PLAID CYMRU CALLS FOR LEADERS DEBATE

“Sharing and challenging ideas is an integral part of our democracy”

Leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price MS has today written to the First Minister Mark Drakeford calling for a public debate between the leaders of the major parties in Wales.

Since the start of the pandemic, Mr Price notes the times have been “politically unprecedented” and decisions have understandably been made at short notice.

Ahead of what is widely predicted to be a second wave, Mr Price has said that now is the time to bring back the level of scrutiny that is essential to ensure Wales is in a “more resilient position than at the start of the pandemic.”

Mr Price is eager for this to take place now, “away from the heat” that the 2021 Senedd election will bring, and says that the people of Wales would benefit from a “mature and measured debate.”   

Plaid Cymru Leader, Adam Price MS, said:

“As the pandemic demanded decisions be made at short notice, there has been less time for the checks and challenges that form an integral part of our democracy.

“Crucially, we should give ourselves the time to understand what lessons can be learnt from the past few months before facing what experts are predicting will be a second wave before the year is out.

“Sharing ideas – challenging and embracing them – is such an important part of ensuring that the people of Wales are best represented by those they have elected. In that spirit, I believe that now is the time for a public debate between the leaders of the major parties in Wales.

“The people of Wales would benefit from a mature and measured debate, away from the heat of the 2021 election campaign.”

Letter to First Minister, from Adam Price MS, Leader of Plaid Cymru, in full

The past few months have been politically unprecedented and a time of great distress for many as they lose loved ones or suffer job insecurity.

Naturally, decisions had to be made at short notice, but it is regrettable that there has been less scope for scrutiny as our parliamentary processes adjusted to the new normal.

With experts predicting a second wave of the virus, this is the opportunity for us to be learning lessons to ensure we are in a more resilient position than the one we were in at the start of the pandemic.

Sharing ideas – challenging and embracing them – is an integral part of our democracy as we strive to ensure that the people of Wales are best represented.

In that spirit, I believe that now is the time for a public debate between the leaders of the major parties in Wales. The people of Wales would benefit from a mature and measured debate, away from the heat of the 2021 election campaign.

I trust that you will agree that holding such a debate before the autumn is a constructive offer and I look forward to your response.

Yn gywir,

Adam Price AS/MS
Arweinydd/Leader, Plaid Cymru