New independence referendum petition surges to over 6,000 signatures

A petition calling on Westminster to grant a referendum on independence has gained over 6,000 signatures.

Carina Josephine Williams created the petition called ‘Let there be a referendum for Welsh independence’, with the number of signatures jumping in the last 24 hours as it was shared on social media.

Ms Williams said: “The IndyWales movement has gained many supporters and followers recently. Many people support an independent Wales. Let Welsh people have a referendum and make the choice.”

If the petition gains 10,000 signatures the UK Government will respond to it, and if it reaches 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in the UK Parliament.

The petition will run until 5 April 2021.

Power

The petition comes after a YouGov poll suggested that support for Welsh independence has jumped over 10 percentage points in a year.

The latest poll puts support for independence at 33%, compared to 22% in early December 2019.

YesCymru Chair, Sion Jobbins, said that the status quo was now no longer an option.

“Support for independence is the strongest it’s ever been, with 33% of the people of Wales now saying that they would vote for Welsh independence if a referendum was held tomorrow,” he said.

“That’s a six point increase from January, and a massive 11 point increase since December last year.”

YesCymru, the grassroots pro-independence group had 2,500 members at the start of the year, but the number has since rocketed to over 15,000.

The power to allow a referendum currently lies in Westminster and not with the Welsh Parliament.