6. 6. Plaid Cymru Debate: Local Authorities

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:01 pm on 3 May 2017.

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Photo of Adam Price Adam Price Plaid Cymru 4:01, 3 May 2017

I had intended to speak more broadly in this debate about the role of innovation in local government, of which there are some examples from Plaid Cymru-led authorities, as set out in our motion. But I’ve been prompted to talk about a different kind of innovation—innovation in politics, which is doing what we say. You know, actually putting into action the principles that we say are at the heart of our politics. And I can honestly say I’m at a loss to understand why there is opposition from a Labour Government—a Government that at least in name is meant to be socialist—to actually banning the use of zero-hours contracts. As we’ve just heard in the contribution by the UKIP Member, a party that I’m sure most of you would believe to be to the right of you is actually to the left of you on this issue, it seems. It’s completely unconscionable. You’ve put it at the heart of your British manifesto, and we’re the only nation in the UK where you’re actually in Government—and probably any hope of being in Government for the next few years—and yet you’re not prepared to actually implement it. This is the kind of thing that gives democratic politics a bad name. You should be ashamed of yourselves. How can we restore people’s faith and trust in politics when you say one thing and you do another?