As the government sinks into the morass and there are more revelations of underhandedness and deception leading all the way up to the General Secretary of the Labour Party, and we hear the pleadings of ignorance of the rules and administrative forgetfulness, can we not wonder in amazement at the sheer effrontery and arrogance of the leaders of the "nation"? The "nation" is of course Britain which lays claim to being the nation of the Union, when in fact there are four nations which make up the Union, not one! These are England, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall (which was along with Wales subsumed into the British state centuries ago). Let us deal with historical facts, not historical manipulations and deceptions. Let us consider the history of the British Isles, as it actually was in its often sordid and turbulent reality, and not dwell on Britain and its conquests and campaigns, and educate our children in a history that is based on truth and not wishful thinking or outright dishonesty. There is only the actuality of events and not the interpretation of events, which varies according to one's beliefs or ideology. History should be taught, not according to interpretation, but according to actuality so that the truth may be known. The reason that there are so many disaffected Welsh men and women is that they were taught the wrong version of history and grew up believing it, and were not permitted to be aware of the true facts. Thus they grew up in the belief that they had a British identity and not a separate Welsh identity, and were discouraged from speaking their language or expressing their rich and vibrant culture. It is only now that many are becoming awakened - to the reality of who they are. Truth will out!
Prynhawn da (Good afternoon), Mr. Jones,
You might remember me as the American fellow with whom you debated a few months ago regarding "Britishness." I think the word in Cymraeg is "Brythonaidd." Anyway, at our local Cwrs Cymraeg (Welsh Language Course) the other night, some of my Cymry (Comrades) and I were talking about this Union Jack issue. Someone suggested incorporating Y Dddraig Goch (The Red Dragon) into the Union Jack. In response, I argued that if Cymru (Wales) is to be represented in the Union Jack, it would not be the dragon, but Saint David's Cross instead which would accompany Saint Andrew's Cross (Alban / Scotland) & Saint George's Cross (Lloegr / England).
The Red Dragon Flag of Wales is one of my favorite flags in the world. This is not only because of my fascination with Roman Britain and the Welsh language, but also just because it's just so darned beautiful visually. I guess I just think dragons look cool. Anyway, whenever our local Welsh-American orgainization is in a local festival or parade, we try to break out all the Welsh symbolism we can. So we use the dragon flag, St. Dave's Cross, leeks, daffodils, etc. It just so happens that the colors of St. Dave's Cross are similar to the colors of our local sports teams. At one festival, we even expanded our representation slightly beyond Wales and into the realm of Brythonic Celts by flying the Breton flag along with our Welsh ones. One man from Brittany was shocked & delighted by this.
Something just occured to me as I was writing this. Icons of Saint George often depict him slaying a dragon. I think he was a Greekophonic Roman soldier who was Christian before that became acceptable. I presume that the dragon in such a context is a symbol for Satan. Now that he is associated with England, however, I wondered if the dragon could be Wales -- like a symbol of Wales being conquered by England. If you Google images of St. George, you will see that sometimes the dragon is red (which makes me think of Wales), but sometimes it is green (which makes me think of Ireland -- which also has been dominated by England).
Just a few thoughts,
-- N. Rob Willis, Board Member, Saint David's Society of Pittsburgh, Inc.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
P.S.: I tried to reply to all, but my email provider seems not to be able to deal with more than 50 recipients in one transmission, so I only carbon copied to a small # of people on your list. I was hoping to kick ideas around with a lot of people at once, so if you feel like forwarding this to some or all of the parties who didn't receive this, feel free.
"The Nineteenth century saw a great Springtime of Nations as the revolutions of 1848 saw new countries created the length and breadth of Europe. In our world today we are now seeing our own Spring Awakening with people and cultures that have long been dormant and subdued asserting their right to exist, their right to dream." Adam Price MP
Friday, 30 November 2007
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Wales' Delayed Law-Making Powers and a "Welsh" Secretary Discredited
Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain has admitted that he failed to register a £5,000 donation to his deputy leadership campaign by Labour's new chief fund raiser.
Mr Hain blamed an "administrative error" for the failure to inform the Electoral Commission of the donation by Jon Mendelsohn.
"In the light of recent events, it has come to my attention that a donation from Jon Mendelsohn to my deputy leadership campaign was mistakenly not registered with the Electoral Commission," Mr Hain said in a statement on Thursday night.
"Jon Mendelsohn made a personal contribution of £5,000 at the end of June 2007. We wish to make clear that this was entirely an administrative error on the part of my campaign.
"I very much regret that the donation was not registered as it should have been and I am taking immediate steps to do so."
Mr Mendelsohn, who was not the party's fund raiser at the time, is already facing calls for his resignation after the disclosure that he was aware two months ago of the proxy donations to the party made by property developer David Abrahams.
Mr Peter Hain has made it clear that he is all in favour of a Welsh referendum on the establishment of a Welsh Parliament. It appears that he intends to slow down the process as best he can (along with the approval of LCO's handed down from the Assembly) so that it may be another 50 years before Wales has full self-governing powers, by which time the population of Wales will be so multi-ethnic that nobody will care very much whether Wales is an independent nation or not, and all this silly hullabaloo about national status will be dead in the water. Unfortunately for him, he has not reckoned with the dogged determination of patriotic countrymen and women of Wales who see Britain as an archaic irrelevance in this contemporary European setting.
Occasionally comments are offered on this blog which deserve to be given prominence, so please read on:
Evan has left a new comment on your post "Wales' Delayed Law-Making Powers":
You know, you make a solid point in this post, which is something I worry about-- what if Nulabour winds up flooding Wales so much with newcomers that Welsh identity dissipates? Thus far this has chiefly been a problem for England, much more than Wales and Scotland but it could be an issue long-term.
One suggestion I have here-- strengthen Welsh cultural markers enough, especially the Welsh language, such that any immigrants to Wales who want a work permit as well as their children, must learn Cymraeg. Especially for doing public sector jobs.
This way, Wales can absorb the newcomers but make sure that they are integrated into the broader Welsh society and cultural structure. If we fail to do this, then it's just Anglicization by other means, and a further submission of Welsh identity to the English.
Along with your own emphasis here-- on accelerated devolution of powers to a Welsh parliament-- placing a stronger emphasis on the Welsh language may be the best safeguard to ensuring that newcomers to Wales are connected up to Welsh society and integrate, rather than diluting it out. Welsh should also be used increasingly as the medium for schools and for media. This is similar to what the Irish are increasingly doing in Ireland-- requiring that Irish Gaelic be used in schools, in media, and also that immigrants to Ireland and their children learn and actively use Irish Gaelic for their daily business.
When a country, especially a small country with a small base population (such as Wales) accepts immigrants, it is imperative to require the immigrants to learn and absorb the local culture in return for the privilege of immigrating and working here. For us, that means compulsory learning and usage of the Welsh language.
Mr Hain blamed an "administrative error" for the failure to inform the Electoral Commission of the donation by Jon Mendelsohn.
"In the light of recent events, it has come to my attention that a donation from Jon Mendelsohn to my deputy leadership campaign was mistakenly not registered with the Electoral Commission," Mr Hain said in a statement on Thursday night.
"Jon Mendelsohn made a personal contribution of £5,000 at the end of June 2007. We wish to make clear that this was entirely an administrative error on the part of my campaign.
"I very much regret that the donation was not registered as it should have been and I am taking immediate steps to do so."
Mr Mendelsohn, who was not the party's fund raiser at the time, is already facing calls for his resignation after the disclosure that he was aware two months ago of the proxy donations to the party made by property developer David Abrahams.
Mr Peter Hain has made it clear that he is all in favour of a Welsh referendum on the establishment of a Welsh Parliament. It appears that he intends to slow down the process as best he can (along with the approval of LCO's handed down from the Assembly) so that it may be another 50 years before Wales has full self-governing powers, by which time the population of Wales will be so multi-ethnic that nobody will care very much whether Wales is an independent nation or not, and all this silly hullabaloo about national status will be dead in the water. Unfortunately for him, he has not reckoned with the dogged determination of patriotic countrymen and women of Wales who see Britain as an archaic irrelevance in this contemporary European setting.
Occasionally comments are offered on this blog which deserve to be given prominence, so please read on:
Evan has left a new comment on your post "Wales' Delayed Law-Making Powers":
You know, you make a solid point in this post, which is something I worry about-- what if Nulabour winds up flooding Wales so much with newcomers that Welsh identity dissipates? Thus far this has chiefly been a problem for England, much more than Wales and Scotland but it could be an issue long-term.
One suggestion I have here-- strengthen Welsh cultural markers enough, especially the Welsh language, such that any immigrants to Wales who want a work permit as well as their children, must learn Cymraeg. Especially for doing public sector jobs.
This way, Wales can absorb the newcomers but make sure that they are integrated into the broader Welsh society and cultural structure. If we fail to do this, then it's just Anglicization by other means, and a further submission of Welsh identity to the English.
Along with your own emphasis here-- on accelerated devolution of powers to a Welsh parliament-- placing a stronger emphasis on the Welsh language may be the best safeguard to ensuring that newcomers to Wales are connected up to Welsh society and integrate, rather than diluting it out. Welsh should also be used increasingly as the medium for schools and for media. This is similar to what the Irish are increasingly doing in Ireland-- requiring that Irish Gaelic be used in schools, in media, and also that immigrants to Ireland and their children learn and actively use Irish Gaelic for their daily business.
When a country, especially a small country with a small base population (such as Wales) accepts immigrants, it is imperative to require the immigrants to learn and absorb the local culture in return for the privilege of immigrating and working here. For us, that means compulsory learning and usage of the Welsh language.
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Britain's Chameleon P.M. - Our View
Or how the present British Prime Minister has changed, from "Stalin to Mr Bean" in the space of 155 days in office. The watchword of the day is "transparency". Only when the facts are known and the truth is out is there transparency. Transparency as a principle is clearly not in evidence in the machinations and manipulations of the British Labour Party. It is obvious to those members of the public who are not staunch Labour supporters - who claim the party can do no wrong - that politicians of today care little for principle and integrity and more about self-promotion and financial gain.
Put our Welsh dragon on the Union Jack! Or not!!
There has been overwhelming distaste for including the dragon on the Union Flag.
BBC NEWS | UK | Welsh dragon call for Union flag
The Union Jack should be combined with the Welsh flag, according to an MP who wants the change to be made to reflect Wales's status within the UK. What do you reckon - a good idea?
BBC Local News says that in a Commons debate, Wrexham's Labour MP Ian Lucas said Wales' Red Dragon should be added to the Union Jack's red, white and blue pattern.
He said the Union Jack currently only represented the other three UK nations. But Stewart Jackson, Conservative MP for Peterborough, said the plan was "eccentric" and would be unpopular.
Unpopular? Surely not in Wales if you want us to be 'recognised' on the Union flag - or perhaps the feeling is that Wales should not be on there so we stand apart. What do you think?
* Nick - Web Team
* 1.
* At 12:01 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Leigh wrote:
Completely and utterly unwanted.
At a time when Wales is looking toward a future with increased self governance it seems like a backward step to symbolically ingrain ourselves in the UK when we should be looking to cement our place as a European nation.
* 2.
* At 12:01 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Steve wrote:
I thought we wanted to be independent from the rest of the UK. It seems that we only want a national or international presence when it suits us. Waste of time and money. Hasn't Ian Lucas got better things to do?
* 3.
* At 12:26 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Craig wrote:
I was agreeing with Ian Lucas when i was reading the article a minute ago, but then i saw your comments. And I totally disagreed with Lucas! You guys have brought a valid point up which I totally agree with. Why go backwards when we're going forward?
* 4.
* At 12:57 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Alex McGee wrote:
Why dont we just run the cross of St David (a gold cross on a black field) through the centre of the red central cross of the union flag?
* 5.
* At 12:59 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Rhys wrote:
Hasn't Ian Lucas got better things to do?
Obviously not. Like most Labour MP's from Wales he knows the days of a cushy life in London will soon over when the number of Welsh MP's are reduced and is clutching at straws. I almost feel sorry for him.
* 6.
* At 01:21 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Daffyd wrote:
Keep it distinctive to Wales. And use the flag more and more. Trying to add it to the Union Jack is a retrograde step.
* 7.
* At 02:10 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* sion wrote:
na we dont 2nd place of us on the flag lets go for 1st place of independence!! Cymru AM byth!
* 8.
* At 02:19 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Liam Harries wrote:
no way...100%WELSH NOT BRITISH!!!
* 9.
* At 02:58 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Tiffany wrote:
I agree with everyones comments it would be a bad idea to try to put the red dragon on the flag. We want wales to be independant from the UK plus where exactly on the flag are they going to put the red dragon? it will look stupid!
* 10.
* At 03:00 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Huw Rollinson wrote:
This must absolutely NOT happen. I suspect Ian Lucas is merely seeking some publicity for himself. The bottom line is that the Union has only really existed in the minds of the English. The Welsh have always been Welsh, the Scots, Scottish etc.,
The Ddraig Goch is too fantastic a symbol to be tarnished by a dubious and unwarranted association with the Union flag.
* 11.
* At 03:50 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Katherine wrote:
No, thank you.
It would, I think, be a shame to see Y Ddraig Goch diminished in this way.
*12. deleted
* 13.
* At 03:59 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Mic Thomas wrote:
More freedom less union
Leave the Draig alone - literally
*14.
* At 04:00 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Free Wales wrote:
Wales should not be represented on the union flag, as we were never conquered by the English.
Theres only one flag, and thats "Y Ddraig Goch"
* 15.
* At 04:40 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* screen wrote:
I think the political leaders want media coverage and are in wrong impression that they can create history by bringing such changes, I just laugh on this. I quite don't understand what is the need of doing this? In my opinion no one should be allowed to change the traditional emblem and heritage which is attached to our tradition, culture and belief.
* 16.
* At 07:07 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Ken Williams wrote:
All four emblems should be on the flag, a Welsh Dragon, Scottish Thistle, Irish Harp or Shamrock and English Rose. Perhaps in the middle of the Union Jack.
Lets unite our differences and build on the past.
* 17.
* At 07:49 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Rosalin Wakeman wrote:
I think the inclusion of the Welsh Dragon is an excellent idea. I deeply resent the present design of the union flag being taking to represent Britain when it patently does no such thing.
I would also abandon the 'Prince of Wales feathers' as a symbol of Wales and things Welsh. It represents a spurious title, and the German motto only compounds its inappropriateness.
The Welsh dragon is far more suitable from a cultural, historical and aesthetic standpoint.
Ros Wakeman
* 18.
* At 08:36 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Arfon Jones wrote:
Ian Lucas is not in touch with public opinion in Wales. What we want is our own national flags and bin the Union flag. Lucas wants to reinvent the Union as he well knows with the unstoppable march to greater devolution he and his MP colleagues are going to be redundant and the sooner the better if this suggestion is the best he can come up with.
* 19.
* At 08:41 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* dave wrote:
why don't we call the dragon mohammed and be done with it.
what a waste of time and effort,
is this all we pay our mps for.no wonder the counry`s in the mess it is
* 20.
* At 11:23 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* St George wrote:
I'm English, very proud of it and I live in Wales.The Union Flag represents Great Britain but how many people class themselves as British? Mainly the immigrants living in the country. Every Welsh man I know is proud of his country and the flag that represents it, the Welsh Dragon. You really don't know how lucky you are to able to fly the flag. Unfortunately being English is not very P.C. at the moment and even flying the Cross of St George on St Georges day is offensive to the minorities!!!
The Welsh dont need any more representation, fly your flags while you still can because you never know when Mr Minority will turn up and try to put an end to all.
* 21.
* At 02:15 AM on 28 Nov 2007,
* Taliesin wrote:
Ian Lucas may be a Welsh MP, but he is English and decidely Unionist: his motives clearly reflect that and his suggestion should be seen in the context of Gordon "Rule Britannia" Brown's drive to promote a contructed "Britishness" (hence the "British" soccer squad for the London Olympics, a "Home Nations" tournament, etc,).
The solution here is obvious. Firstly, Northern Ireland is NOT a country but a province; republicans see it as part of Ireland and loyalists fly the flag of England, so neither side would object to removing Ireland from the flag. Secondly, we Welsh are quite happy with our own national flag so you can keep us off the UK flag with pleasure. Thirdly, the Scots will be bidding adieu shortly anyway. Remove us Celts and what you are left with is what the imperialist rag has always represented: dear old England, the land where bigotry has no name and all nations are regarded as equal(honest guv...). What the English do with it then is your their affair. How about selling it to the Yanks?
* 22.
* At 02:30 AM on 28 Nov 2007,
* destination wrote:
I am not British but I am aware about the historical and culture of Wales, to preserve our cultural value and tradition let it as it is.
BBC NEWS | UK | Welsh dragon call for Union flag
The Union Jack should be combined with the Welsh flag, according to an MP who wants the change to be made to reflect Wales's status within the UK. What do you reckon - a good idea?
BBC Local News says that in a Commons debate, Wrexham's Labour MP Ian Lucas said Wales' Red Dragon should be added to the Union Jack's red, white and blue pattern.
He said the Union Jack currently only represented the other three UK nations. But Stewart Jackson, Conservative MP for Peterborough, said the plan was "eccentric" and would be unpopular.
Unpopular? Surely not in Wales if you want us to be 'recognised' on the Union flag - or perhaps the feeling is that Wales should not be on there so we stand apart. What do you think?
* Nick - Web Team
* 1.
* At 12:01 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Leigh wrote:
Completely and utterly unwanted.
At a time when Wales is looking toward a future with increased self governance it seems like a backward step to symbolically ingrain ourselves in the UK when we should be looking to cement our place as a European nation.
* 2.
* At 12:01 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Steve wrote:
I thought we wanted to be independent from the rest of the UK. It seems that we only want a national or international presence when it suits us. Waste of time and money. Hasn't Ian Lucas got better things to do?
* 3.
* At 12:26 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Craig wrote:
I was agreeing with Ian Lucas when i was reading the article a minute ago, but then i saw your comments. And I totally disagreed with Lucas! You guys have brought a valid point up which I totally agree with. Why go backwards when we're going forward?
* 4.
* At 12:57 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Alex McGee wrote:
Why dont we just run the cross of St David (a gold cross on a black field) through the centre of the red central cross of the union flag?
* 5.
* At 12:59 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Rhys wrote:
Hasn't Ian Lucas got better things to do?
Obviously not. Like most Labour MP's from Wales he knows the days of a cushy life in London will soon over when the number of Welsh MP's are reduced and is clutching at straws. I almost feel sorry for him.
* 6.
* At 01:21 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Daffyd wrote:
Keep it distinctive to Wales. And use the flag more and more. Trying to add it to the Union Jack is a retrograde step.
* 7.
* At 02:10 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* sion wrote:
na we dont 2nd place of us on the flag lets go for 1st place of independence!! Cymru AM byth!
* 8.
* At 02:19 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Liam Harries wrote:
no way...100%WELSH NOT BRITISH!!!
* 9.
* At 02:58 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Tiffany wrote:
I agree with everyones comments it would be a bad idea to try to put the red dragon on the flag. We want wales to be independant from the UK plus where exactly on the flag are they going to put the red dragon? it will look stupid!
* 10.
* At 03:00 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Huw Rollinson wrote:
This must absolutely NOT happen. I suspect Ian Lucas is merely seeking some publicity for himself. The bottom line is that the Union has only really existed in the minds of the English. The Welsh have always been Welsh, the Scots, Scottish etc.,
The Ddraig Goch is too fantastic a symbol to be tarnished by a dubious and unwarranted association with the Union flag.
* 11.
* At 03:50 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Katherine wrote:
No, thank you.
It would, I think, be a shame to see Y Ddraig Goch diminished in this way.
*12. deleted
* 13.
* At 03:59 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Mic Thomas wrote:
More freedom less union
Leave the Draig alone - literally
*14.
* At 04:00 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Free Wales wrote:
Wales should not be represented on the union flag, as we were never conquered by the English.
Theres only one flag, and thats "Y Ddraig Goch"
* 15.
* At 04:40 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* screen wrote:
I think the political leaders want media coverage and are in wrong impression that they can create history by bringing such changes, I just laugh on this. I quite don't understand what is the need of doing this? In my opinion no one should be allowed to change the traditional emblem and heritage which is attached to our tradition, culture and belief.
* 16.
* At 07:07 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Ken Williams wrote:
All four emblems should be on the flag, a Welsh Dragon, Scottish Thistle, Irish Harp or Shamrock and English Rose. Perhaps in the middle of the Union Jack.
Lets unite our differences and build on the past.
* 17.
* At 07:49 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Rosalin Wakeman wrote:
I think the inclusion of the Welsh Dragon is an excellent idea. I deeply resent the present design of the union flag being taking to represent Britain when it patently does no such thing.
I would also abandon the 'Prince of Wales feathers' as a symbol of Wales and things Welsh. It represents a spurious title, and the German motto only compounds its inappropriateness.
The Welsh dragon is far more suitable from a cultural, historical and aesthetic standpoint.
Ros Wakeman
* 18.
* At 08:36 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* Arfon Jones wrote:
Ian Lucas is not in touch with public opinion in Wales. What we want is our own national flags and bin the Union flag. Lucas wants to reinvent the Union as he well knows with the unstoppable march to greater devolution he and his MP colleagues are going to be redundant and the sooner the better if this suggestion is the best he can come up with.
* 19.
* At 08:41 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* dave wrote:
why don't we call the dragon mohammed and be done with it.
what a waste of time and effort,
is this all we pay our mps for.no wonder the counry`s in the mess it is
* 20.
* At 11:23 PM on 27 Nov 2007,
* St George wrote:
I'm English, very proud of it and I live in Wales.The Union Flag represents Great Britain but how many people class themselves as British? Mainly the immigrants living in the country. Every Welsh man I know is proud of his country and the flag that represents it, the Welsh Dragon. You really don't know how lucky you are to able to fly the flag. Unfortunately being English is not very P.C. at the moment and even flying the Cross of St George on St Georges day is offensive to the minorities!!!
The Welsh dont need any more representation, fly your flags while you still can because you never know when Mr Minority will turn up and try to put an end to all.
* 21.
* At 02:15 AM on 28 Nov 2007,
* Taliesin wrote:
Ian Lucas may be a Welsh MP, but he is English and decidely Unionist: his motives clearly reflect that and his suggestion should be seen in the context of Gordon "Rule Britannia" Brown's drive to promote a contructed "Britishness" (hence the "British" soccer squad for the London Olympics, a "Home Nations" tournament, etc,).
The solution here is obvious. Firstly, Northern Ireland is NOT a country but a province; republicans see it as part of Ireland and loyalists fly the flag of England, so neither side would object to removing Ireland from the flag. Secondly, we Welsh are quite happy with our own national flag so you can keep us off the UK flag with pleasure. Thirdly, the Scots will be bidding adieu shortly anyway. Remove us Celts and what you are left with is what the imperialist rag has always represented: dear old England, the land where bigotry has no name and all nations are regarded as equal(honest guv...). What the English do with it then is your their affair. How about selling it to the Yanks?
* 22.
* At 02:30 AM on 28 Nov 2007,
* destination wrote:
I am not British but I am aware about the historical and culture of Wales, to preserve our cultural value and tradition let it as it is.
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Dragons in Waiting! Published in Friday's Western Mail
The Labour MP Mr Ian Lucas has called for Wales to be represented on the Union flag. Well, it's a start I suppose, but it is also true that a dragon inserted into the Union flag will not make "any difference to the unity of the country", as Conservative unionists say. First of all, which "country" are they talking about? Obviously Britain. Let us not forget that here in Wales it is Wales (or rather Cymru) which is "our country".
Wales is not represented on the flag because Wales was incorporated into England in 1535. Therefore Wales is not interested in being represented on the Union flag. Wales is interested only in flying its own flag, the flag of the Red Dragon.
Not to be included is a disgrace, it is true, but Wales has a perfectly good flag of its own which many people in Wales are proud to fly, on their cars and in their gardens. Long may this continue, and may the flag continue to be the only flag of Wales. Wales has no use for the Union flag because Wales is on the way to independence and the intention is to free Wales from the clutches of the union.
Wales is not represented on the flag because Wales was incorporated into England in 1535. Therefore Wales is not interested in being represented on the Union flag. Wales is interested only in flying its own flag, the flag of the Red Dragon.
Not to be included is a disgrace, it is true, but Wales has a perfectly good flag of its own which many people in Wales are proud to fly, on their cars and in their gardens. Long may this continue, and may the flag continue to be the only flag of Wales. Wales has no use for the Union flag because Wales is on the way to independence and the intention is to free Wales from the clutches of the union.
Monday, 26 November 2007
Announcement of Events
CILMERI 2007
Amserlen
8/12/07
10.30. Ymgunnull tu allan Tafarn Tywysog Llywelyn a thrafaeulu mewn modurdaith i Eglwys Llanynys am Wasanaeth Coffa (11.15).
Meet outside the Prince Llywelyn Tafarn then travel in a motorcade to Llanynys Church for Remembrance Service (11.15).
12.30. Dychwelyd i'r tafarn am ginio.
Return to the pub for lunch.
2.30. Gorymdaith a Rali Llywelyn wrth y Garreg Goffa.
Parade and rally at the Memorial Stone.
5.00. Noson Lawen yn y tafarn.
Noson Lawen in the pub.
7.30. Noson Werin yn Neuadd y Pentref, Cilmeri.
Folk evening in Cilmeri Village Hall
9/12/07
10.00. Clwb Golff, Llanfair y Muallt. Gosod torchau er cof Llywelyn a'i fyddin.
Builth Golf Club. Laying of wreaths in memory of Llywelyn and his army.
11.00. Castell Aberedw - darlith fer a thro fyr.
Aberedw Castle - short walk and talk.
1.00. Abaty Cwm Hir. Gwasanaeth yn yr Abaty; darlith a lluniaeth yn Neuadd Phillips wedyn.
Abaty Cwm Hir. Service in the Abbey; lecture and refreshments in the Phillips Hall later.
Dewch mewn lluoedd, gwisgwch iorwg a phaid anghofio eich 'sgidiau glaw!!
Come in droves, wear ivy and don't forget your wellingtons !!
www.cilmeri.org
Amserlen
8/12/07
10.30. Ymgunnull tu allan Tafarn Tywysog Llywelyn a thrafaeulu mewn modurdaith i Eglwys Llanynys am Wasanaeth Coffa (11.15).
Meet outside the Prince Llywelyn Tafarn then travel in a motorcade to Llanynys Church for Remembrance Service (11.15).
12.30. Dychwelyd i'r tafarn am ginio.
Return to the pub for lunch.
2.30. Gorymdaith a Rali Llywelyn wrth y Garreg Goffa.
Parade and rally at the Memorial Stone.
5.00. Noson Lawen yn y tafarn.
Noson Lawen in the pub.
7.30. Noson Werin yn Neuadd y Pentref, Cilmeri.
Folk evening in Cilmeri Village Hall
9/12/07
10.00. Clwb Golff, Llanfair y Muallt. Gosod torchau er cof Llywelyn a'i fyddin.
Builth Golf Club. Laying of wreaths in memory of Llywelyn and his army.
11.00. Castell Aberedw - darlith fer a thro fyr.
Aberedw Castle - short walk and talk.
1.00. Abaty Cwm Hir. Gwasanaeth yn yr Abaty; darlith a lluniaeth yn Neuadd Phillips wedyn.
Abaty Cwm Hir. Service in the Abbey; lecture and refreshments in the Phillips Hall later.
Dewch mewn lluoedd, gwisgwch iorwg a phaid anghofio eich 'sgidiau glaw!!
Come in droves, wear ivy and don't forget your wellingtons !!
www.cilmeri.org
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Come One, Come All
PUBLIC MEETING WITH
HELEN MARY JONES AM
Memorial Hall/Neuadd Goffa
Burry Port/Porth Tywyn
Thursday 29th November 2007
At 7:00 pm
All are invited / Croeso i bawb
HELEN MARY JONES AM
Memorial Hall/Neuadd Goffa
Burry Port/Porth Tywyn
Thursday 29th November 2007
At 7:00 pm
All are invited / Croeso i bawb
Saturday, 24 November 2007
The End
No, sorry to disappoint some anti-devolutionists and pro-unionists - it is not the end of the Blog! It is the end of a long chapter in the history of Britain.
It is the end of New Labour, particularly with regard to Wales and Scotland.
It is the end of Conservative Unionism, also with regard to Wales.
It is the end of bureaucratic centralism in Whitehall and Westminster. It is the end of bungling and incompetence, spin and sleaze. It is the end of closures and lay-offs, cut-backs and the withdrawal of essential services.
It is the end of Britain's proudly proclaimed unwritten constitution which has no regard for its constituent nations - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It is the end of the undemocratic approach of government where policies are steam-rollered through without due consultation and attention to the wishes of the electorate.
It is the end of the road for those MPs, and one lord, in Westminster who turn their backs on the land of their fathers and who seek their fortune and recognition in the corridors of a foreign power.
It is the end of tyranny, the end of injustice, the end of exploitation and the end of subjection to an alien culture, with alien values and alien beliefs.
It is the beginning of a new era, for every end augurs a new beginning, with a new spirit and a new anticipation for what will emerge from the ashes of the old regime.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men which, if taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." It is a growing tide which will sweep all vestiges of the Union away forever and transform this land, bringing with it peace and harmony, justice and hope, and a welcome revival in community life.
It is the end of New Labour, particularly with regard to Wales and Scotland.
It is the end of Conservative Unionism, also with regard to Wales.
It is the end of bureaucratic centralism in Whitehall and Westminster. It is the end of bungling and incompetence, spin and sleaze. It is the end of closures and lay-offs, cut-backs and the withdrawal of essential services.
It is the end of Britain's proudly proclaimed unwritten constitution which has no regard for its constituent nations - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It is the end of the undemocratic approach of government where policies are steam-rollered through without due consultation and attention to the wishes of the electorate.
It is the end of the road for those MPs, and one lord, in Westminster who turn their backs on the land of their fathers and who seek their fortune and recognition in the corridors of a foreign power.
It is the end of tyranny, the end of injustice, the end of exploitation and the end of subjection to an alien culture, with alien values and alien beliefs.
It is the beginning of a new era, for every end augurs a new beginning, with a new spirit and a new anticipation for what will emerge from the ashes of the old regime.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men which, if taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." It is a growing tide which will sweep all vestiges of the Union away forever and transform this land, bringing with it peace and harmony, justice and hope, and a welcome revival in community life.
Friday, 23 November 2007
All Good Things Come to an End
The party's over for New Labour.
The government of Britain is disintegrating, among increasing incidents of incompetence and sleaze. The people have had enough and have lost their trust in the ministers of the Crown. Attention is now being focused on the emerging governments of Wales and Scotland and Northern Ireland. Let Wales and Scotland provide their own funding and take control of their own water supplies, investing in their own growth and prosperity. Ireland has proved that it can be done, and the arguments for financial and economic independence are sound. Taking control of our own resources and manpower will provide a new impetus and stimulate the national economy and stem the flow of labour and talent beyond the borders. Devolved government should be unrestricted and not bound by the necessity to have laws that are passed in Cardiff regulated and approved in London.
The government of Britain is disintegrating, among increasing incidents of incompetence and sleaze. The people have had enough and have lost their trust in the ministers of the Crown. Attention is now being focused on the emerging governments of Wales and Scotland and Northern Ireland. Let Wales and Scotland provide their own funding and take control of their own water supplies, investing in their own growth and prosperity. Ireland has proved that it can be done, and the arguments for financial and economic independence are sound. Taking control of our own resources and manpower will provide a new impetus and stimulate the national economy and stem the flow of labour and talent beyond the borders. Devolved government should be unrestricted and not bound by the necessity to have laws that are passed in Cardiff regulated and approved in London.
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Breaking Away from a Debased Britain
A Scottish Spring for Independence
Gerry Hassan
Sunday Times (Scotland) article, 18 November 2007
In a week in which it became quicker to get from London to Paris by rail than Edinburgh to London it is not surprising that Scotland and England are beginning to feel more like separate worlds.
Alex Salmond this week made the prediction that Scotland will be independent by 2017 and set out to woo the waverers he needs to achieve this. He has made these sort of predictions before, but this time things are different with the SNP in power in the UK and wider world.
Britain in the Thatcher and Blair eras has become an over-centralised nation, where the centre has its finger in nearly every pie, despite devolution. The sad state of local government, which merely presides over central government diktats, is testimony to this. Even more, is the extent to which Westminster ministers decide the most minute local issues about what happens in relation to hospitals, schools, prisons and bridges. The centralism of the UK is combined with a narrow idea of politics and democracy. The three main parties at Westminster - Labour, Conservatives and Lib Dems - agree on everything (Iraq apart): the inequality and poverty which scars British society, the degree of corporate greed and irresponsibility, the fanatical commitment to the American relationship.
British politics have become debased in the last few years, under Thatcher and then under Blair. And there is no sign that the warm words from Gordon Brown about constitutional reform show any sign of bringing about fundamental change. Now we have figures from the respected Oxford Economics consultancy which show that the idea of Scotland being over-subsidised is just another myths - and that the part of the UK with the most public spending (Northern Ireland apart) is the apex of power: London. In terms of public spending the parts of the UK which do least well are the English regions outside London. None of these figures are really that surprising; we should know that the UK, given its state, politics and culture, has never really worked well for the majority of working people.
The interesting thing from these figures is that many of the Unionist arguments for Scotland remaining in the union were based on finances alone and Scotland being incapable of governing itself. Where do such people turn to now? In reality, whether Scotland become independent or not has never been about the money. This has always been a smoke screen. It was always the case that if Unionist politicians were to find that Scotland could be viably independent, they wouldn't turn around and say they'd got their figures wrong and change their views. The same is true of SNP politicians. If, post-independence, the Scottish structural deficit proved to be a chasm, they would not change their positions and settle for the Union. So independence has never been a money issue. It is also not about what happened in the past. The rights and wrongs of 1707 should have little bearing on whether Scotland should be independent. Instead, we should be looking to the future.
It is striking that those who now make the case for independence are internationalist and outward-looking whereas Unionists tend to cling to British insularism and the politics of fear. It never used to be so. Nationalists used to invoke couthy, romantic notions of Scotland, tartan and shortbread. The Unionists felt the UK was the future bringing poor Scots and poor English people out of poverty. Unionists such as Gordon Brown and Douglas Alexander love to wax lyrically about the progressiveness and uniqueness of the United Kingdom. They talk of a land that is a great big melting pot of multi-culturalism and multi-national values; a force for good at home and abroad. This is the kind of British chauvinism which the Labour Party has raised since its inception, ignoring other diverse countries in the world, and turning a blind eye to how we look after our own people, let alone the consequences of how we act in the wider world.
One of the worst arguments made by Unionists against Scottish independence is to invoke the age of 'globalisation' and 'interdependence' and patronise Nationalists with being out of time and out of tune with the modern world. This is a marvellously insular British argument which ignores what has happened beyond the shores of the UK. The last decade and a half has seen an unprecedented springtime for nations across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. From the Adriatic to the Baltic and Black Sea, an astonishing twenty-three new nations have become independent. Indeed, only days after the recent Scottish Parliament elections, the small, former Yugoslav republic of Montenegro became the latest entrant to this expanding club and 192nd member of the United Nations.
Small countries around the world - and particularly in Europe, whether newly independent such as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, or nations which became independent earlier in the 20th century such as Ireland and Norway - have all managed to be successes, economically, socially and culturally. When Unionists talk about these nations - and cite the Irish success story or what has happened in Estonia - they fascinatingly want to talk about every factor (church vs. state, public investment) bar one; the fact that they are independent. Independence has been a major impact in bringing about change in all these countries. It may have taken the Irish several decades to embark on the road to prosperity, but the Baltic nations and many others starting from a more rocky place than Scotland have succeeded in the
transition from being part of a transnational Empire to independent states.
The road to independence is as much about culture and psyche as it is about economics. Independence provides the Scots with an opportunity to develop a new national narrative and story - one which motivates and inspires us, including most elements of Scottish society, giving us a sense of purpose and mission. This would be exciting and emboldening for most people in Scotland - and not without some risk. However, the opportunities are so much more. Scottish independence would be good for Scotland and good for the United Kingdom, dealing a crucial blow to the deformed nature of Westminster and British politics. And it would be good internationally, weakening the Atlanticist nature of British foreign policy. I would like to contribute a small part to this.
Gerry Hassan has written extensively on Scottish and UK politics and was
Head of the recent Demos Scotland 2020 and Glasgow 2020 projects.
Gerry Hassan
Sunday Times (Scotland) article, 18 November 2007
In a week in which it became quicker to get from London to Paris by rail than Edinburgh to London it is not surprising that Scotland and England are beginning to feel more like separate worlds.
Alex Salmond this week made the prediction that Scotland will be independent by 2017 and set out to woo the waverers he needs to achieve this. He has made these sort of predictions before, but this time things are different with the SNP in power in the UK and wider world.
Britain in the Thatcher and Blair eras has become an over-centralised nation, where the centre has its finger in nearly every pie, despite devolution. The sad state of local government, which merely presides over central government diktats, is testimony to this. Even more, is the extent to which Westminster ministers decide the most minute local issues about what happens in relation to hospitals, schools, prisons and bridges. The centralism of the UK is combined with a narrow idea of politics and democracy. The three main parties at Westminster - Labour, Conservatives and Lib Dems - agree on everything (Iraq apart): the inequality and poverty which scars British society, the degree of corporate greed and irresponsibility, the fanatical commitment to the American relationship.
British politics have become debased in the last few years, under Thatcher and then under Blair. And there is no sign that the warm words from Gordon Brown about constitutional reform show any sign of bringing about fundamental change. Now we have figures from the respected Oxford Economics consultancy which show that the idea of Scotland being over-subsidised is just another myths - and that the part of the UK with the most public spending (Northern Ireland apart) is the apex of power: London. In terms of public spending the parts of the UK which do least well are the English regions outside London. None of these figures are really that surprising; we should know that the UK, given its state, politics and culture, has never really worked well for the majority of working people.
The interesting thing from these figures is that many of the Unionist arguments for Scotland remaining in the union were based on finances alone and Scotland being incapable of governing itself. Where do such people turn to now? In reality, whether Scotland become independent or not has never been about the money. This has always been a smoke screen. It was always the case that if Unionist politicians were to find that Scotland could be viably independent, they wouldn't turn around and say they'd got their figures wrong and change their views. The same is true of SNP politicians. If, post-independence, the Scottish structural deficit proved to be a chasm, they would not change their positions and settle for the Union. So independence has never been a money issue. It is also not about what happened in the past. The rights and wrongs of 1707 should have little bearing on whether Scotland should be independent. Instead, we should be looking to the future.
It is striking that those who now make the case for independence are internationalist and outward-looking whereas Unionists tend to cling to British insularism and the politics of fear. It never used to be so. Nationalists used to invoke couthy, romantic notions of Scotland, tartan and shortbread. The Unionists felt the UK was the future bringing poor Scots and poor English people out of poverty. Unionists such as Gordon Brown and Douglas Alexander love to wax lyrically about the progressiveness and uniqueness of the United Kingdom. They talk of a land that is a great big melting pot of multi-culturalism and multi-national values; a force for good at home and abroad. This is the kind of British chauvinism which the Labour Party has raised since its inception, ignoring other diverse countries in the world, and turning a blind eye to how we look after our own people, let alone the consequences of how we act in the wider world.
One of the worst arguments made by Unionists against Scottish independence is to invoke the age of 'globalisation' and 'interdependence' and patronise Nationalists with being out of time and out of tune with the modern world. This is a marvellously insular British argument which ignores what has happened beyond the shores of the UK. The last decade and a half has seen an unprecedented springtime for nations across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. From the Adriatic to the Baltic and Black Sea, an astonishing twenty-three new nations have become independent. Indeed, only days after the recent Scottish Parliament elections, the small, former Yugoslav republic of Montenegro became the latest entrant to this expanding club and 192nd member of the United Nations.
Small countries around the world - and particularly in Europe, whether newly independent such as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, or nations which became independent earlier in the 20th century such as Ireland and Norway - have all managed to be successes, economically, socially and culturally. When Unionists talk about these nations - and cite the Irish success story or what has happened in Estonia - they fascinatingly want to talk about every factor (church vs. state, public investment) bar one; the fact that they are independent. Independence has been a major impact in bringing about change in all these countries. It may have taken the Irish several decades to embark on the road to prosperity, but the Baltic nations and many others starting from a more rocky place than Scotland have succeeded in the
transition from being part of a transnational Empire to independent states.
The road to independence is as much about culture and psyche as it is about economics. Independence provides the Scots with an opportunity to develop a new national narrative and story - one which motivates and inspires us, including most elements of Scottish society, giving us a sense of purpose and mission. This would be exciting and emboldening for most people in Scotland - and not without some risk. However, the opportunities are so much more. Scottish independence would be good for Scotland and good for the United Kingdom, dealing a crucial blow to the deformed nature of Westminster and British politics. And it would be good internationally, weakening the Atlanticist nature of British foreign policy. I would like to contribute a small part to this.
Gerry Hassan has written extensively on Scottish and UK politics and was
Head of the recent Demos Scotland 2020 and Glasgow 2020 projects.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
The Union of Peace in Our Time
After the calamitous and vastly destructive effects of the Second World War it was seen be some far-sighted individuals that the only answer in preventing another conflagration in Europe was to unite politically and economically with friends and former foes and work for a peaceful and economically prosperous relationship with all the countries of Europe. The result was the establishment of the European Economic Community which led to the European Union and finally the adoption of the Euro as the unit of currency in most of the member states, and the admission of more European countries from the former Eastern Bloc into the EU.
Wales will be proud to enter this Union as an independent nation state, once the British Union has collapsed and the nations of the British Isles have attained freedom and self-government. This is the kind of Union which will bring about the necessary changes in society, socially, economically and even psychologically. The nations of Britain will be free to chart their own political course within the secure framework of the European Union.
This blog is read, not only within Wales and England, but increasingly within the various nation states of Europe - France, Poland, Latvia, Sweden, Finland, Russia, to name a few, as well as in many of the states of America. There is an interest abroad in the struggle taking place in the Celtic diaspora and other places, Belgium, Spain for example in the cause of national self-expression. Wales is poised to join the club and take its place with the other nations of Europe, as Ireland has, and make its own unique contribution to the welfare of the whole.
Wales will be proud to enter this Union as an independent nation state, once the British Union has collapsed and the nations of the British Isles have attained freedom and self-government. This is the kind of Union which will bring about the necessary changes in society, socially, economically and even psychologically. The nations of Britain will be free to chart their own political course within the secure framework of the European Union.
This blog is read, not only within Wales and England, but increasingly within the various nation states of Europe - France, Poland, Latvia, Sweden, Finland, Russia, to name a few, as well as in many of the states of America. There is an interest abroad in the struggle taking place in the Celtic diaspora and other places, Belgium, Spain for example in the cause of national self-expression. Wales is poised to join the club and take its place with the other nations of Europe, as Ireland has, and make its own unique contribution to the welfare of the whole.
Salute the Cornish Nationalists
The following is from This is Cornwall blog.
In 1969 Daniel Cohn-Bendit faced the authorities by declaring : "We are all German Jews!" Similarly those who sympathise with Cornish independence aspirations could say: " We are all Cornish terrorists." Lech Walenska confronted the Polish Communists with Solidarity. The Cornish motto is "One and All" and indeed that says it all.
'I AM NOT A CORNISH TERRORIST'
09:00 - 19 September 2007
A senior member of the Cornish Stannary Parliament protested his innocence yesterday after he was arrested by armed police investigating alleged terror plots against chefs Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver.Hugh Rowe, 53, vowed to clear his name following a dramatic dawn swoop on his home and the alleged seizure of dozens of his possessions.
He said the hoard of items taken from his flat included three St Piran flags, Cornish language tapes, computer equipment and a copy of a book on the commissioning of the QE II and the Twin Towers in New York.
Mr Rowe was one of four men held by detectives in a series of coordinated raids on addresses in Camborne and Falmouth.
Police said they were taken into custody on suspicion of the illegal possession of a firearm. All have been bailed to a date next January ahead of further inquiries. The operations are understood to be linked to a major probe into alleged plots by Cornish extremists against two of the country's most famous chefs.
A group calling itself the Cornish National Liberation Army (CNLA) is said to have earlier threatened to burn down one of Mr Stein's businesses in Padstow and declared the cars of his customers to be legitimate targets.
It said Fifteen - a charitable restaurant at Watergate Bay set up by Mr Oliver to help disadvantaged Cornish youngsters - was also in its sights.
The shadowy extremists branded the chef an "incomer" and claimed he was hurting local people by driving up house prices and living costs.
Their threats in an e-mail to a local newspaper in June were said to have been made via an Arabic web-hosting service.
Yesterday, Mr Rowe described the chilling moment when he was arrested outside his Camborne home by armed officers at around 7am.
"I was in my bedroom when I heard a loud knocking at the door," he said. "It didn't register at first but then I went downstairs to be confronted by police looking through the window.
"According to neighbours, there were 14 to 15 officers outside who had announced themselves as a tactical firearms unit. They shouted: 'Come out or we're coming in'. I replied: 'I can't wait to come out'."
Mr Rowe, an engineer, said he was arrested under the Data Protection Act then taken in handcuffs to Camborne police station where he said he spent more than nine hours in a cell. I explained some of my background and the jobs that I've had. I said I was a member of the Cornish Stannary Parliament and a member of many Cornish groups - on history, culture, agriculture, archaeology, book-writing and proof-reading."
The search warrant for his address - issued by a district judge to a detective constable based at Launceston police station and seen by the Cornish Guardian - reveals that officers were looking for a rifle and ammunition.
It also gave officers the authority to search for any computer or similar equipment "capable of taking, storing or sending images and emails" as well as "face masks, clothing and other items" displayed in a photograph.
This picture - published in a national paper shortly after the threats were made against the chefs - was said to feature hooded members of the CNLA.
"They were looking for the three people in the photograph which had appeared in the Sunday Express, or anyone connected to them," said Mr Rowe.
"I was shown it and stated that I knew none of the persons involved - and as they were masked, it would make that harder.
"Because of the seriousness with which they are treating this inquiry, and because I'm quite openly involved in the Cornish movement, they have wrongly linked me with this scenario.
"The Stannary Parliament is a completely peaceful, proactive and positive organisation."
Mr Rowe said he told officers involved in the raid where they would find what he described as his legally-held air rifle, which he said was not seized.
"They took three St Piran flags - they didn't seize my personal computer but they seized the computer tower which holds information and it seems they've also seized a computer-compatible digital camera."
He said the confiscated possessions also included a copy of Breaking the Chains by leading Cornish author John Angarrack; a human rights study guide; notes from the public inquiry into plans for a holiday village at Carlyon Bay; a silver An Gof anvil badge; his address book and hundreds of documents linked to regeneration projects in Camborne, Pool and Redruth.
Colin Murley, spokesman for the 24-member Cornish Stannary Parliament, said he was appalled by the police action.
He said: "While our member was in custody, they went through his home and we want confirmation from the police of the items they've taken.
"We've been writing to Government departments and European departments solidly for at least the last 10 years.
"They know all our phone numbers and email addresses. They probably know all about us.
"I don't like it at all - the true history of Cornwall is being suppressed," claimed Mr Murley, "It's a terrible thing that it (the parliament) should be associated with this investigation."
Mr Rowe, who says he suffers from blood pressure problems, was arrested on September 6 along with a 55-year-old man from Camborne and two men, aged 58 and 41, from the Falmouth area.
They were questioned by detectives before being bailed to return to Camborne police station on January 16 next year.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police refused to be drawn on any details of the probe.
PC Ashley Brooks said: "With regard to the items seized, they are part of an ongoing investigation and, as a result of that, we cannot make any further comment."
Reader comments
In todays paranoid society it seems the threat of being a terrorist is enough to get you locked up. has this government forgotten that this country of ours has been dealing with terrorist activities for centuries but as soon as the all mighty americans panic our government jumps into line and follows there lead doh how stupid are they . also if i say my wife and i are terrorists will they come and lock us up please as we are due to be homeless in 16 days then maybe we will atleast have a roof over our heads.
DPenn, Falmouth
The Cornish Motto is "One & All". " Onen hag Oll,"
Together we stand, Divided we fall!
In 1969 Daniel Cohn-Bendit faced the authorities by declaring : "We are all German Jews!" Similarly those who sympathise with Cornish independence aspirations could say: " We are all Cornish terrorists." Lech Walenska confronted the Polish Communists with Solidarity. The Cornish motto is "One and All" and indeed that says it all.
'I AM NOT A CORNISH TERRORIST'
09:00 - 19 September 2007
A senior member of the Cornish Stannary Parliament protested his innocence yesterday after he was arrested by armed police investigating alleged terror plots against chefs Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver.Hugh Rowe, 53, vowed to clear his name following a dramatic dawn swoop on his home and the alleged seizure of dozens of his possessions.
He said the hoard of items taken from his flat included three St Piran flags, Cornish language tapes, computer equipment and a copy of a book on the commissioning of the QE II and the Twin Towers in New York.
Mr Rowe was one of four men held by detectives in a series of coordinated raids on addresses in Camborne and Falmouth.
Police said they were taken into custody on suspicion of the illegal possession of a firearm. All have been bailed to a date next January ahead of further inquiries. The operations are understood to be linked to a major probe into alleged plots by Cornish extremists against two of the country's most famous chefs.
A group calling itself the Cornish National Liberation Army (CNLA) is said to have earlier threatened to burn down one of Mr Stein's businesses in Padstow and declared the cars of his customers to be legitimate targets.
It said Fifteen - a charitable restaurant at Watergate Bay set up by Mr Oliver to help disadvantaged Cornish youngsters - was also in its sights.
The shadowy extremists branded the chef an "incomer" and claimed he was hurting local people by driving up house prices and living costs.
Their threats in an e-mail to a local newspaper in June were said to have been made via an Arabic web-hosting service.
Yesterday, Mr Rowe described the chilling moment when he was arrested outside his Camborne home by armed officers at around 7am.
"I was in my bedroom when I heard a loud knocking at the door," he said. "It didn't register at first but then I went downstairs to be confronted by police looking through the window.
"According to neighbours, there were 14 to 15 officers outside who had announced themselves as a tactical firearms unit. They shouted: 'Come out or we're coming in'. I replied: 'I can't wait to come out'."
Mr Rowe, an engineer, said he was arrested under the Data Protection Act then taken in handcuffs to Camborne police station where he said he spent more than nine hours in a cell. I explained some of my background and the jobs that I've had. I said I was a member of the Cornish Stannary Parliament and a member of many Cornish groups - on history, culture, agriculture, archaeology, book-writing and proof-reading."
The search warrant for his address - issued by a district judge to a detective constable based at Launceston police station and seen by the Cornish Guardian - reveals that officers were looking for a rifle and ammunition.
It also gave officers the authority to search for any computer or similar equipment "capable of taking, storing or sending images and emails" as well as "face masks, clothing and other items" displayed in a photograph.
This picture - published in a national paper shortly after the threats were made against the chefs - was said to feature hooded members of the CNLA.
"They were looking for the three people in the photograph which had appeared in the Sunday Express, or anyone connected to them," said Mr Rowe.
"I was shown it and stated that I knew none of the persons involved - and as they were masked, it would make that harder.
"Because of the seriousness with which they are treating this inquiry, and because I'm quite openly involved in the Cornish movement, they have wrongly linked me with this scenario.
"The Stannary Parliament is a completely peaceful, proactive and positive organisation."
Mr Rowe said he told officers involved in the raid where they would find what he described as his legally-held air rifle, which he said was not seized.
"They took three St Piran flags - they didn't seize my personal computer but they seized the computer tower which holds information and it seems they've also seized a computer-compatible digital camera."
He said the confiscated possessions also included a copy of Breaking the Chains by leading Cornish author John Angarrack; a human rights study guide; notes from the public inquiry into plans for a holiday village at Carlyon Bay; a silver An Gof anvil badge; his address book and hundreds of documents linked to regeneration projects in Camborne, Pool and Redruth.
Colin Murley, spokesman for the 24-member Cornish Stannary Parliament, said he was appalled by the police action.
He said: "While our member was in custody, they went through his home and we want confirmation from the police of the items they've taken.
"We've been writing to Government departments and European departments solidly for at least the last 10 years.
"They know all our phone numbers and email addresses. They probably know all about us.
"I don't like it at all - the true history of Cornwall is being suppressed," claimed Mr Murley, "It's a terrible thing that it (the parliament) should be associated with this investigation."
Mr Rowe, who says he suffers from blood pressure problems, was arrested on September 6 along with a 55-year-old man from Camborne and two men, aged 58 and 41, from the Falmouth area.
They were questioned by detectives before being bailed to return to Camborne police station on January 16 next year.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police refused to be drawn on any details of the probe.
PC Ashley Brooks said: "With regard to the items seized, they are part of an ongoing investigation and, as a result of that, we cannot make any further comment."
Reader comments
In todays paranoid society it seems the threat of being a terrorist is enough to get you locked up. has this government forgotten that this country of ours has been dealing with terrorist activities for centuries but as soon as the all mighty americans panic our government jumps into line and follows there lead doh how stupid are they . also if i say my wife and i are terrorists will they come and lock us up please as we are due to be homeless in 16 days then maybe we will atleast have a roof over our heads.
DPenn, Falmouth
The Cornish Motto is "One & All". " Onen hag Oll,"
Together we stand, Divided we fall!
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Britain is Antiquated and Fundamentally Flawed
As published in the Letter page of the "Western Mail" - Wednesday, November 21st,2007
Gordon Brown has been warned that his promotion of Britishness is in contravention of Wales' devolutionary progress. He should realise that Britain is fundamentally flawed and belongs to an age which is past and gone, never to return. His efforts to restore a ramshackle institution which has outlived its purpose are doomed to failure. Welsh people identify with Wales, a nation in resurgence, and the Scottish people with Scotland. By transforming itself from a socialist party to a bureaucratic pseudo-conservative party embracing capitalist and vaguely totalitarian principles New Labour has lost the Welsh and Scottish votes, and has no hope of winning another election. Popular opinion is quickly moving away from Labour and towards parties which have the peoples' interests at heart. The gap is widening in Britain between the haves and the have-nots, and inequality is on the increase throughout society. Politicians have lost the art of listening to their constituents and are out of touch with the needs and wishes of the electorate. The promotion of Britishness is divisive and is intended to exacerbate divisions in society, between those who cling to Unionist beliefs, though their forebears might have been Welsh loyalists, and those who wish to regain their nation's true and unique identity, and shake loose the ties which bind it to a flawed constitution which does not recognise Wales as a separate entity (For Wales see England). Let those representatives of Wales and Scotland who now fill the seats of the Westminster parliament stand up for their respective nations and promote the interests of their compatriots (the Cymry and the Scots)- or resign. Let them remove their blinkers and see the writing on the wall. In the words of the song:
"I'm a gonna travel on the road to freedom
I'm a gonna travel on the road to freedom,
I'm a gonna travel on the road to freedom,
I'll keep a-travellin' on....."
Gordon Brown has been warned that his promotion of Britishness is in contravention of Wales' devolutionary progress. He should realise that Britain is fundamentally flawed and belongs to an age which is past and gone, never to return. His efforts to restore a ramshackle institution which has outlived its purpose are doomed to failure. Welsh people identify with Wales, a nation in resurgence, and the Scottish people with Scotland. By transforming itself from a socialist party to a bureaucratic pseudo-conservative party embracing capitalist and vaguely totalitarian principles New Labour has lost the Welsh and Scottish votes, and has no hope of winning another election. Popular opinion is quickly moving away from Labour and towards parties which have the peoples' interests at heart. The gap is widening in Britain between the haves and the have-nots, and inequality is on the increase throughout society. Politicians have lost the art of listening to their constituents and are out of touch with the needs and wishes of the electorate. The promotion of Britishness is divisive and is intended to exacerbate divisions in society, between those who cling to Unionist beliefs, though their forebears might have been Welsh loyalists, and those who wish to regain their nation's true and unique identity, and shake loose the ties which bind it to a flawed constitution which does not recognise Wales as a separate entity (For Wales see England). Let those representatives of Wales and Scotland who now fill the seats of the Westminster parliament stand up for their respective nations and promote the interests of their compatriots (the Cymry and the Scots)- or resign. Let them remove their blinkers and see the writing on the wall. In the words of the song:
"I'm a gonna travel on the road to freedom
I'm a gonna travel on the road to freedom,
I'm a gonna travel on the road to freedom,
I'll keep a-travellin' on....."
Monday, 19 November 2007
The Controversial Military Academy Issue
A comment from one of our readers
Comment
Anne said...
Jill is the only politician in Wales with the courage to challenge the privatisation and concentration of military training at St Athan to be delivered by a consortium which includes arms dealers Raytheon associated with the deliver of cluster bombs.
Where did this figure of 5,000 even 6,000 jobs come from? That is pure spin at best or deliberate falsehood! The BBC, Peter Black, Huw Lewis and Bryant are all quoting 5/6,000 jobs at St Athan when they know that most are to be transferred in to St Athan and that the MOD has announced 1,100 after it dumped half the initial plan - or package 2? It will be 1,100 - yes 1,100 and nothing near the 5,000 jobs promised and that Emperor Rhodri Morgan was drinking champagne to celebrate! Most of the ‘high skill’ jobs been transferred in are for instructional officers who are in the main ex-forces with additional training of 5 years on top of that. Not many of those going to Barry job centre will have those qualifications.
PCS, the union that represents many MOD staff says that the number of jobs in scope of package 1 has dropped from 1500 to 1100. These 400 posts are those not directly linked to training delivery. Package 2 has been dumped by the government as it is too expensive.
This contract will be the largest PFI/PPP project ever undertaken by the Ministry of Defence and will be the largest partnering arrangement ever undertaken in the UK. A Private Finance Initiative (PFI) for DTR in simplistic terms means that the winning consortia will effectively own all of the real estate and services for training for the next 25 years. For this they will be paid an annual sum and must, by law, make a profit for their shareholders. The contract is worth £19 billion.
They couldn’t make a privatised railway work so it is pretty unbelievable that we even suggest privatising military training never mind applauding it especially when it is to be delivered by private arms companies that are excluded from any ethical investing country, bank or charity as in Norway and Belgium.
In a recent press release PCS, (Union) welcomed the MoD U-turn on training privatisation and the announcement by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to halt the privatisation of approximately 4,000 staff who train the armed forces in driving armoured vehicles, lorries and jeeps as well as languages. The union hailed the decision to keep one half of defence training in the public sector as a victory for common sense which would ensure world class training for the armed forces whilst providing value for money for the taxpayer.
PCS called on the MoD to see sense and halt the privatisation of the other half of defence training which includes technical and mechanical training. The union warned that pushing ahead with remaining half of defence training would represent poor value for money and lead to a loss of knowledge and experience as staff would refuse to relocate to the new training base in South Wales….
Jill is right that we should stop and take an honest look at what is being proposed for St Athan.
For more information See http://www.cynefinywerin see also our blog www.metrixconsortium.blogspot.com
http://www.nomurderacademyatstathans.com/
our briefings on:Qinetiq - http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/index.php?docid=286
Raytheon - http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/index.php?docid=287
and our cluster bombs press release -
http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/index.php?docid=288
19 November 2007 10:15
Delete
Comment
Anne said...
Jill is the only politician in Wales with the courage to challenge the privatisation and concentration of military training at St Athan to be delivered by a consortium which includes arms dealers Raytheon associated with the deliver of cluster bombs.
Where did this figure of 5,000 even 6,000 jobs come from? That is pure spin at best or deliberate falsehood! The BBC, Peter Black, Huw Lewis and Bryant are all quoting 5/6,000 jobs at St Athan when they know that most are to be transferred in to St Athan and that the MOD has announced 1,100 after it dumped half the initial plan - or package 2? It will be 1,100 - yes 1,100 and nothing near the 5,000 jobs promised and that Emperor Rhodri Morgan was drinking champagne to celebrate! Most of the ‘high skill’ jobs been transferred in are for instructional officers who are in the main ex-forces with additional training of 5 years on top of that. Not many of those going to Barry job centre will have those qualifications.
PCS, the union that represents many MOD staff says that the number of jobs in scope of package 1 has dropped from 1500 to 1100. These 400 posts are those not directly linked to training delivery. Package 2 has been dumped by the government as it is too expensive.
This contract will be the largest PFI/PPP project ever undertaken by the Ministry of Defence and will be the largest partnering arrangement ever undertaken in the UK. A Private Finance Initiative (PFI) for DTR in simplistic terms means that the winning consortia will effectively own all of the real estate and services for training for the next 25 years. For this they will be paid an annual sum and must, by law, make a profit for their shareholders. The contract is worth £19 billion.
They couldn’t make a privatised railway work so it is pretty unbelievable that we even suggest privatising military training never mind applauding it especially when it is to be delivered by private arms companies that are excluded from any ethical investing country, bank or charity as in Norway and Belgium.
In a recent press release PCS, (Union) welcomed the MoD U-turn on training privatisation and the announcement by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to halt the privatisation of approximately 4,000 staff who train the armed forces in driving armoured vehicles, lorries and jeeps as well as languages. The union hailed the decision to keep one half of defence training in the public sector as a victory for common sense which would ensure world class training for the armed forces whilst providing value for money for the taxpayer.
PCS called on the MoD to see sense and halt the privatisation of the other half of defence training which includes technical and mechanical training. The union warned that pushing ahead with remaining half of defence training would represent poor value for money and lead to a loss of knowledge and experience as staff would refuse to relocate to the new training base in South Wales….
Jill is right that we should stop and take an honest look at what is being proposed for St Athan.
For more information See http://www.cynefinywerin see also our blog www.metrixconsortium.blogspot.com
http://www.nomurderacademyatstathans.com/
our briefings on:Qinetiq - http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/index.php?docid=286
Raytheon - http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/index.php?docid=287
and our cluster bombs press release -
http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/index.php?docid=288
19 November 2007 10:15
Delete
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