YesCymru held an emergency demonstration today at the National Eisteddfod in response to a letter from Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens confirming that the UK Government will not transfer control of the Crown Estate to Wales.
The Labour MP for Cardiff East was replying on behalf of Prime Minister Keir Starmer to a letter from YesCymru urging the transfer of the Crown Estate – which manages seabed rights, offshore wind leases, and natural resources – to Welsh control.
Over the past few years, YesCymru has led the national campaign to transfer control of the Crown Estate to Wales, culminating in all 22 Welsh councils backing the transfer, and a demonstration held at the Senedd last month where Members of the Senedd were asked to publicly support the campaign.
Announcing the emergency demo on social media on Thursday night, just after receiving the letter, Phyl Griffiths, YesCymru Chair, said:
“Despite the backing of all 22 Welsh councils and the clear economic case for Welsh control over our own natural resources, Westminster says no.
“Instead of trusting Wales to manage our seas, energy, and future, they’re protecting the status quo – where decisions about Wales are made in London, and profits flow out of Wales."
Supporters gathered at the YesCymru stand before heading to the Welsh Labour stand, where Chair Phyl Griffiths and Director Rob Hughes delivered powerful speeches demanding control of our own resources.
Phyl Griffiths said:
"The Crown Estate proves that the practice of extraction is still alive in 21st century Wales and has resulted in all 22 authorities speaking with one voice, underlining the fact we're a nation. The London government's response to our call to transfer control of the Crown Estate to Wales, however, only proves that they see us as nothing more than a region of the UK."
Rob Hughes said:
"Jo Stevens' insulting response to the will of the people of Wales is a dark day to those who still cling to the hope that the union will prevail. A growing number of Welsh citizens now see independence as inevitable and YesCymru firmly believes that it will come far quicker than anyone expects."
YesCymru has pledged to intensify the campaign in response to Westminster’s refusal to respect the will of the Welsh people, with further actions and announcements to be shared with members and supporters in the coming weeks.
