Opinion: Welsh liberalism – the next steps

Former Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Wagbo_ writes for The Guardian.

Wagbo_ led the Liberal Democrats in Wales during the last term and in the recent general election.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Guardian.

For the Welsh Liberals, the recent election results have been rather devastating. They were devastating for nobody more than myself. Losing in Mid & North Wales, the place I call home, 191,000 votes to 190,000, and winning just one seat on the list, despite being so close to a second – losing all of this to Plaid – well, needless to say, has not been a pleasant experience.

Having discussed it internally in Dem Rhydd, I think that my tenure as Leader must end for the time being. We had two principle objectives in this election. Win the Mid & North Wales seat, or, be compensated by two list seats. Despite an incredible showing, averaging 35% across the two constituencies, I have failed to achieve either of these goals as Leader. It is only right that my role is put into question.



Just 6,000 votes – ironically, the number of hands I shook during the campaign – could have made this election very different, and given Wales twice as strong, and twice as local, a set of liberal representatives, than those it currently has. That said, and speaking on behalf of my team of exhausted activists & candidates, I don’t believe we could have done any more that we did, campaigning right up until the last. That, at least, I can take some pride in.



The next steps for the party are the important thing. The Welsh Liberal Democrats will be holding a special conference to decide on a new Leader for the time being, my good friend Ruijormar being the prime contender. I will continue to represent the Welsh list seat in parliament, albeit as the sole non-nationalist Welsh MP, a situation I had not felt I would have to face.



Nationalism is firmly on the rise in Wales. Plaid ran a campaign that had insular and protectionist rhetoric at times, rhetoric that I believe will only be harmful if further injected into the Welsh discourse. Now, more than ever, a united Liberal case must be made for Wales, and made with conviction. We evidently did not make that case in the evocative terms that I hoped we had in this election.



Though the tone of this letter has been depressive so far, I do want to make something clear. We are not giving up. We are redoubling our efforts and making sure that results like this do not happen again, and do not happen in the upcoming Senedd elections. Structural change must be made to the party, and to our political system, if we want a Union that is both strong and fair. A United Welsh Liberal case must be made.



Westminster has provided Wales disappointment, as usual. 50% of Welsh voters have elected 80% of Welsh MPs. The Assembly could be very different. Political hegemony is not healthy for Wales, as Labour have proved so dreadfully over their time controlling the Assembly. Liberals must work to break this nationalist block, before it becomes too late.



Expect big things from the Welsh Liberals going forward. However, expect a change of leadership, a change of faith in our political system, and a change of direction. I may be taking a sabbatical, but my party will not be. I will be putting myself forward to the Welsh people again, sooner or later, as I believe national figures will be needed for our country in the coming months – just not right now.



The fight for Westminster has been lost, at least this time. The battle for First Minister has only just begun. Welsh Liberals must unite if they wish to win this fight.

Written by Wagbo_ for the Guardian.