Madam,

I am sure that the Cambrian News will give unbiased consideration on the printing of all political party letters written to their Letters page in the short period until the announced General Election date of 12 December.

As a life-long, now disillusioned, left-wing Labour Party supporter, my greatest fear for Wales, the country I love, is that a vote for Plaid Cymru is a vote for independence. With Wales now only raising approximately just over 32.4 per cent total revenue, it begs the question as to where will a further near 70 per cent revenue shortfall come from to run our country just to stand still.

With the strong possibility of our leaving the European Union with the loss of farming grants, etc, I believe that independence will bring not only more poverty to Wales but also the necessity of greatly increased use of our tax-raising powers to an even higher unaffordable level for our working classes.

I foresee Plaid’s independence policy as suicide for Wales - especially if England also voted for the same independence.

Thought must be given to the fact that Scotland and England do have more production for overseas trading than Wales at present which could diminish with Brexit and not many are convinced by the argument that we could financially survive by selling our rain water to England.

Independence involves our taking on the full financial responsibility of our National Health Service, Armed Forces and all other services for Wales now in the hands of Westminster, at a cost that would be very difficult to calculate unless Wales is prepared to set up our own Armed Forces, etc, and finance.

I do look forward to cross-party debate but please let it be based on true facts as ‘sentiment’ will not allow Wales to become independent.

Yours etc, Patricia Bates, Maes-Maelor, Penparcau, Aberystwyth.

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