Loving the English - for the sake of Wales
by Jeremy Jones

A working class Englishman, apparently.

"I hate the English" - an embarrassing rant, but one we've all heard. Admittedly, it's usually said flippantly, still, inexcusable nonetheless

History, as always, provides the so-called justification for such rhetoric. The Anglo-Welsh relationship has, for the most part, been one of master and slave. England not only conquered Wales, but looted her natural resources and literally beat the language out of the people.

But remember, "The past is a foreign country" - metaphorically speaking of course. It's time to let go. Quite simply, the English people cannot be blamed for the sins of their fathers.

Critics of this approach argue that the master-slave relationship is still in place. Today, the English may be blameless, but imperialistic structures are firmly entrenched. Legally, for example, Wales is not a country. And, as a 'region', Wales is the UK's poorest.

This perspective is valid. But debate not hostility is the answer. A Parliament, even. One with a mandate the envy of Whitehall. Gaining such support will be difficult - as any campaigner for the Welsh Assembly will know. Yet certainly possible if Welsh people are prepared to accept responsibility for their own affairs.

An Englishman taking Wales seriously?

There is another charge against the English. They ridicule us. Jeremy Clarkson and AA Gill epitomise such behaviour. More recently, Anne Robinson has joined the bandwagon. Such derogatory remarks are often termed racist. The commission for racial equality hears complaints from the Welsh with increasing regularity.

A note of caution however. England not only stereotypes the Welsh but also the Irish, French and every other nation under the sun. None of these stereotypes are particularly complimentary either.

The English poke fun at their own too. The Scousers, Geordies and Cockneys get their fair share of ribbing. And the poor old brummies. Their accent is constantly ridiculed. Would the BBC accept a brummy accented Huw Edwards? Probably not.

The point is, Wales no longer needs scapegoats. Why create a negative identity when the positives are, quite simply, overwhelming.

Mission England

Also, there may be practical benefits in gaining England's goodwill:
Self Government means self finance. England's a pretty big market - prosperous and directly on our border.
It will need targetting.
What better way than with a smile.