The Welsh first minister, Carwyn Jones, has told Theresa May that she must “engage and listen” to people across the union or risk fracturing the country.
“If they are not careful, people’s sense of disengagement with Brussels will simply attach itself to London,” he said. “They are giving the impression sometimes that they do not listen. And what kind of message is that to the people of Wales? People in Wales are going to start saying: well, the government is listening to the Scots; we need to be like them.”
Jones said there was a battle looming over granting greater devolved powers, backed by former prime minister Gordon Brown, which the government had to take seriously or risk the countries’ relationships.
With the Welsh first minister’s comments following Nicola Sturgeon’s repeated demands on Sunday for a second Scottish independence referendum, Guardian readers shared their hopes for the future of Wales. Here’s what they said.
‘A full Ukip-May Brexit would see a complete assault on independent Welsh existence’ – Dylan Huw, 20, student, Aberystwyth
Westminster governance is committed to giving us as little as possible; as long as we’re only 5% of a democracy, our needs and concerns will never be prioritised or seriously considered. Welsh independence has always been a no-brainer for me.
Three years living in London – in the era starting with Scotland’s progressive awakening and ending in ever-hardening Tory dominance, disturbing rises in xenophobic nationalisms and with little-Englander supremacists now fully running the show – has intensified this feeling greatly, and made me see how utterly dysfunctional and out-of-date Britain’s structure is. As a young, small nation in this globalising world, Wales has the resources and the sense of progressive community to absolutely thrive.
What does Wales need from a Brexit deal? It’s a question of whether Wales has a future or not; it really is that simple. A full Ukip-May Brexit would see Wales not only even more neglected and under-funded, but would see a complete assault on independent Welsh existence, and with the poor public sphere we currently have, we’ll be helpless to stop it. Continuing down the suicidal path May is currently taking would see the absolute gutting of both the Welsh economy and Welsh identity.
The deal Wales needs has to involve a commitment from the UK government to make up the lost EU funding, and a secure place for Europeans in Wales. With a Welsh government actively antagonistic to enacting any real progress, as Welsh Labour have been since their first government, more powers can only mean more beige managerialism.
As a young Welsh person the benefits of EU membership are obvious and visible every day. European funding is much more supportive of Welsh communities than the UK.
‘I honestly don’t see any positives of Brexit for Wales’ – Nancy, Cardiff, 53, social worker
Wales needs access to the single market. The two biggest cities in south Wales – Cardiff and Swansea – are very reliant on trade with the EU, and not having single market access will be devastating for the region. I honestly don’t see any positives of Brexit for Wales. The negatives are many. Apart from the loss of trade and employment, I am concerned that if Scotland and Ireland leave the UK that Wales will be treated as completely unimportant by the government. We will be treated as an area of England and could lose our identity.
The Welsh assembly has been amazing for Wales. We have been able to chose a different path to fund our NHS, and we have not had the strikes that England has had. The Welsh assembly has also ensured continued funding for local authorities and social care. I would like to see the national assembly have more powers as I feel the closer you are to people the better decisions you can make.
I envy Scotland’s degree of independence and I envy them the opportunity to have a referendum. Scotland voted to remain and I wish that Wales had too. Wales has a huge number of English people living here who would not want Wales to vote for independence but I feel further independence for Wales would be a good option if we are left alone with England.
‘Only we care if our country succeeds or fails, why leave it at the hands of an elitist group in Westminster?’ – Christopher Griffiths, 25, Pontardawe, unemployed
I voted leave as I expected the UK to vote differently from Scotland. I saw Brexit as a catalyst for the breakdown of the UK, something which I support as I want an independent Wales too. I regret voting leave now as I didn’t expect the Conservative government to take such a hard stance on Brexit and for them to constantly snub Scotland, as they have been doing recently.
We need the funding provided by the EU replaced at the absolute minimum. Wales is a massive net beneficiary of EU funds since we are one of the poorest regions of the EU. We need money to develop our infrastructure and educate our people. Poverty is a massive problem in Wales; we are going to lose social funding which helps people living in poverty.
I believe that the Scottish calls for a referendum are completely justified. They were told in 2014, if you vote to leave you are voting [to leave] the EU. Fast forward a couple of years they vote as a majority to remain in the EU as the UK votes to leave. They voted to remain in the UK as a member of EU; this is no longer possible.
I would like a referendum for Wales. We have been ignored by Westminster since its inception. Wales is the poorest, unhealthiest, [has the] highest unemployment rate and [is the] least educated country within the UK. There simply isn’t enough money going to Wales and not enough independence for us to actually make changes to our country. Only we, the Welsh, care if our country succeeds or fails; why leave it in the hands of an elitist group in Westminster?
‘Wales will not be a priority for a London government’ – Angharad Rhys, 44, Builth Wells, Powys,
This area is rural and people who have been raised and remained here suffer from lack of opportunities. Our nearest large hospitals are Hereford, Abergavenny or Merthyr, all about an hour away, all difficult to access using public transport. Both local schools are in special measures.
I fear the impact of Brexit on agriculture; less money there will result in a massive decline in the local economy. This area is going to be gutted; everyone who can will leave. We are already an area with one of the highest percentages of elderly people, many of whom have retired here from England. If Brexit results in a worse economic situation, this area will suffer as most people are self employed or working for small businesses. All seems pretty bleak at the moment.
If Wales becomes more independent we will be in a worse position. In this area we have to go over the border for healthcare and we have to wait longer than English patients. The massive fuss about education cuts in England seems ironic as we are already suffering and have been for a number of years.
Powys is now cutting nursery education from all schools, so now school begins the term you’re four; from September it won’t start until a year later and nursery provision will now not be provided by a qualified teacher.
We are already on our uppers. I have respect and regard for the Welsh language, history and culture, but this is not a basis for independence. This area is entirely different from the Labour-voting valleys, the cities and the Welsh speaking areas. We would be poor and vulnerable.
I also believe that if the Welsh government had tax-raising powers it would tax the highest earners in Wales, who, compared with England, don’t earn vast amounts, very much more heavily which would result in a mass exodus to England. We are children of English people, many English people have moved here, I would say this area is about 50% born and bred for generations Welsh.
‘I’d vote differently in a second referendum, if I thought there was enough momentum in the Welsh independence movement’ – Gareth, 40, Cardiff, finance
I voted to leave the EU to give the Welsh a kick up the backside and to initiate a constitutional crisis. I hoped a leave vote would force us in Wales to seriously consider our position, because I’ve had enough of the status quo. Time to grow up or just become a part of England. I think I’d vote differently in a second referendum, if I thought there was enough momentum in the Welsh independence movement.
The only positive outcome would be a path to independence. Negative would be Scotland and Northern Ireland leaving and us not. That would mean Wales ceasing to exist. We’re already close to that. This is the last roll of the dice. I’d like a discussion about independence first and a clear path set out for a referendum in the next.
