ADFYWIAD GWLADGAROL CYMRU: A Welsh Republican Resurgence?

Introduction: If you have read enough of my material in a number of my blogs, it will be more than a little obvious that I am cynical about contemporary so called ''Welsh Republicanism''. However, it is not necessary to be taken as ''Written in Stone'' that I am Anti - Republican, rather it is a case that I am disappointed in what is being viewed as representing itself as ''Welsh Republicanism'' today. In the main are those who profess to be such and go by the name of 'Cymru Rydd' aka 'Welsh Republican Comment'', a small group with a large forum that owes more to ''Romantic Welsh Republicanism''. Such has become the ''bane'' of 'Alternative Welsh Nationalism' and also the continuing foolishness of ''Knee Jerek Super Patriotism'' possibly best witnessed in what 'Balchder Cymru' considers to be ''Republicanism''. The so called ''Welsh Republicanism'' of these two aforementioned ''bodies'' actually owe more to heavy doses of ''Retro - Republicanism'' that has it's roots in the 1960's ''Militant Political - Ultra Nationalism'' associated with those who identified themselves with the ''Radical Militant Welsh Nationalism'' (see the book: To Dream of Freedom). This brand of ''Welsh Republicanism'' is no doubt indirectectly influenced by 1960's Radical Welsh Nationalism which was keenly interested in the history of Irish Republicanism of 1916 - 22 Ireland, and directly by former members of Welsh Republican Movement I 1946 - 1956 as Cliff Bere and Pedr Lewis (See my blog: Alternative Welsh Nationalist Archive). Proof of what I am saying can be clearly seen in their Websites and Blogs, also read the material usually found on the many forums associated with these two ''Bodies'' ). also see Cymru 1400 Web Site put up by Denis Morris aka ''MOZ'' that today are representative of what, I spose may be viewed has what is left of a ''Traditional Welsh Republicanism Remnant or maytbe ''Rump?'' I use the term ''Traditonal'' in main as the two ''bodies'' I have named above do have roots in the 'Alternative Nationalist Movement'' in such Nationalist - Republican Movements as the 'Welsh Independence Party', Cymdeithas Cyfamod and prior to they, link back to the second 'Welsh Republican Movement' founded by former Republicans as the two Radical Cultural Nationalists; Niel ap Siencyn and Gareth ap Sion who were also following demise of WRM II to publish an excellent 'Welsh Republican Paper' named after that published by WRM I 'Y Gwerineathwr' . In contrast to this ''Traditional Welsh Republicanism'' there did exist another branch of ''Welsh Republicanism'' in shape and form of the now disbanded 'Welsh Socialist Republican Movement', although being ''on the left'' as represented by Robert Griffiths who since has become a leading light of a 'Communist Party', the truth was that majority of members of WSRM were erst while ''Welsh Nationalists'' and are now for most part back in the fold of Plaid Cymru, others have become 'Red Poets' and even ''Tartan Taffs''. There does exist another ''Welsh Republican'' Branch, that which I describe as ''Guardianesque'', a term I use to describe those who identify with the Guardian Newspapers campaign for a 'British Republic', with which a numer of Plaid Cymru ''Republicans'' are associated as Adam Price and then the three radical ''Plaid Poppy'' ''Femmes Fatales''; Jill Evans, Leanne Woods and the up and coming Bethan Jenkins, as long as she stays still and does not run away from ''Republicanism'' as she recently ran away from 'Independence'. (see Dragon's Eye last week?). There you have it the ''Welsh Republican'' state of play today, pretty depressing, yes! Below are photos of ''Welsh Republicans'' old and new that are represented in above introduction.

Gareth ap Sion aka ''Garibaldi'',that's the nick name, I have given him which he likes! However, Gareth does not have a beard and I have never seen him in a Red Shirt, nevertheless he has no problem being identified as either a ''Romantic'' (see his refs to 'Arwyr Gododdin' and Cilmeri as a ''Celtic Valhalla'') or a ''Retro'' (1960's etc) It is he who has proclaimed Adam Phillips and the ''Balchder Boyos'' as the ''Young Turks'' of, no doubt the ''Retro - Romantic Republican Revolution''. Just as long as it does not interfere with their ''Parading and Posturing'' annual marching from Tafarn Llywelyn to the Cilmeri Cenotaph and in recent years their annual Cambria/Tartan Centre 'Dydd Dewi' marching from Tafarn Mochyn Ddu to the steps of the 'Brit' NMW. Yes! all that's ''Really Republican'', it is not? but there you go ''Only in Wales''. Below photos are of Adam Phillips of 'Balchder Cymru' (Black Shirted?) with photo of the 'Balchder Boyos' in their 'Red Shirt' days, since they've gone to back to being ''White Shirts'', whilst Adam has become a ''Kilted Up Tartan Taff'' as well.

Gareth Westacott, former 'Welsh Socialist Welsh Republican' is now a well know ''fiddler'' at Tafarn Mochyn Ddu, but as for the ''Republican Cause'', he has now given way support for the 'Cause of Saint David' . Gareth Westacott is now a leading ''Tartan Taff' and obviously not a ''Secularist'', he may also now be a 'Knight of Saint David'. Gareth Westacott regularly may be seen annually at Cilmeri and very visibly seen as 'Chief Steward' leading the annual Cambrian/Tartan Centre 'Dydd Dewi' parade from Tafarn Mochyn Ddu to be 'Master of Ceremonies' at conclusion of this parade, on steps of the 'Brit' National Museum of Wales. As for other ''Welsh Socialist Republicans'', other than aforementioned Robert Griffiths, some as Tim Richards went on to found Cymru Goch II but many re-joined Plaid Poppy and a few become ''Red Poets'' or became fervent singers in the 'Red Choir'. They may be seen performing regularly outside Cardiff Market on Saturdays, apart from when they are ''gigging'' at the annual Cilmeri Commemoration led by the notorious 'Red Ray'. Ray is a Labour Councillor and Socialist Peace Activist, all of which does not put him off attending the annual patriotic homage to the last prince of Gwynedd, ''Only in Wales'' (see Ein Gwlad Journal re Red Ray and Cilmeri).

* Coming shorty on 22 February, will be a day to ''Sing About'' maybe? depending on whether or not you want to recognise this day as ''Welsh Republic Day?'' Let me explain with some history, as follows:

Cofiwch 22nd February 1797 - A day to remember not forget!

* On this day took place what is refered to as the 'LAST INVASION OF BRITAIN' which ended in defeat of the French, but let us turn that on it's head. What if? events of that day had been a success and at Carreg Wasted, instead of a ''hostile reception'', there had been a most welcoming reception by a ‘United Welshmen Movement' leading a workers and peasants army. What if? on that day along side the French and Irish Tri – colours had been raised the Green, Red and White Tri – Colour of a Welsh Republican Cause which then in 1797 succeeded to establish a Welsh Republic, or lay down the foundations of a truly united Nationalist Republican struggle for Welsh emancipation.

* A struggle that perhaps may have not seen the later diverging causes of the Industrial urbanising workers as in the Chartist Struggle that led to Newport 1839 rebellion and the Agrarian rural peoples struggle that led to the Rebecca Rebellion of the 1840`s. Eventually this real history of Welsh popular causes would lead on to where they did lead to, and increasingly so up to the present day - national disunity of struggle. For the rural popular rebellions found home with Liberalism and cultural nationalism. The causes and struggles of the urbanised proletariat of ‘’Industrial Wales’’ would find home within the rise of the Labour Movement and Party. However, if history had been different we could now perhaps truelly be recognising 22 February 1797, annually as our 'Welsh Republic Day' but it was not to be so. Nevertheless, I suggest that present day 'Radical Resurgent - Welsh Republicans' may if they wish still for ''Educational'' reasons recognise and observe such, to commemorate and celebrate as an 'Agit - Prop' ‘WELSH REPUBLIC DAY’. In this instance I would not frown on all packing patriotically into a Tafarn for celebrations, particularly if it was in the Royal Oak in Abergwuan to drink, eat and make merry with shouts of 'Cymru am Byth' and 'Vive La France'. Of course singing of the 'MARSEILLES', perhaps what we need to match that is a suitable ''Welsh Revolutionary Anthem'', any ideas? Anyone up to writting such?

Post 1797 to 1897: The failure of 18th Century Cambro – Celtic cultural romantic renaissance to deliver real Political Nationalism or to develop a Welsh Republicanism is the reality. Why and how did the Irish develop a 'Republicanism' and grasped the principles of Political Nationalism and why and how did Cultural Nationalism succeed in Wales over Political Nationalism. The place of economic and social discontent in relation to the above as with regards in Wales to ‘Pobl Ceffyl Pren’ is similar in Ireland during the 1700`s. Merthyr 1831, the long Scotch Cattle Insurrection and the ''Silurian Chartist Republic'' was not to produce a ''Welsh Republicanism''. When the smoke cleared after the firing at the Westgate Hotel on 4 November 1839, the Welsh middle classes had made up their minds – better to remain alive and money making Cambro – Brits and ''Cultural Nationalists'' rather than dead wild Cymric Romantic Republican Revolutionaries. 1848 in Wales witnessed ''Rebecca Rebellion'' (in truth a Rate Payers revolt) and the Blue Books, which are remembered more than the European Revolutions of 1848, in which Wakes played no part. It is pertinent to consider all this and more. As example ask the question did Welsh Non - conformities hostility to Catholicism thwart spread of Republican ideals? Consider Methodism to Mazzini, Protestantism and Catholicism, European Nationalisms and our own native 'Dissident'' Non – conformity, Liberalism and other popular rural revolts as the Tithe Wars. Then also the Welsh Land Labourers Revolts of which our historians and teachers fail to tell us of, Why? , Then consider Darwin and Dynamite, Marx and Murder – Fenianism and Anarchy! See what all that tells you regards the failiure to see ''Welsh Republicanism'' arise in Wales.
Since 1897.

What of 1910, 1911 and 1926, the road to Treweryn, investiture and beyond – the final rise of a ''Welsh Republicanism 1946 - 1956, for material on this, see my Alternative Welsh Nationalist Archive Blog: http://awnms.blogspot.com

In picture below we see Pedr Lewis, at a 'Troops Out Meeting', I believe in 1980's. Pedr is one of the last surving members of Welsh Republican Movement I. Pedr had been inprisoned in late 1950's for reasons I hope he will one day write an article about, for my Blog: 'The Welsh Patriot' at: http://adfywiad.blogspot.com

So, What Next For Welsh Republicanism?

There is hope, for on the horizon with the ideas of David Lawrence, and perhaps a 'NEW REPUBLICAN INITIATIVE' he has in mind but it is up to him to inform you of this, in his own good time? All I can conclude with is to ask you to think about the above and go read more ''Welsh Republican'' interest material I have posted to my other blogs, as noted above. If you decide on or around 22 February ''Welsh Republic Day'' to visit Garreg Wasted 1797 memorial and Abergwuan, apart from having a drink of French Wine, Irish Guiness and Welsh Beer in the Royal Oak, do remember to place flowers on the grave of Henry Davies in the church cemetary opposite the Town library. In the mean time, may I suggest you read all you can about 'Republicanism', not least give 1916 a break, and instead focus on 1848 the 'Year of Revolution', 160th anniversary in 2008. Plus of course 'Cofia Cymru'68', 40th anniversary of our own 'Year of Revolution'. I am sure that I will have a lot to say about that, yes!
* Pictures below are of the grave of Henry Davies and wife, flowers I placed there last year, hope someone will do same this and in following years. The other photo is of the footbridge in a dingle, half way to the memorial at Garreg Wasted, I had a break there, out of breath and the idea came to me to name this modest bridge 'Bont Henry Davies'. Ideal place to sit down and contemplate ''Welsh Republicanism'' and consider the long bridge it must cross, we always only seem to get part of the way over and then run out of steam and Kaput! Which is what will happen to the present day ''Welsh Republican Bodies'' of 'Cymru Rydd', very soon and 'Balchder Cymru' soon after or a little longer but Kaput! they will too, be sure of that?

* 'Dydd Dewi 2007' not so far away, and what are ''Welsh Republicans'' going to do?, march in the parade with their ''Welsh Republican Flags'' to the fore held up high? or just may be they will listen to their radical ''secularist'' common sense, HHHhhhmmm!!! . Getting themselves off down to the ''SHAM SENEDD'' for some 'RADICAL REPUBLICAN RESURGENCE', when I see ''Welsh Republicans'' in action as ''Radical Republicans'' of WRM I (1946 - 56), I might just be a bit more sympathetic to a ''Welsh Republican'' cause and struggle but till I see that, I will stick to my 'Adfywiad Gwladgarol'.

* Some thoughts on ''Devolution'' from Ireland's not so distant past:

...........................................................................................................Our “Sham Senedd’’ in mind, I cannot leave this subject matter with out quoting the great Irish Patriot and Revolutionary Nationalist Wolfe Tone ; dubious of Grattens Parliament (akin to our so called National Assembly of which the below quote may equally be apt) stated:

“Was a revolution which enabled Irish men to sell out at a much higher price their honour, their integrity, and the interests of their country………the power remains in the hands of our enemies, again to be executed for our ruination”.

Edward Fitzgerald agreed, he compared the constitution of 1782 which granted Ireland an ‘independent Parliament’ to ….”a young person who though improved in his outward appearance is even worse in his heart.”

* The photo above is of me, rising up a 'Welsh Republican Flag' in protest against both the 'Sham Senedd' and the fact that the ENGLISH QUEEN WAS OPENING IT!, There were no other 'Welsh Republican Flags' about that day, despite the fact that there were plenty self styled ''Welsh Republicans'' about both there and up in Tafarn Mochyn Ddu, making ready for a bit of parading, posing and posturing but not protesting? Hopefully, this 'Dydd Dewi 2007' we will see many more 'Welsh Republican Flags' about Caerdydd, so be nice to ''your lady'' or learn to sew up a flag yourself, has I had to do!

Ymlaen i'r Weriniaeth.

Just look at me, what a posuer?