Spring 2017
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The Welsh Nation Stepping Up to the Plate by Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru Leader
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s we approach our Spring Conference in Newport, Plaid Cymru continues to rise to the challenges facing Wales. Global events are having a significant effect on our country. Wales is sometimes seen as a parochial or inward-looking country, summed up all too often by its lethargic Labour government. The only time Wales really makes a mark on either the UK or global political stage is when Plaid Cymru plays a key role. But it is worth remembering that Wales, more than any other nation or part of the UK, is heavily dependent on exporting goods. That is why a ‘Hard Brexit’ is such a threat to the Welsh economy. The European Single Market is our biggest international export market. No other part of the UK can claim this to the same degree that Wales can. Plaid Cymru has been prominent in defending our position within the single market. Some ‘Leave’ campaigners want to rewrite history and say you have to leave the single market when you leave the EU. Let’s call that out for the lie it is. Norway and Iceland, both successful countries, are outside the EU but inside the single market. “Would it be so bad to be like Norway?” wasn’t the slogan of a Plaid Cymru politician, but the words of Nigel Farage before the referendum! We will gather in Newport – a city founded on industrial exports - knowing that Plaid
Cymru has stepped up to the plate and ensured that the single market is front and centre of the Welsh negotiating position for EU withdrawal. How Wales and the UK leave the EU is too important a matter to be left solely in the hands of the Labour party, who until Plaid Cymru stepped in were lukewarm about single market participation. We now have a huge battle on our hands to try and influence the UK Government. What’s for certain is that we can’t trust the Labour party to bat for Wales. At the same time, the next set of elections we will face are local, not national. In the past year, Plaid Cymru made more gains in local elections than any other party. We won in diverse places like Grangetown, Cilycwm and
Blaengwrach. For all their bluster, UKIP didn’t win any local council seats. And the Labour party is going backwards at a rate of knots. The elections in May won’t be won in Cardiff Bay. They will be won or lost on the ground, in our communities. We need to rebuild Wales from the bottom up. Fixing local problems and representing communities is what Plaid Cymru should be all about. Many people who don’t agree with us on other things are more than ready to trust us at the local council level. If you haven’t stepped forward already to stand as a council candidate, do so now. Get in touch with Ty Gwynfor or your local branch, and then hit the streets. Where we work, we can win. And when Plaid Cymru wins, Wales wins too.
Brexistentialism by Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd
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he email boxes of MPs are never empty. And the brave new politics of Brexit contributes scores of messages every day. There’s mail from people who demand an unconditional commitment to triggering Article 50. And also messages from people opposed to the same action. As you may presume, Hywel, Jonathan and myself will strive to represent the people of Wales to the best of our abilities. We believe, from all that’s been made evident so far, the Westminster government’s Brexit negotiating objectives to be fundamentally damaging to our nation’s economy and culture. Although politics is moving at a relentlessly fast pace, the dominant notes of the Tories’ swansong for Europe are stridently clear. But the circumstances in which we find ourselves only serve to highlight the question of how elected members arrive at a decision about how to vote. I remember from my days as a Gwynedd councillor how some fellow members would proselytize that they spoke for democracy when they parroted the voice of those who spoke loudest in the community. This raises two questions: how do you know that it is truly the voice of the majority reaching your ears, and how do you assess that the voice of majority is correct? As Edmund Burke said, there is a duty on representatives to make every effort to seek out the opinion of the people they represent. But it is not possible in any constituency to collect, understand and tally up everyone’s opinion in such a way as to arrive at an
empirical result. How can you give proper weight to the opinions of individuals – the old versus the young, the electorate versus the disenfranchised, the voices of those who’ll spit their opinions in your face versus the voices of those too afraid to speak up. There is no honest alternative but to propose that the representative must apply his or her own judgement. It is deceitful for elected members to hide behind the excuse that they represent the majority view unless their opinion and judgement also lead them to the same conclusion. One of the many, many things I’ve had to learn since reaching Westminster is that MPs are pulled three ways as regards answerability. It is necessary to keep a balance between the interests and viewpoints of everyone who lives in our constituencies (whether they vote or not), the principles of our party and our own personal beliefs. There is an integral tension between these three things, and so there should be. Without being answerable to the public of our constituency, there’s a risk of politicians being no more than servants of their party. Without the courage to express a judgement as an individual, we run the risk of being no more than an amplifier for the loudest voices, and instruments in service of the tyranny of the majority. And without a public vote to hold us to account, we would be little more than amateur voices, swiftly distracted into representing our selfish interests.
Congratulations! Congratulations to Gwen Eluned and Robyn on the birth of Aneirin Huw, to Jonathan and Emma Edwards on the birth of Lili Eirianwen, to Gwennol Haf and Gareth Jones on the birth of Ynyr Gwyn and to Nerys Evans and Gareth on the birth of Owain Myrddin.
The Welsh Nation
Spring 2017
This is Not a Time to Despair by Rhun ap Iorwerth, Assembly Member for Ynys Môn The instinct for many after the referendum was to ask ‘how can we stop this’? That flame still burns brightly, of course. We know that leaving the European Union is likely to have a particularly deep impact on Wales because of the nature of our economy. We understand how much a small country like ours has to gain from working together in a pan-European way.
A lot can change in 18 years
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always felt lucky in terms of the timing of my career as a political journalist. It coincided with a period of historic change. I got my first job with the BBC in 1994, and within three years of arriving at BBC Westminster shortly afterwards, a referendum had been won, and Wales was on its way towards establishing its first Parliament in five centuries. In 1999 I was one of the first Political Correspondents in our new Assembly, and I was in a privileged position to be able to watch the institution, and Welsh politics, developing. What then of the timing of my political ‘career’? This is not the political climate I would have chosen in my first years as an Assembly Member. Following those exciting years, a period of success for Plaid Cymru, and a period of true hope for the future of our nation, I – like you – find myself in the middle of a political storm that threatens Wales’ interests and development. My first experience of a referendum was in 1997, and even though the ‘Yes’ vote was won by a whisker, that elation will stay with me as long as I live. I was only 6 years old during the 1979 election – so I could only rely on my parents’ descriptions to try to imagine the despair that was felt after losing that vote so heavily. Until 23 June 2016. Now I understand. So, at the beginning of 2017 – what are the challenges facing us? We cannot give in to despair. That would leave a dangerous vacuum.
Political reality, however, is heading down a different path. Britain voted to leave. It breaks my heart that Wales voted the same way. I know how much hoodwinking there was, especially for us here, because of the lack of real attention to the Welsh context during that flawed campaign. But Plaid Cymru has been quite right to take a pragmatic approach, and to lead the discussion on how best we could protect our interests as a nation after leaving the Union. Our views have not changed, but we have no option but to prepare for that. In the months after June, Labour in Wales were weak and flaky – surrendering to the right-wing agenda on the single market and workforce mobility. Plaid Cymru stayed firm. If we are to leave, Wales must be protected. The publication of the White Paper, in partnership with Welsh Government, on how we can try to protect Wales’ interests, was proof of how much we have succeeded to pull Labour Ministers in our direction on this question, and I have no doubt that this is a matter of such importance that working together for the sake of the nation is vital. Somehow we must try to find a national voice, and Plaid Cymru has shown that we are willing to lead the way. The national awakening of the 1997 referendum seems a long time ago now. Twenty years. What faces us in the next 20 years? Well, look at what happened in terms of changing attitudes in the 18 years between the referenda of 1979 and 1997. In a period of despair, we must have the confidence that we will rise again.
News and reports from our youth movement
Plaid Youth Looking to the Future by Branwen Dafydd, Vice-Chair of Plaid Youth
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anuary is a black month, or so the poets say. But Plaid Youth saw a rainbow of colour in the bleak winter nights at the beginning of 2017. This year, we held a winter school for the first time in our history. Not one school, either, but two. One at Bangor at the beginning of the month, and the other in Neath as the nights grew lighter. I wasn’t fortunate enough to attend the activities in Bangor, but by all accounts it was a very productive day. Thanks to Liz Saville Roberts, Siân Gwenllian and Mair Rowlands for a panel discussion on how to transform politics today, and our role as young people in the movement generally. Fflur Arwel, our Communications Officer, spoke on the theme of feminism.
which define us but which are sometimes difficult to defend. Why are we a nationalist movement? What is our viewpoint as a leftwing movement? Independence? Wales in Europe? The Hope not Hate movement also held a useful discussion on how to answer those difficult questions on the doorstep. Personally, this was for me the highlight of the day: what we need is not anger or turning our backs, but listening to change opinions. This session would be useful when campaigning for the council elections this year.
The last subject of the day was economics, and the discussion to which I was looking forward least! I, and a number of others, were pleasantly surprised, thanks to Daniel Roberts’s lively contribution which succeeded in persuading me that economics is by no means a dismal or complex science. It is, rather, a political science studied chiefly by white men from a privileged and prosperous background in south-east England. This must change since the Welsh economy, as we know, is underperforming in comparison with other areas in the nations of Britain. His message was clear: this must change, and can be changed, with the right vision for Wales. Thanks to all the organisers and all who attended. On to the next!
Both sessions were opened with a presentation and discussion led by our Chair, Emyr Gruffydd. The session aimed to look at our core activity and beliefs, looking at terms The Welsh Nation
Spring 2017
Making Our Cause Attractive to Young People by the Chair of Plaid Youth, Emyr Gruffydd
the movement and campaigning with other young people before venturing wider afield.
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ecently, it feels that any discussion featuring Europe has been very negative. However, Wales has been a core part of the aspiration to create a united Europe from the very beginning. From the Caravaggios, the Bracchis, Minolis and Pietros who worked and enriched our mining communities, to the hundreds of Welsh workers who travelled to defend the democratic Spanish government in the 30s, we can hardly say that Wales has ever been on the outskirts of Europe. The classics of Welsh literature can take their place in the European literary canon, and more recently, it has been possible to speak more Welsh in the European Parliament than in the privileged halls of Westminster. It is reasonable therefore that we in Plaid Youth have derived much of the inspiration for our activity from movements similar to ours in mainland Europe. The tendency for Plaid has always been to look to the SNP for inspiration, but after spending time
seeing how youth movements in the Spanish state work, I was personally inspired to work hard in order to establish a similar political youth movement in Wales. Movements such as JovesPV in València and Gazte Abertzaleak in the Basque Country work closely with their parent parties, but yet have the freedom to organise their own activities and structures, very like Plaid Youth. This is very important, since many young people would feel more comfortable learning about
Lastly, we must strive to make politics relevant to young people, and who better to do this than ourselves as young people? Our sticker and beer mats campaign are alternative ways for young people to feel they make a difference, and many have gone on very quickly to doorstep campaigning for Plaid. This is what youth movements across Europe have understood, and the most valuable point which I learned– that our chief role as young campaigners is to make our cause attractive to young people. Whenever I attend events with our sister parties in EFAy, I appreciate being able to learn even more, and am also proud to say that they also can learn from a successful and vibrant movement such as Plaid Youth.
Politics is about Making a difference Article about Gwynedd Council Leader Dyfed Edwards who recently announced his intention to stand down, by Maiwenn Berry from Plaid Ifanc Bangor
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lthough Dyfed Edwards is stepping down as a councillor and Leader of Gwynedd Council in May, he refuses to use the world “retire”. “That word suggests that I’m ready to collect my pension,” he said, “and I haven’t quite reached there yet! Politics is more than an elected job in the council. Politics is happening around us all the time. So I hope, at least, that I will be able to continue having an active role in politics.” Politics has been a big part of Dyfed’s life for quite some time. He was sparked into action by the 1979 referendum and continued to take part throughout the 1980s during the days of the Miners’ Strike and in various CND campaigns, and before being elected to Gwynedd Council he was a candidate in the 2001 and 2003 general and Assembly elections. Alun Ffred Jones’ election to the Assembly in 2003 led Dyfed Edwards to decide to stand for his Penygroes ward in the following election. He won the seat and kept it twice and says he is still grateful to the people of Penygroes for trusting him to represent them. Having served as a councillor for 13 years with eight of those as leader, he feels now is the right time to take a step back. “There are councillors who have served for 30 years and more. But I didn’t want to continue in perpetuity, I wanted to contribute my time and energy for a particular period and then stand aside in order to give someone else an opportunity.” During his time as leader, Gwynedd came to be considered one of Wales’ most successful councils. What was the secret behind this success? “We in Gwynedd have a combination of culture in the wider sense – the combination of the environment, the communites and the people makes for a very special county. And I believe that the council has made its
Hafod Lon school – a very special school
The Welsh Nation
mark for two reasons: the first is the Welsh language and the prominence we have given her, and the second is careful and sensible financial planning. We don’t go from one emergency to the next. Our good name stems from the fact that we have completed a number of big projects that have made a difference to the county.” The project which gave him most satisfaction is the new Hafod Lon school in Penrhyndeudraeth. “It’s not only a new school but a building which is well-suited to today’s needs with everything you’d want in terms of technology, space and the environment.” He feels that this school “sums everything up. It makes a difference, and that’s what drives us.” Although he’s enjoyed his time as leader, the one thing that has been a thorn in his side is “some people’s tendency to see politics as civil war. Some people are consumed by their ambition and are ready to undermine others. We have to understand that there are political differences and respect that fact. We have to reflect the society we want to see. Let us engage with politics in a positive and constructive spirit.” This attitude is part of his wider world-view. It’s easy to understand why people are losing heart these days, he says, but it is through “seeking the light that we can escape from the dark. Our work as politicians is to be forward-looking and to believe that things have to be improved and contribute towards moving in that direction. In a tumultuous period such as this, people come together to seek stability. In the eye of the storm there is space for us to plan and a way for us to move forward.”
Spring 2017
Winning in Cardiff by Leader of Plaid Cymru’s Cardiff Council Group, Neil McEvoy AM
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t’s time to start believing. Plaid Cymru can win big in our capital city. You want proof?
going missing. If we get in in May we will investigate every dodgy deal Labour has done.
Last May over 10,000 people voted for me to be their AM in Cardiff West. That was a great result, where we almost won a constituency seat for the first time in Cardiff.
No wonder my office was broken into, with all valuables left but confidential paperwork gone through. The exact same thing happened at my home less than 12 months ago. The Police never caught the ‘professionals’ who carried out these break ins. Someone has something big to hide. But if they think they’re going to scare off Cardiff Plaid they are very wrong.
But then November came and we won the Grangetown byelection. Congratulations to our new Councillor Tariq Awan. Let me tell you something about Grangetown. It’s one of the five “old towns” of Cardiff. It’s got people living there from all over Wales and all over the world. It’s a great place but just ten years ago winning there would have been unthinkable. Not anymore. We threw Labour out of that seat and in May we’re going to throw out the two that are left. That’s how far we’ve come as a party.
The campaign is already in full swing. Leaflets are being delivered, doors knocked, calls made. We have some really exciting candidates standing that I know will make brilliant Councillors. And our manifesto is about to be launched that has some unique policies to deliver in our city.
Cardiff is a multicultural city but most of all Cardiff is, was, and always will be a Welsh city. It’s our capital city. As the Party of Wales we have to win big here and that’s exactly what we’re planning to do. If you want to help us win please get in touch with our organiser Angharad Llwyd by emailing angharadllwyd1@ gmail.com or calling 07775 858 620. And if you don’t have time to help please go online to donate at https://cardiffplaid.nationbuilder. com/donate. Every pound we raise will go straight to campaigning and winning new votes. When the world looks to Wales they look to Cardiff. And what I want them to see is a proud Welsh capital city being run by a confident Welsh party. That’s our party, Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales.
We’ve had highs and lows in Cardiff, but we’ve never stopped working and now it’s really paying off. Of course, it really helps that we’re up against a Labour Party that is a complete disaster. They bully each other, they accuse each other of sexism and racism. They’re so divided and busy fighting each other they haven’t got time to fight back against us. And they’re corrupt too. Forget about draining the swamp. It’s time to Drain the Bay. Some of the land deals Labour have done have meant tens of millions of pounds
Grangetown’s first ever Plaid Cymru councillor, Tariq Awan
Reviewing the Reviews by Llyr Gruffydd, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education
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ne of the legacies of the last Welsh Government was the long list of reviews and initiatives instigated by former education ministers Leighton Andrews and Huw Lewis. It left much of the sector responding to consultations rather than getting on with their jobs, and one was even tempted to call for a review of the reviews! The Diamond Review into student support and higher education funding in Wales takes us in the direction of much of what Plaid Cymru has advocated. It proposes that full-time, part-time and post-graduate study will be able to access the same support, creating a more equitable and comprehensible HE landscape. It also recommends the need to ensure that our best and brightest have the opportunity and incentive to stay or return to Wales after completing their studies, a proposal made in our Assembly election manifesto. The Donaldson Review considered school curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales. Instead of having relatively narrow and isolated subjects slotted into the timetable, Professor Donaldson proposes six ‘Areas of Learning and Experience’ as the single organising structure for an uninterrupted and seamless age 3-16 curriculum. This echoes a growing recognition that the knowledge economy no longer pays you for what you know, it pays you for what you can do with what you know. There is consensus that the reforms take us in the right direction, although concerns are clearly emerging around the way the reforms are being implemented. Expecting overburdened teachers to train and prepare for a radically different curriculum on top of their day job risks a repeat of the difficult introduction of the Foundation Phase, and must be avoided. But a new curriculum for Wales is only one part of the story for teachers. The Furlong Review into
the future of Initial Teacher Education and Training in Wales concluded that a more expansive form of training was needed to deliver the Donaldson agenda, one that gives teachers themselves the skills, knowledge and dispositions to lead the changes that are needed. This means more and better professional development for existing teachers and reforms to the initial teacher training for future teachers. Most recently we had the Welsh Government response to the Hazelkorn Review into post-16 education. The previous administration commissioned the review because of concerns about the growing complexity of the post-compulsory education and training system. This includes further education, higher education, work-based learning and adult community education, many of which are regulated and funded in different ways by different bodies. Plaid Cymru is committed to work in the spirit of Hazelkorn to promote equity between academic and vocational education, to eliminate much of the wasteful competition that has emerged in post-16 education in recent years and to develop clearer and more flexible post-16 learning pathways. Amongst the review’s recommendations is the scrapping of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and the creation of a new, allencompassing Tertiary Education Authority. One would think that the current Government has had its fair share of reviews after that lot – but we now know that there are at least two more to come. One into the research and innovation activity investments made by Welsh Government and another into how we monitor and improve effectiveness and outcomes in our post-compulsory education system. Maybe a review of the reviews isn’t such a bad idea after all!
Plaid Cymru office:
Publisher: Plaid Cymru
Tŷ Gwynfor, Marine Chambers, Anson Court,
Printer: Gwasg Morgannwg, Unit 28, Neath Abbey
Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff. CF10 4AL
Business Park, Neath Abbey, Neath, SA10 7DR
Phone: 02920 472272 E-mail: post@plaid.cymru
In addition to the contributors, Plaid Cymru would
Website: www.plaid.cymru
like to thank the following people for their help with
Editor: Math Wiliam
this edition: Ffion Edwards, Meg Elis, Matthew Ford, Luke Nicholas, Heledd Roberts and Aaron
Sub-editor: Elis Dafydd Design: Rhys Llwyd
The Welsh Nation
Wynne.
Spring 2017