AM Jewell is appointed Shadow ‘Minister for the Future’

PLAID Cymru has appointed its most recently elected AM as a Shadow “Minister for the Future”, it has been revealed.

Delyth Jewell, pictured, became a regional AM for South Wales East following the death of Steffan Lewis in January.

In what is understood to have been a personal initiative by party leader Adam Price, the new AM will take responsibility for looking at the long-term implications of policy change.

Ms Jewell’s new enhanced portfolio also includes International Relations, Culture and Tourism.

In her first conference speech as an AM today, she will say that Plaid Cymru is the party of the future.

An extract from her speech released by the party states: “It is up to us to determine what kind of Wales we want to be. Plaid Cymru is the party of the future. Which is why I’m delighted to be appointed by our leader Adam Price as our party’s Shadow Minister for the Future.

“This will mean that [an] incoming Plaid Cymru government in 2021 will have a minister at the heart of government tasked with taking the long view, so that our children and grandchildren’s welfare is considered when decisions are being taken. I will make sure that their inheritance – the Welsh nation – is nurtured and protected.”

Ms Jewell is also expected to criticise the Conservatives and Labour for their Brexit “betrayal”, stating: “It is a bitter irony that at this time when we have the cruellest, most self-serving Tory government in Westminster, we are also faced with the most haphazard, weak Labour party in any of our memories.

“Tory prevarication has come up against Labour deception – a fateful inability to live up to the moment – and between them, what’s best for our nation gets squeezed out of any debate. Whether it be by legislative tricks in Westminster or a dearth of ambition in Cardiff Bay, our voice is being choked out.”

She is expected to add: “The British state is humiliated. Its emperor has no clothes, but stands starkly, utterly naked, rambling in a soggy field, with only a tattered union flag for its modesty.”

She will reiterate that Plaid Cymru supports a People’s Vote as the best way to break the Brexit deadlock and that the party would campaign to remain if such a referendum is held.