Independence First
This piece is from the Seren blog and reflects my own view about the political future of Wales. If we had similar politicos in Wales to those they have in Scotland then independence might be viewed differently in Wales. Instead, we have the sad bunch of bullshitting fence sitting Westminster wannabies, and Wales is going backwards. http://seren.blogspirit.com/ Independence First - for a democratic Wales Scotland's political scene continues to develop. Crucially, from a pro-independence perspective, there are three parties represented in the Scottish Parliament committed to independence. The SNP is the largest but is also joined by the SSP and the Scottish Greens. All three are currently in negotiation over a convention-style campaign for independence after the next elections in a year's time. Kevin Williamson, a key socialist republican thinker in the SSP, has led the argument for an "Independence First" approach for his party. Pro-British elements in the party may dissent but the logic is faultless - for more go to http://rebelinkcolumns.blogspot.com. There is a sense that independence is going to be a key issue in the May 2007 Scottish election. This raises questions about whether something similar is possible in Wales. The short answer is "no" because there is only one party talking about independence in Wales and that's Plaid. If there was a credible green or socialist party arguing the same thing, then there would be room for discussion, but the sad fact is that there isn't. This is due to two reasons - the British left groups in Wales have never embraced national liberation as a key component of socialism and remain isolated among the student and ex-student ghettoes rather than throughout Wales as a whole. In addition, the flawed electoral system for the Assembly militates against minority parties far more severely than the system in Scotland - PR in Scotland has given both the Greens and SSP a platform, credibility and income to demonstrate that they are more than just fringe parties. However, there is a need for pro-independence forces in Wales - Plaid and other republicans - to make the issue of independence a key factor in the next Assembly elections. Why? Because Welsh politics is meaningless while it remains trapped within the constraints imposed by the British state. Let's take one example: Assembly minister Edwina Hart's pleas to the Treasury to relax borrowing on councils to improve its housing stock go unheeded because it would interfere with Gordon Brown's public expenditure plans. So 160,000 homes - one in eight of the entire housing stock of Wales - are up for grabs because of Neo Labour's conservative view that everything public is bad, everything private is good. There is a compelling case for a comprehensive house-building programme throughout Wales to create more cohesive communities and enable young people to buy homes. The housing boom has caused massive inequalities as the haves have invested money in more housing and the have-nots have been left behind, paying exhorbitant rents or struggling with loans they cannot pay. That's an argument that could be made in an independent Welsh Parliament. It's pointless to argue it in the Assembly because there are no powers to truly make a difference. Is that really a democracy or just a talking shop? Ask people whether they want politicians and a political system that can make a difference and they'll vote for it - if you give them a chance.
This piece is from the Seren blog and reflects my own view about the political future of Wales. If we had similar politicos in Wales to those they have in Scotland then independence might be viewed differently in Wales. Instead, we have the sad bunch of bullshitting fence sitting Westminster wannabies, and Wales is going backwards. http://seren.blogspirit.com/ Independence First - for a democratic Wales Scotland's political scene continues to develop. Crucially, from a pro-independence perspective, there are three parties represented in the Scottish Parliament committed to independence. The SNP is the largest but is also joined by the SSP and the Scottish Greens. All three are currently in negotiation over a convention-style campaign for independence after the next elections in a year's time. Kevin Williamson, a key socialist republican thinker in the SSP, has led the argument for an "Independence First" approach for his party. Pro-British elements in the party may dissent but the logic is faultless - for more go to http://rebelinkcolumns.blogspot.com. There is a sense that independence is going to be a key issue in the May 2007 Scottish election. This raises questions about whether something similar is possible in Wales. The short answer is "no" because there is only one party talking about independence in Wales and that's Plaid. If there was a credible green or socialist party arguing the same thing, then there would be room for discussion, but the sad fact is that there isn't. This is due to two reasons - the British left groups in Wales have never embraced national liberation as a key component of socialism and remain isolated among the student and ex-student ghettoes rather than throughout Wales as a whole. In addition, the flawed electoral system for the Assembly militates against minority parties far more severely than the system in Scotland - PR in Scotland has given both the Greens and SSP a platform, credibility and income to demonstrate that they are more than just fringe parties. However, there is a need for pro-independence forces in Wales - Plaid and other republicans - to make the issue of independence a key factor in the next Assembly elections. Why? Because Welsh politics is meaningless while it remains trapped within the constraints imposed by the British state. Let's take one example: Assembly minister Edwina Hart's pleas to the Treasury to relax borrowing on councils to improve its housing stock go unheeded because it would interfere with Gordon Brown's public expenditure plans. So 160,000 homes - one in eight of the entire housing stock of Wales - are up for grabs because of Neo Labour's conservative view that everything public is bad, everything private is good. There is a compelling case for a comprehensive house-building programme throughout Wales to create more cohesive communities and enable young people to buy homes. The housing boom has caused massive inequalities as the haves have invested money in more housing and the have-nots have been left behind, paying exhorbitant rents or struggling with loans they cannot pay. That's an argument that could be made in an independent Welsh Parliament. It's pointless to argue it in the Assembly because there are no powers to truly make a difference. Is that really a democracy or just a talking shop? Ask people whether they want politicians and a political system that can make a difference and they'll vote for it - if you give them a chance.