An Englishman in Wales
Why do some peddle the myth that being pro-Welsh independence means you're anti-English?
Cast your mind back to 2007’s Assembly elections. What would you have learned about them had you been dependent on the output of the London press and broadcast media? Next to nothing, for the “forgotten contest” (as The Guardian described it, while simultaneously failing to do anything very much to un-forget it) took very much a back seat to the same day’s polls for the Scottish Parliament and the English town halls.
The Scottish election, in particular, was followed rigorously from London, but for one reason alone. The SNP were considerably ahead in the polls and managed (just) to maintain that lead into forming a minority government at Holyrood. To the British (i.e. English) media, the build-up was war. They hit the nuclear button, filled their pages and airtime with often-hysterical doom-mongering about how this would break up Britain, shatter consensus and pitch Scots against the English in a way not seen since Bannockburn. As something of an anorak about such matters, I read the coverage extensively, and cannot recall reading one positive affirmation about how the situation could be anything other than a disaster in the making.
This is always the starting point for the debate as to what kind of political settlement the countries of the UK should be seeking in the twenty-first century. To be pro-Welsh or pro-Scottish independence is automatically inferred to be stridently, even violently, anti-English. You love one so much, you have viscerally to hate the other. It is only ever presented in such stark, oppositional terms, black-versus-white with no tinges of grey, and it does us all a huge disservice. It is perfectly possible to feel passionately fond of all the countries and cultures of our islands, to want to see them all thrive, without having to believe that the anachronism of the UK is the only way to achieve that.
For it is an anachronism. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was explicitly created in 1801 as a product of, and engine for, the industrial, military and colonial age, functions it has unswervingly fulfilled ever since. Two centuries on, we should have the courage to recognise that that era has drawn to a close, and seek to work out the best blueprint for our collective future. On balance, I fervently believe that the best option would be in Wales, England and Scotland going their own ways. Just as people should not be imprisoned unnecessarily, neither should natural nations. And each of the three is a natural nation, one that has been consistently defined – geographically and culturally – for more than fifteen hundred years. It doesn’t get a lot more rooted than that.
Last year, I had a book published – Neighbours From Hell? – about the historical attitudes of the English towards Wales and the Welsh. Researching it over four years pointed me ever more firmly in the direction that Wales deserved to be in control of its own destiny. The book contains many of the more headline-grabbing put-downs and withering asides that have been made over the centuries, but you could, of course, find those in any culture’s assessment of its nearest neighbours. What was much more revealing to me were the patterns of cultural and political misunderstanding that had percolated down the ages like a particularly wearisome version of Chinese Whispers. These had barely changed for the best part of a millennium, and they all sprung from a common root, namely the absolute inability of the English establishment to understand the heritage, aspirations and differences of the Welsh. To be governed by a power, however well-meaning, that never has understood you, and never will, is the ultimate in cultural and political impotence. It also does no real good to the power that’s doing the governing, proving an eternal and annoying side-show distraction.
Of course, to be an Englishman in Wales saying such things brought the inevitable slew of heated invective my way, from excitable monoculturalists on some nasty websites decrying me as a traitor to my own country through to a letter in block capitals that wished me all manner of ill. Again, it all had to be supremely polarised: none of the ranters could begin to appreciate that my perspective came from a profound love of my native country (England) as well as my adopted land (Wales). It really does not have to be a fight to the bitter end, where one side has to beat the other into bloody submission. It has best been summed up, I believe, by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who said of the ambition for his country’s independence, that “England stands to lose a surly lodger, and gain a good neighbour”. A re-alignment of the relationship between our countries could have massive benefits for us all, the English included.
Mike Parker
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Recent comments
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In my experience of 12 years of living in Wales, the nationalist argument is obsessed with an invented romantic past dominated by anti-English sentiment. In particular, the Welsh language is being used as a political weapon to further the interests of a small group of nationalists to the detriment of the vast majority of the population of the country. A simple example is that proficiency in Welsh takes precedence over technical comptency in virtually every job in the public sector. I have even seen an anti-social hours beach cleaner's job advertised where it was essential to speak Welsh - presumably the seagulls don't understand if you say "shoo" in English.
For many years, the SNP has had an English grouping within it, set up and run by English people who have moved to Scotland and support its independence. It is a good antidote to the London parties' propaganda.
My point is that for the last number of years I have been living in Bristol to help support my wife’s career. The credit crunch had not been kind to us, but we are finally (almost) moving to Pen y Bont.
I would just like to echo the words of Mike Parker in that Welsh nationalism is not synonyms with anti Englishness, though this is a technique often used on me by Unionists that I discuss Wales’ future with. The fact of the matter is that while I am extremely looking forwarded to moving back to Cymru, my time in Bristol has been enjoyable. I have made many new friends, visited new places and had numerous opportunities.
There will never be a brick wall surrounding Wales with checkpoints into and out of England. There will always be people like my wife and I, who for what ever reason work and live in England, there will always be people wishing to visit England and there will always be Welsh students wishing to study in England, just like many of our current politicians. On the other hand English tourists will always visit Wales and an independent Wales will never block English or people from other nations living, studying and visiting Wales.
To borrow a term from Alex Salmond on discussing the future relationship of Scotland and England ‘England will always be our best friend.’ However, an independent Wales would build a new relationship with England. Not one of servitude and dependence, but one of mutual respect and understanding. The fact of the matter is many Unionist can not understand that the majority of Plaid supporters are not only nationalists, but internationalists who want to see Wales have her say in European and global affaires. Such internationalists have been the very ones who have spoken the loudest on issues such as climate change, international poverty and health as well as the Iraq war, when many Unionists were silent or worse!
As for who is Welsh and who isn't? I believe our Republic should be based on equallity,for alwho would be citizens of Cymru regardless of place of birth. I am however not in favour of dual citizenship, if a person decides to make their life here in Cymru then their loyalty should only be to Cymru.
Maybe you have a very blinkered view of how Plaid voters are seen and have been portrayed by the media for decades. Do you actually know any Plaid supporters? The act of union was not beneficial for Wales in that it was there to try and crush our culture and language and try to turn our own people against traditional values. Most history books are written from the English perspective that the Act was very good for us "backward" people in Wales as it meant we had the same rights as those in England...but only if we spoke English. Plaid are not only for Welsh speakers, they are about making Wales a better place for our residents to live, no matter what language they speak or their background and using tax payers money to better effect for our own people. There is a reason why we have the longest NHS waiting lists and a sick nation. Part of it is our industrial past and it also boils down to the fact that we do not get the same out of government and national services as we put in. If you do not want a better Wales then that is your decision but please look at the events that go around the Act of Union and take them into consideration. You need all the evidence before forming a true opinion.
If you want any pointless and nasty 'anti' comments then look no further than the editorials and articles in the UK capital's major paper-the Evening Standard. Some of their anti-Scottish statements have been appalling.
In contrast, Plaid are anti-fascist, anti-imperialist and anti-Trident, so why not take another look at what we stand for? You would be made very welcome.
We do not need to be dominated by London. We can make our own decisions that will benefit the people of Wales. We are not the same as London or England - we are different!
As the UK governement push forward with plans to spend billions of new nuclear Trident Submarines - ask yourself - is your tax payers money best spent on this or on schools, hospitals or social care here in Wales? The answer most will come up with is the same. Why?? Because we are Welsh (whether you were born here or not, whether you speak the language or not) and NOT English.
You’re claim that most Plaid voters are bitter and anti-English is based on nothing but ignorance. Or perhaps I’m mistaken, do you know them all personally?
Plaid Cymru has many English voters (Mike Parker being one example) and many members living in England as I understand.
Believing that Wales can prosper as an independent nation has nothing to do with bitterness towards other people, English or otherwise. Surely you can differentiate between a Government/State and its people?
Would you have accused the former subjects of the British Empire in India or Ireland etc of being bitter and anti-English in their struggle for independence?
As I see it you can’t distribute economic prosperity and social justice without first devolving political power. We should take hold of the tools to make our nation what it can be.
Membership of the European Union is completely different to membership of the British Union. Our neighbours, and closest friends would also be members! There would be a continuing social, economic and institutional partnership between the countries of the British Isles.
In my opinion and through past experiences the greatest threat against Independence is not that people are against Independence it's the fact that a lot of people especially young people haven't given Independence any serious thought. Therefore when someone does mention the possibility of a free Welsh Republic people get scared, for no reason except the possibility of loosing 'Eastenders'. This website must be followed by many more such initiatives to warm people into the idea of Independence.