Andrew Marr grills Mark Drakeford on Welsh independence

       A commission set up by the Welsh Government has concluded that independence is a “viable” option for the country, despite the Labour administration claiming they support the union.

       The report, set up to explore how Wales might be ruled in the future, argued that the current devolution settlement cannot continue as it does not provide prosperity.

       The commission, co-chaired by former Plaid Cymru candidate Laura McAllister and had former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood on the board, has sparked outrage from unionists who have blasted Mark Drakeford for giving succour to the independence movement.

       Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies told the Express that the Welsh Labour Government’s report “was only ever going to reach one conclusion”.

       He said: “Their focus should be firmly on helping the 27,000 people who have been languishing on an NHS waiting list for over two years and improving children’s education.”

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       Mark Drakeford's Government said it welcomed the controversial report (Image: Getty)

       He added: “Wales needs more nurses and teachers, not more powers and politicians for the Senedd.

       “I would like to remind the Labour Welsh Government and committee members that the United Kingdom has a proud, shared history and is not simply a 'voluntary union of nations.”

       First Minister Mark Drakeford, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats welcomed the report.

       The commission - a Labour manifesto pledge in the 2021 Senedd election - recommends three different options, none of which entertain maintaining the current devolution settlement.

       Enhanced devolution: increasing powers to the Welsh Government Federal UK: where each nation is treated on an equal basis Independence: which would grant Wales the power to “devise policies which reflect the priorities of the people of Wales”.

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       Welsh Secretary David TC Davies blasted the report (Image: Getty)

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       Craig Williams, the Tory MP for Montgomeryshire, added: “This whole process is an appalling waste of taxpayer’s money. It also destroys once and for all the claim that the union of the United Kingdom is safe with the Labour Party.

       “The Welsh Labour Government spends far too many hours in the day undermining the union and giving succour to separatists.

       “The stark contrast of priorities between the UK Conservative Government and Labour Welsh Government is felt strongly in Montgomeryshire, and only Welsh conservatives can be trusted to prioritise the people’s priorities over petty politics and propaganda in Cardiff bay.”

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       According to one recent poll, more Welsh voters believe the Welsh Parliament should be abolished than believe in independence.

       Just 23 percent believe the Welsh Parliament should have more powers, fewer than the 25 percent who believe things should stay as they are now.

       Six percent said the Senedd should have fewer powers.

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