Editor,

I read Patricia Bates’ heartfelt and passionate letter (Letters, 7 November) with interest. I appreciate her fears for Wales, as she is completely correct in being pessimistic for the future, as things stand at present.

However, Wales’ best future prospects, I believe, lie in the hands of Plaid Cymru. They are the only party whose stated constitutional aim puts Wales at the heart of their policies. Regarding independence, as things stand at present, that is a bridge too far. Wales has been decimated over the years by neglect from Westminster Governments. Now we have a measure of devolution, some aspects have improved, but a major problem of under-funding, relative to our population and its needs, remains.

Compared to Scotland we are underfunded, pro rata, by several billion pounds annually. Why should this be? It is because Westminster is running scared of the strong representation at Westminster of SNP MPs? If Wales were to return a similar proportion of Plaid Cymru MPs, then apathy towards Wales would end.

As for independence, a worrying stumbling block for Ms Bates, she should be reassured, for it is a stated constitutional principle of Plaid Cymru that this is a referendum issue, only to be decided by asking the people of Wales directly.

Personally, I don’t necessarily want independence for Wales, but I should like Wales to be in the economic position, where, if it wanted to be, it could.

Sion Griffiths, Dolgelynnen, Trawsgoed.

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