Shorter NHS queues and better schools should come before breaking up Britain, Welsh opposition politicians have told Plaid Cymru as a new independence pact sparks a row over the party’s priorities.
The parties behind the agreement say working together could help create jobs and bring down energy bills. They want the UK Government to prepare for constitutional change, declaring that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end”.
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid’s MS for Bangor Conwy Môn, signed the pact in Cardiff on Monday alongside SNP leader John Swinney and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill.
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald also attended. Their agreement pledges closer cooperation between the three parties on the economy, energy and Europe.
Swinney went further at the press conference, predicting Burnham would be “the last prime minister of the United Kingdom” because, he argued, Scots would choose independence if given another vote.
The Scottish First Minister wants a referendum during the current Holyrood term, which ends in 2031. The joint agreement sets no referendum date for Wales and says each nation will decide its future in its own way and time.
What Plaid promised before taking power
Ap Iorwerth became Wales’ first Plaid First Minister in May, ending 27 years of Labour leadership of the Welsh Government.
At its Swansea conference last October, the party pledged to prepare the case for independence while ruling out a referendum in its first term. Delegates backed a commission and a white paper to set out a future route to a vote.
That distinction sits at the heart of today’s row. The Welsh Liberal Democrats accuse Plaid of pushing independence back to the centre of politics after telling voters it was not on the election ballot.
Their Westminster spokesperson David Chadwick MP said voters who trusted that message would “understandably feel betrayed”.
Chadwick argued that a stronger Wales did not require leaving the UK, saying: “Plaid are offering Wales a false choice between independence and the status quo. Wales needs change, but independence isn’t the answer.”
Jobs and bills, or a distraction?
Ap Iorwerth said cooperation could improve people’s lives. Writing after the meeting, he said: “Our parties have much to gain from working together, as partners and as equals, where we share common interests and where cooperation can improve the lives of the people we represent.”
The memorandum identifies renewable energy as one way to bring down bills for families and businesses. It also calls for economies that spread wealth and opportunity more fairly, and closer European ties.
The parties state: “Europe is our common home, and we believe the future of our nations belongs in the European Union.” They say they want stronger European relationships to create opportunities for trade, investment and culture.
The Welsh Conservatives challenged the First Minister’s priorities. Their leader Darren Millar is MS for Clwyd.
Millar said: “Grandstanding about referendums will do nothing to improve our emergency departments for vulnerable patients or improve numeracy and literacy for pupils.”
Welsh Labour also attacked Plaid’s priorities. Its leader Ken Skates, MS for Fflint Wrecsam, accused the party of wanting to “break up Britain, weaken Wales and spend their time obsessing over more powers for their politicians”.
Skates made his attack ahead of the meeting, saying Plaid had given people “nothing since the election”.
Reform UK said independence was being forced onto Wales. Its Welsh leader Dan Thomas, MS for Casnewydd Islwyn, called that “deeply wrong”.
Thomas pledged: “As the largest unionist party in Wales, Reform will lead the Senedd’s pro-Union majority and fight to keep our United Kingdom together.”
Downing Street stands by the Union
The UK Government said its priorities were easing pressure on household finances and providing greater economic security, rather than further referendums.
A spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and believes strongly in the Union.”
The spokesperson said Burnham wanted to work with devolved leaders on growth and jobs, adding: “The United Kingdom is at its best when people come together around our shared values and problem-solving rather than division.”
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