Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood AM and SNP Deputy Leader Nicola Sturgeon MSP today hailed Scottish independence as the greatest opportunity to rebalance Britain, and renew relations between the nations of the UK, since devolution was introduced in 1999.
The Party of Wales Leader and Scottish Deputy First Minister today met in Cardiff to discuss renewed relations between the two countries, and the economic benefits to Wales and Scotland following a ‘Yes’ vote this September.
Speaking from the National Assembly for Wales today Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood AM said:
“For too long Wales has been marginalised in the context of the UK debate on political power and economic prosperity. The exciting debate on Scotland’s future gives Wales an opportunity to set out its own ambitions for the powers we need, particularly job-creation powers.
“A Scottish Yes in September will give the biggest possible boost to this process – the tectonic plates of the UK constitution are shifting, and we must seize the moment to realise our economic hopes too. For a more equal society where opportunities are spread, and for an economic rebalancing of Britain where an end is put to the decades-old trend of the London region hoovering the wealth and talent of the entire state – which is to the detriment of other regions of England as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“And looking forward to the emergence of a new state in these islands would inject a new impetus for renewed economic and political relations. Businesses from Wales, England and Northern Ireland export around £60 billion worth of goods to Scotland every year. An independent Scotland would have the tools to further strengthen the Scottish economy – and this would be a golden opportunity for Welsh businesses to increase exports to a thriving market and secure more job opportunities in Wales.”
SNP Deputy Leader Nicola Sturgeon MSP said:
“I’m delighted to have met Leanne Wood, and hear the exciting plans Plaid Cymru has for transforming the Welsh economy.
“With a Yes vote, Scotland will become an independent member of the British-Irish Council – which is of course headquartered in Edinburgh – and I look forward very much to co-operating with Wales on that basis.
“With the tools of independence, Scotland’s economic and social prospects would be greatly enhanced – building on our strengths, and achieving a prosperous and fair Scotland.
“Scotland and Wales have an important contribution to make in creating a new partnership between all the nations of these islands – one that is built on co-operation and respect – and a Yes vote is an essential step in that process.”
