Plaid Cymru fails to back Britain's Nato membership

Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government has not publicly backed the UK's Nato membership, a stance that has drawn criticism from Labour ahead of the July 7 Nato summit. Finance Minister Elin Jones declined to state Plaid's position when Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens pressed for an explicit answer in correspondence seen by The Telegraph. Jones instead cited the Welsh Government's commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and to veterans' access to healthcare, housing, education, and training, sidestepping a direct defence stance. Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid's leader, now heads a minority administration after the May Senedd elections, with defence policy remaining a reserved matter.

UK defence spending remains a live issue as Westminster debates the funding package required to sustain capabilities. Labour argues Plaid's ambiguity is irresponsible, while officials including former Defence Secretary John Healey have warned that funds fall short of what is needed. The Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton warned that day-to-day activity funding could shrink without more money, complicating training and readiness. Plaid's 2024 manifesto opposed increases in defence spending and nuclear weapons renewal, highlighting a tension between Plaid's stated positions and the broader UK security priorities and NATO commitments.