‘Important’ to raise independence in first call with Starmer, says Welsh FM
The First Minister of Wales said it was “important” to talk about his ambitions for independence in an initial phone call with Sir Keir Starmer.
Rhun ap Iorwerth was elected to the role last week, after a Welsh Parliament election which saw Plaid Cymru become the largest party in the Senedd for the first time.
Speaking in Merthyr Tydfil on Wednesday, he said he believed he could have a “constructive dialogue” with the Prime Minister after speaking to him over the phone in the days after his appointment.
The First Minister said: “I have maintained throughout that I want it to be a constructive relationship, it felt as if we can have that constructive dialogue.
“I made very clear to the Prime Minister my determination to do the right thing for Wales… Making sure that we have the tools, the powers to make a difference to the lives of the people of Wales.
“It was important for me to spell that out in the context of that ultimate journey that I want us to be on as a nation, but explaining that right now, what I want to do is work with the UK Government to deliver for Wales.”
Mr ap Iorwerth said he would make the case for Wales “to whoever the Prime Minister is”.
He said: “I think people will recognise that there is an element of chaos currently in Westminster politics, and that contrasts, I think, with the calm determination of this new Welsh Government.
“But, whoever it is that I may or may not end up working with in Number 10 Downing Street in months to come, my focus will always be the same.”
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams spoke to teachers and parents at the Cwm Golau Integrated Children’s Centre in Pentrebach on Wednesday.
The Welsh Government plans to phase in 20 hours of funded childcare per week, 48 weeks a year, for all children aged nine months to four, over this Senedd term.
Mr ap Iorwerth said: “We’ve come here as a first visit for myself and the Deputy First Minister to emphasise just how serious we are about this key priority for the incoming Welsh Government.
“We identified the importance of rolling out this childcare offer because of the difference it can make to families.
“There are challenges in delivering this, and we’re up for the challenge. It’s about making sure that we align the finances that we need to deliver it, and, of course, the workforce that we need too.
“We are not doing something here in a flash-in-the-pan way, we are building something here that will help families and children and parents for many years to come.”
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said the proposals will “likely require cutbacks” to other services or increases in taxation.
David Phillips, head of devolved and local government finance at the IFS, said: “The incoming Plaid Cymru government will face both financial and political challenges as it seeks to implement its various tax and spending plans.
“Paying for significant new entitlements to government support would require either cutbacks to other spending or increases in devolved tax revenues – both feasible, but requiring difficult trade-offs.
“And persuading other parties to vote for, or at least abstain on, policies they have previously voiced opposition to may require concessions in other areas.”
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If this is the plan Rhun then sack your advisors as you’re getting it wrong right from the outset. Your focus must be on HS2 money, Barnet money, the Crown Estate and working with Westminster to build our economy. It may take a decade for us to be strong enough to survive on our own but this should be the focus. Without the foundations, independence is a non-starter.
Those are important issues, but so is the constitutional problem. It was a smart move on Rhun ap Iorwerth’s part to bring up the ‘i’ word. He can now push for further much-need devolved powers as a compromise.
If a successful referendum on our rightful independence were to succeed, the electorate would need faith and evidence of a proven track record in governance.
Prove to the naysayers and the cymru hating reform supporters that you can lay the groundwork properly.
Cymru has had decades of words and no action, put your money where your mouth is first.
Seeing Welsh independence is a core value of Plaid Cymru, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth had every right to raise it with Keir Starmer when they spoke. This contrasts with Welsh Labour’s Eluned Morgan, who was reportedly too embarrassed to ask about our HS2 consequential. Only recently, we saw Welsh Labour MPs patronise former First Minister Mark Drakeford after he attacked them saying UK Labour had offered “so little” in the way of devolution since coming to power two years ago—something that was a significant factor to their election defeat. Yes, 27 years of Welsh Labour governance contributed, but Keir… Read more »
Sixty-five countries gained independence from the essentially English Empire in the 1900s. Some were of similar size to Wales such as Gambia, Singapore, Tonga, Jamaica, Malta and the Irish Republic. However affluent or impoverished they became after independence, not one has asked to be reinstated as an English colony. Thus, all 65 must be considerably more content with independence than they were as colonies. There is no doubt that this would also be the case after Wales becomes independent, assuming it eventually decides to free itself from England’s clutches.
Gwyn, the ruling classes in these countries do not want to go back as they would loose their privileges. I seem to remember the mass migration from Uganda. They obviously preferred British rule.
He made a point of avoiding any mention of independence during the election, but he hasn’t taken long to change his tune.
People are crying out for changes to public services to convince people that they can serve the people after years of failure and neglect.
Please sort out your priorities.