Skip to main content

EU elections: Plaid blames Greens for Remain alliance pact




Plaid Cymru has blamed the Greens for the two parties failing to work together in the European elections.

Voters in Wales will have eight parties to choose from, with at least four calling for another Brexit referendum.


Plaid candidate Patrick McGuinness says his party had spoken to the Greens about forming a "Remain alliance" but claimed the Greens had "felt unable to take it forward".


The Green Party has said no approaches had been made to it by other parties.


In an article published by Plaid Cymru on Saturday, Mr McGuinness, the party's number three candidate for the European elections, said: "Like many, we had hoped for a formal cross-party Remain alliance.


"Indeed, we had been in conversations with the Green Party to that effect, and were disappointed that they felt unable to take that idea forward with us."


He said it could have been "an effective means of strengthening the Remain vote".


However, Mr McGuinness added that Plaid supporters in England will be encouraged to vote for the Greens.


EU elections: Plaid blames Greens for Remain alliance pact failure

Plaid Cymru has blamed the Greens for the two parties failing to work together in the European elections.

Voters in Wales will have eight parties to choose from, with at least four calling for another Brexit referendum.

Plaid candidate Patrick McGuinness says his party had spoken to the Greens about forming a "Remain alliance" but claimed the Greens had "felt unable to take it forward".

The Green Party has said no approaches had been made to it by other parties.

In an article published by Plaid Cymru on Saturday, Mr McGuinness, the party's number three candidate for the European elections, said: "Like many, we had hoped for a formal cross-party Remain alliance.

"Indeed, we had been in conversations with the Green Party to that effect, and were disappointed that they felt unable to take that idea forward with us."

He said it could have been "an effective means of strengthening the Remain vote".

However, Mr McGuinness added that Plaid supporters in England will be encouraged to vote for the Greens.

Of the eight parties on the ballot paper four - Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Change UK - are calling for a further referendum on the EU.


On Friday Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said it was "a pity" that fellow Remain-backing Change UK had not agreed with them to run a combined campaign.


It is understood that Plaid has not had discussions with either the Lib Dems or Change UK about the possibility of a pact.



The Green Party has been asked to comment on Mr McGuiness's claims.


However, in a statement earlier in April, the Greens said: "In terms of joint lists, the deadline for formal arrangements passed before the EU Council meeting on 10 April, which granted the 'flextension' that makes fighting the European elections possible.


"As far as informal arrangements are concerned, no party has made any approach to us about them, and claims that we have turned down overtures are untrue, since none have been made."


In 2015, the Wales Green Party accused Plaid Cymru members of harassing them on social media after they rejected a plea to stand down in Plaid target seats at that year's general election.


Plaid is defending a seat in the European election in May, as are the Welsh Conservatives and Welsh Labour.


Nathan Gill, who was elected in 2014 as a UKIP MEP for Wales, is standing this time as a member of the Brexit party.


The European Parliament elections in Wales


There are eight parties fighting for four seats in the planned European elections in May.


Welsh Labour, the Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Liberal Democrats, UKIP and the Green Party are joined by Change UK and the Brexit Party.




Plaid Cymru has blamed the Greens for the two parties failing to work together in the European elections.EU elections: Plaid blames Greens for Remain alliance pact failure


Voters in Wales will have eight parties to choose from, with at least four calling for another Brexit referendum.


Plaid candidate Patrick McGuinness says his party had spoken to the Greens about forming a "Remain alliance" but claimed the Greens had "felt unable to take it forward".


The Green Party has said no approaches had been made to it by other parties.


In an article published by Plaid Cymru on Saturday, Mr McGuinness, the party's number three candidate for the European elections, said: "Like many, we had hoped for a formal cross-party Remain alliance.


"Indeed, we had been in conversations with the Green Party to that effect, and were disappointed that they felt unable to take that idea forward with us."

He said it could have been "an effective means of strengthening the Remain vote".

However, Mr McGuinness added that Plaid supporters in England will be encouraged to vote for the Greens.

EU elections: Plaid blames Greens for Remain alliance pact failure

Plaid Cymru has blamed the Greens for the two parties failing to work together in the European elections.

Voters in Wales will have eight parties to choose from, with at least four calling for another Brexit referendum.

Plaid candidate Patrick McGuinness says his party had spoken to the Greens about forming a "Remain alliance" but claimed the Greens had "felt unable to take it forward".


The Green Party has said no approaches had been made to it by other parties.


In an article published by Plaid Cymru on Saturday, Mr McGuinness, the party's number three candidate for the European elections, said: "Like many, we had hoped for a formal cross-party Remain alliance.


"Indeed, we had been in conversations with the Green Party to that effect, and were disappointed that they felt unable to take that idea forward with us."


He said it could have been "an effective means of strengthening the Remain vote".


However, Mr McGuinness added that Plaid supporters in England will be encouraged to vote for the Greens.


Of the eight parties on the ballot paper four - Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Change UK - are calling for a further referendum on the EU.


On Friday Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said it was "a pity" that fellow Remain-backing Change UK had not agreed with them to run a combined campaign.


It is understood that Plaid has not had discussions with either the Lib Dems or Change UK about the possibility of a pact.



The Green Party has been asked to comment on Mr McGuiness's claims.


However, in a statement earlier in April, the Greens said: "In terms of joint lists, the deadline for formal arrangements passed before the EU Council meeting on 10 April, which granted the 'flextension' that makes fighting the European elections possible.


"As far as informal arrangements are concerned, no party has made any approach to us about them, and claims that we have turned down overtures are untrue, since none have been made."



In 2015, the Wales Green Party accused Plaid Cymru members of harassing them on social media after they rejected a plea to stand down in Plaid target seats at that year's general election.


Plaid is defending a seat in the European election in May, as are the Welsh Conservatives and Welsh Labour.


Nathan Gill, who was elected in 2014 as a UKIP MEP for Wales, is standing this time as a member of the Brexit party.


The European Parliament elections in Wales

There are eight parties fighting for four seats in the planned European elections in May.

Welsh Labour, the Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Liberal Democrats, UKIP and the Green Party are joined by Change UK and the Brexit Party.


Popular posts from this blog

Lib Dems Propose New Bill to Protect Welsh Farmers

  The Liberal Democrats have proposed new legislation to protect Welsh farmers from being undercut by food trade deals that do not meet the UK’s environment and animal welfare standards.   The plans, set out in a private member’s bill from Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs Tim Farron MP, would require the government’s Trade and Agriculture Commission to assess the impact of any new trade deal on UK farmers, and guarantee that MPs had the final say on trade deals initiated by the government.   This would include an assessment of the impact of new trade deals on farming communities in each region and nation of the UK.   Farron’s Bill comes after concern was raised by farmers unions and the Welsh Liberal Democrats that the Government’s new trade deal with Australia will not include a Welsh-specific impact assessment. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS and Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP Commenting on his...

A recall petition has opened to decide if a Tory MP convicted for a false expenses claim will keep his seat.

Chris Davies tried to split the cost of photographs between two office budgets by faking invoices , when he could have claimed the amount by other means. Brecon and Radnorshire voters wanting to sign the petition will be able to do so until Thursday 20 June in six locations in the constituency. A by-election will be held if 10% of the electorate - 5,303 voters - sign. Mr Davies would be able to contest a by-election, if one takes place. House of Commons Speaker John Bercow confirmed the recall petition last month , after Mr Davies was given a community order of 50 hours unpaid work and a £1,500 fine, at Southwark Crown Court. In a statement, Mr Davies has apologised to his constituents for "making such an error", saying he very much hopes to continue serving Brecon and Radnorshire. Constituents can sign the petition at venues in Llandrindod Wells, Brecon, Presteigne, Ysytradgynlais, Hay-on-Wye and Crickhowell. Apart from Spring Bank ...

Significant Gaps Remain in Welsh Government Building Safety Announcement

  The Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed progress announced today in the Welsh Government’s building safety announcement but have warned significant gaps remain. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS and Cardiff Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Rhys Taylor addressing building saftey campaigners.   The announcement given by Environment Minister Julie James MS confirmed that 9 property developers have now signed up to the Welsh Government’s “Developers Pact” agreeing in theory their responsibility to remediate buildings they constructed with safety defects.   The announcement follows a lengthy campaign by leaseholders in the five years since the Grenfell Tower Disaster.   However, three major developers are still yet to reply.   The Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated that due to the Welsh Government’s failure to work with the UK Government on the Building Safety Act, they are left with little to no options to deal with the property de...