21st century Welsh nationalism

1 21st century

1.1 plaid cymru
1.2 other nationalist parties , movements
1.3 violent nationalism

21st century

a 2007 survey bbc wales newsnight found 20% of welsh people surveyed favoured wales becoming independent of united kingdom.

in 2009 archbishop of wales, dr barry morgan, renewed call national assembly granted full law-making powers, calling greater degree of self-determination wales.

a yougov poll taken in september 2015 suggested 17% of welsh people vote independence. poll face business suggests support high 28%. these in stark contrast last 2 polls conducted icm bbc said support low 5% , 3% respectively.

the united kingdom european union membership referendum, 2016 saw voters in wales choosing leave option 53 per cent 47 per cent.

a welsh political barometer poll, conducted itv-cymru wales , cardiff university’s wales governance centre 30 june 4 july 2016, showed support welsh independence had increased following brexit vote. responding question “and please imagine scenario rest of uk left european union wales remain member of european union if became independent country. if referendum held in wales becoming independent country , question, how vote? should wales independent country?” results were: yes: 28%, no: 53% not vote/don’t know: 20%. removing non-committed voters, 35% of polled vote independence.

plaid cymru

plaid cymru founded in 1925. first member of parliament, gwynfor evans, elected in carmarthen by-election, 1966, , today has 4 such representatives, along eleven members of welsh assembly. historically, support party concentrated in rural welsh-speaking areas of north , west wales, of mps have been elected. in late 1960s , 1990s party enjoyed brief surges in support.

other nationalist parties , movements

cymru goch ( red wales or welsh socialists ). cymru goch founded in 1987 fight free , socialist wales. published monthly magazine y faner goch (the red flag). in 2003, became part of forward wales, later dissolved in 2010.
cymru annibynnol (independent wales). political party founded in 2000 former members of plaid cymru under leadership of john humphries, former journalist , editor of western mail. party fought 2003 national assembly elections putting candidates regional seats. shortly after election dissolved. main reason existence unhappiness level of plaid cymru s commitment independence.
cymdeithas yr iaith gymraeg (welsh language society). established in 1962 members of plaid cymru, pressure group campaigning welsh language rights. uses non-violent direct action in campaigning, , sees part of global resistance movement.
cymuned (community). pressure group campaigning welsh language rights established in 2001, concentrates efforts in western parts of wales welsh main community language. sees part of global movements rights of indigenous peoples.
cymdeithas cyfamod y cymry rhydd (society of covenant of free welsh). established in 1987, again because of unhappiness level of plaid cymru s commitment independence. achieved publicity producing own welsh passports .
llais gwynedd (voice of gwynedd). established due dissatisfaction plaid cymru in gwynedd. holds 6 seats on gwynedd s local council.
mudiad adfer (restoration movement) splinter group of cymdeithas yr iaith gymraeg in 1970s. taking welsh-only philosophy works , teachings of owain owain , emyr llewelyn, believed in creation of y fro gymraeg - monoglot region based on existing welsh language heartlands in west of wales. adfer disappeared scene in late 1980s.
mudiad rhyddhad cymru ( cymru liberation movement ): meeting took place in flintshire on 10 january 2004 between representatives of balchder cymru (wales pride), cymru 1400, medi 16 (september 16), , rdm. agreed @ meeting 4 organisations should amalgamate form stronger nationalist/republican movement. believe such move strengthen struggle independent welsh republic. new movement has been named mudiad rhyddhad cymru (mrc). aims: campaign independent welsh republic, , defend cymru, language , culture.
plaid glyndŵr ( party of [owain] glyndŵr ). founded dennis morris in 2012, party campaigns full independence wales , against colonialism in wales.

violent nationalism

though mainstream nationalism in wales has been constitutional, there have been violent movements associated it. in 1952 small republican movement, y gweriniaethwyr ( republicans ), first use violence when made unsuccessful attempt blow pipeline leading claerwen dam in mid wales birmingham.

in 1960s 2 movements established in protest against drowning of tryweryn valley , 1969 investiture of charles, prince of wales: mudiad amddiffyn cymru ( movement defence of wales , known mac) , free wales army (also known fwa, in welsh byddin rhyddid cymru). mac responsible numerous bombing attacks on water pipelines , power lines across wales. on eve of investiture 2 members of mac, alwyn jones , george taylor, died bomb planting on railway line used royal train exploded.

the late 1970s , 1980s saw organisation calling meibion glyndŵr ( sons of glyndŵr ) responsible spate of arson attacks against holiday homes throughout wales. in 1970s, welsh socialist republican army arose, initials in welsh spelt out english word dawn .