Plaid Cymru’s Deputy Leader in the National Assembly Helen Mary Jones AM has reacted with concern to opposition threats to abstain from next week’s trigger vote on a referendum. She warned that to do so could undermine the people’s faith in their AM to do what’s best for their constituents.

Ms Jones said that the future effective governance of Wales should not be endangered over a timing issue which will be addressed at a later stage.

Helen Mary JonesPlaid AM for Llanelli, Helen Mary Jones, said:

“There are Conservative and Lib Dem AMs that are strong supporters of further devolution, and it’s hard to understand why on earth they would seek to endanger this vote over an issue that is not meant to be addressed at this stage.

“Back in November, Jenny Randerson AM recommended a course of action that seems identical to the one the One Wales government is following, so people will rightly ask why their goalposts have shifted.

“Clearly the timing of the referendum will have to be addressed, but these discussions do not have to happen now and between them, the opposition parties could vote down dates they don’t like in the future.

“After seeing how wasteful and ineffective the LCO system has been, surely it is in nobody’s interest to deny the people their chance to put things right. To do so now would not only be needless, but would surely be a severe blow to people’s faith in their AM to do what’s best for their constituents. I can only ask all opposition AMs to consider the future implications of their actions before taking the extreme step of denying us this referendum.”