Former Plaid Cymru president, Dafydd Wigley, has issued a warning that the threat of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU seriously endangers the Welsh economic recovery. In a speech in Merthyr Tydfil, Mr Wigley said that it was vital that Wales re-elects Plaid Cymru MEP if the nation is to have a strong voice in Europe.
Plaid Cymru’s Dafydd Wigley said:
“The most important thing for business and industry is its market: without a market for its produce, everything will fail. And one of the most important characteristics of a market is its stability.
“We are told that the Welsh economy has started recovering from catastrophic banker-led depression during the last Labour government’s term of office. But the recovery is very fragile. And one of the biggest threats to this, is the threat of withdrawal from the European market.
“It would be extremely foolish to put this at risk. Businesses will think twice about locating in Wales – and indeed in the UK – if there is a possibility that in a few years time, their access to the European market could be removed. They are looking to invest in a country where there is stability, where they can plan for the long term, and where they can have confidence that their investment will have guaranteed access as an integral part of the European market.”
Speaking after the speech he said:
“We in Wales need representatives in Brussels who will fight Wales’ corner in terms of the structural funds to rebalance our economy; argue the case for for public contracts for our local companies; be a strong voice for our farmers reflecting the particular needs of Welsh agriculture; and battle to maintain the strong trade links that create so many jobs in our communities.
“For the past fifteen years, in Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans, Wales has had that strong voice in Europe, fighting our nation’s corner. We cannot afford to let Wales be swept away to the sidelines now. Only a Plaid Cymru MEP can be trusted to put Wales first every time.”
