Fix Welsh Housing Before It's Too Late
What's the point of having a country with its own government if we can't even sort out housing for our own people. I mean think about it, we've got Welsh families stuck on waiting lists for years while outsiders buy up properties for holiday homes. It's madness.
My proposal is to introduce a new law that gives priority to local people when it comes to buying homes in Wales. If you've lived and worked in the area for at least five years, you should get first dibs on any property that comes up for sale. It's not rocket science, just common sense. We need to make sure that our communities are for the people who actually live here, not just some wealthy investors looking to make a quick buck.
This isn't just about fairness, it's also about the economy. When local people own homes, they're more likely to spend their money in local shops and support local businesses. It's a no-brainer.
Protecting Cymru's Rivers, Not Just a Fine
As someone who's spent years teaching Welsh history, I've seen how our country's natural beauty has been exploited and damaged. The issue of corporate pollution in our rivers is no exception. I was dismayed to read about the state of the Avon, but I'm not surprised - we've seen similar problems in Wales, from the Taff to the Teifi.
We need to take a tougher stance on environmental crimes, but we also need to make sure that any new system is fair and effective. Simply imposing fines based on a percentage of profits might not be the best approach, as it could lead to companies just factoring in the cost of pollution as a normal business expense. Instead, I think we should focus on making polluters pay for the actual damage they cause, whether that's through restoration projects or compensation for local communities.
In Wales, we have a unique opportunity to take a more holistic approach to environmental protection.
Why are we still teaching Welsh history like a footnote in England's story? Time to fix this.
Seriously, why are we still forcing kids to learn about the Norman conquest of England before they can even tell you who Owain Glyndŵr was? It’s like we expect them to understand the foundations of their own country before they’ve even been shown where the door is. Our kids deserve to know their own story, their own heroes, their own struggles, as a primary narrative, not some tacked-on extra.
My proposal is simple: make Welsh history a mandatory, standalone subject right from primary school, right through to GCSE, with a curriculum designed here in Wales, by us. We need to move beyond the current situation where it’s often crammed into a few lessons within a broader UK history module, usually taught from an English perspective. This isn't about hating England; it's about loving Wales enough to give its history the respect it deserves.
We need a Welsh defence strategy, not just whatever Westminster decides.
Wales needs to establish its own defence and security strategy, with full control over any defence spending that occurs within our borders. It’s simply not sustainable to have a defence policy dictated entirely by Westminster, especially when the priorities often feel so far removed from the day-to-day realities and strategic needs of Cymru. We're expected to contribute significantly, both in terms of personnel and land, but have very little say in the decisions being made.
This isn’t about isolating ourselves, but about ensuring that our resources are used effectively to protect Welsh interests and communities. A truly Welsh defence strategy would allow us to assess our unique vulnerabilities and strengths, focusing on areas like maritime security around our coastlines or supporting industries that could contribute to our own security needs.
Wales's green energy should benefit Wales, not London's coffers. It's time to take control.
It really grinds my gears, the hypocrisy of it all. We have some of the best natural resources in Europe for generating clean, renewable energy – miles of coastline for offshore wind, big tidal ranges, hydro opportunities in the mountains. And what happens? Big corporations, often from outside Wales, come in, stick up their turbines, connect to a grid that mainly serves England, and then pocket the profits. Meanwhile, my neighbours in rural Ceredigion are struggling with some of the highest energy bills in the UK. It's an absolute joke.
The first thing we need to do is bring our energy generation and distribution under Welsh public ownership. We should establish a national energy company for Wales – Cymru Ynni, or something similar – that is answerable to the people of Wales, not some distant shareholders.
Another Westminster PM, same old story. Wales needs its own voice on the world stage, not just a bystander.
It drives me absolutely mad how we’re constantly told about how this new UK Prime Minister, whoever it happens to be, is viewed by the US or China or whoever else. It’s always about ‘Britain’ or ‘the UK’, and Wales is just presumed to be part of that narrative, with no distinct voice or agenda. Our interests are often very different from those of London, especially when it comes to things like agricultural policy or trade deals, but we’re just dragged along for the ride. It’s a complete disservice to our nation and our people. We’ve got a history that predates England by centuries, and a culture that is distinct. It’s infuriating that we’re still seen as just a regional extension of another country's foreign policy.
What we need is a clear, independent Welsh foreign policy, properly funded and led from Cardiff.
What do you think?
Vote on individual policies, adapt them, or write your own alternative. Good ideas should be tested.