Our Welsh Identity

Over the years, successive UK governments have tried to defuse Welsh identity by creating cross-border institutions such as Manweb, TWW etc. The private sector has also done the same thing – I used to work for a Company with their Welsh ‘regional’ office in Bridgend. Then Wales was reorganized as part of their South West and North West regions, and as well as losing 20 jobs, a little bit of Wales disappeared. I am also a member of a professional organization which has a South Wales region, but in which North Wales is considered part of Merseyside although that would explain the accent…;0)

I suggest that one of the new laws that our incoming AMs could consider, is a ‘Respect of National Boundary’ act. Make it a requirement that any organization employing more than say 50 staff in Wales, or having a membership of more than say 100, is obliged to structure itself on a Wales (or regional within Wales) basis. Accounts and economic data should be published on a Wales-only basis, and we might find out a bit more about our economy. In practical terms this would involve companies doing little more than adding a few lines to their Excel spreadsheets. I am not suggesting that companies must open a dedicated Welsh office, but they might find it beneficial to do so, and it would certainly help protect those that are already here.

In the future Wales may have a different tax regime to England, and by establishing the necessary structures now, it will ease the pain of transition in the future.

No more combining Cardiff with Bristol, Wrexham with Chester, or Aberystwyth with Shrewsbury.
We must respect, enforce and celebrate our Welsh identity.

Time for Plaid to set the agenda

Many Plaid representatives have contributed to this blog, expressing their support for independence. It is time now for them to act on their words.

Independence needs to be put on the political agenda. We must have an informative public debate. Welsh people have never been told excactly how Britain has failed them, and they have never been told what independence means, and how it would benefit them.

This can only be done if independence is thrown onto the political agenda. Let those in favour put forward the case and let those against argue against. Oponents will have no option but to defend Britain's record, leaving their sham arguments exposed. They will then have to fall back on the British nationalist card - play up the Union Jack and Britishness - and people can see that these things have no real relevance to their daily lives or their identity.

Come on Plaid, Welsh identity is strong in the Labour-held valleys. It just doesn't translate into political terms, and that is because independence isn't on the agenda and they have no choice but to follow the devil they know.

Argue the economics and play the patriotic card. There is nothing to lose and all to gain. Let Labour defend Britishness (expose it as the Englishness that it is) and let Labour defend corporate capitalism and Western Imperialism. Expose these London-serving (and self-serving) hypocrites for what they are. They are there for the taking, as long as Plaid are ready to trade punches rather than duck and weave.

Interesting Links - making the case for independence

Here are some interesting links making the case for Scottish independence, posted by Rhys on Welsh Language Discussion Forum maes-e:

A Case for Independence Part 1 (Economy)
A Case for Independence Part 2 (Location of Power)
A Case for Independence Part 3 (Identity + relationship with England)