PARTY FIRST, NATION SECOND

Ahead of the close of Labour’s leadership nomination period, Rhun ap Iorwerth, Leader of Plaid Cymru said:

“In the run up to today’s deadline for nominations, Labour fixers have been more concerned with party management than offering a change of direction for Wales.

 

“We've heard nothing in terms of policy and no indication that Eluned Morgan will knock on Keir Starmer’s door and demand what’s best for Wales.

 

“A ‘more of the same approach’ will only deepen inequality, stifle ambition, and continue the downward spiral of health and educational outcomes under Labour.

 

“Eluned Morgan will today become the third Labour leader in Wales in three months.

 

“She knows that for Welsh Government to have legitimacy in such circumstances, a fresh election is needed, as Labour themselves called for when both UK and Scottish Governments went through successive leadership changes.

 

“But they won't allow an election, and will do all they can, including teaming up with the Conservatives, to stop that happening, it seems.

 

“Plaid Cymru will continue to stand up for Welsh citizens, holding the incoming leader to account on her and Labour's legacy, including of course, the state of the Welsh NHS which has continued to decline under her watch and both her predecessors, despite the heroic efforts of the health and care workforce.”

- ENDS -

A PROGRESSIVE VOICE IN WESTMINSTER

Plaid Cymru makes an appeal to Labour voters looking for a “progressive, alternative voice”

“If you believe in the values of social justice, international peace, economic fairness for Wales and support the right of local voices to be heard, consider supporting Plaid Cymru at this election.”

Rhun ap Iorwerth has today written to Labour supporters in Wales to offer Plaid Cymru as a progressive voice in Westminster – an alternative to Starmer’s Labour.

The Plaid Cymru leader said that after 14 years of Tory rule, the Labour party is not offering “the kind of radical change we need.”

Labour has failed to offer ambitious ideas to rebuild the economy, speak out against Farage on immigration, nor commit to scrapping the two-child benefit cap affecting 65,000 children in Wales.

Plaid Cymru says that a vote for them is a vote to constructively hold an incoming Labour Government to account and to ensure that Wales’ needs aren’t ignored in Westminster.

Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth said:

“In 1997, Tony Blair secured a sweeping majority. There was a sense of real change on offer. More than a quarter of a century later, we face a similar scenario whereby a UK Labour Government seems inevitable after 14 years of a disastrous Tory administration.

“There is, however, a palpable sense that the change on offer by Labour this time around doesn’t amount to the kind of radical change we need.

“The bold, ambitious ideas required to rebuild our economy after the chaos of Trussonomics, the courage to speak out when Farage and his ilk spread their lies about immigration, and the compassion to scrap the two-child benefit cap are nowhere to be seen.

“Every single poll tells us that the Tories are finished, so this election most also be an opportunity to constructively hold an incoming Labour Government to account.

“If you believe in the values of social justice, international peace, economic fairness for Wales and support the right of local voices to be heard, I ask you to consider supporting Plaid Cymru at this election.

“The more Plaid Cymru MPs we have in Westminster, the more likely it is that Wales’s voice will be heard and our nation’s needs no longer ignored.

“If the last few weeks have left you questioning whether Keir Starmer’s Labour really speaks for you as it should, please consider voting Plaid on 4th July for a progressive voice in Westminster.”

DIWEDD / ENDS