Waiting for Godot [ Samuel Beckett ]

Performed by members of the Welsh Government Amateur Dramatic Players.

Introduction.

Mark Drakeford, Wales First Minister is stepping down and will be replaced in March 2024. Just three months away.

Is his leaving a cause for celebration, particularly for the Independence cause.

Mark Drakeford is not only Wales First Minister, but also the leading supporter of a mystical sect called the ‘ Union ‘. 

It is a mystical sect for no one really knows why it exists,  its members are tied together by such vague concepts as ‘ common culture’, ' common history’, ‘ better together ‘. and by some unidentified ‘ insurance policy ‘.

No material or quantifiable advantages are offered.

The ‘ Union’ it seems is held together by blind faith.

There is another group offering ‘ Independence’, but to belong to that, the ‘ Unionists ‘ say, would bring about  pestilence, famine and swarms of locusts.

So with Mark Drakeford gone. What next?

The Commission on the Constitutional future of Wales . What a waste !

The report on the ‘ consultation ‘ on the future Wales Constitution, is about to be published. 

Two years in the making and a cost of millions

So what do we expect from this latest Welsh government indulgence.

Well, we do know that the independent Commission doesn't have the powers to implement any findings.

It will not be recommending one option over another

That the report will be inconclusive.

The report will be open to interpretation, the worst position of all..

Its attempts to engage with the Welsh public over this subject has failed and therefore its legitimacy. Phase 1 showed this.

Come on Mr Drakeford. Let us into the secret.

It's no secret that Wales is in a mess

The recent budget cuts, on top of the health and social care already in crisis.

Education services are struggling.

Affordable homes shortage.

Low wages.

Local services are regularly cut.

Business productivity is continually low.

Stagnating economy.

Can't afford to do this, can't afford to do that.

It's no secret Wales is in a mess

What the First Minister and Welsh Labour government are doing to resolve this mess, now that's a secret.

The cunning plan to get rid of Wales' NHS problems?

The health service in Wales is in chaos.

Record waiting times.

Record missed ambulance response times.

Front line staff under constant pressure.

And the latest. A Health Service struggling for cash is being asked to save money.

The Welsh Labour government is doing their bit. They built a brand new hospital, The Grange,.The next step is getting enough staff for it.

Chaos.

But all is not lost, for in the face of all this chaos, along comes the Wales Health Minister with a plan.

Yes, Elunedd Morgan, Baroness Ely, has a plan.

What's the point of Plaid Cymru ?

A new leader, same old flip flop. Support for Independence, but not yet

The new leader is more adept at flip flopping than his predecessor, his background as a journalist gives him that advantage.

He states in a recent interview that it is important to convince the English coming to Wales, that Wales is a good place.

What's that all about?

His priority should surely be convincing Welsh people living in Wales, that Wales is a good place.

Perhaps the Welsh valleys would be a good place to start.

Wales Independence. What about the border?

Will there be a hard border? How will I get to work in England? Will I be able to shop in England? How am I going to move my goods?

All voiced as concerns that life would be more difficult after Independence. And all stated as if Wales was the only country to ever face these issues

The border is defined as hard or soft, not because of walls or fences, but as to the degree of restriction to trade and freedom of movement..

However it is futile to pretend that nothing will change.

The question is. How much of a change and will the benefits outweigh these changes.

First some context.

Wales is the begging bowl of the UK!

Wales is the begging bowl of the UK. So says a Times journalist.

Wales is being subsidised by the English taxpayer. This from the Guardian.

Wales relies on financial transfers from the wealthy regions of the UK to pay for its public services. That from a Welsh Labour MS

These are commonly held and often quoted views, dominant because supporters of keeping the Union intact,  continue to dominate the economic narrative.

It's to their advantage that Wales is seen to be dependent

Wales Independence. Will the the State Pension be safe ?

One of the major concerns around Wales Independence. What will happen to the State Pension?

People are understandably uncertain, even fearful, when the income on which they depend, has always  been provided by the Westminster government.

How secure is their pension, when Wales goes Independent?

Will they get the same amount of pension under the new regime?

Overcoming these concerns is vital, not only to satisfy the pensioners, but for the progress of Independence.

Pensioners make up over one fifth of the Wales population and they are also the least enthusiastic sector for Welsh Independence.

Welsh public duped again

Are you fed up with being duped?  Do you lose sleep over it? No, well that's normal, for being duped is a way of life in Wales..

First of all by being told we are better off in the Union, despite the hardship, poverty, state of health, social services, education, in fact almost everything is a problem.

Then we are told that Wales cant afford to be Independent, when all the evidence is that Wales can't afford not to be,

It's not only the Westminster government. The Welsh government for example says they no longer have the money to support the poorest children during the summer break.

Of course the financial arrangements with Westminster are detrimental to Wales, but under the present system it's about priorities and if looking after the poorest children is not a priority for a Labour, socialist government. Well.

Incidentally, they should hang their heads at supporting a constitutional arrangement, that leads to such poverty in Wales

And  the latest dupe shows why..

Saving the Union. The Gordon  and Mark show.

A new show was launched recently.

A new group took to the stage.

Not a boy band or a new leftover from Britain's Got Talent. These were old hands. 

They chose Edinburgh, appropriate as the home of the Fringe.

They haven't indicated whether there is to be a tour. Performing before audiences of tens of tens.

The group ‘ The Alliance for Radical Democracy' is headlined by the UK ex- Prime Minister Gordon Brown, assisted by the soon to be ex- First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford. Also in the group is the ex- Leader of the LIb Dems in Scotland, a couple of English mayors and a comedian [  tempting to say another comedian ].

Now that's a lineup to catch the attention.

What to do about England.

England is a problem.

England isn't pulling its weight in the UK ‘ Union ‘.

Despite Having millions of pounds worth of free water from Wales.

Wales supplying them with billion of pounds worth of electricity [ Wales getting no financial gain] 

Wales handing over all its income to the UK/English government.

Despite being able to print the money it needs, from its own bank. The Bank of England.

Despite having the pick of inward investment

Despite all that  ,the English economy is going down the drain and as it is 86% of the UK, the UK economy is following..

So wouldn't Wales be better keeping these resources for itself?

How to resolve the problem.

Historically, England is a bit touchy about such negative views. Usually citing Wales [ 4.8% of the UK economy ] or Scotland [ 7.4% ] for the ails of the UK..

So, what to do about England.