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Caerphilly Town Council passes Welsh Independence motion

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 21:59, Tuesday July 16th, 2019.
Last updated: 22:00, Tuesday July 16th, 2019

Caerphilly Town Council have passed a motion on Welsh independence

Caerphilly Town Council has backed a motion declaring its support for Welsh Independence.

In doing so, the Plaid Cymru-run town council has become the first in south Wales to officially back Wales leaving the UK.

The motion was passed at a town council meeting on Monday, July 15.

The move comes after thousands marched for Welsh Independence in Cardiff in May.

Plaid councillor Jeff Grenfell, who introduced the motion, said: “I welcome tonight’s unanimous vote supporting the Independence for Wales motion. This symbolic gesture shows that our local Plaid Cymru councillors, whilst working hard in the community, can also look at the bigger picture of the challenges that face all of us.

“It is obvious to me that as a local councillor, working to improve the town of Caerphilly, that independence would improve our capabilities to achieve that.”

Cllr Grenfell added: “This gesture, whilst significant, has not and will not cost the town council any money, contrary to what some have put to the media.

“I assure the people of Caerphilly that the town council’s money is being spent on providing services for the benefit of the people of Caerphilly – for example, those services cut by Caerphilly County Borough Council, such as the re-opening of the public toilets and the children’s Christmas lantern parade.

“Plaid Cymru councillors in Caerphilly will continue to try and provide the best they can for Caerphilly and Wales.”

Cllr Huw Jackson, who is deputy mayor of Caerphilly town, supported Cllr Grenfell’s motion.

Speaking before the motion was passed, Cllr Jackson said: “I believe that there is an appetite to discuss Independence and explore the opportunities as well as the challenges that Independence would bring.

“In Caerphilly as a whole, more people voted Plaid Cymru in the local elections in 2017 than any other party.

“People know we stand for Independence and trust us to deliver at a local level.

“We believe the commitment we show to our communities can be replicated at a national level.

Cllr Jackson added: “By declaring our support for Independence, I hope it will help get people talking.”

On Monday, July 8, First Minister Mark Drakeford admitted that if Scotland were to leave the UK, Wales might have to assess the idea of following suit.

When pressed by South Wales East AM Delyth Jewell in an External Affairs Committee meeting at the National Assembly, Mr Drakeford said that “any sensible political party or government would have to reassess Wales’ place” if Scotland were to become an independent nation.

However, Mr Drakeford did reiterate his belief that it would be in Wales’ best interests to remain a part of the UK.

Andrew Hazard

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