Don’t refer to the UK as ‘four nations’, senior Welsh Tory suggests
A senior Welsh Tory has complained about unionists who refer to the UK as “four nations”.
Huw Davies, Chair of Newport West Conservative Association, has suggested that those who do so are “foolishly playing on the nationalists’ turf”.
He argued on the conservative Gwydir website that the United Kingdom, which is made up of the countries of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England, should be referred to as “One Nation”.
This he says is a “new interpretation” of the ‘One Nation Conservatism’ of 19th century Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, who sought to unite a country divided between the rich and the poor.
Davies also argued that a federal system is “alien” to the UK, and claimed that it has been “eroded by devolution”
He said: “The ‘Let’s be like America’ brigade of Labour and the Liberal Democrats want an American-style federal structure.
“Such a concept is so alien to this country and would bring with it the same division we see in the US system.
“Plaid Cymru and the SNP want the complete destruction of our nation, and I am glad any notion of working with them has been ruled out by our party in Scotland and Wales.”
‘Principle’
He added: “I think it is time for a new interpretation of this ‘One Nation Toryism’. This new guiding principle would encompass the idea of Britain as a united nation, a United Kingdom – One Nation. If we believe in the preservation of the United Kingdom, it is vital we maintain the basis of its nationhood.
“Those who talk of ‘four nations’ usually are federalists, nationalists or unionists foolishly playing on the nationalists’ turf. But what is so often forgotten is the greater whole, the unified entity – Britain.
“As One Nation Tories, we must fight to reunite the United Kingdom and reknit its nationhood which has been eroded by devolution.
“Britishness cannot be diminished to just our flag on some supermarket butter, it must be a real and active identity. That means the British state acting on behalf of the British people, which the UK Internal Market Act will enable it to do.”
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Who is this fellow?
not me !
Or me!
Brown Nosing the Prime Porker of Downing Street for a knighthood?
Oh dear another empire lover living in the past.
Not only offensive, but factually incorrect. More like an exercise in denial and wishful thinking. But it is now the official policy of the Westminster Government. Cymru is not only facing a connstitutional battle but also a culture war. Scotland, too.
He wants to go back to the UK being Greater England as in the past, that would be totally unaccecptable.
When the prime minister of England was being repaired in hospital, his place on the tv podium with the latest Covid news was taken by the real experts – scientists to a man. They gave us the latest facts as to the state in each of THE FOUR NATIONS (their words). When he returned, happily snatched from the jaws of death, BJ in his first public manifestation used those very same words! ………However within a week the announcements had slid down somewhat and what we received instead was REGIONS. Ah well as the bard said “What’s in a name” Robin… Read more »
What has that got to do with what I wrote? Sorry I am not arguing just don’t see the link, maybe I misunderstood something.
So the 6Nations rugby tournament has to be renamed the 3Nations? But part of the UK Nation joins part of the EU to play as Ireland so if the EU is also part of the UK then it’s a 1Nation tournament which seems a bit pointless. May as well watch the England cricket team as it has players from everywhere, even had captains from Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Now I understand what a One Nation Tory means!
Dim diolch. 4 respective identities, forged and nurtured over centuries, allowed to evolve seemlessly to fit the contemporary world, all crushed under a monoculture with no basis save empty, dull generalisations that could apply to anywhere? Ask any Englishman if that is what they want. Utter nonsense from a person who clearly has no idea what a human being is, let alone Cymru as a concept. Rhyddid nawr ac 6n fythol
I bet this Davies character calls himself a proud Welshman, I think traitorous tory rat would be more appropriate?
So what nation will Huw Davies be supporting over the next few weeks? I’m pretty sure you have to be a country to play in international football tournaments.
Sad little man forgets within Great Britain there are three separate countries, whether he likes it or not. No amount of erasing of peoples or further subjugation will change that.
Lack of historical knowledge here. When Scots King James became King of England after Elizabeth I died, they wanted a name for the new combined country. They took over OUR old name of Ynys Prydain, Britain. This was an ancient tradition going back to when the Romans left. It was a FEDERAL system of many kingdoms under a high king. So a FEDERAL Britain is a very old idea. It’s in our mediaeval Chronicles, poetry, stories and the Triads by the people who thought of ourselves as Britons. The English called us Welsh. We called this island Ynys Prydain (Island… Read more »
Johnson thinks there is only 3 Nations after forgetting or not knowing Wales is in the Euros !
Just did a search on Huw – turns out hes a very young chap so not yet had enough time to realise that what he longs for would be a huge mistake. Just ask all those who lived through Thatcher how wonderful it was to be part of ‘one nation’ – governed from afar by people who held us in utter contempt and with complete disregard. In reality it was Thatcher that got devolution over the line here in Wales. Thatcher made me a nationailst. Huw – the UK now is in some ways like the USSR back in the… Read more »
This really would make Snowdon the highest mountain in England.
Where ignorance is bliss ’tis folly to be wise.