In his latest blog for Caerphilly Observer, Plaid Cymru South Wales East AM, Steffan Lewis, speaks about the party’s response to the Brexit fallout and holding the Welsh Assembly Government to account.
Programme for Opposition
Following the result of the EU Referendum, we are entering a period of uncertainty as the nitty-gritty detail of Brexit is worked out. No matter which side of the debate you were on before the referendum, I think now we need to come together and work to make sure that Wales gets the best possible deal.
Today Plaid Cymru launched our Programme for Opposition. It sets out our plan for the next five years as the second biggest party and official opposition in the Senedd. By challenging the Welsh Labour Government and being clear about the policies we want to see, we can use our position in the Assembly to achieve real progress for people in Wales.
Our focus will be on protecting the Welsh economy from Brexit fallout. This must start with looking at ways to soften the blow of losing EU funding in some of our most deprived communities. Areas of the Valleys have been neglected for many years by Governments in both Cardiff Bay and Westminster. We must not allow the EU referendum result to be used an excuse for their continuing economic struggle.
Plaid Cymru have suggested creating Regional Development Agencies, beginning with a Valleys Development Agency. This will be able to target measures and investment to boost the economies of these areas and protect and create jobs.
Protect what we have
I am determined to fight to protect the economy of the South East from any Brexit fallout. We have a strong manufacturing industry in the Caerphilly borough area and I want to see it grow and thrive. But with both the Conservative and Labour parties arguing against single market membership, there’s a danger that the introduction of trade tariffs could stop companies wanting to invest in the region.
To protect jobs and communities, we will need to both negotiate as strong a position as possible as the Brexit negotiations get under way and take action to ensure that we protect the jobs we have and continue to attract new investment.
Whats there to disagree with in this `blog`.?
The Welsh Nationalists have never been capable of doing much that they say they support, or want, so whats changed? They mean well I suppose, Bless.
They could of course support Carwyn Jones and his members and ministers in protecting the interests of Wales in respect to the possible `Brexit effect, so long as they keep thier particular hypcritical brand of Nationalist politics at the door.