Plaid promises independence plan, but not in first term

"At the party conference members endorsed leader Rhun ap Iorwerth's proposal to set up a "standing commission" to talk to the public about the future of the country. Members supported plans for the commission to prepare a white paper on Welsh independence, but ap Iorwerth told members that was not "for the next government". He did not give a date for when, but it suggests Plaid Cymru could pursue the idea if it won both the 2026 and 2030 Senedd elections."

"The party has already pulled back from its previous commitment to offer an independence referendum within five years, made at the last election in 2021 under former leader Adam Price. Ap Iorwerth ruled out a referendum in the first term of a Plaid-led government back in May. However, in Friday's conference speech he said the party would "kick start the national debate on independence"."

Plaid Cymru endorsed a plan to create a standing commission to engage the public and prepare a white paper on Welsh independence, with a clear decision that the white paper will not be produced during a first Plaid-led government. No timetable was provided, suggesting the initiative could proceed only if Plaid wins successive Senedd elections in 2026 and 2030. Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth presented the party as ready to replace Welsh Labour and pledged to kick start a national debate on independence. The party has withdrawn a five-year referendum promise and a previous government commission recommended devolving justice, policing and rail powers.

Read at www.bbc.com