Independence “only solution” to stop Westminster power grabs for good says Plaid Leader Adam Price

Labour Government must do more than say “warm words” about devolution

Independence is the “only way” to resist Westminster and ensure Wales’ democracy is protected, Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price has said.

The Plaid leader said that the Westminster Government’s Internal Market Bill was “not simply a power grab, but the destruction of two decades of devolution”

The Internal Market Bill, published today, would see many policy areas already devolved to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland administered by Westminster. ‘Mutual recognition’ and ‘non-discrimination’ clauses contained in the Bill will weaken the Senedd’s power to legislate. Furthermore, new spending rules contained in the Bill will allow the UK Government to force projects in devolved areas such as economic development, infrastructure, culture, sport and education without the consent of the Welsh Government – an explicit dismantling of the devolution settlement.

Mr Price challenged the Labour Government in Wales to do more than offer “warm words about devolution”, saying that they have sat on their hands as “Westminster’s slow drip erosion of devolution has turned into a tsunami that risks washing the whole thing away”.

Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price MS said:

“The Internal Market Bill is not simply a power grab but the destruction of two decades of devolution. Two referendums will be ignored and the will of the Welsh people overturned if this law is passed.

 “Independence is the only way we can protect Welsh democracy. Without a pro-independence government in Cardiff, Westminster will continue to bully Wales. 

“Labour has done nothing to protect our Senedd and now all they seem to offer is more warm words about devolution. They have sat on their hands as Westminster’s slow drip erosion of devolution has turned into a tsunami that risks washing the whole thing away.”

“We need more than words. We need a pro-independence government in Wales that will on empower us to resist Westminster’s attacks on our democracy.”