Plaid Cymru challenge Sunak and Starmer to Wales specific TV debate
Emily Price
Plaid Cymru has challenged Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer to a Wales specific TV debate with Senedd leader Rhun ap Iorwerth to give a “full picture” of choices faced by voters in the upcoming General Election.
Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts made the call in letter to the leaders of the Conservative Party and the Labour Party saying that any televised debate that excludes Plaid Cymru will “mislead viewers in Wales”.
She warns that the election – set for July 4 – is so far being framed “through an English lens” due to Wales’ “weak media landscape”.
‘Accurate reflection’
In her letter to the party leaders, she wrote: “Broadcasters have a duty to give an accurate reflection of the choices at the ballot box in all countries across Britain. But as your parties call the shots when it comes to broadcasters’ decisions for debates in this election, you must show leadership.
“I therefore invite both of you to make clear that you would be happy to debate Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth in a Wales-specific TV debate. Come and defend and debate your own parties’ record here in Wales: from the chronic mismanagement of our NHS to the severe underfunding of our public realm.
“A multi-party leaders’ debate is the only way to reflect the democratic choice facing people in this election. I implore you to accept our offer, so that voters in Wales can have a true sense of the choice facing them in this election.”
Head to head
During the 2015 General Election, a special programme aired showcasing five leaders of non-government parties who went head to head with main party leaders – David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg – for two hours.
Plaid Cymru Senedd leader Leanne Wood, Green Party leader Natalie Bennett, UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage, and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon all took part in the televised “challengers’ debate”.
In the run up to this General Election – there will be seven-way televised debates with politicians from the main parties – but the Tories and Labour are unlikely to send their leaders.
Sunak and Starmer are instead expected to take part in separate head-to-head televised debates against each other.
But Ms Saville Roberts says the General Election is “not a two-horse race”.
She said: “With Labour and the Tories agreeing on so much, head-to-head TV debates between Starmer and Sunak will be pointless.
“They have identical spending plans, the same position on denying Welsh funding, working hand in hand to refuse further devolution.
“A Wales-specific TV leaders’ debate is needed, including Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, so that Sunak and Starmer can be grilled on the issues relevant to Wales.
“The broadcasters should not be dancing to the tune of the two main parties on this – they should ensure fairness for audiences in all the nations of the UK.”
Mr ap Iorwerth says he’s ready to take Plaid Cymru’s fight for Wales to the London parties.
He said: “Neither Starmer nor Sunak are showing any interest in Wales. Both Labour and the Tories are responsible for much of the issues facing our country – be it the state of the NHS in Wales or the damage inflicted by 14 years of austerity. It’s only right that they face questions from the people of Wales on their parties’ records.
“It’s clear that people are realising that they deserve better and want a real alternative. Plaid Cymru is ready to offer that, and to hold the feet to the fire of whoever is in Downing Street. But the very least that the London parties can do in the meantime is offer fairness to audiences and electorates of all nations of the UK.”
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Both Keir Starmer & Rishy Sunak won’t debate Plaid’s Rhun ap Iorwerth on a Wales specific TV debate because they offer nothing but the same old same patronising poverty rule. They are terrified that he will shine a light on their abject failure in office.
It would also shine a light on the Great Train Robbery – HS2 £5billion owed to Cymru. And the Constitutional Commission’s recommendations for 4 areas in which further devolution is vital. It is obvious by now that the Unionist parties are united in their desire to see devolution in Cymru and Scotland destroyed.
Why? So you fully recognise their control of Wales and your subservience to the English system. Why? We are not legally unified with England or Scotland, as our crown was never merged with that of England. Hence why Henry Tudor couldn’t unify it, but also didn’t want to annex it. His son however didn’t care for his father’s homeland. I wish the people of Wales would learn more about their nations history! Please!!!
I feel that Jeff is right: it is stage managed manicuring … and from what I gather from sephologists on various political comment programmes, these debates has little bearing on voting intention. While they exist though, parties need to be seen to ‘put their hat in the ring’ with them. We have seen the Conservatives use it last week for macho posturing (“Starmer scared to debate us” – kind of typical of the yah-boo-sucks blow raspberries that politics has come to!?). Any party wouldn’t want to be painted in the same light; so, as as much they are just catch-soundbite… Read more »
You sound like a true Unionist – scared of any scrutiny where Wales and Scotland are concerned.
Yeh keep it in the family.
Rishi and Keir.
No one else need apply.
Rhun would get more honesty from two empty chairs, as we again face an election where the riderless horse is the best bet…
Wales’ parliamentary representation has been reduced from 40 to an even more miniscule 32 MPs (a mere 4.9% of the 650 MPs). In addition it has a relatively weak national pro-independence movement. As such, Sunak and Starmer consider Wales to be no threat whatever to their beloved Union and far too unimportant and insignificant to allocate time for a Wales specific TV debate prior to the General Election. Consequently, I shall be amazed if they agree to Plaid Cymru’s request for such a debate.
This reduced representation is appalling. But what we can do is make a lot more noise in the coming weeks about the hitherto elephant in the room. Shame them both for ignoring Brexit. Loud, clear and often.
It’s a great idea but I doubt the two leaders will do it, Welsh votes mean little to them, especially now there are only 32 Welsh MPs out of 650. We could elect 32 Plaid MPs and still be without a voice and stuck with blue or red because of England. Our votes virtually count for nothing. The only way we’ll ever make our vote fully count is within an independent Wales. In saying that don’t give either party the satisfaction of your vote – vote Plaid.
Someone called Liz a lone voice earlier, Ms Church was a lone voice but now it is becoming a choir. Yet it is very unlikely either of these champions of their respective parties could hold their own against this stranger from a strange island, be flattered and listen out for our ‘Nightingale in Westminster Square’…
Neither will relish the invitation, much less accept it. Whatever their political differences, both Starmer and Sunak are British unionists who pay no more than sentimental lip service to the notion that the UK is ‘one realm of nations four’, as described in the 1919 version of the national anthem which was once actually approved by the UK’s Privy Council.
But that version was forgotten, and neither Starmer nor Sunak are likely to be keen to revive either it or the sentiment underlying it.