The Welsh Nation - Summer 2016

Summer 2016

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The Welsh Nation Taking control of our own destiny

by Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru Leader

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laid Cymru’s job has always been to secure the Welsh national interest and we will continue to work tirelessly in our pursuit of the best outcome possible for our nation at a time when so much is at stake.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties thrown up by Brexit, our party stands in a strong position. Hundreds of new members, growing support in opinion polls, and a focused and united team of elected representatives – a formidable combination.

Over recent weeks, I have travelled the length and breadth of the country holding nine public meetings to discuss the way forward for Wales. The party also held a Special Conference that allowed our members to have their say and determine the party’s direction. They did so with eloquence and conviction.

Plaid Cymru’s members are our greatest asset. Engaged, emboldened and empowered by the opportunity to shape the party’s vision, our membership will now have the opportunity to achieve real self-determination for our country.

We will do this by conducting the most comprehensive democratic exercise ever undertaken by any party in Wales since the advent of devolution.

Our forthcoming Declaration of Democracy campaign will seek to establish the principle that all decisions about our country’s future should be made by people in Wales. When the UK ceases to exist after Scotland achieves its independence, it will be Wales that decides which constitutional settlement is best for our country through a referendum.

Street by street, conversation by conversation, we will make the

case for our nation to take control over its own destiny, free from the frustrations and constraints which come with having so many of the decisions that impact our day to day lives made by politicians who are not based in Wales and do not have our best interests at heart.

I ask you to dedicate your time and energy to this crucial endeavour. You as members can empower the party through your determination to see us succeed.

We must now all work together towards empowering our nation too and to achieve our aim of ensuring that Wales decides.

Commit today to do something for Plaid Cymru and for Wales!

We’ve had hundreds of new members joining recently but we need to get more people on board to help us achieve our aims for Wales. Can you commit today to signing up at least one new member to Plaid Cymru?

Ask friends, family and work colleagues. What else could you do? Could you stand as a candidate in council elections, or hold a fundraising event? Commit today to do something for Plaid Cymru and for Wales!

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet

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eanne Wood, as Leader of the Opposition, has named her Shadow Cabinet for the next Assembly term. She said:

Here’s each member’s responsibilities in the new-look team:

Steffan Lewis: External Issues, Non-devolved Issues, Police, Criminal Justice System and Social Security

“This is an excellent, strong team to deliver for people and communities in Wales. I have vowed to make sure the Party of Wales becomes the most effective opposition in the history of the National Assembly for Wales.

This team has the ability, drive and experience to live up to that promise.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas: Wales Bill and the Constitution and Government Liaison

Bethan Jenkins: Housing, Poverty, Communities and Steel

“Together we are looking forward to holding the government to account and making the most of the opportunities that will arise over the next five years.”

Llŷr Gruffydd: Education, Children, Skills and Lifelong Learning

Neil McEvoy: Sport and Tourism Adam Price: Business, Economy and Finance Rhun ap Iorwerth: Health and Social Care

Simon Thomas: Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs 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.

Siân Gwenllian: Local Government, Welsh Language, Equality and Planning Leanne Wood: Leader Dai Lloyd: Culture, Infrastructure and Assembly Group Chair and Commissioner Elin Jones: Elected to the role of Presiding Officer for the National Assembly

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 The the Welsh Nation of members for benefit

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

Summer 2016

‘Our duty is to fight for Wales’

by Hywel Williams, Parliamentary Group Leader

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he referendum result is another blow to our country.

Much of our economy depends on exporting. Our poorest areas have long received substantial funding from the EU. Sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and universities have deep concerns, as do the health and care services that are so dependent on the work of people from other countries.

I particularly regret the blow to our vision of free exchange with our continent, cooperating with people of all nations, creeds and languages, and keeping the peace after a century of bloody wars. And I fear what may be ahead, a narrow minded Little Britainism that longs for the supposed glories of the past, from the might of the Empire to the 1966 World Cup.

shouldered almost all the burden. So, no miracle. Just doing the usual things well.

The response from Westminster is now clear. Some of the chief Brexiteers escaped to a comfortable retirement. Boris Johnston heads a depleted Foreign Office (I give him 6 months). David Davis and Liam Fox (and our chief Brexiteer David Jones) got the poisoned chalice of negotiating our departure. The Tories are unified under May. Labour are terminally split.

As ever it’s Plaid Cymru’s duty to fight for Wales. But it is a battle we relish. So we will publish a National Mitigation Plan to protect the Welsh economy, do everything within our power to force the Brexiteers to honour the promises they made to Wales and run a strong campaign to demand that it is the Welsh people who get to decide on our country’s future when the time comes.

But Wales voted to leave the EU. Our poorest communities rejected a clearly beneficial arrangement.

Those communities have been routinely neglected, ignored and taken for granted by a self perpetuating clique that claims to be the party of the people. The result was not only an overnight disaster, but also the product of Labour’s historic failure to repay the support and trust of generations of Welsh working people.

Of course, the ‘Remain’ campaign was disastrously poor. From the miserable London launch by amateurs from the business world with their endless Union Jacks, to the failure of the Labour Party to get stuck in. And despite Dafydd Wigley’s heroic efforts, the Welsh ‘Remain’ campaign was even worse and more clueless than the ‘national’ campaign.

Our parliamentary constituencies did vote to remain. In Arfon the campaign was small but well organised. And we in Plaid Cymru

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‘Mike Parker at his self-deprecating, witty, outraged and excoriating best.’

Jasmine Donahaye Full list of our titles is available at www.ylolfa.com

‘Parliament must undo its mistake over Iraq War’

by Adam Price AM

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he 2.6 million words of Chilcot – five or fewer for every life lost as a result of the war – will take some time to digest. But to understand it we also need to know its origins.

The commitment to hold a new inquiry into the Iraq War came on the night of October 31st 2006.

A Plaid Cymru/SNP motion calling for a fresh inquiry unexpectedly won the support of the Official Opposition plus 12 Labour rebels, including a certain Jeremy Corbyn.

The text that night that wrung the Chilcot concession out of the Government was based on an earlier impeachment motion that began as a cross-party initiative in 2004 which called for a parliamentary inquiry to assess the main charges against Blair. That he misled Parliament. That he entered into a secret agreement to support the War. That he was reckless in the discharge of his duties.

Chilcot’s conclusions amount to a denunciation and it’s the question of deception which is central to the case against the then Prime Minister. It’s clear that Blair misrepresented the intelligence, making assertions about it that simply were not true. This pattern of repeated falsehood suggests this was not accidental but driven by a conscious underlying motive – winning over a wavering public and parliamentary opinion for his secret war policy. While we cannot build a window into Blair’s mind, less still his soul, at a minimum this litany of deception meets the bar of reckless disregard for the truth that English and Welsh law sets for malicious falsehood.

The investigation envisaged by the original impeachment motion is now completed. The file has been sent to the public prosecutor, which, in this case, is Parliament itself. The House of Commons was duped into supporting an unnecessary and possibly illegal war on a false pretext. As Chilcot argues, this has left a stain on our democracy through a complete collapse of public trust in Government. Iraq’s bitterest legacy may yet be this post-truth era of anti-politics, where every politician and every expert is deemed to be disingenuous. Who can tell if the road to Brexit for some may have begun in the rubble and chaos of Basra and Baghdad. But if leading and misleading become synonymous in citizens’ mind therein lies the road to Hell. There will be other deceptions, perceived or real, that will stoke the flames of public passion to an extent that may eventually consume democracy itself.

Parliament that made this mistake must now undo it by using the tools at its disposal. To mislead the House of Commons is to be guilty of contempt of Parliament as established in the Profumo case over half a century year ago. This modern version of impeachment, if passed on a parliamentary motion, would require Tony Blair to stand at the Bar of the House as the indictment was read out. And for many the return of the ex-Prime Minister to the scene of the crime will bring closure. Not to repeat a self-serving apology withdrawn sliver by sliver over the course of a two hour press conference, but to simply stand silent and alone as history’s verdict is delivered.

Sign the petition calling on Parliament to hold Tony Blair to account for the war in Iraq at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/159996

The Welsh Nation

Summer 2016

Council elections are your chance to make a difference

by Carl Harris, Acting Head of Campaigns • What would you like to change or improve in your community?

• What one step could the local council take to make a difference, however big or small, to you and your neighbours lives?

• Would you like to see the largest number of Plaid Cymru council candidates standing across Wales?

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t feels like we’re never really out of election mode. Before we’ve even finished the de-brief of one campaign we’re already planning the next.

This year is no exception as we look forward to the local government elections following a hard-fought Assembly election and a bruising referendum.

With 158 elected members, Plaid Cymru currently has the second largest number of councillors in the country. In May, we have the opportunity to build on this level of representation and it is an opportunity we must seize with both hands.

Get in touch with your constituency officers today and ask about how you can play a part in becoming a community champion.

The journey towards a Plaid Cymru Welsh Government starts with conversations you have with your neighbours and the work we do in our local communities. Stand for council and play an active role in securing a successful future for our party.

Being a Councillor can be a hugely rewarding experience. It can sometimes be challenging, but it will always be worthwhile. From getting a nuisance pothole filled to setting out the ten year economic vision for the county, being elected to represent your local community offers you the opportunity to deliver meaningful change.

If they haven’t already done so, your constituency committee will soon start the nomination process to select local candidates. Some electoral wards will be hotly contested, with several members wishing to stand. Some wards may have never before had a Plaid Cymru candidate on the ballot paper.

The Welsh Nation

Summer 2016

Young people are right at the heart of decision making in Plaid Cymru

by Angharad Lewis

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laid Cymru’s Special Conference saw a strong contribution from Plaid Ifanc activists who were able to speak out and have their say about the next steps for Wales following the EU referendum.

There was a marked difference during the referendum campaign between the opinions of young and older people. It is thought that roughly 75% of 18 to 24 year olds voted to remain, while those over 50 voted overwhelmingly to leave. Many young people have expressed our anger and sense of betrayal at an older generation making a decision that will have such a huge effect on their future.

It was so refreshing that, in contrast, during the Special

Conference, members of the Plaid Cymru youth movement were able to take a stand and reshape the motion.

Many in Plaid Ifanc felt concerned that the original draft introduced an image of Wales’ future that was at odds with the current political climate.

References to confederalism, with little detail spelling out exactly what that could mean, didn’t feel like something we could rally round or something that represented our views.

Plaid Ifanc is more than just a youth branch of a political party, it is also a movement in its own right that has been running our own campaigns for years, reaching out to young people to sell them the

idea of a free Wales.

We tabled an amendment to the Special Conference motion that removed references to confederalism and restored the focus on fighting for an independent Wales within the EU. When given the opportunity to argue the case to members of all ages, we found we had considerable support and the amendment passed.

This demonstrates that Plaid Cymru is a party in which young people can be right at the heart of decision making. When setting out a vision of the future of our nation, it is crucial that those who will be most affected can make our voices heard.

Plaid Ifanc Apart from working on our national structures to make the national movement attractive to young people, during the past year Plaid Ifanc has been increasing its presence on the ground.

Are you interested in setting up a branch locally and know more young people who would like to get involved? You only need 3 active members

to set up a branch in your local area – contact us on info@plaidifanc.org for a branch startup pack and to get a list of local members. Our Membership Officer, Rhydian Fitter, will give you a hand!

Special Conference Hundreds of members came to Carmarthen on July 16th for Plaid Cymru’s special Conference and Gŵyl Gwynfor, to celebrate 50 years since Gwynfor Evans was elected Plaid Cymru’s first MP.

Plaid Legend A “40 years as a councillor” celebration was held for Pauline Jarman, Leader of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Plaid Cymru Group on the council. Pauline was elected on 6th May 1976 and has had unbroken service to her community in the Cynon Valley since then. A surprise event was held at the Mountain Ash Bowls Club in June to celebrate and thank her.

Dates for your diary: September 10-11: Summer School in Blaenau Gwent October 21-22: Annual Conference in Llangollen March 3-4: Spring Conference in Newport

Thanks!

Congratulations!

All members of Plaid Cymru’s staff would like to give heartfelt thanks to Rhuanedd Richards for all her hard work over the years as a Special Advisor during the One Wales government and then as our Chief Executive. She has assured us that she’s not going far so you can expect to see her knocking doors in your community in the near future!

Neil McEvoy AM was recently married to his partner, Ceri.

Best wishes to both in their married life.

Triban scheme This special edition of Welsh Nation has been sent to every member but only those on the Triban membership scheme (contributing at least £5 a month for membership) receive it as a rule. If you’d like to keep receiving the magazine and aren’t already a Triban member get in touch with Emyr from our membership team today to upgrade your membership (02920 472930 | emyrwilliams@plaid.cymru).

‘A man of principle and dignity’ Jim Criddle pays tribute to Aneurin Richards

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illiam Aneurin Richards was Aneurin to everyone except his wife Hilda, who called him Bill. He was a Senior N.C.B. Mining Engineer from Capel Hendre but lived the majority of his life in Gwent. He was an Islwyn Borough councillor from 1973-1996 and a Gwent County councillor from 1977-1981. He was Plaid Cymru’s Westminster candidate for Abertillery in both the 1974 Westminster elections and for Islwyn in 1983 and 1987.

The simple facts cannot of course give any real picture of the man he was. He was the man who brought Helen Mary Jones and Jocelyn Davies into the Party and ‘persuaded’ Allan Pritchard to stand for election. He was a man of principle, of high ability, of integrity and dignity. He was greatly respected by officers and members on both councils where he served. He oversaw the establishment of the new

Islwyn Constituency of Plaid Cymru when the Abercarn UDC wards from Abertillery joined the Bedwellty wards and ensured that the financial base of the constituency would be a sound one through his work as Treasurer. He was the Group Leader for the whole of his 20 year career in local government, and his firm example and strong principles were always appreciated by the other members. We all thought of ourselves as ‘Dad’s children’ - Dad was what we called him, and we admired his intellectual ability and in particular his expertise in housing policy, a subject where he became Party Spokesperson. We always said that his motto was ‘feel free to agree with me’ but he was in no sense a dictator, and he argued his point logically but fairly. He was generous to the Party and sustained his interest to the end. His legacy is a solvent and active constituency and the memory and respect of those who remain.

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 this edition: Ioan Bellin, Emyr Gruffydd, Luke

Editor: Math Wiliam

Nicholas and Elin Roberts.

Design: Rhys Llwyd

The Welsh Nation

Summer 2016