Plaid-Labour deal ‘a move towards Welsh independence’ say Conservatives
The Welsh Conservatives have warned that the cooperation deal between Plaid Cymru and Labour in the Senedd is a “move towards Welsh independence”.
The party claimed that Plaid Cymru Adam Price was “using Labour to move Wales towards independence” and that “Labour cannot be trusted to protect Wales’ place in the United Kingdom”.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for the Constitution, Darren Millar MS, was also critical of the lack of detail in the deal about steps to lighten the burden on Wales’ NHS, saying that the “deal fails to deliver on the priorities of the people of Wales”.
“It does nothing to address the crisis in our NHS; nothing to improve our ailing Welsh infrastructure; and nothing to fire up our sluggish economy,” he said.
“Prioritising more politicians and constitutional reform over action to secure treatment for the one in five on an NHS waiting list or improving take home pay for the low paid is appalling.
“Yet again, Plaid has betrayed its voters with another deal that cements a failing Labour administration into power for years to come.
“The message to voters is clear; vote Plaid, get Labour, and vote Labour, get Plaid. Only the Welsh Conservatives can deliver the real change that Wales needs.”
‘Shared values’
Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price had said before the election that he would not go into power with Labour but today defended the move, saying that it showed paid Cymru weren’t “a wasted vote”.
“We lost the election but here we are about to deliver the most radical policies within our manifesto,” he said.
Plaid Cymru do however need to consult members on the plan before it is ratified. If passed, it will start on December 1.
Topics covered by the agreement include action on free school meals for all, strengthening the Welsh media, a north-south railway, the teaching of Welsh history, second homes, a larger Senedd and much more.
Mark Drakeford said that the two parties could “achieve more for people in Wales by working together”.
“The Co-operation Agreement is both a response to the external challenges we face and a chance to build on the opportunities in our future. It will also help us secure a stable Senedd over the next three years, capable of delivering radical change and reform,” he said.
“These commitments build on our shared values of social solidarity, a sustainable planet and a vibrant democracy.”
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For once a Tory has called it right. Though what he sees as a bad thing I see as a good one. Drakeford seems to have managed things neatly as usual. He has got the support of Plaid without having to promise them much in return, (no Cabinet seats, just some ill-defined “special adviser” jobs), he will ingratiate himself with the nationalists with some of these policies, he might even steal a few votes from them. Most importantly, he is giving Wales a distinct policy package which was not written in London. He’s heading towards making Labour’s Welsh Executive Committee… Read more »
Oh but the world 🌎 was so simple with easily identifiable goodies and baddies …and all working to a script
Yes, but the new version is much more interesting!
Don’t under-estimate the role of those special advisors! They will be the ones that actually make those policy promises happen.
As Darren Millar is talking about our Gov doing nothing to save the NHS, his party in England are moving even closer to privatisation of the NHS in England. We should count ourselves lucky that Mr Millar and his party are not in power here.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.bigissue.com/news/health-and-care-bill-what-threat-does-it-pose-to-the-nhs/&ved=2ahUKEwiqxPv72qz0AhXJKewKHQJ4BXIQFnoECAwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1uYYzz48Ey51Mxivwu9RNK
I sincerely hope he is right.
If part of the deal with Labour and Plaid is that Welsh children will be taught Welsh history that is good enough for me
Yes.Then within a school generation, enough young people will be enlightened enough to reject Westminster and challenge the too small poor and stupid narrative.
🤞🤞🤞
That’s exactly what I thought and they are going to pass on what they have learned about our history and culture to other members of the family winners all around
Darren remains a sharp, intelligent and loyal servant to his party but also with a keen understanding of how to operate in an area where loyalty at elections changes….and where a fair section of the population switch their vote. He will have picked up in his constituency which very much reflects modern Wales ( from Kinmel Bay to Colwyn to Rhuthun ) the tectonic changes underway to which he alludes. I’m sure he will be advising care, caution and a positive set of messages to what his party in Wales might contribute towards joining a national debate on how we… Read more »
Oh no, how terrible for no-one.
Look we all know what a Tory controlled Senedd would do to Wales, so thank goodness they are not in power. The deal between Plaid and Welsh Labour may not be perfect but it is achieving one thing – putting Wales first by addressing some fundamental issues. It’s not all about the economy, as the Tories keep going on about, but improving people’s lives. And no – that is not solely about jobs, jobs and more jobs (important as that may be). Many countries are now looking at their aims and saying – it’s not all about continual growth, it’s… Read more »
Yep, let’s consign the notion of GDP as the measure of a healthy society to the dustbin of history.
I think your point about the GDP of Wales is very interesting Katy, unfortunately we only have an estimation of the actual figures because UK companies do not have to provide separate accounts for individual countries within the Union. However we do know that Wales is a net exporter of goods and we also know that the economic model used in Westminster is designed to benefit an economy that is a net importer of goods, hence the extensive use of quantitative easing devaluing the pound. what economic model would Wales as an independent country be able to use? surely you… Read more »
So a company from England is successful and has branches in Wales
Then it is a measure of English / British economic success.
I think you may have trolled the wrong article. This is about Tory opposition to a policy agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. Your statement about a successful English (British) company, though not immediately relevant here, is, however, factually correct.
Well said. Bhutan has the right idea on this.
Most economists thinks it’s dangly-bits too.
Governments, on the other hand, love it.
I didn’t write that – you did. As I wrote about jobs, yes they are important but not the do all and end all. That has been the culture for the past 30-40 years and it’s just led to a low paid, miserable, stressed society. The thought is – more business, more jobs, more money for local communities from ‘trickle down’ -yeah right ! Really it just means higher paid executive managment and bulging off-shore accounts. There has to be a balance – there’s nothing wrong with GDP but it should not be put above all else.
O Dduw. Gadewch i ni obeithio eu bod nhw’n iawn am unwaith!
If anyone is pushing Wales towards independence it is surely the Westminster Tories not Welsh Labour or Plaid!
“[Adam Price]using Labour to move Wales towards independence”
“Yet again, Plaid has betrayed its voters with another deal that cements a failing Labour administration”
Those statements by Darren Millar pretty much contradict one another. Desperate stuff.
Kick all English party’s out of wales 🏴 stop being little Englanders and be proud to be welsh start fighting for your children and grandchildren future in wales 🏴 it’s time for a new wales 🏴
If we all had cardboard Conservative Darren Millar’s defeatist attitude nobody in Wales would be born as they would refuse to leave their mother’s womb.. The Welsh Tories hatred of Wales is nauseating. They fear Welsh democracy and are resentful that devolution is working and support for further powers is soaring. They hate the idea of two pro-devolution parties working together for the benefit of Wales, and oppose any independence referenda as it would at least mean DevoMax for Wales. And where the Welsh Tories were quite happy to aid England’s Anti-EU agenda quoting, “leaving the EU means Britain becoming… Read more »