Today’s published manifesto by Reform UK in Wales has prompted criticism, with concerns raised that many of its policies closely mirror long-standing proposals already put forward by the Welsh Conservative Party.
Questions have also been raised about the party’s position on devolution. While Reform UK in the past have previously been critical of devolution, today they stated that the need for more devolved powers in Wales, which the Welsh Conservatives have always opposed.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Senedd Member for Aberconwy said:
“Much of what has been announced today appears to copy policies that the Welsh Conservatives released yesterday and have been advocating for years. It is clear that many of the pledges made by Reform are simply reflecting the direction we have already set out.
At the same time, there seems to be real confusion regarding the future of devolution within the party. On the one hand they criticise the current system, yet on the other they appear to call for more powers to be devolved to the Senedd. That contradiction raises serious questions about what they actually stand for.
The Welsh Conservatives remain the only credible option with a serious, costed plan for Wales. We have been consistent in our approach, standing up for lower taxes, stronger public services and policies that support economic growth.”
Mae'r maniffesto a gyhoeddwyd heddiw gan Reform UK yng Nghymru wedi ysgogi beirniadaeth, gyda phryderon bod llawer o'i pholisïau yn adlewyrchu cynigion hirsefydlog sydd eisoes wedi'u cyflwyno gan y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig.
Mae cwestiynau hefyd wedi cael eu codi am safbwynt y blaid ar ddatganoli. Er bod Reform UK yn y gorffennol wedi bod yn feirniadol o ddatganoli, heddiw maen nhw’n datgan bod angen mwy o bwerau datganoledig yng Nghymru, rhywbeth y mae’r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig bob amser wedi ei wrthwynebu.
Meddai Janet Finch-Saunders, AS Aberconwy:
"Mae'n ymddangos bod llawer o'r hyn sydd wedi'i gyhoeddi heddiw yn copïo polisïau y gwnaeth y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig eu rhyddhau ddoe ac wedi bod yn eu cefnogi ers blynyddoedd. Mae'n amlwg bod llawer o'r addewidion a wnaed gan Reform yn adlewyrchu'r cyfeiriad rydyn ni eisoes wedi'i nodi.
Ar yr un pryd, mae'n ymddangos bod dryswch gwirioneddol ynglŷn â dyfodol datganoli o fewn y blaid. Ar y naill law, maen nhw'n beirniadu'r system bresennol, ond ar y llaw arall mae'n ymddangos eu bod yn galw am ddatganoli mwy o bwerau i'r Senedd. Mae'r gwrthgyferbyniad hwnnw'n codi cwestiynau difrifol am yr hyn maen nhw'n sefyll amdano mewn gwirionedd.
Y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yw'r unig opsiwn credadwy sydd â chynllun difrifol, wedi’i gostio i Gymru. Rydyn ni wedi bod yn gyson yn ein hymagwedd, gan sefyll dros drethi is, gwasanaethau cyhoeddus cryfach a pholisïau sy'n cefnogi twf economaidd."
