Friday 31 August 2007

To All Supporters - Campaign for Cymraeg

http://welshlanguageact.org/
http://cymdeithas.org/

Welsh Language Act - Now's The Time

We call on the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure a New Welsh Language Act that will provide official status and a Commissioner for the language, along with basic rights that will give everyone in Wales fair and real opportunities to learn Welsh, receive a Welsh-medium education and be enabled to use the language in every aspect of life. More information »

Welsh For All - It's Your Right!

The petition for a New Welsh Language Act has now closed. Latest news on the campaign can be found on the Cymdeithas yr Iaith website. Thank you for your support.

http://welshlanguageact.org/
http://cymdeithas.org/

Recognition of Welsh as the Language of Wales

Welsh is a medium of education in some purely Welsh schools, but the majority of schools teach it as a subject and it is not the medium of general instruction. Independence Cymru believes that this is not the best way forward and that a bilingual policy should be introduced so that children become truly bilingual in both languages. This would mean a change in Assembly policy and we eagerly await their review. Welsh schools appear to have a good reputation in terms of results and behaviour and are popular.
We are awaiting, indeed demanding, a new Welsh Language Act to provide equal status for the language in all aspects of Welsh life. Unless readers are wondering why this blog is not written in Welsh, or is not published as a bilingual blog, I would like to disarm them by saying that my native language, English, in no way matches my knowledge of Welsh, as well as the fact that the blog is being read worldwide and caters for the interests of many who have no knowledge of Welsh. Therefore it is written in the international language, English, and not in the national language, Cymraeg.

Thursday 30 August 2007

Reinventing the Dodo and the Blame Game

Time marches on, and those who are left behind busy themselves with an inward-looking, introspective examination of what went wrong and who was to blame for the situation which they had endeavoured not to create but did, through their own misreading of events and their compounding of political errors. Along with Wales 20/20 (Huw Lewis) comes the reinventing of Welsh New Labour, which is as much as to say the reinvention and revival of the Dodo, a real and not mythical creature which unfortunately is now as dead as a doornail.
Then comes a pamphlet (Peter Black) seeking to provide reasons for the failure of the Rainbow Coalition and laying the blame at the door of Plaid Cymru. There is no mention of the volte-face of the Lib Dems which is the real and obvious cause of the decision to go along with Labour and to reject the All Wales Accord for the One Wales Agreement. It was of course the most appropriate thing to do, to ensure stable government and advance progressive policies in the best interests of the people of Wales.
Any savvy and clear-sighted politician would not fail to see that what transpired was meant to happen, and no matter how the disaffected politicians might try to cover up the truth of the circumstances to mislead the public into thinking that the blame lies with Plaid, or the blame lies with Rhodri's Labour (not Huw's), the facts remain indisputably apparent to all but those who hide their heads in the sand and refuse to face the realities. The Dodo was a proud and intelligent creature and never hid its face, or tried to misconstrue the facts of any situation and, though it is now extinct it lives on in the imagination. Yet it is the mythical Dragon which marches on invincibly to victory with no concern for the snares and political tracts that lie strewn in its path.

Wednesday 29 August 2007

The “Separatist” Argument

Nationalists are often accused of being “separatist”. We are told that they will create divisions between their neighbours and themselves, in this case England and Wales. They claim that nationalists will establish borders and cut themselves off from the rest of the world. Nothing could be further from the truth. Nationalists – Plaid Cymru in Wales, the SNP in Scotland – are outward-looking, seeking to heal the divisions and create an open society with links with its neighbouring nations and the rest of the world. Plaid would like Wales to be a nation within the European Union and a member of the United Nations. This was the vision of Gwynfor Evans, that Wales would be a free and independent nation among nations as Ireland is today. Independence has little to do with “separation” and more to do with “inclusion” and interdependence. All countries in the world today are interdependent, without which they could not survive. Nations depend on trading with one another, the sharing of energy sources and mutual security concerns. It is a fallacy to think that Wales cannot survive as an independent nation, and it is a fallacy that Wales would separate from the rest of the world. Wales, along with its neighbours has become a multi-ethnic nation. Everyone would be welcomed in an independent Wales and the Welsh Nation would make its own great and unique contribution to the world at large.

Tuesday 28 August 2007

Cantre'r Gwaelod - The Lost Land of Wales

This story explains how a realm was lost to the sea through debauchery and drunkenness. There are traces of walls and roadways under the sea at Cardigan Bay. They can be seen at low tide and may have given rise to the legend of the 'Lost Lowland Hundred'.

Many centuries ago in the area where the river Dyfi (Dovey) meets the
Atlantic Ocean, a great kingdom stood far out in the low lying land. The kingdom was called Cantref y Gwaelod and its many towns, farms and gleaming cities were protected from the sea by a series of sluices and dams.
The area was ruled over by a Prince called Gwyddno, who had ruled well for many years. In fact he had been so successful that the kingdom enjoyed a great period of prosperity, and the Prince and his subjects were want to overindulge in the more pleasurable aspects of life. As time went on the drinking, parties and wanton debauchery were the talk of the whole of
Wales.

During this time the man in charge of up-keeping the solid defences against the sea was called Seithenyn. He was a Prince of Dyfed, and a man of high status in keeping with the importance of his task. At first he was diligent in all aspects of his role, but as time wore on he became addicted to the pleasures of the Court, in a state of drunken stupor most nights as well as much of the day, he began to neglect his duties. In time the dams became weather beaten and crumbling, and the sluices began to stiffen with rust. Many parts of the defences became leaky and with every pounding tide of the winter the dam became weaker.
One man began to notice the decay and the danger from the ever-encroaching sea. His name was Teithryn, and he was in charge of the Northern stretches of the dyke. While his vigilance in tending the Northern dams ensured they were sound his fears were ignored by courtiers, too busy with the nights entertainment to worry about the grumbling of a dam keeper.
Seithenyn also ignored his fears, he was by now a hopeless drunkard and in no fit state to be in charge of such a weighty responsibility.

One day in the depths of winter during the highest tides of the season, Teithynin, who was well versed in weather lore, saw the warning signs of a gigantic storm brewing. That night during the inevitable feasting, Teithryn drank very little and for the last time tried to warn the people of the approaching disaster. They laughed at him and told him to enjoy himself and stop worrying about something that could never happen
When he knew there was little time left, he went to the safety of high ground, and left the courtiers in their drunken stupor.
When the storm came it was the most furious in living memory, it brought before it a huge storm surge which swept over the dam as one great wave. Seithenyn cursing and shouting at the waves ran at the water with his drawn sword in an attempt to send back the waves, he was drowned instantly by a mighty weight of water.

The whole of the kingdom vanished beneath the waves that night, out of the thousands of people only a few escaped. As well as Teithryn the vigilant Northern keeper, Gwyddno and a few of his subjects managed to drag themselves to shore, they lived in poverty for the rest of their lives lamenting their selfish ways.
Some of the ancient roadways and part of the dam system, is said to be still visible out in the bay during the lowest tides of the year.

These lost lands were extensive and stretched from the Lleyn peninsular right across to Cardigan.

A Slur on Plaid's Stance on Independence

In today's "Western Mail" a certain gentleman from Blackwood has claimed that Plaid Cymru lied to the Welsh people on the question of independence. Here is my response :

As Nigel Dix of Blackwood has made adverse comments and has mentioned my name in Tuesday’s Western Mail I would like to correct his mistaken impression of Plaid’s stance on the independence issue. Far from lying to the Welsh people as he claims Plaid has always had the avowed intent to press for independence. In fact it is part of its raison d’etre and always has been since the founding of the party. Some years ago, however, it was seen that the Welsh people were not ready for independence and it was put on the “back burner”. Now, with the success of the SNP and the present mood of the people of Scotland , the issue has been brought forward and made prominent once again. I have to refute Nigel Dix’s slur on the behaviour of Plaid and deny that Plaid would ever lie to the Welsh people when its task is to strive for a better Wales and provide the opportunities for Welsh communities that have long been neglected by successive Unionist governments.

Those who aim to denigrate Plaid in the eyes of the Welsh people will receive their answer in the years to come. Rather than being a contentious and disputed issue independence will be a reality.

Saturday 25 August 2007

If Scotland, why not Wales?

In 1707 the Union was imposed on Scotland because England regarded it as a strategic necessity in the circumstances of the time. In the very different conditions of today we are now free to make a new decision. Scotland has the potential to become one of the small independent countries of northern Europe which are among the most prosperous and civilised states in the world. The evidence leads to the conclusion that Scotland's best hope for the future lies in independence in Europe.
(from a book by Paul Scott)

The Scottish Government has set out in a very clear report, many actions which the SNP has carried out so far in government. Such as:
  • A smaller, more effective Ministerial team with 6 Cabinet Secretaries (including the First Minister) and 10 Ministers;
  • Established Council of Economic Advisers to provide independent advice to increase Scotland’s sustainable economic growth rate;
  • Agreement to abolish tolls of the Forth and Tay bridges
  • Continuation of A&E services at Ayr and Monklands hospitals
  • Legislation planned to end graduate endowment
    Publication of a white paper on independence and launch of national conversation
  • Funding for 300 extra teachers and 250 more teacher training places from August, to drive down class sizes in P1 to 3; a commitment to providing additional funding for a phased 50% increase in free nursery provision
  • Ongoing negotiations with Westminster on the transfer of responsibilities for firearms legislation to the Scottish Parliament to allow action on air weapons
  • Set up Saltire Award for innovation in industry to reward the best efforts to develop cutting edge renewable energy technology
  • Made a commitment to set a target of cutting emissions by 80% by 2050. We will be drafting a Climate Change Bill to take this forward
Once the Opposition and the media get used to such straightforward Government, they might actually be a little bit more positive than the grudging respect that has been paid of late. After all, they'll have another 1340 days of an SNP Government still to report about.

From blog "Tartan Hero"

Friday 24 August 2007

"There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come." - Victor Hugo

The Campaign for an independent Cymru

Campaign -
to fly the flag of Wales and not the Union flag
Campaign - to celebrate Welsh national holidays
Campaign - to give recognition to Welsh battle sites
Campaign - to rectify the wrongs in the constitution
Campaign - to bring in a new Welsh Language Act
Campaign - to demand a Parliament for Wales
Campaign - to review funding issues for Wales - Barnett
Campaign - to revert to the true place-names of Wales (only one, no 'translations')
Campaign - to reject "Britishness" and all its forms and disguises

Which campaigns do you support in order of priority?
The time is ripe to talk up independence and fuel the debate.

I would like you all to share the comments of one of our most ardent supporters.
With thanks to Jacky for his thoughtful contribution.............
Jacky said...

Very fascinating question, since all of these in some fashion are essential to eventual devolution as is occurring in Scotland-- but how to prioritize? Among these, I'd place high priority of course on a Parliament for Cymru, as this seems to be a critical vehicle in analogous fashion for Scotland-- with independence albeit taking years to unfold.

But you're right to place such emphasis on cultural factors, since a focus on political independence w/o considering the cultural background would represent an empty, watered-down version of actual freedom. This is an argument that I use (to splendid effect) against the Quisling sympathizers with English imperialism within Ireland, who want to downplay the importance of the Irish Gaelic language and drone on with that stupid argument about "better national priorities." (An argument made even lamer by the fact that Celtic language promotion would cost no more than a few tens of millions of Euros more-- when the US and Britain gleefully piss away billions of Euros every week while being defeated in Iraq.) The forefathers of today's Irish, Welsh and Scottish people fought bitter battles against the English to ensure the survival of their Celtic languages and culture, made even more essential by the fact that the British Isles and Ireland are really the only places where Celtic language and culture still flourish. Whatever happens to individuals in a particular generation, it's the culture that persists through the centuries, and the English imperialists cannot kill the Celtic spirit unless they stamp out the Celtic languages and culture. All the more reason for the Welsh, Irish and Scottish peoples to celebrate and promote their cultures even more.

I would certainly give high priority to the Welsh language act, since promoting the retention and advance of the Welsh language has a tendency of strengthening everything else about Welsh culture that makes it so distinctive.

The key is the youth, since it's the younger generation's attachment to the language that enables it push forward. And a Welsh language act would help to incentivize the retention and active use of the language, just as for example the formal recognition of Irish Gaelic by the EU has greatly increased the prestige and economic value of mastering Gaelic.

As I wrote earlier, sponsoring and supporting an indigenous Welsh-language film industry (along with Scottish Gaelic and Irish language industries) is key to making broader adoption of Welsh feel more natural, the same way that Bollywood has helped to propel
Hindi and other Indian languages to superiority over English in India.

Helping also to promote more popular music in Welsh would be a valuable strategy. I've been surprised at the irony here, in that the Celtic peoples around England excel at music and song, as exemplified by the Celtic origins of e.g. Paul McCartney and John Lennon among others-- yet too often, talented Irish, Scottish and Welsh performers hesitate to perform in their own languages. General promotion of e.g. Welsh, Irish and Gaelic music can help to alleviate this, expedited by the natural beauty of these languages for song!

Along similar lines, immigrants to Wales should be strongly encouraged to learn the Welsh language. This is something that Ireland has been getting smarter about, making it clear to immigrants that while they can start out with English skills, over time, they will be expected to learn and embrace the Irish Gaelic language as the cultural heart of Ireland. Once again, this pride in the native language and culture helps to strengthem them not only among the native population, but among outside figures as well.

Thus along similar lines, after the Welsh language act, I'd definitely put high priority on emphasizing the Welsh place names, and the emphasizing of Welsh identity instead of faux "British" identity. Similar with Welsh national holidays and battle sites, as you say-- all of these things point to an elementally distinct Welsh culture and celebrate it, and this cultural independence is the precursor to political independence.

On the matter of surnames many in Wales are reverting to the Welsh form of nomenclature :
e.g. Rhun ap Iorwerth, Pedr ap Ioan etc..

Getting Closer to Independence for Cymru

"Independence Cymru" made it to the pages of the "Western Mail" again today with the publication of the letter about Glyn Davies and his remarks on independence (see this blog : "Death of a Myth"). This letter was followed by one from our good friend Cllr. Gwyn Hopkins which deals with the issue of the unrepresentative Union flag. As we all know Dai is not there on the Union Jack, whereas the cross of Paddy is, and Ireland is not a part of the Union. What a peculiar situation for John Bull and the constitution! As a result, it appears that this flag is flown at public buildings throughout the land under false pretences!
Come on...............what do you say? Yes or no?
An article in the same issue of the "Western Mail" features` Adam Price M.P., and is headed -
"Plaid starts to utter the dreaded "I" word as M.P. predicts Welsh independence by 2020."
It says :
"Changes in Scotland and England will bring a separate state closer". You bet they will, and this blog predicts that we will not have to wait until 2020 to achieve the big "I" word.

Opinion Should be Based on Fact....

.... in my opinion.
I would like to publish an example for the heading above.

I maintain that Britain is not a nation, but practically all of us have been conditioned to believe that it is. We all grew up unaware of the difference. If Britain is composed of three (some would say four) nations, how is it possible that Britain is also a nation? In answering this question one should bear in mind that belief, which arises out of conditioning from an early age, fashions one's opinions. Conditioning is therefore another word for brainwashing, whether by accident or design. So we tend to express opinions out of belief, as we have identified with our beliefs and cannot see the wood for the trees. We accept what we have been told, or taught, without delving into the logic of it or understanding the true facts. It is not possible to divide truth but because of conditioning it is very difficult to define what truth is. Either you see it or you don't. Trying to analyse it or define it is not the answer. But it helps greatly to study the facts dispassionately, with an open mind, and truth will make itself apparent without too much effort.

(belief : old Saxon be-lief = to make a wish / i.e. wishing something were true).

Thursday 23 August 2007

From Britology Watch. - wordpress.com/2007

Why can’t we talk of devolution for England? This is not because it is impossible as a theoretical concept, far from it. It is because devolution, applied to England, is a logical non-sequitur: devolution from what? The point is that Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish devolution is a devolution from England: that’s how they see it and that’s what’s implied by the very term devolution - a transfer of government power accorded by the English to the other countries whose destiny and governance England has essentially controlled for centuries through the Union.
At work is a profound identification between England and Britain: the two terms are virtually synonymous; and Britain, to all intents and purposes, is the English state - its political identity and raison d’etre. Hence, English devolution is a contradiction in terms. Conceptually, this would imply not powers being devolved by an entity known as Britain to a component part of Britain known as England; but rather, this would be a case of England devolving powers to itself.

http://britologywatch.wordpress.com/2007

This is an interesting blog and well worth reading
Independence Cymru supports a parliament for England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland, and a Federal Assembly to deal with all matters of mutual interest.

Wednesday 22 August 2007

The Argument for Ending the Union


What is Britain? First of all it is an island, a geographical area on the map.

Secondly, it is a grouping of nations governed by a central authority based in London, the capital city of England. Thirdly it is a financial and economic powerhouse and a constituent member of the European Union and the United Nations.

In the recent past it has been involved in two major wars and has suffered drastically in terms of infrastructure at home and domination overseas. During the past millennium it has fought against the Welsh, the Scots, the Irish, the French, the Spanish, the Dutch, the Boers, the Americans, the Russians, the Indians, the Chinese, the Turks, the Sudanese, the Egyptians, the Afghans, the Germans, the Italians, the Japanese, the Argentines and the Serbs. For Britain read England.

If you believe in karma, think of this: the chickens are coming home to roost, and what goes around comes around. There is no question of disloyalty in thinking this way, as loyalty is to one’s nation, whether native or adopted. Britain is not a nation.

Britain is a union of nations which were incorporated following years of oppression.

The fact that Scotland allied with France, and Ireland allied with Germany reinforces this view, as England and its conquering armies was the enemy of both nations. The colonisation of Ireland was an act of war against a people who wished to be left alone to live in peace. Instead of this they were forced to defend themselves, and shed their blood for the freedom to live at peace in their own land, and ally with other nations to gain support for their just cause. In Scotland the banning of the wearing of the tartan and the enclosure of lands similarly brought about great distress and tribulation.

We are now in this new century reaping the results of these cruel and destructive acts perpetrated by England and its government against its neighbours.

It may be argued that these events are nothing to do with us, as they took place long ago and were the acts of our forefathers. But this is no absolution in my opinion, as we have inherited this situation, and the deeds of the forefathers are passed down and visited upon succeeding generations. It is therefore our duty and responsibility to redress their intransigence in this present age. In the days of King Edward I of England, and King Henry VIII there was no referendum for the Welsh people. They were forcibly annexed and incorporated into the English realm, like it or not. Some liked it, no doubt, as they do today, these people who still proclaim a British identity, and are “first British, then Welsh” or “first Welsh, then British”. It means nothing – one cannot be both, or one is accepting the fact of Wales being England – annexed, incorporated and subsumed, lost in the illusory ocean of “Britishness”. Let us all face and accept this reality : there is no ‘Britain’ as a nation. British = English. Those who proclaim their Welshness are in fact accepting the fact that they are English and inextricably a part of the Union, a union instigated by infidels - unless of course they perceive the truth, and reject the term “British” along with the iniquitous Union.

Tuesday 21 August 2007

A Time for Reconciliation

Britain has for centuries had a policy of ‘Divide and Rule’. By turning neighbour against neighbour, friend against friend Britain succeeded in conquering half the world. Plaid Cymru and the advocates of independence for Wales have a very different agenda. Instead of the past centuries’ maxim of ‘Divide and Rule’ we prefer to ‘Welcome and Unite’ to create a better Wales. We prefer to invite all who have vision and wish to join us in the cause of honour, dignity, freedom and justice to support and vote for Plaid in order to make a difference. No matter what you call yourself, be it Welsh, Cymro, British, English, Scottish or any other appellation or method of labelling yourself, it is your support and your vote that counts, as well as your enthusiasm and concern for Wales and the communities across the nation. We are open to the world and fully intend to make our mark on the world’s stage, in the debating chambers of the European Union and the United Nations.

Despite the onslaught of the protagonists of Britain and the Union, the tide will not be turned back and we are being swept along in the surge towards self-determination and self-rule. It is not only a duty and a responsibility for us, but also an open invitation to all who espouse our aims to join the steady progress towards ultimate fulfilment and achievement as a nation. Plaid Cymru’s membership has increased by 10% since the May Election. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Heed the call.....

The Death of a Myth

Glyn Davies (on his blog) is halfway to accepting 'independence' as a viable and desirable political destination for Wales, and I congratulate him for demolishing one myth, that Wales cannot support itself, but I am sadly disappointed to notice that he clings to another, along with other Welsh politicians who support the Union, and that is that Wales should be interdependent (which all countries inevitably are in the 21st century). Mr Davies's comments bring up the "separatist/isolationist myth" currently being marketed by Peter Hain as part of his so-called "summer offensive" directed against the substantial number of supporters for independence..
Gwynfor Evans foresaw a "nation among nations", trading, economically interdependent, a member of the UN and the EU, as Ireland is.today. The myth that Glyn Davies has revived cannot be sustained. There would be no frontier posts as the scaremongers like to tell us; there would be a Schengen-like agreement for uninterrupted passage between the nations, as there is between the two Irish states and the nations of continental Europe. The remaining myth is the one that Wales cannot afford to be independent, and we know that it can, as there are a large number of successful countries, such as Ireland, Iceland, Sweden and Singapore. Mr Davies knows well that Wales would not be cut off from England and the world. Therefore, he can embrace the idea of independence with a clean conscience.

However, Glyn Davies thinks that independence is "a thoroughly bad idea". He has yet to be convinced.

"What I posted was that I saw no reason why Wales would not flourish as an 'independent' nation. And that is what I do think. There are several reasons why we should oppose 'Independence', but that Wales could not survive as an independent nation is not one of them. In fact, I regard it as insulting to the Welsh nation to assert that she couldn't survive. Wales would not be the same country if it was not a part of Great Britain - but there is no reason why she should not flourish, both economically and politically. The government of this independent nation would certainly have less money to spend without the City of London tax base - and it would probably have to opt out of the international obligations that a British government accepts. I suppose that the reality would be that Wales success would depend on how well she would be governed."

Monday 20 August 2007

Reflections on Society

From an essay by David Hume

The ancient BRITONS had a singular kind of marriage, to be met with among no other people. Any number of them, as ten or a dozen, joined in a society together, which was perhaps requisite for mutual defence in those barbarous times. In order to link this society the closer, they took an equal number of wives in common; and whatever children were born, were reputed to belong to all of them, and were accordingly provided for by the whole community.

I.XIX6

Among the inferior creatures, nature herself, being the supreme legislator, prescribes all the laws which regulate their marriages, and varies those laws according to the different circumstances of the creature. Where she furnishes, with ease, food and defence to the newborn animal, the present embrace terminates the marriage; and the care of the offspring is committed entirely to the female. Where the food is of more difficult purchase, the marriage continues for one season, till the common progeny can provide for itself; and then the union immediately dissolves, and leaves each of the parties free to enter into a new engagement at the ensuing season. But nature, having endowed man with reason, has not so exactly regulated every article of his marriage contract, but has left him to adjust them, by his own prudence, according to his particular circumstances and situation. Municipal laws° are a supply to the wisdom of each individual; and, at the same time, by restraining the natural liberty of men, make private interest submit to the interest of the public. All regulations, therefore, on this head are equally lawful, and equally conformable to the principles of nature; though they are not all equally convenient, or equally useful to society. The laws may allow of polygamy, as among the Eastern nations; or of voluntary divorces, as among the GREEKS and ROMANS; or they may confine one man to one woman, during the whole course of their lives, as among the modern EUROPEANS. It may not be disagreeable to consider the advantages and disadvantages, which result from each of these institutions.

I.XIX.7

The advocates for polygamy may recommend it as the only effectual remedy for the disorders of love, and the only expedient for freeing men from that slavery to the females, which the natural violence of our passions has imposed upon us. By this means alone can we regain our right of sovereignty; and, sating our appetite, re-establish the authority of reason in our minds, and, of consequence, our own authority in our families. Man, like a weak sovereign, being unable to support himself against the wiles and intrigues of his subjects, must play one faction against another, and become absolute by the mutual jealousy of the females. To divide and to govern is an universal maxim; and by neglecting it, the EUROPEANS undergo a more grievous and a more ignominious slavery than the TURKS or PERSIANS, who are subjected indeed to a sovereign, that lies at a distance from them, but in their domestic affairs rule with an uncontrollable sway.b

I.XIX.8

On the other hand, it may be urged with better reason, that this sovereignty of the male is a real usurpation, and destroys that nearness of rank, not to say equality, which nature has established between the sexes. We are, by nature, their lovers, their friends, their patrons: Would we willingly exchange such endearing appellations, for the barbarous title of master and tyrant?

I.XIX.9

In what capacity shall we gain by this inhuman proceeding? As lovers, or as husbands? The lover, is totally annihilated; and courtship, the most agreeable scene in life, can no longer have place, where women have not the free disposal of themselves, but are bought and sold, like the meanest animal. The husband is as little a gainer, having found the admirable secret of extinguishing every part of love, except its jealousy. No rose without its thorn; but he must be a foolish wretch indeed, that throws away the rose and preserves only the thorn.c

Hmmmm! Interesting.....

Adam's Latest Campaign

Adam Price M.P. - Plaid Cymru - is threatening to cease paying for his television licence on account of the fact that Wales gets little television coverage, or distorted coverage, or that Wales and Welsh affairs are simply ignored by the London media on the network news. Is it time that Wales had a truly national television service, catering for the Welsh people and in the interests of Wales? Adam Price is right in bringing these issues pertaining to Wales to the public attention.

Sunday 19 August 2007

"Britishness...is a political synonym for Englishness which extends English culture over the Scots, the Welsh, and the Irish" - Gwynfor Evans

Reprinted from the "Western Mail" - the Debate continues

Blair's gaffe over Plaid policy

Jan 17 2007


Western Mail

TONY BLAIR yesterday made what many will see as a gaffe by suggesting that Plaid Cymru had virtually given up on its policy of Welsh independence.

The Prime Minister’s comment at his monthly press conference appeared to be at odds with Welsh Labour’s strategy of portraying Plaid as a party that would take Wales out of the UK.
Mr Blair defended the current constitutional settlement as “the most sensible way to organise our future”.
He then told reporters, “You even have a situation now where in Wales I think the Welsh nationalists have virtually given up on separation as their issue.”
He added, “You look around the world, most countries where you have different nationalities within one country have worked out a system where you do have one national parliament and separate devolved parliaments. That seems to me to be the sensible way to go.

“It would be an incredibly regressive and reactionary step to break [the Union] apart now.”
Labour has drawn criticism for not organising any specific commemoration for the 300th anniversary of the union between Scotland and England. MPs and VIPs were invited to an event last night by Gordon Brown, but the Chancellor himself was not present.
Mr Blair said the issue was “not about fireworks, but about argument”. He also warned against any attempt by the Scottish Parliament to hold a referendum on independence.
“I think the reality is that if Scotland ends up with an independence Bill and referendums on Scottish independence, then you are just going to create a situation of enormous uncertainty and instability,” he said. “I can’t believe that people want that. Even the prospect of such a thing is going to damage economic confidence.”

Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones denied that the party had completely junked its constitutional aspirations.
After launching Plaid’s pre-manifesto document in Cardiff Bay, he told the Western Mail, “Close to the end of the next term, we want to see a referendum on having full powers devolved, Scottish style. We have always understood that while the long-term aim of the party is independence, we want to see constitutional change taking place incrementally. The next stage is a Scottish-style Parliament.
“We also want to make it clear that we understand that constitutional change for many people isn’t a raison d’etre. “They want to see constitutional change so that they can do things – and that’s always been my personal view. It’s not an end in itself, it’s a vehicle to do things.”
Asked how far in the future “long term” might be, Mr Jones said, “Nobody knows. The reality about constitutional change is that circumstances might change quickly. It may take a long time to evolve, but I’m quite relaxed about that.” Asked for his view of the Union, Mr Jones said, “I think the problem with the current settlement is that the unanswered issue is England. It doesn’t surprise me to find that the English people feel they need their own Parliament. I believe that is the most logical step, because you cannot continue to have Scottish and Welsh MPs voting on matters which relate only to England, while English MPs cannot vote on the health service and education in Scotland and Wales.
“The problem for the Labour Party is that once that happens, it’s nothing to do with constitutional change, it’s about power – and what the Labour Party sees is that, at least in the short term, an English Parliament would destroy its capacity to rule England. So it wrecks them rather than wrecks the Union.”
Mr Jones said he thought Gordon Brown’s promotion of Britishness was outdated. He said, “Devolution has changed people’s view of themselves. The number of people who describe themselves as only British rather than, say, ‘British and Welsh’ has gone down substantially since devolution. I consider myself to be Welsh primarily and I think the reason for that is I identify very strongly with Wales as a nation, its place in the world, and I want to see that flourish.”

More Support for Independence

It is heartening to hear that more voices are being heard concerning the possibility of Wales becoming independent. I am not talking about those who already favour independence, or those who already have nationalistic views. I am speaking of the signed-up members of other political parties, those parties with their head office in Westminster, the Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. It now appears that Glyn Davies, one of the more enlightened members of the Conservative Party, has now come out in favour, by saying on one of the blogs that "Wales would survive and flourish as an independent country". He does qualify his remark by saying that it does not mean that it is the best policy. The embryonic and rapidly aborted All Wales Accord proved that there were sympathetic views voiced by Conservative and Liberal A.M.s on the question of Welsh independence. The successes of the SNP in Scotland has strengthened the debate and although the Scottish scions of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal parties have rejected the possibilities of a referendum on independence for Scotland their cousins in Wales have not taken a similar stance.
The fact that they have not gives encouragement that these parties in Wales are more open to the possibility of the holding of a referendum leading to the establishment of a Welsh Parliament which then is a prelude to independence. In fact the referendum is already incorporated in the One Wales Agreement signed by Labour and Plaid Cymru, and forms an integral part of the policies proposed by the National Assembly government. Given the trend towards greater and greater devolution for Wales and the other nations that make up Britain the support of all parties which sit in the Assembly is of paramount importance. Despite the "summer offensive" led by Peter Hain, and the negative attitudes of the British MPs at Westminster who oppose this trend and to whom further steps towards independence are an anathema, as well as the comments by Gordon Brown on the necessity to promote "Britishness", enlightened members of all parties are coming around to the view of Glyn Davies and others that independence may be a good thing after all.

Friday 17 August 2007

The Reunification of Wales

Wales re-united – what a great thing that would be if it were to happen!

In fact, it is happening and the rate of reunification will accelerate as more and more people see the deleterious effect that the Union has had on Wales, along with the damaging or neglectful policies of Westminster politicians, whether they be Labour or Conservative. At least, we cannot blame the Liberals as Britain has not had a Liberal government since the days of David Lloyd George. When we speak of reunification, what areas do we need to attend to?

First, there is infrastructure, not just links but integration between the north and the south, the east and the west. This involves new roads and railways, new bridges and new tunnels, and the revivifying and renovation of canals. It also involves containment and national self-sufficiency so that all necessary services and facilities are obtainable and accessible within the boundaries of the nation.

Secondly there is language and culture, so that we lose that terrible term “Anglo-Welsh”, and see ourselves as Welsh – not Anglo-Welsh, not British. Language need not be a divisive issue, but a sensible policy of bilingualism, under which both languages have equal status and Welsh is regarded as the native language of the nation and English is seen as the international language of communication (as it is used today throughout the world) will reunite those who speak Welsh with those who do not, through education and adult learning programmes.

Thirdly, we have the differences between the people of the Werin and the people of the anglicised areas of south, central and east Wales, where there has been some antipathy towards the reintroduction of national icons and traditions. Many people today still regard themselves as British (in the sense that British applies to all the peoples of the Union). It is not logical, however, to be both Welsh and British, or Scots and British, as Wales and Scotland are both nations (and are proud of it), but Britain is not a nation, but a conglomerate, or union of nations. One can be a citizen of the island of Britain, as Britain is an island or land-mass, but the allegiance should be to the nation, and not the Union which was forced upon the nations of Ireland, Wales and Scotland under legislation enacted by former kings of England.

The document that was put together by Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones is known as the One Wales Agreement. The previous attempt at coalition was known as the All Wales Accord. Both these documents sought to reconcile the differences which I have highlighted above and to reunify the disparate elements of the community of Wales and provide cohesion and commonality for the benefit of the people of Wales. “Making a difference” is all about this reunification process, which has been instigated by far-seeing politicians, and which will inevitably lead to the emergence of a better, a freer, a happier and a re-united Wales.

Whichever Way It Leads We Will Follow It

"This path is very strange. Sometimes it goes in circles, sometimes in spirals but whichever way it leads we will follow it."
- Hermann Hesse

The road to freedom is long and winding. Sometimes it doubles back on itself but when guided by common sense and purpose it leads forward towards the re-establishment of a nation of people bound by a common culture and heritage, with its language and many of its traditions intact. Throughout the history of the last millenium there has been a relatively successful policy of 'divide and rule' followed by successive rulers of the British Isles. Those who have dared to oppose or flaunt the power of the state, and formerly the kings and queens, have been dragged along in chains, imprisoned, tortured and executed, and their lands seized and expropriated. We can recall Caradog, William Wallace, Prince Llywelyn, Padraig Pearce and others, whose names are still remembered by those with an insight into injustice and a concern for human rights and dignity.

Now, at the beginning of the new millenium, we sense that change is in the air, and that the down-trodden Celtic nations of the
British Isles are experiencing an awakening and a resurgence. The visions of Saunders Lewis and Gwynfor Evans are about to be realised in the land they loved and cherished. The community of Wales is turning away from the socialist and bureaucratic policies of traditional, and particularly 'new' Labour, as well as the divisive and class-ridden policies of the Conservatives, and sees in Plaid a party that selflessly espouses the real and pressing needs of the people of Wales. The Party of Wales is the only democratic and truly radical alternative to the political clones from over the border.
But we must not discount the shades of political opinion which range throughout the country, from the so-called right, across the spectrum, to the so-called left. Plaid must represent and embrace, and absorb them all.
Plaid Cymru is the Party of Wales, and transcends ideological divisions. Unite in the cause of Wales!

Thursday 16 August 2007

A Conversation with Paul Flynn, M.P.

Your analysis in "Huw's Lament" (from his blog) is correct, and your perception of his failure to back the right horse is accurate. His actions have only resulted in exacerbating the divisions between Welsh Labour in the Assembly and the Welsh MPs at Westminster. His alignment with the latter has done him no good, as they and he are out of touch with present political realities.
The government in Wales lies with the Assembly and not with a clique of disgruntled MPs. I trust you will continue to support the new dynamic of Rhodri and Ieuan.

Thanks very much Alan. I have said something similar on today's (August 16th Blog) blog. wales 20:20 cannot have nay credibility while the sponsors remain anonymous. This is the best time for a decade in Welsh politics with solid grounds for hope of future success. why wallow in our rock bottom failure on May 3rd?

Wednesday 15 August 2007

Is Wales too Small to be a Nation State? MYTH


UN Member

Population

Date Admitted

EU

Commonwlth Member?

1

Tuvalu

10,300

15/19/2000

No

Yes (1)

2

Nauru

10,500

14/09/1999

No

Yes (2)

3

Palau

16,700

15/12/1994

No

No

4

San Marino

28,000

02/03/1992

No

No

5

Monaco

32,000

28/05/1993

No

No

6

Liechtenstein

32,000

18/09/1990

No

No

7

Saint Kitts & Nevis

39,000

23/09/1983

No

Yes (3)

8

Samoa

53,000

15/12/1976

No

Yes (4)

9

Marshall Islands

58,000

17/09/1991

No

No

10

Andorra

65,100

28/07/1993

No

No

11

Antigua & Barbuda

67,900

11/11/1981

No

Yes (5)

12

Dominica

70,000

18/12/1978

No

Yes (6)

13

Seychelles

78,500

21/09/1976

No

Yes (7)

14

Kiribati

79,000

14/9/1999

No

Yes (8)

15

Grenada

98,000

17/9/1974

No

Yes (9)

16

Tonga

114,000

14/09/1999

No

Yes (10)

17

Saint Vincent

117,000

16/09/1980

No

Yes (11)

18

Micronesia

122,000

17/09/1991

No

No

19

Sao Tome & Principe

149,000

16/09/1975

No

No

20

Saint Lucia

154,000

18/09/1979

No

Yes (12)

21

Belize

170,000

25/09/1981

No

Yes (13)

22

Vanuatu

192,000

15/09/1981

No

Yes (14)

23

Barbados

272,000

09/12/1966

No

Yes (15)

24

Bahamas

292,000

18/09/1973

No

Yes (16)

25

Iceland

281,000

19/11/1946

No

No

26

Maldives

287,000

21/09/1965

No

Yes (17)

27

Brunei Darussalam

338,000

21/09/1984

No

Yes (18)

28

Malta

379,000

01/12/1964

1 Yes 2004

Yes (19)

29

Solomon Islands

429,000

19/09/1978

No

Yes (20)

30

Suriname

435,000

14/12/1975

No

No

31

Cape Verde

438,000

16/09/1975

No

No

32

Luxembourg

454,000

24/10/1945

2 Yes

No

33

Equatorial Guinea

510,000

12/11/1968

No

No

34

Comoros

546,000

12/11/1975

No

No

35

Qatar

579,000

21/09/1971

No

No

36

Montenegro

620,000

2006

No

No

37

Bahrain

667,000

21/09/1971

No

No

38

Djibouti

671,000

20/09/1977

No

No

39

Cyprus

759,000

20/09/1960

3 Yes 2004

Yes (21)

40

Timor-Leste (East Timor)

779,000

27/09/2002

No

No

41

Guyana

808,000

20/09/1966

No

Yes (22)

42

Fiji

862,000

13/10/1970

No

Yes (23)

43

Swaziland

992,000

24/09/1968

No

Yes (24)

44

Guinea-Bissau

1.2m

17/09/1974

No

No

45

Mauritius

1.2m

24/04/1968

No

Yes (25)

46

Gambia

1.3m

21/09/1965

No

Yes (26)

47

Trinidad & Tobago

1.4m

18/09/1962

No

Yes (27)

48

Estonia

1.5m

17/09/1991

4 Yes 2004

No

49

Gabon

1.5m

20/09/1960

No

No

50

Kuwait

1.6m

14/05/1963

No

No

51

Botswana

1.7m

17/10/1966

No

Yes (28)

52

Bhutan

1.8m

21/09/1971

No

No

53

Namibia

1.9m

23/04/1990

No

Yes (29)

54

Slovenia

2.0m

22/05/1992

5 Yes 2004

No

55

Oman

2.1m

07/10/1971

No

No

56

Macedonia

2.1m

08/04/1993

No

No

57

Lesotho

2.2m

17/10/1966

No

Yes (30)

58

United Arab Emirates

2.2m

09/12/1971

No

No

59

Latvia

2.4m

17/09/1991

6 Yes 2004

No

60

Mauritania

2.6m

27/10/1961

No

No

61

Mongolia

2.6m

27/10/1961

No

No

62

Singapore

2.7m

21/09/1965

No

Yes (31)

63

Jamaica

2.8m

18/09/1962

No

Yes (32)