Labour branded ‘separatist’ after review finds Welsh independence ‘viable’

The Independent Commission On The Constitutional Future Of Wales has published the findings of a two-year project.
Penny Mordaunt attacked the Labour Party over Welsh independence (PA)
PA Wire
Ben Hatton18 January 2024
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Labour were branded a “separatist party” by Penny Mordaunt after an independent report commissioned by the Welsh Government said independence is a viable option for Wales.

The Independent Commission On the Constitutional Future Of Wales found independence would be “viable” but “the most uncertain option”, with enhancing devolution and a federal system also considered.

Commons Leader Ms Mordaunt said: “It is a sad and sorry state that the most vibrant separatist party in the UK now is not the SNP, it is the Labour Party.”

The review was independent but commissioned by the Labour-led Welsh Government.

We will always defend the union

Penny Mordaunt, Commons Leader

She was responding in the House of Commons to Plaid Cymru’s Hywel Williams (Arfon), who called for the report’s findings to be debated by MPs in Parliament.

Mr Williams said: “Independence is a viable option for Wales’s future and the status quo is not – those are two of the most striking conclusions of the Independent Commission On The Constitutional Future Of Wales.”

He added: “Whatever the views across the House, and the Leader’s views, I think any sensible UK Government with a sincere concern for the governance of my country would engage with this change that is already afoot.

“So will the Leader of the House demonstrate just such a sincere concern by arranging a full-scale debate on the commission’s report, perhaps around the time of St David’s Day on March 1?”

Ms Mordaunt responded: “On this side of the House we will always defend the union of the United Kingdom.

“We have many services which are devolved. It pains me to see many services that are being run by the Welsh Government being run very badly to the detriment of Welsh citizens.”

She added: “We will always defend the union and, if he applies for a debate, I’m sure many on my side will turn up and do precisely that.

“It is a sad and sorry state that the most vibrant separatist party in the UK now is not the SNP, it is the Labour Party.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in