Plaid Cymru call for votes as Wales poll shows united Remain effort would beat Brexit Party
Plaid Cymru have asked supporters of other anti-Brexit parties to back them as polls show a united Remain effort could defeat the Brexit Party in Wales.
A YouGov poll commissioned by the party shows the Brexit Party on 33% of the vote while the Remain parties together would poll 38%.
The poll also has bad news for Labour, who are down 12%, and the Welsh Conservatives who fall to 6th place in the polls.
The results suggest that as things stand the Brexit Party will take two seats in Wales, and Labour and Plaid Cymru one each.
But if supporters of the Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Change UK back Plaid Cymru, it would mean Remain winning two seats, pushing the Brexit party to second place, they say.
The full results are as follows. Changes since the April Wales Barometer Poll in brackets:
Brexit Party – 33% (+23%)
Labour – 18% (-12%)
Plaid Cymru – 16% (+1%)
Lib Dems – 10% (+4%)
Greens – 8% (+3%)
Conservatives – 7% (-9%)
Change UK – 4% (-4%)
UKIP – 3% (-8%)
‘Appeal’
Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price AM said that the poll makes absolutely clear that Plaid Cymru is the only Remain party that can win in Wales.
“We are the party on the up and we are the only viable option for Remain supporters,” he said.
“Parties like the Liberal Democrats and Greens simply cannot win in Wales. I am appealing to their voters to back Plaid Cymru in the European election because we are the only realistic option for those seeking to beat Brexit.
“I am also appealing to disillusioned and disenfranchised Labour supporters, who have had enough of their party leadership’s attempts to facilitate a Tory Brexit, to lend their vote to us in order to secure a majority for Remain.
“In just one week’s time, the people of Wales have the opportunity to show that we reject Westminster’s broken Brexit by voting for the only pro-Remain party that can win in the European election.
“If Liberal Democrat, Green, and Change UK supporters back Plaid Cymru, Remain would win two seats, and push the Brexit party to second place.
“My message to all voters is this: in the European election on 23 May, give your vote to Plaid Cymru, and together, we can beat Brexit.”
‘Chance’
Responding to the YouGov poll, the Welsh Liberal Democrats called on Green, Change UK and remain Labour voters to unite behind the Welsh Liberal Democrats to stop the Brexit Party and secure another remain seat.
Lead Welsh Liberal Democrat European Candidate Sam Bennett commented: “This poll shows we have a real chance of electing a Welsh Liberal Democrat MEP. We are the best option for those trying to stop Brexit and the best chance to stop the Brexit party.
“It’s clear that the Brexit Party, Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru will all win a seat and that it is a straight choice between a Welsh Liberal Democrat MEP or a 2nd Brexit Party MEP.
“Green Party, Change UK and remain Labour voters must now unite behind the Welsh Liberal Democrats. We are the party of remain and we’re the only chance to stop the Brexit Party and secure another remain MEP for Wales. If you want to stop Brexit, you must vote Welsh Liberal Democrat.”
The YouGov EU Election Poll questioned 1,133 Welsh adults between 10-15 May.
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