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Opinion

Plaid’s cooperation agreement with Labour won’t stop us taking the fight to them at May’s election

08 Jan 2022 4 minute read
Adam Price and Mark Drakeford sign the cooperation agreement. Picture by Plaid Cymru.

Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for the South Wales East region

There has been a fair bit said and written about the co-operation agreement that was announced between the Plaid Cymru group in the Senedd and the Labour Government. Even the eyes of the largely Wales-averse UK media turned to matters this side of Offa’s Dyke, albeit briefly.

Much of the analysis has been positive due to the many policies that will reduce poverty and improve social justice in our country.

But, as is to be expected in politics, not everyone has welcomed the agreement. As you would expect, many of our political opponents questioned what Plaid Cymru’s distinct identity would be after such an arrangement with the Labour Government in Wales.

As is often the case with the narrative of our political opponents, it has been soaked in hyperbole but not rooted in substance.

I am proud that the influence of Plaid Cymru is bringing these policies to fruition. They now represent a quarter of the government’s programme. The rest of Labour’s programme is outside of the Agreement, of course.

I do not need any persuading to back policies such as the expansion of the free school meal programme and an improved childcare offer; both of which will alleviate the disgraceful child poverty levels in Wales. These policies came directly from the Plaid Cymru manifesto which I signed up to support as a Senedd election candidate. The Senedd voting record demonstrates time and time again that they are only part of the government’s programme now because of Plaid Cymru.

Alongside groups fighting poverty in Wales, we have consistently campaigned for extra school meal provision.  As party members, we can hold our heads high for ensuring that no primary school child in poverty will go hungry in school because of our influence.

Robust

In my view, the agreement gives us the best of both worlds – our policies in action and the ability to hold the government to account.

Just before the Christmas break, we saw a clear example of our autonomy when we voted for an independent inquiry in Wales into the handling of the Covid pandemic. Our position is diametrically opposed to that of the Labour Senedd group who are staunchly opposed to such an inquiry.

On that issue, it is baffling how Labour can justify being critical of the Tory Westminster government’s handling of the pandemic on the one hand but on the other display misplaced confidence in them to organise an impartial and thorough public inquiry that will not treat Wales as a footnote.

I have no doubt that points of difference over policy, positions and matters of conviction will continue to manifest within the Senedd between Plaid Cymru and Labour during this co-operation agreement.

Our members may have voted overwhelmingly in support of the progressive policy platform upon which our agreement is based, but they are free to campaign as they normally would in the local elections in May.

In many parts of Wales that will mean going head-to-head with Labour candidates who have been in charge of local government and therefore represent the establishment and status quo.

If you know some of the Plaid Cymru members and activists that I do in places like Caerffili County Borough or Blaenau Gwent, then you will know that the thought of them not throwing themselves energetically into their campaigning to depose Labour is preposterous. I know this is equally the case in other parts of the country.

I believe that the people of the area that I represent welcome Plaid’s willingness to work with others in the Senedd for the benefit of our communities. They know that Plaid always puts the interests of our families and our most vulnerable people at the heart of everything we do.

I have no doubt that Plaid Cymru candidates in the Local Government Elections will work as keenly, robustly and passionately as ever.


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Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
2 years ago

An interesting article that reflects Plaid Cymru’s continued confusion and ineffectiveness. Sharing any sort of power with Labour saves the party having to take the trouble of actually wining election: the best of both worlds, apparently And how many candidates will the party really be fielding in May? More than the pathetic six in Swansea last time, although in fairness the party has only had five years to prepare. But it is the second paragraph that astonishes me – “..many policies that will reduce poverty…” Which are? Whilst free school meals and improved child care facilities is commendable, the need… Read more »

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  Dr John Ball

“Sharing any sort of power with Labour saves the party having to take the trouble of actually wining election: the best of both worlds, apparently” Well, what chance would they have of winning anything anyway ? Adopting the subordinate role in a partnership may be good for egos at the upper levels of the party but what does it do in the eyes of the electorate ? When it comes to local elections how much of that electorate gives a damn sufficient to get off its backside and cast votes ? Is the electorate ready to back a party that… Read more »

Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
2 years ago
Reply to  hdavies15

Well said!

Rob
Rob
2 years ago

I would like to see Plaid challenging Welsh Labour on the new Covid restrictions that has been implemented since Christmas as to whether or not they are necessary. I fear that this is going to be a boost to the Tories.

Ernie The Smallholder
Ernie The Smallholder
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

The Covid pandemic has caused over 150000 lives to be lost in the UK; Much of this as a result actions of the UK Tory government.

While Plaid Cymru and the Labour government have been seen to take the right actions for Wales and the Welsh people,
However, the UK (Welsh?) Tories’ only response is to tell Wales how good it supposed to be managing things in England with the largest death figure & rate in the whole of Europe.

Rob
Rob
2 years ago

I agree that over the last 2 years the Welsh Government have handled the pandemic much better than the UK government, however is it necessary to maintain further restrictions when Omnicron is mild and everyone by now has had the opportunity to get themselves vaccinated? Nicola Sturgeon whilst not offering any guarantees has at least given some optimism that Murrayfield will be able to host crowds for Scotland’s Six Nations fixtures, yet all we get in Wales is more uncertainty. And what’s even more frustrating is that the only ones who seem to be going after Drakeford in this regards… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Rob
Hywel
Hywel
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Welsh Labour seem to have been once again on the side of ‘better to be too safe than be sorry’ while Westminster, taken hostage by backbench Tories, have rolled the dice… and seem to have gotten away with it. Let’s be blunt, these UK Gov policies were not shrewd, scientifically calculated moves. They were done to appease self-entitled, important people who aren’t used to being told what to do. They’re better than us, and won’t accept the same rules. They were/are gambling with people’s lives, and lucky for us, it came out alright. The Welsh gov does now, on balance,… Read more »

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago

Whatever you do Plaid and Labour don’t mess up and leave Ynys Mon in Tory paws again…

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