Solidarity with Catalonia urged

Plaid Cymru Assembly Members have tabled a statement in the National Assembly sending solidarity with people of Catalonia as they prepare to vote in an independence referendum.

The statement of opinion by Adam Price and Simon Thomas calls on the Welsh Government to send a message of solidarity to the Catalan Government.

The call comes following Welsh Cabinet Secretary Mark Drakeford refusal to back the work of his Governmental counterparts in Catalonia during questions in the Senedd chamber (21 September).

This is in contrast to the Scottish Government that has condemned the actions of the Spanish state that is trying to thwart the independence referendum.

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM Adam Price: “Catalunya and Wales have a long history of solidarity dating back to the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. The decision of the Labour Government here not to extend a message of support to the Government is ridiculous. Surely they should have the guts to include Wales’s voice in the international condemnation of the action of the Spanish Government.

“The raiding of Catalan government buildings by police and the detention of officials, which is an unacceptable violation of the autonomous institutions of Catalunya.”

Mid and West AM Simon Thomas, who organised a letter on the issue signed by Independent, Labour, UKIP and Plaid Cymru Assembly Members last week added:

“We extend our solidarity with elected representatives of Catalunya, and support the right to self-determination by the people of Catalunya through referendum.

“The Spanish government has to play a constructive role and encourage a solution through political dialogue rather than judicial or forceful means.”