YesCymru in a ‘quagmire’ due to ‘social media bile’ says Welsh Conservative leader
YesCymru is in a “quagmire” at the moment due to “social media bile” by some members attacking those who didn’t agree with them, according to Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies.
He was speaking after the Central Committee of YesCymru collectively resigned last week citing harassment directed towards them as one of the reasons.
Andrew RT Davies told the Express that while he thought the merits of Welsh independence should be debated, many in the independence movement had a “chip on their shoulder”.
“I think the people of Wales have a good sense to recognise the strength of Wales is within the United Kingdom,” he said.
“The positive aspects of the Union brings to all parts of the United Kingdom, not just England, not just Scotland, not just Wales, not just Northern Ireland but all four component parts.
“Whether that be economic benefits, whether it be cultural benefits, whether that be social benefits, the bonds, the umbilical cord if you like, that links these islands together is far better by being one Union of the United Kingdom.
“Rather than four separate entities and people in Wales recognise that and they recognise that our place is best suited for the union of the United Kingdom and being an integral part of that.”
‘Stood down’
YesCymru’s previous Central Committee resigned last week saying that the decision has not been “made lightly” but that it is in the “best interests” of the pro-independence group.
It added that it has instructed an “independent, third party firm of accountants” to “oversee limited day to day operations of the organisation”. This was later revealed to be Azets UK.
The Central Committee’s resignation follows a period of turmoil within the organisation with a number of other resignations from the Central Committee, including that of former Chair, Sion Jobbins.
The Central Committee recently received a vote of no confidence from regional groups of the National Committee.
An Extraordinary General Meeting has been scheduled for the Autumn where a new Central Committee will be elected. It will also discuss rewriting the campaign group’s constitution.
The outgoing Chair Sarah Rees has said the decision to resign “enables a totally clean break from the past and provides a clean start”.
In an official statement, the Committee said: “The members of the Central Committee of YesCymru have collectively resigned and stood down from their roles with immediate effect.
“The decision has not been made lightly, but is taken in the best interests of the organisation. Harassment directed towards Central Committee members, that goes far beyond social media posts, has taken an incredible toll on mental wellbeing and can no longer be tolerated.”
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“Tory leader delighted to crow about the disorder in a key independence movement”. Frankly I’m surprised he hasn’t been banging on about it sooner. Probably couldn’t believe what he was seeing and thought it prudent to hang back just in case it was a bit of fake news. Well it wasn’t. Many scribblers on here have warned about the damage done to perceptions of indy by events of the last 2-3 months in particular. Of course others may have tried to play it down but the net outcome is now clear. Plenty of ammo there for those inclined to enjoy… Read more »
Tell em like it is HD we need unity of purpose to overcome specimens like Retweet.
Well he’s a Grade A wally but some of our fellow campaigners have made it exceptionally easy for him. Like bowling a slow underarm to a Gary Sobers !
I have a massive chip on my shoulder just like any self respecting Welsh man and it would take a lot more than this self serving renegade to knock it off.
‘self serving renegade’ it may make you feel better but adds nothing to the debate.
He was like a cat that got the cream, but he had nothing to add other than to keep telling himself how the Welsh people to a man (except for those dreadful people in Plaid/Yes, of course) are forever voicing their “better off in the union” mantra for the benefit of Davies’s readership in the Daily Express echo-chamber.
But no-one can blame him for gloating over the YesCymru fiasco.
This is what division gets us – the possibility of a strengthen of the Unionist position. Divide and conquer still reigns. We can not let it happen. People put aside your differences and work together. Defeat this crowing Tory cockrell.
Defeat this crowing Tory cockrell.
_________
cân pob ceiliog ar ei domen ei hun
Andrew, this does not make you in any way relevant. How about fighting for the hundreds of millions that your party promised to Wales as replacement for EU funding and have failed to deliver? Or should we just accept the £2.3Bn loss that your desired Brexit brings?
As for “bile” how about finally revealing who it was at CCHQ that texted your MS’s telling them to sack you back when you were sacked? Was that “bile” too?
He’s a more technically accomplished political operator than are the recently vocal YesCymru activists. Unfortunately, that makes him relevant.
Mr Davies’s comments are to be welcomed. A timely reminder that supporters of independence need to hang together if we are not to hang separately.
It’s sad because the point about YesCymru is true.
Let this be a warning to everyone in the Welsh indy movement. The enemies of wales will seize on any signs of disunity among us and use it against us and the cause of welsh independence
Andrew RT Davies is not an enemy of Wales. He took the trouble to stand for and contribute to a Welsh Parliament. He is Welsh. He does not agree with me, that’s all. Neither do you, Leigh. Wales drifts, divided. The real test is – will RT, or you, or the new committee at YesC, listen to some persuasion, adapt and then form a broad front? .
Disagree strongly. ARTD stood for the Senedd on a personal mission to ensure that Wales remains wedded to and subservient to the English Parliament and the Crown. His antics of recent months have highlighted his willingness to be contrary as a matter of course. If Drakeford says “Up” ARTD will say “Down” and vice versa. Little or no evidence of him making common cause with anyone for the benefit of Wales, only for the benefit of the wider Conservative vision which is, of course, built around the notion of a Greater England. He compares very unfavourably with past Tory members… Read more »
Are you serious?
Im all for forming a broad front with all of those who want to see a independent Wales jonathan – but difficult to see how that could include the likes of Andrew RT Davies, what with him being the leader of the main unionist party in Wales
I wish you were right, Jonathan, but I can’t see ART listening to reason and joining the Welsh cause. He’s a Cymro, and he has always put in a lot of Senedd-time, yes, but I’ve yet to see him speak or act in support of the kind of Wales you want to see.
As far as I can see the abuse he gets on twitter is justified as he will sell wales down the river like any of his corrupt cronies, he is also as dim as a January night
Said the man who failed twice to become First Minister. A born loser, who has as much charisma as pencil. Take note Andrew. Sure, #YesCymru has had some problems recently, but it’s tiny compared to your fascist hateful regime woes yet to come. What can be certain is. The proverbial is going to his the fan soon, especially when Scotland becomes independent and the effects of Brexit comes to a head. You cowardly Conservatives can’t hide behind Covid forever. #YesCymru is a wave slowly ebbing & flowing. But It will soon become a force of nature, a raging river, washing… Read more »