EMBASSY GLYNDŴR POSITION STATEMENT ON PROPOSED NEW WELSH INDEPENDENCE INTIATIVE.

EMBASSY GLYNDŴR POSITION STATEMENT.

 

We, originally, were quick to support and back up Keith Parry’s Initiative for a pro Welsh Independence Rally as we thought that he would make the necessary decisions and take action to get Plaid Cymru not only involved, but up front and leading politically a Campaign For Welsh Independence whilst, at the same time, being to the fore behind the scenes, as fast as needs be, in motivating it’s membership to work towards developing and advancing a National United Front Independence Platform. We further anticipated that such a platform would be ‘Autonomous’, based on Local Community Independence Initiatives groups that would be led by the necessary elected Administrative Officers and Campaign Organisers and that  each group would be actively working under the heading of ‘ANNIBYNIAETH CYMRU/INDEPENDENCE WALES’, with membership being open to all who agreed with the stated aims of a well constructed programme for campaigning at a National and Local Level.

 

We, at Embassy Glyndŵr are amongst many patriots that are of the opinion that Plaid Cymru as ‘The Party of Wales’ has failed to deliver ‘for Cymru’ and its people to date – and we are more than aware of the many reasons for this failure but, nevertheless, we can see that if such an initiative is to get off the ground successfully in this political climate that we find ourselves in at this time in Cymru,  it will most definitely need Plaid Cymru official support – and, we could see that the first constructive step and opportunity towards ensuring that support  was for Keith Parry, as a long serving paid up member of Plaid Cymru, to call upon the party’s other paid up members to put forward motions to the Plaid Autumn Conference to make the matter of ‘Welsh Independence’ a Plaid priority policy as a political platform. Having then won support of Conference, the Party Leadership would leave no doubt as to where they and Plaid Cymru stood by openly declaring their official support in statements far and wide. Such could not then be mere ‘sound bites’ and/or become removed to the shadows and covered up in a lot of waffle. However, as we are all aware, the Keith Parry initiative to date has turned out to be an ‘embarrassing  fars’ with the initial public meeting proposed to get the ball rolling to organise an Independent Rally being cancelled thrice! and then, a very ’select’ few are informed by a member of a very small group, the 'HAWLIAU/WNRM' (Welsh National Rights Movement) via an e-mail message, that a ‘secret’ meeting of an even smaller ‘select few’ had taken place in a pub in Caerdydd and that the ‘participants’ in this secret meeting had made the decision to cancel the initiative for a year to concentrate effort on supporting the Scottish campaign for Independence! See following ‘declaration’ issued by Geoff Ifan on behalf of the participants of the Caerdydd ‘secret meeting’:

 

“The unanimous decision taken today regarding the proposed Welsh Independence Rally on Saturday, July 12th, was that it should be postponed until next year so that organisers could have the necessary time to ensure nation-wide involvement and professional organisation of the event. It was also decided that up until the Scottish Referendum, Welsh campaigners would concentrate their efforts on supporting the YES for Scotland campaign and promoting their cause here in Wales, immediately switching concentration to the Welsh Independence campaign post Scottish Referendum. To help initiate the growing support for Scottish Independence within Wales, the Welsh National Rights Movement has offered to hold a public meeting at the Cayo Arms, Cathedral Road, Cardiff, at 12.00 noon on Saturday, July 12th, so that those of you who had anticipated going along to the Welsh Independence Rally that day can still play your part by attending the Cayo Arms meeting on July 12^th”

 

 Now, anybody ‘seriously’ seeking national support for a serious ‘National Welsh Independence Campaign, would find the above statement disturbing for a number of reasons – as follows:

 

1.    ‘Why the ‘secret meeting’ on an issue that is of paramount importance to the whole Welsh nation?

 

2. Who gave this ‘this secret meeting’ the authority to cancel the proposed Rally for Independence – and the launch of a campaign for Welsh Independence on behalf of the Cymric nation?

 

3. Why did the participants of this meeting not stand by their convictions and be prepared to sign their names to such a ‘declaration?

 

4. Who and what gave them the right to  decide at the meeting that they themselves, that is the WNRM, would hold a further meeting at the Cayo Arms on the 12^th of July so that a further ‘select few’ (those informed of this first secret meeting by a further e-mail message to a further select few) could participate in this second meeting should they so wish?

 

5. Who exactly is this 'HAWLIAU/WNRM' that think they have the authority to make decisions behind closed doors that will decide the fate of our nation? What is their track record? How active have they been in Welsh causes and politics? How experienced are they? What are their achievements and, very importantly, how much funding and resources have they got in place to command?

 

Embassy Glyndŵr can answer some of the above points ourselves, WNRM’ was formed around 18 months ago by Geoff Ifan of Porth Tywyn and Royston Jones of Abergynolwyn; Leon Russell and Gruff Meredith, who have only  appeared on the Welsh political scene in the last few years, then joined them. The only person of this movement we have seen representing the movement in public is Geoff Ifan who appears in events (organised by others) with a large bannerette publicising the movement. They have not carried out any protest actions organised by themselves as a movement. As far as we know, they have no funding, no resources, no national membership, no activists on the ground and no experience and although Geoff Ifan has been involved in numerous Welsh movements for nearly 50 years, his commitment and his stamina has always had its limitations as he is not (by his continuous own admittance) of good health, so, taking all the above into consideration, I would question that this ‘HAWLIAU/WNRM’ is in a position to think that they have the capability to lead the rest of Wales in a campaign for Welsh Independence. They have already exhibited their lack of experience and unsuitability for such a mammoth task by holding their first meeting, by themselves, ‘in secret’ in a pub in Caerdydd and by seeking to hold a second meeting to the same format. From these actions alone, hopefully, a lesson will be learnt that you cannot launch such an initiative ‘in secret’ in a pub in the first place and that such a National Initiative needs to be organised and ‘transparently’ discussed to an agenda at a Central location in Wales with invited reps of communities throughout Wales present. That’s democracy in action and such will entail hard organizational work and publicity and finance and only Plaid Cymru has got the means to facilitate such a meeting at present.

 

Also, Embassy Glyndŵr suspects that this sudden call for a Rally for Welsh independence at this present time came about as a ‘knee jerk’ response to all the activity taking place in Scotland for the Scottish Referendum. We are aware  that certain people are eager to go to Scotland to support the campaign there – which is commendable enough on the one hand, but on the other hand, we feel that it is more about going to Scotland ‘on a busman’s holiday’ for some, to socialise and ‘live the dream’ about ‘really campaigning’ for independence – and it will look much better if they can ‘hoodwink’ the Scots into believing that they are also campaigning for Independence in Cymru by holding one  Rally for Independence? We may be sceptics but, if we are correct in our assumptions, Cymru, is indeed, in a very ‘sad’ state but, we can do something about that if the will is there to “really” campaign on and off the ground for our independence until, we realise the dream here – in Cymru so, what can be done?

 

Embassy Glyndŵr will immediately appeal to those further ‘select few’ that have been invited to the July 12^th ‘HAWLIAU/WNRM’ meeting to focus on getting the meeting to discuss and vote to support ‘Gatherings For Independence’ at Ruthin on 20 Medi and Caernarfon 2 Tachwedd this year and also that they (the meeting organisers) accept that a big mistake had been made and recognised that no way will ‘HAWLIAU/WNRM’ successfully carry fourth any radical Independence Initiative, FIN! Further, no way can this important momentous matter be allowed to become just a fb ‘Pathetic Fringe’ of ‘Cyber Nats’ living their fantasy.

 

Folks, if you “really” want Cymric Independence then, it is time to get very real and active here in Cymru NOW and not postpone our Independence campaign to concentrate our limited resources and energy on the Scottish campaign. This postponement suggestion is really a “cop out” – and will not impress the Scots who will wander why you’re up there campaigning for their Independence and not your own. We are all cheering for Scotland of course but, what if the No vote wins there? This would totally deflate Cymric enthusiasm so, what do we do then…forget totally our campaign for Cymric Independence?

 

We have a long and strong history of fighting British injustice in Cymru in one form or another and Embassy Glyndŵr, itself, as an autonomous organisation has been laying down the foundation stones for the recovery of our Independence since our establishment in 1998 – and we feel that, rather than abandon our own struggle to bask in the shadows of the struggle of another nation fighting a similar cause, we should escalate efforts into our own under the official leadership of our national political party who should be forced to face up to their responsibilities.  We earnestly suggest that ‘HAWLIAU/WNRM’ get back to what it was set up to do and illustrate by ‘action on the ground’ as a follow up to that rather ‘opportunistic’ article of theirs that appeared in the online Daily Wales about the Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm proposal. They should stand by the commitment that Geoff made that they would organise a rally on Mynydd MAWR in coordination with Ioan Richards of SOCME during Llanelli Eisteddfod week or, was that another fantasy moment?

 

There is another realist opportunity on the horizon which is this; quite simply, attend the already organised Plaid Cymru ‘Rally For a Scottish Yes Vote’ in the Temple of Peace, Caerdydd on 13 September and seek to get their members there to set up an ‘Independence Policy Lobby Group’ that will work within ‘Y Blaid’ as a ‘Ginger Group’ to ensure motions on Independence are put to the Autumn Conference, and to such end, this ‘Ginger Group’ could organise a stand at the Plaid Cymru Autumn Conference from which they can hand out leaflets and have a members petition available to be signed supporting Independence - which can then, at conclusion of the conference, be handed to Plaid Cymru Leaders. Other than this, in the short term, we suggest that this ‘Ginger Group’ books the ‘Society Tent’ (Pabell y Cymdeithasau) at the Eisteddfod at which good speakers could speak on it’s possible Objectives and Aims.

 

NEXT STEP – WHAT IS TO BE DONE TOWARDS

 

A SUCCESFUL CAMPAIGN?

 

Such requires Hard Work, Funds and ‘Foot Soldiers’. In the first place, there is no doubt that Plaid Cymru has such whilst the ‘Patriotic Fringe’ does not and for most part are ‘Cyber Nats’ whilst many Plaid Cymru members live and work in the real World not on fb ‘Fantasy Island’. Seasoned Plaid members do commit to going around doors posting leaflets and are not afraid to engage in doorstep discussions

 

The initial steps we have already dealt with above so, rather than waste any more time, please realise that the chances of this getting very far ‘Nationally’ are not very good unless there is Plaid Cymru political back up and then local community organisation, development and advance of the Welsh Independence Initiative. So, no more time wasting, accept this as fact and also as fact that holding back on Rallies here and now – in Cymru was a fatal mistake but, even we have had a re-think there and say that we forget calling them ‘Rallies’ but rather ‘Gatherings’ - and in the first instance, very localised and regional as we have suggested to be held in Ruthin on 2014 Medi and Caernarfon 2 Tachwedd 2014 - so as to show we mean business and to build up localised and regional support. We suggest focusing on both of these parts of Cymru initially to ensure making of them a success and not trust to yet more possible ‘Cardiff Confusions’. Why  turn up at Tafarn Cayo on 12^th July, to achieve what exactly? Wise up and work at it in your community and if a member of Plaid Cymru or any other group, social or cultural - and not least within Trade Unions, work as groups within those.

 

We do emphasise the importance, for those within a reasonable travelling distance, to definitely attend the Plaid Cymru event in the Temple of Peace on 13 Medi,  but to do so with the practical purpose in mind of pushing earnestly for the setting up of a Plaid Cymru Pro – Welsh Independence Platform ‘Ginger Group’. Last but not least in regards to these Caerdydd meetings, bear in mind, that supporters will soon get very fed up of costly trips to Caerdydd or attending ‘Rallies For Independence’ here there and everywhere with the price of petrol rising continually rising. Emphasis has to be on community action with a major annual rally in Machynlleth on and around 21 Mehefin – our day of Sovereignty.

 

Most importantly of all, a successful Campaign depends on two initial steps, you fully understand the case for Independence and can really argue it, then you fully realise what you will be up against as to who and what will oppose the Independence Campaign. You will more likely become aware as how to handle this if you do not hold any more ‘secret’ meetings in pubs in Caerdydd but instead, start a monthly programme of setting up ‘Independence Tables’ in your local community from which you will give out leaflets, engage in public discussions and maybe set up a public ‘Soap Box’ to debate with people the whole Issue of Welsh Independence. You should also start getting pro – Independence Petitions signed. This, of course, is Spring to Summer work though, you may get permission to set up in Community Centres during the Autumn and Winters. So, action! action! action! Is called for!

 

The above is very much short term, we, at Embassy Glyndŵr, will continue to think in this area as to long term campaign work and activity. Suffice to say now that until a National pro – Independence Initiative Platform is set up that we can all agree with,  organising locally in the community and holding suggested ‘Regional Rallies’ is the way forward whilst  continuing to advance our annual 21 Mehefin ‘Dydd Sofraniaeth’ gathering in Machynlleth as the National March and Rally for Welsh Independence. Embassy Glyndŵr would only resume responsibility for the opening of this event by organising annually the annual ‘Call for Sovereignty’ on ‘Craig Annibyniaeth’ and the displaying of the Coron Glyndŵr at the head of a parade through the town. Other contributions to this National gathering is entirely up to Patriotic groups not least, Plaid Cymru - whom we would like to see take responsibility for the only proposed annual National Rally and March for Independence as suggested in Machynlleth. We at Embassy Glyndŵr are not going to mount our own ‘National Independence Initiative’ but we do intend to set up a blog: ‘CYMANFAOEDD ANNIBYNIAETH CYMRU’ (why this name?... see our ‘Vent a Mythology’ article) as a focus and our contribution to the advancing Cymric INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE’.  The first item published on this blog will be this document and from time to time, news and information of relevance, along with  what we consider to be useful promotional material, suggestions and comments will be posted.

 

Siân Ifan

CEO Embassy Glyndŵr.

 

12 July 2014.