5. Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution: The Constitutional Commission

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:42 pm on 19 October 2021.

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Photo of Rhys ab Owen Rhys ab Owen Plaid Cymru 4:42, 19 October 2021

(Translated)

Plaid Cymru looks forward to working constructively with the commission. The First Minister said today that he will take all possible opportunities to push radical federalism. Well, I will tell you now that we will take all possible opportunities to push for independence, because in the words of the old saying, 'There never lived a nation that ruled another well.' It's true across the world, and it's true here in Wales too. I am aware, Counsel General, that you have been campaigning for devolution since the 1970s, before some of us were born, even. You have experienced the disappointments of 1979, you've experienced the disappointment of the long Government of Margaret Thatcher, but you've also seen how things can change—the status quo isn't here forever. You have seen the joy of Wales voting for this place in 1997.

I'm coming to my questions—I apologise, Llywydd. It's a disappointment for me, therefore, to hear the comments of Sir Keir Starmer that it's only possible that Wales will get additional powers under a Labour Government in Westminster. He said that devolution wasn't his priority, wasn't an important priority for him. Clearly, Sir Keir Starmer didn't read your manifesto, which talked about radical federalism. He's also commissioned that commission that will look at the union, chaired by Gordon Brown. How will the two commissions work together, given that independence is being considered by the McAllister-Williams commission? Will a Labour Government, if one is elected to Westminster, listen to the recommendations of this commission? As the comments of Starmer don't fill me with confidence, and as the Boris Johnson Government doesn't fill me with confidence, what is the plan B if this commission too is ignored, as was the Thomas commission, which was full of reason and wisdom and full of strong arguments, and was ignored entirely by Westminster? So, what is the plan B, Counsel General? Thank you.