Plaid Cymru manifesto policies 2019: Summary of Welsh party in general election

Plaid Cymru – the Welsh National Party – today launched their general election manifesto.

The party had four MPs in the last parliament – and their leader, Adam Price, is a member of the Welsh Assembly.

In previous elections, the party has stood in all 40 Welsh constituencies.

But this time round, they’ve stood down in several seats as part of an anti-Brexit pact with the Greens and Lib Dems.

Their manifesto – entitled “Wales, It’s Us” includes promises to devolve policing to Wales, campaign for a referendum on the Brexit deal and build 20,000 social homes a year in Wales alone.

They also called for a £35 a week payment for every child living in low income families in Wales.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price speaks during the launch of his party’s manifesto
(Image: PA)

Of course, as Plaid Cymru are – literally – the Party of Wales, these policies would only affect people who live in Wales.

And it means they cannot win a Westminster majority in the general election.

However, it’s important to know what they stand for all the same. Here are some of the headline announcements from the Plaid Cymru manifesto – or you can read the whole thing here.

Brexit

Campaign for a ‘final say’ referendum. And in that referendum it would campaign to Remain in the EU

Tax

Keep VAT revenues that are generated in Wales, in Wales
Devolve air passenger duty as has happened in Scotland
More powers over corporation tax rates in Wales
Increase National insurance from 2% to 4% for high earners

General election manifesto policies 2019

Health and social care

1,000 new doctors, 5,000 new nurses and 100 new NHS dentists
Free social care for the elderly and other vulnerable citizens

Transport

Electrify Wales’ main rail lines by 2030

Adam Price shakes hands with supporters after speaking during the launch
(Image: PA)

Environment

Create tens of thousands of green jobs in Wales with a multi-billion pound investment programme in renewable energy, transport infrastructure and digital technology
Goal to make Wales carbon and single-use plastic free by 2030
Oppose the creation of new nuclear power sites

Education and families

40 hours of free, full-day childcare and education a week for all children from the age of one
£35 a week payment for every child in low income families
£300 million for schools and colleges

General election 2019

Housing

Create a National Housing Service, which would borrow against rents and build 20,000 social homes over five years
Abolish the Vagrancy Act of 1842 which effectively criminalises rough sleeping

Crime and policing

Devolve policing and justice to Wales
Recruit 1,600 new police officers
Launch a commission to review drug law, with a view to decriminalising drugs as has happened in Portugal