1,000 new members join YesCymru in a month

The Welsh independence group YesCymru say they have hit 8,000 new members – less than a month after reaching 7,000.

The cross-party movement said that they had seen their membership double from 4,000 in March.

The figure puts them on par with many of Wales’ most prominent political parties who are believed to have a similar number of members in the country.

This week rugby broadcaster Phil Steele revealed that he had become the latest to join up,

I’ve just joined @YesCymru, the campaign for an independent Wales. Join me and over 7,500 other members https://t.co/dOriJNSC4t #indyWales #Annibyniaeth via @YesCymru

— Phil Steele (@philsteele1) October 20, 2020

Sion Jobbins, YesCymru Chair, welcomed the new members, he said: “This is fantastic news! These new members are already adding a massive boost to the movement. Our members are vibrant and passionate in their determination to build a new Wales that looks after all of its people.

“What has helped speed the growth of YesCymru, is that people have seen that the Senedd in Wales is much more competent at running Wales’ affairs than Westminster, and we can do so with more empathy and compassion as well.

“Traditional campaigning has not been possible this year, with the cancellation of three large independence marches in Wrexham, Swansea and Tredegar due to Covid-19, but our members are bright and innovative and we are already seeing new ways of convincing others of the need for independence. 2021 is going to be a very interesting year in the history of Wales, and it will be onwards and upwards for YesCymru and an independent Wales.”

Referendum

The latest poll on Welsh independence conducted last month showed that with ‘don’t knows’ removed, 32% were in favour of Welsh independence and 68% against.

51% of respondents who voted for Labour said they would vote for Welsh independence with 49% against.

There was also strong support for independence among younger voters, with 43% of those in the 18-24-year-old category backing independence, and 42% of those in the 25-49-year-old category saying that they would vote yes.

The questions asked in the poll commissioned by YesCymru was ‘If there was a referendum held tomorrow on Wales becoming an independent country and this was the question, how would you vote? Should Wales be an independent country?’

The total sample size was 1035 Adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 24th – 27th August 2020. The survey was carried out online.