Leanne Wood: First Minister, we can’t afford to wait for the metro; it could be years before we see the metro coming on stream. My predecessor as Plaid Cymru leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones, was a strong critic of the current rail franchise contract for Wales. He said that the way it had been drawn up—yes, by an agency of the UK Government—had led to a decade of overcrowding, and that verdict still stands...
Leanne Wood: I was pleased and encouraged to launch this White Paper with the Government yesterday, and whatever differences the parties here have on public services and the day-to-day business of scrutiny, on the matter of leaving the European Union, it's essential, in as far as we can, that Wales speaks with one voice and creates a position that reflects the Welsh national interest. This is too big a...
Leanne Wood: Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the treatment offered by the NHS for patients with multiple sclerosis?
Leanne Wood: Diolch, Lywydd. First Minister, following the announcement of President Trump’s racist travel ban, there have been demonstrations throughout the world, including here in Wales, rejecting the idea of division. But the issue is wider than just that specific ban. The whole question of migration has become a toxic debate. Will you join me, and others in this Assembly, to make it clear that...
Leanne Wood: Thank you for your answer, First Minister, and I would agree with much of the sentiment that you expressed there. Now, one of the factors that was influential in the EU referendum result was the issue of wages and the undercutting of labour. Now, this exploitation is happening, there’s no doubt about that. You’ll be aware, as I am, of unscrupulous employers charging for accommodation and...
Leanne Wood: You’re right, First Minister, there are a number of ways that unscrupulous employers can exploit workers, but this question of the minimum wage is a key one. Last time I looked, HMRC only employed six people to enforce the national minimum wage, and it’s clearly not a priority for the UK Government. There have been minimal prosecutions in recent years, and that was the case under the...
Leanne Wood: Diolch. I’m sure Carmarthenshire council would have appreciated more support from you, First Minister, when it comes to the Welsh language, but I want to turn to a matter of income differences. [Interruption.] First Minister, when it comes to differences in income between regions—.
Leanne Wood: Diolch, Lywydd. When it comes to differences in income between its regions and nations, the UK is one of the most unequal states in Europe, and Wales suffers from this imbalance as well. To address this imbalance, our market towns and post-industrial towns need good-quality public sector jobs. HMRC, DWP and the jobcentre are moving jobs from towns that suffer from low wages, like Porthmadog,...
Leanne Wood: I share your concern about the post offices and banks, and there’s a real concern about the viability of some of our town centres if this agenda continues. We know what the UK Government agenda is, but, First Minister, you have levers too to counter this through the Welsh Revenue Authority. Plaid Cymru would agree that Treforest industrial estate is a better location than Cardiff, but that...
Leanne Wood: First Minister, if there’s a skills shortage in Wales, that’s your responsibility. You are responsible for the skills of people in this country. I want to move on to transport now, though. Twelve months ago, you unveiled a plan for the north Wales metro, and that plan failed to include Gwynedd, Conwy or Ynys Môn, although it did include Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester. The maps...
Leanne Wood: You’ve known this for years.
Leanne Wood: Diolch, Lywydd. I’m not quite sure how I can follow that. I move amendment 2 in the name of Rhun ap Iorwerth. Since the vote to leave the European Union on 23 June last year, Plaid Cymru has prioritised the Welsh national interest. It will be of no surprise to anyone—[Interruption.] I’m happy to be a Welsh nationalist in comparison to your British nationalism, thank you very much. It...
Leanne Wood: We've now seen that the UK Government White Paper exists, but it's a document full of contradictions, and we still don't actually know what Brexit means. Yes.
Leanne Wood: We have no internal difficulties within Plaid Cymru on this. There's no mention of the triggering of article 50 in the White Paper. We are fully signed up to the White Paper, but we have our distinct position on the question of article 50, and that's why we've tabled this amendment today. But, as I’ve just said, we will be supporting the motion, even if our own amendment falls. Now, the UK...
Leanne Wood: Will you take an intervention?
Leanne Wood: We’re still waiting for your plan. Where is it?
Leanne Wood: Diolch, Lywydd. First Minister, do you support the aspiration to achieve a million Welsh speakers by 2050, and, if you do, can you tell us how you intend to meet that aspiration?
Leanne Wood: Thank you, First Minister, and I agree that the aspiration is a good one, and I’m glad that you’ve mentioned education. In your consultation on creating a million Welsh speakers, you explain how education must play a central role. Your main objective, and what you’re asking local authorities to achieve, is, I quote: ‘A significant increase in the number of children and young people...
Leanne Wood: First Minister, you will know that national policy has informed the decision in Llangennech in Carmarthenshire to convert a school from dual stream into Welsh medium. Now, that decision needs support from you, but it also needs calm explanation to residents. I’ve got some serious concerns about the, frankly, toxic atmosphere that has emerged on this question. And I’m aware that, among a...
Leanne Wood: First Minister, is it acceptable to you that there are Labour Party candidates working closely with UKIP on the question of Welsh-medium education? And do you agree with me that the campaign against Carmarthenshire council’s decision has become toxic and unacceptable? And will you outline what action you will take regarding Labour Party members working with UKIP to undermine your own Welsh...
