PMQs: Liz Saville Roberts calls for more powers to ‘fulfil democratic wishes of Wales’
Prime Minister says he will work constructively with the Welsh Government because that’s ‘the right thing to do to deliver for Wales’
During PMQs today (Wednesday 3 June) Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP urged the UK Government to “to fulfil the democratic wishes of the people of Wales” by giving Wales more powers.
Ms Saville Roberts called for powers over Wales’ natural resources and called on the UK Government to tackle years of neglect by ensuring Wales receives the funding it is owed from HS2, which now stands at £5.9 billion. The Plaid Cymru Westminster leader also called for a new financial settlement that reflects Wales’ needs.
In response to Liz Saville Roberts’ question, the Prime Minister said that he will work constructively with the First Minister and with the Government in Wales. He said that that is “the right thing to do to deliver for Wales”.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, the new First Minister of Wales had a call with the UK Prime Minister just over two weeks ago where he made the case for more powers. Keir Starmer said during that call that he was "open to a conversation" about further devolution to the Senedd.
Liz Saville Roberts asked the Prime Minister to turn a conversation into “real action”.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Liz Saville Roberts MP said:
“Last month, Welsh voters elected a Plaid Cymru government with a clear message: fairness and hope.
“This means tackling years of neglect by securing funding owed from HS2; a new financial settlement that reflects our nation's needs; and more powers for Wales especially powers over our natural resources.
“Would the Prime Minister be ‘open’ to turning a conversation into real action to fulfil the democratic wishes of the people of Wales because now surely is the time for us to work together rather than facing the chaos that threatens us from every corner?”
In his response, the Prime Minister said:
“Can I thank her for her question. As I hope she knows I did have a call with the First Minister of Wales just two weeks ago and made it clear that I and this government will work constructively with the First Minister and with the Government in Wales because that’s the right thing to do to deliver for Wales”.