ADFYWIAD GWLADGAROL CYMRU: What is Welsh Republicanism?

This Posting is titled WHAT IS WELSH REPUBLICANISM?

I am not going to waffle on as per usual (yes I am, well just passing comments really), regards what I think it is or not, other than say we could just as easly be asking the Question: WHAT IS WELSH NATIONALISM? So, note, just read the below item recently sent to me by David Lawrence, the only patriot I know who is attempting to write seriously on 'Welsh Republicanism' today. I am setting out then to invite a number of contemporary Welsh Patriots to make contributions to this page, regards answering the question/s I have posed above, those I have invited will be listed below. So with out further 'waffle' from me read on:

Welsh Patriotism Opposing Welsh Republicanism:

That is the usual ''Confused'' Welsh 'Brit' Patriotism. Read On:

This is J. Arthur Price writing in "Cymru Fydd" in 1890, in a piece titled "The Union of Wales and England" -"I have heard vague rumours of Welsh Republicanism, but I have never heard of a responsible Welsh politician whose loyalty could fairly be called into question. In fact, the reception that her Majesty recieved last summer in what I may now call my own fair land of Merioneth conclusively proved that some half dozen newspaper writers declaim only for themselves. But, even were this not true, I do not understand that even our phantom of a republican party in any way cherishes the absurd dream of an independant government; even if, or rather the half dozen gentlemen who compose it, would still retain a federal link between the Welsh and ''English republics." So he obviously had particular republicans in mind, some of them well known for their views being published in newspapers, and he makes it clear that they aren't in Cymru Fydd but are despised by his fellow nationalists.

David Comments: Elsewhere he refers to Welsh republicans as "Yankees republicans" and "rebels" - echoing the contempt poured out upon the Welsh Republican Movement by those in Plaid Cymru in the 1950's, when they denied that Welsh republicans were entitled to call themselves "gweriniaethwyr" and insisted on branding them with the word that they used for the Irish Republican Army - "repwbligwyr" ( I think that I've got that spelling wrong, this is written off the top of my head - I'm now remembering a word something like repyblicanod-? )

I doubt if Welsh Patriots are any the less clear but in fact are even more confused as to ''What is Welsh Republicanism/Nationalism?''. Thus to help get some clarification on this subjects as to ''What is Welsh Republicanism/Nationalism'', and hopefully help clear up this continuing ''Cymric Confusion'', I am inviting (seriously folks) the following leading lights on matters of Welsh Political Philosophy and theory to contribute a small piece (500 - 1000 words?) on what they consider to be true ''Welsh Republicanism''. Starting with:

1: Those who believe that ''Welsh Republicanism'' can be found annually at Cilmeri.

* Gareth ap Sion ''Celtic Valhala/Arwyr Gododdin Republicanism''.

* Adam Phillips of 'Balchder Cymru' (Cambria Band hefyd).

* Simon Foster of 'Cymru Rydd' aka ''Welsh Republican Comment''.

* Any one else?

2: Those who believe ''Welsh Republcanism'' can be found following Glyndwr?

DITTO ABOVE AS AT CILMERI? they also seek this ''Elusive Welsh Republicanism'' at Corwen and Machynlleth, especially Adam ''BC'' Phillips (Before Cilmeri?) who canot decide which colour shirt to wear, let alone which rock he may find ''Welsh Republicanism'' under?

3: Those that believe that ''Welsh Republicanism'' comes out of the 'Adfywiad Gwladgarol Fawr' of the '60's (see my PF?FWA in my AWNM&S History Archive Blog and the book: To Dream of Freedom').

Ditto As Above Followers of the ''Patriotic Princes''; Llywelyn III and Owain IV. But partcularly regards Llywelyn III and the annual Radical/Ultra/Super Nationalist Commemorative Rally at Cilmeri. Chief ''Welsh Republican Motivators'' in this period were the late FWA Commandants Cayo and Coslett, but this was their brand of 1916 Irish Up rising - Militant Nationalist Republicanism. It was only Toni Lewis of the Patriotic Front who actually attempted to write an original 'Welsh Republican Philosophy'': The Human Republic.

4: Those who believe that ''Welsh Republicanism'' begins in the 18th Century.

* Pedr Lewis ''Republican Old Timer'' and from Pembrokeshires, so will know something about Garreg Wasted, I know he knows his history and politics. Plus of course Pedr was one of the founding members of WRM I. So, I expect a lot of sense out of Pedr. Also Ifor Wilks of WRM I, if I can find where he is? I am sure he could contribute a great deal and help clarify the confusion of 'Y Cymry' regards ''Welsh Republicanism'', I think Ifor Wilks favours the period of the hoped for ''Silurian Chartist Republic 1839'' (I earnestly suggest you read his book on the Newport Rising 1839.)

6: Those that believe that ''Welsh Republicanism'' begins with the 'Welsh Jacobins' in the 1831 Insurrection and the near setting up of a 'RED COMMUNE' in Merthyr Tudful. (I have began to revise the history of this ''Popular Workers Revolt'', to date the ''established historians of the Reformer Thomas Llywelyn 'Twyn y Waun school of thought'', sees in this insurrection the roots of a ''Welsh Brit'' Labour Movement tradition. I on the other hand favour seeing it more as a ''Natural Justice Uprising'', see my writtings in due course in 'The Welsh Patriot' in which I shall be representing the Radical Lewis Lewis and the Hirwuan Common and Cefn ''Barrio'', Welsh Workers Army school of thought.(Search web for Merthyr Rising/Militants and Martyrs, also see on web 1831 Insurrection Blog.)

This period would represent those who consider them selves to be 'Welsh Socialist Republicans', here patriots as:

* Tim Richards, formerly of Cymru Goch II and of the WRSM, has much of interest to say and what he has got to say is on his excellent Welsh Republican/personal Web Site which you may find via a search on the web for 'NO MORE FAIRY TALES'. Tim Richards seems to be the only 'Welsh Republican' who seems bothered to sustain an Anti - English Monarchy Campaign'. Right On Tim! Best wishes. Others on the ''Welsh Republican Left'' who could possibly speak/write on subject of a ''Welsh Republicanism'' are Mark Jones of Cymru Goch II. Then the three Socialist ''Femme Fatales''; Leanne Woods, Gill Evans and young Bethan Jenkins of Cymru X - ''The Plaid Poppy'' Youth/Student Society.

7: Then there are those, of a ''Welsh Republican Mind'', who are annually seeking to find this mysterious and perhaps mythological ''Welsh Republicanism'' by following in the foot steps of 'Dewi Sant' in the Annual Cambrian/Tartan Centre (and maybe MHOSD?) sponsored Cardiff Parade. New Thinkers here representing the possible ''Christian Welsh Republicanism'' of the 'Miltary and Hospitaller Order of the St David' are Mark, Lord of Trelleck and Henri, Lord of Ystrad Tywi. However, seriously Folks I suggest following as possibly contributors to this on going intellectual discussion and debate on ''What is Welsh Republicanism'' are:

Ditto Above, see at 1: Llywelyn and 2: Glyndwr also 3: Any 60's ''Left overs'' aka ''Debris'' of TDoF, other than they I would be intrigued regards the ''Welsh Socialist Republican'' views of Gareth Westacott, ex WSRM and ''Patriot on the Run'', regular ''Folk Fiddler'' at Tafarn Mochyn Ddu but now it seems a ''Tartan Taff'' and maybe even one of tbe 'Knights of Saint David'. In this section we may include the thoughts of Robert Hinton, long time Plaid Poppy Nationalist but real ''Radical Renegade'' when it comes to drinking, as then he prefers the company of ''Real Rebel Republicans'' as at 1,2, and 3. I just cannot wait to hear, maybe read the ''New Nationalism/Republicanism of these two erst while ''Hen Cilmeriaid''.

8: Those who seek out a more mystical experience in a blend of esoteric thinking as to the age old question, that 'Y Cymry' have been asking themselves, since they ''blew it'' at the walls of Cattraeth. ''What is Welsh Republicanism?''

* Me, Mad & Bad but at least thinking about an answer, Then there are:

* Royston 'Jac' Jones, One time Editor of the now de-funct 'Ein Gwalad Nationalist Journal, more an Ultra - Nationalist than a 'Welsh Republican', also an original thinker, with lots to say on the problem of Wales today. Comes up with good stuff on occaision, but thinks about it rather than does it! I mean he's a thinker not an activist, all too sadly!

* Last but not least 'Y Cyfamodwr' Geoff Ifan, out and out a real Welsh Nationalist but with ''Welsh Republican'' leanings from time to time. Very dedicated and often sensible, not always as he's not yet totally grasped my 'Adfywiad Gwladgarol' , but it will dawn on he sooner as later maybe?

9: Brit Guardian Republicanism, I have not got much to say about this really, other than that it is all a bit ''Anti - Monarchy'' and seeks to remove the English Crown and see restored 'CROMWELLS COMMONWEALTH REPUBLIC'.

She opposite is laughing because she knows it will never happen! whatever, those who might speak on ''Welsh Republicanism'' here are more or less those I have named at 6: above, particularly those of ''Plaid Poppy''. Not least, I suppose Adam Price of ''Rainbow Republicanism''.

What about ''RED REPUBLICAN RAY 'Labour' Davies?''

10: The Real Thing? For that go read posting on a 'New Welsh Republicanism' in The Welsh Patriot at: http://welshpatriot.blogspot

The best contribution yet! by David B. Lawrence.

I really do suggest you pay attention regards what David as to say and engage in the 'New Welsh Republican' Discussion and Debate. I know some will think that I have been ''taking the P***! regards much of above but ''C'mon Cymru'', lets get this ''Welsh Republicanism'' sorted out as it is all a bit of a joke when represented by certain ''Politically Challenged Patriots'', but there is always hope for even they? Seriously folks, anyone aforementioned who does want to make a serious contribution to this matter regards clearing up ''Welsh Republican Confusion'' or just explain what they are up? I will consider posting ok!

To conclude I would suggest that there is a great need for a 'Welsh Republican Convention', convened with the purpose on discussing and debating for some kind of agreed upon 'Welsh Republicanism'' that may be seen as conventionally agreed to by the majority of those who would want to truelly describe themselves as 'Welsh Republicans'. Not as a ''Label/Flag of Convience'' as some use, to kind of make them look diffrerent from Plaid Cymru Nationalism, when in fact they are but ''Militant Expressions'' of an ''Ultra - Nationalism'', not even ''Radical Nationalists'' as I would want 'Adfywiadwyr Gwladgarol' to be. Then there are those, or rather one person who uses this ''Republican Label'' as a ''tag on' to his ''super Patriotism'', partcularly to introduce himself to real Republicans in Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall? This is the worse use of the term I have seen being used in Wales, for in reality it represents total ''DILETTANTISM''. I would then propose that those of sound 'Welsh Republican Mind' annually gather and meet in Llanidloes on or about the 20th Ebrill, not only to commemorate the start of the Llanidloes Insurrection of 1839 but to hold a 'WELSH REPUBLICAN CONVENTION'. No marching about; parading, posing and posturing but rather getting down to the very serious busness of ''Kick Starting'' some real Welsh Republicanism, back to life. Please, do not ask me to organise or be involved in, as I have enough to do with all my blogs and AWNM&S Hist Archive.

I am sure this can be further advanced via the Republican Forums, again I will leave that to others, my contribution will also be in form of, my more and more advancing knowledge and interest in the post 1536 (Land Wars) to 1935 (The Stay Down Strikes) history of Popular Rebellion, Protests and Strikes. Believing that it would be far better that any 'New Welsh Republicanism' associates with this Welsh History than continually with ''Welsh Medievalism'', which possibly has reached it's ''Sell by Date''. What do you think!