Summer 2014
£1
The Welsh Nation By pulling together and putting in the work, we can succeed Leanne Wood AM, Plaid Cymru Leader
T
hank you for all your hard work in the recent European elections. It was a tough fight for us as a party, with most of the media apparently enchanted with UKIP. But by staying true to our values and by not shying away from confronting the politics of division, we held our seat. Let’s not forget the magnitude of the task we faced. We managed to turn around a low of 11 per cent in the opinion polls to an (albeit narrow) hold with 15.26 per cent. We turned things around in very difficult circumstances. None of this could have happened without the hard work across the country by party members. It was encouraging to see us doing so well and regaining ground in places like Ceredigion and Ynys Môn. For the first time in some years Plaid Cymru is in a good position to make gains at next year’s UK election.
The results were however patchy across the country. To all of the teams in Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, the counties where we topped the poll - a big well done. It’s also clear that where we did the ground work in terms of taking our message directly to people on their doorsteps - and we know where those places are because of the Treeware entries, we polled better results. We can learn many lessons from the recent campaign. Firstly, when we sharpened our message of hope in the face of the politics of division, we got ourselves
back into the election battle, found our voice and managed to attract support from people who ordinarily vote for the Lib Dems or Greens. Some were even card-carrying members of those parties but wanted Wales to keep its progressive voice in the EU and lent us their vote. Secondly, where there was activity in the community, the party performed well. I am in no doubt that in order to win in the future and in order to build the successful, independent country we want to see, Plaid Cymru must mount the biggest grass-roots effort in our history. Let us be under no illusion about the direct correlation between door knocking and success. I’d like all of our members to consider this: what can I do over the next year to ensure Plaid Cymru connects directly with more people on their doorsteps? By pulling together and putting in the work, we can succeed.
Making the connection Rhuanedd Richards, Chief Executive
D
espite all the policies in our manifesto for the European Parliament election 2014, there’s no doubt in my mind that the most appealing message, and the one that worked best for me on the doorstep during the campaign, was that we must avoid, at all costs, a situation where Wales would lose her voice. Every piece of existing research confirms that Welsh people accept that our party, in all circumstances, will always put the interests of Wales first. That message was enough, of course, to allow us to keep our seat and re-elect Jill Evans, but it doesn’t explain why we came fourth. The simple answer to that, in my view, arises from the fact that people are angry and concerned about the future. They feel that the political system is alien and distant from the reality of their daily lives. From my experience in talking with voters, they did not, on the whole, agree with the majority of UKIP’s policies, but they saw an opportunity to give a kick to the establishment and this was reason enough to lend a vote to them. With this in mind, I think we have a responsibility and an opportunity in Plaid Cymru to turn the despair and negativity that exists into a positive vote for the future of our nation. There is no other party in Wales that can say with the same sincerity and credibility as Plaid Cymru, that it too feels that the people of Wales are let down and their needs marginalised by the current political system. Westminster is not working for the good of Wales – indeed our lack of voice and power to decide our own future continues to hold back our nation. We have to make the connection and The Welsh Nation
persuade our neighbours, friends and communities that they can empower themselves and turn their frustration into a vote of confidence in their ability to plough their own furrow and demand a better future. The Scottish referendum on the 18th of September offers the best opportunity ever to show that there is an alternative. The SNP, by being an effective and popular party of government, has won the right to insist that they are able to offer an alternative future to the people of Scotland. In doing so they are already addressing the fear of the unknown and normalising the concept of independence and selfdetermination throughout the UK. Regardless of the result, the SNP has succeeded in persuading even their most vociferous detractors, during the independence debate and even more so through their competence in running the Scottish government, that Scotland has the right and the ability to stand on its own two feet. We here in Wales can do likewise – it’s within our ability and competence even if it is not, as yet, within our grasp – but we will have to work harder and be more determined than ever. We cannot afford to have a situation where any single member of Plaid Cymru is merely observing and commentating on the political situation from the sidelines – tweeting through social media or even spending hours in branch meetings alone will not make the difference we need. Wherever you live, I appeal to you to be a part of the conversations on the doorstep – do not allow this opportunity to lead Wales to a brighter future to pass us by, as the politics of these islands evolve rapidly over the next few years. Summer 2014
Keep up pressure on devolution journey Elfyn Llwyd MP Westminster Parliamentary Leader
I
n recent weeks, the Plaid Cymru Parliamentary Group has had yet another opportunity to put our nation’s best interests at the heart of the Commons’ political agenda and fight for bold change that would strengthen Wales democratically and financially. However, the Wales Bill Committee Stage debate – spanning two days – was enough to leave anyone harbouring an ounce of ambition for our political institution with a heavy heart. As issues varying from dual candidacy to income tax powers to fair funding were discussed, it became clear that Labour’s intentions were to sit and sulk in the antidevolution corner. While Hywel, Jonathan and I had tabled numerous amendments on Barnett reform, removing the lock step restriction on the power to vary income tax, and granting the Welsh Government the power to issue bonds (similar to Scotland), Labour had nothing to offer but wrecking amendments and a revived enthusiasm for the constitutional arrangements of the Ukraine – the only other country in Europe to enforce a ban on dual candidacy.
have hampered the progress of the Welsh economy for decades. One of the greatest scandals of the UK’s current devolution settlement is the outdated Barnett formula – the funding formula which sees Wales lose out on a staggering £400m a year due to its flawed logic.
Overall, it has been difficult to offer the Wales Bill anything more than a lukewarm welcome as we feel considerable frustration that it falls short of delivering the best deal possible for Wales.
While successive London governments have failed to act, Wales has been underfunded to the tune of billions of pounds over recent years - money that could have been invested in transforming our transport network, generating jobs, and halting the decline of our public services. We in Plaid Cymru have been banging the drum for Barnett reform for many years. It is simply unfair that our economy is put at a disadvantage and that we are witnessing a postcode recovery which has left parts of London over twelve times richer than Ynys Môn.
It is true that the Bill signals a small step in the right direction, but some glaring omissions mean that our nation is sadly set to continue suffering the same difficulties which
At Westminster, we are used to Labour MPs from Wales sitting on their hands while they try and decide whether they’re answerable to Ed Miliband or Carwyn Jones.
As the Labour front bench lay into Leanne and her ambitions to stand for the regional and constituency lists in 2016, it has become clear that they are increasingly rattled by the prospect of losing the Rhondda to a leader who is conducting herself like a worthy First Minister.
More often than not, this leads to them saying one thing in Wales and doing another at Westminster when it comes to voting. It was, therefore, as unsurprising as it was disheartening to see the First Minister’s London colleagues contradicting his claims that Barnett should be reformed by bowing to their London bosses and abstaining on our amendment. This fork-tongued approach does the people of Wales a disservice and the lack of plurality in the Welsh media means that proper scrutiny of political conduct is often lacking. We all know that Wales is a nation rich in resources and creativity. But while Westminster has the final say on so many vital decisions, this potential can never be fully realised. With the London parties intent on putting up roadblocks and restrictions, the early stages of the Wales Bill have shown that we must work harder than ever to keep up the pace on the devolution journey.
Eirian Llwyd Jones Tribute by Robat Trefor
R
aised at Tan y Waun, Prion, near Denbigh, Eirian Llwyd had been a political campaigner as a young woman, a long time before she even dreamt that she would spend the second half of her life on Ynys Môn. In the mid-eighties, she ventured on moving her young family to live in Rhosmeirch, Llangefni, after her husband Ieuan, whom she always called Wyn, came close to winning the parliamentary constituency for Plaid Cymru at the 1983 general election, in the only heartening result of that dark hour. The risk-taking paid off, and that photograph of herself and Ieuan, arms raised and holding hands high on the balcony of Llangefni Town Hall after the 1987 win, stands out in the memory. The mind’s eye jumps forward and sees her still at it, knocking the doors in Amlwch on the final evening of Ieuan’s very last campaign in 2011. In between those two frames were nearly a quarter of a century of not only supporting her husband but also of winning people over herself with her own personal combination of
quiet graciousness and quick enthusiasm. Eirian had a real interest in people and a deep sympathy for them, and she could read them and get their measure far better than most of us. In addition to supporting the cause and raising her family and her earlier work as a health professional, she achieved her great dream of making a career as an artist. Despite constantly wandering back in heart and mind to Tan y Waun, her imagination was captivated by the scenes of nature and ancient stones and horses and old churches on Ynys Môn. Her remarkable pictures and prints are full of those impressions. An ardent churchgoer herself, her presence at St. Cyngar’s Church will be sorely missed. It is in the churchyard of one of those old churches, at Llanddyfnan, that her ashes are laid to rest. It is a joy indeed to have known her.
Eirian Llwyd Jones Memorial Fund Ieuan Wyn Jones and his family have decided to establish a memorial fund for Eirian. The aim is to hold an annual competition for printmakers living and working in Wales and award a generous prize as a way of encouraging artists to use the various print media. Ieuan explained: “Eirian was
The Welsh Nation
passionate about encouraging the use of print media and saw these prints as an affordable way of buying original art work.”
Memorial Fund to Tŷ Newydd, Rhosmeirch, Llangefni, LL77 7RZ, or you can send it direct to the following account:
As part of the fundraising drive, Ieuan was walking Offa’s Dyke from south to north in June.
Name: Eirian Llwyd Jones Memorial Fund
In addition, members can sponsor Ieuan by sending a cheque made payable to the Eirian Llwyd Jones
Bank: Barclays Sort Code: 20-35-47 Account Number: 13347869
Summer 2014
Allan Pritchard Lindsay Whittle pays tribute to his great friend
W
ales said farewell to a very special man the day Allan Pritchard lost his tenacious battle against illness.
Borough Council. He was the party’s Deputy Leader and succeeded me as Leader. I could have left control in no finer hands.
There can be very few people who not only leave an indelible impression upon you as an individual but on an entire room, community and country.
If you were fortunate enough to have his friendship, then you could trust him with your life.
Allan left school and worked in Oakdale Colliery for most of his life. He was the epitome of a true Welshman: a fine poet; the most magnificent singer and songwriter; a fierce rugby player; a family man; a man who loved his community and his country; and although the Welsh language was not in his head it was very much in his heart. He worked tirelessly for Plaid Cymru. Deep in Labour territory he represented his community of Oakdale on the Islwyn Borough Council and then Caerffili County
To watch him work was simply awe inspiring. He did not need fancy researchers, he did his own research. Thoroughly. It will take at least five to replace him as an individual councillor. As a person he is irreplaceable, a one-off. Mark him well. It will be another generation before we see his like again and then only if we are very lucky. Personally, I will never say goodbye to this great friend and Welshman. Allan will live in my heart and mind forever. I am proud to have had the honour to have known him.
Nigel Jenkins January 27th, 2014, saw the untimely death of poet, editor and author Nigel Jenkins. Nigel’s calm exterior and generous character harboured a poet who could convey the anger and bitterness of nationalist frustration like few others. Jenkins considered himself one of the ‘Idrisiaid’ in his commitment to a poetry that spoke directly to different constituencies without ‘pseudo-experimental party turns / designed to impress’. But when his critical intelligence was fully inflamed, Nigel’s visceral anger would explode the Georgian confines of Idris Davies’s verse. And he was able to focus his ire with a lacerating personal directness in a way rarely achieved by his more impetuous but often equally irate - hero, Harri Webb. Few will
forget his ‘Tasteless Farewell To Viscount No’ which revised the nauseating paeans to George Thomas and propelled Nigel onto the front page of an astounded Guardian in 1997. Brought up on a farm in Gower, Nigel gave voice to modern Wales in a deep baritone voice, which accessed areas that others could never reach and which, depending on the poem or passage of prose being read, could conjure dreams of buccaneering bohemian restlessness on the one hand, or a deep meditative rootedness on the other. Memories of Nigel are cherished from Mumbles to Maenclochog, from the bars of Remsen, New York to the hills of Khasia, India. He was a true Welsh Internationalist and, wrth gwrs, a member of Plaid Cymru. Daniel G. Williams
Plaid Youth celebrate success of Pantycelyn campaign
P
laid Cymru Youth is delighted at the news that the campaign to save Pantycelyn – the Aberystwyth University Welsh Language Hall of Residence – has been successful. As an organisation, we wholeheartedly supported this campaign. Our branch in Aberystwyth took a proactive role in the protests against the hall’s closure from the outset, while a large number of prominent Plaid Cymru members, including Councillor Alun Williams, Elin Jones AM, Rhun ap Iorwerth AM, Llyr Gruffydd AM and Mike Parker also backed the opposition to this plan. Aled Morgan Hughes, President of the Aberystwyth
Plaid Cymru Youth branch, said: “Without any doubt Pantycelyn offered me the best two years of my life, and therefore I am overjoyed with the news that the hall will continue to serve generations of students to come. At times the campaign has been hard, challenging, and uncertain. However, thanks to UMCA, and its inspirational leader, Mared Ifan (Plaid Youth’s Women’s Officer), we’ve managed to grow from strength to strength, showing commitment, ingenuity and determination along the way.”
Indy Rally A
rally for Welsh independence is being organised to take place in Cardiff on Saturday, July 19th. A group of grass-roots volunteers have come together to coordinate the event and Plaid Cymru Youth members from across the country will be taking part. With the Scottish independence referendum just around the corner, it is vital that Wales is not left behind. We see this as a perfect opportunity to demonstrate
our commitment to Welsh and Scottish independence and to kick-start the constitutional debate here in Wales. Plaid Cymru Youth will also be holding a post-rally social event for young members; a perfect opportunity to have some fun with like-minded people in a (very) informal setting. So if you are under 30 and want to get involved please do get in touch with our secretary via plaidifancyouth@gmail.com
No to NATO At this year’s AGM, Plaid Cymru Youth members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion to support the No to NATO campaign. It was agreed to condemn the presence of the NATO conference which is to take place in Newport on September 4 and 5. NATO is a nuclear-armed military alliance that binds Europe and the British State to the US and its ever-imperialistic foreign policy. Plaid Cymru Youth members will help to organise demonstrations and protests against this organisation and we invite you to join us in doing so. If you would like to get involved in this campaign please get in touch using the email address above. The Welsh Nation
Summer 2014
Rowland Davies — A Word of Thanks Phillip Nifield Rowland Davies has stepped down as editor of The Welsh Nation after over four years’ service.
press team of the then Welsh Office where he served Ministers – whatever their politics – as the true professional he is.
first met Rowland back in the 1970s when, as a junior reporter on the South Wales Echo, I took over his patch in Merthyr Tydfil as he moved over to the Aberdare office. They were exciting times with the 1972 Merthyr by-election particularly memorable.
Following his move over to the dark side, we still bumped into each other from time to time – more often than not at a former colleague’s leaving-do.
I
As a journalist, Rowland was brought up on the importance of accuracy in whatever he wrote - check, check and check again with good grammar absolutely essential. I’m sure everyone would like to join me in thanking Rowland for his contribution to Welsh Nation.
I then caught up with Rowland again at the National Assembly when I arrived fresh from my retirement at the South Wales Echo to work part-time for Leanne Wood and Chris Franks.
Later, Rowland became Editor of the Aberdare Leader, eventually moving out of journalism to the
Hopefully, because of our long friendship Rowland will forgive me if he spots any grammatical or other mistakes in this edition!
Delyth Jewell Plaid researcher scoops top prize
O
ne of Plaid Cymru’s Westminster researchers has scooped two prizes for her work. Delyth Jewell has been working for Plaid Cymru’s MPs since 2009 and has been Plaid Cymru’s Westminster group’s Head of Research since September 2012. In a ceremony in Westminster Delyth was awarded Crossbench or Other Parties’ Researcher of the Year and she was also awarded Overall Researcher of the Year. She was chosen by a panel that included Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.
The award was given in reognition of Delyth’s work as clerk to the cross party inquiry, chaired by Elfyn Llwyd MP which resulted in landmark legislation on stalking. More recently Delyth has been working on changes to the law on domestic violence. Before coming to work for Plaid Cymru, Delyth studied at St Hugh’s College and Jesus College, Oxford and is a former pupil of Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni.
The Plaid Cymru Credit Union (UCPCCU) is a practical demonstration of the party’s philosophy of people cooperating in building a confident and independent Wales.
Plaid Cymru
UCPCCU is owned by its members and for over 20 years it has worked for members, their families, party branches & small family businesses.
Saving money means that you have both something to look forward to and something to fall back on. The dividend paid for savings for 2011/12 was 2%. Subject to status, you can borrow up to £5,000 as a low-cost loan with no hidden charges or fees.
Join Plaid Cymru Credit Union — our national financial institution
Credit Union
For more details go to www.ucpccu.org Click on ‘Forms’ and download and print the Application for Membership and Bankers Order forms. After completing them post them to the Credit Union Office.
Run by members for the benefit of members
Plaid Cymru Credit Union (UCPCCU) . Tŷ’r Cymry, 11 Heol Gordon, Caerdydd, CF24 3AJ. T: 029 2049 1888 www.ucpccu.org E: post@ucpccu.org
All together or not at all! Gareth Evans T
hus the title of a talk given by Juan José Ibarretxe, former President of the Basque Country, in a packed venue during this year’s Hay Festival, with Adam Price chairing. This was indeed a master class. Decades of experience were distilled into a highly engaging presentation full of wit and insight on the concerted effort to regenerate the country’s economy after it became autonomous in the late Seventies, and create the necessary consensus between the various sectors in order to make this possible. The crucial decision was to promote a ‘real’ economy, rather than relying on the vagaries of the market, and to invest in the necessary infrastructure and research and development to enable local firms to serve the local economy and vice-versa. All this
while aiming to ensure that this real economy was also a ‘social’ one, and to recognize the intrinsic worth of Basque culture. Indeed, the resurgence of the Basque language is as striking as that of the region’s economy. Today, the Basque Country is one of the most economically successful (and equal) places in the world. This is not an empty claim but is backed up by a wealth of data. How did this come to be? From Ibarretxe’s talk, it became clear that this success was built on two foundations: a nationalist government willing to navigate its own course in sometimes hostile waters, together with the fiscal freedom to do so. From a Welsh perspective, this might indeed induce a certain degree of despair, but the former
president emphasised repeatedly that where there’s a will there’s a way, irrespective of the scale of any apparent obstacles. Fittingly, less than a week after the event in Hay, the Basque parliament voted by a majority of two thirds to state that is the Basques themselves who should have the right to decide their constitutional future, echoing a similar call a decade earlier, the socalled Ibarretxe Plan. Then, on the 8th of June, 150,000 people formed a human chain across the heart of the Basque Country in order to proclaim the same principle – the name of this popular movement encapsulating perfectly Ibarretxe’s core message, “Gure esku dago – It’s in our hands”.
FOR YOUR DIARY Come and see us at the Royal Welsh Show, Llanelwedd on July 21st- 24th. Remember to call by our stand on the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod field in Llanelli from August 1st-9th events every day. Our Annual Conference will be held this year on October 24th-25th at the Llangollen Pavilion. The Conference Dinner will be held on Friday, October 24th at the Wild Pheasant Hotel, Llangollen. Book your accommodation today !
Coming to the Eisteddfod? Here’s a Rough Guide to Llanelli by Lleu Williams
L
lanelli is a historical town and is well known to many for its sospans and some lad called Joni Bach. But, as you visit the area itself during Eisteddfod week, you will discover that there is much more to Llanelli besides rugby and tinplate. If you are someone who loves the outdoors, then you have to visit the the Millennium Coastal Park. This a beautiful path which stretches from Loughor in the east to Kidwelly in the west- a lovely journey undertaken on the back of a bicycle. Also, if you are one for golfing, then you will be spoilt by the local choice of courses which include Glyn Abbey, Ashburnham and Machynys.
Or are you interested in history? The infamous Llanelli House has just re-opened after a recent refurbishment and includes plenty of information about local history. You can have also have a lovely cuppa and piece of cake in the coffee shop that’s located within. But if you are anything like me and love your food, then you have to visit the Sosban restaurant which offers gourmet food of the highest standard. Or of course visit my local pub, the Stag in Five Roads, where you will receive the warmest welcome and best home cooked food by Nicola and Elfryn, that I can assure you!