Welsh republicanism
Welsh republicanism (Welsh: Gweriniaetholdeb Gymreig) or republicanism in Wales (Welsh: Gweriniaetholdeb yng Nghymru) is the political ideology of a Welsh republic, as opposed to Wales being presided over by the monarchy of the United Kingdom.
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Typically, this ideology is suggested as an element of forming an independent Wales, but can also be considered as part of reforming the government system of the United Kingdom, which could include introducing an elected official as head of state.
Welsh politics
Before the Senedd
In 1894, David Lloyd George, MP for Caernarfon, attacked the grandeur of the monarchy in his second speech in the House of Commons.[1]
The Welsh Republican Movement which existed from 1949 to 1966 supported a Welsh republic.
21st Century
Wales' largest pro-independence party, Plaid Cymru and Gwlad, both have a neutral position and propose a referendum after independence on the future status of the monarchy in Wales. Plaid Cymru has a number of republican members and supporters, including former party leader Leanne Wood.[2][3]
Bethan Sayed MS, argued in 2019 that Senedd members should not have to swear an oath of allegiance to the queen, and instead should be allowed to swear an oath of allegiance, loyalty and service to the people of Wales.[4]
The Wales Green Party support a Welsh republic in the event that Wales becomes independent.[5] The party has stated that if a referendum were to be held on the matter of Welsh independence then it would support Welsh independence.[6]
Propel and Sovereign Wales do not hold a position on the monarchy or a future Head of State in an independent Wales,[7][8] whilst Socialist Party Wales advocate a 'socialist Wales as part of a socialist federation of Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland'.[9]
Republicanism in the United Kingdom
Another concept for Wales becoming a republic is through reform of the United Kingdom's constitutional status from a constitutional monarchy to a republican constitution. There is not an explicit link with British unionism, as this tends to advocate the Union of Crowns. This is a form of British republicanism which is supported by English politicians such as Dennis Skinner and Jeremy Corbyn, and advocacy groups such as Republic. There is no mainstream support for this concept in any Welsh political parties, and remains a personal position, unlike support for an independent Welsh republic that does have party support.
In 2021, the group Republic, crowdfunded billboards across the UK advocating for the abolishment of the UK monarchy. Billboards appeared in Wales in Aberdare, Swansea and Cardiff advertising that "Wales doesn't need a prince", referring to Charles.[10][11]
Public Opinion
In 2019, a Focaldata poll commissioned by UnHerd revealed that support for the UK royal family in Wales (“I am a strong supporter of the continued reign of the Royal Family”) was lowest in Swansea East at 40% (21% opposed) and highest in Montgomeryshire at 61% (18% opposed), with no overall figures for Wales available.[12]
Scandals
Recent so-called scandals are alleged to have raised questions about the Monarchy in Wales. These so-called scandals include:
See also
References
- "Campaigns in Wales | The National Library of Wales". www.library.wales. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- Jones, Richard Wyn (14 May 2018). "Severn bridge shows Plaid should embrace republicanism | Richard Wyn Jones". WalesOnline.
- "[:cy]Maniffesto[:en]Manifesto[:]".
- "Call for alternative to Welsh Assembly oath to Queen". BBC News. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- "Public Administration". policy.greenparty.org.uk.
- Wales Green Party [@WalesGreenParty] (24 October 2020). "Today, Wales Green Party has committed to campaigning in favour of an Independent Wales in the event of a referendum. A huge thanks to all those who helped create and pass this motion!" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 October 2020 – via Twitter.
- Thraves, Alec. "What We Stand For – Socialist Party Wales".
- "'Wales doesn't need a prince': Anti-monarchy billboards spark backlash". Sky News. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- Harrison, Rhodri (14 September 2021). "Prince Charles appears on billboards with slogan 'Wales doesn't need a prince'". WalesOnline. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- "Support for Royals lower across west Wales and valleys, poll shows". Nation.Cymru. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- "Scandal allegations raise questions about monarchy's 'right to reign'". The National Wales. Retrieved 21 February 2022.