I like everyone reading this would have bitten through many nails as we narrowly beat the Scots to keep our Grand Slam dreams alive. A new Welsh star has been born in Louis Rees Zammit.
I love Wales. To be Welsh is to be who I am. We, the Welsh, value family and local communities in the form of the rugby club, the pub, the village hall, the church. We value rural life, the heartbeat of this great nation. We love the arts and beauty, from the artisan streets of Portmeirion to the poetry of Dylan Thomas. We value our rich history and culture, with our language thriving in pockets of communities across Wales despite historic attempts to curb it. We are a country of the unique customs seen in our Eisteddfods.
But I am also British. It’s just my own instincts. My Welsh identity isn’t so fragile that it becomes weakened by my sense of being British. And I know there are many in this constituency who feel this way too- who are passionate Welshmen and women but nonetheless find the idea of separation from the rest of the Union to be incredibly sad. Many feel British, because our sense of place isn’t rooted in which particular political party is in government at any one time. When I converse with friends in England, I just know them to be part of my country too. The thought of not being in the same country as them pains me. Why would I not want to see the continuation of the British state, however flawed, when I feel such a commonality with such friends? No economic argument or nationalist soundbite can ever break those bonds. And this is the great mystery of the Union- that I feel both 100% Welsh and British at the same. This isn't a logical fallacy- I also believe in the Holy Trinity- that all Father, Son and Spirit are distinct but yet all 100% God nonetheless.
Plaid Cymru and the Labour Party candidate in Dwyfor Meirionnydd support independence. That is their democratic right. But I don’t. I think it’s the last thing Wales needs. The only two things I am focused on is recovery from covid19 and addressing the chronic lack of opportunity in the area. I don’t think it should be inevitable that our young people have to pursue education and employment in South Wales and in other British cities.
The real barrier to Wales prospering is not Wales’ place in the United Kingdom, whatever the sound bites. It’s the dull, drab leadership of the Labour Party in Cardiff Bay, that sees Wales falling behind England in virtually every indicator, that sees our farmers whacked with NVZ regulations, our schools languishing and our economy far too indebted and dependent on public sector employment. And Plaid have been in cahoots with them all along and mirrored many of their policies in Gwynedd Council.
If you would like to help me take forward a positive message, one that focuses on the problems of the here and now and is excited in building a new future in Gwynedd, then please get in touch.
