Party of Wales welcomes cross-party motion on Wales' future

Leanne Wood says that motion is a roadmap for the way forward for Wales.

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood has welcomed today’s cross-party motion on the Future of Devolution for Wales, and said that the current UK Government must act on the timetable set out in the motion.

The motion was agreed by the four party leaders in the National Assembly and will be debated later today.

It calls for talks on a so-called “Barnett Floor” and funding based on need, to be concluded by January 2015. The motion also calls for the UK Government to act on a range of other financial issues including Air Passenger Duty, Welsh borrowing limits, the ability of Welsh Governments to issue bonds, and the devolution of corporation tax if it is offered to Scotland. The motion also calls for the UK Government to publish legislative proposals on further devolution before the 2015 UK General Election.

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood AM said:

“With Scotland and England discussing how they will strengthen their governance, it is essential that Wales is not left with third-grade devolution. For far too long, we have not received the going rate for funding, powers and responsibilities. Today’s motion is positive in that all four of the parties in the Assembly have agreed that there should be the next step forward for Wales as a minimum and that there should be a timetable.

“With all four party leaders in agreement, we would expect Westminster to act on the motion and come forward with much stronger proposals than have been on the table to date, proposals which reflect the new changed context post Scotland’s referendum. Plaid Cymru will continue working constructively to get the best deal possible for Wales, so that more decisions that affect us can be taken here, and not at Westminster.”