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Welsh independence

February 16, 2024

Welsh independence (Welsh: Annibyniaeth i Gymru) is the political movement advocating for Wales to become a sovereign state, independent from the United Kingdom.

March for Welsh independence held in Cardiff, May 2019

Wales was conquered during the 13th century by Edward I of England following the killing of Llywelyn the Last (Prince of Wales). Edward introduced the royal ordinance, the Statute of Rhuddlan, in 1284, introducing English common law alongside Welsh law and custom and causing the recently established Welsh principality to be incorporated into the Kingdom of England.[1] Owain Glyndŵr restored Welsh independence c. 1400–10, but Henry IV of England put down the revolt.

Henry VIII of England introduced the Laws in Wales Acts between 1535 and 1542, English law replaced Cyfraith Hywel (Welsh medieval law), and the Welsh principality and Marches were integrated into England.[2] and Wales gained representation in parliament and a new equality under the law.[3] The Wales and Berwick Act defined "England" to include Wales in 1746, but the Welsh Language Act 1967, partly repealed this with the term "England and Wales".[4]

The modern Welsh independence movement emerged during the mid-19th century, as did a movement for "home rule". Since 1999, Wales has been granted some legislative power as part of Welsh devolution from the UK parliament, and contemporary Welsh law within the English legal system. At present, the political parties Plaid Cymru,[5] Propel, Gwlad, and the Wales Green Party support Welsh independence, as does the non-partisan YesCymru campaign group.[6] Support for independence has increased from 14% in 2014 to its highest support of 46% in April 2021 when excluding don't knows.[7][8] A YouGov poll in January 2021 found that 47% of people in Wales opposed holding a referendum on Welsh independence within the next five years with 31% supporting,[9] and in March 2023, support for independence dropped to its lowest level since 2019 at 18%; the drop was potentially attributed to the prospect of a Labour UK Government.[10]

Location of Wales in the United Kingdom.

History edit

Conquest of Wales edit

See also: Conquest of Wales by Edward I

The only King to unite Wales was Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, who ruled as King of Wales from about 1057 until his death in 1063.[11][12] Fourteen years later the Norman invasion of Wales began, which briefly controlled much of Wales, but by 1100 Anglo-Norman control was reduced to the lowland Gwent, Glamorgan, Gower, and Pembroke, while the contested border region between the Welsh princes and Anglo-Norman barons became known as the Welsh Marches.[13] The remaining territory was divided between native Welsh principalities. The leading principality was Gwynedd, and, with other Welsh princes becoming their vassals, princes of Gwynedd took the title Prince of Wales. Although English monarchs had made several attempts to seize control of the native Welsh territories, it was not until Edward's war of conquest against Llywelyn, the last native prince of Wales, that this was achieved with the death of Llywelyn in 1282.[14][15]

A significant revolt against English rule was the Glyndŵr Rising of 1400–1415, which briefly restored Welsh independence. Owain Glyndŵr held the first Welsh parliament (Senedd) in Machynlleth in 1404 where he was proclaimed Prince of Wales and a second parliament in 1405 in Harlech.[16] During the same period, the Penal Laws against the Welsh people was implemented, restraining Welsh rights which were reaffirmed during the 15th century and were not removed from the statute books until the 17th century.[17]

During the reign of the King of England Henry VIII, two statutes were passed that are often referred to as the "Acts of Union". The laws incorporated Wales (both the principality and the march) into the King's empire and imposed English law in Wales. Wales was geographically and legally defined, and the laws allowed the Welsh equal status and representation in the English parliament. Nevertheless, the Welsh did not share in legal or political sovereignty and English was insisted as the official language of government, administration and law, which proved to be unpopular.[18]

The Act of Uniformity 1549 made English the language of the reformed church and no provision were made for a Welsh prayer book.[18]

Home rule movement (1881–present) edit

See also: Welsh devolution

Independence of church edit

The march for home rule in Wales began with the movement for disestablishing the Anglican church in Wales, and the first step towards this was the Sunday Closing (Wales) Act 1881 was the first legislation to acknowledge that Wales had a separate politico-legal character from the rest of the English state.[19] The majority of people in Wales belonged to noncomformists chapels despite members of the Church of England having legal and social privileges. This led to a view that things could be done differently in Wales[20]

David Lloyd George, MP for Caernarfon at the time, was committed to the cause of disestablishment,[21] but it wasn't until 1914 that the Welsh Church Act was passed giving the Church in Wales the freedom to govern its own affairs. The Act came into effect from 1920.[22]

Cymru Fydd edit

In response to the Irish demand for "home rule", Liberal prime minister of the UK, William Gladstone proposed two bills on home rule for Ireland in 1886 and 1893, which both failed.[23] In the same year, the Cymru Fydd (Young Wales) movement was founded to further the cause.[19] The main leaders were David Lloyd George, J. E. Lloyd, O. M. Edwards, T. E. Ellis (leader, MP for Merioneth, 1886–1899) and Beriah Gwynfe Evans.[24] Their goal was a devolved assembly, but the movement was disbanded in 1896 amid personal rivalries.[19][25]

Home Rule All Round edit

After the end of the first world war, there was widespread belief that "home rule all round" was an essential part of reformations and discussions of self-government for small nations were considered an essential part of any peace conference. Home rule for Ireland had been enacted via the Government of Ireland Act 1914 but faced opposition from Ulster unionists and the 1916 Easter Rising proving significant. The UK government considered home rule for Wales and Scotland to avoid making a special case for Ireland. In May 1918, a home rule conference for Wales was held in Llandrindod mostly attended by Liberals and a month later, "home rule all round" was in the Labour manifesto. A stance on federalising the UK was agreed by the South Wales Labour Federation and Arthur Henderson believed that a home ruled Wales could be a "modern utopia". Support was widespread in Wales and some Welsh media felt it was imminent.[26]

Liberal Joseph Chamberlain also proposed "Home Rule All Round" for all nations of the United Kingdom, but after the formation of the Irish free state in 1922, "home rule all round" lost support.[27]

Plaid Cymru edit

In 1925 Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru ("the National Party of Wales") was founded; it was renamed Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales in 1945. The party's principles as defined in 1970 were (1) self government for Wales, (2) to safeguard the culture, traditions, language and economic position of Wales and (3) to secure membership for a self-governing Welsh state in the United Nations.[28] The party's first Westminster seat (MP) was won by Gwynfor Evans in 1966.[29][30] By 1974 the party had won three MP seats[28] and in the 2019 general election it won four seats.[31] Following the formation of the Senedd in 1999, Plaid Cymru won 17 of 60 seats in the initial Welsh election of 1999 and 13 seats in 2021.[32]

In 1975, Plaid Cymru opposed remaining in the European Communities (EC). The party stated, at the time, that it felt that the EC's regional aid policies would "reconcile places like Wales to their subordinate position".[33][34] Nevertheless, 65% of Welsh voters voted to remain in the EC in the 1975 referendum.[35] The EC were incorporated into the European Union (EU) in 1993.[36]

A Parliament for Wales edit

In the 1950s, the deterioration of the British Empire removed a sense of Britishness and there was a realisation that Wales was not as prosperous as south-east England and smaller European countries. Successive Conservative Party victories in Westminster led to suggestions that only through self-government could Wales achieve a government reflecting the votes of a Welsh electorate. The Tryweryn flooding which was voted against by almost every single Welsh MP, suggested that Wales as a nation was powerless.[37] The Epynt clearance in 1940 has also been described as a "significant – but often overlooked – chapter in the history of Wales".[38]

On 1 July 1955, a conference of all parties was called at Llandrindod by the New Wales Union (Undeb Cymru Fydd) to consider a national petition for a Parliament for Wales. The main leaders were Megan Lloyd George, the daughter of David Lloyd George, T. I. Ellis, and Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards. According to the historian Dr William Richard Philip George, "Megan was responsible for removing much prejudice against the idea of a parliament for Wales". She later presented the petition with 250,000 signatures to the British government in April 1956.[39]

 
A Plaid Cymru rally in Machynlleth in 1949 where the "Parliament for Wales in 5 years" campaign was started

The declaration of Cardiff as the capital of Wales in 1955,[40][41] the Labour Party's 1959 commitment to appoint a Secretary of State for Wales, the creation of the Welsh Office in 1965,[42] and the repeal of the Wales and Berwick Act 1746 two years later seemed to demonstrate a growing nationalist impetus.[19] However, the heavy defeat for a proposed Welsh Assembly offered by Labour in the 1979 devolution referendum "suggested that the vast majority of the inhabitants of Wales had no desire to see their country having a national future".[19]

In the early 1990s, Labour became committed to devolution for both Scotland and Wales, and in 1997 it was elected with a mandate to hold referendums on a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly. The proposed assembly won a narrow majority in the 1997 referendum.[43]

The National Assembly for Wales was formed in 1999, which was renamed Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament in 2020.[44] Since the referendum on Welsh devolution in 1997 and formation of the Senedd (then National Assembly for Wales) in 1999, there has been increased support for and trust in the Senedd, with support for it to receive more devolved powers.[45] Further powers have been granted to the Senedd by the Government of Wales Act 2006, the Wales Act 2014, and the Wales Act 2017.[46]

Independence movement edit

The independence movement has been present in Wales since the mid-19th century and Plaid Cymru has also campaigned for it throughout the majority of the 20th century, since it was founded in 1925.[47] In the 21st century, the question of Welsh independence became more prominent following increased discussion on a second Scottish independence referendum.[48][49]

 
YesCymru logo

YesCymru edit

Main article: YesCymru

Non-partisan pro-independence group YesCymru was founded in 2014 and open to the public for membership in 2016. In 2020, the group claimed that they had had a sudden rise in membership with 17,000 members by the end of 2020, partly influenced by the British government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[50]

Referendum proposals edit

Main article: Proposed Welsh independence referendum

In 2017, there were plans to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said there needed to be a national debate on Welsh independence.[51] In July 2020, Plaid brought forward a motion to discuss a referendum on Welsh independence, but it was rejected by 43 votes to 9.[52] On 24 October 2020, Wales Green Party members voted at their party conference that the party would support Welsh independence in the event of a referendum being held on whether or not Wales should become independent from the United Kingdom.[53] In July 2020, Plaid Cymru tabled a motion for Welsh ministers to seek permission from Westminster for the right of the Senedd to legislate for a Welsh independence referendum. The members of Senedd rejected this motion by 43 votes to 9.[54] This was the first time in history that Welsh independence was debated in the Senedd.[55][56]

On 11 December 2020, Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price stated that if his party won a majority at the 2021 Senedd election, an independence referendum would be held in its first term in office.[57] At Plaid's special conference on independence, held on 13 February 2021, party members formally approved Price's pledge to hold a referendum in or before 2026.[58] In addition to Plaid, three other parties—the Wales Green Party, Gwlad and Propel—stood on a pro-independence platform at the Senedd election.[59] In the 2021 Senedd Election, of 60 seats, Plaid Cymru won 5 Constituency and 8 regional. Gwlad and Propel both won 0.[60]

In June 2022, the UK government announced its intention to repeal the Welsh Government's 2017 Trade Union Act, which bans agency staff from being used if public sector workers go on strike.[61] Price called this a "power grab" and "potentially devolution's breaking point", and called for a referendum to be held in order to protect the Senedd's powers. In response, First Minister Mark Drakeford stated that in order for a referendum to be held, a pro-referendum party would have to win the most seats in an election.[62]

Labour for an Independent Wales edit

Main article: Labour for an Independent Wales

Labour for an Independent Wales, which is a group of Labour Party members[63] who "believe the best way to achieve a democratic socialist Wales is through independence", was formed in 2018.[64][65] Welsh Labour member Harriet Protheroe-Soltani has suggested that in order for the Welsh independence movement to create a supermajority and a cross-party movement, then the support of Welsh Labour members is required.[66] In August 2020, a YouGov poll showed that 39% of Welsh Labour voters would vote for independence "if there was a referendum tomorrow". The Welsh Governance Centre also showed that in the last Senedd election over 40% of Labour voters supported independence.[66]

All Under One Banner Cymru and independence marches edit

Main article: All Under One Banner Cymru

On 11 May 2019, the first ever march in history for Welsh independence was organised by All Under One Banner Cymru (AUOB Cymru) in Cardiff, with an estimated 3,000 in attendance.[67][68][69] On 27 July 2019, AUOB organised an independence march in Caernarfon. An estimate put the attendance at about 8,000.[70] On 7 September 2019, a third AUOB Cymru was held in Merthyr Tydfil and attracted a crowd of 5,200.[71]

A pro-independence march organised by AUOBCymru, Indy Fest Wrexham and YesCymru[72] took place in Wrexham on 2 July 2022,[73] the first such march since before the pandemic. According to organisers, 6,000–8,000 were in attendance.[74] A further march was held in Cardiff on 1 October 2022,[75] with around 8,000 campaigners taking part.[76]

The first march of 2023 was held in Swansea on 20 May.[77] Between 6,000 and 7,000 supporters attended.[78]

Influence of Brexit and Scottish independence edit

In January 2021, Guto Harri, who was Boris Johnson's communications chief when the latter was Mayor of London, wrote in The Sunday Times that "the idea of independence is taking off, with new recruits from very different backgrounds." He went on to say, "Brexiteers will hate me for saying this, but it is clear that some have contributed more to the cause of Welsh independence than my late father. The prospect of being attached to a leftover English rump of the UK, if Scotland and Northern Ireland head off, seems bleak to many people. And having argued against pooling sovereignty with our neighbours to facilitate trade and maximise our influence, Brexiteers should not be surprised if the same logic is applied in a different setting."[79] Likewise, according to Martin Johnes, Professor of Modern History at Swansea University: "For so many [Welsh] voters, Brexit was not just a rejection of the EU but also of the British political establishment and its ways of doing things — ways that have failed far too many working-class communities for far too long. [...] For those who haven't given up on politicians entirely, independence can feel the only hope they have left. Some feel they have little to lose."[80]

Richard Wyn Jones, director of the Welsh governance centre at Cardiff University, claimed that the cause of independence in Wales would be boosted significantly if Scotland chose independence first.[81] Adam Price made the argument that if the UK Supreme Court allowed a referendum on Scottish independence to be held without Westminster's position, then Wales should be allowed to do the same.[82] The judgement of the Supreme Court in November 2022 was that "If the UK Government and Parliament were unwilling to modify those reserved powers (as they did before the 2014 independence referendum) then “the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence”.[83]

Independent Constitution Commission edit

In September 2021, an open letter, signed by a number of groups who advocate for Welsh independence (including AUOBCymru, members of the former central committee of YesCymru as well as Welsh Football Fans for Independence), was sent to First Minister Mark Drakeford. Written in response to Drakeford's proposed constitutional commission, it stated that "Wales needs an independence commission, not one to salvage the union."[84]

The following month, the Independent Constitutional Commission was launched by the Welsh Labour government.[85] Led by Professor Laura McAllister and former Archbishop of Wales, Rowan Williams, it will examine Wales' future relationship with the rest of the UK and will consider Welsh independence as well.[86] Plaid Cymru called the commission the "most wide-ranging national conversation about Wales' future".[85] The interim findings of the commission outlined three viable options for Wales including independence, to be explored in more depth in 2023. The report outlined the option of a Free Trade Association during a transition period to independence where an agreement could be made for e.g England responsibility for matters such as defence. The report also identified a confederation of Britain and Ireland as a potential option and key questions on independence to be addressed in 2023.[87] The report concluded that there are "significant problems" with the way Wales is currently governed within the Union of the United Kingdom and independence is a "viable" option.[88]

Future Cymru Forum edit

In the Plaid Cymru conference of 2022, leader Adam Price announced "The Future Cymru Forum" with the Wales Green Party to "consult, research and develop a ground-breaking body of work" on an independent Wales.[89]

On 23 December 2022, think tank Melin Drafod announced the first ever Welsh independence summit,[90] which was held in the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea on 28 January 2023. Speakers at the summit included Adam Price, Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter and Councillor Rachel Garrick of Welsh Labour for Independence. Welsh independence campaign groups Undod and YesCymru as well as Welsh-language pressure group, Cymdeithas yr Iaith all made speeches as well.[91]

Melin Drafod's Harriet Protheroe-Soltani said, "This is the first summit of its kind where we're trying to bring people from all across the movement into one room to kind of thrash out some of those difficult discussions, to learn from one another. It is also to see the diversity of the movement in terms of different people in different parties having different tactics - but we're all on the same broader journey towards independence."[91]

Issues edit

The independent constitution commission identified "key questions" on the "viable" option of independence in its interim report. It aims to test potential solutions in the next phase, set to be published by the end of 2023. The key questions included addressing the following;

  • Sustaining at least the level of public services on the basis of its own fiscal capacity.
  • Financing matters currently controlled by UK government including pensions and benefits, and forming the capacity immigration, trade and overseas representation.
  • Establish fiscal stability and credibility, selection of currency.
  • Maintain confidence of the financial markets immediately after independence and in the long term.
  • Operating the Wales/England border operate and any implications for businesses and citizens crossing.
  • Implications of a national trade border with the rest of the UK, Europe and the world.
  • Would an independent Wales join the EU and how long would this take.[87]

Arguments for independence edit

Westminster criticisms edit

As of the 2019 general election, 40 of 650 seats at the House of Commons are in Wales. Wales has the smallest average constituency size, with 56,000 constituents per MP compared to 72,200 per MP for England.[92] Proposals revealed by the Boundary Commission in 2020 would reduce the number of Welsh seats from 40 down to 32 as part of efforts to equalise constituency sizes.[93] Advocates for Welsh independence often cite the small number of seats in Wales as a justification for independence. They feel that this limits the ability of Wales to help make political decisions within the UK.[94][95][96] Dissatisfaction with the House of Lords, where members are appointed rather than elected, has also been cited as a reason for independence.[94][95][96] Further criticisms made of the Westminster system includes:

  • Westminster government is not necessarily the government Wales voted for
  • The Westminster first-past-the-post voting system ensures that a party can win a majority with only three in ten of voters
  • Lack of Westminster concern for Welsh matters and lack of investment in Wales
  • Welsh devolution powers are limited, with many matters reserved by Westminster
  • Westminster retains parliamentary sovereignty and devolved powers can be taken away[97][98]

Powers edit

 
The Senedd building, housing the Senedd (Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament)

A central argument made by those in favour of independence is that becoming an independent country would allow Wales to make its own decisions on policy areas such as foreign policy, taxation, and other non-devolved issues.[94][95][96] It has also been suggested that the Welsh government would be able to be fully accountable for an independent Wales and that the Welsh electorate would have sole political representation and would elect a government voted for by Wales only.[99][100] Further proposed powers include:

  • Ability to develop infrastructure such as transport and broadband
  • Ability to build large energy projects to generate electricity that could be sold
  • Creation of a custom, bespoke Welsh constitution including human rights and rights within the judicial system
  • Control over the Crown Estate to provide Welsh revenue and potential for even more green energy generation
  • Making Wales safer by separation from UK foreign affairs
  • Option for inclusion in the UK and Ireland Common Travel Area.
  • A custom immigration system[99][100]

Economy and trade edit

Video of Welsh Government COVID-19 press conference where Economy Minister Ken Skates, announces that the UK HMRC refused to share data with the Welsh Government.[101]
See also: Economy of Wales

Welsh independence would also grant Wales far greater control over its economy. Proponents of independence argue that this would allow Wales to flourish as an independent country.[94][95][96]

Advocates for independence suggest that Wales could draw from the success of the Republic of Ireland following its independence from the UK. In 1922, Ireland was financially heavily dependent on Britain. Ireland is said to have benefitted from EU membership in 1973 and by International Monetary Fund and had an economic growth called the Celtic Tiger from the 1990s. It has also been noted that Wales is in a better economic state than 1920s Ireland, when it gained independence.[102] Think tank Melin Drafod suggests that an independent Wales would have newly found abilities to raise an additional £3 billion a year in public services funding via different tax and other policies.[103] Further economic arguments made for independence include:

  • Economic flexibility, more open to trade and adapt better to economic shock as a relatively small country as seen in the Flotilla effect.
  • Full control over economic ability
  • Powers for borrowing money
  • Ability to form a development bank
  • Ability to develop a competitive tax rate to draw industries
  • A system of bank regulation, designed to protect citizens and not just the banks
  • Addressing the fiscal deficit in Wales and reshaping the Welsh economy
  • Welsh internal exports within the UK not published. These could be substantial
  • Currency options: Pound, Welsh pound or euro all with pros and cons[99][100]

Culture and sport edit

 
St David's Day, 2014.
See also: Proposed St David's Day bank holiday and Wales national cricket team § Proposals for standalone Wales team
  • Bank holiday powers, including a proposed St David's Day bank holiday[104]
  • Better protection of Welsh culture[99][100]
  • Supporters of Welsh independence have argued that the ability to form Welsh teams in sports such as cricket or at the Olympics would represent a significant benefit.[94]
  • Better protection of the Welsh language[99][100]

European Union membership edit

The United Kingdom left the EU in 2020 following a referendum on membership in 2016.[105] At the referendum, 53% of Welsh voters voted to leave, though Plaid Cymru, the only pro-independence party with representatives in the Welsh Assembly, opposed leaving.[106][107] While most people who are pro-independence also favour joining the EU, this is not a universal position. According to Ashcroft Polls, a "significant" number of Plaid voters also voted for Brexit.[108]

Since Brexit, many pro-independence campaigners, including Plaid, have argued that joining the EU would be a benefit to leaving the UK, noting the success of small nations such as Lithuania, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland within the EU.[102] It has been suggested that an independent Wales would have the option to join the EU in an exclusive Welsh deal if this option benefits Wales.[100] A January 2021 poll found that a majority of Welsh voters were in favour of rejoining the EU, (44% for and 38% against).[109]

An alternative option to EU membership is membership of the European Free Trade Association with a view to joining the European single market.[110] Plaid Cymru has said that it will " explore the prospects for an independent Wales becoming a member of the European Free Trade Association, with a view to becoming part of the European Economic Area."[111] With EFTA membership, an independent Wales would also be in a position to negotiate a free trade deal with England.[112] Adam Price has stated that Plaid Cymru would seek to join the EFTA if Wales became independent.[113] The Welsh Labour Government's current position is to remain outside both the EU and single market. In June 2022, Adam Price of Plaid Cymru called on the Welsh Labour Government to support rejoining the single market (without rejoining the EU) as was previously supported by both parties in the "Securing Wales's Future" white paper.[114][115]

Arguments against independence edit

Reasons for continuing the union can be summarised as follows:

  • Fiscal Deficit - At £4,300, Wales' fiscal deficit per capita is the second highest of the UK's economic regions, after the Northern Ireland fiscal deficit.[116][117] Tax revenue per capita in Wales is 76 percent of the UK average, but spending is 108 percent, leading to a shortfall.[118] This shortfall is currently made up in part by the net fiscal surplus of some English regions of the UK and the absence of this in the event of Welsh independence would necessitate some combination of increased revenue, reduced expenditure or increased borrowing.[119]
  • Currency – In the event of independence for either Scotland or Wales, the issue over currency is brought up. A currency union between an independent Scotland and the remaining UK was ruled out in the lead-up to the 2014 referendum. Scotland can continue to use the pound sterling without a currency union, however will lack control over its monetary policy, such as interest rates as those would be the responsibility of the Bank of England, the UK's central bank, who may prioritise the UK's economy over Scotland, in the absence of a currency sharing agreement.[120]
  • "A stronger voice" and money from other parts of the UK – former First Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour from 2009 to 2018, Carwyn Jones, argued in 2012 that Wales being part of the UK "gives us a much stronger voice on the world stage". He also argued that "money is transferred from richer parts of the UK into Wales".[121]

Support for independence edit

Political parties with parliamentary representation in Wales edit

Other parties edit

Individuals edit

Politicians edit

Opposition to independence edit

Further information: Unionism in Wales and Unionism in the United Kingdom

Parties with parliamentary representation in Wales edit

Other parties edit

Alternatives edit

  • Further devolution of powers – More powers devolved from the Parliament of the United Kingdom to Wales and its devolved government.[168][169][170][171][172] Devolution of powers to either local councils or a regional collection of them, such as North Wales has also been advocated.[173]
  • Decentralising power and wealth across the UK, including to and within Wales – This argument not only supports greater decentralisation to Wales, but also more power decentralised within Wales and the rest of the UK to local authorities and regions.[174][175][176] For example, it has been argued that too much power is centralised in Cardiff, which could be handed out to the regions of Wales.[177]
  • Devolution system reform – An April 2022 article in The Economist argued that "a better combination of devolution and centralisation would compel governments to work together". The author argues that the existing devolution settlement "is making the United Kingdom chronically miserable", as politics in Scotland and Northern Ireland are "dominated by unresolved arguments about the constitution", neglecting local issues, such as healthcare and schooling. The editor suggests that powers were "crudely handed out" to devolved bodies and the resulting politics "favour blaming the centre [Westminster] rather than working with it". Leading to clashes over issues such as new nuclear power stations or gas drilling as energy policy is reserved to Westminster but planning is devolved. An "exchange" of powers to allow for better co-ordination, such as increasing devolved say over immigration and EU relations in return for increased UK-devolved cooperation in major transport links and energy security, as well as direct Westminster involvement in devolution failings over health and education, was advocated.[178]
  • Federal system – Federalism in the United Kingdom has been touted as an alternative political system to prevent a possible breakup.[179][180][181][182][183]

Public opinion edit

Main article: Opinion polling on Welsh independence

Opinion polling on Welsh independence is continually being carried out by various organisations to gauge public attitudes to independence. The dates for these opinion polls range from January 2007 to the present day. Polling was initially sporadic, but it has been carried out almost every month since January 2021. The question typically asked by pollsters is "Should Wales be an independent country?".[184][185]

See also edit

Wales edit

Related movements edit

References edit

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Sources edit

Further reading edit

  • Koch, John T. (2006). Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO.

February 16, 2024
welsh, independence, neutrality, this, article, disputed, relevant, discussion, found, talk, page, please, remove, this, message, until, conditions, 2023, learn, when, remove, this, template, message, welsh, annibyniaeth, gymru, political, movement, advocating. The neutrality of this article is disputed Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met May 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message Welsh independence Welsh Annibyniaeth i Gymru is the political movement advocating for Wales to become a sovereign state independent from the United Kingdom March for Welsh independence held in Cardiff May 2019Wales was conquered during the 13th century by Edward I of England following the killing of Llywelyn the Last Prince of Wales Edward introduced the royal ordinance the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284 introducing English common law alongside Welsh law and custom and causing the recently established Welsh principality to be incorporated into the Kingdom of England 1 Owain Glyndŵr restored Welsh independence c 1400 10 but Henry IV of England put down the revolt Henry VIII of England introduced the Laws in Wales Acts between 1535 and 1542 English law replaced Cyfraith Hywel Welsh medieval law and the Welsh principality and Marches were integrated into England 2 and Wales gained representation in parliament and a new equality under the law 3 The Wales and Berwick Act defined England to include Wales in 1746 but the Welsh Language Act 1967 partly repealed this with the term England and Wales 4 The modern Welsh independence movement emerged during the mid 19th century as did a movement for home rule Since 1999 Wales has been granted some legislative power as part of Welsh devolution from the UK parliament and contemporary Welsh law within the English legal system At present the political parties Plaid Cymru 5 Propel Gwlad and the Wales Green Party support Welsh independence as does the non partisan YesCymru campaign group 6 Support for independence has increased from 14 in 2014 to its highest support of 46 in April 2021 when excluding don t knows 7 8 A YouGov poll in January 2021 found that 47 of people in Wales opposed holding a referendum on Welsh independence within the next five years with 31 supporting 9 and in March 2023 support for independence dropped to its lowest level since 2019 at 18 the drop was potentially attributed to the prospect of a Labour UK Government 10 Location of Wales in the United Kingdom Contents 1 History 1 1 Conquest of Wales 1 2 Home rule movement 1881 present 1 2 1 Independence of church 1 2 2 Cymru Fydd 1 2 3 Home Rule All Round 1 2 4 Plaid Cymru 1 2 5 A Parliament for Wales 2 Independence movement 2 1 YesCymru 2 2 Referendum proposals 2 3 Labour for an Independent Wales 2 4 All Under One Banner Cymru and independence marches 2 5 Influence of Brexit and Scottish independence 2 6 Independent Constitution Commission 2 7 Future Cymru Forum 3 Issues 3 1 Arguments for independence 3 1 1 Westminster criticisms 3 1 2 Powers 3 1 3 Economy and trade 3 1 4 Culture and sport 3 1 5 European Union membership 3 2 Arguments against independence 4 Support for independence 4 1 Political parties with parliamentary representation in Wales 4 2 Other parties 4 3 Individuals 4 3 1 Politicians 5 Opposition to independence 5 1 Parties with parliamentary representation in Wales 5 2 Other parties 6 Alternatives 7 Public opinion 8 See also 8 1 Wales 8 2 Related movements 9 References 10 Sources 11 Further readingHistory editConquest of Wales edit See also Conquest of Wales by Edward I The only King to unite Wales was Gruffydd ap Llywelyn who ruled as King of Wales from about 1057 until his death in 1063 11 12 Fourteen years later the Norman invasion of Wales began which briefly controlled much of Wales but by 1100 Anglo Norman control was reduced to the lowland Gwent Glamorgan Gower and Pembroke while the contested border region between the Welsh princes and Anglo Norman barons became known as the Welsh Marches 13 The remaining territory was divided between native Welsh principalities The leading principality was Gwynedd and with other Welsh princes becoming their vassals princes of Gwynedd took the title Prince of Wales Although English monarchs had made several attempts to seize control of the native Welsh territories it was not until Edward s war of conquest against Llywelyn the last native prince of Wales that this was achieved with the death of Llywelyn in 1282 14 15 A significant revolt against English rule was the Glyndŵr Rising of 1400 1415 which briefly restored Welsh independence Owain Glyndŵr held the first Welsh parliament Senedd in Machynlleth in 1404 where he was proclaimed Prince of Wales and a second parliament in 1405 in Harlech 16 During the same period the Penal Laws against the Welsh people was implemented restraining Welsh rights which were reaffirmed during the 15th century and were not removed from the statute books until the 17th century 17 During the reign of the King of England Henry VIII two statutes were passed that are often referred to as the Acts of Union The laws incorporated Wales both the principality and the march into the King s empire and imposed English law in Wales Wales was geographically and legally defined and the laws allowed the Welsh equal status and representation in the English parliament Nevertheless the Welsh did not share in legal or political sovereignty and English was insisted as the official language of government administration and law which proved to be unpopular 18 The Act of Uniformity 1549 made English the language of the reformed church and no provision were made for a Welsh prayer book 18 Home rule movement 1881 present edit See also Welsh devolution Independence of church edit The march for home rule in Wales began with the movement for disestablishing the Anglican church in Wales and the first step towards this was the Sunday Closing Wales Act 1881 was the first legislation to acknowledge that Wales had a separate politico legal character from the rest of the English state 19 The majority of people in Wales belonged to noncomformists chapels despite members of the Church of England having legal and social privileges This led to a view that things could be done differently in Wales 20 David Lloyd George MP for Caernarfon at the time was committed to the cause of disestablishment 21 but it wasn t until 1914 that the Welsh Church Act was passed giving the Church in Wales the freedom to govern its own affairs The Act came into effect from 1920 22 Cymru Fydd edit In response to the Irish demand for home rule Liberal prime minister of the UK William Gladstone proposed two bills on home rule for Ireland in 1886 and 1893 which both failed 23 In the same year the Cymru Fydd Young Wales movement was founded to further the cause 19 The main leaders were David Lloyd George J E Lloyd O M Edwards T E Ellis leader MP for Merioneth 1886 1899 and Beriah Gwynfe Evans 24 Their goal was a devolved assembly but the movement was disbanded in 1896 amid personal rivalries 19 25 Home Rule All Round edit After the end of the first world war there was widespread belief that home rule all round was an essential part of reformations and discussions of self government for small nations were considered an essential part of any peace conference Home rule for Ireland had been enacted via the Government of Ireland Act 1914 but faced opposition from Ulster unionists and the 1916 Easter Rising proving significant The UK government considered home rule for Wales and Scotland to avoid making a special case for Ireland In May 1918 a home rule conference for Wales was held in Llandrindod mostly attended by Liberals and a month later home rule all round was in the Labour manifesto A stance on federalising the UK was agreed by the South Wales Labour Federation and Arthur Henderson believed that a home ruled Wales could be a modern utopia Support was widespread in Wales and some Welsh media felt it was imminent 26 Liberal Joseph Chamberlain also proposed Home Rule All Round for all nations of the United Kingdom but after the formation of the Irish free state in 1922 home rule all round lost support 27 Plaid Cymru edit In 1925 Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru the National Party of Wales was founded it was renamed Plaid Cymru The Party of Wales in 1945 The party s principles as defined in 1970 were 1 self government for Wales 2 to safeguard the culture traditions language and economic position of Wales and 3 to secure membership for a self governing Welsh state in the United Nations 28 The party s first Westminster seat MP was won by Gwynfor Evans in 1966 29 30 By 1974 the party had won three MP seats 28 and in the 2019 general election it won four seats 31 Following the formation of the Senedd in 1999 Plaid Cymru won 17 of 60 seats in the initial Welsh election of 1999 and 13 seats in 2021 32 In 1975 Plaid Cymru opposed remaining in the European Communities EC The party stated at the time that it felt that the EC s regional aid policies would reconcile places like Wales to their subordinate position 33 34 Nevertheless 65 of Welsh voters voted to remain in the EC in the 1975 referendum 35 The EC were incorporated into the European Union EU in 1993 36 A Parliament for Wales edit In the 1950s the deterioration of the British Empire removed a sense of Britishness and there was a realisation that Wales was not as prosperous as south east England and smaller European countries Successive Conservative Party victories in Westminster led to suggestions that only through self government could Wales achieve a government reflecting the votes of a Welsh electorate The Tryweryn flooding which was voted against by almost every single Welsh MP suggested that Wales as a nation was powerless 37 The Epynt clearance in 1940 has also been described as a significant but often overlooked chapter in the history of Wales 38 On 1 July 1955 a conference of all parties was called at Llandrindod by the New Wales Union Undeb Cymru Fydd to consider a national petition for a Parliament for Wales The main leaders were Megan Lloyd George the daughter of David Lloyd George T I Ellis and Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards According to the historian Dr William Richard Philip George Megan was responsible for removing much prejudice against the idea of a parliament for Wales She later presented the petition with 250 000 signatures to the British government in April 1956 39 nbsp A Plaid Cymru rally in Machynlleth in 1949 where the Parliament for Wales in 5 years campaign was startedThe declaration of Cardiff as the capital of Wales in 1955 40 41 the Labour Party s 1959 commitment to appoint a Secretary of State for Wales the creation of the Welsh Office in 1965 42 and the repeal of the Wales and Berwick Act 1746 two years later seemed to demonstrate a growing nationalist impetus 19 However the heavy defeat for a proposed Welsh Assembly offered by Labour in the 1979 devolution referendum suggested that the vast majority of the inhabitants of Wales had no desire to see their country having a national future 19 In the early 1990s Labour became committed to devolution for both Scotland and Wales and in 1997 it was elected with a mandate to hold referendums on a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly The proposed assembly won a narrow majority in the 1997 referendum 43 The National Assembly for Wales was formed in 1999 which was renamed Senedd Cymru Welsh Parliament in 2020 44 Since the referendum on Welsh devolution in 1997 and formation of the Senedd then National Assembly for Wales in 1999 there has been increased support for and trust in the Senedd with support for it to receive more devolved powers 45 Further powers have been granted to the Senedd by the Government of Wales Act 2006 the Wales Act 2014 and the Wales Act 2017 46 Independence movement editThe independence movement has been present in Wales since the mid 19th century and Plaid Cymru has also campaigned for it throughout the majority of the 20th century since it was founded in 1925 47 In the 21st century the question of Welsh independence became more prominent following increased discussion on a second Scottish independence referendum 48 49 nbsp YesCymru logoYesCymru edit Main article YesCymruNon partisan pro independence group YesCymru was founded in 2014 and open to the public for membership in 2016 In 2020 the group claimed that they had had a sudden rise in membership with 17 000 members by the end of 2020 partly influenced by the British government response to the COVID 19 pandemic 50 Referendum proposals edit Main article Proposed Welsh independence referendum In 2017 there were plans to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said there needed to be a national debate on Welsh independence 51 In July 2020 Plaid brought forward a motion to discuss a referendum on Welsh independence but it was rejected by 43 votes to 9 52 On 24 October 2020 Wales Green Party members voted at their party conference that the party would support Welsh independence in the event of a referendum being held on whether or not Wales should become independent from the United Kingdom 53 In July 2020 Plaid Cymru tabled a motion for Welsh ministers to seek permission from Westminster for the right of the Senedd to legislate for a Welsh independence referendum The members of Senedd rejected this motion by 43 votes to 9 54 This was the first time in history that Welsh independence was debated in the Senedd 55 56 On 11 December 2020 Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price stated that if his party won a majority at the 2021 Senedd election an independence referendum would be held in its first term in office 57 At Plaid s special conference on independence held on 13 February 2021 party members formally approved Price s pledge to hold a referendum in or before 2026 58 In addition to Plaid three other parties the Wales Green Party Gwlad and Propel stood on a pro independence platform at the Senedd election 59 In the 2021 Senedd Election of 60 seats Plaid Cymru won 5 Constituency and 8 regional Gwlad and Propel both won 0 60 In June 2022 the UK government announced its intention to repeal the Welsh Government s 2017 Trade Union Act which bans agency staff from being used if public sector workers go on strike 61 Price called this a power grab and potentially devolution s breaking point and called for a referendum to be held in order to protect the Senedd s powers In response First Minister Mark Drakeford stated that in order for a referendum to be held a pro referendum party would have to win the most seats in an election 62 Labour for an Independent Wales edit Main article Labour for an Independent Wales Labour for an Independent Wales which is a group of Labour Party members 63 who believe the best way to achieve a democratic socialist Wales is through independence was formed in 2018 64 65 Welsh Labour member Harriet Protheroe Soltani has suggested that in order for the Welsh independence movement to create a supermajority and a cross party movement then the support of Welsh Labour members is required 66 In August 2020 a YouGov poll showed that 39 of Welsh Labour voters would vote for independence if there was a referendum tomorrow The Welsh Governance Centre also showed that in the last Senedd election over 40 of Labour voters supported independence 66 All Under One Banner Cymru and independence marches edit Main article All Under One Banner Cymru On 11 May 2019 the first ever march in history for Welsh independence was organised by All Under One Banner Cymru AUOB Cymru in Cardiff with an estimated 3 000 in attendance 67 68 69 On 27 July 2019 AUOB organised an independence march in Caernarfon An estimate put the attendance at about 8 000 70 On 7 September 2019 a third AUOB Cymru was held in Merthyr Tydfil and attracted a crowd of 5 200 71 A pro independence march organised by AUOBCymru Indy Fest Wrexham and YesCymru 72 took place in Wrexham on 2 July 2022 73 the first such march since before the pandemic According to organisers 6 000 8 000 were in attendance 74 A further march was held in Cardiff on 1 October 2022 75 with around 8 000 campaigners taking part 76 The first march of 2023 was held in Swansea on 20 May 77 Between 6 000 and 7 000 supporters attended 78 Influence of Brexit and Scottish independence edit In January 2021 Guto Harri who was Boris Johnson s communications chief when the latter was Mayor of London wrote in The Sunday Times that the idea of independence is taking off with new recruits from very different backgrounds He went on to say Brexiteers will hate me for saying this but it is clear that some have contributed more to the cause of Welsh independence than my late father The prospect of being attached to a leftover English rump of the UK if Scotland and Northern Ireland head off seems bleak to many people And having argued against pooling sovereignty with our neighbours to facilitate trade and maximise our influence Brexiteers should not be surprised if the same logic is applied in a different setting 79 Likewise according to Martin Johnes Professor of Modern History at Swansea University For so many Welsh voters Brexit was not just a rejection of the EU but also of the British political establishment and its ways of doing things ways that have failed far too many working class communities for far too long For those who haven t given up on politicians entirely independence can feel the only hope they have left Some feel they have little to lose 80 Richard Wyn Jones director of the Welsh governance centre at Cardiff University claimed that the cause of independence in Wales would be boosted significantly if Scotland chose independence first 81 Adam Price made the argument that if the UK Supreme Court allowed a referendum on Scottish independence to be held without Westminster s position then Wales should be allowed to do the same 82 The judgement of the Supreme Court in November 2022 was that If the UK Government and Parliament were unwilling to modify those reserved powers as they did before the 2014 independence referendum then the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence 83 Independent Constitution Commission edit In September 2021 an open letter signed by a number of groups who advocate for Welsh independence including AUOBCymru members of the former central committee of YesCymru as well as Welsh Football Fans for Independence was sent to First Minister Mark Drakeford Written in response to Drakeford s proposed constitutional commission it stated that Wales needs an independence commission not one to salvage the union 84 The following month the Independent Constitutional Commission was launched by the Welsh Labour government 85 Led by Professor Laura McAllister and former Archbishop of Wales Rowan Williams it will examine Wales future relationship with the rest of the UK and will consider Welsh independence as well 86 Plaid Cymru called the commission the most wide ranging national conversation about Wales future 85 The interim findings of the commission outlined three viable options for Wales including independence to be explored in more depth in 2023 The report outlined the option of a Free Trade Association during a transition period to independence where an agreement could be made for e g England responsibility for matters such as defence The report also identified a confederation of Britain and Ireland as a potential option and key questions on independence to be addressed in 2023 87 The report concluded that there are significant problems with the way Wales is currently governed within the Union of the United Kingdom and independence is a viable option 88 Future Cymru Forum edit In the Plaid Cymru conference of 2022 leader Adam Price announced The Future Cymru Forum with the Wales Green Party to consult research and develop a ground breaking body of work on an independent Wales 89 On 23 December 2022 think tank Melin Drafod announced the first ever Welsh independence summit 90 which was held in the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea on 28 January 2023 Speakers at the summit included Adam Price Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter and Councillor Rachel Garrick of Welsh Labour for Independence Welsh independence campaign groups Undod and YesCymru as well as Welsh language pressure group Cymdeithas yr Iaith all made speeches as well 91 Melin Drafod s Harriet Protheroe Soltani said This is the first summit of its kind where we re trying to bring people from all across the movement into one room to kind of thrash out some of those difficult discussions to learn from one another It is also to see the diversity of the movement in terms of different people in different parties having different tactics but we re all on the same broader journey towards independence 91 Issues editThe independent constitution commission identified key questions on the viable option of independence in its interim report It aims to test potential solutions in the next phase set to be published by the end of 2023 The key questions included addressing the following Sustaining at least the level of public services on the basis of its own fiscal capacity Financing matters currently controlled by UK government including pensions and benefits and forming the capacity immigration trade and overseas representation Establish fiscal stability and credibility selection of currency Maintain confidence of the financial markets immediately after independence and in the long term Operating the Wales England border operate and any implications for businesses and citizens crossing Implications of a national trade border with the rest of the UK Europe and the world Would an independent Wales join the EU and how long would this take 87 Arguments for independence edit Westminster criticisms edit As of the 2019 general election 40 of 650 seats at the House of Commons are in Wales Wales has the smallest average constituency size with 56 000 constituents per MP compared to 72 200 per MP for England 92 Proposals revealed by the Boundary Commission in 2020 would reduce the number of Welsh seats from 40 down to 32 as part of efforts to equalise constituency sizes 93 Advocates for Welsh independence often cite the small number of seats in Wales as a justification for independence They feel that this limits the ability of Wales to help make political decisions within the UK 94 95 96 Dissatisfaction with the House of Lords where members are appointed rather than elected has also been cited as a reason for independence 94 95 96 Further criticisms made of the Westminster system includes Westminster government is not necessarily the government Wales voted for The Westminster first past the post voting system ensures that a party can win a majority with only three in ten of voters Lack of Westminster concern for Welsh matters and lack of investment in Wales Welsh devolution powers are limited with many matters reserved by Westminster Westminster retains parliamentary sovereignty and devolved powers can be taken away 97 98 Powers edit nbsp The Senedd building housing the Senedd Senedd Cymru Welsh Parliament A central argument made by those in favour of independence is that becoming an independent country would allow Wales to make its own decisions on policy areas such as foreign policy taxation and other non devolved issues 94 95 96 It has also been suggested that the Welsh government would be able to be fully accountable for an independent Wales and that the Welsh electorate would have sole political representation and would elect a government voted for by Wales only 99 100 Further proposed powers include Ability to develop infrastructure such as transport and broadband Ability to build large energy projects to generate electricity that could be sold Creation of a custom bespoke Welsh constitution including human rights and rights within the judicial system Control over the Crown Estate to provide Welsh revenue and potential for even more green energy generation Making Wales safer by separation from UK foreign affairs Option for inclusion in the UK and Ireland Common Travel Area A custom immigration system 99 100 Economy and trade edit source source source source source source source Video of Welsh Government COVID 19 press conference where Economy Minister Ken Skates announces that the UK HMRC refused to share data with the Welsh Government 101 See also Economy of Wales Welsh independence would also grant Wales far greater control over its economy Proponents of independence argue that this would allow Wales to flourish as an independent country 94 95 96 Advocates for independence suggest that Wales could draw from the success of the Republic of Ireland following its independence from the UK In 1922 Ireland was financially heavily dependent on Britain Ireland is said to have benefitted from EU membership in 1973 and by International Monetary Fund and had an economic growth called the Celtic Tiger from the 1990s It has also been noted that Wales is in a better economic state than 1920s Ireland when it gained independence 102 Think tank Melin Drafod suggests that an independent Wales would have newly found abilities to raise an additional 3 billion a year in public services funding via different tax and other policies 103 Further economic arguments made for independence include Economic flexibility more open to trade and adapt better to economic shock as a relatively small country as seen in the Flotilla effect Full control over economic ability Powers for borrowing money Ability to form a development bank Ability to develop a competitive tax rate to draw industries A system of bank regulation designed to protect citizens and not just the banks Addressing the fiscal deficit in Wales and reshaping the Welsh economy Welsh internal exports within the UK not published These could be substantial Currency options Pound Welsh pound or euro all with pros and cons 99 100 Culture and sport edit nbsp St David s Day 2014 See also Proposed St David s Day bank holiday and Wales national cricket team Proposals for standalone Wales team Bank holiday powers including a proposed St David s Day bank holiday 104 Better protection of Welsh culture 99 100 Supporters of Welsh independence have argued that the ability to form Welsh teams in sports such as cricket or at the Olympics would represent a significant benefit 94 Better protection of the Welsh language 99 100 European Union membership edit The United Kingdom left the EU in 2020 following a referendum on membership in 2016 105 At the referendum 53 of Welsh voters voted to leave though Plaid Cymru the only pro independence party with representatives in the Welsh Assembly opposed leaving 106 107 While most people who are pro independence also favour joining the EU this is not a universal position According to Ashcroft Polls a significant number of Plaid voters also voted for Brexit 108 Since Brexit many pro independence campaigners including Plaid have argued that joining the EU would be a benefit to leaving the UK noting the success of small nations such as Lithuania Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland within the EU 102 It has been suggested that an independent Wales would have the option to join the EU in an exclusive Welsh deal if this option benefits Wales 100 A January 2021 poll found that a majority of Welsh voters were in favour of rejoining the EU 44 for and 38 against 109 An alternative option to EU membership is membership of the European Free Trade Association with a view to joining the European single market 110 Plaid Cymru has said that it will explore the prospects for an independent Wales becoming a member of the European Free Trade Association with a view to becoming part of the European Economic Area 111 With EFTA membership an independent Wales would also be in a position to negotiate a free trade deal with England 112 Adam Price has stated that Plaid Cymru would seek to join the EFTA if Wales became independent 113 The Welsh Labour Government s current position is to remain outside both the EU and single market In June 2022 Adam Price of Plaid Cymru called on the Welsh Labour Government to support rejoining the single market without rejoining the EU as was previously supported by both parties in the Securing Wales s Future white paper 114 115 Arguments against independence edit Reasons for continuing the union can be summarised as follows Fiscal Deficit At 4 300 Wales fiscal deficit per capita is the second highest of the UK s economic regions after the Northern Ireland fiscal deficit 116 117 Tax revenue per capita in Wales is 76 percent of the UK average but spending is 108 percent leading to a shortfall 118 This shortfall is currently made up in part by the net fiscal surplus of some English regions of the UK and the absence of this in the event of Welsh independence would necessitate some combination of increased revenue reduced expenditure or increased borrowing 119 Currency In the event of independence for either Scotland or Wales the issue over currency is brought up A currency union between an independent Scotland and the remaining UK was ruled out in the lead up to the 2014 referendum Scotland can continue to use the pound sterling without a currency union however will lack control over its monetary policy such as interest rates as those would be the responsibility of the Bank of England the UK s central bank who may prioritise the UK s economy over Scotland in the absence of a currency sharing agreement 120 A stronger voice and money from other parts of the UK former First Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour from 2009 to 2018 Carwyn Jones argued in 2012 that Wales being part of the UK gives us a much stronger voice on the world stage He also argued that money is transferred from richer parts of the UK into Wales 121 Support for independence editPolitical parties with parliamentary representation in Wales edit Plaid Cymru 122 Other parties edit Wales Green Party in the event a referendum is held on Welsh independence The party does not actively campaign for independence but has stated it would do so if a referendum was called on the matter 53 Propel 123 124 Gwlad 125 Socialist Workers Party 126 Individuals edit Eddie Butler 1957 2022 Welsh rugby international and rugby commentator 127 Charlotte Church Welsh singer songwriter and political campaigner 128 Dafydd Iwan Welsh folk singer political campaigner and former politician 129 Bryn Fon Welsh singer actor and producer 130 Neville Southall Welsh football international and social justice activist 131 Iolo Williams Welsh nature observer author and television presenter 132 Julian Lewis Jones Welsh actor best known for House of the Dragon 133 R S Thomas 1913 2000 Welsh poet 134 Angharad Mair Welsh television presenter and executive director of Tinopolis 135 Polly James Welsh broadcaster who supports independence if it helps to reduce child poverty 136 Kizzy Crawford Welsh singer songwriter 137 Myrddin ap Dafydd Welsh writer poet and publisher 130 Callum Scott Howells Welsh actor 138 The Barry Horns Welsh football brass band 139 Ashton Hewitt professional Welsh rugby player 140 The Proclaimers Scottish music duo 141 Mike Jenkins Welsh poet 142 Patrick Jones Welsh poet 142 Glyndwr Jones Welsh CEO author and education professional argues for a confederation 143 Adwaith Welsh band 139 Andy John The current Archbishop of Wales 144 Russell T Davies Welsh screenwriter and producer 145 146 Politicians edit Adam Price former leader of Plaid Cymru 147 Leanne Wood former leader of Plaid Cymru 148 Gwynfor Evans 1912 2005 former leader of Plaid Cymru 149 Rhun ap Iorwerth leader of Plaid Cymru from 16 June 2023 and former BBC journalist 150 Dafydd Wigley Lord and former leader of Plaid Cymru 151 Ieuan Wyn Jones former leader of Plaid Cymru 152 Lewis Valentine 1893 1986 first leader of Plaid Cymru 153 Dafydd Elis Thomas first Llywydd former leader of Plaid Cymru and independent MS 154 Gwynoro Jones former Labour MP 155 Elystan Morgan 1932 2021 former Labour MP and Lord that supported dominion status 156 157 Opposition to independence editFurther information Unionism in Wales and Unionism in the United Kingdom Parties with parliamentary representation in Wales edit Welsh Labour 158 Welsh Conservatives 159 Welsh Liberal Democrats 160 Co operative Party 161 Other parties edit Liberal Party 162 UK Independence Party 163 Reform UK 163 British National Party Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party 164 Social Democratic Party 165 Socialist Party Wales 166 Christian Party 167 Alternatives editFurther devolution of powers More powers devolved from the Parliament of the United Kingdom to Wales and its devolved government 168 169 170 171 172 Devolution of powers to either local councils or a regional collection of them such as North Wales has also been advocated 173 Decentralising power and wealth across the UK including to and within Wales This argument not only supports greater decentralisation to Wales but also more power decentralised within Wales and the rest of the UK to local authorities and regions 174 175 176 For example it has been argued that too much power is centralised in Cardiff which could be handed out to the regions of Wales 177 Devolution system reform An April 2022 article in The Economist argued that a better combination of devolution and centralisation would compel governments to work together The author argues that the existing devolution settlement is making the United Kingdom chronically miserable as politics in Scotland and Northern Ireland are dominated by unresolved arguments about the constitution neglecting local issues such as healthcare and schooling The editor suggests that powers were crudely handed out to devolved bodies and the resulting politics favour blaming the centre Westminster rather than working with it Leading to clashes over issues such as new nuclear power stations or gas drilling as energy policy is reserved to Westminster but planning is devolved An exchange of powers to allow for better co ordination such as increasing devolved say over immigration and EU relations in return for increased UK devolved cooperation in major transport links and energy security as well as direct Westminster involvement in devolution failings over health and education was advocated 178 Federal system Federalism in the United Kingdom has been touted as an alternative political system to prevent a possible breakup 179 180 181 182 183 Public opinion editMain article Opinion polling on Welsh independence Opinion polling on Welsh independence is continually being carried out by various organisations to gauge public attitudes to independence The dates for these opinion polls range from January 2007 to the present day Polling was initially sporadic but it has been carried out almost every month since January 2021 The question typically asked by pollsters is Should Wales be an independent country 184 185 See also edit nbsp Politics portal nbsp Wales portal nbsp United Kingdom portalWales edit Independent Nation Should Wales Leave the UK Culture of Wales History of Wales Welsh nationalism Parliament for Wales Campaign Yes for Wales Welsh Wars of Independence Glyndŵr Rising List of movements in WalesRelated movements edit Scottish independence Yes Scotland United Ireland Ireland s Future English independence Potential breakup of the United Kingdom List of active separatist movements in EuropeReferences edit Jones Francis 1969 The Princes and Principality of Wales University of Wales P ISBN 978 0 900768 20 0 BBC Wales History Themes The 1536 Act of Union BBC Retrieved 9 February 2022 Laws in Wales Act 1535 repealed 21 12 1993 The Welsh language Act of 1967 BBC 26 July 2012 Retrieved 9 February 2022 Aims Our History Plaid Cymru Archived from the original on 3 April 2016 Retrieved 22 March 2016 Pitt Ellie 6 November 2020 Thousands join YesCymru and say Westminster isn t working for Wales ITV News Retrieved 7 November 2020 Henry Graham 19 April 2014 Wales says no to Scottish independence our exclusive YouGov poll WalesOnline Retrieved 16 May 2022 Savanta ComRes Wales Voting Intention 29 April 2021 PDF YouGov Sunday Times Survey Results PDF Hayward Will 1 March 2023 Support for Welsh independence at its lowest level for three years WalesOnline Retrieved 2 March 2023 Archaeologia Cambrensis 1846 1899 BRUT Y TYWYSOGION GWENTIAN CHRONICLE 1863 1863 Welsh Journals The National Library of Wales journals library wales Retrieved 26 July 2022 Gruffudd ap Llywelyn the First and Last King of Wales Historic UK Retrieved 8 February 2022 Davies R R 2000 The age of conquest Wales 1063 1415 Oxford Oxford University Press pp 5 7 21 ISBN 978 0 19 820878 5 Kings and Princes of Wales Historic UK Retrieved 8 February 2022 BBC Wales History Themes Chapter 8 The end of Welsh independence BBC Retrieved 6 July 2022 OwainGlyndwr Parliaments www owain glyndwr wales Retrieved 8 February 2022 Watkin Thomas Glyn 2007 The Legal History of Wales Cardiff University of Wales Press pp 116 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2020 a b Wales Green Party vote to back Welsh independence at conference Nation Cymru 24 October 2020 Retrieved 24 October 2020 StackPath Institute for Government 22 April 2021 Retrieved 13 June 2022 Plaid independence referendum call rejected by Senedd members BBC News 15 July 2020 Retrieved 13 June 2022 Live Blog The Senedd debates independence for the first time Nation Cymru 15 July 2020 Retrieved 13 June 2022 Hayward Will 11 December 2020 Plaid pledges independence referendum if they win Senedd election WalesOnline Retrieved 11 December 2020 Plaid Cymru formally adopt independence referendum pledge at special conference Nation Cymru 13 February 2021 Retrieved 14 February 2021 Wells Ione 2 February 2021 Welsh independence How worried should UK ministers be BBC News Retrieved 2 February 2021 Welsh election results 2021 Labour s road to victory in numbers BBC News 7 May 2021 Retrieved 29 November 2022 UK Government confirm they will scrap Welsh law as part of trade union crackdown 27 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to call for Welsh independence Nation Cymru 7 September 2019 Retrieved 14 September 2019 Jones Ben 1 July 2022 Welsh Independence March To Take Place Amid Westminster Aggression voice wales Retrieved 1 July 2022 Forgrave Andrew Hudspith Jaymelouise Whilding Alex 2 July 2022 Thousands of Welsh Independence supporters join Wrexham march North Wales Live Retrieved 2 July 2022 Owen Twm 21 June 2022 Wrexham indy march will be the best yet say organisers The National Wales Retrieved 22 June 2022 Jones Branwen 21 June 2022 Welsh independence march planned for first time since pandemic WalesOnline Retrieved 22 June 2022 Harries Robert Thomas Angharad 1 October 2022 Thousands march through the streets of Cardiff in support of Welsh independence WalesOnline Retrieved 1 October 2022 Jones Branwen 20 January 2023 Date for first Welsh independence march of year announced WalesOnline Welsh independence Nearly seven thousand people turn up to first rally of the year itv com Retrieved 4 November 2023 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annibyniaeth i Gymru rhaid ymladd yn ol The Proclaimers declare their support for Welsh independence must fight back Golwg360 in Welsh Retrieved 1 July 2022 a b Audio All the speeches from Saturday s independence march in Merthyr Nation Cymru 7 September 2019 Retrieved 28 June 2022 Review Whose Wales argues that it was Labour not Plaid Cymru who drove Welsh devolution Nation Cymru 1 September 2021 Retrieved 18 October 2022 Archbishop of Wales in favour of independence Nation Cymru 26 January 2023 Retrieved 16 March 2023 It s A Sin screenwriter Russell T Davies speaks out on Welsh independence Nation Cymru 26 January 2021 Retrieved 20 February 2023 It led to more deaths It s A Sin writer Russell T Davies compares silence of AIDS crisis with Covid ITV News 26 January 2021 Mosalski Ruth 24 April 2021 The Adam Price election interview Independence isn t a distraction WalesOnline Retrieved 28 June 2022 Bastani Aaron 6 October 2021 Leanne Wood Just Wanting Independence Isn t Enough We Need a Strategy Novara Media Retrieved 28 June 2022 WalesOnline 21 April 2005 Goodbye to the Member for Wales WalesOnline Retrieved 1 September 2022 Iorwerth Rhun ap 2 July 2018 My vision for a thriving welcoming independent Wales WalesOnline Retrieved 1 September 2022 It s time to define what independence means The National Wales Retrieved 1 September 2022 James David 12 July 2007 Who is Ieuan Wyn Jones WalesOnline Retrieved 1 September 2022 Davies 1994 p 547 Live North Wales 12 January 2012 Lord Elis Thomas sets out his stall for the Plaid leadership election and speaks of the monarchy s role in an independent Wales North Wales Live Retrieved 1 September 2022 admin 14 September 2018 Plaid Cymru leadership election Yes Cymru and Independence Institute of Welsh Affairs Retrieved 18 October 2022 Welsh devolution is being betrayed says Lord Elystan Morgan BBC News 6 October 2017 Retrieved 18 October 2022 Could Labour Lead Wales to Independence Novara Media Retrieved 18 September 2022 Senedd 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now we must find common ground Nation Cymru Retrieved 1 September 2022 Too much power centralised in Cardiff says Alun Cairns BBC News 18 September 2017 Retrieved 1 September 2022 Devolution is making the United Kingdom chronically miserable The Economist 2 April 2022 ISSN 0013 0613 Retrieved 16 July 2022 Blick Prof Andrew 3 March 2021 Federalism for the United Kingdom an answer that raises questions The Federal Trust Retrieved 10 July 2022 Can the United Kingdom be saved through federation Lessons from 1919 The Federal Trust 18 December 2020 Retrieved 10 July 2022 Bradley Jayne 21 March 2021 UK federal system could replace independence argues Professor The Scotsman Retrieved 10 July 2022 Jenkins Simon 5 July 2022 The United Kingdom is broken It s time for a new British federation The Guardian Retrieved 10 July 2022 UK heading towards breakup says Financial Times Nation Cymru 31 December 2020 Retrieved 10 July 2022 Welsh Independence Poll Support Steadily Dropping Politics co uk Retrieved 7 August 2023 Welsh independence polls 2023 Statista Retrieved 7 August 2023 Sources editDavies John 1994 A History of Wales Penguin ISBN 0 14 014581 8 Further reading editKoch John T 2006 Celtic Culture A Historical Encyclopedia ABC CLIO Portals nbsp Wales nbsp Politics nbsp United Kingdom Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Welsh independence amp oldid 1205099228, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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