A Plaid Cymru Welsh government would aim to establish a national commission to explore Wales’s constitutional future, including a potential path toward independence, within its first 100 days in office.
The party’s leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, confirmed a Plaid Cymru Welsh government would rule out a referendum should the it win power in May’s election.
But his party has pledged to “spark a national conversation about the next steps on our constitution journey”.
Just 26% of adults in Wales say they would vote for independence if a referendum were held, according to YouGov polling carried out in January this year.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru leader, in discussions at the party’s spring conference
Although this is the highest level of support recorded, a majority (54%) would still vote against independence.
When questioned by Sky News on whether the commission was a good use of public money given the lack of support for an independent Wales, Mr ap Iorwerth said it would be using “taxpayers money to see if there a better way of governing Wales”.
He added: “We’re using taxpayers here to get to grips with problems in health, to build a stronger economy, to raise standards in education, to offer a childcare offer that’s the most generous in the UK.”
He went on: “This is about governing Wales better. We are on a journey. We have come a long way on a journey over the last 30 years where we do have a parliament and a government of our own now.
“People tell me they agree with me whether they believe in independence or not. That’s by the by. But they agree with me that we should always be investigating and pushing the boundaries of whether there’s a better way of running Wales.”
A Welsh Labour source told Sky News: “This commission is a first step in the independence plan they claim to not be pursuing.
“This commission will not be without cost, meanwhile they’re talking about efficiencies in the child poverty strategy funding.
“They need to sort out their priorities if they’re going to say they’re serious about leading.”
Plaid Cymru is currently leading the latest YouGov poll with 37% support. Reform UK follows in second place on 23%, with the Green Party in third on 13%.
Labour and the Conservatives are tied in fourth position, each polling at 10%.
Alongside the national commission, the party has also pledged to attempt to “reset the relationship with Westminster”.
They will push the UK Labour Government for the same devolution settlement as Scotland, including the devolution of justice, transport and the Crown Estate.
When asked why Sir Keir Starmer would listen to his Welsh government over a Labour-run one, given the current First Minister Eluned Morgan has repeatedly been turned down when pushing for further devolved powers, he said he would not accept ‘no’ for an answer.
Speaking at the party’s spring conference in Newport he said: “We know that when Labour try to ask for something, they get nothing.
“They are slapped down….when Labour say, well, a Labour UK government will only give something to a Welsh Labour government, how deeply undemocratic and patronising towards Wales that is.”
The final day of the conference on Saturday came as Hollywood actor Michael Sheen announced his support for Plaid Cymru – to the delight of Mr ap Iorwerth.
When asked whether he hoped the star would join Plaid campaigners on the doorstep, he replied: “It would be great for Michael to come out with us, he’s always welcome.”
Wales will go to the polls on 7 May. Full results coverage will be broadcast live on Sky News.
