Welsh protestors march for independence

Austerity and Brexit were reported to be key factors in a new push for independence in Wales that attracted thousands of people from across the nation to a street protest in the capital Cardiff.

Described by organizer All Under One Banner Cymru, known as AUOB, as the first-ever march for independence in the nation's history, the demonstration on Saturday showed a resurgence of interest for a break-away from the United Kingdom government.

Llywelynap Gwilym, a spokesperson for AUOB, told WalesOnline: "The debate around Wales's constitutional future has intensified since the vote for the UK to leave the European Union.

"Several groups believe that Wales and its people would have a better future as an independent nation outside the UK. There is an increasing realization that independence is normal."

Adam Price, leader of nationalist party Plaid Cymru, said that Welsh problems could be more easily solved if decisions were taken within the nation.

"For many years, our desire to see an independent Wales has seemed distant. But the tide is turning, the marches are growing, and the voices are louder," he said.

Campaigners gathered outside City Hall before marching through Cardiff.  It ended in the city center with a rendition of the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

One marcher told BBC Wales that he estimated there were "about two thousand people" at the rally.

Some protesters said they had been lifelong supporters of independence, while others said they were converted by Brexit and austerity. A recent poll for ITV Wales showed that 12 percent of people support self-government.

Price cited the emergence of grassroots pro-independence groups as a sign that attitudes were changing.

"Decades of Westminster neglect have resulted in poverty and under-investment," he said. "A third of our children are living in relative poverty and you only have to look at the Brexit chaos to see that Westminster is not fit to govern or represent Wales."

Llywelynap Gwilym said he was delighted with the turnout and hoped it was the first in a series of marches across Wales.

He said: "It's about getting people out on the streets, off social media and making the discussion about independence part of the mainstream."

Meanwhile, there is evidence that the indecision over the Brexit issue is "fuelling populism", as support for Nigel Farage's far-right Brexit party, ahead of next week's European elections, has soared to a level higher than for the two main parties put together.

A new poll suggests the Brexit party, launched only last month, is now on course for a thumping victory that Farage will, members of Parliament fear, use to back his argument that the UK must leave the EU immediately without a Brexit deal.