PLAID Cymru’s representative at SNP conference sent a message to Scottish independence supporters as he said he was “genuinely concerned” with the actions of the new Labour Government.
Senedd member Luke Fletcher delivered the annual fraternal address from Plaid Cymru at the SNP conference on Sunday morning, as he said “SNP Scottish governments have led the way in showing there is a different, more progressive path to follow”.
Speaking to The National after the speech, Fletcher said he felt his party faced similar challenges to the SNP when it came to convincing people of independence.
A poll from Redfield and Wilton at the beginning of June found that 33% of people believed Wales should be an independent country.
“I remember when Welsh independence used to be polling at 3% and 5% so to jump to where we are now is one hell of a shift,” Fletcher said.
“But the challenges we face are similar to the SNP in terms of how do you sell it to the wider population.
“The reality is, people are resistant to change, nobody likes change and especially when it’s as large and drastic as this so going into any referendum you have to be positive, to show the opportunity and the powers we can have.
🗣️ 'Keep that ambition going' We spoke with Senedd member Luke Fletcher from @Plaid_Cymru on his message for Scottish independence supporters 🏴🏴 pic.twitter.com/On6OfqShGA
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“Wales has had a stagnated economy for 25 years; we have around 1/3 of children living in poverty.
“That’s not right an any message going into a referendum should be about addressing issues like that.”
Message to independence supporters
While it was a difficult election for the SNP, support for Scottish independence has remained steady.
An Ipsos poll in June, for example, found a narrow two-point lead for Yes.
Asked what he would say to Scottish independence supporters, Fletcher told The National: “The main message has to be making sure the message we put forward is a positive one, that shows the change independence would mean for Scotland and its communities.
“There’s no point in being independent just to do the same thing again and again. There has to be a programme to show a drastic change and how that translates to improving people’s lives.”
New Labour Government
Plaid Cymru returned four MPs at the recent General Election with the party having already urged Labour to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
All four backed a recent SNP amendment calling for the policy to be scrapped.
“If the last few weeks is anything to go by, I’m genuinely concerned this UK Government will be just as bad as the Tories,” he said.
“What has been the record so far? We’ve had rising energy bills despite being told that wouldn’t be an issue, we’ve had issues around the two-child cap.
“My question would be why isn’t scrapping the cap and bringing children out of poverty a priority for the Labour Party which was founded to represent working-class people?”
It was announced at the end of August that the average household energy bill is to increase from October while Keir Starmer has already faced criticism for making cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment.
