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First Minister Carwyn Jones has forcefully pressed for a “dividend” for Wales in return for Welsh Government support for the United Kingdom sticking together.

The Welsh Labour leader warned that people were not seeing such benefits and cautioned that individuals in Wales will conclude they have to adopt the same tactics of the Scots in order to win the UK Government’s attention.

He further warned Theresa May’s Government that just as Brexit was driven by a sense of “disengagement” with Brussels, her administration sends out the message that it is not listening to Wales. He argues that the Prime Minister has a “tin ear” when it comes to devolution.

Call for Wales to have vote on independence if Scots go to polls

His comments came as Yes Cymru, a group which supports independence for Wales, has called for a referendum on the nation’s future if there are votes in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is pushing for the powers to hold a second independence referendum. Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill wants a referendum on Irish unification “as soon as possible”.

(Image: PA)

Carwyn warns UK could be on dangerous path

Sending a warning to Mrs May’s Government, he told the Guardian: “If they are not careful, people’s sense of disengagement with Brussels will simply attach itself to London. They are giving the impression sometimes that they do not listen .

“And what kind of message is that to the people of Wales? We need to see there is a dividend in being a devolutionist government that supports the union and we don’t see that dividend.

“Otherwise people in Wales are going to start saying, well, the Government is listening to the Scots, we need to be like them. And that’s a dangerous path for the UK.”

Welsh Tories are alarmed by Carwyn's comments

A Conservative spokesman said: “It’s extremely concerning to hear our First Minister courting rhetoric normally used by Welsh nationalists.

“His argument that the UK Government ‘doesn’t listen’ is undermined by the fact that today the Prime Minister announced a £1.3bn City Deal for Swansea, demonstrating that Conservatives are delivering for Wales and the whole of the UK.

“His argument is undermined further when reflecting that Carwyn Jones’ response to the EU referendum has been defined by a failure to listen to the will of the people and a failure to cooperate with parties in opposition.

“We would suggest that if the First Minister continues to spout nationalist rhetoric then he may soon feel more at home in Plaid Cymru, who lately appear to be haemorrhaging members.”

Mr Jones plans to stage a Labour “constitutional convention” in Cardiff to push for a new model for the UK which can hold the nations together.

But Yes Cymru has appealed to party leaders in the Assembly to support a “multi-option referendum on Wales’ constitutional status, including independence, if there are votes in Scotland or the north of Ireland”.

(Image: South Wales Evening Post)

This is 'a crucial turning point for Wales'

Spokeswoman Sandra Clubb said: “We have reached a crucial turning point for Wales: in light of the developments in Scotland and Ireland, a vital question about our nation’s future faces us: do we want to be part of an ‘England and Wales’ state? Or do we want to see Wales as an independent nation?

“It’s the right of the people of Wales to decide on these matters in a referendum. If the north of Ireland or Scotland have their say, we must also have a say: it’s too important to leave to politicians alone.

“These matters affect our constitution and our relations with our neighbours on these islands and beyond so much. We must have our own referendum here in Wales... We have the right to be an independent nation; Westminster has no natural right to reign over us.”

'No appetite for independence in Wales'

However, a spokesman for the First Minister said: “There is no appetite for independence in Wales where recent polling shows that support remains stagnant at 6%. Carwyn Jones’ own constitutional convention announced over the weekend shows that Welsh Labour are once again at the forefront of the devolution debate.”

The Welsh Conservative spokesman said Yes Cymru exists “for the sole purpose of ripping Wales apart from the rest of the United Kingdom, so this appeal is unsurprising as much as it is misguided”.

He added: “For a clear majority of Welsh people, there is no appetite for independence. People want better public services, more take-home pay and an education system to be proud of – not another fallacious thought experiment from the nationalists.”

'The prospect of a UK state containing only England and Wales is a real one and cannot be shied away from'

A Plaid Cymru spokeswoman said: “Plaid Cymru previously called for a multi-option referendum on Wales’s constitutional future, predicting developments in Scotland and northern Ireland as a result of Brexit. We welcome Yes Cymru’s contribution to what needs to be a serious national debate.

“Over the past week there has been a palpable change in tone from all of the political parties in Wales, and a debate about the options available for Wales can only be a good thing, encouraging Welsh citizens to take responsibility for the future of their democracy. The prospect of a UK state containing only England and Wales is a real one and cannot be shied away from.”