Plaid call on Labour to back National Constitutional Convention to look at options for Wales’ future

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price has written to First Minister Mark Drakeford urging him to support the establishment of a Welsh Constitutional Convention.

The convention would look at all options for Wales’ constitutional future – including independence.

Adam Price said the “unprecedented events and chaos in Westminster” represented a “broken system” and called for “a constructive debate” on the future of Wales.

Plaid Cymru have tabled an amendment ahead of an emergency Senedd debate today calling on the Welsh Government to establish the Convention.

Alun Davies AM has been asked to lead a project on the First Minister’s behalf to explore the future of the United Kingdom if it were to leave the European Union on 31st October, with the findings expected by Easter 2020.

However, the Plaid Cymru leader said this work is “too important” to be given as a long-term project to a backbench AM and should happen “at greater pace, enjoy the full support and resource of government with ministerial input, and have the ability to consult widely with the people of Wales about their future constitutional preferences”.

“The unprecedented events and chaos in Westminster – which have prompted tomorrow’s recall of the Senedd – represents a broken system and signals a clear need for us in Wales to launch a constructive debate on our country’s future,” Adam Price says in his letter to Mark Drakeford.

“It is imperative we should come together as a nation and think creatively in this current constitutional crisis to launch a constructive debate on Wales’ future. Creating a new Wales should be the work of the entire nation, all of its people and all of its perspectives.

“With this in mind, I ask that you consider supporting Plaid Cymru’s amendment to establish a Welsh National Constitutional Convention –including a Citizens’ Assembly, to look at all options for Wales’ constitutional future, including independence.

“We also believe that preparations should begin for a referendum which will allow the people of Wales to decide their constitutional future.

“What better response from the Senedd, our Welsh Parliament, to Boris Johnson’s reckless actions than to begin a thoughtful and hopeful discussion with our people about the future of our country?”

‘Uncharted’

The First Minister had asked for the Assembly to be recalled today to discuss what he described as the “constitutional crisis which now faces Wales and the United Kingdom.”

Last week, Drakeford said in a tweet: “This evening, I have asked the Presiding Officer to recall the Senedd next week to allow us to discuss the constitutional crisis which now faces Wales and the United Kingdom.”

He had accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of attempting to “shut the doors on democracy” by pushing through a ‘no deal’ Brexit against the wishes of Parliament.

Assembly members are on summer recess until Monday, September 16 but will return early with a full Plenary session on Thursday, September 5.

The recall was agreed by the Llywydd Elin Jones, who described recent events as ”uncharted constitutional territory.”

However, last night Boris Johnson lost his bid to block MPs from voting to take no-deal off the table before a possible crash out on 31 October.