Perhaps The Welsh Need To Be Less Nice Part Three: The Iron Ring

Hello there. Hope you're feeling well today.

Recently there was a proposal from the Welsh Labour government to put £630,000 investment project in Flint Castle. Part of that project was going to be an iron ring sculpture which apparently was going to be symbolise a giant rusty crown. (you have to say, before I go on that no colour symbolises Welsh Labour more than rust).

However Ken Skates, the Welsh minister who proves men can't multitask, seemed to miss other symbolism that the sculpture suggested. The conquest of Wales by Edward I was enforced by a chain of castles that was described as a "ring of steel".......oops.

There was a petition made. Protests called and eventually that part of the project was scrapped. If only other Welsh Labour grandiose projects could be halted as quickly as that one.

And you think that was that.

But now we have the mayor of Flint saying that the residents of the town are "up in arms" over the decision. Going on to say that history could not be changed and that most of the criticism was from South Wales.

So we need to chat about this. Firstly is it the really the case that the people of Flint are going to fight for what is, essentially, a symbol of defeat? What other nation would even consider putting up such a thing, saying to the world "Well we lost and here's something to remember that by"?

History cannot be changed. Nor should it be forgotten. But that does not mean a nation should demean itself by using it as a marketing opportunity. If a nation is not proud of its identity then it is nothing. The Welsh Labour government seemed to lose a sense of identity over this issue. And possibly what is worse did not initially seem to be aware of it in the first place.

And as for the mayor's assertion that most of the criticism came from South Wales. Well there are a couple of things to say about that. Firstly since I've moved from London I've been conscious of the North/South divide in Wales that I was not aware of beforehand (although I think that the divide is a lot more complicated than that. One day might chat about it). Nonetheless making it a "North/South" issue is a sort of unpleasant populist remark that does not help matters.

She also should prove that her assertion is correct. I've read criticism of the ring from North Walians, including Plaid Cymru's North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd.

But even if this is correct, and let's assume that it is for the sake of argument what's wrong with that? Not being from an area does not make you invalid to think, to feel and if required to protest. This sort of "them and us" argument seems to forget the fact that the ring was perceived as a symbol of all Wales and not just of the North. Consequently South/East/West Walians were entitled to voice an opinion. It was not just a North Walian issue.

That ring came close to being built. Perhaps the Welsh Labour Government needs to be more conscious of being Welsh and of Welsh traditions next time something like this comes along.

Until the next time.