Problem niepodległości Walii w programie politycznym Plaid Cymru
THE QUESTION OF WELSH INDEPENDENCE IN POLITICAL PROGRAM OF PLAID CYMRU

Summary/Abstract: The article presents statements of Plaid Cymru political programs of 2003–2007 in part contain the question of independence. After the last change of Plaid’s leader a lot of organizational and functional changes have been announced. One of the most impor- tant has been the change of presentation the demands of independence which have been treated earlier only as a one of controversial terms of party’s activity. Since the first pro- gram published in 2003 (Fighting Hard for Wales) the independence has been presented in connection with at first economical problems (such as unemployment, low rate of in- dustry development and impoverish of South and West Wales). In the next programs (We can build a better Wales, Change for the better…, Make a Difference!) its authors have emphasized that sovereign Wales could have had bigger representation in Euro- pean Union organs and institutions and better access to the EU funds. To realize that vision it would have been necessary to widen competences of the National Assembly for Wales not only in internal questions, but also by awarding rights for regulate foreign affairs and defence policy. Plaid Cymru members have been especially dissatisfied by differences between competences of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh National Assem- bly, which have been in their opinion unfair and unreasonable. These differences have been caused less social support for Plaid’s proposition of independence for Wales ca. 23% in 2007 (than Scottish National Party’s vision of independent Scotland ca. 37% in 2007). However there are no doubts Plaid Cymru is modern political party with at- tractive political program, it is still difficult to answer the question: if its gains of sover- eignty are caused by deep regional patriotism or by particular party businesses?

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