Plaid's alternative Queen's Speech

Plaid's alternative to the Queen's Speech not only reminds us that it is still an opposition party elsewhere in the UK, but it may (or may not) give some indication of what policies the party will pursue after the establishment of a Welsh Parliament, assuming that they form part of the Welsh Government after 2011.

The party wants to see irresponsible lending made a criminal offence – at present victims can only sue through the county courts if they feel trapped by “unconscionable” interest rates.

The Plaid proposals would also end the practice of credit companies sending unsolicited blank cheques to vulnerable low-income lenders, and stop companies raising customers credit limits without their prior approval.

The Alternative Queen's Speech also contains Bills to devolve policing to the Assembly and to create an independent Welsh civil service.

The party also wants to see control over water handed to Cardiff Bay, the replacement of the minimum wage with a “living wage”, a Welsh climate change Bill and a move to make lying a criminal offence for politicians – an idea put forward in a Private Members’ Bill by Plaid MP Adam Price.

A Bank Holiday on March 1, St David’s Day, also makes into Plaid’s wish-list. At least next year it falls on a weekend.