Following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s warning of a ‘painful’ budget coming this October, Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher will in stark contrast offer a message of hope at the SNP’s 90th Annual Conference in Edinburgh today (Sunday 1 September 2024).
Mr Fletcher will say that Labour’s austerity 2.0 and the threat of the far-right must be stopped by taking “a radical vision for real, ambitious and deliverable change” over the next 18 months ahead of the devolved parliament elections in 2026.
Addressing delegates at the SNP Conference, Plaid Cymru spokesperson for economy, Luke Fletcher MS will say:
“Labour have chosen – and it is a choice – to stick with Osbornomics – to double down on a failed economic model which has slashed investment and hollowed out our communities. Austerity 2.0: bought, signed, sealed and delivered by and for the vested interests that are very happy with and profit from the status quo.
“And let’s be in no doubt – there are those who will look to exploit – who are already exploiting – the further hardship and suffering that Labour’s austerity will cause in our communities. The snake-oil salesmen of the far-right are looking to sow and deepen division.
“Conference – we cannot and we will not let them. We will beat them by offering hope – a radical vision for real, ambitious and deliverable change.
“Over the next 18 months, and building on our successes at this year’s Westminster election, we will be taking that vision to every doorstep in Wales.
“A Plaid Cymru Welsh Government will overturn 25 years of economic stagnation under Labour – delivering economic renewal through setting measurable and ambitious targets for an economy that prioritises decent work, sustainability, and economic well-being.
“A new development agency for Wales will prioritise growing and supporting Welsh-owned businesses, underpinned by a new deal for small businesses on rates.
“A new funding settlement for our universities will help to drive innovation.
“A skills audit and new supports for vocational training will see our young people equipped with the skills they need to secure high-paying, high-skilled jobs in the green economy.
“And above all, new supports for social enterprises, community-led ventures and co-operative businesses will build, retain and recycle wealth in our communities.”
Mr Fletcher continues concludes by reaffirming Plaid Cymru’s “productive working relationship” with the SNP;
“Friends, in delivering all this and more, we will be following an example you have set. SNP Scottish Governments have led the way in showing that there is a different, more progressive path to follow. From the Scottish Child Payment to the community right to buy, the baby box to free personal and nursing care: we have and will continue to learn from our sister party.
“We were proud to renew our productive working relationship following this year’s General Election, and as we look to Scottish Parliament and Senedd elections in 2026, we do so facing joint challenges and opportunities.
“We will continue to work together – in Westminster and beyond – to secure the fairer funding that Wales and Scotland are owed, and our shared right to determine our own constitutional destinies. We will continue to build our shared vision of Wales and Scotland as progressive, independent nations, claiming their place in the European and global family of nations.”
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