Support for Welsh independence hits 41% in new poll
Over 40% of people in Wales would support independence if it meant the country could stay in the EU.
31% also said they would support Welsh independence if a referendum was held tomorrow, according to the YouGov poll.
Both figures are with ‘don’t know’ and ‘wouldn’t vote’ removed, and represent a significant increase on support for independence in previous polling.
Plaid Cymru said that they were “sensational” figures which put support for Welsh independence at a historic high.
“Westminster is in turmoil,” Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said. “Boris Johnson’s reckless Tory government and Jeremy Corbyn’s chaotic so-called opposition are wrecking Wales’s future.
“It is no wonder that we are witnessing a surge in support for a New Wales – a nation proudly standing on its own two feet and in control of its own future.
“It was only last week that over five thousand of us marched for Welsh independence in Merthyr and our Assembly member Delyth Jewell gave one of the most barnstorming speeches in recent memory in the most revolutionary towns in Wales.
“Having overtaken Labour at the European elections, Plaid Cymru has secured its place as Wales’s true Remain party, fighting against a crash-out Brexit and for future prosperity.
“As Boris Johnson takes us closer to the cliff edge, more and more people will demand an outward-looking Wales free from Westminster’s contempt.”
Forty-four per cent of Labour voters would vote for an independent Wales to stay in the EU, with 38% against, 15% don’t know and 3% refused to say.
Fifty-five per cent of Liberal Democrat voters would back independence if it meant Wales could stay in the EU while the rest of the UK left, with 26% voting against and 19% don’t know.
Plaid Cymru voters split 51% for independence, 29% against, 18% don’t know and 1% refused to say.
Rallies
Responding to today’s poll, Siôn Jobbins – the Chair of YesCymru, the campaign for an independent Wales – said:
“This poll has the support for independence at the highest level ever, and clearly shows that the people of Wales are warming towards the idea of Wales becoming an independent nation state just like Ireland, Iceland or Denmark.
“Westminster isn’t working, and people are realising that Wales can do a better job of running its own affairs than being ruled by Westminster.
“YesCymru has groups across Wales campaigning for an independent Wales, and people of all backgrounds are welcome to join us. It’s extremely encouraginmg to see that younger people now favour independence over Westminster rule, and the support is highest in Cardiff and the populated valleys where a lot of campaign work has already taken place.”
“We will continue to organise marches, rallies and local and national meetings over the coming weeks and months, and we are more confident than ever that support for independence will continue to go from strength to strength.”
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Absolutely stunning. Merthyr was my first march. Roll on the campaigning! The key to success is building a strong economy in Wales. Like many other small nations, we can do this, but not while we can’t make any of the necessary decisions without Big Brother’s blessing.
A choice of words by Duncan Fisher here: Big Brother.
Rebellion against oppressive socialist ideas re-created the identities of Taiwan, Slovenia, Estonia, Romania, Georgia, Mongolia and South Korea.
In political matters, Wales has done near to nothing for 100 years because it has not rebelled against its own Leftist beliefs for that long.
I’m no Labour voter but if you are seriously suggesting that a capitalist economy as promoted by the basketcases in England is beneficial then you’re very much mistaken. The very fact that their national infrastructure is predominantly owned by other nations at the expense of their own people had caused no end of harm. The very fact that Transport for Wales exists now instead of Arriva aims to benefit the many and not the few. I say this within a Welsh context primarily because the ‘bad socialists’ are trying to ensure that Wales as a nation gets what it deserves… Read more »
Yes, a mixed economy seems the way to go, with drive to start ups for young people?
But, National Happiness our main goal?
I would hope so.
47% of Plaid Cymru voters are against or don’t know if they want Independence!!!!
I’d like to know which plaid branch they surveyed.
Ann, this was YouGov. A very reliable polling firm used by all political parties and other bodies, groups. I take it you don’t like the result.
Ann Powell – previously known as Norm. How is your fear and anxiety today? Still afraid to step up to the plate or still indulging yourself in some dreary article written in the Daily Mail about a communist takeover?
Quite! Whilst an exciting development I for one am cross that Adam has jumped on the bandwagon. AUOB and especially YES Cymru has worked very hard for independence whilst P C has indulged in irrelevant issues and is now trying to take credit for something it hasn’t done – or indeed until recently supported. Delyth Jewell wasn’t the only speaker and frankly it wasn’t that good
Dr Ball , well reasoned.
What would you expect from Adam? That’s his job. And I heard nothing in what he said that indicates he is “trying to take credit”. Why not focus on the positives here instead of indulging in that great Welsh pastime, infighting?
Thank you Alan. I am not, as you put it, infighting. I’m simply stating an obvious truth – P C has been reluctant for far too long to be honest about independence, indeed Dafydd Wigley went out of his way to say that the party had never been in favour of indpendence and Leanne indulged in any issue that she fancd, so long as it wasn’t the dreaded I word. I will – and do – work for independence with ANYONE and if P C is honest in embracing the cause then I am delighted – but taking credit for… Read more »
I will be interested to view the media coverage of this outside Wales (and to a certain extent Scotland). Ignorance and complacency, regarding Wales, from Westminster, around the consequences of Brexit for the country, I feel, will catch the establishment there off guard. More and more people are now beginning to realise Wales will be badly hit from Brexit and that Westminster is unlikely to do anything about it. Ultimately, the penny has finally dropped and as a result independence is gaining more traction and quickly.
I missed the Welsh news today, but Russia Today did a feature on it, including an interview with an independence campaigner. Expect little or nothing from the BBC, if their decision not to cover the Scottish AUOB independence march in Stirling recently is an indication. Their excuses for ignoring the march were, frankly, lamentable.
I, too, find the mere 51% Plaid support for indy a little suspect, btw. Surely, it’s higher?
These polls are like a drug to the hot air merchants among our politicians. They are no substitute for hard graft out on the stump in the constituencies. Effort out among our electorate is the key factor in driving success in the only poll that really matters – the next election when ever that happens. So calm down, cut down on the exaggerations and reflect on how much more hard work needs doing.
Yet to meet a single person in real life who is even slightly interested in Welsh independence. I’m open to it but I’m yet to be convinced.
I found out last week that 40% of people living in Ceredigion are not Welsh. Even if you manage to convince a lot people, you aren’t going to overcome the demographic reality of modern Wales, which simply doesn’t contain that many Welsh people.
This, of course, is a massive issue.
Welsh people make up over 80% of the population last time I checked, 87% in fact. That’s well over a majority.
As an English guy I like both Wales and the people immensely. BUT if they want independence good luck and adieu. BUT that means a hard border, tariffs, no freedom of movement either way and no more English money to bail out an incompetent and profligate government in Wales. So good luck. And no coming back when the money runs out !
Ah yes, the same charges leveled against Scotland. As purveyed to you by the Daily Mail, Express, Sun, Telegraph etc. Ever wonder why EVERY day, the Unionist press is full of negative stories about the Celts. It’s an attempt make you, the English population feel superior. Ever wonder how 56, yes 56 former colonies of “Great Britain” , starting with, what’s it’s name, Oh yes, America in 1783 are doing not too badly, thank you, without Mother England to guide them. If it was’nt for good old England’s largess the natives beyond your borders would going to hell in a… Read more »
To be fair Michael, you have an opinion and you’re entitled to it. However, I think that you really need to get some basic facts right too insofar that the only people determined on putting up a hard border are the English. And when did you actually ever bail out Wales? I have heard this put forward once before yet nobody has ever been able to give me an answer because one doesn’t exist. With regards to Wales and financial incompetence then again I don’t see anything radically different to what other governments do. Wales does speculate to accumulate as… Read more »
We’re still waiting on Michael’s answer to KK’s points.
Dim Cymraeg fel arfer.. Welsh ydych chi.. Dim Cymry..