County council to discuss giving backing for Welsh independence:
GWYNEDD could become the first local authority to declare its support for an independent Welsh nation.
While Wales has been politically aligned to England and later the United Kingdom since 1282, recent opinion polls have seen a rise in support for the idea of Wales becoming a sovereign nation in its own right.
Blamed on Brexit and other political factors, 11 community councils across Wales have already publicly backed the principle.
But while any constitutional change could only be implemented following an agreement between the Welsh and UK Governments – to which both ruling parties remain ideologically opposed – a referendum of the Welsh electorate would also be needed to activate a break-up of the United Kingdom.
Recent opinion polls also suggest that support, while having risen over recent months, still remains well short of the more than 50% that would be required in any referendum.
Despite this, a Plaid Cymru councillor plans to use her motion to seek the support of Gwynedd Council in backing the major constitutional shift.
Nia Jeffreys, who is also among the nominees to become the party’s Dwyfor Meirionnydd Senedd candidate,
has submitted the motion to be discussed during Gwynedd Council’s next full meeting on July 18.
“Change is in the air in Wales and the people of Gwynedd are leading the change,” said Cllr Jeffreys, with the motion being proposed just days before a planned pro-independence rally in Caernarfon on July 27.
“There is a new confidence, in particular from our young people – there is absolutely no reason why all decisions about Wales should not be made in Wales, not in London.
“I and many others from North Wales attended the Yes Cymru – All Under One Banner march in Cardiff.
“There is already a lot of excitement surrounding the march in Caernarfon and the vote of support from Gwynedd will add to the momentum of this grassroots movement towards independence.”
Of the 11 town and community councils to publicly back Welsh independence, the vast majority are based in Gwynedd.
Machynlleth became the first in late May, followed by Porthmadog, Ffestiniog, Nefyn, Bethesda, Llanuwchllyn, Trawsfynydd, and Llanystumdwy.
Almost 50 years to the day since the Prince of Wales was invested in the town’s Castle, recently saw Caernarfon Town Council join their ranks, with neighbouring Bontnewydd and Pwllheli following suit on Thursday night.
Rhys Tudur, the chair of Nefyn Town Council, said: “As a community near the sea, which suffers from a lack of work and opportunities locally, I hope our decision, along with other town councils, will cause a tsunami of excitement and confidence throughout the nation. Welsh communities now realise that we in Wales are the best people to shape our own future.
The meeting to debate the motion is in Caernarfon on Thursday, July 18