North & South

I'm finally finding my voice. After all these years of hiding in the shadows, I am starting to use my North & South because I am fascinated by both, in England & in Wales. As a yoof in the north of Wales I felt that I had more affinity with those who lived geographically to the East of me rather than to the West and most definitely more than those to the South, even though I was born there. The geography of Wales fascinates me and it is its geography that I feel is stopping the Independence Movement in its tracks. The eponymous A470 and prehistoric transport infrastructure is impeding the 'movement of the people.'  The Gogs & the Hwntws, the North & South Walians are different people, descended from different tribes, yet we pretend as members of the National Movement that they are one and the same. Plaid Cymru believes that it can speak for all the people of Wales whereas Labour was always a class based party and movement rather than a geographical one and this is perhaps what the Party of Wales needs to address rather than the language question. I don't know how it works in Scotland because I don't know enough Scottish people and have not spent enough time there but is there a more consistent mix in terms of from where and from whom they are descended? The fact that they sit atop England and look down gives them a geographical advantage whereas England only needs to look West for a day out, they travel horizontal rather than vertical which is perhaps more of a subliminal issue psychologically. 

It might be a cliche but from my limited time spent in the North & South of England, my feeling is that there is a more earthy, genuine feel to Northern folk. I can't say that I got to know any of them very well and that was more down to my natural reserve and general weariness around strangers generally but my observations led me to believe that the poorer the person, the more genuine and real that they were. With more wealth comes more condescension and arrogance. There are some down to earth cockneys like Tommy Steele above but they are becoming less and less in number. Perhaps the concentration in numbers of population in the South East of England just doesn't allow for a relaxing passing of the time of day. To afford to live in the Capital you need to be rush, rush rush all the time. A sweeping generalisation but as I said in the first sentence "I am finding my voice".

There is an assumption among the Welsh folk that go on Independence marches that we will be better off alone, freed from the shackles of Westminster and having watched the Beauty & Beast contest that is the Tory Leadership Campaign, who could argue with them but I feel that we need to work more on our commonality as Welsh people. To assume that we are all Yes Cymru by starting a branch and placing a sticker on a lamp post is one way of going about it but there appears to be a reluctance to hold a national discourse on the topic involving people of all political parties and persuasions, and none, on the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells. Obviously shame about the Royal in the title but the Independence movement has to decide whether to ditch the English/British Monarchy model or not. Is it going to go soft Indy or hard Indy? Personally the kilt, Cilmeri beret wearing, ivy loving, blood and soil nationalism doesn't appeal to me any more as I just don't think that it is practical in 2019 where World & Global issues are far more pressing than those on our doorstep. 

If we don't create a stronger alliance between North and South Wales, between Gog & Hwntw, one built on more than supporting the Welsh football and rugby teams and competing against each other at the Eisteddfod, then the only way forward I can see is to create geographical alliances with other areas in the discredited United Kingdom. Not in the discredited Northern & Western Powerhouses but in a more focused manner with an emphasis on social welfare and mental health and well being rather than the economy and GDP. The danger with the latter is quite obvious in that it could dilute the Welsh Language and Welsh speaking areas yet further but Wales is becoming more and more isolated and more and more distanced from the decision making of Cardiff and London. There are many becoming second class citizens by default. If the caliber of politician in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay is anything to go by, if this is the type of person who will represent us in an Independent Wales then I have to ask the question "What would be the point?" The answer would be, "We need to be separate, we need to be independent, we need to disassociate ourselves from Westminster WHATEVER the cost". I can very much understand that sentiment but can the majority in Wales? If they don't, how are we going to persuade them?   

Over the last three years we have been thrown into a maelstrom of remain & leave the European Union. This seems to engender far stronger feelings that leaving or remaining in the United Kingdom. My one concern is that by pursuing this 'All Wales' model we ignore the common humanity of the people of the rest of the Dis-United Kingdom. The general consensus is that we have reached the tipping point in terms of Climate Change and Global Warming. My fear is that because of the recent vote for the Brexit Party in Wales in the European elections that we have reached the point of no return in terms of Welsh Independence. I want it because of a vague notion that we will finally be recognized as a Nation in our own right, rather than a Principality, with a Prince of Wales foisted upon us from the House of Windsor and Buckingham Palace because of what Edward I did between 1277 & 1283. Until all the Remain parties feel the same way we will be left with the remnants of Edward I's camp followers deciding what is best for us.

Now that I have found my voice you can listen to my ramblings and rantings in my bastardised Wenglish here.