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The Following 'Round Robin' email came my way recently, sent out by Patriot Paul Edwards of Bridgend. In general I sympathise with Pauls plea for action but would remind him, that if it's a Parliament he wishes to campaign for then he and others could join THE PARLIAMENT FOR WALES CAMPAIGN. This body has been in existence for some time, run by Alan Jobbins but more often as not as appeared moribound, but of late there has been a spate of letters from Alan to the Western Mail. I dare say with all this convention talk, some nationalists are focusing on the future regards a Referenda Campaign, thus if it's a Parliament you want and one still tied to England's apron strings then support the aforementioned campaign. At least it's in existence with no need to set up further similar campaigns, I am sure with more committed nationalist support this campaign could become active pretty quick and see to provision of leaflets to give out, as Paul as requested below and myself elsewhere. Whilst this campaign does not needs be get my fullest of support, it would be pretty petty not to give it some support in lieu of a full on Campaign for Independence, in this direction I cannot fail to draw your attention to any number of ''Blogs for Independence'', all up for Talk the Talk! rather than Walk the Walk! but nevertheless ruffling their feathers ready to hopefully ROCK & ROLL? In this direction I draw attention to call made by Plaid member Johnny Roberts to put Independence on the Agenda, he's appealing here I think to PLAID but somehow I think his pleas will fall on stony ground. After all, just go suss blogs run by Plaid ''Leading Lights'' and just note how many have deleted their Pro - Independence Stickers (do I have to name them?) since a bit of bother in Western Mail embarrassed them in face of Plaid Leadership luke warm withering on Welsh Independence. However, I certainly consider some Pro - Independence Action within PLAID of use, so in this instance support Johnny Roberts. I am hoping however, that sooner or later all those Pro - Independence Bloggers will get their act together asap and soon we shall see a full on INDEPENDENCE FOR WALES CAMPAIGN as theoretically suggested by myself in a number of places but more positivelly and practically proposed by Embassy Glyndwr, see their blog: OWAIN GLYNDWR COMMUNICATES.
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Paul's Email: Reading Royston's e-mail below I have been banging the drum (excuse the pun Adam) for the nationalist / republican to initiate pro parliament for Wales marches / rallies around the country. This would be an all inclusive party movement. In 1995 or 96 there was 3000 people at a rally in Carmarthen who were from all political opinions and shared the same platform. Can it not happen again ? I know for a fact after spending many a drunken night in Aberdyfi that not all the English are anti Welsh government - as i pointed out to them in one house party (about 30 persons listening) - they may have escaped the rat race in England for a quieter life but their children now face the same social and housing issues as our children and a Welsh government was the only way forward for us all - all agreed. I am not the type to appease , but the facts are if we are to win any further referendums on the future of Wales then will have to somehow also get a sizeable vote for yes from the so called anglicised communities ? We have to get them on our side. There will be no rule changes on who can vote and not vote though there should be. And I agree with Royston that this should be pointed out. The St David's day rally in Cardiff march 1st 2008 could possibly be the perfect platform to launch such a campaign. It might give Plaid the kick up its arse it needs as well. In our own area myself and other nationalists on the eve of the 1997 vote delivered through doors over a 1000 leaflets in our own local area written from a historical point of view why we should vote yes. The leaflets went down very well with the local people including the local labour councillors. If a thick fucker like myself can show a little enterprise then I am sure the shining lights can come up with better initiatives. I would suggest we meet up again like we did a number of years ago in Aberystwyth and thrash an agreement to take Wales forward but this time not letting it fall apart or let the bar get forcibly opened ;-) We now have a marching band that can march through towns and villages to highlight the cause - though this band needs to be financially supported for such a campaign. Adam - The Hope rally is another rally we can use as well. I will organise a local rally in the South , even organise a rock night if required.
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Roy Jones on Subject of Referendum: If all goes according to Plaid's masterplan we should have a referendum in a few years time. Yet Labour deadbeats in Kinnochio's old territory are already making noises about running a No campaign. It seems likely that even if all 4 parties are officially in favour of a full parliament there will be substantial opposition from within the Labour and Conservative parties. There'll be the Kinnockites in Labour down south and others, includings MPs in the north-east. In the Tories we can rely on MPs David Davies and David Jones - again, south-east and north-east - plus a sizeable chunk of the party membership that has always been opposed to devolution.
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Thinking of '97 another factor in the No vote was nationality and identification. I know some interpreted the '97 result as a victory for the working class, but I've always believed that was a misreading of the fact because, given Wales' colonial status, the working class is largely indigenous. It was nationality not class that mattered. Proven by the fact that the working class in the north-east - often English born, supporting L'pool, Everton, Man U and identifying with north-west England - voted No.
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Victory came in an 'L' shape. The Valleys and Swansea Bay where a massive majority of the population is Welsh born and identifies with Wales voted Yes. So did the rural, Welsh-speaking west, where nationality as an influence in voting patterns was even more stark. Though in the west there was a massive divide within communities between the Welsh and the non-Welsh and also between different communities. For example, in Meirionnydd, Bala and Barmouth might have been on different planets. Same applied to Aberdyfi compared with Blaenau, Penrhydeudraeth with Tywyn . . . In Powys, Mach' voted Yes while Welshpool voted No, etc., etc.
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Adding up the guaranteed opposition from within the Labour and Conservative camps, plus the non-Welsh and those who do not identify with Wales, I think this referendum will be difficult to win. But too important to lose. My view is that we should start working now to bring about the most favourable conditions. In a nutshell, I believe that my vote should be worth more than the vote of someone who moved here a few years ago and might be gone again in a few years time. Ok, it'll be impossible to get a Welsh only vote but we could surely make the point by arguing for the votes of the Welsh and the non-Welsh to be identifiable in the count. It would be a tragedy if this referendum was decided negatively - as in the '96(?) Quebec independence plebiscite - by a transient population, not commited to the country in which they lived. If nothing else. we should be ready to make this point.
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Whether you agree with my position or not, the fact is that this referendum will be upon us in a few years - what are we going to do to maximise the chances of success? But if you don't agree with my position how will you feel if it's another narrow margin, only this time swung, not by Sir Gar, but by the blue rinse mommas of the Costa Geriatrica?
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Roy Jones.
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My Comment, well yes! I can see what he's getting at, his usual fixation regards ''White Settlers'' which must now include Poles, Balts and whomsoever wants to make Cymru/Wales their home. However, arguing for an 'Ethnic Identity Voting Box', where will that take us? Plus of course it's not going to happen is it, so Roy forget it, just a distraction and would waste our time. Much too late in the day to continue worrying about ''Cymric Ethinic Purity'', I am afraid we are in another great age of mass tribal movement. I could go on but I want, just smell the coffee! I think that Paul Edwards as the right message to be giving out, we just got to convince one and all that they VOTE FOR WALES, be it for a Parliament or Independence.
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So, c'mon lets Rock & Roll for Welsh Independence!
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Gethin.
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