Plaid Cymru says 'no more' ignoring Wales in Westminster at campaign launch
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth launched the pro-Welsh independence party's campaign in Bangor, Gwynedd.
Thursday 30 May 2024 16:00, UK
Plaid Cymru has said "no more to ignoring Wales at Westminster" as the party launched its general election campaign.
The pro-Welsh independence party's leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said it was "time to kick the Conservatives out of power".
But he also said Labour - who are in government in Wales - had taken the country "for granted".
"For too long, Wales has been overlooked at Westminster," he told supporters at the launch in Bangor, Gwynedd.
"Plaid Cymru says no more to austerity. Plaid Cymru says no more to empty promises. Plaid Cymru says no more to narrow-minded nostalgia and we say no more to ignoring Wales at Westminster," he said.
The leader was joined by Liz Saville Roberts, the Dwyfor Meirionnydd candidate, and Llinos Medi who is standing for the party in Ynys Mon.
He said Plaid Cymru would "fight for Wales, day in, day out" and offer a "real Welsh alternative".
'Plaid Cymru's voice won't be silenced'
At the last general election in 2019, Labour won 22 seats in Wales, the Conservatives took 14 and Plaid Cymru claimed four.
Mr ap Iorwerth claimed Wales's voice at Westminster was being "diluted" after the number of Welsh constituencies was reduced from 40 to 32.
"We will not allow Plaid Cymru's voice to be silenced," he added.
"The message is clear, if you do want change, and goodness knows I do, think about how best to bring about that change."
Mr ap Iorwerth said the election was not "just about who holds the keys to 10 Downing Street".
"This is about asking the people of Wales to consider who will best represent their street, who will best represent the interests of their families," he said.
'No more conflict'
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer visited Abergavenny in Monmouthshire for the launch of Labour's election campaign in Wales.
He thanked Wales's first minister Vaughan Gething for his leadership after it was announced on Wednesday that he will face a vote of no confidence in the Senedd next week.
Labour have accused the Conservatives of "playing politics" with the motion.
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Sir Keir promised there would be "no more conflict between the first minister here and the prime minister in London" were Labour to win power at Westminster.
"Imagine what could be delivered for Wales with that combination of two governments," he said.
"This is a huge prize to elect a government that wants devolution to work - that doesn't want the conflict, will get around the table, will work together, and every day deliver for the people of Wales."
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