Wales 'strongly against' Scottish independence, according to new poll

The fact that Wales is badly funded under the current form of Barnett is well-known by now.

There is absolutely nothing in the commitment made by the UK party leaders today that jeopardises the fight for fair funding for Wales – in fact, it specifically mentions the need to fairly fund all of the UK’s nations.

The events of the past few months have shown to me the need for all parties to work together and decide where Wales stands inside a reformed UK.

Our position is clear – the current settlement is unfair to Wales and must be reformed. Ed Miliband said he recognised this and would seek to address the fair funding issue in a future Labour Government.

Plaid Cymru conveniently forget that under the previous Labour Government, the Welsh block grant doubled.

The real question for Plaid Cymru to answer, given their core aim of Welsh independence, is how they would fill the £12bn black hole in our public finances?

Embarrassingly for the nationalists, even a majority of Plaid Cymru voters are not in favour of independence. Ahead of the forthcoming elections, this poll reaffirms that the Welsh Conservatives are the primary alternative to a tired Labour government which, during 15 years in power, has failed to deliver the improvements in schools, hospitals and the economy that voters rightly expect.

Today’s poll illustrates the strength of feeling about Wales and Scotland’s continuing place in the United Kingdom. The message to the Scots from Wales is very clear – we are better together, don’t go it alone. Voting ‘no’ does not mean no change, and we want to see progressive change here in Wales, as well as in Scotland

Just as is the case in Scotland, the referendum debate in Wales has further highlighted the need to rebalance powers and wealth in these islands away from where it has become concentrated – in the London city state.

This poll shows that the London parties are wrong to block many of the recommendations of the cross-party commission on devolution. It is concerning that Labour has decided to align itself with the Tories in this referendum debate rather than considering the Welsh national interest.”