“Identity matters. It strengthens us to know who we are”

Dafydd Wigley former leader of Plaid Cymru is bemoaning the fact that much that is produced in Wales comes emblazoned with a Union Jack.

As was always the case with a man who garnered great respect from all sides of the political divide when in the House of Commons he does it without rancour saying:

“I’ve nothing against the Union Flag… in its appropriate place. If people want to wave it at the last night of the proms in the Albert Hall, fair enough.
It’s simply not a flag on which Wales is represented.”

Wigley says in an article in the Daily Post:

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-produce-draped-u...

“Identity matters. It strengthens us to know who we are; and helps the world recognise what we do best.

That’s why we wear daffodils on Saint David’s Day; and this Sunday will remember Owain Glyndŵr.

My identity is straight-forward. My nationality is Welsh; and I’m a citizen of Europe.

We Welsh people are proud of our flag, particularly when Gareth Bale or Geraint Thomas drapes it around their shoulders following famous triumphs.

Our identity isn’t a commodity which is at other people’s disposal – be they governments or large companies.

Yet that’s what we’ve witnessed in Wales this summer.

A glaring example was at the Agricultural Show at Llanelwedd.

The main food-hall, normally the showcase for Welsh food, was taken over by Union-Flag emblazoned “Food from Britain”.

This was apparently demanded by DEFRA, the Whitehall department in charge of farming in England. DEFRA isn’t responsible for Welsh agriculture.

Wigley talks a lot of sense. He was a good friend to the Celtic League for many years and set down a number of questions on our behalf in the House of Commons.

At a time when there is a focus on promoting Manx produce we should ensure that we should we marginalise Union Jack emblazoned produce. As he says “Identity matters. It strengthens us to know who we are; and helps the world recognise what we do best”.

Image: Dafydd Wigley addressing a meeting of the Farmers Union of Wales

Bernard Moffatt