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Plaid Cymru leader calls for ‘muscular collaboration across the Celtic nations’

30 Sep 2021 3 minute read
Adam Price speaking at a party conference. Picture by Plaid Cymru

The leader of Plaid Cymru has called for “muscular collaboration across the Celtic nations” to oppose Westminster.

Adam Price, who, made the comments during a debate in the Senedd about Welsh Government’s annual report on inter-governmental relations, argued that it was a way of taking on the “muscular unionism” of Boris Johnson’s government.

He said the Celtic nations are united in their opposition to “conservatism from Westminster” which “denies our right” to “plough our own furrow”.

The Plaid leader also accused Westminster of being “full of arrogance” and that it isn’t interested in an “equal partnership” with Wales because they “see us as servile”.

He said: “And finally, isn’t the only way in which we’re going to demonstrate our opposition to this kind of attitude that we collaborate, here in Wales across parties, even, of course, where we disagree on the answer in terms of the constitutional future for Wales.

“And it’s very important, following on from what the independence bodies said yesterday that they should be part of the national conversation, and that should be reflected in the national conversation’s remit – but also that there should be collaboration across the Celtic nations?

“And if they have their muscular unionism, then let’s have muscular collaboration across the Celtic nations, across parties – yes, including with the Scottish Government, who, of course, have a different perspective on the constitutional future of these islands.

“But, in this sense, we are united; we oppose this conservatism from Westminster that denies our right here in Wales and in the other nations to plough our own furrow.”

‘Familiar with Westminster’ 

He also said: “I am familiar with Westminster, unfortunately. I was there recently and it hasn’t changed at all: this cathedral on the banks of the Thames full of arrogance.

“Don’t think for a moment that they believe in the potential of some equal partnership with us here in Wales and Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“They see us as servile, and that’s their attitude. They believe in the sovereignty of Westminster and Westminster alone.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “When you work with Scotland and Northern Ireland, you work with people from very different political backgrounds, and that’s a great thing, isn’t it, because you learn things and you find ways of collaborating with people from those different backgrounds, and to do that alongside the people who live in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, that’s something I’m eager to strengthen over the coming year.”


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j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago

Mr Drakeford FM, seems to be getting into gear, a result of Starmer’s recent speeches?

Last edited 2 years ago by j humphrys
Kerry Davies
Kerry Davies
2 years ago

Does Adam mean a beefed up Celtic League which already has some status at the UN? Could be an interesting counter to the “muscular unionism” which is just code for Imperialist Fascism.

arthur owen
2 years ago

The only government which will take no notice of this is that in Dublin.Not because of some of some love for the UK but because it is very rare for a sovereign state to side openly with a subordinate goverment against another state.

arthur owen
2 years ago

You say there are no comments on the Ryan Giggs story ,but you have not made it possible to do so.This may be because in our courts everybody is regarded as innocent until proven guilty.

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago

Muscular coolaboration ? Adam hasn’t done much muscular since he took over the leadership of Plaid. Much as I despaired in the end with Leanne’s stance on some matters at least her performance during her term of office was often muscular. Is Adam hoping that the other Celtic partners provide the muscle and he’ll come along for the ride ?

Dai Rob
Dai Rob
2 years ago
Reply to  hdavies15

He is a BIG disappointment!!!

Mr Williams
Mr Williams
2 years ago

This is a great idea, but, in my humble opinion, we must also include our friends in England who are also opposed to Conservatism. We have many friends in England and we should not sideline them because of the arrogance of Westminster and the British-nationalist / imperialist elites and their followers. For example, the people of Yorkshire, Merseyside, the north-east, north-west and the south-west of England have strong regional identities as well as their English one that sees no reason for conflict with our Welsh identity. We could work with progressives in England as well as Scotland and N Ireland… Read more »

Steve P
Steve P
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr Williams

I can’t see any joined up opposition in southern or central England however London and the north might well be progressive enough to see the benefit of opposing the increasing dominance of Westminster with our Celtic neighbours The best bet though is to help shove Scotland over the Indy line and push for the EU to readmit the independent state into the Union The economic and political benefits will need to be swift as the English state will do everything it can to impede Scotlands success. Wales and Northern Ireland could follow quickly if Scotland succeeds. English nationalism has been… Read more »

Jack
Jack
2 years ago

Not sure about this Celts vs England framing.

Scotland and Wales may have progressive governments, but Ireland has consistently voted for centre-right parties for a century. It’s virtually a tax haven. It’s just as flawed a country as England.

Gill
Gill
2 years ago
Reply to  Jack

The Irish state will not see any practical purpose for such a venture. They do not have much ‘golwg’ of Wales.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago

What a pity BBC Wales could not find a space to promote Will Renwick on his amazing fundraising run over the 189 peaks of Wales for the charity Mind Over Mountains !

R W
R W
2 years ago

If anyone is full of hate it is the horrible Tories who despise everything and everyone who don’t agree with their BritNat ideology.

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