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Harri Roberts, co-ordinator of Plaid Cymru in Abertawe (Swansea) and member of the National Executive, met Alexandre Delin, Head of the External Federation of the Breton Party, and kindly accepted to answer a few questions.
PB : Harri, could you introduce yourself ?
HR : My name is Harri Roberts. I live in Abertawe (Swansea). I am the Swansea regional co-ordinator of Plaid Cymru, and so a member of the National Executive.
PB : How long have you been a member of Plaid Cymru ?
HR : I joined when I was 13 years of age - that is a long time ago !!!
PB : Why did you decide to take your membership ?
HR :At a very young age I could see how unjust life was for the people of Cymru - and in particular those of us who were brought up speaking Welsh as our first language. In the 1960's, the British parties clearly did not care about my country (and don't care much now either!)
PB : How was the situation in Wales when you became a member ?
HR :Worse than now. In 1964 the new Labour Government in London had created a Secretary of State for Wales and a "Welsh Office" - but he was just another London Government Minister. There was no democratic devoltion. English MP's had voted to drown a beautiful Welsh valley by creating a massive dam - despite the overwhelming opposition of every MP from Wales except one. Wales seemed helpless - and the "British" political parties were helpless.
PB : Could you tell us more about Wales under Thatcher's government ?
HR : She admitted that she hated Wales, and considered us a "nuisance". Thatcher policies were designed for "Middle England" and her friends in the City of London - regardless of what damage they did to Wales. Her attitude was to crush anyone who opposed her - and Wales opposed her... I and some others believe that by the damage she inflicted, she woke up many of our people to realise that we could not carry on as a part of Thatcher and England's so called "United Kingdom".
PB : What was the benefit of devolution for Wales ?
HR : It started us down the road to democracy - but more importantly it gave a Welsh dimension to the political debate about everything from health to education to transport to economic development..... It also started showing the "cracks" in the monolithic UK state so the people could see how they had been misled all these years.
PB : What do you think should be the next step ?
HR : I happily argue for the slippery slope to Independence. The first step which we are embarking on now is to convince our people to vote YES in a referendum on what we call "full law-making powers" for our Parliament. (often seen as the same as Scotland has). Then....
PB : I know that you love Brittany and you have been a few times. What do you think of the situation over there ?
HR : I grieve to see such a beautiful, vibrant and proud country almost reduced to its knees - Brittany today looks like I felt Wales did forty to fifty years ago. But there is hope - look at us; look at Scotland; look at the free Republic of Ireland....
PB : What would you like to say to all the Bretons who stand up for the rights of their country ?
HR : FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS IN EVERY PEACEFUL WAY YOU CAN
PB : How do see your nation in 20 years time ?
HR :INDEPENDENT - have faith!
PB :How do you see the Celtic nations in 20 years time ?
HR :Singing the anthem of the free Celtic Federation - hopefully including Breizh - prosperous, civilised democracies speaking their own languages (and many others) - an important part of the new world order.
PB :Thanks a lot.
Alexandre Delin, Head of the External Federation of the Breton Party
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