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Lib Dem Senedd candidate backs Welsh independence

05 May 2021 2 minute read
Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate Gerald Francis

A Liberal Democrat candidate has made a statement backing Welsh independence on the eve of the Senedd election.

Gerald Francis, who is standing for the party in the Cynon Valley, constituency argues that Westminster is “looking more corrupt and indifferent by the day”.

But he added that he has “full respect” for the formal policy of the Liberal Democrats for a federal UK because it is “an honest attempt to improve on the current situation”.

Francis was a County and District Councillor for 12 years and was also a member of a Community Health Council for 8 years.

He has worked in plumbing and heating industry, where he started as an apprentice at 16 and went on to run his own business, before becoming a lecturer in plumbing at further education colleges. Away from politics and work, he and his wife have fostered children in need.

‘Interest in independence’

Gerald Francis told Nation.Cymru: “I have always had an interest in independence for Wales. I am making a public statement now because interest is growing across the political spectrum, including, in some cases, members of political parties whose policy is not to seek independence.

“The independence movement is clearly best served by people who believe in independence working together across political boundaries.

“Westminster is looking more corrupt and indifferent by the day. It is a very expensive layer of government that we in Wales do not need.

“Just look at the House of Lords, all parties have been talking about democratic reform for decades.

“We are paying towards these arcane institutions, where so many members do not understand us.

“I should also state although I wish to go further, I have full respect for the formal policy of the Liberal Democrats which is an honest attempt to improve on the current situation.”


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CJPh
CJPh
3 years ago

The number of individuals who represent informally unionist political parties expressing support for an independent Cymru is heartening. There must be some conservatives who are indy curious (I know plenty of people with socially/fiscally conservative leanings, despite not supporting the party outright, who are very pro indy). I do hope that one or two prominent right-leaning individuals start to make the conservative case for an independent Cymru – political plurality behind a general, ‘beyond party politics’ principal like a separate state for Cymru will be the last exemplar needed for the Welsh public to back our cause. It may take… Read more »

Albert E
Albert E
3 years ago
Reply to  CJPh

I probably know more that can count, read a balance sheet and can see it is far from viable. Visit Eastern Europe and see how we will all be living without the square mile tax take and the Barnet Formula subsidy. I might not like it, but it is a fact.
Keep dreaming of student union debate politics and Wales will stay just where it is…….at the bottom of UK measurements for success.

Donald Anderson
Donald Anderson
3 years ago

He sounds like a Welsh leak.

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