Plaid criticises Corbyn over Tidal Lagoon comments!

Plaid criticises Corbyn over Tidal Lagoon comments

Plaid’s Swansea-based AM Dr Dai Lloyd has criticised comments made by UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn today that a Labour government in Westminster could resurrect the Swansea bay tidal lagoon project by saying that the Labour run Welsh government could already deliver the project if it wanted to.

Plaid AM Dr Dai Lloyd said that the Tidal Lagoon project in Swansea Bay could still go ahead but the Labour run Welsh Government needs to show its firm leadership.

The Welsh Government had previously stated it would be prepared to invest £200m earlier this year.

Responding to Dr Dai Lloyd AM in the Senedd chamber yesterday, leader of the House Julie James AM confirmed that the “£200m was still on the table and that the Welsh Government was working alongside the taskforce” however refused to bring a statement on the development before the house.

Plaid Cymru’s Dr Dai Lloyd AM said:

“Jeremy Corbyn may not realise it but Labour run the Welsh Government and could directly invest in the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project now by providing a guarantee on it’s investment.

 “We heard last week that the Welsh Government haven’t even met with Tidal Lagoon Power since the UK Government’s decision to reject the project back in June to discuss the £200m for investment.

 “Hopes are still alive in Swansea that this project can get off the ground. In an event in the city last week, Tidal Lagoon Power’s Mark Shorrock stated that he wanted to supply electricity directly to organisations and homes in Swansea via private cables, something which he hopes will make the project commercially viable, without any support from the UK Government.

“We also know that the Swansea Bay City Region has established a Taskforce into the Lagoon, and that discussions have taken place with Welsh public sector pension funds with regards to possible investment.

“Therefore if this is the right thing for Labour to do, as Mr Corbyn says, then perhaps he should tell his Labour run Welsh Government to step up to the mark, invest the money they promised and get on with it.”