PLAID Cymru’s Westminster leader has said it is “depressing” to see Keir Starmer refuse to work with the SNP as she insisted Labour need to “grow up and get some perspective”.
After the SNP came in for criticism for mentioning Labour regularly during speeches on day one of their conference, Liz Saville-Roberts used her fraternal address to delegates to take a swipe at Starmer’s party and told them to focus on “the real monsters” of the Tory party.
Plaid Cymru and the Labour-led Welsh Government have been working more closely together since striking a cooperation agreement last year, and Saville-Roberts took the opportunity to express her disappointment at Starmer's refusal to engage with the SNP during his party’s conference.
She told the SNP conference: “We don’t agree with Labour on everything. We disagree passionately, but we do so respectfully.
“How depressing it was, therefore, to hear Keir Starmer rant against the SNP.
“In their eyes, you’re either with them or against them. Keir Starmer, get some perspective, get real, and know your enemy.
“Neither of our parties took away the rights and freedoms of our young people through a destructive Brexit.
"We say to Keir Starmer, focus on the real monsters. The Tories are the root cause of misery on this island, not us.
“It is time for UK Labour to grow up. Look at how we are doing politics differently in Wales and Scotland. You might need us one day.”
In her first visit to SNP conference – an event which Plaid Cymru have been represented at consistently down the years – Saville-Roberts spoke of the “unique bond” between Scotland and Wales, as she stressed the need for both nations to rejoin the EU.
She insisted supporters of independence in both nations, alongside those who back a united Ireland, need to work together as one for the “common good”.
Saville-Roberts added: “Both the Tories and Labour are deeply committed to Brexit. We [Wales and Scotland] must join the single market and the customs union.
“Wales belongs to the European family of nations. So does Scotland.
“Independence is normal, chronic inequality under the union is not normal. We do not want independence for independence's sake, we want independence for the sake of a more prosperous economy and healthier citizens, and taking our place among the nations of the world.
“We must be eagled-eyed about the purpose of our shared political project.
“Scottish independence, Welsh independence, Irish unity - we are a common movement. We must therefore act as one for the common good.
“As we face a crucial Westminster election, let's remind the unionist parties no seat belongs to them. Let’s remind them the people of Wales and Scotland owe them nothing."
