‘One week to put honesty and integrity back into our politics’
‘Voting Plaid Cymru is crucial to keep incoming PM Starmer honest’
With one week to go until the General Election, Plaid Cymru candidate for Ynys Môn, Llinos Medi, has said that a vote for Plaid Cymru is a vote to "put honesty and integrity back into our politics".
Ms Medi said that the Tories had "trashed public trust after 14 years of scandals", citing Partygate, dodgy donations and ongoing allegations of insider trading. She warned, however, that Labour's conduct in Wales did not bode well for an improvement in political culture under a Labour UK Government.
Llinos Medi, who looks on track to oust the sitting Conservative MP Virginia Crosbie in Ynys Môn, said that the Labour First Minister Vaughan Gething's decision to accept £200,000 from a convicted environmental criminal, and his decision to ignore the result of a vote of no confidence, showed that Labour showed the same "arrogance" as the Conservatives. UK Labour's decision to back Mr Gething should "raise alarm bells for those hoping for better governance under Labour", according to the Plaid Cymru candidate.
Plaid Cymru have also criticised both Labour and the Conservatives for refusing to be honest about the cuts that will be inevitable as a result of their spending plans. The Wales Governance Centre said on Wednesday that the Welsh Government would be facing "steep cuts" under both main parties' plans.
Setting itself apart from Labour and the Conservatives, Plaid Cymru has outlined plans to raise public funds through increased taxation on those with the broadest shoulders. It would equalise capital gains tax with income tax, raising between £12bn - £15bn, would investigate increasing higher earners’ National Insurance contributions, and support introducing a wealth tax. The party would also crack down on tax evasion and avoidance, and abolish loopholes for non-doms.
Llinos Medi said:
"Honesty, transparency, accountability and integrity matter in politics. The Tories have trashed public trust after 14 years of scandals – from parties during Covid, to dodgy donations, to allegations of insider dealing and corruption of our democracy. More than ever, we need MPs in Westminster who are driven by public service, not self-interest.
"Labour have sadly proven themselves to not be immune to the arrogance displayed by the Tories in Westminster. The people of Wales are dismayed by our First Minister's decision to accept £200,000 from a convicted environmental criminal, now suspected of tax evasion. Further shock came when Vaughan Gething lied to the Covid inquiry about deleting iMessages, and when the First Minister ignored the Senedd's democratic call for his resignation.
"In this election, UK Labour have given their full backing to the embattled First Minister, which should raise alarm bells for those hoping for better governance under a future Labour UK Government.
"They have also refused time and again to be honest about their offer in this election. They have promised ‘no return to austerity’, but the IFS, the Wales Governance Centre and others have made clear that austerity is inevitable if Labour are to stick to Tory spending plans. Labour will make deep cuts, but are not being truthful about it.
"Keir Starmer will be Prime Minister in one week’s time. Voters in England have made clear their intentions. Sunak’s disastrous campaign makes it impossible for that to change.
"In Wales, we have one week to decide whether we want to add to the chorus of Labour MPs supporting Starmer without any positive offers for Wales. Do we want to ensure that the next Prime Minister is held to account constructively? Do we want to send a message to Labour that Wales rejects dodgy donations and dishonesty about cuts to public services?
"If you want to put honesty and integrity back into our politics, vote for Plaid Cymru next Thursday."