THE Scottish referendum has offered an unprecedented opportunity to rebalance power in the UK, Plaid Cymru has said this week as it launched its vision for a prosperous, equal and empowered nation at a press conference in Cardiff’s Millennium Centre.

In presenting the case for a comprehensive transfer of responsibilities to Wales, party leader Leanne Wood AM said that greater devolution should not simply be about moving responsibility from one government to the other, but a way in which we can tackle the major issues facing Wales.

Policing, natural resources and energy, Network Rail operations and the Job Centre Plus and Work Programme are amongst the twenty policy fields Plaid Cymru believes should be devolved.

Such devolution would enable Wales to eradicate fuel poverty, improve employment opportunities and invest in our nation’s transport network.

The party also proposes a Wales Industrialisation Policy to revitalise the Welsh economy.

Enabling Wales to stand on its own two feet financially is a key element of Plaid Cymru’s vision. The party is under no illusion as to the challenge Wales faces to grow its economy, but states the days of Wales accepting hand-outs from Westminster must be a thing of the past.

Local Member of Parliament Jonathan Edwards said: “Plaid Cymru believes it is time to bring our government home where the people of Wales and our own democratic institutions make the decisions that affect our everyday lives.

“Greater devolution is a means to an end, not an end in itself. It is a way in which we can introduce policies that can shape the Wales we want to create. We need the tools to do the job of dealing with the significant economic and social challenges we face.

“Scotland’s referendum has offered an unprecedented opportunity to rebalance power within the UK and we can no longer be a spectator in our own national journey.

“Every new devolution settlement to date has been insufficient and has not met the needs or aspirations of the people of Wales. By moving to a reserved powers model as we are proposing, Wales would have the levers required to revive our economy and transform our public services. This would end the piecemeal devolution process.

“Plaid Cymru’s vision is to make Wales an equal partner within the British State. We will not allow Westminster to treat us like a second class nation. What’s good enough for Scotland is good enough for Wales.

“To that end, Plaid Cymru has proposed that the Welsh constitution is devolved to Wales, meaning that parties will be able to deliver on promises made during National Assembly elections rather than having to hope for the good will of Westminster.