22nd  January 2008

 

MARTYN JONES MP OFFERS PLAID CYMRU ADVICE OVER NATIONALIST ZEAL

 

Today Martyn Jones MP expressed his concern about Senior Plaid Cymru officials attending the European Free Alliance, a meeting of certain nationalist factions within Europe. In attendance were members of the Scottish National Party and ministers from the Catalan, Basque, Flemish and Galacian governments.

 

Mr Jones expressed his fears that from time to time Plaid Cymru’s desire to continually push a separatist agenda clouded out all that was Welsh from the Welsh Devolutionary process.

 

Mr Jones stated: “Wales is not like other nations. We have our own unique history and our own unique partnership with the United Kingdom. Yes we have an agenda of reform and devolution. Welsh Labour back a referendum, we back the findings of the Richard Commission but these changes must come about in a manner that best suits the Welsh people and the stability of Welsh governance. We are working with Plaid Cymru to set up an independent All Wales Convention to shepherd in change at an appropriate time.

 

Plaid Cymru are recently our partners in Wales but they are new to government in Wales. They must be cautious in their zeal to achieve their overarching political goal – independence - not to block out what is present and what is currently Welsh. They should be careful who they choose as allies in a global world and how much they adopt from their partners the SNP. After all it would be a shame to replace what is currently a very Welsh settlement and fits with a majority of the Welsh people for something very Scottish that would be pressed upon the Welsh people.

 

It is not my place to comment on Plaid Cymru politics and I have no wish to interfere with their internal party matters. My caution over Plaid’s actions is purely for the Welsh people. The Welsh people have their own national identity and whilst there is lots we can learn from other nations, there is a stage where such learning has its limits and we must look to our own institutions and our own people for growth that is organic and fully Welsh.

 

Plaid Cymru should be cautious in this field; I know many people who dislike the idea that they can only be truly Welsh if separate. I think many of them feel pretty Welsh already.”