Hain lectures against separatism

Mr Hain spoke at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff

Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain has told an audience at south Wales university that Wales has to look to the future rather than the past and should "punch above its weight".

Mr Hain was speaking at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) to deliver its inaugural New Year Lecture.

His speech, entitled "Partnership, not separation - the future for a world-class Wales", was critical of separatist sentiments.

Mr Hain: spoke against separatism

He said Wales had been made stronger by devolution but warned that it should not be a "separatist vehicle".

The South Africa-born politician said: "As a Pretoria boy turned Neath man, how could I have any truck with separatism?

"The doctrine of separatism is an anathema - and, I would argue, redundant in the modern age.

"It is a reactionary creed, inherently narrow, parochial and backward-looking - incomprehensible in an era of global economic forces and global regional markets such as Europe."

He drew a distinction between this and patriotism, which he called a "noble value".

"When Wales beats another nation at rugby or football, I am exhilarated along with everyone else.

"There is nothing intrinsically wrong in identifying with your common culture of nationhood.

Britain plays no part in the separatists' sense of Welsh identity

Peter Hain

"We should all be proud to be Welsh - and proud to be Welsh patriots," he said.

Mr Hain told the audience modern Wales was built on a history of migration, which he said helped to explain why people found no contradiction in supporting both Welsh and British teams.

He said loyalty to one identity did not mean "a denial of another.

"Opinion polls show that Welsh people have a sense of a dual identity. Of being both Welsh and British.

"They share in the same cultural interests as people in other parts of Britain."

He added: "Britain plays no part in the separatists' sense of Welsh identity.

"Their focus is Wales in Europe. Exclusively. Or Wales as a separate nation within the United Nations. Exclusively.

"'Cuba, Cymru, Cyprus' - or 'Vanuatu, Wales, Yemen'."

The economic and political ties that link Wales with the rest of the United Kingdom are not chains but a network of veins and arteries through which resources flow

Peter Hain

Mr Hain gave his view of Britain as based on "solidarity" which meant "recognising that we have responsibilities to one another."

He said Nye Bevan had used that philosophy in founding the National Health Service.

"The NHS - created by Nye Bevan - is the most progressive institution that Britain has," he added.

He also acknowledged the internationalist history of Wales.

"During the Depression of the 1930's, the mining village of Onllwyn made a greater per capita contribution to the International Brigade to help fight fascism in the Spanish Civil War than any other part of Britain.

"The reception accorded to the American actor and civil rights campaigner Paul Robeson by South Wales miners in the late 1950s emphasised the same trend," he said.

He emphasised the benefits of links between Wales and the rest of Britain, citing pension credits, working and child tax credits as examples of British policies which benefited Welsh people.

'Partnership'

"How would an independent Wales possibly generate such extra resources - except with prohibitively high Welsh income taxes which would bankrupt Wales?" he asked.

"The economic and political ties that link Wales with the rest of the United Kingdom are not chains but a network of veins and arteries through which resources flow.

"If that network were to be disrupted, if those resources were to be cut off, then not only would Wales be the poorer, but the prospect of social change through redistributive measures would be greatly diminished.

"Partnership between the Assembly and the British Government reaps dividends abroad as well as at home.

"The Assembly is able, through the devolution settlement, to form part of the British delegation at European Councils of Ministers, ensuring a strong voice for Wales, yet at the same time enjoying the benefits of being part of a leading and influential member state.

"By contrast a 'self-governing Wales' within Europe would be a small fish in a very large pond," he said.

He finished his speech by asserting that Wales should be "striding forward with confidence to meet the best in the world because we are determined to be the best".