Plaid Cymru calls for stronger powers and fair funding ahead of King’s Speech
Mark Mansfield
Plaid Cymru has said it has been given a “mandate” to demand stronger powers and fairer funding for Wales ahead of the King’s Speech, as the party accused Labour of “descending into chaos” following its historic Senedd election defeat.
Plaid Cymru said it would table an amendment to the King’s Speech on Wednesday, which marks the start of a new parliamentary session, calling on the UK Government to deliver what it described as “real fairness for Wales”, including the devolution of rail infrastructure and control of the Crown Estate.
The intervention comes days after Plaid emerged as the largest party in the Senedd following a dramatic election which saw Welsh Labour reduced to just nine seats.
Liz Saville Roberts said the result marked a decisive rejection of Labour’s record in Wales and claimed Plaid now had a clear mandate to pursue major constitutional and economic changes.
She said: “Last Thursday, the people of Wales voted for real change. They chose Plaid Cymru’s vision of hope and ambition and voted for a bold new direction for our nation. We have a clear mandate from the public to act on our priorities including to reduce child poverty, cut NHS waiting times and unlock our economy’s untapped potential.
“The historic result represents a decisive break from the past and shows the people of Wales’ resounding rejection of the failed status quo under Labour. While Wales begins a new chapter, the disorder in Westminster prevails, however, and Labour is descending into chaos.
“The people of Wales deserve and need so much better than this. Plaid Cymru stands ready to govern with new leadership because that is the mandate we have been given by the communities we represent.”
‘Neglect’
She added: “Ahead of the King’s Speech, we are calling on the UK Government to provide Wales with the means to thrive, including powers over rail infrastructure, our natural resources and fair funding.
“It’s time for the UK Government to end its neglect of our communities. The King’s Speech must respect the reality of the result in Wales and deliver on the needs of our nation.”
Plaid Cymru has long argued that Wales has lost out financially because major rail projects in England, including HS2, were not classified as England-only schemes for funding purposes.
The party is also calling for the devolution of the Crown Estate, arguing that profits generated from Welsh natural resources should remain in Wales, as is already the case in Scotland.
Conciliatory
Jo Stevens struck a more conciliatory tone, congratulating the incoming Welsh Government and calling for cooperation between Cardiff Bay and Westminster.
She said: “I want to congratulate new First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and all those elected to the Senedd last week.
“The Welsh public expect to see both their governments working together to tackle the cost of living, improve public services, create jobs and drive economic growth.
“As Secretary of State for Wales I look forward to working constructively with the new Welsh Government to deliver in the interests of the people of Wales.”
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No, we don’t expect our governments working together. We expect Plaid to stand up for us while Westminster continues to steal from us and prevent us reaching our potential.
Governments working together with the rabble in Westminster is just pure fantasy.
With the imminent prospect of a new Westminster government, I would expect that Wales should get a better Secretary of state for Wales than Jo that would actually want the beat for the Welsh citizens.
Its called the U K in reality it is the DISUNITED KINGDOM we are not and never been a union of 4 equals we do not get treated the same as Scotland and Northern Ireland and Jo Stevens the Welsh Sec full of WEE AND WIND does not stick up for Wales same as Welsh Liebour M P,s in Parliament
Senedd should be required to approve the SoS pick who should be questioned in the bay at least monthly.
No no no Jo Stevens,Plaid are absolutely right in this approach, we no longer wish to be subserviant,in anyways any longer,now give us what Plaid Cymru have requested,that is what we want,and now please, right now.yiur,s sincerely
From a 76 yr old from the Rhondda Valleys of our Wales.
Past evidence very clearly shows that Jo Stevens can be relied upon to enthusiastically frustrate any measures that would be beneficial to Wales and likely to enhance our country’s well-being. She deserves being cashiered from her position of Secretary of State for Wales and the position she holds eliminated. In my view she’s a traitor to Wales on a par with one of her predecessors in the position, the late George Thomas.
Silver Fox spotted in Westminster threatening the Cockeral and his hens…
It must be a grim spectacle that produces so many down-turned expressions…
Please sir, can I have some more gruel?
Once again, it’s only Plaid Cymru fighting for Wales at Westminster. I’d like to thank both Liz Saville Roberts and First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth for keeping their promise. Like it was ever in doubt. Also, nothing relating to Welsh devolution, Tata Steel, or an explicit Wales rescue package was named in today’s King’s Speech by UK Labour. Wales was hardly mentioned, and some previously promised measures were absent. Most announcements were largely feathering England’s nest, with the caveat, to see Wales please refer to England. And Labour still wonders why they were kicked out of office in Wales after… Read more »