Major Welsh Independence March planned in north Wales
Stephen Price
Thousands are expected to take part in a march for Welsh independence which takes place in north Wales this autumn, following a huge turnout in Barry earlier this year.
Rhyl will take centre stage in the campaign for Welsh independence on Saturday 18 October 2025this autumn in an event organised by YesCymru and All Under One Banner Cymru (AUOBCymru).
Since 2019, independence marches have taken place in towns and cities across Wales, with over 6,000 people marching at the most recent march in Barry in April.
The marches have shown the growing momentum for Welsh independence and have brought together communities from every part of the country in a shared call for an independent Wales.
Bleddyn Williams, a local resident from Rhuddlan and one of the organisers, said: “For too long, communities like Rhyl have been ignored and left behind by governments of all colours in Westminster.
“This march is about showing that people here on the north Wales coast – and across Wales – are ready for change. Independence offers us the chance to build a fairer Wales, where decisions about our economy, our resources and our future are made in Wales, not in London.”
Crown Estate
The March for Independence in Rhyl will pass through one of the most deprived wards in Wales, an area that organisers say has endured decades of economic decline, chronic underinvestment, and a lack of meaningful action from successive Westminster governments.
The announcement comes just weeks after the UK Government once again refused to transfer control of the Crown Estate to Wales, despite every council in Wales supporting it.
Control of these assets, already transferred to Scotland, Yes Cymru say, would allow Wales to directly benefit from its own natural resources.
In an update to supporters, Yes Cymru wrote: “Rhyl Flats and Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farms are part of the Crown Estate portfolio. They generate huge revenues, yet the economic benefits flow out of Wales rather than staying to support local jobs and services.
“These wind farms should be powering jobs in North Wales, not profits for Westminster. This refusal is the latest example of why Wales cannot depend on Westminster to act in its best interests, regardless of which party is in power.”
Independence
Geraint Thomas, on behalf of AUOBCymru, said: “Every march for independence shows the growing confidence of the people of Wales.
“In Barry we saw thousands on the streets, and in Rhyl we hope to see thousands more. Westminster has failed our communities for generations, and only independence gives Wales the power to shape its own future.
“This movement belongs to everyone – families, young people, communities from every corner of our country – all standing together to demand a better future. I encourage all who believe in an independent Wales to join us in Sunny Rhyl on 18 October!”
The event has been described as “family-friendly”, “with a warm welcome for everyone, whether you are a long-time supporter of independence or simply curious to find out more.
It aims to “bring people together from all over Wales to celebrate our nation, share ideas, and demonstrate the growing strength of the movement for a better future.”
March for Independence, Rhyl, takes place at 1pm on Saturday 18 October 2025. The gathering point and full route will be announced in the coming weeks
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The issues go beyond the Crown Estate. In 2006 Network Rail created design and engineering hubs and Wales was located in Swindon. At the same time major rail Signalling upgrades took place in Port Talbot East, followed by Cardiff and Newport – every well-paid role was in Swindon. Now Siemens digitial signalling manufacturing centre is near Swindon. Cambrian line had first trial in world of digital signalling (removes lineside equipment); Network Rail descoped the freight element of the project which was the whole point of https://www.ertms.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1.-ERTMS-from-trucks-to-trains-Final.pdf so mid Wales roads still have lots of lorries. http://www.gcre.wales had no funding from… Read more »
Think you’ll find the ERTMS pioneered on the Cambrian line was Thales technology and they are headquartered at Clermont Ferrand in France, with Hitachi Europe (Italy based) managing the project. However, I agree this project would have been better led from a team in Wales, especially as on-board kit is on TfW rolling stock. GCRE on the other hand is a site looking for a purpose rather than a purpose looking for a site. Part underwritten by the Welsh Government known for is a bottomless pit of mismanagement. Otherwise known as a Ken Skates.
More of this please.
Although it is worrying that anyone actually needs telling that independence is the way forward.
Have you told Plaid?
” Plaid Cymru-led Welsh government would provide “an opportunity” to discuss Welsh independence, but the steps to achieving it “are not clear yet”, according to the party’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts” and then she mumbles something about “the stations of the cross”, no me neither. BBC Wales news this week. Well, let’s not rush these things!
Just as clueless as the SNP with it’s “the next election will be an independence mandate!”… “We’ll have pie in the sky when we die, but in the meantime, it’s a good little earner”. I think this act has now seen it’s day.
I think it’s fair to say Plaid Cymru do have to prove themselves first and that the first election would not be a vote for independence it would be a protest vote against Labour and Conservatives.
If Plaid go on to win a second (which would be a shock) this should also coincide with much better independence polling. Currently the polls are not in favor of Welsh independence so I can see why Plaid are being a bit… shy.
Get those polling numbers up to 60% want out and they’ll change their tune.
But Plaid are not going to win a first term outright, let alone a second. It’s virtually impossible under the voting system for anyone to do it. Meanwhile weak Welsh governments and the unionist majority are more likely to undermine the case for independence rather than promote it. Time for Plaid to get off the fence or consign themselves to irrelevance.
Who are plaid??
Compare Wales to Scotland: The Crown Estate is Scottish managed. Edinbugh and Glasgow Airports have been developed effectively, Department for Transport has not developed Cardiff Airport. UK Government is moving jobs from London to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen; Wales is only getting jobs in Cardiff. My father is in Probus Wales, their members are very concerned over Port Talbots economic future, but do not know what to do. Wales position seems no different now to last 25 years; so a considered plan is required. Wales needs more well-paid roles in Wales; BUT London is not performing https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14243/edinburgh-s-economy-outperforms-london-s so maybe we… Read more »
We know how London Governments underfund Wales thats both Tory and Labour but the one thing that sticks in my throat when Plaid M P Liz Saville i think it was asked a Question in the the English talking shop called Parliament a labour minister from the Treasury Bristol M P by the surname of Jones the question was fair funding for Wales on Railways his answer WALES SHOULD BE GRATEFULL FOR WHAT IT GETS that really bloody annoyed me
We should be demanding that Wales has full economic powers so we are no longer stuck waiting on London to decide our future. What matters most right now is a proper plan for decent, well-paid jobs here at home. Not just factories or call centres, but good white-collar jobs too, otherwise people will keep leaving for London like they have for generations. Until we tackle this brain drain then Wales will always suffer from economic declne.
Will there be free transport going up from the South and West?