Group wants Glyndwr parliament

Owain Glyndwr set up a parliament at Machynlleth in 1404

A group has launched a campaign to re-establish a parliament set up by Owain Glyndwr 600 years ago in mid Wales.

Senedd '04 was formed earlier this year to mark the opening of Welsh leader Glyndwr's parliament in Machynlleth in 1404.

The group hopes a revived mid Wales 'parliament' could add to Welsh political life.

However, the second chamber idea has not found favour with at least one of the assembly members for the area.

It is discussing plans to invite Welsh community councils to make up the core membership of a re-established mid Wales 'parliament'.

The group said that if established, the institution would be a democratically elected think-tank.

"Re-opening the Machynlleth parliament would be a new and creative factor in the political life of Wales," said Senedd '04 member, Dafydd Glyn Jones.

"Based on a historical precedent of which we should be proud, re-opening the parliament would a fitting memorial to Owain Glyndwr.

'Not helpful'

"All parliaments are, in effect, talking shops but we would hope to influence policy."

However, Mid and West Wales Assembly Member Glyn Davies who is the Welsh Conservative local government spokesman, said: "I wouldn't like to see a Welsh second chamber.

"Another tier of government would not be helpful, but using the parliament to link the local councils in Wales at this historic venue would be interesting.

"I would be happy to talk to Senedd '04 about its ideas."

The National Assembly's presiding officer, Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, did not wish to comment.

Machynlleth has been chosen as the centrepiece of year-long celebrations across Wales to mark the 600th anniversary of Glyndwr's coronation as Owain the Fourth.

A number of events have already been held in Wales.

Owain Glyndwr will feature in the third programme of BBC2's Battlefield Britain series on 20 August.