1. Welsh Political Parties and Minor UK Parties AS Government and Politics GP1 People, Politics and Participation Political Parties in the UK and Wales

2. In this session We will examine the history, structure and ideology of the four main political parties in Wales We examine the Three Wales model of voting We will explore the significance of the 2011 and previous Welsh general election to the political parties in Wales

3. Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru/the Welsh Nationalist Party history In 1925 when a small group of nationalists – none of whom were professional politicians – established Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru/the Welsh Nationalist Party One of its main aims was the promotion of the Welsh language and culture. The founders of this new political party were mainly middle-class professionals – teachers, ministers and lecturers – and the Welsh language was central to both their personal and working lives. The party aimed to secure Welsh self-government, including (by 1932) membership for Wales in the League of Nations, and to promote Welsh culture and the Welsh language.

4. Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru/the Welsh Nationalist Party history Although the party was fully bilingual in its publications from the 1930s onwards, it was almost entirely Welsh speaking in its internal organisation and membership Most of the members were inspired primarily by their concern for the Welsh language and its preservation in the face of the external factors that were undermining it, deriving from Wales’s lack of autonomy within the British state. The Welsh Nationalist Party had little electoral impact in its first two decades and could be characterised as more of an intellectual and cultural movement than a political party.

5. Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru/the Welsh Nationalist Party history However, its character began to alter dramatically from the mid-1940s as Plaid Cymru (the Party of Wales) began its transformation into a political party, contesting both parliamentary and local elections across Wales with the intention of gaining political power as the means to its goal of full Welsh self- government. As Plaid Cymru became more embedded in mainstream political activity, the promotion of the Welsh language, while remaining a central tenet, became less predominant in party concerns.

6. Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru/the Welsh Nationalist Party history In 1966 Plaid Cymru’s Gwynfor Evans won their first parliamentary by-election in Carmarthen. In the 1970s Plaid Cymru gained three MPs, which peaked at four in 1983. Since then they have gained control over a number of councils, one MEP; From 1999-2011 they were the second party of government in Welsh Assembly and part of the coalition government between 2007-2011; Their current leader is Leanne Wood.

7. Plaid Cymru policy A Welsh parliament. Greater autonomy not independence. Development of a bilingual Wales. Generally socialist- redistributive taxation and stronger employment rights. Environmental protection

8. Defining Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru are referred to as a nationalist party but they are not this Exercise 1a - What do you think a nationalist party is? They are: patriotic to one country or region; anti-immigrant parties or groups, normally on the far political right such as the BNP and the English Defence League.

9. Defining Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru and the SNP are in fact ethnoregionalist parties. This means that they represent a specific regional/national group within a larger nation state. In the political world and in the media, however, they remain defined as nationalist parties Students of politics should be aware there is a clear distinction between nationalist and ethnoregionalist parties.

10. Exercise 1 c Plaid Cymru’s ideology Solution: Plaid Cymru is a socialist party which supports the Welsh language, independence and redistributive taxation

11. Campaigning aims of Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru’s aims are: 1. 1.To secure independence for Wales in Europe. 2. 2.To ensure economic prosperity, social justice and the health of the natural environment, based on decentralist socialism. 3. 3.To build a national community based on equal citizenship, respect for different traditions and cultures and the equal worth of all individuals, whatever their race, nationality, gender, colour, creed, sexuality, age, ability or social background. 4. 4.To create a bilingual society by promoting the revival of the Welsh language. To promote Wales's contribution to the global community and to attain membership of the United Nations. Exercise 1 b– 1. 1.Which of these aims has been achieved? 2. 2.What is Plaid Cymru’s ideology?

12. Structure of Plaid Cymru The current structure of Plaid Cymru was set in February 2013 after an internal party report by Dr Eurfyl ap Gwilym called “Moving Forward”.Dr Eurfyl ap Gwilym This changed the party’s Constitution and Standing Orders. It undertook the following measures: 1. 1.The post of president was abolished 2. 2.The Leader now as a leadership team and their constitutional position has been strengthened 3. 3.The decision making and scrutiny structures of the party have been redesigned to enable more campaigning Conferences are open to all members to attend and no longer to party delegates

13. Socialism defined Text: “ An ideology arguing that citizens are best served by policies focused on meeting the basic needs of the entire society rather than on serving the needs of individuals as individuals. ” Ancient roots – Judeo-Christian belief in the common good, which takes precedence over individual desires Term “ socialism ” coined in 1827 by British socialist Robert Owen to describe his view of a cooperative new society.

14. Socialism ’ s emergence Liberal political parties in 19 th century Europe failed to address the desperate needs of working people. Classical liberalism views poverty as an individual choice or failure, not the result of social structures. Also suspicious of big government. Socialism provides a different conception of individual responsibility and of government. In England, socialism became a political movement in 1884, with the creation of the Fabians, who provided the basis for the new Labour Party.

15. Socialism ’ s principles egalitarianism or equality. Humankind will be unified and cooperative, once wealth is owned and used for the common good. Capitalism exploits the very people who create society ’ s wealth. Moralism. Division of rich and poor is evil; capitalism is fundamentally unjust. Instead, the ideal future emphasizes peace, social justice and true liberty for all. Moralism. Division of rich and poor is evil; capitalism is fundamentally unjust. Instead, the ideal future emphasizes peace, social justice and true liberty for all. Both Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru claim to be Socialist parties

16. Plaid Cymru working with others Exercise 2 – 1. 1.Why have Plaid Cymru felt the need to work with the Welsh Liberal Democrats? 2. 2.Do you think this will help or hinder their chances at election time?

17. Welsh Labour Party History Is not a separate party from that in England The first Welsh Labour MP was Keir Hardie for the dual constituency of Merthyr Tydfil in 1900 They became the dominant party in Welsh politics from 1922 onwards It has produced some of the Labour Party’s most famous politicians: Aneurin Bevan, Michael Foot, James Callaghan, Neil Kinnock, Ramsay MacDonald

18. Welsh Labour – exercise 3 Questions: How did Labour come about in Wales? Is there a future for the traditional Welsh Labour Party/trade union alliance? How is the Labour Welsh family defined?

19. Welsh Labour Party Elections In the first four elections for the Welsh Assembly in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 Labour won 27, 30, 24 and 30 seats respectively. Labour has thus failed, to date, to establish an overall majority in Cardiff. One of the defining features of the Welsh Assembly has been the advent of coalition government. In 2000 Labour secured control of the Assembly through coalition with the Liberal Democrats In 2007, a most unlikely (given the antipathy between the parties for most of the previous century) coalition with Plaid Cymru.

20. Welsh Labour Party - The dominate political party in Wales The Labour Party has been the strongest political party in Wales at a Westminster level since 1922 Although on occasions such as the 2009 European elections it has not been the dominant political party in Wales, this is a rear occurrence Labour has held the First Ministers post in Welsh government since 1999, when the Welsh Assembly was set up Therefore the Labour party dominates Welsh politics to such an extent that it can be described as a ‘dominant party’ state

21. Welsh Labour and devolution It is clear that devolution and coalition government have posed challenges for Labour. There has often been resistance to devolution from many within a pro unionist Socialist party, particularly in the 1979 and 1997 devolution referendums Among the positives for Labour (and, indeed, the other parties) in the first ten years of devolution has been the attempt to address the gender imbalance in Welsh politics. As a result of a policy that some call ‘positive discrimination’, Labour selection processes included all-women shortlists in many constituencies prior to the 1999 Assembly election.

22. Welsh Labour and devolution Exercise – Why is Labour the dominant political party in Wales? The FPTP electoral system rewards the strongest Welsh political party with far more seats than its share of the vote There is a long historical tradition of centre left support in Wales, firstly for the Liberals which was later transferred to the Labour Party As the dominant political party for such a long time the Labour Party has extensive links and connections within the social/cultural and public sectors which helps maintain their political dominance It also maintains an active and well maintained branch structure throughout Wales, far more extensive than other political parties Labour’s track record in government and the much higher chance of being elected appeals to the political ambitious and a number of people who originally stood for other parties have transferred their alliegance in this respect In Wales there is a traidional histolity to the politics of the right, particualrly after the miners trike and the involved of the Conservatives under Margaret Thatcher. The Labour Party via the trade unions, its large membership and associate bodies such as the Co-operative party remains the large best financially funded political party

23. Welsh Labour and devolution -gender Partly as a consequence of this, in the first Welsh Assembly, 46 per cent of the seats were held by women; in 2003, this rose to 50 per cent. Before the 2007 election, the Welsh Assembly had 29 male assembly members (AMs) and 31 female. The Welsh Assembly cabinet also had a female majority (5 out of 9 ministers in 2003). In 2011 this figure went back down to 3 out of 11

24. Welsh Labour and devolution -benefits Another benefit of Welsh devolution has been the continuance of a Welsh Labour tradition in attempts to construct a Labour agenda that is distinctively Welsh. In the first couple of years of devolution, Welsh Labour struggled to break free from the shackles of the party’s London leaders. Rhodri Morgan, attempted to mould a Labour agenda for Wales that is different to that in London known as the ‘clear red water’. This highlighted a desire for Wales not only to be different, but also for Labour to draw on strands of its heritage and tradition. The opposition and Westminster government, however, have highlighted the failure of the ‘red water’ to bring about any beneficial changes in Wales.

25. Welsh Labour – exercise 4 Questions How does Peter Hain see the future of the Labour Party in Wales? Which of his points do you think will be: 1. 1.Popular with party members? 2. 2.Popular with Labour voters? 3. 3.Unpopular with the political opposition?

26. Welsh Conservative Party The Conservative Party is the second party of Welsh politics Traditionally Conservatism has been unpopular with the majority in Wales but popular with a significant minority It is seen as being out of touch with the realities of Welsh life Its Welsh Secretaries have normally come from outside of Wales, Six of its eight Welsh Secretaries have come from non Welsh seats Although the Conservatives are the second party of Welsh politics they have little impact on national UK politics with respect to their MPs

27. Welsh Conservative Party The Conservative Party is a regional party of the English Conservative Party and not separate as is the case with the Scottish Conservatives It is run by a Welsh management board which has representatives of all of the political groups This includes the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Andrew RT Davies AM and the Secretary of State for Wales Rt Hon David I Jones MP

28. Welsh Conservative Party Structure The leader of the Welsh Conservative Party is David Cameron, Andrew RT Davies is only the leader of the Conservative Assembly Group There is a Chair and two deputy chairs for Fundraising and Membership and one for Political Under this are five regional committees based on the five Welsh Assembly regions The party also has Director responsible for running the party

29. Welsh Conservative Party Structure Policy is determined by the leading members of the board. The party membership play a minimal role and the party conference plays no direct role Like the other parties the Conservatives have a research policy department which helps research policy Welsh Conservative Party tends to be more to the centre than British Party policy The manifesto is drawn up by one or two senior Assembly members

30. Welsh Conservative Party exercise 5 Read the blog and give three reasons why the Welsh Conservatives need to become more Welsh?

31. Welsh Liberal Democrats They are the oldest political party with Welsh connections In 1906 it gained MPs in every constituency in Wales – “the Liberal landslide” The most constantly pro-devolution Dominant in Welsh politics until 1922 Produced the only Welsh Prime Minister – David Lloyd George

32. Welsh Liberal Democrats Since the 1970s it has been mainly the fourth party of Welsh politics It was formed as a state party within a federal structure in 1966 Its best post war years politically have been: Welsh Assembly 2000-2003 Welsh councils 2004-2011 Westminster government 2010-present Since 2010 the Welsh Liberal Democrats have suffered a large-scale drop in support due to the unpopularity of the Westminster coalition government

33. Welsh Liberal Democrats The Welsh Liberal Democrats operate within a federal system This means that they can elect their own leaders, decide on their own rules and structures and create their own policy on state issues State issues are those areas dealt with by the Welsh Assembly plus law and order The Federal party headed by Nick Clegg cannot interfere with or alter Welsh Liberal Democrats policy and vice versa The Welsh leader is Kirsty Williams elected in 2008

34. Welsh Liberal Democrats Structure The Welsh Liberal Democrat structure mirrors that of the federal party There is an elected leader and president There is also a chair of the National Executive Committee The party’s policy is determined by a policy committee, which then puts the policies to conference for endorsement Conference is held twice a year at which policy is debated by conference delegates and then endorsed to form the manifesto

35. Welsh Liberal Democrats – Exercise 6 How does Kirsty see her party’s relationship with: 1. 1.The Conservatives in Westminster? 2. 2.The Labour Government in Wales? What are her own ambitions for the Welsh party and devolution?

36. Three Wales model Despite the country’s compact size, scholars of modern Wales have frequently stressed the depth of its internal divisions and differences, which mean that people living in different parts of the country face a range of contrasting conditions and experiences. Consequently it has been suggested that there are some fundamental differences of perception and interest which tend to divide rather than connect the people of Wales. An influential attempt to capture these variations in recent times is Denis Balsom’s three-Wales model (1985), which distinguishes between Welsh Wales, British Wales and Y Fro Gymraeg.

37. Three Wales model Basing his analysis on answers to survey questions, Balsom focused on two key measures: 1.whether or not a person spoke Welsh, 2.and whether or not he or she identified as ‘Welsh’, ‘British’, or something else. By combining these indicators he was able to divide Wales into three distinct types of area, which had different cultural and political characteristics associated with distinct social groupings.

38. Three Wales model

39. According to Balsom: The Welsh-speaking, Welsh identifying group is perhaps the most distinctive and largely centred upon the north and west of Wales. This area is designated Y Fro Gymraeg. The Welsh- identifying, non-Welsh-speaking group is most prevalent in the traditional south Wales area and labelled Welsh Wales. The British identifying non- Welsh speaking group dominates the remainder of Wales, described therefore as British Wales. Balsom’s main purpose in devising these categories was to predict and explain variations in patterns of party political voting. He suggested that these regions were already undergoing significant change at the time he was writing.

40. Three Wales model New patterns of work and industry and changing population profiles were undermining old images of a ‘Celtic Fringe’ based on rural, agricultural Wales, and a Labour stronghold rooted in the coal industry. Balsom was especially concerned that changes affecting what he called the ‘traditional south Wales area’ (his ‘Welsh Wales’) would throw into question a form of Welsh identity developed and expressed in the English language. He said this made it hard to imagine a future sense of Welshness that was not anchored in the Welsh language. In other words, he was predicting the likely disappearance of Welsh Wales as it merged more and more into British Wales.

41. Three Wales model More than 25 years after this model was created this model has been challenged: Politically, when different political parties have advanced uniformly across Wales Linguistically, when the census results revealed that the number of Welsh speakers had decreased in many parts of Y Fro Gymreag to less than 50 per cent but increased in other areas of Wales

42. Three Wales model Exercise 7 - Match the map you have on your sheet to the election results of 2011 and see who gains the most seats in each part of Wales. Is the model still relevant for Welsh Assembly elections?

43. 2011 Welsh general election After 2007 the Welsh Assembly elections became known as the Welsh general elections With limited media coverage – there is only one Welsh newspaper The Western Mail read by less than 10 per cent of the population the election was more like a series of local byelections There were televised broadcasts, however, but with a limited audience – Exercise 9 watch this clip and note what the key issues were of the election watch this clip watch this clip

44. 2011 Welsh general election - WES The Welsh Election Study in 2011 discovered that: Labour support is positively associated both with voters deciding their vote mainly based on either Welsh or British-level considerations; Labour voting is also positively correlated with Labour identity, and negatively with identification with Plaid Cymru; finally, leadership ratings both at the UK and Welsh level are also strong predictors of Labour support. Conservative electoral support is strongly negatively correlated with identification with Labour, and also with both UK and Welsh leadership ratings.

45. 2011 Welsh general election Those voting for the Liberal Democrats were particularly likely not to be identifiers with Labour or Plaid Cymru; and to have negative attitudes towards both Ed Miliband and Carwyn Jones, and positive ones towards Nick Clegg and Kirsty Williams. Finally, voting for Plaid Cymru was strongly negatively correlated with Labour identification and positively with Plaid identification; it was also strongly associated with having made a voting decision based on factors in Wales, rather than elsewhere. And both UK and Welsh leadership ratings were again important.

46. Do small parties matter ? The voting system works against small parties and favours Labour and Conservative. Most small parties find it easier to win seats in local councils rather than Westminster. They can highlight issues ignored by other parties. Small parties only have importance in the Westminster parliament when the government has no majority or only a small majority. This is called a ‘hung parliament’. They can sometimes hold the balance in coalition government. This occurred in the Scottish Government election in 2007 when the SNP formed an alliance with the Scottish Greens The Northern Ireland Assembly is governed by a large group of minor parties.

47. 1992-1997: small parties do matter ! John Major won the 1992 election with a small majority of just 32. This was reduced over time by deaths / retirement of MP’s and by- elections. By mid1990s Major had no ‘working majority’ (reliable vote). He had to rely on the votes of the 10 UUP MPs to get government legislation (laws) passed. This is not quite a coalition government but the government must listen to the wishes of that small party. In the 1970s Labour’s majority relied on the Liberals support (The Lib-Lab Pact)

48. Exercise 10 Some parliamentary arithmetic There are 650 seats at Westminster 326 would give one party the majority. Form a government with a working majority from these election results: Labour 297 Conservative 294 Lib Dems 28 UUP 11 DUP 7 Plaid Cymru 3 SNP 10

49. Exercise 11 Read the extract. Which has been the most successful minor party in: Westminster A devolved nation European elections

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51. Internet work Evidence file Write a short definition of socialism. Look at both Welsh Labour Party and Plaid Cymru policies and give three reasons why they may or may not be a Socialist Party? Presentation - Minor parties From the party you have been allocated – The Greens, UKIP and the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) you need to prepare a 5 minute presentation on why your party is the best structured and has the best policies for governing either the UK or Scotland.

52. Choose two parties to research. Three Major Policies LeaderMembership/Fin ance Elected Representation Prominent figures