We are sleepwalking to independence

I hope you are right!

Pretty accurate I reckon. The English media’s reporting of the Caerphilly by Election result was embarrassing.

There may be "no organised hard-core pro-Union networks to fight the Unionist corner" right now but if the Welsh keep voting like they have in Caerphilly last week then you soon will have. If the Welsh like the Scots look like they might actually at some point in the near future have a majority that support Independence then the forces of Westminster will start their very own Project Fear in Wales. You will find that the BBC in particular but almost every "national" newspaper sold in Wales thinks Plaid Cymru are the work of the devil and you will be forced to hear over and over that Wales would never never never manage without Westminster to tuck them in and keep them fed. All bollocks of course but it's a certainty that if PC do very well next year and actually become the Government of Wales then things will change and you will notice very quickly. There is no UK without Wales or Scotland and they fear that very much. Here's to Welsh Independence from one of your friends in the North.

Daily reminder that Independence ALWAYS means hard choices and less to go around. It's never the economic choice to make, economically we're always better united... but as we've found out this quickly leads to exploitation. Independence is an emotional choice first and last. Somethings are worth more than money, being able to set your own rules about how your resources (no matter how small they are) should be spent, it's about protecting your own culture and it's about being able to make decisions without the interference of vested interests from abroad. We saw the effects of independence when the UK separated from the EU and we'll likely see the same thing when we leave the UK. All of the same arguments that are currently leveled at Brexiteers will be the same arguments foisted on YesCymru both before and after independence is granted. Anything that YesCymru suggests that "could" happen post independence will be jumped on as if they could deliver it despite not being in power. I wonder how many people either born or raised in England have returned to Wales support independence over all, is it more than the natives?

Any vote for Plaid Cymru, is a tacit vote for support for independence and at the moment UK means 'Reform' (or Tory Party rebranded). Even if it's not a full throated endorsement, it's like saying "Well independence is better than having a Reform rep" as Plaid will always campaign for independence and seek more and more powers even if it doesn't feel it can make the break within the first term.

‘…..lots of those who believe in Welsh independence have spent some time in England’. I agree wholeheartedly. For me it was spending three years just over the border in Hereford, after I’d finished college and started my first job. You have to leave Wales to appreciate how some people look down their noses at us. We will always play second fiddle in the Union.

Wales has been on a gradual path toward independence since the 19th century. As has Ireland and Scotland. What began as the recognition of a distinct Welsh culture under direct rule evolved into administrative devolution in the 1960s and, later, full legislative and executive powers in the 1990s to today. The truth is that a highly centralised state governing four distinct nations does not work. Especially when one, England, accounts for roughly 85% of the population. The result has been chronic neglect of the smaller nations within the Union. If the United Kingdom were ever to remain permanently intact, it would need to adopt a genuine federal constitution, similar to the United States, Canada, Germany, or Australia. But such reform has never been in England’s perceived national interest. Meanwhile, Scotland’s abundant natural resources and strategic military importance would give it strong leverage in any post-UK negotiations with London, setting the precedent for Wales to follow suit.

I think we are a long way from reaching independence. One swallow does not make a summer. Remember Adam Price was supposedly on his way to being the next FM before the last Senedd election? At the moment I would suggest we are far closer to a Reform UK Welsh Government than Welsh independence. Before the pile on I will be voting Plaid next year.

Come on Wales led by Plaid,we can gain our Independence,and we desperately need to,this from a 76 yr old desperately waiting for the moment,Welsh Independence asap.

I think people realise that if Wales needs to survive in any form, we have to break free from this abusive relationship. Our natural resources are being plundered, we're paying millions for a Royal family caught up in "alleged" sex offences, we're fighting a constant media hate campaign from the Russian owned companies and handed the crumbs from the plate. Independence isn't just normal, it's now as essential as oxygen.

You are right (despite being voted down). There is still only a clear minority supporting independence and Plaid know it. Hence kicking the issue into the long grass of a second term. The article is wishful thinking.

Wouldn’t we do better to be fully conscious of all options with their costs, benefits and risks, rather than sleepwalking anywhere?

Over the 200 years following the American Revolutionary War of1783,165 colonies have gained independence from Western imperial powers, including 65 from the British Empire. Whatever their post-colonial political and economic state not a single one of these independent countries have shown any desire whatsoever to be re-colonised. They all much prefer independence to being a colony. The people of an independent Wales are sure to follow suit.

Oooh good. Wake me up when we get there.

Britain is the name of the island, independence won't change that.