Lib Dems would stop Welsh independence, leader Jane Dodds promises
The leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wales has pledged her party will endeavour to prevent Welsh independence.
Speaking at the Lib Dem Senedd campaign launch on Wednesday, Jane Dodds told members the party would be able to “influence the direction of the next government”.
Labour has led Wales for more than two decades but, if opinion polling is to be believed, Reform and Plaid Cymru are vying to become the biggest parties on May 7.
The polls suggest neither is on course to secure a majority, meaning they may need to strike an agreement with other parties in order to govern.
Ms Dodds, currently the only Lib Dem member of the Senedd, said her party would be focusing on “hyper-local campaigns” and could win an additional three or four seats “on a good night”.
Speaking on Wednesday, she said: “We are at a crossroads, and whilst Welsh Labour deserve to lose this election, Reform UK and Plaid Cymru don’t deserve to win.
“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will play a key role when it comes to a new government.
“We can influence the change and the positions and policies that we want to see in our future Wales.”
The party leader added: “We will ensure that not a penny is spent on independence.
“It’s the elephant in the room.
“We know that both the Green Party and Plaid Cymru want independence.
“We’re really clear that independence is not what Wales needs.
“Yes, we need more devolved powers, but we will ensure that not one penny is spent on any plans, discussions, consultations that will be a distraction to us here in Wales.”
Ms Dodds told the Press Association the party would not work with a Reform government in the Senedd.
She said the Lib Dems would only support a government that invests in social care, provides additional funding for Natural Resources Wales to help clean up rivers and seas, and is not spending money on preparations for independence.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru, previously said his party would use time in government to make the case for an independent Wales.
Ms Dodds said: “If (Plaid Cymru) want to talk to us, then they must confirm that they will not spend a penny of government money on independence.”
The latest poll by YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales suggested the Lib Dems could be left without any seats in the Senedd after May 7.
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey was absent from the campaign launch on Wednesday, and also did not attend the Welsh party conference last month.
“He totally supports the Welsh Liberal Democrats,” Ms Dodds told PA.
“He wants to deliver for Wales, he wants to stop Reform, he’s doing that over the UK as well.
“So, you know, he’s got a busy calendar and diary.”
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Ok. So they’re happy for Wales to be exploited an English colony then. Thanks for confirming that.
We’re all quaking in our boots and the prospect of a Lib-Dem landslide 😂
Rumours are that Ms Dodds is directing all available Welsh Lib Dem resources to her constituency, in the hope that she will retain her seat. If this is the case, then she be the solitary Lib Dem in the Senedd (if she gets enough votes….) and have absolutely no influence on governing Wales.
So Lib Dems want out of Cymru completely then? They only have Jane Dodds.
At least they won’t shave anything off the Plaid vote now
And that right there is but one example of why the lib dems will remain completely irrelevant for the foreseeable future.
You don’t have to be pro indy or Welsh to realise that Cymru is basically just being pillaged by Westminster, it’s theft and exploitation at its finest, and she’s just confirmed that she approves of this behavior.
Watch their vote share decrease now
“Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey was absent from the campaign launch on Wednesday, and also did not attend the Welsh party conference last month”….even the Lib Dems UK leader doesnt have any faith in the inept Dodds (who struggles even to attend votes at the Senedd.) In fact he has indicated previously that Dodds should stand down as lib dem leader in Wales – the sorry circumstances which led to Ed Davey’s unprecedented intervention in the party in Wales have been well documented and Dodds has still to properly explain her role in that appalling matter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy87gm4v4g5o
Plaid Cymru have set it themselves, an independence referendum is not going to happen anytime soon. In fact Scotland would have to go independent first before such a referendum would be winnable in Wales.
Jane Dodds, spoken like a true Tory. Most voters are unaware that the Liberal Democrats are effectively the sister party of the Conservatives, having branched off from the Whigs. Have you ever wondered why many Tory voters seek sanctuary with the Lib Dems, and why there was a coalition with David Cameron and Nick Clegg in 2010? Like-minded. So, when you vote in May, bear this in mind. There are three English Conservative, anti-Wales, anti-devolution parties running in May’s Senedd election: the Welsh Conservatives, Reform UK, and the Liberal Democrats — oh, and London lapdog, stale Welsh Labour. Only one… Read more »
The party of Lloyd George is in a sorry under Dodds. Wonder where Cynru Fydd went?