WalesCan: a forum on our nation’s future
Ieuan Wyn Jones says welcome to WalesCan: a forum for debate and discussion
Recent polls have shown that a majority of people in Wales now support more powers for the National Assembly for Wales – to ensure that it has all the necessary tools to deliver for the people of Wales and to bring government closer to the people.
As someone who has committed his life to trying to get the best deal for the people of Wales, I recognise that Wales is on a journey of change and self-discovery in both political and social terms.
I have witnessed this change during my time as an MP and AM.
Long gone are the days when people argued against Wales realising self-government and the One Wales government is now preparing the ground to move towards a referendum on law-making powers for the Assembly.
During these discussions, questions are often raised about Plaid Cymru’s long-term aim of independence, despite it being an option which is currently not on offer.
Plaid Cymru will no longer shy away from the sometimes difficult questions that arise from the party’s long-term constitutional ambition.
Instead, we have launched this WalesCan website to provide the people of Wales with an opportunity to exchange views and ideas about how a future independent Wales would look.
It’s a forum for debate – a modern-day e-polis – where opposing views can be aired and ideas explored; where Wales’s citizens can be engaged in outlining the future Wales; where you can have your say.
I hope that this website will provide a forum for debate and discussion on our nation’s future and that you will have your say on this most fundamental of questions about Wales’s place in the world. Now you can have your say.
Ieuan Wyn Jones
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Recent comments
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Likewise for economic success. I am a great believer of the "Wales in Europe" idea. We can't survive on service industries alone - perhaps we can show the world how banking can be done properly? (e.g. Switzerland)
I think you touch on an interesting point - but one I feel should be more comprehensively addressed in any emergent debate about independence:
"The good thing about Wales becoming an independent state would be that we wouldn't spend billions of pounds on nuclear weapons, illegal wars and bailing out bankers rather than helping the general public. Ireland has an army, like most states, but does not spend on the above; they are more of an army of defence and peacemaking."
I am inclined to agree (not unequivocally), but would suggest that many of those who may be benignly sympathetic to the independence project, would not be in favour of cutailing the role of Welsh troops on multi-national operations. For instance, the Irish Defence Force have recently deployed EOD teams to Afghanistan; and Fine Gael are currently having a debate on the merits of dogmatic neutrality (see http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0404/1224244010211.html)
Whilst I appreciate (and from my own linited experience of engaging with Plaid representatives on the matter) that the Party is indeed a 'House of many mansions' on the question of Defence; I do think a more coherent approach needs to emerge that recognises the domestic/international relevance and opportunity cost of deployable 'Welsh' Armed Forces.
What are people's thoughts?
ML
Of course we will need to find resources to fund education, the police force, health service, transport social services etc. This will come from tax, just like any other state. We would find ways in creating an economy that suits our people. We have many resources in Wales that we can use to our advantage. Water, the LNG pipeline, coal, tidal power, etc (Wales creates too much power at the moment, but most of it does not go to Welsh residents); Wales can benefit from her rich resources, instead of suffering as a poor nation.
The good thing about Wales becoming an independent stae would be that we wouldn't spend billions of pounds on nuclear weapons, illegal wars and bailing out bankers rather than helping the general public. Ireland has an army, like most states, but does not spend on the above; they are more of an army of defence and peacemaking.
Keep the questions coming, I'm sure there will be people out there that will try and answer them for you and others. : )
Where would the funding for these services come from?
What would be the income tax levied on every working person in wales, and national insurance contributions?
Unless we can get answers to these questions, prior to voting for independence, I think it would unwise to do so. after all, the welfare of all people living in wales depends on answers to these questions, does it not?
With some luck we'll follow you someday.
Almost all our manufacturing base was laid waste by maggie and now gordon's giving our money to the banks rather than industry.
The service sector is not enough. "
You make the point FOR independence! These terrible decisions are being made in London, not in Wales - an independent Wales would have the chance to lay a path for its own economy - the best possible path for it. At the moment we're gambling on London policies (designed with SE England in mind) to, coincidentaly have a positive impact on Wales. Not good enough - let us make our own decisions, let us do it ourselves - we can't do worse than Tory/Labour in the past 30 years!
Almost all our manufacturing base was laid waste by maggie and now gordon's giving our money to the banks rather than industry.
The service sector is not enough.