91Èȱ¬

It was a rainy evening in Carmarthen, and the Halliwell Centre was packed, as can be expected when a party leader comes to speak at a momentous time in the history of Wales. This was truly history in the making. Ieuan Wyn Jones spoke of a "new dynamic" in the politics of Wales. He was persuasive and uncompromising. This One Wales Agreement was the best option and the only logical way forward, after the weeks of discussion, negotiation, and agonised decision making. Together with Labour Plaid has achieved the best possible result and has succeeeded in putting its interests forward with cast-iron guarantees on the key proposals in the agreement.
There were, it is true, serious reservations expressed by members of the audience, yet Ieuan dealt with them cogently one by one, with logic, clarity and reasssurance, and expressed the wish that they would give him their unqualified support in the forthcoming conference of the National Council. In his explanatory meetings throughout Wales Ieuan Wyn has addressed more than a thousand members and supporters, and is gratified that so much interest has been expressed by the people of Wales in the political process. There is indeed "a new dynamic" at work.

Posted by alanindyfed

Life In The New Republic

(With compliments to Plato)
Are we assuming that Wales will some day be a Republic, as Ireland is? Or is it possible that the people will opt for a Princedom, and search for the descendants of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd or Dafydd ap Gwilym to hold court and open the new Parliament? Or again, would the majority of people accept the present prince as the Prince of Wales, and upon ascending to the throne of England, then accept his eldest son? The latter is rather doubtful if we consider the circumstances of the investiture in Caernarfon in 1969. If we are to be realistic and take note of the age in which we live, and sense the mood of the people, and look deeply into the history of Wales from the time of King Edward I it would appear that the first option is the most appropriate. Scotland is leading the way, and although Alex Salmond appears to be on very good terms with the Queen, it is not hard to envisage the creation of a Scottish Republic on the lines of the Irish one. Where Scotland leads doubtless Wales will follow. The first step will be a parliamentary democracy and full Parliament for Wales. Already the National Assembly is flexing its muscles and adopting the parliamentary role, as well as taking steps to implement its extended law-making powers. There will be greater communication and co-operation among the nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and these new links will be forged for the benefit of all the western Celtic peoples of these islands. There will be no antagonism towards England lest the English people are apprehensive about the likely outcome of these alliances. All nations of Britain will enter into a new era of collective responsibility towards their own citizens, towards Europe and the world. England will have a national Parliament, and there will be a Federal Assembly to co-ordinate the nations' collective affairs.
So what will life be like in the new Republic?
Not a great deal different from the way it is now, except that there will be a more open and active and vibrant society, with festivals and concerts and cultural entertainments, sports events, and agricultural and horticultural shows, international conferences and environmental debates, youth activities and community regeneration activities, carnivals and fairs of all kinds, including trade fairs organised and held as a shop window to the world. There will be new infrastructure, roads, bridges and tunnels ensuring fast and easy access and an expansion of public transport services to lure people away from reliance upon the automobile. There will be no nuclear power stations, but emphasis on alternative energy sources, sustainability and micro-economics. Globalisation will be kept in check, and while trade between countries will be encouraged, there will be a trend towards reliance upon one's own sustainable resources. Garden allotments will come back into fashion. Produce which is out of season and expensive will be replaced with home-grown organic produce, and consumed when in season. Greater and better use will be made of land resources. Housing will be affordable and developers such as those purchasing, for example, 50 dwellings in Treorchy for letting as personal investment will be prevented from doing so. Second homes will be severely discouraged by means of taxation. The good of the community will come before the good of the individual, yet every individual will have his/her rights and basic benefits in order to lead a comfortable and productive life. This will lead to a more just and equitable society. Surely this is the way forward in the new Republic of Cymru, formerly known as Wales?

Posted by alanindyfed