Wales isn’t ‘capable of governing its own affairs’, says conservative think tank

Wales is not “capable of governing its own affairs” according to a conservative think tank.

Sam Hall, Head Outreach Officer for Orthodox Conservatives, dismissed the idea that Wales is “rich enough” and “intelligent enough” to be an independent nation on the group’s website.

Grassroots pro-independence group YesCymru has argued that Wales has a £75 billion economy and that it is “big enough, rich enough and smart enough” to be independent.

But Mr Hall, who is also a coordinator for Wales at the British Conservation Alliance, disagrees, and argued that “limited self-government” had been a “car crash”.

He said: “Separatists will say that Wales is rich enough, intelligent enough, and perfectly capable of governing its own affairs. But even with the powers it does have, under Welsh Labour, limited self-government has been a monumental car crash.

“Many things are possible in international politics — but that does not always mean they are a good idea. Welsh independence is one such example.”

‘Radical’ 

He added: “Radical Separatists like Plaid Cymru will try and dupe voters into believing there are simple solutions to these problems of health, education and economics, as if an independent Wales will be an Garden of Eden-esque paradise.

“Political solutions are rarely as simple as ‘leave the UK’ or leave the EU.

“Add to that that in the highest ever poll only 41% favoured independence and thankfully the chances of sectarian success remain low.

“Whatever the future of Wales holds, the fiscal might of the United Kingdom to support it must be unwavering.”

YesCymru said: “There is no conceivable reason why Wales could not be independent. We have a £75 billion economy and 3.1 million people. We’re big enough, rich enough and smart enough.

Orthodox Conservatives says it is a “grassroots movement of young social conservatives” that is “operating as a think-tank”.

It says that it strives to be the “natural home” for young social conservatives and a “safe space where they can discuss conservative ideas with other likeminded and principled individuals.”

It added: “Our aim is to normalise social conservatism and remove any stigma.”