Britain, like every other imperialist power involved, should do more than apologise for her role in the slave trade, as well as other atrocities committed by her Empire. Britain has a moral duty to atone fully for the appalling legacy of discrimination and social deprivation suffered by generations of Afro-Caribbean peoples. But for wannabe British Deputy Prime Minister Peter Hain to apologise, on behalf of Wales, for Wales’ role in this crime against humanity is misleading in the least.
Yes, of course there were Welshmen – mostly Anglicised landowners – among those who had their dirty hands of greed at various levels of this evil trade, and there’s no denying our obligation to apologise for the actions of these leeches that our country unwittingly produced.
But why should Wales as a country, nation and post-devolution proto-state, have to apologise for the actions of the British State? Politically, Wales did not exist at the time of the Slave Trade. Wales had no government or voice of her own, she was politically, administratively and constitutionally a part of England. No Welsh government caused, nor built its economy on the back of, this deliberate human misery. No Welsh Government conquered a fifth of the world and enslaved human beings to facilitate economic growth for its colonies and their Motherland.
No, these heinous crimes were committed by Great Britain, a state that neither Wales nor her people had a democratic voice in its affairs, and a state that served no interest other than the landowning classes of the English/British State and its Crown.
If anybody should speak for Wales it should be our democratically elected Assembly First Minister, not the Blair-appointed British Government Minister who, rather than apologise on our behalf for a crime we did not commit, should be apologising on behalf of the English/British state for dragging us into such a disgraceful state of affairs.
Showing posts with label hain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hain. Show all posts
Tuesday 20 February 2007
Monday 22 January 2007
More arrogance from Governor Hain
An independent Wales would "leave Wales isolated and irrelevant." - Wales and Northern Ireland Secretary, 'Governor' Peter Hain.
Responding to the Wales on Sunday newspaper's opinion poll which showed an increase in support for independence, Peter Hain again displayed the insulting and bullying arrogance of his British Nationalist credentials.
Irrelevant? Why would an independent Wales be 'irrelevant'? Irrelevant to what? To Britain? To the world?
Every other independent nation is relevant to the international community. Why would Wales not be? Why do Peter Hain and his British nationalist stalwarts consider the Welsh as inferior, unequal and unfit to govern their own affairs?
Is Wales relevant now, as a sub-ordinate part of the United Kingdom? Where is Wales' prominence? Where is Wales' fair share of recognition, status and economic growth?
And if Wales were relevant now, why would she stop being relevant having gained independence?
Isolated? How could Wales possibly be any more isolated than any other independent nation? Is Denmark isolated? Is Ireland? Is Luxembourg? Is Finland? Lithuania? Latvia? Bulgaria, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, India? Is Italy, France, America and indeed the United Kingdom, isolated?
So what does Hain mean by 'isolation'? Would England dig a trench the length of Offa's Dyke to keep us apart from the rest of this island? Would England impose economic sanctions - or even roll the tanks in? Would the EU make us the North Korea of Europe?
Come on, Peter Hain. If you don't support Welsh independence then at least treat Wales with respect. Award us the dignity of a mature and measured argument rather than this continuous conquistadorian nonsense. This simplistic, dissmissive, patronising patter is both insulting and nauseating, and reveals a superior imperialist attitude towards us inferior, notionless natives.
Who do you think you are? And what do you think we are?
Responding to the Wales on Sunday newspaper's opinion poll which showed an increase in support for independence, Peter Hain again displayed the insulting and bullying arrogance of his British Nationalist credentials.Irrelevant? Why would an independent Wales be 'irrelevant'? Irrelevant to what? To Britain? To the world?
Every other independent nation is relevant to the international community. Why would Wales not be? Why do Peter Hain and his British nationalist stalwarts consider the Welsh as inferior, unequal and unfit to govern their own affairs?
Is Wales relevant now, as a sub-ordinate part of the United Kingdom? Where is Wales' prominence? Where is Wales' fair share of recognition, status and economic growth?
And if Wales were relevant now, why would she stop being relevant having gained independence?
Isolated? How could Wales possibly be any more isolated than any other independent nation? Is Denmark isolated? Is Ireland? Is Luxembourg? Is Finland? Lithuania? Latvia? Bulgaria, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, India? Is Italy, France, America and indeed the United Kingdom, isolated?
So what does Hain mean by 'isolation'? Would England dig a trench the length of Offa's Dyke to keep us apart from the rest of this island? Would England impose economic sanctions - or even roll the tanks in? Would the EU make us the North Korea of Europe?
Come on, Peter Hain. If you don't support Welsh independence then at least treat Wales with respect. Award us the dignity of a mature and measured argument rather than this continuous conquistadorian nonsense. This simplistic, dissmissive, patronising patter is both insulting and nauseating, and reveals a superior imperialist attitude towards us inferior, notionless natives.
Who do you think you are? And what do you think we are?
Babytalk breeds spoon-fed nation
"Independence will lead to the Balkanisation of Britain" - Wales and Northern Ireland Secretary, 'Governor' Peter Hain.
We talk to our children in a language we assume reflects their comprehension of the world around them. What we tell them is what they believe, amd they believe what we tell them.
This kind of babytalk is what the Welsh nation is spoon-fed by the Labour administration on a daily basis. Inherent in such language as that used by Governor Hain above is the notion that we Welsh are little children who have no capability for an independent comprehension of our own.
That we are expected to believe that Britain will become an ethnic warzone if the Union is dismantled is both patronising, arrogant and insulting. But it is just the kind of spoon-fed propaganda that breeds both an apathetic, negative and defeatist attitude to our own capabilities, and a blind acceptance of the lie that we could never make it alone. While small sovereign nations across the world govern their own affairs, and prosper, here in Wales 'Mummy knows best.'
Last week, as the findings of the BBC's opinion poll on independence were published, BBC Wales' 'news' programme, Wales Today, 'went out and about in the country to ask the nation what they thought of independence.' As usual, they never found their way further north than a stone's throw from the M4 corridor. And so it was, in Pontypridd - an Unionist Labour Party stonghold - that they went 'out and about to ask the nation' if they supported independence.
And it was here, in Pontypridd, that one street respondent's reaction clearly demonstarted the end result of decades of spoon-fed Labour babytalk. A local lady was asked if she thought independence would be a good thing for Wales. Pointing to the run-down street behind her she replied "No, we couldn't survive without London could we? What would we do without Britain - I mean, just look at the place, look how bad it is, it's all run-down!"
No, she wasn't being sarcastic, and the irony of what she said wasn't pointed out to her.
If this would be the woman's view, and the streets around her still rundown, after a few decades of an independent Welsh state, her reply would make some reasonable sense. But being that the place is rundown and economically deprived because of centuries of British rule, her response was typically irrational, and demonstrated the subservient, childish mentality of a spoon-fed nation; a perfect example of the perverse comprehension of our position, surroundings and status.
It is not too absurd to surmise that this person and thousands like her, do indeed swallow everything that Mother Hain and Uncle Rhodri feed them. No wonder Hain feels he can get away with such hysterics as his 'Balkanisation of Britain' blurb.
We talk to our children in a language we assume reflects their comprehension of the world around them. What we tell them is what they believe, amd they believe what we tell them.This kind of babytalk is what the Welsh nation is spoon-fed by the Labour administration on a daily basis. Inherent in such language as that used by Governor Hain above is the notion that we Welsh are little children who have no capability for an independent comprehension of our own.
That we are expected to believe that Britain will become an ethnic warzone if the Union is dismantled is both patronising, arrogant and insulting. But it is just the kind of spoon-fed propaganda that breeds both an apathetic, negative and defeatist attitude to our own capabilities, and a blind acceptance of the lie that we could never make it alone. While small sovereign nations across the world govern their own affairs, and prosper, here in Wales 'Mummy knows best.'
Last week, as the findings of the BBC's opinion poll on independence were published, BBC Wales' 'news' programme, Wales Today, 'went out and about in the country to ask the nation what they thought of independence.' As usual, they never found their way further north than a stone's throw from the M4 corridor. And so it was, in Pontypridd - an Unionist Labour Party stonghold - that they went 'out and about to ask the nation' if they supported independence.
And it was here, in Pontypridd, that one street respondent's reaction clearly demonstarted the end result of decades of spoon-fed Labour babytalk. A local lady was asked if she thought independence would be a good thing for Wales. Pointing to the run-down street behind her she replied "No, we couldn't survive without London could we? What would we do without Britain - I mean, just look at the place, look how bad it is, it's all run-down!"
No, she wasn't being sarcastic, and the irony of what she said wasn't pointed out to her.
If this would be the woman's view, and the streets around her still rundown, after a few decades of an independent Welsh state, her reply would make some reasonable sense. But being that the place is rundown and economically deprived because of centuries of British rule, her response was typically irrational, and demonstrated the subservient, childish mentality of a spoon-fed nation; a perfect example of the perverse comprehension of our position, surroundings and status.
It is not too absurd to surmise that this person and thousands like her, do indeed swallow everything that Mother Hain and Uncle Rhodri feed them. No wonder Hain feels he can get away with such hysterics as his 'Balkanisation of Britain' blurb.
32% in favour of independence
Political arrogance boosts support for independence
Despite Governor Hain's amateur dramatics about the 'Balkanisation of Britain' and his arrogant dissmissals of Wales' capabilities as a nation, support for Welsh independence is growing, according to a new poll.
The latest poll, conducted by the Wales on Sunday newspaper (21/01/07), shows support for independence at 32%, with a minority of respondents - 49% - opposed to independence.
The telephone poll asked 500 people - 125 in each of the north, mid, south-west and south-east areas of Wales.
This shows support for independence - now that it is suddenly debated publicly following the BBC's poll last week - on the increase.
This clearly demonstrates the need for Welsh independence to be on the political agenda so that the case for Wales can be put to the people.
Despite Governor Hain's amateur dramatics about the 'Balkanisation of Britain' and his arrogant dissmissals of Wales' capabilities as a nation, support for Welsh independence is growing, according to a new poll.
The latest poll, conducted by the Wales on Sunday newspaper (21/01/07), shows support for independence at 32%, with a minority of respondents - 49% - opposed to independence.The telephone poll asked 500 people - 125 in each of the north, mid, south-west and south-east areas of Wales.
This shows support for independence - now that it is suddenly debated publicly following the BBC's poll last week - on the increase.
This clearly demonstrates the need for Welsh independence to be on the political agenda so that the case for Wales can be put to the people.
Friday 19 January 2007
Intimidating union
Another superb letter in the Western Mail today, this time by Huw Jackson. Original content will be added to this blog soon, we promise!
SIR - Hain, Brown and Falconer ask us to consider the benefits of the Union when defending the not-fit-for-purpose institution called the UK with such passion.
Let's consider a few of them: Waging war for control of Iraq's oil; committing billions to the nuclear deterrent and spending billions on the Olympic extravaganza in London. All these paid for by Welsh taxes as much as anybody else's. The payback for Wales is to be condemned as one of the poorest areas of Europe, with jobs like Burberry's disappearing down the plug hole, our young people priced out of their communities, our railways stuck in the Victorian era and a comedian as First Minister.
Never mind, says New Labour, there is strength in unity and the UK can influence (ie intimidate) the world. There will be a few gold medals at £50m each and Londoners will have their expensive 21st century city.
Using emotive language such as Balkanisation is an insult to all the people on the island of Britain. What if Wales and Scotland vote for independence in a democratically held election? Is Hain suggesting England is going to take on the role of Serbia and send in the troops against its smaller neighbours to keep his Greater England? New Labour is only interested in power and they are scared of losing it. More power for the Welsh people through their own parliament means less power for Hain and his cronies. Independence will mean that it's not just Wales that will be better off without the UK, it's the whole planet!
HUW JACKSON
Gipsy Road, Welling, Kent
Tuesday 16 January 2007
Proud to be British? Really?
It is ironic that former anti-Apartheid campaigner and de facto Governor of Wales, Peter Hain, believes the people of Wales should be proud of the role they played in building the British Empire.
That anyone should be proud of an imperialist legacy is in itself sad and astounding, if not a little alarming. But for the people of Wales - England's first ever colony - to be proud of the systematic destruction of their language, the erosion of their culture and identity, the denial of their own history, the ravaging of their natural resources, the drowning of their valleys to supply water for English cities, and the economic decline of rural and industrial communities, is as humiliating as it is irrational.
It’s time we started thinking for ourselves. It’s time we thought about what Britishness actually means, and what we benefit from our forced association with it. A question which has yet again come into sharp focus with the billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money the British State spends on worldwide war and killing thousands of people in oil-rich countries. Not to mention the British State’s pursual of Orwellian restrictions on civil liberties, and its ideological zeal for the worst excesses of free market capitalism that sees thousands of Welsh jobs go to the Far East, and a majority of first time buyers unable to buy - or even rent - a home.
The Welsh nation is a historic nation that has been denied its right to self-determination for far too long. We at Welsh Independence Blog believe it is time to rid ourselves of our subservient status and stand up for ourselves. An opinion poll conducted for the BBC today revealed that 20 percent of Welsh people support Welsh independence. That 1 in 5 people in Wales support independence when the issue is not even on any political party's agenda, and therefore not publicly debated, demonstrates that there is indeed a grass roots recognition of the need for change, and that the case for an independent Wales should be put before the people.
The British Labour Party, the majority party and government of Wales, has for far too long used propaganda, scaremongering and British nationalism to persuade our people that Wales cannot make it on her own and that Britishness and the Union Jack is our redemption. This view has never been challenged. Untill now.
That anyone should be proud of an imperialist legacy is in itself sad and astounding, if not a little alarming. But for the people of Wales - England's first ever colony - to be proud of the systematic destruction of their language, the erosion of their culture and identity, the denial of their own history, the ravaging of their natural resources, the drowning of their valleys to supply water for English cities, and the economic decline of rural and industrial communities, is as humiliating as it is irrational.
It’s time we started thinking for ourselves. It’s time we thought about what Britishness actually means, and what we benefit from our forced association with it. A question which has yet again come into sharp focus with the billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money the British State spends on worldwide war and killing thousands of people in oil-rich countries. Not to mention the British State’s pursual of Orwellian restrictions on civil liberties, and its ideological zeal for the worst excesses of free market capitalism that sees thousands of Welsh jobs go to the Far East, and a majority of first time buyers unable to buy - or even rent - a home.
The Welsh nation is a historic nation that has been denied its right to self-determination for far too long. We at Welsh Independence Blog believe it is time to rid ourselves of our subservient status and stand up for ourselves. An opinion poll conducted for the BBC today revealed that 20 percent of Welsh people support Welsh independence. That 1 in 5 people in Wales support independence when the issue is not even on any political party's agenda, and therefore not publicly debated, demonstrates that there is indeed a grass roots recognition of the need for change, and that the case for an independent Wales should be put before the people.
The British Labour Party, the majority party and government of Wales, has for far too long used propaganda, scaremongering and British nationalism to persuade our people that Wales cannot make it on her own and that Britishness and the Union Jack is our redemption. This view has never been challenged. Untill now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)