First Minister’s Questions: Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth faces Senedd

Image source, Senedd Cymru

Skates asks ap Iorwerth if he believes he would like to see Wales become a “full member of Nato” in or out of the UK.

Ap Iorwerth says Plaid Cymru “has never advocated or suggested that the UK should pull out of Nato”, adding that the transatlantic military alliance “plays a very important role”.

Skates then asks if Plaid is still calling for drastic cuts in defence spending.

Ap Iorwerth says: “I recognise and my government recognises changing threats – that we face very real threats.”

“At those times there needs to be a recognition of the need to invest properly in conventional defence.”

But he disagrees that it is up to the UK government “without discussion to make decisions that impact the ability of governments, be it in Wales or other parts of these islands, to invest in public services are made unilaterally on defence”.

He appears to be referring to the potential impact on Welsh government budgets from spending cuts in England.