Plaid Cymru’s ambition for an independent Wales could see the country return to austerity, Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens is expected to argue at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this weekend. Labour claims that independence would require working-age adults in Wales to pay over £11,000 extra annually to maintain current public services, based on analysis by the UK Government.
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Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has previously ruled out holding a referendum on independence in the first term of a Plaid-led Welsh government, but he has suggested it could occur “within our lifetime”. Ms Stevens is expected to use the conference to emphasise the importance of Labour’s role in guiding Wales towards national renewal.
Speaking on Sunday, she will reportedly highlight that both Labour governments in Wales and Westminster are committed to building a fairer, more prosperous nation, stating that Wales can be proud of its history while remaining in control of its future. She will argue that voters face a clear choice at the Senedd elections in May.
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The minister is expected to assert that Plaid Cymru must clarify whether it intends to tax Welsh families into poverty or cut public services, adding that Labour has ended austerity in Wales and will fight to prevent Plaid from reversing that progress.
