Cymru Annibynnol
Encyclopedia
Cymru Annibynnol, the Independent Wales Party is a small political party
operating in Wales
. They were formed as a splinter from Plaid Cymru
in January 2000, when that party's leader Ieuan Wyn Jones
distanced Plaid from supporting Welsh independence
.
Cymru Annibynnol are an expressly republican
organisation seeking full independence for Wales from the United Kingdom
. They contested various seats in the Welsh Assembly elections of 2003. The party describes their aims and methods as being:
Broadly they are like Plaid Cymru: a left-leaning party that favours independence as a means to combatting what they perceive as the negative effects of globalisation, also favouring wealth redistributive measures
.
They have stated that they do not intend to contest elections to the British House of Commons
and will instead contest only local elections, and those to the Welsh Assembly. They contested the 2003 Assembly elections
but did not poll highly. They have thus far to make much impact politically.
Cymru Annibynnol changed its name in 2004 when it became Cymru Rydd
- Welsh Republicans. The Leader is Christopher Trefor Davies: Treasurer is Cllr. Glasiad ap Gruffydd. Its tag line is "Fe godwn ni eto! We shall rise again"
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
operating in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. They were formed as a splinter from Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru
' is a political party in Wales. It advocates the establishment of an independent Welsh state within the European Union. was formed in 1925 and won its first seat in 1966...
in January 2000, when that party's leader Ieuan Wyn Jones
Ieuan Wyn Jones
Ieuan Wyn Jones, AM is a Welsh politician, who was the Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government from 2007 until 2011. Jones is the current leader of Plaid Cymru and Member of the National Assembly for Wales for the Ynys Môn constituency...
distanced Plaid from supporting Welsh independence
Welsh independence
Welsh independence is a political ideal advocated by some people in Wales that would see Wales secede from the United Kingdom and become an independent sovereign state. This ideology is promoted mainly by the Welsh nationalist party, Plaid Cymru.-History:...
.
Cymru Annibynnol are an expressly republican
Republicanism
Republicanism is the ideology of governing a nation as a republic, where the head of state is appointed by means other than heredity, often elections. The exact meaning of republicanism varies depending on the cultural and historical context...
organisation seeking full independence for Wales from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. They contested various seats in the Welsh Assembly elections of 2003. The party describes their aims and methods as being:
- People voluntarily organising and pursuing their aims by peaceful political activity freely associating together according to the provisions of the Party's Constitution. The party is non-sectarian and inclusive of all people who consider themselves Welsh.
- Our aim is to secure full Independence for Wales as a democratic and sovereign state ensuring economic prosperity and social harmony for the people of Wales and safeguarding our common Welsh heritageCultural heritageCultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations...
, languageWelsh languageWelsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
, culture and identity.
Broadly they are like Plaid Cymru: a left-leaning party that favours independence as a means to combatting what they perceive as the negative effects of globalisation, also favouring wealth redistributive measures
Redistribution (economics)
Redistribution of wealth is the transfer of income, wealth or property from some individuals to others caused by a social mechanism such as taxation, monetary policies, welfare, nationalization, charity, divorce or tort law. Most often it refers to progressive redistribution, from the rich to the...
.
They have stated that they do not intend to contest elections to the British House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
and will instead contest only local elections, and those to the Welsh Assembly. They contested the 2003 Assembly elections
Welsh Assembly election, 2003
The National Assembly for Wales election, 2003 was the second general election to the National Assembly for Wales. It was held on 1 May 2003.The election was characterised by a resurgence for the Labour Party, whilst Plaid Cymru saw a reduction in support and the number of Assembly Members they...
but did not poll highly. They have thus far to make much impact politically.
Cymru Annibynnol changed its name in 2004 when it became Cymru Rydd
Cymru Rydd
Cymru Rydd are a minor political party in Wales. Their translated English title is "Free Wales". As of 2006 they have had no known electoral success.The party have been registered with the Electoral Commission since September 28, 2000...
- Welsh Republicans. The Leader is Christopher Trefor Davies: Treasurer is Cllr. Glasiad ap Gruffydd. Its tag line is "Fe godwn ni eto! We shall rise again"