Mmmm, quite an outpouring, with which I must take issue. Though to start with, we seem to be in general – very general – agreement about Plaid Cymru and Labour. That said . . .

” . . . it hardly matters if you’re being exploited by a multinational corporation or the local Welsh crypto-fascist down the road, you’re still being exploited.” Hyperbole, sir. For what possible objection could you – or indeed anyone! – have to being exploited by your local Welsh crypto-fascist?

“Furthermore, I doubt that the pygmy-brained ‘Wales for the Welsh’ (whoever they are?) nationalists would actually be able to come up with a viable economic plan for Wales, let alone have a snowball’s chance in hell of attracting the required investment.” You will find no “pygmy-brained” insularists here. No one argues for ‘Wales (exclusively) for the Welsh’, but we do oppose the Wales we see developing around us which, if unchecked, will be a Wales without the Welsh. You come across as a Leftist lover of all humanity, so isn’t “pygmy-brained” insulting to those of reduced stature? Even racist towards a recognised ethno-cultural or racial group?

” . . . bargain basement blogs like this”!!!! Scoundrel! Provide your address so that my seconds may call on you.

And finally, all is revealed – ” . . . without government at all”. After slagging off just about everybody for being ineffectual, loony-tunes, or God knows what else, you confess to being an anarchist.

This is not to deny the very real failings of Labour rule in Wales, despite all the extra EU funding, Wales is still one of the poorest regions in Europe, mainly due to the bureaucratic way in which that funding was used. Much of the cash was spent on the actual bureaucracy, with relatively little ‘filtering down’ to where is could have done some good, and when it was spent on local initiatives, they tended to be short term projects that failed to achieve any long term economic good – a few trees planted and a few benches set out may add some badly needed amenities in run down communities, but they will not solve the long term chronic economic ailments facing most of Wales.

But, the small-minded native capitalist alternatives seemingly in favour by many commenting here would be an even bigger disaster for the ordinary working people of Wales – and I know, having years ago been an exploited worker of a Welsh owned capitalist enterprise where corners were cut and regulations ignored in order to reduce costs and maximise profits at the expense, not only of poor pay that was often underpaid, but also in terms of Health & Safety breaches and poor working conditions – it hardly matters if you’re being exploited by a multinational corporation or the local Welsh crypto-fascist down the road, you’re still being exploited. Furthermore, I doubt that the pygmy-brained ‘Wales for the Welsh’ (whoever they are?) nationalists would actually be able to come up with a viable economic plan for Wales, let alone have a snowball’s chance in hell of attracting the required investment.

If Wales is to have a chance of a future then there does need to be a sea change in attitudes, and a recognition that the people of Wales have to create that future themselves and that it will require a reevaluation of what it means to be Welsh. About the only people in Wales I would actually exclude would be, ironically, those who express about the Welsh similar views to those that many on here seem to express about the English. Imperialism is never pretty, especially the tit-for-tat variety of bargain basement blogs like this.

Independence is not a sinecure for economic prosperity, but might, just might allow ordinary Welsh people to take control of things for themselves and not some greedy capitalist oligarchy. But independence isn’t required for that to happen either, and the sooner we move forward to a sane society run in the interests of that society itself and not some elite clique, either socialist or capitalist the better. And even better if it means without government at all.

Wales will never see “economic prosperity”, and you give the reason why. Therefore the message has to be that Wales will never see prosperity until we are independent.

I know why people want Plaid to “talk about it” more but I don’t want them to. I don’t see the point. A lot of people that say they want Plaid to do certain things don’t like Plaid and slag it off.

other stuff is possible like having education in Welsh only and housing for local needs. Focussing on that is the way forward.

Plaid isn’t ever going to win over folk on this blog but this isn’t the demographic they need to appeal to to be honest.

“We are in the 21st century and if you want power you need to be international, ethnically diverse and represent the make up of your society”

Do you honestly believe that areas with an English majority will vote for Welsh independence? I’ve got news for you butt, it ain’t gonna happen!

I’d go as far as to say that most Welsh-identifying people are sick of English immigration (including many people who aren’t exactly nationalists). If Plaid promised to enact pro-Welsh/anti-English policies their media and number of votes would go through the roof.

Become active by joining Plaid Glyndwr, a new Welsh nationalist party that is, unlike Plaid Cymru, extremely comfortable with exposing the negative effects of colonialism in Cymru. Agreed it is an unpolished item but then most new political parties are, with the help of some of you old nationalist stalwarts this matter can be solved.

Plaid Glyndwr maybe crude in its infancy but it is without question true to the Welsh nationalist cause and will attempt to create a party that Cymru so desperately needs. We can do this more efficiently and rapidly with your help.

Welsh nationalist volunteers please form a queue and join here at plaidglyndwr.com
Diolch!

Fighting Labour “head on” has happened. It’s happened with mixed results in Carmarthen, Gwynedd, Llanelli, Valleys, bits of Cardiff. The outcome often depends on whether Labour has pissed people off at Westminster or not.

It’s a mistake for people to use Plaid to take out their frustrations about “political correctness”, regionalism or Leanne Wood. If Plaid was not socialist and not politically correct it would shrivel, in Gwynedd or in Cardiff or anywhere. We are in the 21st century and if you want power you need to be international, ethnically diverse and represent the make up of your society. It is absolutely right for Plaid to be left of centre (as it was before I was born). The lack of other Welsh nationalisms leads to people attacking Plaid’s character because they don’t have a political voice of their own.

It would appear that Plaid’s ambition doesn’t extend any further than being Labours bitches in the Assembly.