NO CLEAR WATER

Plaid Cymru criticises Labour water nationalisation plans

Plaid Cymru has criticised Labour's plans to intervene in the water industry in Wales. Despite announcing plans to nationalise the water industry in England in order to get rid of profit-making companies, Labour has failed to answer how this would affect Wales where England-based companies operate.

Labour's plans do not say whether policy control of water will be devolved to the Assembly, or whether the nationalisation will actually remove powers from Wales.

Crucially, they do not say whether English companies, operating in Wales and using Welsh reservoirs, such as Severn Trent, would be taken under English public ownership, leading to Welsh consumers having to pay the English public to use their own water resources.

Water has a specific resonance in Welsh politics as an issue of contention. Controversial decisions in the past have been made by governments and local authorities outside of Wales with no regard to Welsh opinion.

Jonathan Edwards, seeking re-election as MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, has previously called a number of votes in the House of Commons on giving the National Assembly and Welsh Government the ability to regulate Wales' water and other natural resources. A vote in the House of Commons on a Plaid Cymru amendment to remove the UK Government’s veto over Welsh water policy was defeated thanks to the Tories voting against and the Labour Party abstaining.

The recently enacted Wales Act allows the removal of the UK Government’s veto only to replace it with a “protocol” which would require the Welsh Government to seek the agreement of the UK Government before making any changes that would impact on water supply in England.

Mr Edwards said that both Labour and the Tories must stop interfering in the water industry in Wales and allow it to be determined by elected Welsh Governments. He further added that Plaid Cymru had a positive vision for the future of the water industry in Wales.

Plaid Cymru’s Jonathan Edwards said:

"Labour's plans show a complete lack of understanding of the water industry in Wales. I doubt they have consulted their own Labour Welsh First Minister, who is on record as wanting these powers devolved. It demonstrates how the Labour Party is totally London-centric.

"Plaid Cymru agrees in principle with public ownership of water, but this must be implemented by Wales, for Wales, not imposed on us by a Westminster government. 

“Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water is already constituted as a not-for-profit company and Labour's plans would not be completely relevant here. But much of Wales’ water resources are owned by England-based multi-national companies, not Dwr Cymru. Nationalising English water companies could potentially mean Welsh consumers being forced to pay another country to use our own water. That would be wholly unacceptable.

"There are three water companies operating in Wales and any plans to merge them into a single entity, if that would benefit our citizens, must be taken by a Welsh Government, not a British Government.

"Plaid Cymru will vote in favour of any nationalisation plans which also transfer policy control to elected Welsh Governments. But we will oppose any plans which keep those powers at Westminster.

"In order to promote a positive vision for water in Wales, whereby communities and citizens benefit from the stewardship and care of our own resources, we must have the power to do this in Welsh hands. No longer should we tolerate decisions on water being made outside of Wales, without any regard for our country's needs. 

“Labour’s policies for England need to respect devolution not muddy the waters further.

"Plaid Cymru is fed up of this total cluelessness from the Labour party about devolution. The country deserves better."​

  

Notes:

Hansard details the debate on “Clause 44” to remove the UK Government’s veto over matters relating to water, here:

-->

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2016-07-11/debates/9DDE4C9F-831D-440C-BEB8-48A5767FB56D/WalesBill

CAMERON WIXCEY FOR NEWPORT EAST

Cameron Wixcey, Prospective Parliamentary candidate

for Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales for Newport East

I am proud to stand in Newport East where i have spent all my life, except my 3 years in Lampeter studying history and Islamic studies. My family has been in Newport for at least 5 generations and in Monmouthshire for around 400 years at least. As a young person I know how easy it is to tune out of politics, however politicians decide the rules that life is played by and I for one, have no time for those that destroy our heritage such as the Chartist mural or jeopardise our future through short sighted cuts.

I have done minimum wage catering jobs, bogus self employed sales job and now shift work in a industry so I understand peoples' workplace concerns. My degree taught me to learn from out ancestors lest we repeat their mistakes. I joined Plaid as I realised no one else can or will fix Wales except us who live here. Our country and communities will only improve if we control the levers of power. I hope to be your new MP and I will ensure our corner is fought for and that the establishment, know Newport cannot be ignored.

Published and promoted by A Salkeld, 114 Brynglas Road, Newport on behalf of Cameron Wixey, Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales Westminster Parliamentary candidate for Newport East.

IT’S OUR WATER 2.0

While Wales's voice has been significantly strengthened since 1999, with various Wales related acts, we still do not have the same degree of control of our natural resources as either Scotland or Northern Ireland. Amongst our rich resources is the literal stuff of life – water. Water is likely to become a valuable resource for the people of Wales in future years, and who owns, it who controls it, and who benefits is likely to remain one of the key issues, of potential dispute between Westminster and Cardiff Bay.

The issue of water still understandably raises strong emotions and stirs long memories here in Wales. Five years ago Boris Johnson (who was the then solely Mayor of London, but, after May 2015 an MP and after June 2016 other things) started wittering on about a network of canals being needed to carry water from the wet North to the dry South (for the ‘wet North’ in reality read much of ‘Wales).

Now Boris's revolutionary thought, along with his poor grasp of geography, was no new idea, in 1973, the then Water Resources Board, the government agency (now defunct) produced a major report that advocated building a whole raft of infrastructure to aid the movement of water, not to mention constructing freshwater storage barrages in the Ouse, Wash and Morecambe Bay, using a network of canals to move water from north to south, extending reservoirs and building new aqueducts, not to mention constructing a series of tunnels to link up river basins to aid the movement of water.

Despite the demise of the Water Resources Board in 1974 (ironically some two years before the 1976 drought) and its replacement by regional water management bodies, which were privatised in the 1980’s this issue has never really gone away. In 2006, the Environment Agency produced a report entitled "Do we need large-scale water transfers for south-east England?” in a refreshingly honest answer to its own question at the time was an emphatic ‘no’. 

The plan for water in 1973

Yet faced with a prolonged period of drought in the South East of England, DEFRA itself held a drought summit on the 20th of February of 2012. The then Con Dem Government stated that it remained committed to the remaining legislative measures set out in its Water for Life agenda, which later became the Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Act.

That is as they say history, but whatever Westminster eventually decides to do in relation to water resources, we in Wales still need to have full democratic control of our own resources. We could begin the process with repatriating control of the Crown Estates and transferring control of lands in (and off-shore) to the Welsh Government in Cardiff. For the life of me I can see no realistic reason why this feudal anachronism cannot be consigned to the dustbin of history. 

We need to take a long hard look at our water resources and what we get for them and how we can develop them. I see absolutely no reason why the Welsh people cannot fully benefit from any future exploitation of Welsh resources, including our water. We need a whole Wales strategy to develop and to conserve our water supplies and our planning regulations will need to be tweaked or rewritten accordingly. 

Cofiwch Dryweryn

Most politically aware people would not have been particularly shocked to discover purely coincidentally that the Government of Wales Act (2006) thanks to Peter Hain (amongst others) specifically excluded the Assembly from making any laws relating to water supply – hmm – odd that isn't it?  Such duplicitous behaviour on the part of New or re-born Old Labour is not to be unexpected – but it does little to engender any trust or visible demonstration of an understanding of devolution or Wales, especially when Labour starts talking about re-nationalising the Water industry.

Tory and Labour spin and election rhetoric aside, the bottom line is that our water resources should belong to the Welsh people, not to Private corporations or to the UK Government. Any potential future draft Wales Bill should strengthen the powers that we in Wales have over our natural resources and associated planning processes and devolve control of those parts of the Severn Trent water franchise to Wales.

-->

TIME TO INVEST TO BUILD UP WALES

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood has launched Plaid’s manifesto for the General Election pledging to invest in infrastructure in order to "transform" Wales's schools, hospitals, roads and railways.

After the launch of her party's ambitious and fully-costed Action Plan for Wales, Leanne Wood said a cash injection was "urgently needed" to kick-start a genuine economic recovery in Wales, generating jobs in all parts of the country and revitalising areas decimated by deindustrialisation.

Plaid Cymru’s Action Plan also includes wide-ranging proposals to protect Welsh public services, trade and exports, agriculture, higher education and crucial workers' rights as the negotiations to leave the European Union get underway.

Party of Wales Leader Leanne Wood said:

"Plaid Cymru's plan to invest in our schools, hospitals, roads and railways would bring about a revolution in our infrastructure network.

"In all parts of our country, buildings which are the bedrock of our vital public services are creaking. Much of our housing stock is decades old and in decay. The state of our roads and railways are going backwards when they should be taking us forward as a nation.

"‎Many of our towns and cities are still living in the shadow of deindustrialisation. Now is the time to kick-start a genuine economic recovery in Wales by investing in every part of our country.

"Plaid Cymru's £7.5bn plan is an ambitious yet achievable goal that would generate jobs, boost productivity, and transform our‎ economic fortunes.

"Wales has faced decades of neglect and underinvestment at the hands of successive Labour and Tory governments in Westminster.

"Our public services have been cut to the bone and we are still waiting for our first mile of electrified railway. We know that Wales can do better than this. It's time to build up our country - and Plaid Cymru has the action plan to do just that.

"History tells us that the Tories and Labour never have and never will put the interests of Wales, its economy and its people first. Only a vote for Plaid Cymru on June 8th will ensure that there is a strong team of MPs in London willing and able to defend and develop Wales."

TIME TO VOTE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES

This election comes down to a choice between Tories and labour or cuts or chaos.

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood has today rallied support for her party on the eve of the local elections with an appeal for people to "vote for their community."

Highlighting Plaid Cymru's record of delivering where the party holds power in local authorities throughout Wales, Leanne Wood said that Plaid Cymru was the party best placed to defend local services and clean up communities. 

The Party of Wales Leader urged people to remember how the Tories had slashed the budgets of local authorities throughout Wales and how Labour neglect and mismanagement had compounded the problem.

Leanne Wood said:

"As Wales prepares to go to the polls tomorrow, I would urge people to use their vote to judge parties on their record.

"The Tories have slashed the budgets of local authorities throughout Wales while Labour's neglect and mismanagement have made many problems in our communities worse.

"Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru-led councils have a strong track record of delivering for our communities. In Ceredigion, more money is spent per pupil than any other area in Wales. In Gwynedd, we have defended 1,300 households from the Tories’ dreaded bedroom tax.

"On average, chief executive pay in Plaid-led councils is £22,000 lower than in areas where Labour are in power.

"The Party of Wales's record shows that it is the party best placed to defend local services and clean up our communities. The Tories are hell-bent on making further cuts and determined to sell-off our public services while internal fighting has left the Labour party in complete chaos.

"My message ahead of the local elections tomorrow is clear. Consider the parties’ record carefully, and cast a vote for your community with a vote for Plaid Cymru."

ENDS

-->

PROTECTING OUR LOCAL SERVICES

Across our city our bus service, along with many other previously provided services, have suffered as the Labour controlled city council has repeatedly failed to step up to protect services.  The City Council certainly did not feel the need to inform residents of the significant changes made to the City Bus Service until after the changes had been made.

Our bus services have been reduced to a minimum with reductions in the evening and Sunday services having been hit the hardest. The Labour dominated City Council has also failed to campaign for the security of our bus services.

At the most basic level quality public services are central to the prosperity of our nation. They are the very glue that binds our society together and the safety net that supports the most vulnerable in our society. The more Plaid Cymru councillors elected this May, the better the quality of services we can expect.

Since 2011-12, central Welsh Government funding for councils has decreased by 6.5%. This decrease in funding has a neglected some of the weakest and most vulnerable people in our communities, hitting them hardest. The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that local councils could see their budgets cut again in the next few years.

Despite the threat of cuts, Plaid Cymru will continue to fight to protect the weakest and most vulnerable members of our communities – including the elderly, the disabled and children - who rely on key services provided by our councils.

Plaid recently demonstrated our commitment to protect council budgets by securing an additional £25m for our councils by in influencing the most recent Welsh Government budget. Our elected members will continue to fight for fair resources to protect services, which so many people rely upon. Plaid Cymru will also concentrate on protecting front-line staff and delivering first-class front-line services.

PUBLICLY OWNED BANK NEEDED TO REPLACE BRANCH CLOSURES

Plaid Cymru wants a “people’s bank” that does not abandon its customers

Plaid Cymru will push for the creation of a publicly-owned bank if elected in June, following a series of branch closures across Wales.

The party says that too many private banks are closing branches and neglecting customers and says it wants a “people’s bank” that “does not abandon its customers”. 

HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group are all among banks that cut 600 branches between April 2015 to April 2016. 90 per cent of those closures were in areas where the median household income is below the average of £27,600, according to the Office of National Statistics. By comparison, five out of the eight branches opened by these banks over the same period were in some to the wealthiest neighbourhood in Britain - Chelsea, Canary Wharf, St Paul’s, Marylebone and Clapham - all in London.

Communities across Wales have either already lost their last bank or are soon to lose them, with implications for residents and businesses who will be forced to travel to access their cash, which in rural Wales can mean upwards of a 90 minute round trip.

Simon Thomas, the party’s spokesperson on Rural Affairs, has called for a publicly-owned bank to be created in Wales, similar to those seen in other European countries, and pledged that Plaid Cymru MPs would pressure the UK Government to take action.

He accused the Labour Party of failing to stand up to the Tories and for turning a blind eye to branch closures across Wales.

Simon Thomas AM said:

“It is vitally important that individuals and businesses in all communities have easy access to financial advice and banking services. Unfortunately we’re seeing the same centralisation process with the private banking sector as has been happening in the public sector.

“I am fed up of hearing that customers can choose online banking as this fails to take into account the poor broadband service experienced in many parts of Wales.

“It’s not just Plaid Cymru campaigning against this - the Federation of Small Businesses and the Farmers’ Union of Wales have raised concerns about this culture of centralisation. There will be towns across Wales with no branches at all with some forced to make 90 minute round trips to get access to money.

“Banks are abandoning their customers in pursuit of more and more profit and there should be a duty put on these banks, who provide an essential service, to put the customers’ needs before their own pockets, in the same way as postal services.

“The Tories are intent on putting profits before people and the Labour Party has turned a blind eye to the continuing programme of closures across our country. Plaid Cymru MPs will not just sit on their hands. Our MPs will stand up in Parliament and demand that changes be brought in. We would push for the creation of a people’s bank, owned by the public. It would co-operate, not compete with other financial providers, including the much needed Welsh Development Bank.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Branch closure figures covered by Reuters here: http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-banks-branches-idUKKCN0Z60BP