TCE Weekly Devolution Monitoring Dashboard

Why Included?

Strategic framing of devolution in economic and constitutional terms

Statements

Plaid Cymru leadership speech - independence referendum pledge

2020-12-01

Following the Internal Market Act 2020 and a surge in independence polling during the pandemic, Price pushed for a concrete independence timetable.

He pledged that a Plaid government would offer a referendum in its first term, arguing devolution is not sustainable and Westminster is hostile to Welsh democracy.

Direct quotes

"Devolution is not a sustainable end-state and never can be in a country where Westminster will always reign supreme."
"I pledge that, subject to party approval, a Plaid Cymru Government, able to command a majority in the Senedd, will offer a referendum on independence for Wales in its first term."
"Westminster has never seen itself as Wales' partner in constitutional terms, but now it is devolution's enemy openly seeking every opportunity to subvert and reverse our hard-won democracy."

General election campaign - independence leverage argument

2021-04-01

Campaigning for the 2021 Senedd election amid record independence polling and disputes like HS2 funding.

He argued that only a credible threat of independence gives Wales leverage with Westminster and positioned Wales' pandemic response as evidence of capability.

Direct quotes

"Only a credible threat of independence gives Wales greater leverage in London."
"Success where Wales has charted its own course during the pandemic is a good argument for devolution but an even better argument for independence."

Plaid Cymru Spring Conference speech

2023-03-01

A late-leadership speech focused on the long-term constitutional pathway for Wales.

He argued that devolution must lead to a clearer constitutional settlement, positioning independence as the logical end-point of reform.

Back