LABOUR First Minister Carwyn Jones and Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood have pledged to work together to campaign for Britain to remain a member of the European Union.

With the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU now less than a month away, the two leaders have agreed to put political differences aside and work together against the so-called Brexit.

A joint statement issued by the two parties yesterday said: “There is much at stake for Wales in the coming months, most notably the implications for our country of a UK withdrawal from the EU.

“As firmly pro-European parties both Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru will continue to work together in the spirit of constructive collaboration to promote the benefits of EU membership for Wales and to campaign for Remain.”

The statement continued the two parties had come to the agreement during talks following the result of the Assembly election earlier this month – which saw Labour fall two seats short of a majority and Plaid overtake the Conservatives as the second largest group in the Senedd.

“Leaving the EU would risk our hard-won gains including rights at the workplace, access for businesses to the single market and would diminish our contribution to global challenges such as climate change and conflict resolution,” it said.

“Together, we urge people to vote Remain on June 23.”

In a Treasury report which was also released yesterday Chancellor George Osborne claimed more than 20,000 Welsh jobs could be lost over two years if the UK leaves the EU.

But leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies, who announced his support for the Leave movement ahead of the Assembly election earlier this month, slammed the claims, calling for an end to so-called ‘Project Fear’.

“We need to see an honest, open and positive debate of the choices facing the public on June 23, and voters will see right through the doomsday prophecies,” he said.

“Frankly, if Armageddon really was waiting just the other side of a vote to leave the EU then it would never have been put to a public vote.”

He added: “The EU project is political in nature and its reach will only continue to expand in coming years. It already has a distinct presence in foreign affairs, a fledgling defence force, national flags and an anthem.

“The logical next step is for the EU to develop tax-raising powers, particularly with the Euro so central to the project.

“For my part, I don’t buy into the vision of the EU as my nation and a vote to leave would be a shot in the arm for British democracy, and allow us to take back control over our economy and trade.”