Labour-Plaid deal ‘huge step forward’
THE Welsh Government has confirmed a new co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru across a number of policy areas to help it deliver on its election promises, calling it a “huge step forward” for the country.
The three-year pact will be a joint policy programme covering 46 areas, from the delivery of free school meals for all primary schools to the establishment of a national care service, action on the second homes crisis and reforming the Senedd.
The Labour government secured the deal to “secure a better future” for the country post-pandemic and after the UK left the European Union, First Minister Mark Drakeford said yesterday.
Labour in Wales holds 30 seats in the Senedd – one seat short of an overall majority – while the Conservatives hold 16.
Plaid Cymru is the third-largest party with 13. Both parties have said their agreement is not a formal coalition.
Mr Drakeford said: “The Welsh Government has an ambitious programme for government, which it will deliver over this Senedd term.
“But we do not have a monopoly on good ideas and we will work with progressive parties where we have shared and common interests to benefit people in Wales.”
He continued: “We can achieve more for people in Wales by working together and the co-operation agreement is both a response to the external challenges we face and a chance to build on the opportunities in our future.”
Adam Price, leader of Plaid Cymru, said the party will “remain an opposition party” and said the deal was a “huge step forward” for Welsh politics.
He said: “We’re setting out a new way of doing politics.”
THE Welsh Government has confirmed it has made a threeyear deal with Plaid Cymru to work together in the Senedd.
It will cover 46 areas including free school meals for all primary school pupils, “immediate and radical” action to address the second homes crisis, and reform of the Senedd, increasing the number of members from 60 to between 80 and 100.
Plans to extend free childcare to cover all two-year-olds and changing school term dates and school hours are also in the agreement.
There is also hope that a publicly owned energy company for Wales could be created, as well as investment in flood defences, new measures to strengthen the Welsh language and support for young people’s mental health.
On second homes, the agreement says there will be a cap on the number of second and holiday homes.
Plaid Cymru members will vote on the deal on Saturday. If passed, it will start on December 1.
Labour won 30 seats in the Senedd elections in May, meaning it has required the vote of at least one other MS from the Conservatives, Plaid Cymru or the Liberal Democrats to pass legislation.
The danger of that for the Welsh Government was shown in a vote on Covid passes in October, when the controversial measure only passed because a Conservative MS failed to vote. He blamed technological problems, something disputed by the Senedd.
The agreement will last three years but is not a coalition. No Plaid Cymru members will join the Welsh Government as ministers or deputy ministers.
Plaid Cymru will instead appoint a designated lead member for the agreement and committees made up of Welsh ministers and Plaid Cymru designated members will be set up. Only specific areas are subject to the agreement.
Mr Drakeford said: “The Welsh Government has an ambitious programme for government, which it will deliver over this Senedd term.
“But we do not have a monopoly on good ideas and we will work with progressive parties where we have shared and common interests to benefit people in Wales.”
He continued: “We can achieve more for people in Wales by working together and the co-operation agreement is both a response to the external challenges we face and a chance to build on the opportunities in our future.”
Mr Drakeford added: “These commitments build on our shared values of social solidarity, a sustainable planet and a vibrant democracy.”
A spokesman for the Welsh Government said issues falling outside of the agreement “will be handled in the normal course of political engagement”.
Speaking outside the Senedd, Mr Drakeford said: “What you see today is a part of a 20-year history of working across political divides here in the Senedd.
“It is a sign of the maturity of Welsh politics, also a sign of our ability to innovate and create solutions that work for us here in Wales.”
Adam Price, leader of Plaid Cymru, said the party will “remain
an opposition party” and said the deal was a “huge step forward” for Welsh politics.
He said: “We’re setting out a new way of doing politics. When I look at Westminster, it’s stuck in a 19th-century time-warp, a winner-takes-all type of politics.
“Policy is more important to us than position. We believe the purpose of politics is to make a big difference.
“We don’t believe one party has the monopoly on truth, virtue or good ideas.
“In terms of voters, I think the average Welsh citizen will say ‘yes, this is what I want to see’, politicians from different parties working together for the purpose of getting things done to improve things for the people of Wales.”
Welsh Conservative shadow minister for the constitution, Darren Millar MS, called the deal “appalling”, claiming it “fails to deliver on the priorities of the people of Wales”.
“It does nothing to address the crisis in our NHS; nothing to improve our ailing Welsh infrastructure; and nothing to fire up our sluggish economy,” he said.
“Yet again, Plaid has betrayed its voters with another deal that cements a failing Labour administration into power for years to come.”
He added: “The message to voters is clear – vote Plaid, get Labour, and vote Labour, get Plaid.
“Only the Welsh Conservatives can deliver the real change that Wales needs.”
Labour and Plaid Cymru have previously worked together.
After the 2007 election, Labour leader Rhodri Morgan entered into a deal with then Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones which saw Plaid members join the cabinet.
In 2016, then First Minister Carwyn Jones and Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood entered a “compact”. That deal was ended the following year.
Lib Dem Kirsty Williams and former Plaid-turned-Independent AM Dafydd Elis Thomas joined the Welsh Government in the last Senedd term.
Meanwhile, Mr Drakeford refused to be drawn on when he will stand down as First Minister.
During yesterday’s press conference he was asked if the three-year time-scale of the deal with Plaid was an indication of when he plans to stand down.
Since being elected as Welsh Labour leader, he has said he will not remain as leader into the next election, scheduled for 2026.
His predecessor, Carwyn Jones, stood down partway through the term, something Mr Drakeford has always said he would do.
But yesterday he said the threeyear timeline was a “decent horizon” to aim for.
“It’s a decent horizon for us to tackle together the very ambitious policy areas,” he said.
“There will be a natural break point at which point we can see the progress we have made.”
Mr Drakeford refused to be drawn as to whether he would leave at the end of that time.