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.