“My first phone call when I’m First Minister will be to Nicola Sturgeon”

Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price promises to bring two nations together in a Celtic Summit

Leader of Plaid Cymru Adam Price MS today (Sunday 29 November) takes to the virtual stage to address the SNP’s 86th Annual National Conference.

In his speech, Mr Price will chart the long ties between the two parties, not least with their ambition for independence, and makes the promise that “my first official phone call as the first pro-independence First Minister of Wales next May will be to your First Minister.”

Mr Price is keen to “cement and enhance” the relationship between the two nations, and, as First Minister of Wales, has promised a “Celtic Summit” in summer 2021 where common aims and purpose can be mapped out “as independence and mutual co-operation becomes the new normal.”

Welsh independence has gained much prominence, not least, as Mr Price quips, from the actions of the Prime Minister who, in creating distrust in 72% of the population of Wales,  has become “the greatest recruiting agent independence ever had.” Mr Price points out that rather than building back better, the Prime Minister has only served to “build back bitter.”

In contrast to Westminster, Mr Price says, “We have a blueprint for our countries not just to be equal nations alongside all others, but nations of equals.” With a nod to some 2020 essentials, Mr Price says he knows “we can’t ‘Zoom’ our way towards independence without building ‘Teams’ to make it work.”

A contrast, too, is made between the waning reputation of the UK Prime Minister and the “outstanding leadership” shown by the Scottish First Minister, whose consistency and conviction has been envied across the world.

Leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price MS, says:

“Over the coming months Plaid Cymru will be making the case that changing Wales for good will only come about through a change of Government. Let no one be in any doubt that I will lead a team and a party clear in its aims, united in its goal, committed to holding and winning an independence referendum as soon as we can.

“It is this common cause which is the bedrock of the bond between the SNP and Plaid Cymru, and it’s my dream to see these two nations come together all under one banner, in a Celtic Summit to map out our common aims and purpose as independence and mutual co-operation becomes the new normal. Which is why my first official phone call as the first pro-independence First Minister of Wales next May will be to Nicola Sturgeon.

“The pandemic has exposed the worst excesses of Westminster rule: Dubious PPE contracts, a calamitous testing regime, and a Tory ‘chumocracy’ which is growing by the day. In Wales they stole our tests, in Scotland, too, they denied furlough, and now they’re aiming fire at devolution itself.

“The Chancellor’s reward for the sacrifice and struggle of public sector workers is the poison pill of a public pay freeze. Where they build back bitter, we have a blueprint for our countries not just to be equal nations alongside all others, but nations of equals, fair and free, where freedom is the key to the flourishing of all.”