‘Brexit
means Brexit. The most blurred statement of 2016’
2016 will be a year to
remember in future history and politics classes. For many of us, it may well be
a year we’d prefer to forget. Britain voted Leave in the EU Referendum,
including 52.5% in Wales. On the other side of the Atlantic, America decided,
and Donald Trump gained his ticket to the White House.
 |
| Plaid Ifanc members and I at this years Autumn Conference. |
On a personal level
however, I will remember 2016 as the first year I really got involved in
politics. I went to my first Plaid Cymru Autumn Conference in Llangollen, and I
recently visited Brussels to see Plaid's Jill Evans MEP work. It helped me learn more about European politics and the
alternatives to securing the best deal out of Brexit. I have become more active
with Plaid Ifanc and have enjoyed immersing myself with other activists who are
interested in how we aim to shape our future.
The Many Faces of the Debate
To some extent, I can
empathise with the political and economic argument that has defined Brexit.
Many voted against the so called ‘unelected officials’ making decisions from
Brussels. Others were concerned with the lack of economic benefits gained from
EU membership. However, I fear that Westminster under the Tory rule, and the
Welsh Government under Labour leadership is the new ‘establishment’ in
disguise. We can say that the people have spoken, but the question is, will the
benefits of Brexit be felt equally nationwide? I’m not so sure.
My biggest concern has always
been the cultural argument behind Brexit – one, which in my opinion has been
tarnished by a right-wing, divisive and discriminatory ideology. It’s something
I feel ashamed to be a part of, and it completely undermines the values of
democracy. We must embrace collectivism as the UK prepares to leave the
political and economic set-up of the EU.
Going
Forward: EFA ( http://www.e-f-a.org/home/ )
2017 has to be the year
of progressive politics. It’s important to fight for what we value the most. I
value being Welsh and European. I’d
like to think others; English, Scottish, Irish and Northern Irish also take
pride in being European. There’s always a bigger picture, and solidarity always beats division.
My way of speaking up for
what I feel passionate about is writing this blog. I want to share my
experiences in Brussels; where I learnt more about European politics and
importantly; the European Free Alliance.
 |
| Post Conference meeting between representatives of Plaid Cymru, Jill Evans MEP, Gerard Bona, Catalonia and Günther Dauwen, Director of EFA. |
I worry about Wales’
position as the Brexit negotiations begin. I don’t want us to be left behind,
in the tracks of the right-wing vision of progression. The Welsh Government now,
more than ever needs to have more influence in our pursuit of
self-determination. Initially, I complained about Brexit. But now, it’s about
ensuring that the best deal is made.
Continental
Shift
I see solutions in
Europe, in a new paradigm of European politics. This has been reinforced by my
trip to Brussels, where I met with members of the European Free Alliance. It is
easy to focus on differences at times like these, but it is crucial to remember
our similarities. EFA ‘represent Europe’s stateless nations, regions and
disadvantaged minorities’. It was established in 2004. EFA was one of the first
Europe wide political parties. With representatives from Scotland, Catalonia,
Wales and Latvia, it calls for progressive politics. It aims to get rid of
racism and xenophobia, and instead, calls for democracy and encourages the
fight for self-determination. It is the sixth largest group in the European
Parliament and Plaid Cymru is one of its members.
On my trip to Brussels, I
met Gerard Bona, an activist from Catalonia. He is also head of the Youth Movement in EFA.
It was incredibly insightful to hear his opinion of EFA.
“EFA
plays a very important role in uniting different movements that are by nature,
perhaps too focussed in themselves. These movements are maybe too small to
believe that there are other people that face the same problems that they have.
EFA
helps us to realise that we are not alone in our fights”
We must look forward to
2017. We must continue the fight for progressive politics and ensure that the
Westminster establishment does not take the Referendum result for granted. We
need equal representation now more than ever, and it’s time to put an end to
the divisive rhetoric and mind-set that has emerged from the Brexit debate.
We
are Welsh, English, Scottish and Irish, but we are also European, and it is
time, for #AnotherEurope
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