Plaid calls for Welsh sponsorship scheme for Ukrainian refugees

“It’s time to show the sense of urgency and the moral responsibility that a situation of this gravity commands” – Adam Price MS

Adam Price MS, Leader of Plaid Cymru has today called for Wales to create a “nationally co-ordinated Welsh sponsorship scheme” to form a humanitarian pathway for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Mr Price slated the Westminster proposal for a humanitarian pathway involving sponsorship by local authorities or private individuals or companies as a “wholly unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle” but that Wales could help minimise it by the creation of its own scheme.

Speaking in First Ministers Questions, Mr Price gave the example from history in May 1937 when hundreds of Basque children fleeing fascism were welcomed in Wales as part of a “concerted effort organised again in the teeth of inaction from the British Government.”

Mr Price also asked for an update on discussions on the use of Wales’ national airport as a receiving entry point for Ukrainian refugees, to which the First Minister confirmed that further discussions were being held with Westminster this week on the flexibility Wales would need to be able to make quick use of the offer which the First Minister confirmed had come from Wizz Air.

Leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price MS said,

“On this International Women’s Day it’s impossible not to think about the many vulnerable Ukrainian women, many with children, tired, traumatised, desperate, having travelled out a war zone and across the European continent to be turned away at Calais by UK Government officials. 

“The talk from Westminster of a humanitarian pathway involving sponsorship by local authorities or private individuals or companies is a wholly unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle. But given they have placed that obstacle there, we could help minimise it by creating a nationally coordinated Welsh sponsorship scheme.

“Just as Wales welcomed hundreds of Basque children fleeing fascism in 1937, this is something Wales could emulate now – not just in the hundreds, but in the thousands.

“It’s time to show the sense of urgency and the moral responsibility that a situation of this gravity – the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the WWII – commands. If this cold-hearted Westminster is not able show humanity, then Wales must lead the way.”