Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

There have been many more movements of late in the press by Plaid politicians in pushing forward the debate on Welsh independence, and its role in shaping the Wales of the future. The Independence Initiative, which will be launched shortly will provide us with an outlet as party members to discuss independence openly and frankly. It will challenge us to research current public percepctions across Wales, and force us to explore bold policy areas that compliment our drive for an independent Wales.

The time is ripe for Plaid to be addressing the issue of independence in order that we take devolution forward on our own agenda. Devolution has previously been dominated by the internal wranglings within the Labour party, and we have followed suit in the hope of getting a deal- any deal in effect, to bring power closer to the people of Wales. Now that Plaid is in Government in the Bay, we should be thinking much more about leading the debate on the National question. After all, it is our party, and ours alone, that is based solely in Wales, with the interests of those in Wales at the heart of everything we do. We are not governed by leaders in London who will only consider the progression of devolution if it means making political gains elsewhere. It is not a game for us, it is one of the main reasons for our existence as a party.

Of course, there are varying opinions within the party of what an independent Wales should and would look like. In my mind, more powers must come hand in hand with a core aim of advancing the social justice agenda. I know that Labour AM Huw Lewis does not appreciate my opinions in this area at all, but remaining part of the UK, in my mind, will not serve to eradicate child poverty in Wales, for example.

Naturally, Plaid members will have differing opinions regarding the make up of an independent Wales, but I don’t believe that we can, or should shy away from having that debate. The SNP are confident in their aspirations for an Independent Scotland. So too should we in Plaid Cymru- and refuse to sit in the shadows of the Salmond rhetoric.

Cynog Dafis reacted to Helen Mary Jones AM’s excellent article on independence in the Western Mail by stating that-

‘The.. danger is that by putting the emphasis on Independence, we take our eye off the really important ball, which is to achieve things for Wales in the here and now. ‘

I would disagree with Cynog here and say that we can only shape the hear and now by being clear in our minds about what we want any Wales of the future to look like. My ‘here and now’ are policies and initiatives that I support and develop of the present to ensure that progressive agendas are sustained for the future, and retained as key flanks in any independent Welsh Nation.

And when exactly is the ideal time to talk about independence? We will be waiting and waiting for the Unionist parties to initiate that debate, unless a facilitation of a total realignment of Welsh politics takes place- where we will be discussing a very different Wales altogether!

So lets start the debate now in line with the National Convention and the referendum on a Parliament for Wales, and tackle the negative perceptions from cynics and Unionist party scaremongering once and for all.