TELLING IT LIKE IT IS!

Responding to Theresa May's comments in Wales, Plaid Cymru's Parliamentary leader, Hywel Williams said:

"The people of Wales will see through this deceptive rhetoric by Theresa May. This is the most important election since Margaret Thatcher first swept a weak and limp Labour Party aside and the impact that that election had on communities across our country continues to take its toll.

"Plaid Cymru will not allow another deliberate destruction of Welsh industry and for the future of generations of young people to be blighted. Unbearable poverty continues to exist where economic activity once thrived and Plaid Cymru will not sit on its hands and allow history to be repeated. 

"The Tories will win this election. The weak and divided Labour Party are not fit to form a government so what this election is about is sending the strongest people to Westminster to stand up to the Tories and defend Wales. It is between the Tories and Plaid Cymru - the Destroyers and the Defenders. Labour MPs are too weak and divided to fight the Tories. Plaid Cymru is the only party that will stand up in Westminster and make sure that the Government's actions work for Wales, not just for the south east of England."

TIME TO GIVE POWER TO OUR COMMUNITIES

Today saw the publication of Plaid Cymru’s Sustainable Communities Commission report on how to make Wales a country of more sustainable communities. We need to both empower people and to empower our communities, something that will lead to local democratic renewal, create a more sustainable infrastructure and also strengthen investment in our communities.

This is important because not only does the report focus on putting local communities across Wales at the heart of the sustainability agenda by giving them more power to make their own decisions, but it also advocates giving our communities the power to make their decisions actually happen. You can click here to read the full report. 

Plaid Cymru's Sustainable Communities Commission report was launched during a visit to the Crest Co-operative enterprise in Llandudno Junction by Hywel Williams MP for Arfon and Llyr Gruffydd AM who chaired the Commission.

The report includes proposals to reform and strengthen community councils so that they can decide what is best within their communities. It also recomends mapping publicly owned land so that it can be put to best use (such as affordable housing or community growing) and supporting sustainable infrastructure, including better internet connections, to ensure more connected communities for the future.

Good practice is highlighted in the report with successful examples that could be emulated across Wales included timebanking schemes in Cardiff, community groups that prevent loneliness and isolation amongst older people, community renewable energy generation schemes in west Wales and Powys as well as local procurement and regeneration schemes from Gwynedd. 

Speaking at the launch, shadow cabinet member, Llyr Guffydd AM said:

" Plaid Cymru wants to see Wales prosper with a strong economy and world-class public services. It wants a healthy natural environment supporting a society that is resilient to change. I believe the approach of starting with citizens and communities and building outwards is the best way of achieving this vision.

"Communities are the building blocks of our nation, bringing a rich diversity of experiences and places together.

"Our commission sought expert advice from many external groups and their input has played an important part in our findings.

"We will need to draw on all of our assets to find sustainable solutions to the challenges we face. Government simply can't do it on its own. We need to be creative and innovative. Engaging communities, building up their capacity and encouraging community-led responses can release much needed energy and creativity. We need to create a framework where communities can make a full contribution.

“Our recommendations include proposals to reform and empower community councils, mapping publicly owned land so that it can be put to best use, such as affordable housing or community growing, and supporting sustainable infrastructure, such as internet connections to create more connected communities.

“These ideas will inform our 2016 National Assembly manifesto, made relevant to all communities in all parts of Wales."

Hywel Williams MP for Arfon added:

"Crest Co-operative is just one example of countless enterprises throughout Wales which show what can be achieved when individuals come together to work in the best interests of their communities.

"Plaid Cymru wants to build a better Wales for the next generation, not resort to self-interest and short-termism.

"I hope that the findings of this Commission will spark wider discussions on what Wales can achieve when people rally around common goals that will benefit Welsh communities both economically and environmentally.

“We are all aware of the budget cuts and the need to maintain services. Local communities have to be part of that conversation, and that is why Plaid Cymru is putting local communities at the heart of Wales’ future."

UN AND REGION MUST RESPOND TO IRAQ CRISIS

Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales has urged a region-led response to the crisis in Iraq, confirming that its MPs will not support the UK Westminster government’s intention to launch air strikes against ISIL. Hywel Williams MP, outlining the reasons behind his party’s intention to vote against the government motion put before the Commons today said:

"Human suffering in Iraq and Syria has prompted an overwhelming desire to "do something". However, Plaid Cymru does not believe that UK military action of itself will provide a full and lasting solution. That can only be achieved by a region-led response backed by UN-led international support.

"Last year, the UK government was proposing military action against the Syrian government. One of the opposition groups which would have benefited is ISIL.

"We believe that air strikes will almost certainly result in civilian deaths - as in the case of every other recent Western military intervention in the region and in Afghanistan - and radicalise the young and impressionable.

"It is disturbing that the Prime Minister has said that we must not allow "past mistakes" to become an excuse for inaction. The shadow of the Iraq war still looms large - surely we should be learning from history, not forgetting it.

"Plaid Cymru supports providing Iraqi and Kurdish government with humanitarian, technical and material assistance, when civilian lives are in immediate danger. This will enable them to protect their population and achieve a lasting solution.

"The UK's response to this crisis must focus on humanitarian and diplomatic efforts. We should concentrate on delivering aid, bringing moderate regional powers together, and offering to take refugees as the number fleeing their homes rises at a rapid rate."

TIME FOR A LIVING WAGE

Plaid Cymru has unveiled its first signature policy for the 2015 General Election Campaign - a Living Wage that would secure a pay rise for more than 250,000 Welsh workers. A Living Wage would improve living standards, help create jobs, and boost local economies due to people having more money in their pockets to spend. 

The policy was just one of many Plaid Cymru proposals to help businesses and employers alike such as cutting VAT in the tourism sector, offering SMEs lower business rates, and developing a Welsh Bank to lend to small business. 



Hywel Williams MP, Plaid Social Security spokesperson speaking ahead of the policy launch said:

"Plaid Cymru believes that nobody in Wales should be paid less than they need to live upon. That is why we pledge to give more than 250,000 Welsh workers a pay rise by making the Living Wage a key commitment for the 2015 General Election campaign. 



"In a time when City fat cats are rewarded for failure, and ordinary families are suffering a slump in living standards, this is a policy aimed at tackling the UK's "most unequal state in Europe" status. 



"Currently the UK Government subsidises big business to pay poverty wages by setting the minimum wage too low and then topping them up with tax credits to enable people to afford basic provisions. 


"By raising the minimum wage to be in line with the Living Wage, we will be able to raise living standards and boost local economies as people will have more money in their pockets to spend. 



"Analysis shows that it is more commonly women, the under 30s and part-time workers who suffer most from low wages. A Living Wage would ensure that none of these groups are left behind and improve the lot of entire households, not just individuals. 



"This is just one of a wide range of Plaid Cymru policies designed to help employers and workers alike. These include cutting VAT for the tourism industry, cutting business rates for SMEs, and establishing a Bank of Wales that would lend to small businesses. 



"While Labour, Tories and Lib Dems join in the desperate scramble to save the Union and putting Wales' best interests on the back burner yet again, Plaid Cymru is getting on with the job of delivering a more just and prosperous Welsh nation."


A BETTER DEAL FOR WALES

Today, once again trying to put Wales first, Plaid Cymru has tabled a series of amendments to the remaining stage of the Wales Bill, which is currently being debated in the Commons. The amendments seek to strengthen Wales’ economy and our democracy by boosting borrowing powers and give the National Assembly powers to hold binding referenda.

Plaid Cymru Treasury spokesperson Jonathan Edwards MP said:

“Throughout the course of the Wales Bill, Plaid Cymru has sought to deliver the best deal possible for our nation by tabling ambitious amendments which would strengthen the Bill and provide the Welsh government with as wide an array of job-creating powers as possible.

“If passed, the amendments we have tabled would empower the Welsh Government to issue financial guarantees for infrastructure projects - if the Welsh Government secured 5% of the UK Government’s spend on guarantees it would underwrite £2bn of investment.

“Our amendments would also remove the handcuffs which prevent the Welsh Government from choosing what infrastructure projects to spend on, rather than being told to spend on the M4, for example. All four corners of Wales need ambitious infrastructure projects and the Westminster Government shouldn’t stand in the way of this.

“The Labour party regrettably, rather than strengthening the hand of the Labour-run Welsh Government to intervene in the Welsh economy, has tabled several wrecking amendments aimed at delaying progress in implementing the Bill. This is the only piece of Welsh legislation we have seen during this five-year parliament.   As the Bill stands Wales would still be playing catch-up with where Scotland is now. 

“Rather than make panicked pledges to Scotland and treat Wales as a second class nation, the Westminster parties should be taking this bill – and our nation’s best interests – seriously.”

Hywel Williams MP added:

“As far as Plaid Cymru’s constitutional amendment goes, it would ensure that the National Assembly for Wales had the power to hold binding referenda in order to honour the will of the Welsh people. 

“However, the Edinburgh Agreement which provides for a clear legal base for the referendum on Scottish independence in September has set a precedent for this.

“Plaid Cymru believes that Wales too should be granted this same power. Of course, not all referenda centre on questions of independence – it is the principal that the people of Wales should be able to decide what powers they have and when.

“It is simply a matter of democracy that if the National Assembly is to be granted further powers, that institution should have the power to ask the people of Wales whether they support certain measures.”

It will be interesting to see how the representatives of those Westminster based political parties with electoral representation in Wales vote on Plaid’s amendments to the bill... 

BETRAYING WALES OVER WELFARE

Plaid was right to criticise Labour MPs from Wales who collectively voted in favour of Chancellor Osborne’s welfare cap in the House of Commons. Plaid Cymru’s Jonathan Edwards, along with his Plaid Cymru colleagues Elfyn Llwyd and Hywel Williams were the only Welsh MP to oppose the cap, as Labour in Wales MP’s voted alongside Conservative and Liberal Democrat MP’s to betray some of our country’s most vulnerable people to literally limit the help available to the needy. This is a yet another classic example of Labour in Wales saying one thing and Labour in Westminster doing something different, so much for standing up for Wales!  

Plaid Cymru’s Jonathan Edwards MP  said:

“This was a significant vote which proved that Labour MPs from Wales make their decision based on orders from London, rather than on the needs of their constituents.

“It signals a betrayal of some of our nation’s most vulnerable people by a Labour party whose fork-tongued politicians say one thing in Wales and another in Westminster. The people of Wales deserve better than their spineless hypocrisy.

“Plaid Cymru was the only party from Wales to unanimously vote against this ill-judged and immoral policy – Welsh voters will no doubt bear this in mind at the ballot box.

“With the economy being so unpredictable, it makes no sense whatsoever to put a cap on welfare spending with no idea of how many people will need support should unemployment rise drastically and public services face further cuts.

“We in Plaid Cymru have proposed far better ways of bringing down the welfare bill than making the vulnerable pay for the failure of the banks. A living wage, rent caps, and scrapping mandatory zero-hour contracts are just some policies that would put an end to the “working poor” label once and for all.

“It is now clearer than ever before than when it comes to protecting the interests of the Welsh people, Plaid Cymru is the only party to be trusted.”

THE DRAFT WALES BILL

Plaid Cymru has responded to the publication of the Wales Bill by pledging to table amendments that would preserve the integrity of the Silk Commission’s recommendations on devolving further powers to Wales.

Hywel Williams MP, who sat on the Welsh Affairs Committee scrutinising the Draft Wales Bill, expressed disappointment that the UK Government had “cherry-picked” some Silk’s recommendations and that his party would seek to put this right so that the transfer of new fiscal powers will bring maximum benefits to the Welsh economy. Mr Williams added that any votes on the amendments would be “a test of Labour’s priorities” given the clear split in opinion between the party’s members in London and Cardiff over granting Wales more job-creating powers

Speaking shortly after the Bill was published, Hywel Williams MP said:

"Plaid Cymru has been united and consistent in making the case for the transfer of job-creating and economy-boosting financial powers from Westminster to Wales.

"We therefore welcome the publication of the Wales Bill that will seek to implement some of the recommendations of the cross-party Commission on Devolution chaired by Paul Silk.

"However, our goal from the start has been to preserve the integrity of the Commission's original recommendations and it is disappointing to see that they have been cherry-picked in this way.

"We will aim to put this right by tabling amendments to the Wales Bill with a view to scrapping the lockstep - a roadblock that would limit the Welsh Government's income tax-varying powers and was not part of the original recommendations. We will also seek to amend the Bill so that Air Passenger Duty is devolved to Wales as per the Silk Commission report.

"Having labelled the lockstep a "Tory trap" and having bought Cardiff airport, it would be a huge embarrassment for the First Minister of Wales - as the most powerful member of the Labour Party in the UK - if he fails to convince Labour MPs in Westminster to support these amendments which are so crucial to boosting the Welsh economy.

"The Wales Bill will therefore be a test of Labour's priorities.

“Overall, the Bill represents a lost opportunity to include the recommendations of the second report of the Silk Commission which indicated that wider powers such energy, transport, and policing should be transferred to Wales. There is plenty of time in the parliamentary calendar given that the Coalition Government has run out of substantive things that they can agree on to legislate. We could have had a full and comprehensive Wales Bill.”

MISSING IN INACTION

Once again the Labour Party has failed to stand up to protect our country’s natural resources from exploitation by Westminster. Labour Party MP’s put party interest before our national interests by abstaining on a key vote to devolve full control over Welsh water to the National Assembly – even though their own Government in Cardiff wants this to happen. The vote on Plaid Cymru's amendment followed a Commons debate on the final stages of the Water Bill - every single Labour MP from Wales was absent. Ironically the Labour in Wales Government in evidence to the Silk Commission noted that it wants to see the National Assembly gain full control over all matters relating to Welsh water. So much for joined up thinking and so much for standing up for Wales! 

Hywel Williams MP speaking after the debate said:

"This is an embarrassing episode for the First Minister and his Labour Welsh Government who, once again, have been let down by Labour MPs from Wales.

"Just as in the case of devolving energy projects up to 100 MW and devolving Air Passenger Duty to Wales, the First Minister says one thing in Cardiff while his London colleagues seem intent on undermining his every word.

"Water has been an emotive, emblematic and defining political matter in Wales. It is just one aspect of our nation's wealth of natural resources but our people are unable to benefit from its use due to the UK Government holding the power of veto over all matters relating to Welsh water.

"Had Plaid Cymru's amendment been carried, we would have seen control over Welsh water transferred from Westminster to the National Assembly, ensuring that any wealth generated from its extraction and export would benefit our nation.

"It is disappointing to see the Labour party in Wales yet again conform to the cosy Westminster consensus rather than put the interests of the Welsh economy and people first."