Tag: Wales

Since devolution, Labour and the Conservatives have sought to create a specific ‘Welsh’ brand. This week, they reverted to their true Westminster colours and in doing so changed the nature of the Welsh political debate for the foreseeable future. During the debate, the Labour minister responsible claimed that he would not call for the devolution of elements of the welfare system as this means people in Swindon may be treated differently from the people of Wales. Not only does this question their basic understanding of devolution, it raises a serious point of principle – is the Labour Welsh Government standing up for Swindon or for Wales? We have always been the party of Wales – it is our name after all. We have always been a party that wants to take decisions and responsibility to create a Wales that works for its people. This week, that strategy has been abandoned by Labour and the Tories. It is a deceptively simple principle which underpins Plaid Cymru’s politics – decisions are best made by those who are directly affected by them. Devolution gave us the option to choose a different way. It is now the Westminster parties against Wales.