending the indefensible.”

‘Priority’ 

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies MS said: “Just weeks after the Senedd election, people across Wales will be left scratching their heads at the fact this is now the priority for the latest Labour administration in Cardiff Bay.

“We’ve been through an incredibly difficult period and what people want to hear from governments and ministers of all stripes is how they’re going to protect jobs, secure new opportunities and deliver a clear plan for Wales’ economic recovery, not constitutional debate and demands for more powers and politicians in the Senedd.

“There might well be a time and place for such discussions, but this is not it. Welsh Conservatives make no apology for standing up for those families, workers and businesses who’ll be rightly angry that the newly-elected administration is focusing its energy on the intricacies of devolution rather than saving people’s livelihoods.

“The sole priority for Labour ministers should be Wales’ economic future – not never-ending debates on devolution – and this is an unwelcome and unnecessary sideshow at such a delicate period in our recovery.”


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Sian
Sian
3 years ago

Unfortunately Mr Davies the actions of your party in the UK Government is making the discussion around more powers and possibly independence a growing priority here in Wales as well as in the other nations. From flag flying of a banner we’re not even included on, to singing songs that would make even North Koreans blush but more importantly undermining the Welsh Government’s authority by going straight to local authorities with the new prosperity fund that is millions less than that promised to Wales following Brexit.

Erisian
Erisian
3 years ago
Reply to  Sian

I could not agree more. ARTD has never had Wales’s interests at Heart. Why would he? He is member of the Conservative and Unionist Party who resent Labour’s success in Wales and constantly seek means to undermine it. He is a creature of St Steffan, not Wales.

Quornby
Quornby
3 years ago

Mr ap Iorwerth is of course absolutely correct.

Dafydd Evans
Dafydd Evans
3 years ago

Mr R T 2 D (I seem to remember you borrowed some of his traits for the leaders debate) – we’re scratching our heads at the car crash that is Westminster – The never ending mediocrity, its poster boy – the apptly named Hancock and offcourse the Boris Karloff horror show….all that we seemingly have no power to stop…..

Chris
Chris
3 years ago

I really with the Tories could find a leader to replace ReTweet Davies. Unfortunately every time they find a leader with anything reasonable credentials they get them selves mired in scandal. And then ReTweet the seat-warmer is back again like a 99p Store Trump.

Bruce
Bruce
3 years ago

I think Andrew R2D2 should be reminded that support for the Tories and their anti-devolution agenda was in a minority. Around two-thirds of the vote went to parties that either favoured more devolution or outright independence so no we won’t be ‘scratching out heads’.

Leigh Richards
Leigh Richards
3 years ago

No idea what the ‘toys and prams’ reference has got to do with anything? As a party that exists to secure independence for Wales plaid are quite right to criticise Mark Drakeford for his slavish defence of a union which continues to marginalise and impoverish Wales

Leigh Richards
Leigh Richards
3 years ago

Mark Drakeford’s slavish loyalty to and support for a union which continues to marginalise and impoverish Wales makes for a pitiful spectacle. Must be what is known as Stockholm syndrome.

j humphrys
j humphrys
3 years ago
Reply to  Leigh Richards

MD’s speech begins positively, and finishes with me owning a bridge!

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
3 years ago

Listen to the Tories and Cymru will end up just another poor county of England.Our future should not include them.

Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
3 years ago
Reply to  Steve Duggan

Yes the Anti-Welsh Party.

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