ACTION PLAN 2017

1 faces grave risks as we head into this election.

Our economy, our communities and even our very identity as a nation is under threat from the cruel and reckless Tories. Labour is weak and divided and are unable to offer opposition to the Tories. stands ready to defend Wales. Every Plaid Cymru MP elected will go to Westminster to do their utmost for their country, their people and their communities.

After June 8th the Tories will be handed a blank Now is the time cheque that they will use to rob Wales of millions of to defy the old and pounds. Jobs will be jeopardised, our tourism and “ farming industries plunged into uncertainty and our out of touch parties. public services targeted. Labour is broken, too weak To show that we and too divided to stop them. They have abandoned ship and are now fighting over who gets the life rafts. believe in Wales. It remains our ambition for Wales to become an To defend Wales. independent nation, standing on its own two feet. To vote for Wales. But this election is about an immediate threat to our nation, our economy and our people. To vote for Plaid Cymru.

2Promoted by: Plaid Cymru, Ty Gwynfor,” Llys Anson, Cardiff, CF10 4AL. This Action Plan is a response to the crisis the Labour and the Tories in Westminster don’t care Tories are creating and the inability of Labour about or understand our valleys, our coastal to stop it. Our full range of policies from the communities, our cities, our farms or our rural 2015 and 2016 elections retain a relevance and villages. Plaid Cymru is the party of Wales, the pertinence, but the policies and principles of party of the people of Wales, the only party that this Action Plan address the immediate threats truly represents Wales. we face. People in Wales are facing a tidal wave of attacks Without a strong team of Plaid Cymru MPs, the from the Conservatives. We can no longer hide Tory Party in Westminster will have a free hand to behind the crumbling wall of Labour. put ’s futures at risk. That is why the Now is the time to defy the old and out of election in Wales is a straight fight between Plaid touch parties. To show that we believe in and the Tories. Plaid Cymru will defend Wales Wales. To defend Wales. To vote for Wales. against the Tory attacks. Plaid Cymru is the only To vote for Plaid Cymru. party that will prioritise Welsh jobs.

It is time to show the parties that Wales For Wales has a voice. That we choose a better way, a new way, not driven by fear and hatred. We will defend people against any kind of intolerance Leader of Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales or scapegoating. We will secure a fair and prosperous country for our young people and future generations based on fairness and equal opportunity.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 3 Defending Wales Our promise to you.

“An old belief to fight for something, we need to get this new ball rolling… ‘God knows’ won’t cut it any longer WE, the people, must be stronger.”

Siôn Tomos Owen

4 Plaid Cymru will: Defend our nation, by · Protecting our country’s economy, identity and our Assembly from a Conservative power grab

Defend our economy, by · Demanding that every single penny we lose from Europe is replaced by Westminster

Defend our people, by · Funding new Welsh hospitals, railways, roads, schools and affordable homes with our multi- billion pound investment programme

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 5

You have a choice of two futures. Make your choice count – it will matter more now than ever before.

6

A vote for the status quo: A vote for Plaid Cymru:

A forgotten Wales DEFENDING WELSH INTERESTS P8

A silenced Wales A STRONGER WALES P12

Endless cuts PROTECTING WELSH JOBS P16

A starved Welsh NHS and an A HEALTHIER, HAPPIER WALES P20 unfit social care system

Continued preying on CARING FOR THOSE IN NEED P24 the most vulnerable

Jeopardising our children’s future GIVING EVERY CHILD A CHANCE P28

An isolated nation CONNECTING WALES P32

Communities under siege PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES P36

PUTTING ENERGY INTO OUR P40 An unsustainable environment ENVIRONMENT

A neglected rural Wales CHAMPIONING RURAL LIFE P44

Living in England's shadow WALES ON THE GLOBAL STAGE P48

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 7 In 2016, Plaid Cymru MPs asked more Plaid Cymru questions and made more speeches than the Labour, Tory and Lib Dem MPs representing is the hardest constituencies in Wales. working party in Parliament

8 Defending Wales Defending Welsh interests Wales is under attack. The Tory Government is hell-bent on taking us along a treacherous path where all economic ties with our closest trading partners are severed. Labour are too busy squabbling amongst themselves to stand up for Wales. Wales needs Plaid Cymru MPs to fight for Welsh interests and to protect our nationhood.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 9 Defending Wales Defending Welsh Where we are: Where we are: interests Wales is becoming a Our vital economic ties forgotten nation, destined with our closest trading to be no more than a partners are being severed. minor English region. Jobs are disappearing, Our interests ignored at wages are falling, prices every step of the Brexit are going up. negotiations. Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's answer: answer: Plaid Cymru will ensure Elect Plaid Cymru MPs that Wales can continue to stand up for our to buy and sell to nation and to give Wales Europe without any a strong voice during costly barriers. this crucial time. Where we can be: Where we can be: 200,000 jobs that rely on A Wales where our our trade with Europe interests are defended being protected. at all times and Welsh interests are put at the heart of Brexit negotiations.

10 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: Wales is at threat of losing Europeans who have A debilitating trade deal the £680 million a year made their lives in Wales with the EU where Wales's it currently receives in face being deported. This interests are last on the funding from the EU. will destroy families and agenda. Businesses friendships, and put public moving from Wales and services at risk. jobs at risk. Plaid Cymru's answer: We will secure the Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's money promised to answer: answer: Wales by the Leave Plaid Cymru will We will fight to get the campaign. We will not guarantee the rights of best possible Brexit deal accept a penny less. all Europeans currently for Welsh industry and living and working in agriculture. Wales. Where we can be: Investing in our local Where we can be: communities to give the Where we can be: Welsh interests at the heart people of Wales every A welcoming society, that of Brexit negotiations, chance to succeed. recognises the contribution with Welsh industry and that hard-working agriculture protected. Europeans have made to our public services.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 11 Plaid Cymru is the hardest working party in Parliament

We already punch well above our weight in representing Wales in Westminster. Jonathan Edwards was the only Welsh MP on the influential Brexit Select Committee and has championed the issues that matter to the people of Wales on the Welsh Affairs Committee since she was elected.

12 Defending Wales A stronger Wales The people of Wales have consistently voted for a National Assembly for Wales. The Tory Government in Westminster’s attempt to subvert the will of the Welsh people by undermining it will not be tolerated. Our message to Westminster is simple – Hands off our Assembly.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 13 Defending Wales A stronger Where we are: Where we are: Wales Facing a power grab from The most underpowered Westminster, who want Parliament in all of the to disregard the interests UK. Wales at the whim of the Welsh people and of a Tory government undermine our control of determined to slash taxes our public services. for the rich and let the poorest bear the burden. Plaid Cymru's answer: Plaid Cymru's answer: Plaid Cymru will bring We will give the forward a new law to National Assembly protect our nation’s for Wales the powers sovereignty and it needs to properly democracy. represent the people who elect it. Where we can be: Decisions about Wales Where we can be: being made in Wales, A truly representative Welsh where the will of the Welsh Parliament that reflects the people cannot be ignored. people of Wales.

14 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: A Wales starved of the A voting system rigged to Debilitating free trade deals funds it needs to progress benefit the powerful. with a Trump-led United as a nation, sinking deeper States where standards into poverty as a result of are compromised, Brexit. Plaid Cymru's agriculture suffers and our answer: health service is at risk of privatisation. Plaid Cymru's We want to grant answer: 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote and We will demand fair reform the voting Plaid Cymru's funding for Wales system so that it is answer: by pushing for a more representative. Wales must have new independent an equal say when Commission to decisions are made oversee an agreed way Where we can be: which have major of redistributing funds A democracy where young implications for across the UK, based people are not silenced devolved functions. on a needs-based and each vote counts. All future free trade formula. deals, for instance, must be endorsed by the National Assembly Where we can be: for Wales. Fair funding for Wales which will protect it from the economic uncertainty Where we can be: to come. Public services free from the threat of privatisation by big international corporations.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 15 Plaid Cymru is the hardest working party in Parliament

Instead of bowing down to the Tories, Jonathan Edwards led a grass-roots campaign demanding £4 billion for transport in Wales following the decision to go ahead with the England-only HS2. We will continue to oppose the Tories’ plans to waste £5 billion on renovating the Houses of Parliament and £400 million on Buckingham Palace, so that we can invest in the people of Wales rather than the establishment.

16 Defending Wales Protecting Welsh jobs Wales has the lowest wages and weakest economy of any UK nation. Westminster has neglected our needs for generations, making us one of the poorest regions in Western Europe. Successive Tory and Labour governments have consistently prioritised investment in the South East of England at the expense of Wales. Plaid Cymru will not tolerate this act of neglect any longer. It’s time to stand up for Wales.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 17 Defending Wales Protecting Where we are: Where we are: Welsh jobs Businesses are threatening Far too much public to move away from Wales money is being spent in fear of not being able buying goods and to afford higher costs as a services from non-Welsh result of leaving the EU. contractors. Huge multi- national companies are Plaid Cymru's doing work that could be answer: done by local companies. Plaid Cymru will push for targeted tax Plaid Cymru's discounts for new and answer: existing businesses in Plaid Cymru will Wales as a central part fight to ensure that of the new UK Regional £4.3 billion in public Policy. We will demand sector contracts are that Wales has the spent in Wales and we power to set its own will introduce a real, rates of tax including independently verified, Corporation Tax, Air Living Wage. Passenger Duty and VAT. As we leave the EU the new assisted Where we can be: areas map must be 50,000 new, well-paid determined in Wales. jobs from public sector contracts, each paying a Where we can be: genuine living wage. Attracting businesses to Wales, our economy thriving and our people seeing and feeling the benefits in their pockets. 18 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: Our public transport Small businesses across The steel industry is a vital system is not fit for Wales are suffering due to part of the Welsh economy, purpose. All of this while the recent business rates but is in danger of being England benefits from revaluation, and town sacrificed by a Thatcherite next-generation trains centres are becoming government that has no and high-speed rail links deserted. plans to replace the jobs costing £56 billion. lost. Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's answer: Plaid Cymru's answer: Plaid Cymru will put answer: We will introduce a an end to the unfair We will demand £7.5 billion investment business rates system, stringent anti- programme to fund by moving towards a dumping measures, vital infrastructure turnover-based system. previously blocked by projects throughout We will ensure there the UK Government, Wales. We will press is a properly funded and put in place a for our fair share of UK Welsh Development comprehensive plan infrastructure spend. Bank to invest in Welsh to ensure the future of businesses. We will also the steel industry. ensure that you can Where we can be: always have access to a Upgraded rail and road local bank by opening a Where we can be: links, 10,000 extra publicly-owned bank. Jobs saved and a real affordable homes, and new future for the Welsh steel schools and hospitals. Where we can be: industry. Small businesses in our town centres thriving giving a new lease of life to Welsh high streets.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 19 Plaid Cymru is the hardest working party in Parliament

In the National Assembly, Plaid Cymru put pressure on the Labour Welsh Government to introduce a New Medicines and Treatments Fund, to make sure everyone has access to the medicines they need, no matter where they live in Wales.

20 Defending Wales A healthier, happier Wales Plaid Cymru is the only party you can trust to deliver a Welsh health service that works. Where there has been poor management and underinvestment in the past - by the Tories in Westminster and by Labour in Wales - we will fight for a world-class health service that works.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 21 Defending Wales Where we are: Where we are: Wales has one of the We are facing a social A healthier, lowest number of doctors care crisis. This is due to per head in Europe, beds underinvestment and a happier Wales have been cut by 7% and perverse historic divide waiting times for diagnosis between health and social and treatment are the care. This has a knock- worst in the UK. on effect on our GPs and hospitals with patients not receiving access to care Plaid Cymru's support. answer: Plaid Cymru will train Plaid Cymru's and recruit an additional answer: 1000 doctors and 5000 We will introduce a nurses for the Welsh social care rescue plan NHS in the next decade. which will help people We will also establish a to live independently medical school in the and increase the role of north of Wales. community hospitals. We will ensure that Where we can be: health and social care services are seamlessly Wales as a global leader provided. A Plaid Cymru in healthcare where you can secure an carers’ contract will appointment, speak to a support those who care specialist and be treated for others. quickly, conveniently and effectively. Where we can be: A Wales which gives the highest level of service and care to our most vulnerable citizens and the people who look after them.

22 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: Avoidable mortality is A Tory government back- Services available for about 15% higher in Wales tracking on promises made those with mental health than in England. Too during the referendum issues are poor and people many people are dying campaign. lack the essential support prematurely in Wales and that is necessary for their we need to do much more full participation in society. to reduce the number of Plaid Cymru's preventable deaths. answer: Plaid Cymru's We will hold the answer: Plaid Cymru's Leave campaign to Having already secured answer: account and push for an extra £20 million for We will make it our our share of the £350 mental health treatment target to save 10,000 million promised to the as an effective lives over ten years, NHS after leaving the opposition party in the through a range of European Union. National Assembly, we measures from public will continue to call health actions and for increased funding promoting individual Where we can be: and improved access lifestyle changes, Not allowing politicians to trained counsellors whilst also ensuring to make false promises and therapists in the earlier diagnosis of without being held accountable. community. disease and better access to life-saving treatments. Where we can be: Timely access to good Where we can be: quality mental health services, and mental and A happy and healthier physical health needs to Wales where thousands be treated equally. of premature deaths are avoided.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 23 Plaid Cymru is the hardest working party in Parliament

In Westminster, Plaid Cymru MPs have consistently campaigned and fought for pensioners’ rights, including fair pensions for women and the mineworkers’ pension scheme. It is only right that the schemes they have worked hard to pay into for so many years deliver for them.

24 Defending Wales Caring for those in need We want to see a Wales where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and given the support they need to fully participate in society.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 25 Defending Where we are: Where we are: Wales Unscrupulous companies Thousands of people are conducting benefits living every day in fear of Caring for capability assessments being evicted or losing the those in need for profit. little money they need to survive. Plaid Cymru's answer: Plaid Cymru's We want to see powers answer: over social security We commit to devolved to Wales. scrapping the We would use those bedroom tax and we powers, for example, will continue to fight to ban private firms the cruel ‘rape clause’ from carrying out and the changes to benefits assessments bereavement support for profit. payments. We will support and encourage disabled people into Where we can be: employment without A fairer and more facing threats of transparent benefits sanctions. system, minus the profit motive. Where we can be: Lifting Wales out of poverty enabling people to feed their families and heat their homes – a right everyone should have.

26 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: Hundreds of jobs at Veterans have been The Tories are punishing threat as the Tory UK forgotten by successive the most vulnerable in Government centralises governments, with vast society to pay for the tax offices and closes job numbers continuing to mistakes of politicians and centres. suffer mental and physical bankers. Since 1994, the health issues with little Westminster government Plaid Cymru's access to the services they has siphoned over £3 billion answer: require. from the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme. We will continue to oppose the Plaid Cymru's centralisation of tax answer: Plaid Cymru's offices in Wales and Our vow to veterans answer: fight to keep job will mean that they are Plaid Cymru will ensure a centres open. given the support they Living Pension for all and deserve and need. We we will fight to guarantee will make sure veterans the Triple Lock. We will Where we can be: receive excellent also continue to oppose Hundreds of jobs kept and health care, including increases in the state people properly supported mental health care, and pension retirement age. when searching for good adequate housing. Plaid Cymru calls for an quality, well-paid work. independent review into the Mineworkers' Pension Where we can be: Scheme surplus so that future sums are more fairly No veteran to be left split between scheme behind and a Wales where members and the UK Welsh veterans, who Government. have sacrificed so much, are shown gratitude and respect. Where we can be: An end to pensioner poverty and a Wales where everyone can stand on their own two feet in dignity.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 27 Plaid Cymru is the hardest working party in Parliament

Plaid Cymru opposed raising tuition fees to £9,000 during the Lib Dem – Tory Coalition. We believe that, in principle, education should be free for all and we will continue to work towards this aim. In the National Assembly, we will oppose any attempts to re-introduce grammar schools.

28 Defending Wales Giving every child a chance The Tories are ruthlessly cutting school funding and Labour is insisting on running our education system into the ground, jeopardising our children's future. Plaid Cymru will ensure that our children are taught by the best teachers at well funded schools, so they have the skills they need to flourish. Plaid Cymru will give every child in Wales a chance.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 29 Defending Wales Where we are: Where we are: One in three Welsh Wales has the lowest Giving every children is being raised in school test results of any child a chance poverty, with many families UK nation, with a third of forced to fork out huge teachers planning to leave amounts of their wages on the profession within three childcare. years.

Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's answer: answer: Plaid Cymru will We will raise education provide free full-time standards, by pledging nursery places for all to pay teachers a more three year olds. This competitive salary and will form a part of our improving teachers’ three point plan for training to allow tackling child poverty, them to reach higher which will also include qualifications and measures to end perform better. fuel poverty through reduced household bills and scrapping the Where we can be: bedroom tax. An outstanding education for every child delivered by teachers who are Where we can be: passionate about shaping Wales as a nation where the next generation. every child is given every chance to succeed, helping families out of poverty.

30 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: Wales facing an enormous The Labour Welsh Patchy provision for and debilitating brain drain, Government’s chronic children and adults to learn with our brightest students under-funding of Welsh and people not often crossing the border vocational education given sufficient opportunity in Wales is a matter of and staying in England. to engage in the language. national shame.

Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's answer: Plaid Cymru's answer: We will create an answer: We will increase the incentive for those Plaid Cymru will availability of Welsh students who remain guarantee employment, language education or return to live education or training from nursery, to further and work in Wales for any person under-25 and higher education after graduating, looking for work. To right through to adult helping to retain ensure we have the learning. We will act to our brightest young skills necessary to help achieve the steps people and strengthen prosper, we will also in our ‘Reaching the our economy. We create a new network Million’ framework for will demand that of specialist National the . our universities are Colleges of Vocational properly funded and Education, for 14+ represented at a UK and post-compulsory Where we can be: level. education. A world-class education system that is truly Where we can be: Where we can be: bilingual, giving everyone the opportunity to learn Giving young people the A Wales where there is through the medium of very best opportunities to parity of esteem between Welsh. thrive and to work here vocational and academic in Wales to boost our qualifications and people economy. are equipped with the skills businesses need.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 31 Plaid Cymru is the hardest working party in Parliament

All three MPs have spearheaded local campaigns in Parliament to increase mobile phone and broadband coverage in rural Wales, leading to huge improvements for residents and local businesses.

32 Defending Wales Connecting Wales Wales has been left behind. Our transport system is not fit for purpose and our links with the rest of the world have been neglected. We cannot afford to be forgotten anymore. Our communities and country need connecting. The only way to ensure this case is made in Westminster is by electing a strong group of Plaid Cymru MPs.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 33 Defending Wales Where we are: Where we are: Years of chronic A media controlled by Connecting underinvestment has meant London, with Wales and Wales Welsh roads, railways and its people sidelined and buses are overcrowded forgotten. and crumbling. The Labour Welsh Government is determined to blow Wales's Plaid Cymru's borrowing budget on an answer: M4 relief road that will only benefit one part of Wales. We will create a level-playing field with every other UK Plaid Cymru's nation and give Wales answer: the power to decide Plaid Cymru wants to its own media and see a real Wales-wide broadcasting policy. transport system, We will ensure that including re-opening the S4C receives the Carmarthen- funding it needs. railway, improved Valleys line services, Where we can be: improvements to the A real Welsh media that A55 and the expansion represents the people of of the Traws Cymru bus Wales and what matters to network. We will also them. ensure that walking and cycling is integrated with bus and rail services.

Where we can be: A Wales with a transport system fit for the 21st century so people can travel in and around Wales easily. 34 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: Swathes of the country are A tourism industry throttled Wales risks being totally suffering from broadband by unfair taxes and a unrepresented on the and mobile not-spots Government that is failing international stage, making business untenable to promote Wales as a with no Welsh presence in rural Wales. global tourist destination. in UK embassies to champion our people and businesses. Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's answer: answer: We commit to making Plaid Cymru will Plaid Cymru's ultra-fast broadband double the funding for answer: available to all of Visit Wales and cut Plaid Cymru will Wales and rolling tourism VAT to put develop a real out 5G mobile signal Wales ahead in the international policy for nationwide. international tourism Wales, so that we can market. restore our position as a great trading nation. Where we can be: We will introduce a Rural communities Where we can be: Welsh Development connected to the world Making Wales the Agency (WDA) for the so small businesses can destination of choice for 21st century, tasked reach their global markets. tourists and businesses with boosting Welsh across the world. trade.

Where we can be: Closer economic and cultural cooperation with our friends and allies to makes sure Welsh people, culture and businesses are promoted at home and abroad.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 35 Plaid Cymru is the hardest working party in Parliament

Liz Saville Roberts brought forward a law to the stop the intimidation of rape victims in court. Concessions were made by the British Government in light of Plaid Cymru pressure and the practice will be curtailed.

Plaid Cymru has worked closely with the Police and Crime Commissioners in an attempt to decriminalise cannabis for medicinal use.

36 Defending Wales Protecting our communities Cuts to frontline policing have left our communities without the protection they need. The people of Wales have the right to a safe society and access to justice when they need it. Plaid Cymru will be a voice for victims.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 37 Defending Wales Protecting our Where we are: Where we are: communities Police budgets have been Victims of crime are often slashed, putting far fewer sidelined in a justice officers on the street. system that does too Welsh forces have been little to protect the most hit harder than those in the vulnerable. rest of the UK, due to an unfair funding formula. Plaid Cymru's answer: Plaid Cymru's We will reverse cuts answer: to legal aid and bring We will secure an extra forward new laws £25 million for Welsh to protect victims police forces and we of crimes such as will guarantee Wales rape and domestic gets the police force it abuse so that they needs with decisions can give evidence in about crime and court without being justice made in Wales, intimidated. for Wales. Where we can be: Where we can be: Rich or poor, everyone will Better funded police have access to a justice services, rooted in our system that gives victims a communities, focused on fair hearing. the priorities they need to keep us safe.

38 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: The governments in Unlike Scotland and Our fundamental human Westminster and Wales Northern Ireland, Wales rights are at risk, exposing want to build an enormous doesn't have its own legal the weakest, most super prison in Port Talbot, system to reflect the needs vulnerable members of our that will become a dumping of our people. communities. ground for criminals from all over the UK. Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's answer: answer: Plaid Cymru's Create a Welsh legal answer: We will publish a jurisdiction that human rights charter Plaid Cymru will block ensures we can create for Wales to defend the development of a justice system that Welsh people against the Port Talbot super reflects the needs of the backdrop of a Tory prison and instead Wales. government intent provide much-needed on undermining the prison spaces for Human Rights Act. women and youth Where we can be: offenders in Wales. A fair, workable and effective Welsh legal Where we can be: system so that the people Where we can be: Legal protection for of Wales can have the our human rights and Prisons that meet Wales's certainty they need in the guarantees that whatever needs and work for law and the access to your race, gender or sexual offenders who want to justice they deserve. orientation you will be rehabilitate. treated equally.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 39 Plaid Cymru is the hardest working party in Parliament

Plaid Cymru MPs, along with representatives in the Welsh Assembly, have spearheaded campaigns for 100% of our electricity to be generated by renewables by 2035.

40 Defending Wales Putting energy into our environment Our environment is being eroded whilst our natural resources are being used for the benefit of others. Our energy bills are needlessly high despite us being an exporter of electricity and our housing stock is outdated and inefficient. If we carry on with business as usual, none of this will change. Wales needs Plaid Cymru to make Wales greener.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 41 Defending Wales Where we are: Where we are: We are far too reliant Electricity bills in Wales are Putting on fossil fuels, that higher than in any other are becoming scarcer, part of the UK, despite the energy into guaranteeing rising energy our environment bills for households. fact that we produce more electricity than we consume.

Plaid Cymru's answer: Plaid Cymru's answer: Plaid Cymru will We will create a Welsh increase energy generation from energy company, to renewables including use profit from Welsh delivering tidal lagoons resources to cut the in Swansea Bay, cost of energy for Cardiff and Colwyn Welsh consumers Bay. We will establish and shifting to a national electric decentralised and vehicle charging distributed networks. network and will transfer responsibility over Welsh energy Where we can be: generation and natural Lifting the people of Wales resources to the out of fuel poverty. National Assembly.

Where we can be: Wales self-sufficient in electricity from renewables and powering ahead with world-leading tidal energy technology. Wales managing its own natural resources for the benefit of our people.

42 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: Too many Welsh houses Wildlife species in Wales The British government is are poorly insulated, and are at risk of disappearing, neglecting its international rely on outdated, expensive with loss of biodiversity duty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, heating systems. a threat to our natural endangering our children’s environment. future. As we leave the EU there is a risk that this Plaid Cymru's threat will become greater. answer: Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru will roll answer: out a nationwide We will update and Plaid Cymru's scheme to make our consolidate Welsh answer: housing stock more wildlife legislation, Plaid Cymru will energy efficient. creating a new Wildlife introduce a new We will secure Act for Wales. We will Climate Change Act, compensation for continue to call for the adopting ambitious but those who have achievable greenhouse creation of an Animal suffered from badly gas and pollution Abuse Register for installed, government- reduction targets for Wales. backed cavity wall 2030 and 2050. We will insulation. ensure that we build upon the standards Where we can be: set by the EU which Where we can be: Wales can lead the way in have protected our the protection of wildlife environment. We will Energy efficient homes and biodiversity levels reduce plastic waste that are cheaper to heat, as key elements of our with a deposit return and a cleaner, greener environment. scheme. environment.

Where we can be: An environment where the air is cleaner and the climate more sustainable for our children and our grandchildren.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 43 Plaid Cymru is the hardest working party in Parliament

In the National Assembly for Wales, Plaid Cymru opposed the maximum 15% transfer of funds from Pillar One to Pillar Two which took over a quarter of a billion pounds directly out of Wales’s rural economy.

44 Defending Wales Championing rural life Rural Wales is under serious threat from the reckless Tories who are determined to strike irresponsible trade deals with the United States and New Zealand, hindering our competitivity. With rural communities cut off due to poor digital connectivity and rocketing fuel prices, Wales needs Plaid to make rural Wales matter.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 45 Defending Wales

Championing Where we are: Where we are: rural life Our farms are set to lose Irresponsible trade deals European grants that meaning that Wales will account for 80% of their be flooded with cheap income. imported food, harming the Welsh farm industry and the rural communities built Plaid Cymru's around them. answer: Plaid Cymru will fight to ensure that every Plaid Cymru's penny of European answer: funding, including We will require the farming payments, is UK Government to replaced by the UK seek the endorsement government. of each UK country before any trade deal can be signed, in Where we can be: order to protect Welsh Vibrant rural communities farmers. built around successful farms. Where we can be: A domestic food market full of locally sourced produce, supporting Welsh farmers and rural communities.

46 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: Funding for meat The blighting of our Fluctuating fuel prices are marketing in Wales is natural landscape hitting people’s pockets, being diverted across the with unnecessary and with rural areas suffering border, harming Welsh unwanted pylons. most. producers. Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's answer: answer: answer: Plaid Cymru We believe it is Plaid Cymru will fight will oppose the necessary to introduce to reform the Red Meat construction and a fuel duty regulator to Levy so that the £1 use of pylons stop rising fuel costs. million of lost funding through National for Hybu Cig Cymru Parks and Areas of stays within Wales. Outstanding Natural Where we can be: Beauty, advocating Fair fuel prices for underground or everyone, including in rural Where we can be: undersea cabling areas where industry and Top quality Welsh where possible. residents are more reliant produce being sold and on fuel-based vehicles. marketed across the Where we can be: world, increasing demand for Welsh produce and Keeping our world-class pushing up farmgate countryside clear of prices. unnecessary pylons so that future generations can enjoy it as we do.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 47 Plaid Cymru is the hardest working party in Parliament

Hywel Williams protected international student Shiromini Satkunarajah from deportation by securing 171,000 signatures on a petition and putting pressure on the to release her. Plaid Cymru voted against the illegal war in Iraq and led a cross-party campaign to impeach Tony Blair for his war crimes. We also voted against air strikes in Syria.

48 Defending Wales On the global stage Wales was once a global trading superpower. We now face a situation where we are forced to go cap in hand to a Westminster Government that cosies up to dictators and attacks our closest allies. Plaid Cymru wants an outward-looking, ambitious Wales. By electing Plaid Cymru MPs, you can make sure Wales's voice is heard on the global stage.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 49 Defending Wales Where we are: Where we are: The Tory Prime Minister Both Tories and On the is willing to do anything Labour want to spend global stage to appease her new- billions on the renewal found friend, Donald of an ineffective and Trump. Unnecessary, unnecessary nuclear undemocratic and ill- weapons system. Labour considered military action want to locate it in Wales. is likely. Plaid Cymru's Plaid Cymru's answer: answer: We are determined We will oppose military to scrap Trident, action without UN resisting any attempts and Parliamentary to relocate it to Wales. authority. We will instead invest in home-based troops and strengthen our Where we can be: conventional forces. Wales as part of a global community where we work Where we can be: together to keep each Basing our regiments other safe and secure. at home in Wales with a properly funded and looked-after defence force.

50 Where we are: Where we are: Where we are: The Tories are not doing This government is The ‘for Wales see enough to help those in proposing unworkable England’ mentality is all need. The UK Government and illogical immigration too familiar on the global is more interested in selling policies which will hurt stage. Welsh sporting arms to Saudi Arabia than jobs and wages in Wales. superstars are beginning taking our fair share of to change this, but more refugees. needs to be done to put Plaid Cymru's Wales on the map. answer: Plaid Cymru's answer: We will create a Welsh Migration Advisory Plaid Cymru's We will maintain Service so that we answer: the 0.7% of GDP can have a system Plaid Cymru will commitment on that suits Wales's demand UK and Welsh international aid and needs. Welsh-specific Government support fight for the Dubs visas are necessary for Wales hosting amendment, allowing to plug skills gaps major events including vulnerable refugee and to protect our the Commonwealth children into the UK, health service from Games and World to be upheld. staff shortages. Expo. International students Where we can be: must be taken out of net migration targets. Where we can be: A fairer Wales within a Making sure that Brand fairer world where we don’t Wales is recognised on the turn our back on children Where we can be: global stage with Welsh in need of our help. A logical immigration policy talent showcased all over that works for Wales, where the world. students and job creators can come, but wages aren’t undercut and communities are protected.

/PlaidCymruWales @Plaid_Cymru www.plaid.cymru/www.partyof.wales 51