LAST week’s Scottish independence referendum raised a large number of questions that were relevant not just to Scotland, but to Wales as well.

For 23 of the past 35 years, the government at Westminster has not been the same government elected by the people of Wales.

That means that we get policies that are not in the best interests of the people of Wales.

Despite being part of the world’s sixth largest economy, 79,000 Welsh people needed foodbanks last year, and West Wales and the Valleys is now the poorest part of northern Europe – while central London is the richest.

After the financial crash they caused, the bankers of the City of London have continued as normal, while others face austerity, with pay freezes, cuts to vital public services such as the NHS or libraries and 250,000 Welsh workers paid less than the Living Wage.

For a long time, people have turned away from voting because they don’t think that anything will change if they do, but the Yes campaign showed that a fairer and better society is possible.

Wales, just like Scotland, has all of the elements we need to become a highly successful country – huge renewable energy potential to ensure energy security, a high number of universities per head of population to provide the skilled workforce of the future and the potential for a vibrant advanced manufacturing sector.

The debate about how to create a better society has energised Scotland. Now we must do the same, and put Wales’ future in Wales’ hands.

Cllr Ian Johnson

Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales

Barry