Nicola Sturgeon praises Labour-Plaid cooperation agreement

Nicola Sturgeon has praised the cooperation agreement that has been negotiated between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru.

The First Minister of Scotland described the deal, which was unveiled by the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, and the leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price today, as “grown up” politics.

She also compared it with an agreement the SNP struck with the Scottish Greens to pass legislation in the Scottish Parliament.

Following @thesnp @scotgov/@scottishgreens Co-operation Agreement in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, interesting to see the emergence of grown up, collaborative politics in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 too, with this proposed deal between @Plaid_Cymru and @WelshLabour https://t.co/ljJKODJNpN

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 22, 2021

The wide-ranging agreement includes action on free school meals for all, strengthening the Welsh media, a north-south railway, the teaching of Welsh history, second homes, a larger Senedd and much more.

All in all the joint policy programme, which has been approved by the executives of the two parties, covers 46 areas. Plaid Cymru members will vote on the deal on the weekend.

‘New type of politics’ 

Adam Price, Leader of Plaid Cymru responded to Nicola Sturgeon, saying: “When faced with the complex challenges of our world today where no single party has a monopoly on solutions, then this new way of doing politics – co-operative, creative, inclusive – must surely be the future.”

He has also said that the cooperation agreement delivered on the promise for “a new type of politics”.

“They placed their trust in a new democracy with an instruction to work differently – inclusively and cooperatively,” he said.

“The challenges we face require real ambition to deliver radical ideas. The fallout from leaving the European Union, the legacy of the pandemic, and the UK Government’s determination to erode the Senedd’s powers all increase the need for transformational change.

“Taken together, the bold policy pledges will unite Wales and benefit every generation, from all primary school pupils receiving free school meals to a national care service, free at the point of need.

The First Minister Mark Drakeford said that this would be in addition to the Welsh Government’s own “ambitious Programme for Government”.

“But we do not have a monopoly on good ideas and we will work with progressive parties where we have shared and common interests to benefit people in Wales,” he said.

“This cooperation Agreement brings the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru together to respond to some of the most pressing issues facing Wales today, such as climate change and the energy and cost-of-living crisis.

“We can achieve more for people in Wales by working together and the Co-operation Agreement is both a response to the external challenges we face and a chance to build on the opportunities in our future. It will also help us secure a stable Senedd over the next three years, capable of delivering radical change and reform.

“These commitments build on our shared values of social solidarity, a sustainable planet and a vibrant democracy.”