Plaid leadership candidate flags up independence
ADAM Price has officially launched his campaign to become the leader of Plaid Cymru and outlined his vision for the party and Wales.
The Assembly Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr has challenged the party’s current leader Leanne Wood, who is seeking a further two-year term.
He made the decision after Ms Wood failed to support his proposal for Plaid Cymru to have two joint leaders.
He will also be facing Ynys Mon Assembly Member Rhun ap Iorwerth in a three-way contest.
Yesterday, Mr Price set out his “seven steps” for Welsh independence at his official launch in Carmarthen, describing it as a “clear and credible” path to an independent Wales.
He told party members that the time to “talk in vague terms about independence as a long-term goal” is over.
“The process of nation-building that will lead to independence has to start now without delay. Semipolicies and soundbites will not get us there”, Mr Price said.
“Welsh politics writ large can be seen as a battlefield between those with old ideas, new ideas and no ideas.
“Welsh independence is the biggest most transformational, most radical idea of them all. Anyone who seeks to lead our party needs to set out a credible plan as to how we achieve it.”
As part of the “Seven Steps to Independence” plan, Mr Price outlined his vision for the election of a pro-indepedence government, the passing of a Wales 2030 Referendum Act, reducing Wales’ fiscal gap to 6% and increasing the Welsh economic growth rate by 1% to 1.5%.
He added that the necessary legislation for an independence referendum would provide the Welsh Government with the option of holding a referendum earlier than 2030 if it so chooses.
Other proposed policies put forward by Mr Price include changing the party’s name to New Wales to broaden its appeal and a 1p increase in income tax to boost education.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Mr Price said: “There is a growing number of people that are coming to the view that the only way in which we can face the challenges and grasp the opportunities of a changing world is to change Wales.
“An that change can only come through the most fundamental change of all, to own our futures as a people and a nation.
“Independence is the reason I joined Plaid Cymru and the reason I have remained a member for 36 years. I have always been consistent that we should make it our express purpose to achieve an independent Wales, and sooner not later.
“Independence can never be the safe or ‘middle of the road’ option. When we have tried to avoid saying anything that might frighten voters, we ended saying nothing at all.
“Over the coming weeks I hope to be able to convince party members that in electing me as the new leader of Plaid Cymru we will have a clear and credible path to an independent Wales.”
It is expected the result of the Plaid Cymru leadership contest will be announced on September 28, a week before the party hold its annual conference.