The Welsh Republican Movement () was a Welsh nationalist political party.

It was founded in 1949 as a split from Plaid Cymru. The group, some of whom had previously been members of the Labour Party, aimed to build a base in industrial southeast Wales by focusing on socialism and republicanism rather than on rural affairs, pacifism and the Welsh language.

Welsh Republican Movement

In 1950, the group began publishing a newspaper, The Welsh Republican - Y Gweriniaethwr. It stood Ithel Davies in Ogmore in the 1950 general election, and took 1.3% of the vote.

Welsh Republican Movement

Some members of the party were arrested for burning the Union Jack, and it faced accusations of initiating violence. They also conceived a Welsh republican flag, a tricolor with green, red and white bands.

Welsh Republican Movement

By the mid-1950s, most members of the Movement had either returned to Plaid Cymru or joined the Labour Party, and its newspaper ceased publication in 1957. However, F. W. S. Craig believed that it remained active as late as 1966.

References

Peter Barberis, John McHugh and Mike Tyldesley, Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations Ymgyrchu! - The Welsh Republican Movement Welsh separatist and independentist flags

See also

English republicanism

Irish republicanism

Scottish republicanism

Welsh nationalism

Republicanism in the United Kingdom

Defunct political parties in Wales

Left-wing nationalist parties

Pacifism in the United Kingdom

Political parties established in 1949

Republican parties in the United Kingdom

Republicanism in Wales

Socialist parties in Wales

Welsh nationalist parties