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Plaid Cymru - Defending Wales - 2017 Action Plan
Plaid Cymru - Defending Wales - 2017 Action Plan
PLAN
2017
1
Wales faces grave
risks as we head
into this election.
Our economy, our communities and even our very
identity as a nation is under threat from the cruel
and reckless Tories. Labour is weak and divided
and are unable to offer opposition to the Tories.
Plaid Cymru stands ready to defend Wales. Every
Plaid Cymru MP elected will go to Westminster to do
their utmost for their country, their people and their
communities.
Now is the time After June 8th the Tories will be handed a blank
cheque that they will use to rob Wales of millions of
to defy the old and pounds. Jobs will be jeopardised, our tourism and
farming industries plunged into uncertainty and our
out of touch parties.
public services targeted. Labour is broken, too weak
To show that we and too divided to stop them. They have abandoned
ship and are now fighting over who gets the life rafts.
believe in Wales.
It remains our ambition for Wales to become an
To defend Wales. independent nation, standing on its own two feet.
To vote for Wales. But this election is about an immediate threat to our
nation, our economy and our people.
To vote for
Plaid Cymru.
2Promoted by: Plaid Cymru, Ty Gwynfor, Llys Anson, Cardiff, CF10 4AL.
This Action Plan is a response to the crisis the Labour and the Tories in Westminster dont care
Tories are creating and the inability of Labour about or understand our valleys, our coastal
to stop it. Our full range of policies from the communities, our cities, our farms or our rural
2015 and 2016 elections retain a relevance and villages. Plaid Cymru is the party of Wales, the
pertinence, but the policies and principles of party of the people of Wales, the only party that
this Action Plan address the immediate threats truly represents Wales.
we face.
People in Wales are facing a tidal wave of attacks
Without a strong team of Plaid Cymru MPs, the from the Conservatives. We can no longer hide
Tory Party in Westminster will have a free hand to behind the crumbling wall of Labour.
put Welsh peoples futures at risk. That is why the
Now is the time to defy the old and out of
election in Wales is a straight fight between Plaid
touch parties. To show that we believe in
and the Tories. Plaid Cymru will defend Wales
Wales. To defend Wales. To vote for Wales.
against the Tory attacks. Plaid Cymru is the only
To vote for Plaid Cymru.
party that will prioritise Welsh jobs.
4
Plaid Cymru will:
Defend our nation, by
Protecting our countrys economy, identity and
our Assembly from a Conservative power grab
6
A vote for the status quo: A vote for Plaid Cymru:
A forgotten Wales DEFENDING WELSH INTERESTS P8
Continued preying on
the most vulnerable CARING FOR THOSE IN NEED P24
working party
in Parliament
8
Defending
Wales
Defending
Welsh interests
Wales is under attack. The Tory
Government is hell-bent on taking us along
a treacherous path where all economic
ties with our closest trading partners are
severed. Labour are too busy squabbling
amongst themselves to stand up for Wales.
Wales needs Plaid Cymru MPs to fight
for Welsh interests and to protect our
nationhood.
Plaid Cymru's
Plaid Cymru's answer:
answer: Plaid Cymru will ensure
Elect Plaid Cymru MPs that Wales can continue
to stand up for our to buy and sell to
nation and to give Wales Europe without any
a strong voice during costly barriers.
this crucial time.
Where we can be:
Where we can be: 200,000 jobs that rely on
A Wales where our our trade with Europe
interests are defended being protected.
at all times and Welsh
interests are put at
the heart of Brexit
negotiations.
10
Where we are: Where we are: Where we are:
Wales is at threat of losing Europeans who have A debilitating trade deal
the 680 million a year made their lives in Wales with the EU where Wales's
it currently receives in face being deported. This interests are last on the
funding from the EU. will destroy families and agenda. Businesses
friendships, and put public moving from Wales and
services at risk. jobs at risk.
Plaid Cymru's
answer:
We will secure the Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's
money promised to answer: answer:
Wales by the Leave Plaid Cymru will We will fight to get the
campaign. We will not guarantee the rights of best possible Brexit deal
accept a penny less. all Europeans currently for Welsh industry and
living and working in agriculture.
Wales.
Where we can be:
Investing in our local Where we can be:
communities to give the Where we can be: Welsh interests at the heart
people of Wales every A welcoming society, that of Brexit negotiations,
chance to succeed. recognises the contribution with Welsh industry and
that hard-working agriculture protected.
Europeans have made to
our public services.
12
Defending
Wales
A stronger
Wales
The people of Wales have consistently
voted for a National Assembly for Wales.
The Tory Government in Westminsters
attempt to subvert the will of the Welsh
people by undermining it will not be
tolerated.
Our message to Westminster is simple
Hands off our Assembly.
Plaid Cymru's
answer: Plaid Cymru's
answer:
Plaid Cymru will bring
We will give the
forward a new law to
National Assembly
protect our nations
for Wales the powers
sovereignty and
it needs to properly
democracy.
represent the people
who elect it.
Where we can be:
Decisions about Wales
Where we can be:
being made in Wales,
A truly representative Welsh
where the will of the Welsh
Parliament that reflects the
people cannot be ignored.
people of Wales.
14
Where we are: Where we are: Where we are:
A Wales starved of the A voting system rigged to Debilitating free trade deals
funds it needs to progress benefit the powerful. with a Trump-led United
as a nation, sinking deeper States where standards
into poverty as a result of are compromised,
Brexit. Plaid Cymru's agriculture suffers and our
answer: health service is at risk of
We want to grant privatisation.
Plaid Cymru's
answer: 16 and 17 year olds
the right to vote and
We will demand fair reform the voting
Plaid Cymru's
funding for Wales system so that it is
answer:
by pushing for a more representative. Wales must have
new independent an equal say when
Commission to decisions are made
oversee an agreed way Where we can be: which have major
of redistributing funds A democracy where young implications for
across the UK, based people are not silenced devolved functions.
on a needs-based and each vote counts. All future free trade
formula. deals, for instance,
must be endorsed by
the National Assembly
Where we can be: for Wales.
Fair funding for Wales
which will protect it from
the economic uncertainty Where we can be:
to come. Public services free from
the threat of privatisation
by big international
corporations.
16
Defending
Wales
Protecting
Welsh jobs
Wales has the lowest wages and weakest
economy of any UK nation. Westminster
has neglected our needs for generations,
making us one of the poorest regions in
Western Europe. Successive Tory and
Labour governments have consistently
prioritised investment in the South East of
England at the expense of Wales.
Plaid Cymru will not tolerate this act of
neglect any longer. Its time to stand up
for Wales.
Plaid Cymru's
Plaid Cymru's answer: Plaid Cymru's
answer: Plaid Cymru will put answer:
We will introduce a an end to the unfair We will demand
7.5 billion investment business rates system, stringent anti-
programme to fund by moving towards a dumping measures,
vital infrastructure turnover-based system. previously blocked by
projects throughout We will ensure there the UK Government,
Wales. We will press is a properly funded and put in place a
for our fair share of UK Welsh Development comprehensive plan
infrastructure spend. Bank to invest in Welsh to ensure the future of
businesses. We will also the steel industry.
ensure that you can
Where we can be: always have access to a
Upgraded rail and road local bank by opening a Where we can be:
links, 10,000 extra publicly-owned bank. Jobs saved and a real
affordable homes, and new
future for the Welsh steel
schools and hospitals.
Where we can be: industry.
Small businesses in our
town centres thriving
giving a new lease of life to
Welsh high streets.
20
Defending
Wales
A healthier,
happier Wales
Plaid Cymru is the only party you can trust
to deliver a Welsh health service that works.
Where there has been poor management
and underinvestment in the past - by the
Tories in Westminster and by Labour in
Wales - we will fight for a world-class
health service that works.
22
Where we are: Where we are: Where we are:
Avoidable mortality is A Tory government back- Services available for
about 15% higher in Wales tracking on promises made those with mental health
than in England. Too during the referendum issues are poor and people
many people are dying campaign. lack the essential support
prematurely in Wales and that is necessary for their
we need to do much more full participation in society.
to reduce the number of Plaid Cymru's
preventable deaths. answer:
Plaid Cymru's
We will hold the answer:
Plaid Cymru's Leave campaign to
answer: Having already secured
account and push for
an extra 20 million for
We will make it our our share of the 350
mental health treatment
target to save 10,000 million promised to the
as an effective
lives over ten years, NHS after leaving the
opposition party in the
through a range of European Union.
National Assembly, we
measures from public
will continue to call
health actions and
promoting individual Where we can be: for increased funding
Not allowing politicians and improved access
lifestyle changes,
to make false promises to trained counsellors
whilst also ensuring
without being held and therapists in the
earlier diagnosis of
accountable. community.
disease and better
access to life-saving
treatments. Where we can be:
Timely access to good
Where we can be: quality mental health
services, and mental and
A happy and healthier
physical health needs to
Wales where thousands
be treated equally.
of premature deaths are
avoided.
24
Defending
Wales
Caring for
those in need
We want to see a Wales where everyone
is treated with dignity and respect and
given the support they need to fully
participate in society.
Plaid Cymru's
answer: Plaid Cymru's
We want to see powers
answer:
over social security We commit to
devolved to Wales. scrapping the
We would use those bedroom tax and we
powers, for example, will continue to fight
to ban private firms the cruel rape clause
from carrying out and the changes to
benefits assessments bereavement support
for profit. payments. We will
support and encourage
disabled people into
Where we can be: employment without
A fairer and more facing threats of
transparent benefits sanctions.
system, minus the profit
motive.
Where we can be:
Lifting Wales out of poverty
enabling people to feed
their families and heat their
homes a right everyone
should have.
26
Where we are: Where we are: Where we are:
Hundreds of jobs at Veterans have been The Tories are punishing
threat as the Tory UK forgotten by successive the most vulnerable in
Government centralises governments, with vast society to pay for the
tax offices and closes job numbers continuing to mistakes of politicians and
centres. suffer mental and physical bankers. Since 1994, the
health issues with little Westminster government
access to the services they has siphoned over 3 billion
Plaid Cymru's
require. from the Mineworkers'
answer:
Pension Scheme.
We will continue
to oppose the Plaid Cymru's
centralisation of tax answer: Plaid Cymru's
offices in Wales and Our vow to veterans answer:
fight to keep job will mean that they are Plaid Cymru will ensure a
centres open. given the support they Living Pension for all and
deserve and need. We we will fight to guarantee
will make sure veterans the Triple Lock. We will
Where we can be: receive excellent also continue to oppose
Hundreds of jobs kept and health care, including increases in the state
people properly supported mental health care, and pension retirement age.
when searching for good adequate housing. Plaid Cymru calls for an
quality, well-paid work. independent review into
the Mineworkers' Pension
Where we can be: Scheme surplus so that
future sums are more fairly
No veteran to be left
split between scheme
behind and a Wales where members and the UK
Welsh veterans, who Government.
have sacrificed so much,
are shown gratitude and
respect. Where we can be:
An end to pensioner poverty
and a Wales where
everyone can stand on their
own two feet in dignity.
28
Defending
Wales
Giving every
child a chance
The Tories are ruthlessly cutting school
funding and Labour is insisting on running
our education system into the ground,
jeopardising our children's future. Plaid
Cymru will ensure that our children are
taught by the best teachers at well funded
schools, so they have the skills they need to
flourish. Plaid Cymru will give every child in
Wales a chance.
30
Where we are: Where we are: Where we are:
Wales facing an enormous The Labour Welsh Patchy provision for
and debilitating brain drain, Governments chronic children and adults to learn
with our brightest students under-funding of Welsh and people not
often crossing the border vocational education given sufficient opportunity
and staying in England. in Wales is a matter of to engage in the language.
national shame.
32
Defending
Wales
Connecting
Wales
Wales has been left behind. Our transport
system is not fit for purpose and our
links with the rest of the world have been
neglected.
We cannot afford to be forgotten
anymore. Our communities and country
need connecting. The only way to
ensure this case is made in Westminster
is by electing a strong group of
Plaid Cymru MPs.
36
Defending
Wales
Protecting our
communities
Cuts to frontline policing have left our
communities without the protection they
need. The people of Wales have the right
to a safe society and access to justice
when they need it.
Plaid Cymru will be a voice for victims.
38
Where we are: Where we are: Where we are:
The governments in Unlike Scotland and Our fundamental human
Westminster and Wales Northern Ireland, Wales rights are at risk, exposing
want to build an enormous doesn't have its own legal the weakest, most
super prison in Port Talbot, system to reflect the needs vulnerable members of our
that will become a dumping of our people. communities.
ground for criminals from
all over the UK.
Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's
answer: answer:
Plaid Cymru's Create a Welsh legal
answer: We will publish a
jurisdiction that human rights charter
Plaid Cymru will block ensures we can create for Wales to defend
the development of a justice system that Welsh people against
the Port Talbot super reflects the needs of the backdrop of a Tory
prison and instead Wales. government intent
provide much-needed on undermining the
prison spaces for Human Rights Act.
women and youth Where we can be:
offenders in Wales. A fair, workable and
effective Welsh legal Where we can be:
system so that the people Legal protection for
Where we can be: of Wales can have the our human rights and
Prisons that meet Wales's certainty they need in the guarantees that whatever
needs and work for law and the access to your race, gender or sexual
offenders who want to justice they deserve. orientation you will be
rehabilitate. treated equally.
40
Defending
Wales
Putting energy
into our
environment
Our environment is being eroded whilst
our natural resources are being used for
the benefit of others. Our energy bills
are needlessly high despite us being an
exporter of electricity and our housing stock
is outdated and inefficient. If we carry on
with business as usual, none of this will
change. Wales needs Plaid Cymru to make
Wales greener.
Plaid Cymru's
answer: Plaid Cymru's
answer:
Plaid Cymru will
We will create a Welsh
increase energy
generation from energy company, to
renewables including use profit from Welsh
delivering tidal lagoons resources to cut the
in Swansea Bay, cost of energy for
Cardiff and Colwyn Welsh consumers
Bay. We will establish and shifting to
a national electric decentralised and
vehicle charging distributed networks.
network and will
transfer responsibility
over Welsh energy Where we can be:
generation and natural Lifting the people of Wales
resources to the out of fuel poverty.
National Assembly.
42
Where we are: Where we are: Where we are:
Too many Welsh houses Wildlife species in Wales The British government is
are poorly insulated, and are at risk of disappearing, neglecting its international
rely on outdated, expensive with loss of biodiversity duty to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions,
heating systems. a threat to our natural
endangering our childrens
environment. future. As we leave the
EU there is a risk that this
Plaid Cymru's threat will become greater.
answer: Plaid Cymru's
Plaid Cymru will roll answer:
out a nationwide
We will update and
Plaid Cymru's
scheme to make our
consolidate Welsh
answer:
housing stock more Plaid Cymru will
wildlife legislation,
energy efficient. introduce a new
creating a new Wildlife
We will secure Climate Change Act,
Act for Wales. We will
compensation for adopting ambitious but
continue to call for the
those who have achievable greenhouse
creation of an Animal
suffered from badly gas and pollution
Abuse Register for
installed, government- reduction targets for
Wales. 2030 and 2050. We will
backed cavity wall
insulation. ensure that we build
upon the standards
Where we can be: set by the EU which
Wales can lead the way in have protected our
Where we can be:
the protection of wildlife environment. We will
Energy efficient homes and biodiversity levels reduce plastic waste
that are cheaper to heat, as key elements of our with a deposit return
and a cleaner, greener environment. scheme.
environment.
44
Defending
Wales
Championing
rural life
Rural Wales is under serious threat from
the reckless Tories who are determined
to strike irresponsible trade deals with the
United States and New Zealand, hindering
our competitivity. With rural communities
cut off due to poor digital connectivity and
rocketing fuel prices, Wales needs Plaid to
make rural Wales matter.
46
Where we are: Where we are: Where we are:
Funding for meat The blighting of our Fluctuating fuel prices are
marketing in Wales is natural landscape hitting peoples pockets,
being diverted across the with unnecessary and with rural areas suffering
border, harming Welsh unwanted pylons. most.
producers.
48
Defending
Wales
On the
global stage
Wales was once a global trading
superpower. We now face a situation
where we are forced to go cap in hand to
a Westminster Government that cosies up
to dictators and attacks our closest allies.
Plaid Cymru wants an outward-looking,
ambitious Wales. By electing Plaid Cymru
MPs, you can make sure Wales's voice is
heard on the global stage.
Plaid Cymru's
Plaid Cymru's answer:
answer: We are determined
We will oppose military to scrap Trident,
action without UN resisting any attempts
and Parliamentary to relocate it to Wales.
authority. We will instead invest
in home-based troops
and strengthen our
Where we can be: conventional forces.
Wales as part of a global
community where we work
Where we can be:
together to keep each
Basing our regiments
other safe and secure.
at home in Wales with
a properly funded and
looked-after defence force.
50
Where we are: Where we are: Where we are:
The Tories are not doing This government is The for Wales see
enough to help those in proposing unworkable England mentality is all
need. The UK Government and illogical immigration too familiar on the global
is more interested in selling policies which will hurt stage. Welsh sporting
arms to Saudi Arabia than jobs and wages in Wales. superstars are beginning
taking our fair share of to change this, but more
refugees. needs to be done to put
Plaid Cymru's Wales on the map.
answer:
Plaid Cymru's
answer: We will create a Welsh
Migration Advisory
Plaid Cymru's
We will maintain
Service so that we
answer:
the 0.7% of GDP
can have a system Plaid Cymru will
commitment on
that suits Wales's demand UK and Welsh
international aid and
needs. Welsh-specific Government support
fight for the Dubs
visas are necessary for Wales hosting
amendment, allowing
to plug skills gaps major events including
vulnerable refugee
and to protect our the Commonwealth
children into the UK,
health service from Games and World
to be upheld.
staff shortages. Expo.
International students
must be taken out of
Where we can be: Where we can be:
net migration targets.
A fairer Wales within a
Making sure that Brand
fairer world where we dont
Wales is recognised on the
turn our back on children Where we can be: global stage with Welsh
in need of our help. A logical immigration policy talent showcased all over
that works for Wales, where the world.
students and job creators
can come, but wages arent
undercut and communities
are protected.