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Flynn: SNP and Plaid Cymru offer alternative to ‘cosy Westminster consensus’

The SNP Westminster leader addressed Plaid’s spring conference in Caernarfon on Friday.

Neil Pooran
Friday 22 March 2024 10:29 EDT
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn addressed Plaid Cymru members (PA)
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn addressed Plaid Cymru members (PA)

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has said his party and others must “break up the cosy Westminster consensus”, as he addressed Plaid Cymru members.

Mr Flynn gave a fraternal speech to Plaid Cymru’s spring conference in Galeri, Caernarfon, on Friday.

The two parties share similar political outlooks in several areas and are seeking independence referendums for Scotland and Wales.

Mr Flynn expressed his appreciation to former Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford, saying he “will be a very difficult act to follow”.

He added: “The day is coming ever closer when Wales will elect a Plaid Cymru first minister.”

The SNP MP took aim at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer during his speech.

He said: “It is becoming ever clearer that the ambitions of Sir Keir Starmer are not just the return of new Labour, he is now an active fanboy for new Thatcherism.

“Not for the first time, Labour’s leadership has abandoned progressive politics in the pursuit of power.

“It is therefore up to us – the SNP, Plaid Cymru and others – to offer an alternative.

“An alternative that will break up the cosy Westminster consensus.

“An alternative that demands real investment in the NHS and public services, a closer relationship with the EU, help with the cost of living, action to tackle poverty, and an ethical foreign policy for Gaza and the Middle East.”

Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: “Stephen Flynn cannot pretend to be any kind of alternative as long as he is cosying up to the oil and gas giants making eye-watering profits from the cost-of-living crisis.

“It is rank hypocrisy for Stephen Flynn to talk about protecting the NHS while his party has decimated services in Scotland.

“Change is on the ballot at the next election, but only Labour will deliver it, with our plans to make work pay, cut energy bills and renew public services.”

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