Alfred Bosch MP meets senior Plaid politicians
Plaid leader, Leanne Wood, and MEP and party President, Jill Evans, welcomed a senior Catalan MP to Wales for Plaid Cymru’s summer school in Llangrannog. The Plaid Cymru pair held a meeting with Alfred Bosch to discuss the changing face of European politics.
Alfred Bosh MP is currently the leader and spokesperson for the ERC-RCat-CatSí independentist coalition in the Spanish Parliament in Madrid.
Jill Evans MEP said,
“"The Eurozone crisis has brought about a discussion on the future shape of the European Union itself. The democratic right of independence for all nations must be a part of the debate on the future of the UK and of Europe. We work closely with our European Free Alliance colleagues from Catalonia and the Basque country towards our aims of equality and democracy.
“Two thirds of Welsh people now want income tax rates to be devolved to the National Assembly. Building a successful economy depends on having the means to create jobs. That also means the right for Wales to have its own voice and play a full part in shaping a new Europe. Plaid Cymru works for the Welsh national interest and will take every opportunity in the current constitutional debates to promote that interest."
Leanne Wood AM said,
“I enjoyed discussing ideas with Alfred Bosch MP when he came to the Plaid Cymru Summer School over the weekend. We had a wide and varied programme and Alfred’s talk was undoubtedly one of the highlights.
“I was keen to discuss with him the historic vote reached on Wednesday (25.07.12) in the Catalan Parliament where an agreement was reached which will see the establishment of an independent tax agency in Catalonia.
“This new fiscal pact with the Spanish state means that the Catalans will be able to collect and manage their own taxes. This is timely for Wales in light of the Silk Commission’s work.”
She added: “Over the years Plaid Cymru has enjoyed a close working relationship with ERC through the EFA association. Plaid Cymru and ERC share many common goals and I hope we will continue to enjoy a fruitful working relationship in future as we work towards achieving our ambitions to strengthen our native languages and achieve more self-determination.”
Alfred Bosch MP said,
“Free determination for peoples is a right universally recognised in fundamental international treaties, signed by the kingdom of Spain, and specifically acknowledged as binding by the Spanish Constitution.
“Despite this fact, Spain has never developed adequate legislation to develop this right and detail its practical application.
“Together with the Basque independentists Amaiur, we (Catalan independentists from ERC) are now promoting the adoption of a Free Determination Bill. We believe it is an inalienable right and the existing legislative void should be corrected.
“The chances are that this proposal will be defeated by the Conservative absolute majority in Spanish Congress, but it is our duty to further the scheme and, if necessary, transfer its non-compliance to European courts and institutions.
“The process will enable us to publicise what we understand should be the ideal process towards independence; a democratic, bilaterally negotiated, peaceful and legally framed evolution marked by the ballot.
“If Spanish power refuses such a proposal, its democratic deficit will be highlighted and other unilateral paths to freedom left open for exploration.”
Ends.
