Response to the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales final report
2024-01-18
The cross-party Independent Commission, co-chaired by Professor Laura McAllister and Dr Rowan Williams, published its final report after two years of evidence gathering. It concluded that independence was a viable option for Wales and made ten recommendations for strengthening devolution.
Welcomed the report as a turning point and called the recommendations the minimum needed to protect Welsh democracy, using it to shift the constitutional debate.
Direct quotes
- "This is the first time that an official report of this nature has confirmed what I have always believed: that Welsh independence is something entirely within our grasp, should we choose to reach for it."
- "The Commission concluded unanimously that constitutional change is not only necessary, but likely inevitable, as the current devolution settlement becomes ever more unsustainable."
Withdrawal from Labour-Plaid Co-operation Agreement
2024-03-17
Vaughan Gething had just won the Welsh Labour leadership contest amid controversy over a 200,000 pound donation from a company convicted of environmental offences. The co-operation agreement between Labour and Plaid had delivered policies including free school meals and Senedd reform.
Ended the agreement over the donation controversy, positioning Plaid as an independent force ahead of 2026 and signaling readiness to campaign as a party of government.
Direct quotes
- "I remain deeply concerned that the First Minister has failed to pay back the 200,000 pound donation to his leadership campaign from a company convicted of environmental offences."
Institute of Welsh Affairs article: Constitutional change is a case of when, not if
2024-03-27
Published on the IWA Welsh Agenda platform two months after the Commission report. Ap Iorwerth used it to set out his long-term constitutional vision.
Argued the settlement is unsustainable and independence is the logical endpoint, criticizing lack of a plan for further powers and setting out a manifesto-style vision.
Direct quotes
- "In the long run, independence is the only viable and most sustainable option for Wales. It is the best way of delivering real ambition and fairness for our people and communities."
- "For so long as our democratic institutions are subject to the whims of the Westminster Parliament, too much risk remains."
Wales Governance Centre speech on the Welsh economy, Cardiff University
2025-01-01
Keynote economic speech hosted by the Wales Governance Centre at the start of 2025.
Acknowledged devolution's economic shortcomings while blaming Westminster and criticizing Welsh Labour for not fully using existing powers.
Direct quotes
- "I can't with real sincerity say that I feel that the potential of that devolution dividend has been realised in full."
- "No party makes the case more vociferously than mine that the Welsh economy is hamstrung by Westminster's grip on the most significant fiscal levers, but I am far from persuaded that a Labour Welsh Government with twenty-five years in power under their belt has maximised the potential of the power it does have at its disposal."
Plaid Cymru Annual Conference / GB News interview
2025-10-10
With the 2026 Senedd election less than a year away, ap Iorwerth balanced energising his base with reassuring moderate voters.
Ruled out an independence referendum in the next five years, emphasizing preparation and public engagement while broadening Plaid's appeal.
Direct quotes
- "This isn't an independence election coming up in May next year. There won't be a referendum now, not in the next five years at all."
- "I'm not going to pretend that if we have a majority that somehow means that we now have a majority of the Welsh public. We have to take people on that journey."
- "Finally, Wales is becoming a normal democracy, it seems, where the ebb and flow of political parties is just how it is."
Plaid Cymru Spring Conference, Newport
2026-03-01
Speech delivered two months before the May 2026 Senedd election with Plaid and Reform UK leading polls.
Framed the election as a choice between Plaid and Reform, attacked Reform's loyalty to Wales, and pledged to reset relations with the UK Government.
Direct quotes
- "For Labour, the party is over and so the election in May will be a choice between two contrasting futures. Tolerance or division, progress or decay, defiance or deference, culture or ignorance, humanity or indifference, Plaid Cymru or Reform."
- "They say they accept devolution, for now. But they'd turn against it on a whim. We all know they have zero loyalty to Wales or to our nationhood."