Narrator: Croeso i Gymru!
Narrator: If you ask what it means to be Welsh today, there’s a strong feeling of who we are, and not only when it’s rugby world cup time.
Narrator: Over the centuries, Wales has not exactly been immune to invasions and economic integration. But even though we speak that mish-mash of invader languages called ‘English’ - we’ve also kept our mother tongue, Cymraeg.
Narrator: There were times when it seemed the old language might die, particularly in the 1800s, when Welsh was actively discouraged in some schools, and large numbers of English workers moved here during the industrial revolution.
Narrator: But in the twentieth century there was a growing resurgence in the Welsh speaking movement - a pride in our ancient identity and a determination to protect the language, which was one of many forces that led to devolution in 1997.
Narrator: Devolution is the transfer of power from a central government to a local one. So this means that while Wales remains part of the UK, it retains independent control over certain areas.
Narrator: The Welsh Assembly doesn’t have as much power as the Scottish Parliament, or the Northern Ireland assembly. This is mainly because we’re much more melded with England, and historically there hasn’t been as strong an independence movement in Wales. A sentiment reflected by the narrow voting margin in the referendum itself.
Narrator: The Assembly’s still an important institution though - it’s responsible for representing the interests of the Welsh people, making laws that apply to Wales and holding the Welsh government to account.
Narrator: Elections to the Assembly use an unusual voting system - first past the post voting for 40 of its members, plus proportional representation for the other 20, which means it’s still possible for smaller movements to win seats and make their voices heard.
Narrator: And the very first act that the Assembly passed into law? Making Welsh an official language, and decreeing that the two languages must be treated equally.
Narrator: However, language is not all that defines us. Our identities are the communities we belong to and the people we are surrounded by - the ones we can, and sigh can’t choose.
Narrator: So in some ways, Welsh identity has become stronger in recent decades. In others though, it’s been shaken by the decline of the industry that Wales was defined by for so long; coal and steel in particular.
Narrator: For many people, trade union solidarity was just as important as national identity, and we’re still trying to find our way in the post-industrial era. Certain Welsh regions are identified as suffering very high unemployment and being the most in need of economic development aid in all of the UK. A lot of that development funding has come from the European Union, but in the 2016 referendum, Wales was among the regions that voted to leave the EU.
Narrator: For some of those who voted to leave, this was an optimistic vote, one for a better future, in which Wales could have a stronger economy, more jobs, and more local control. For others, it was simply a protest – saying to Westminster that the regions have been ignored for too long.
Narrator: Going forward though, what does this vote mean for us?
Narrator: With such uncertainty, it's young voices that will need to be heard and direct our future as a nation. The future of Wales is in your hands… no pressure guys.
