Three days after criticising Labour at the SNP’s conference in Scotland, Plaid Cymru’s leader has done a deal with the party on forced council mergers.

Welsh Conservatives have slammed the nationalist party after it announced it will support Labour in its attempts to force through council reorganisation in Wales.

Stage 4 of the Local Government Bill will be voted on in the Senedd this evening after being pulled by the Labour government due to lack of support two weeks ago.

Welsh Conservatives oppose the Bill. The party tabled an amendment calling for referenda to decide on mergers – giving local people the final say.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:

“Barely 72 hours after criticising Labour, Plaid’s leader has happily cosied up and done a deal with them.

“We should’ve expected nothing less than this astonishing hypocrisy. You’d be hard pushed to make it up.

“Thanks to Plaid and Labour, local people won’t get a say on the future of our councils.

“Thanks to them, councils could now be forced to merge.

“Vote Plaid – Get Labour. It’s that simple - and this disregard for Welsh communities is concrete evidence.

“Welsh Conservatives passionately oppose forced mergers.

“We believe local people should have a say and local authorities should be able to demonstrate how a merger will benefit communities.”