THE FINAL PUSH

‘Labour fighting for London, not for Wales’, says Rhun ap Iorwerth ahead of tour of key seats

Ahead of a tour of a number of key constituencies on Wednesday, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said:

“This election campaign has made it clear: the Tories’ time is well and truly over. After a disastrous 14 years in power and a catastrophic campaign, it’s no surprise that people want to give them a beating at the ballot box.

“As I've campaigned across Wales during this campaign, it’s obvious that Labour's looming majority is much more about rejecting the Tories than any real embrace of what Labour has to offer. It is no wonder - after 25 years in power in Wales, the Labour Party has grown arrogant, as displayed by Vaughan Gething’s decision to ignore the Senedd’s vote of no confidence in him.

“Today, I'm making a final push for Plaid Cymru’s positive message for a genuine alternative to the negativity of the Tories and the complacency of Labour. I am determined to ensure that as many people as possible hear Plaid Cymru’s passion about giving our communities a strong voice.

“In Ynys Môn and Caerfyrddin, Plaid Cymru is the party to keep the Tories out. Yesterday’s final YouGov poll for Wales proved it. In Ceredigion and Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Ben Lake and Liz Saville Roberts are living proof of the value of electing dedicated local champions to Westminster. And across Wales, every vote for Plaid Cymru is a signal of our nation demanding a voice.

“By standing in the way of Wales’ journey towards greater self-government in this election, Labour has shown itself to be fighting for London, not for Wales. Plaid Cymru will always put Welsh communities before party interests.

“The Tories have given up. Labour is taking you for granted. It's time to vote Plaid Cymru to force the next UK Government finally sit up and take notice of Wales”

- Ends - 

THREE DAYS TO GO

More Plaid Cymru MPs means Wales won’t be ignored by incoming Labour government

 

With the Tories on their way out and Labour offers little or next to nothing to Wales. 

Only Plaid Cymru offers a proper alternative to the two tired old London parties who have ignored our communities needs for generations.

 

Monday will mark the last of three full days of campaigning until polling day before people cast their votes.

 

Some of Plaid Cymru’s main pledges include demanding £4 billion owed to Wales from HS2, a fair funding deal, and powers over natural resources to invest in the nation’s economy.

Plaid Cymru is the only party fighting for fairness for Wales. 

Vote Plaid on Thursday 4th July 2024

ABOLISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES

“We expect it from the Tories of course, but Labour too have seemingly turned their back on devolution and the will of the Senedd” says Plaid Cymru

 

Plaid Cymru are today (Wednesday 26 June 2024) laying a motion before the Senedd calling to abolish the role of the Secretary for State for Wales, instead stating that its functions should be transferred to the Welsh Government.

 

The UK Conservative Government have long attacked devolution, using the office of Secretary of State to question the will of the Senedd. Plaid Cymru says this is set to continue under a UK Labour Government, and have called the role outdated.

 

Last week, in an interview with S4C programme Y Byd yn ei Le, the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, dismissed the will of the Senedd and showed a contemptuous attitude towards devolution. During the interview, Stevens denied HS2’s existence and thus the £4bn owed to Wales, and ridiculed the devolution of justice and policing to Wales as “fiddling around with structures and systems.”

 

The Senedd has long reached cross-party consensus that Wales should be given billions in consequentials from England’s HS2 project – labelled ‘England and Wales’ despite not an inch of track in Wales.

 

The devolution of justice and policing to Wales is also supported by Plaid Cymru and Labour in Wales, following several independent or cross-party commissions including the Thomas Commission (2019), the Silk Commission (2014) and most recently the Commission for the Constitutional Future of Wales (2024).

 

Plaid Cymru candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts said:

“On the 25^th anniversary of devolution, the contemptuous and patronising attitude by Westminster parties towards the Senedd is clear as day.

“We expect it from the Tories of course, but Labour too have seemingly turned their back on devolution and the will of the Senedd.

“From denying Wales the billions it’s owed from England’s HS2, to refusing to devolve powers over policing and justice although several Labour commissioned reports have stated it would drastically improve outcomes. Jo Stevens – the incoming Secretary of State for Wales – gave us a preview of how Wales would be treated by a Labour UK Government.

“The office of the Secretary of State for Wales is meant to promote Welsh interests from within the UK Government. It’s instead being increasingly used as a platform to besmirch the Senedd’s distinctive democratic voice – regardless of which party holds office.

“Welsh democracy doesn’t need second guessing. It’s high time that this outdated role which does not effectively serve the interests of the people of Wales is abolished and its functions transferred to the Welsh Government.”

 

Plaid Cymru Senedd Business Manager, Heledd Fychan MS added:

“Last month marked 25 years of devolution in Wales. Yet, how the Secretary of State for Wales and its shadow opposition roles deal with Wales’ devolved parliament shows an entrenched imbalance of power that continues to define the relationship between Westminster and Wales.

“Section 114 of the Government of Wales Act encapsulates this clearly – enabling the Secretary of State for Wales to veto any Senedd legislation. It is a power grab function designed to send Wales a clear message that others will always be able to control our destiny.

“Last week’s interview by Labour’s Jo Stevens reinforced that, referring to devolution as an agreement not a demand.

“Regardless of who gets the keys to 10 Downing Steet, Westminster’s contempt and complacency towards Wales is constant.

“It’s becoming clearer by the day that the only vote for Wales’s voice to be heard and respected on July 4th is a vote for Plaid Cymru.”

- ENDS -

DON’T VOTE FOR MORE AUSTERITY

Responding to the IFS’ General Election 2024 manifesto analysis, Plaid Cymru candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts said:

 

“The IFS confirms what Plaid Cymru has been saying all along – both Labour and the Conservatives’ manifestos clearly shows that a vote for either party is a vote for more of the same: austerity. Neither party are being honest with voters about the dire state of the economy, and the spending gap in both manifestos will mean that Wales’ could lose out on a billion or more.

 

“Plaid Cymru knows this isn’t as good as it gets for Wales. This election, we’re offering real change for Wales. We are the only party calling for fair funding for Wales to create economic and social fairness and build a fairer, more ambitious nation.”

 

- ENDS -

LABOUR’S SNUB TO WALES

Plaid Cymru has responded to the Labour manifesto, which lacks any ambition for Wales, and ‘snubs’ Wales.

 

 Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts said:

 

“The people of Wales are getting increasingly tired of Labour’s lack of ambition for our nation.

 

“‘Exploring’ and ‘considering’ simply won’t cut it when the challenges facing our economy and public services are so huge.

 

“Plaid Cymru is pleased that our manifesto is being published on the same day as Labour’s. Putting both side by side, the gulf could hardly be greater when it comes to fighting for Wales’s best interests.

 

“I urge everyone to bear in mind Keir Starmer’s snub to Wales on 4th July and to vote for Plaid Cymru as the only party who truly cares about our communities.”

 

ENDS