Plaid's distraction techniques will not wash with Welsh students

Cymraeg
English

Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Plaid's distraction techniques will not wash with Welsh students - Kirsty Williams

March 4, 2009 12:00 AM

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has criticised Plaid Cymru for trying to hoodwink Welsh students into believing that they want to keep Wales top-up free.

Commenting on the letter sent by Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price to Education Minister Jane Hutt claiming that the WAG would be acting unlawfully if they pressed ahead with top-up fees, Kirsty Williams said:

"Plaid Cymru are trying to pull the wool over students' eyes in Wales over top-up fees. They went into this coalition agreement with the Labour party opposing top-up fees and now, even before we've reached half point in their mandate, Plaid Cymru have decided to abandon this touchstone issue for many students across Wales.

"Plaid Ministers share the cabinet table with the Labour party and are the ones who speak on behalf of their party. This latest broken promise either shows that their ministers are not strong enough to hold their own when faced with difficult decisions or they have simply given up on their commitment to Welsh students.

"Extravagant claims by a Plaid Cymru MP saying that the actions of the Labour-Plaid government over top-up fees could be illegal is a way of duping Welsh students.

"Plaid Cymru cannot have it both ways. They form part of the coalition government here in Wales and the decisions the cabinet makes is the opinion of both Plaid Cymru and Labour.

"This latest episode within Plaid Cymru just goes to show that they are not mature enough to be in government. Plaid Cymru must accept the responsibility of being in government. They cannot have their cake and eat it. This distraction technique will not wash with Welsh students nor with the people of Wales"