Plaid Cymru dramatically pull plug on co-operation deal with Welsh Government

First Minister Vaughan Gething has been dealt a fresh blow after Plaid Cymru withdrew from its agreement to support the Welsh Government. The deal had made sure the Welsh Labour group, which with 30 has exactly half of the seats in the Senedd chamber, was able to pass legislation and survive no-confidence votes.

The agreement, which was due to come to an end in the winter, has been ended early by Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth. He cited concerns over the new First Minister Vaughan Gething, whose predecessor Mark Drakeford was at the heart of the agreement after the 2021 Senedd election.

Mr ap Iorweth said on Friday: "Plaid Cymru has ended its Co-operation agreement with the Welsh Government with immediate effect. I am proud of the way in which the agreement demonstrated a new way of doing politics which focused on areas of policy which impact people’s everyday lives.

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"These include rolling out free school meals for all primary school pupils, expanding the free childcare offer for thousands more families, taking radical action to address the housing crisis, steps to safeguard the Welsh language, the creation of a national energy company Ynni Cymru, and more. Working collaboratively was a constructive response to the chaos and uncertainty of Brexit and the Covid pandemic and the harm caused by the UK Conservative Government. We will continue to try to secure the delivery of policies agreed as part of the co-operation agreement.

"At the same time, since becoming leader, I've been determined to hold the Labour Welsh Government firmly to account. I remain deeply concerned that the First Minister has failed to pay back the £200,000 donation to his leadership campaign from a company convicted of environmental offences and believe it demonstrates a significant lack of judgement. Money left over has now been passed on to Keir Starmer's Labour Party. I am worried by the circumstances around the decision to sack a member of the government this week relating to matters that should be in the public domain already.

"I am also concerned by the emerging approach of the government in relation to some elements of the co-operation agreement including the decision to delay action in supporting the poorest families in our communities as evidenced most recently by the decision to delay council tax reform. Plaid Cymru will move onwards with a clear and continued commitment to scrutinising Labour’s record and with a renewed determination to put forward bold ideas which match the people of Wales's ambitions for our country.”

In a statement responding to the decision the First Minister said: "The co-operation agreement was about mature politics, working together on areas where we agree. While it was always a time limited agreement we are disappointed Plaid Cymru has decided to walk away from their opportunity to deliver for the people of Wales.

"I would like to thank Sian Gwenllian and Cefin Campbell for their work through the agreement. By working together we have achieved a great deal including free school meals for all pupils in primary schools, providing more free childcare, introducing a radical package of measures to create thriving local communities, helping people to live locally, and addressing high numbers of second homes in many areas of Wales. We will now look closely at how we can progress the outstanding co-operation agreement commitments including the Welsh Language Education Bill and the white paper on right to adequate housing and fair rents."

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