Reform flags 'stir up division' near Eisteddfod entrance

Stephen Price

Two Reform UK flags flying near the entrance to the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham have caused controversy - with a grassroots Welsh independence group accusing the land owner of 'taunting' Eisteddfod-goers.

The flags appeared on poles on the grounds of Net World Sports, Bryn Lane, Wrexham and images were quickly shared on social media, with Reform Watch Carmarthen among the first to share the image.

They wrote: "Reform have put flags up on land next to the entrance of the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham, clearly to stir up division."

Writing on Instagram, with their own images, Mudiad Eryr Wen shared: "The Tory millionaire running Net World Sports thought it fit to taunt Eisteddfod-goers with Reform rags yesterday evening.

"He's now replaced them with a union rag and a token Welsh flag.

"We thought we'd add our own little message."

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"Welsh Not British"

Picking up on the potential damage to the business's reputation, the Reform flags were later switched with the Welsh flag and a Union Flag which itself is a cause of aggravation for many in Wales with its lack of Welsh representation.

Net World Sports describe themselves as 'the number one supplier for all your sporting equipment. Football to golf, cricket to tennis we have everything you need, even next day delivery'.

Net World Sports is owned by its founder and Managing Director, Alex Lovén. He established the company in 2009 and continues to lead it as CEO.

He was recently recognised with an MBE for his contributions to the economy and community of Wrexham.

 

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A post shared by Mudiad Eryr Wen (@mudiaderyrwen)

Next year's Senedd elections are being hotly contested, with Welsh Labour losing ground with traditional Labour supporters who have been unimpressed with a catalogue of issues, particularly the Crown Estate and war in Gaza. Distrust has continued following the controversial tenure of Vaughan Gething.

In an interview with Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby for the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Baroness Eluned Morgan described the threat from Reform UK as “very serious”.

She said: “We’re taking it very seriously, and we think the threat from reform is a very serious threat.

According to a new poll on voting intention for next year’s Senedd election, Reform UK are currently in the lead, with 28 per cent of the vote, followed closely by Plaid Cymru on 26 per cent.

The exclusive More in Common survey for Sky News saw Labour’s vote share among Welsh voters fall to 23 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Welsh Conservatives find themselves on 10 per cent.

According to the projection, less than half (48 per cent) of Labour’s 2024 voters would back the party in a Senedd election today.

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Mission

Mudiad Eryr Wen, who shared photos of their protest on Instagram, describe themselves as a brand new and energetic approach to defending our nation and campaigning for our eventual independence.

They say they are “a movement and community created by the youth, for the youth”.

According to the group: “Our nation stands upon a precipice. Westminster is growing increasingly heavy-handed towards devolution and nationalism in both Cymru and in Scotland, second home ownership and a failing education system is endangering our language, the reckless pursuit of growth and unfettered capitalism is destroying our environment…”

Their mission is to “rally the youth of Cymru as one united front, stood firmly in opposition to the destruction of our self-determination, language, identity and environment.”

Mudiad Eryr Wen release a statement on Sunday 3 August, saying: "Welsh Not British.

"A statement of truth and pride for all in Wales, especially in the face of attacks from Reform UK and its hateful collaborators like Mr Lovén, whose imperialist fantasies of a “united” Britain excludes the existence of a Welsh identity.

"The actions of Net World Sports are a preview of the tactics and attitude we should expect leading up to the 2026 Senedd election, where Nigel Farage and his personality cult of British nationalists will escalate their campaign of cultural erasure, pushing a false “Britishness” over the native language, traditions, and rights of the Welsh people.

"Mudiad Eryr Wen will continue to campaign against the oppressive agenda of British nationalism. We remind Mr Lovén and his ilk: Wales is its own nation, with a people who speak their own language, who are proud of their home, and who will not tolerate colonial posturing from those clinging to a collapsing Union.

"To the youth of Wales our message is one of a united front. To stand in defence of our self-determination, language, identity, and environment. For over 1,000 years, our people have resisted subjugation. It is now our responsibility to carry that flame forward, to defend and assert what makes us Welsh.

"Dros Rhyddid, Sosialaeth, a Democratiaeth."

Net World Sports has been invited to comment.