Introduction
Labour for an Independent Wales is the only group in the Welsh Labour Party dedicated to discussing the constitutional makeup of the United Kingdom. We believe the only way to achieve a democratic socialist Wales is through political and economic independence.
Social solidarity is at the heart of the Labour movement. We have stood together, shoulder to shoulder, working, whenever we could, with the other nations of the British Isles. Welsh Labour has worked with this spirit of solidarity and internationalism throughout the pandemic and there is no reason why this shouldn’t continue.
What has been demonstrated in the last few years has been how Westminster has been desperate to over-ride and diminish the government that the people of Wales voted for. One that Welsh voters re-elected with an increased majority and a much stronger showing than elsewhere in the UK for Labour.
Wales has found itself cut off from the world by the failure of Westminster to form strong post-Brexit relationships with neighbouring countries (not a point about Brexit but instead on the failures of the Tories to deliver on their promises after Brexit). Towns reliant on Wales’ relationship with the rest of the world like Holyhead have found themselves betrayed by Westminster’s incompetence regarding trade deals and replacing EU subsidy. Welsh farmers have been an afterthought in trade deals. Communities across Wales have found themselves facing an uncertain future not because of the Senedd, but because of Westminster (this subject area will be explored further in later Lab4IndyWales publications).
The Welsh economy could have been redefined to cope with the Pandemic, climate change, and the changes required as a result of Brexit; far more capably under the leadership of someone like Mark Drakeford; but instead found itself undermined and hampered by an arrogant Westminster on both issues.
So what about the internationalist, socialist relationship with independence? It cannot be denied that there is some truth to Drakeford’s claim that nationalism has an uncomfortable relationship with the Right; which would be an issue if the 21st Century independence movement was an ethnonationalist cause; one defined by historical borders and old prejudices. It isn’t.
To portray those seeking full self-determination - a break from economic exploitation, and an opportunity to have the democratic socialist government they voted for - as simply “nationalists” is particularly lazy. The 21st Century Welsh independence movement is not rooted in ethnonationalism (despite Far Right attempts), it is and will always be heavily rooted in class inequality (social and economic justice) and in a desire for the cultural diversity of Wales to be sustained.
Conflating cultural identity with nationalism has always been a mistake. Culture transcends borders. Cymraeg is spoken around the world, our artists and musicians are renowned worldwide, our sportspeople are globally respected, our capital is a city defined by and built on its connections with the world (we will scrutinize Wales’ imperialist legacy and its role in shaping our future in later publications). The complex, glorious mess of cultural exchange is not defined by people’s passports. Culture is about people, and people have never simply been defined by the territorial partitions drawn up by the rich and powerful.
The history of Wales is a history of socialism. Robert Owen’s non-conformism shaped socialism and inspired future generations. The Red Flag was first raised in Merthyr Tydfil in 1831; a banner of solidarity that become the symbol of the working-class struggle the world over. The Welsh socialism that first rose as a challenge to a dismissive Westminster dominated by Conservatives and Liberals, has always been internationalist. This is Welsh Labour’s inheritance and should shape our future, in deeds and words.
Democratic socialism, by default, is in opposition to the political power structures of Westminster: established to protect status and privilege under the facade of giving people representation. Centuries behind other national parliaments, Westminster has hereditary peerages, appointed as part of the privileged bribery mechanism where institutional loyalty is rewarded with political leverage and an expenses account. Westminster is riddled with obsequious traditions; empowering inherited wealth and status - promoting the interests of the Establishment over the priorities of the people. Traditions alien to people in modern Wales.
Rather than the presumption that an independent Wales cannot be internationalist there needs to be an acknowledgement that whilst Wales is ruled from Westminster it will struggle to be both democratic socialist or internationalist. Whilst ruled from Westminster, the democratic socialist economic and cultural values of those living in Wales will always be overridden by the Conservative voters of England. Wales has never voted for a Conservative government and yet is repeatedly ruled by one. A Tory government that has and always will do their utmost to undermine any devolution past, present, and future. The internationalism of the Welsh Government is at odds with the perpetual ‘hostile environment’ promoted by Westminster. An independent democratically socialist Wales has an opportunity to define itself not by where someone is from, but where they collectively want to be. A society built around bringing people together from all backgrounds isn’t possible under Westminster rule. An independent Wales could send PPE to Namibia rather than bombs to Yemen.
An independent Wales would have the opportunity to redefine national agendas to match the values of the people of Wales, securing the gains of the working class: the NHS; the welfare state; our Nation of Sanctuary. The conservative mindset always resists change and will try to stifle diversity. Culture has often been used as a mechanism to divide, yet it remains something that should be shared and celebrated by everyone. An internationalist, democratic socialist nation should embrace both the history of the nation and the diversity of all who are a part of our society.
Democratic socialism doesn’t require someone speaks Cymraeg, English, or Español, what it requires is that we care for each other and the world around us. Wales is already a multilingual multicultural society; one that appreciates and understands different languages and culture - a fantastic foundation to build an internationalist society on.
Wales, and the other nations in the British Isles, deserve better. We value the opportunity to be an exemplary nation. Building on free prescriptions, refusing to commercialise people’s access to healthcare; building on the experience of the International Eisteddfod, creating an Academi Heddwch in Wales; building on our commitment to democratic socialism, a Wales that offers something to aspire to. Democratic socialists across the British Isles would be able to point to their neighbour and say: “it works there”. In much the same way that some point to the welfare systems of Scandinavian nations as an example of what is achievable. Ireland, Iceland, and Malta have all achieved independence and gone on to become nations with an internationalist outlook; all finding their place in the world and becoming part of the larger global community. This is well within the capability of the people of Wales, too. These are just a few of many examples. Independence is the norm.
Wales doesn’t have to be forever associated with an insular ideology retreating inward. Instead, we can become a truly outward looking community, promoting an internationalist, democratic socialist worldview; not hamstrung by inward-looking ideologies that have hijacked the Conservative Party while in government over the last few decades.
A Wales that works for everyone is a Wales that can be industrious, productive, and engage with the world at large. It would become a community that benefits everyone living in Wales, not just a small ruling class.
The borders of Wales are currently defined by a regressive, nationalistic Westminster. Our current borders are nationalist, not internationalist. This must change.
An independent Wales is not just a Wales that can embrace both democratic socialism and internationalism – an independent Wales is the only Wales where we can have both.