THE leader of Plaid Cymru has set out his party’s “journey to independence” after an official Welsh Government report found it to be a “viable” option for the country.
Earlier this month, the cross-party Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales unanimously concluded that independence was a viable option for the country and offered the potential for “long term positive change”.
However, the commission also warned that if urgent action wasn’t taken to devolve more powers to Wales – particularly in areas such as policing, justice and railways – then Welsh devolution would be at risk of collapse.
It also called for protections to be put in place to shield the country's powers from abuse by the UK Government.
Speaking ahead of a keynote speech on Wednesday, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS welcomed the report and called on the country’s Labour government to implement its recommendations immediately.
“The report by the Commission was groundbreaking,” he said.
READ MORE: UK Covid Inquiry only follows 'DownWithTheSNP' on Twitter
“It recognised that the status-quo is unsustainable and critically showed that independence is a realistic and achievable end goal.
“It also shows that we are right to be ambitious for Wales, and that we should not constrain or put limits on that ambition.
“We know that successive Welsh Labour governments have lacked ambition, too often happy to settle for the status quo and rarely looking to use the levers they have at their disposal to grow our economy, tackle the scourge of child poverty or deliver a health service that is fit for purpose.
“We will never stop making the case for more powers, nor for greater and better use of them.
“But our vision is far more ambitious than that. Every vote for Plaid Cymru in this year’s general election – whenever it comes – will be a vote to keep Westminster’s feet to the fire on fair funding for Wales, and to transfer further powers to Wales.
“Devolution of justice, broadcasting and welfare are all key building blocks of a future independent Welsh state.”
Iorwerth also mimicked a recent bid by Alba MP Neale Hanvey, in which he called on the UK Government to amend the Scotland Act and transfer the power to hold an independence referendum to the Scottish Parliament.
Despite Hanvey’s bill being voted down in the House of Commons, the Plaid Cymru leader said his party would be fighting for the same power to hold a referendum in Wales.
“I am absolutely clear that decisions about Wales’ constitutional destiny belong in Wales.
“The power to determine whether and when to hold a referendum on independence should not be contingent on Westminster’s whims.
“Seeing this power devolved to the Senedd remains an absolute priority for Plaid Cymru.”
Following the publication of the commission’s findings, the First Minister of Wales and leader of Welsh Labour Mark Drakeford admitted that independence was viable but added that the “proper test” would be a vote on the matter.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel