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Scottish independence would ‘change the views’ of Labour politicians in Wales, says Plaid MS

16 Nov 2021 3 minute read
Scottish independence rally 2018. Picture by Azerifactory (CC BY-SA 4.0)

A Plaid Cymru MS has said it would “change the views” of Labour politicians in Wales if Scotland becomes independent.

Rhys ab Owen, the South Wales Central regional Senedd member for the pro-independence party, was reacting to an opinion poll which suggested that the SNP would gain five extra seats, taking its total to 53, if a general election were held tomorrow.

The Panelbase survey for the Sunday Times was conducted in the wake of allegations of Tory sleaze in Westminster.

It puts backing for the SNP at Westminster elections at 48%, which is up one point since September.

Support for the Conservatives has slipped two points to 21%, which would see them lose half their existing seats. Support for Labour is up one at 20% and the Liberal Democrats are unchanged on 7%.

The survey also showed a rise in support for independence in Scotland to 49%, while support for remaining in the UK has a slender lead at 51%.

Rhys ab Owen told Express.co.uk: “What I would say is, Scottish independence would be a huge gamechanger in Wales.

“If they did get independence, obviously it would change the United Kingdom because Scotland wouldn’t be part of it.”

He suggested that Scottish independence would “change the views” of “many people” in Wales.

He said: “For example I think it would change the view of many in elected positions within the Labour Party in Wales.

“We’re bound to look at Scotland and a lot within the national movement in Wales if not the vast majority will look at Scotland with envy.

“You know, how they managed to get rid of the Labour Party, for example how the SNP has dominated politics there since 2007.

“Of course, as I’ve stressed before, Wales is very different from Scotland.”

‘2014 referendum’ 

The Plaid Cymru politician also said his party could draw on the experiences of the SNP at the 2014 referendum.

He said: “We can look, we can learn lessons, how they for example took advantage of the surge of support towards the SNP after the first failed referendum.

“We’ll be able to learn lessons from how Nicola Sturgeon has done things differently in Scotland.”

He added Scotland was in a “very different” situation from Wales, adding that “there is no clear roadmap that they’d be able to prepare for us”.


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GW Atkinson
GW Atkinson
2 years ago

Not change their views but make them grow the f-up for once in their backstabbing existence.

Kerry Davies
Kerry Davies
2 years ago

Bit of a no-brainer? Scottish independence means the end of the UK as presently constituted.We won’t learn lessons from Scotland because once they leave the UK the rest will be in an entirely new situation. Who is to say the English won’t want rid of us pretty damned sharpish?

R W
R W
2 years ago
Reply to  Kerry Davies

That would suit us just fine!!

Barry Pandy
Barry Pandy
2 years ago
Reply to  R W

I would be more concerned that they would just try to merge us into a Greater Ingerland.

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  Barry Pandy

That is the likely preference especially as so many of them have got second homes in the best parts of our country.

j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  Barry Pandy

If they have any sense at all, they won’t want to risk the fuse blowing!!

Malcolm rj
Malcolm rj
2 years ago

The English government are pumping billions of pounds into Scotland too keep them sweet.if they get independent they will do the same for Wales. rock the boat the more people think about being independent the fairer we will be treated wake up Wales

j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  Malcolm rj

I have noticed television productions feature Scotland in a clumsy obvious way.
Scots must find this amusing?

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago

At present Labour are quite content with the status quo. Welsh begging bowl dependency & power. Scottish independence would be a seismic sobering wake-up call. It’s either put Wales interests first for once rather than their own, or watch on as our nation be consumed in its entirety by England. It’s a simple choice. Also, it’s vital that they prepare now with the support of pro-devolution parties like Plaid Cymru and not make the mistake of burying their heads in the political sand hoping more lies & untruths will fool the Scots as done in 2014 into voting no to… Read more »

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
2 years ago

Yes the article is correct but we shouldn’t wait for Scotland to leave we need to focus and leave before them! Sounds unachievable? I don’t think so, support for independence has risen more sharply here over the last couple of years. The Welsh government’s handling of Covid-19, though not perfect, has shown many what we can do ourselves. Now’s the time to build on that and get the hell out no matter what Scotland does.

Paul Reynolds
Paul Reynolds
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve Duggan

“The Welsh government’s handling of Covid-19, though not perfect, has shown many what we can do ourselves. ”

Have a higher death rate, you mean?

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul Reynolds

Sorry, can’t compete with Westminster incompetence.

j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul Reynolds

“Having”.

Keith Parry
Keith Parry
2 years ago

SNP for years have fought for independence and to get rid of Labour. If Plaid Cymru had done the same for the last twenty years they would be in the same place as the SNP. Proppng up Labour and being all over the place on independence has got them where they are today.

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