4. 3. Statement: The Draft Budget 2018-19

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:18 pm on 3 October 2017.

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Photo of Adam Price Adam Price Plaid Cymru 3:18, 3 October 2017

In terms of the tourism levy, I think this is an idea that deserves to be explored. It is used widely—[Interruption.] It is used widely throughout most economies. Many of them have bigger tourism sectors than us and they use it to invest intelligently in the skills and infrastructure necessary to have a successful tourism economy. It’s called investing in the future of your country, and you should try it sometime, rather than just carping on the sidelines. Why don’t you see a positive vision for the future of Wales and bring your ideas here to this Chamber? That’s what you’re elected for. As a result of this deal and last year’s deal, and the compact that we originally signed, Plaid Cymru ideas from our manifesto will have been delivered in part or in full to the tune of £565 million. Actually, most of our major financial commitments from our manifesto from 2016 will have been delivered in part or in full. That is democratic politics in action, I would respectfully suggest to the leader of the Conservative Party. He should try it sometime. We are paid not to issue soundbites and press releases; we are paid to try and do our bit to make the lives of the people of Wales better. That is why we’re here in this Chamber, and I am not going to apologise to him or to anyone else for doing our job.