5th July 2007
A Gwerin and its Gwerin-iaeth
A lot of discussion in nationalist blogs and within on-line communities like maes-e recently have focused on whether and why Plaid Cymru is a party of the Left. Some have seen this as some kind of sentimental attachment to an imagined and idealised past of working-class radicalism. Coming from a totally different direction, Kim Howells has also attacked what he sees as the proto-nationalist myth of ‘y werin’.
So what does socialism signify in the modern Wales? Well, to me it is more than some kind of fashionable label - nor am I particularly hung-up about the s-word per se, though it was invented by a Welshman and is still the best short-hand to describe the set of values that define the democratic left. But what does it actually stand for? Well, here’s my attempt at a short manifesto of the modern Welsh left to which others will inevitably add theirs:
The freedom to flourish as individuals can only be built on a foundation of equality. We therefore commit ourselves to a Wales which is governed in the interests of the least well-off, not the wealthiest. Social justice, equality and the fullest development of people’s potential are our aims and the means of their achievement is the democratic self-government of our nation, its economy, society and cultural life..
We should aim to spread aspiration and opportunity to every level of Welsh society. There should be no limits to people’s dreams for themselves, their families, their community or their nation - only the need to share with others the fruits of their success..
While markets are crucial in driving forward creativity, innovation and entrepreneurialism, many of the challenges that we will face in the 21st century can only be addressed by us working together as citizens not as individual customers. From transport to public services, from community safety to the environment and democracy itself - these are all public goods that cannot be adequately provided by the market – but only collectively, as a community.
Our vision is not just of managing Wales and the wider world – but transforming them to the benefit of future generations and the majority of our people. Not just attending to the urgent problems of the present, but sowing the seeds of our shared future.
Making progress and moving forward. Together.
2 Responses to “A Gwerin and its Gwerin-iaeth”
Leave a Reply
You can comment on this article. but you must register first.
Your reply will be moderated and not appear immediately.
You can prepare your text in a word processor before pasting it into the box, but formatting such as bold and colour will not appear.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Ornette Cherry says:
July 5th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Mmmm…Nothing there (say) Shirley Williams c. 1975 couldn’t object to…Hey, from “Gramsci” to “Shirley” in one week!
Progessive Nationalism ? (of a sort).
Lotta continua.
alanindyfed says:
July 5th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
I listened to the comments of Rhodri Morgan this morning in answer to phone-in questions on Radio Wales, and found him to be realistic and convincing. With goodwill all round we will see this coalition work for the good of the people of Wales, and not specifically for the good of the Labour Party. Rhodri Morgan, as well as Ieuan Wyn Jones have grasped the notion of realpolitik.
re·al·po·li·tik (rā-äl’pō’lĭ-tēk’) pronunciation
n.
A usually expansionist national policy having as its sole principle advancement of the national interest.
Posted by alanindyfed