YesCymru

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Yes for Wales.

YesCymru
Yes Cymru.jpg
Formation13 September 2014[1]
20 February 2016
(official launch)[2]
FounderIestyn ap Rhobert
Siôn Jobbins
Hedd Gwynfor
FocusWelsh independence
HeadquartersSwyddfa 23609, PO Box 92, Cardiff, CF11 1NB, Wales, United Kingdom[3]
Members (2021)
Decrease 9,786[4]
Chair
Vacant (Since 13 August 2021)[5]
Websiteyes.cymru

YesCymru is a non party-political[6] campaign for an independent Wales.[7] The organisation was formed in the Summer of 2014[8] and officially launched on the 20 February 2016 in Cardiff.[2]

History[]

Origins[]

YesCymru was set up in the Summer of 2014[8] by Iestyn ap Rhobert, Siôn Jobbins and Hedd Gwynfor, who were inspired by campaigners in Scotland in the lead-up the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. They saw how local pro-independence groups were started across Scotland and were convinced that was the best way forward for Welsh independence as well.[9][10] The official launch of YesCymru took place in Cardiff on 20 February 2016, with former Plaid Cymru chairman John Dixon in attendance.[2]

ap Rhobert told WalesOnline, "YesCymru is a bottom-up organisation rather than a top-down one. We don't have a lot of policies we expect members to subscribe to. Instead we want to discuss the practicalities of Wales as an independent country – what that would mean."[10] ap Rhobert resigned as chairman in October 2018 after proposed changes to the group's constitution were blocked by members;[11] he was later replaced by Jobbins, who was the chair between 2017 and July 2021.[12] When asked by the North Wales Daily Post what the group's policies were, Jobbins: "YesCymru is a single issue movement. Our two main aims are for international recognition which means a seat for Wales in the United Nations and for Wales to have its own written constitution. We're making the general argument for independence. We are working from all parties and none. We welcome people who have different visions as to what an independent Wales would look like in terms of policies etc."[13]

Polls in 2014 suggested that support for Welsh independence was around 14% of voters.[14][15] A poll performed in November 2020 found that when looking at those who would vote, 33% would vote Yes to Welsh independence.[16] January 2021's Welsh Political Barometer poll for ITV Wales and Cardiff University suggested 29% of voters would vote 'Yes' to independence in a referendum.[17] The most recent 7 polls have found that when looking at support among voters (by excluding answers of 'don't know') support for Welsh independence is between 29% and 33%.[18][19][20]

Surge in growth during the COVID-19 pandemic[]

YesCymru's membership and media prominence both increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] It claimed that its membership doubled from 2,500 to 5,000 over just two months in Spring 2020.[21] The organisation had a further increase of around 3,000 members over three days in late October 2020;[22][23] this rise coincided with the Westminster government refusing to furlough Welsh businesses for the 17-day 'firebreak' lockdown in Wales.[24][25] In January 2021, YesCymru claimed to have more than 17,000 registered members.[26] Jobbins believes that one of the reasons for such a rapid growth is the way the Welsh Government has handled the pandemic. "People have seen that Wales has been able to make its own decision and that it's done so with a relative degree of success," he said. Jobbins also put it down to disillusionment with the Westminster establishment: "The fact that Wales has been subject to a Tory government in Westminster for the past 10 years when it has continuously voted Labour has underpinned some of that frustration".[13] On 9 March 2021, YesCymru announced that it had reached 18,000 members.[27]

According to Owen Worth, Lecturer of International Relations at the University of Limerick, YesCymru was Britain's fastest growing political organisation in 2020.[28]

Central committee resignations and decline in membership[]

Jobbins stepped down as the chair on 9 July 2021 citing personal reasons and "because of [his] health". He said that he wasn't trying to make a political point but said that “with this kind of growth, expectations, responsibility, demands for results and the need for structural changes within our organisation have become apparent”. Sarah Rees the vice chair became the interim chair.[12]

In summer 2021, six members of the central committee resigned over leadership and direction, in addition to a bitter debate around alleged transphobia in YesCymru.[29][30] Sarah Rees told the BBC that members needed to be "respectful to everyone's views". Further to this she said "one of the things of being a broad church and a wide spectrum of people across politics is about making sure that you're respectful. And I think that it's important for me in the position that I'm in now as the interim chair to remind everybody that we have to be respectful to everyone's views, and respectful to everyone as human beings."[31][32]

In August 2021, an emergency meeting was held between the organisation's local groups in order to discuss making constitutional changes to stabilise the organisation. However, during the meeting, an advisory vote of no confidence in the central committee took place. The vote originally proved controversial, with a number of local groups being accused of failing to consult their members before voting against the central committee.[33] In mid-August, all remaining members of the central committee resigned.[34] In a statement, the committee said that "harassment directed towards Central Committee members, that goes far beyond social media posts, has taken an incredible toll on mental wellbeing and can no longer be tolerated." Between then and the upcoming extraordinary general meeting (EGM), an independent third party firm of accountants will oversee limited day-to-day operations of the organisation.[35]

In December 2021, YesCymru was due to hold its EGM, however, after the online voting ballots had been sent out, the organisation discovered that its membership database had not been updated in several months and that a significant number of members had seen their membership lapse without being notified or offered renewal.[36] On 11 December, the organisation revealed that it now had around 9,000 active members, down from its peak of 18,000 in early 2021. In response to legal advice, the organisation further announced that it would be delaying voting for the EGM until 15 December, in order to send renewal emails to those whose memberships had lapsed.[37]

Positions[]

YesCymru takes no view on membership of the European Union in an independent Wales.[38][13] Whilst 51.9% of the Welsh electorate voted for Brexit in the 2016 European Union referendum,[39] many members of YesCymru appear to be pro-EU.[40] There is also an age divide with, according to Jobbins, "around 50 per cent" of younger people in support, while "people over 65 are not supportive". He explained that younger people lack an "affinity with Westminster" and have not benefited from a central Government in the way that older generations may have: "If you're 50 years or younger, then Westminster hasn't given you anything. If you [were] born in the 40s or 50s you may well have benefited from social housing, free education, free health, full employment, dole money if you're unemployed in the 70s, or even in the 80s."[41] Marta Bona wrote in Vice that "[a]fter a decade of feeling roundly unrepresented by what they see in Westminster, it's easy to understand why, for so many young Welsh voters, independence might feel like the answer."[42]

Campaigns[]

The first Welsh independence march organised by YesCymru and AUOB Cymru, May 2019

In May 2019 the group held the first Welsh independence march in Cardiff, in conjunction with organisers All Under One Banner Cymru.[43] The organisers claimed as many as 3,000 people attended the event and speakers included Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price, performer Carys Eleri, and Ben Gwalchmai of Labour 4 Indy Wales.[44]

A second march was held in Caernarfon in July 2019, where organisers claimed 10,000 people gathered at Y Maes.[45] Speakers included Dafydd Iwan and Hardeep Singh Kohli.[46]

A third march took place in Merthyr Tydfil in September 2019. Organisers claimed 5,300 attended the rally where speakers included Eddie Butler, Neville Southall, and Kizzy Crawford.[47] Further marches planned for 2020 in Wrexham, Tredegar and Swansea were postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.[48]

In January 2020, the organisation was in part behind the push to get the song "Yma O Hyd" by Dafydd Iwan ac ar Log to the top of the iTunes Charts.[49][50]

In March 2021, YesCymru launched Yestival, a year-long programme of discussions on the subject of Welsh independence and their first live campaign since before the pandemic. A spokesperson for YesCymru described Yestival as a "festival of digital engagement with groups representing thousands of existing and non-members" which is specifically designed to "continue shaping plans for a stronger and fairer Wales as an independent, neighbouring nation of the UK." They went on to say, "Wales' growing independence movement has to become a digital uprising."[51]

YesCymru has supported an activity of a group of about 40 people seeking to further a cause of the people of Catalonia.[52]

In March 2021, YesCymru announced they aimed to distribute 400,000 copies of a newspaper around Wales, with the hope of reaching an audience of 1 million people.[53]

Polling[]

See also: Welsh independence § Opinion polling

Polling from 2014 onwards suggests support for Welsh independence rose from 12% of the population to over 30% by 2021. Counting only those who said they would vote, this rise is from 14% to over 35%.

A poll published by ITV News on 4 March 2021, showed that 39% of voters were in favour of independence.[54] Responding to these numbers, Jobbins said, "This poll showing the highest levels of support ever recorded for an independent Wales is a major step forward for YesCymru. Although individual polls may go up and down the overall trend shows that more and more people are coming to the conclusion that the people of Wales are best placed to manage their own affairs like every other country."[55]

Yes/No Independence polls – Standard questions

Date(s) conducted Polling organisation & client Sample size Should Wales be an independent country? Lead Notes
Yes No Undecided
9–19 April 2021 Opinium / Sky News 2,005 28% 52% 19% 24% Does not include 16 and 17 year-olds
18–22 February 2021 Savanta ComRes / ITV News 1,003 35% 54% 11% 19%
18–21 January 2021 The Sunday Times / YouGov 1,059 23% 52% 25% 29%
11–14 January 2021 Welsh Barometer Survey / YouGov 1,018 22% 53% 25% 31%
26–29 October 2020 Welsh Barometer Survey / YouGov 1,013 23% 53% 25% 30% Includes 16 and 17 year-olds
24–27 August 2020 YesCymru / YouGov 1,044 25% 52% 23% 27%
29 July – 7 August 2020 Yes Cymru / YouGov 1,044 26% 55% 19% 29% Includes 16 and 17 year-olds
29 May – 1 June 2020 ITV Wales/ YouGov/ Cardiff Uni 1,021 25% 54% 21% 29%
6–10 September 2019 Plaid Cymru / YouGov 1,039 24% 52% 23% 28%
7–14 December 2018 Sky News Data - Wales 1,014 17% 67% 16% 50%
30 May – 6 June 2018 YouGov 2,016 19% 65% 16% 46%
July 2016 ITV Wales / YouGov 1,010 15% 65% 20% 50%
8–11 September 2014 ITV Wales / Cardiff University >1,000 17% 70% 13% 53% The week before the Scottish independence referendum
April 2014 YouGov 1,000 12% 74% 14% 62%

Independence rating scale poll

Date(s) conducted In favour of Independence Opposed to Independence Indifferent/No Reply Sample Held by Notes
9–12 May 2017 26% 47% 27% 1,000 Yes Cymru / YouGov Respondents asked to rate 0–10.
0–4 Against, 5 indifferent, 6–10 in favour

Reception[]

Support[]

Some supporters of YesCymru are listed below:

Criticism[]

Following the central committee controversy in summer 2021, Ifan Morgan Jones argued that the organisation needed to professionalise, saying that "if the election had been run in a way that encouraged the greatest turnout possible, no one would have credibly been able to complain of entryism or stolen elections" and calling for the organisation to hire full-time administrative staff.[77] Former central committee member Huw Marshall argued that the controversy had arisen "all because a small section on Twitter had taken umbrage that one person had been suspended from the central committee for having questionable views on the trans community" and saying that the organisation had failed to create "a professional structure staffed by competent individuals with the required skills to lead campaigns and make a positive case for Welsh independence."[78] Emrys Price-Jones, the chair of LGBTQ+ YesCymru, has argued that the organisation had refused to "stamp down on transphobic and queerphobic rhetoric," leading to a significant number of queer members quitting the organisation.[79]

Conservative MP David Davies has criticised the organisation for its stickering campaigning, accusing the group of posting stickers illegally "all over signs and buildings in Wales".[80]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ ap Rhobert, Iestyn (2 March 2021). "How it all began: A look back at the first five years of YesCymru". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 3 March 2021. Our first rally was held on 13th September 2014 under the title 'Wales Supports Scottish Independence' with approximately 800 people in attendance.
  2. ^ a b c Craig, Ian (20 February 2016). "Welsh independence supporters should learn from Scotland, new campaign group says". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Contact". yes.cymru. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  4. ^ "YesCymru membership stabilises after drop in numbers". The National Wales. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Members of YesCymru Central Committee collectively resign". Nation.Cymru. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  6. ^ "The name of the association is YesCymru, sometimes abbreviated to 'YC' or referred to as the 'association'" (PDF). Yes.cymru. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  7. ^ Shipton, Martin (28 September 2017). "Who are 'Yes Cymru' - the campaigners trying to reinvent Welsh nationalism?". Wales Online. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  8. ^ a b YesCymru (17 June 2017). "Launch of 'comprehensive' Welsh Independence book in Aberystwyth". YesCymru. Retrieved 12 February 2021. YesCymru was created in Wales, in the summer of 2014, by a small group hoping to help the campaign for Scottish independence in the run-up to their referendum.
  9. ^ "Chapter 1". YesCymru. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  10. ^ a b Shipton, Martin (28 September 2017). "Who are 'YesCymru' - the campaigners trying to reinvent Welsh nationalism?". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Yes Cymru Chairman resigns". Nation.Cymru. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  12. ^ a b "YesCymru Chair Siôn Jobbins announces that he is stepping down". Nation.Cymru. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d Evans, Harri (7 February 2021). "The rapid rise of YesCymru and the growing independence movement in Wales". North Wales Live. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  14. ^ Henry, Graham (19 April 2014). "Wales says no to Scottish independence: our exclusive YouGov poll". WalesOnline.
  15. ^ Nyatanga, Darryn (4 June 2020). "Welsh independence: can Brexit awaken the sleeping dragon?". London School of Economics. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  16. ^ "Support for Welsh Independence continues to increase". YesCymru. 19 November 2020.
  17. ^ "Welsh independence: How worried should UK ministers be?". 2 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  18. ^ Trystan, Dafydd (5 June 2020). "The latest indy poll shows a large number are persuadable but not yet persuaded". Nation.Cymru.
  19. ^ Trystan, Dafydd (27 January 2021). "It's the economy.... What the latest polling tells us about support for Welsh independence". Nation.Cymru.
  20. ^ Wells, Ione (2 February 2021). "Welsh independence: How worried should UK ministers be?". BBC News. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  21. ^ "YesCymru membership doubles to 5,000 in two months". 20 June 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  22. ^ "North Wales MP thanks Boris Johnson for 'fronting Welsh independence membership drive' after furlough snub". North.Wales. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  23. ^ @yescymru (3 November 2020). "Aelodaeth | Membership" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 November 2020 – via Twitter. • 31/10/20; 19:34: 9,000 • 01/10/20; 17:27: 10,000 • 02/11/20; 12:31: 11,000 • 02/11/20; 22:26: 12,000 • 03/11/20; 20:26: 13,000
  24. ^ "Covid: Furlough backlash amid Welsh firebreak snub claims". BBC News. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  25. ^ Brooks, Libby (1 November 2020). "Welsh and Scottish leaders hit out at 'unfair' furlough extension". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Westminster seen as 'increasingly Anglocentric' says Labour Senedd member". Nation.Cymru. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  27. ^ YesCymru [@YesCymru] (9 March 2021). "18,000! Thank you so much to each and every one of you for your support! We're on our way to becoming Wales' biggest political movement! Join us today to help the campaign grow" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 March 2021 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Worth, Owen (25 January 2021). "Opinion: Is the Brexit war over or has it just begun - what now for the Union?". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  29. ^ Davies-Lewis, Theo (11 July 2021). "Welsh independence faces an existential crisis". The Spectator. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  30. ^ "Independence movement - we have a transphobia problem". The National Wales. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  31. ^ "Independence: Respect all members' views, interim YesCymru chair says". BBC News. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  32. ^ "YesCymru members have to 'respect each other' after 'breakdown in communication' says interim Chair". Nation.Cymru. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  33. ^ "YesCymru Central Committee rejects regional groups' no confidence vote as 'anti-democratic'". Nation.Cymru. 2 August 2021.
  34. ^ "YesCymru Central Committee receives vote of no confidence from member groups". Nation.Cymru. 31 July 2021.
  35. ^ "Members of YesCymru Central Committee collectively resign". Nation.Cymru. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Voting for YesCymru EGM voided". The National Wales. 11 December 2021.
  37. ^ "YesCymru EGM: Membership has fallen by 10,000". The National Wales. 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  38. ^ YesCymru [@YesCymru] (30 January 2021). "Further to recent tweets:
    • YesCymru is not a political party
    • YesCymru is a non-partisan, member-led campaign movement for Welsh independence
    • The size and scale of our membership influences politics
    • We take no view on the EU
    More yes.cymru/independence"     (Tweet). Retrieved 12 February 2021 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ Jones, Moya (16 March 2017). "Wales and the Brexit Vote". Revue Française de Civilisation Britannique. French Journal of British Studies. 22 (XXII-2). doi:10.4000/rfcb.1387. ISSN 0248-9015.
  40. ^ Morgan Jones, Ifan (3 September 2020). "YesCymru isn't winning over Brexit voters – here's how they can make a start". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  41. ^ Carpani, Jessica (29 January 2021). "Welsh nationalism on the rise as young people back independence". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  42. ^ Bona, Marta (10 March 2021). "Another Country Wants to Break Away from the UK – And It's Partly Down to Memes". Vice. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  43. ^ "Thousands call for Welsh Independence in historic march". ITV News. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  44. ^ Dewey, Philip (14 May 2019). "Huge turnout in Cardiff for Welsh independence march". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  45. ^ Cassidy, Jane (29 July 2019). "AUOB Cymru plan third indy march after 10,000 turn out in Caernarfon". The National. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  46. ^ Hodgson, Sarah; Jones, Branwen (27 July 2019). "Recap - 8,000 people march through Caernarfon for Welsh independence". Daily Post. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  47. ^ "Sport and arts figures join independence rally". BBC Wales. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  48. ^ "No independence marches in 2020 as final planned event in Swansea postponed". Nation.Cymru. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  49. ^ "Yma O Hyd tops iTunes UK song chart". BBC Wales. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  50. ^ Thomas, Rhys (27 April 2020). "The Unstoppable Rise of Welsh Language". Vice. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  51. ^ "YesCymru returns to live campaigning with a new online festival". Nation.Cymru. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  52. ^ Wyn-Williams, Gareth (7 October 2017). "Anglesey campaigners in show of solidarity with Catalonia independence voters". North Wales Live. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  53. ^ "YesCymru plan to distribute newspaper to 1 million people in Wales on weekend". Nation.Cymru. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  54. ^ Etchingham, Julie (4 March 2021). "Is the United Kingdom on the brink of a break-up?". ITV News. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  55. ^ Axenderrie, Gareth (4 March 2021). "ITV poll shows highest support for Welsh independence". The National. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  56. ^ "Annual Raymond Williams Memorial Lecture 2017 | Michael Sheen" – via www.youtube.com.
  57. ^ "Michael Sheen gave back OBE as he supports Welsh independence". Al Manara. 30 December 2020.
  58. ^ "Football legend 'Big Nev' to make the case for Welsh independence at Labour conference event". Nation.Cymru. 21 April 2018.
  59. ^ Williams, Kathryn; Hughes, Marcus (8 September 2019). "Thousands gather for Welsh independence march". WalesOnline.
  60. ^ YesCymru (9 February 2020). "Without Voice, Without Nation | Angharad Mair | #SgwrsAnnibyniaeth #YesCymruTalks". YouTube.
  61. ^ Jones, Gwynoro [@Gwynoro] (16 October 2017). "Time #Wales moved towards a real #Senedd @fmwales @LabourSenedd @Labour4IndWales @YesCymru @Plaid_Cymru" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 October 2017 – via Twitter.
  62. ^ "Glyndŵr Day Welsh Independence Rally, Cardiff · YesCymru". Yes.cymru. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  63. ^ YesCymru (24 September 2019). "Delyth Jewell AM Speaking at Independence March Merthyr Tydfil 2019". YouTube.
  64. ^ YesCymru (24 September 2019). "Cymru This House by Mike Jenkins". YouTube.
  65. ^ Roberts, Richard Owain (17 September 2020). "The Art of Running: Richard Owain Roberts". Wales Arts Review.
  66. ^ "Cardiff gig to discuss Welsh independence post-Brexit". 15 February 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  67. ^ Finamore, Emma (10 December 2018). "Musicians Are Fighting For Welsh Independence". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  68. ^ Owens, David (18 February 2019). "Prominent musicians want more people to talk about Welsh independence". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  69. ^ "'Keep independence momentum going' after Yes is More gig". Nation.Cymru. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  70. ^ McAllister, Laura (10 October 2020). "Independence? Here are two steps Wales needs to first consider| Laura McAllister". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  71. ^ "Full Eddie Butler Speech - AUOB Merthyr". YesCymru.
  72. ^ Julian Lewis Jones [@juleslewisjones] (6 June 2020). "Receiced my Welcome Pack Today!! @YesCymru #Annibyniaeth #cymruambyth" (Tweet). Retrieved 10 March 2021 – via Twitter.
  73. ^ Bubbins, Mike [@mikebubbins] (30 October 2020). "So I finally, properly, joined @YesCymru. Not because I'm in any way anti-England, or anti-English, far from it, but because I am 100% anti-getting dictated to by that shower of berks lining their own pockets in Westminster. There simply HAS to be a better way. Ymlaen Cymru" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  74. ^ Harries, Robert (8 November 2020). "The rise of Yes Cymru and why people are joining in their thousands". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  75. ^ Amos, Paul [@PaulRogerAmos] (1 January 2021). "@YesCymru Westminster have failed us. Time to move on to an independent Wales" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  76. ^ "Thousands march for independence in Merthyr Tydfil". ITV News. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  77. ^ Morgan Jones, Ifan (14 August 2021). "YesCymru's problem are a result of its own explosive growth – it needs to professionalise, and quickly". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  78. ^ "Is YesCymru worth saving?". The National Wales.
  79. ^ "Independence movement - we have a transphobia problem". The National Wales.
  80. ^ "YesCymru can't complain about 100 foot Union Jack 'while putting stickers everywhere' says Tory MP". Nation.Cymru. 7 July 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""