Defence

Plaid Cymru supports peaceful and negotiated outcomes to all conflict. We believe that our Senedd should be consulted before decisions are made by the UK Government to engage in military action.

We believe that the UK should withhold licenses to sell arms to countries which have poor human rights records, or where there is credible evidence to suggest that they will be used for repression of their own populations, or in violation of international law.

There should be a review of the arms export control system, and a clear statement of intent to withdraw from the international arms supply trade.

Plaid Cymru opposes the Trident nuclear weapons system and its renewal, which is estimated to cost more than £200bn, and supports the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. We oppose increasing defence spending, and believe that, if defence spending is required, then it would be better used on conventional defence and to peaceful ends, rather than weapons of mass destruction.

Veterans require substantially improved support upon leaving armed service and returning to civilian life. Plaid Cymru calls for an independent review of the medical discharge process and introducing an income disregard for the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme so that they aren’t considered as income for the purposes of benefits and pensions.