Plaid Cymru separatist politician Mabon Ap Gwynfor appeared on BBC Politics Wales this morning. He took the opportunity to criticise investment in infrastructure linking North Wales with Liverpool and Manchester. Why? Because it doesn’t fit Plaid’s separatist agenda.
People across North East Wales work in the North West of England. Strong links are crucial to the local economy. They provide jobs and services. Improving connections will drive living standards up and get people out of poverty.
But Plaid don’t care about this. And why would they?
To separatists, making people’s lives better plays second fiddle. Their goal is to cut Wales off from the rest of Britain, regardless of the price.
Plaid’s leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, realises how politically toxic this is. It’s why he’s tried to downplay independence. But he’s hiding his true colours. In the past few days, Plaid Senedd members stood proudly alongside Nicola Sturgeon, demanding independence. That’s who Plaid really are.
In my own community of the Vale of Glamorgan, we’ve paid the price of separatism too. We desperately need an M4 Relief Road, to improve transport infrastructure and attract investment into South Wales. Businesses basing themselves here instead of in Bristol will make local people better off.
But Plaid don’t want that. The fact people in South Wales naturally look East, not North, upsets them. People in the Vale are far more likely to go to Bristol or London than they are to North Wales. Likewise, people in the North look to Liverpool and Manchester rather than looking South. It’s geographic reality.
This shouldn’t matter. We are one nation. It makes us better off economically. And it enriches us culturally too.
Most people in Wales can see that. But Plaid Cymru separatists can’t.
Their goal is separation, regardless of the costs. They will happily see the poorest in our society suffer to achieve their aims.