Is Welsh independence a priority for voters?
Marches which are usually organised by YesCymru have gained traction the last few years.
- Published
Welsh independence isn't high up on the agenda for any party in this general election, despite some very visible signs of support across the country in recent years.
Thousands took part in an independence march in Carmarthen last month, following similar events held in Caernarfon, Merthyr Tydfil, Wrexham, Swansea and Cardiff since 2019.
In Bangor last year, organisers of campaign group YesCymru claimed more than 10,000 people turned up at a rally.
But Plaid Cymru and the Wales Green Party are the only two parties in Wales who are committing to independence in their election manifestos, with both saying they would hold a referendum on independence.
- Published3 July
- Published13 June
- Published18 January
And despite Plaid's continued support for Wales to go it alone, its leader Rhun ap Iorwerth would not put a date on it when asked in a recent televised debate - and independence isn't mentioned until page 42 of the party's manifesto.
With so many other issues higher up the agenda, just how important is independence to voters?
Recent polling , externalsuggests that some young people would welcome a chance to vote on removing Wales from the UK.
One of those young supporters of independence is Evan Powell, 21, who will be voting in his first general election on 4 July.
While this vote is to decide who will take power in Westminster, he said he hopes a future independent Wales would put an end to "interference" from London.
Independence: What do young voters make of it?
"An independent Wales is important to me as it gives our nation the opportunity to strive for a better future without any interference from Westminster," said Evan, from Cefn Hengoed in Caerphilly,
He said Welsh international football was the main reason he started taking an interest in the independence movement.
The marches he attends, organised by Welsh Football Fans for Independence, take place before Wales games.
He said they were "key" in allowing people with likeminded views to meet up.
"I believe that Welsh football goes hand in hand with supporting independence," he said.
"Football is one of few ways Wales is seen as an independent nation, especially when we’ve been lucky enough to compete in tournaments."
A modern browser with JavaScript and a stable internet connection is required to view this interactive. Opens in a new browser tab More information about these elections
Evan said the main reasons he wanted an alternative to the United Kingdom was that "Welsh youth are disillusioned with Britishness as a whole".
"Years of mismanagement under Labour in Cardiff and the Tories in London has wound people up to the point where they are asking 'why are we putting up with this?'," he said.
"A lot of people, including myself, see unionism as a very dated topic that is supported by a largely older generation."
Brexit a 'warning sign'
Not everyone wants Wales to be independent, of course, with the majority of the country still in favour of being a part of the United Kingdom
Tom Hughes, 26, is one of the young people that believes the country should remain a part of the UK.
A Liberal Democrat member, he also previously stood as a candidate for the party in the Senedd and now works in the military.
Tom, from Fishguard, said "a mix of personal and pragmatic reasons" have led to his opinion on independence.
Tom Hughes also was the former chair of the Welsh Young Liberals
"From my perspective, leaving the EU was very damaging to young people's opportunities, and it would just be that again by leaving the UK," he said.
"I feel that leaving the EU should be a massive warning sign for the kind of damage this thing [independence] can do."
Tom said he feels an independent Wales would not have given him, or other young people, the same opportunities available with Wales a part of the UK.
"My background has been working in defence, and all opportunities I've gotten in that probably wouldn't have got in an independent Wales"
Although Tom said he is in favour of keeping the nations together, he does think there should be more emphasis on changing the way we see the four countries.
"I don't think it's right to be looking at England on the same basis as Wales and Scotland and Northern Ireland," he said.
"No one can tell me that someone from Yorkshire and someone from Cornwall are as similar as people from north and south Wales."
Lucy Jones says she doesn't know enough about independence to take a stance, but Will Harris says he would like to see "Scotland make the first move" by leaving the UK
In Cardiff Bay, young people said they were torn about whether an independent Wales would work - with several people saying they "didn't know enough about politics" or "felt confident" enough to take a position.
Lucy Jones, 26, said she didn't "know enough about it", but that she would be voting on Thursday.
Will Harris, also 26, said he doesn't think Wales could be independent "at the moment".
"I think in the future definitely. It would be good to see Scotland potentially make the first move," he said.
Rabia says she would like Wales to "sell" itself more on the international stage
International law student, Rabia, 20, said she would like to see Wales "sell itself more" on the international stage.
"I think definitely Wales could be more independent, but I think Wales needs to market itself better," she said.
"We have such stunning places in Wales that not everyone knows about, I'm from Canada and before I came to Cardiff, when I thought of the UK before moving here it was just London."
What do the parties say about independence?
Welsh Labour said it is "committed" to the association of the nations of the UK, and that Wales' interests are "best served" by a strong devolution settlement within the UK.
Plaid Cymru said that "independence is not only viable, but highly desirable", adding: "We don’t advocate independence for its own sake. We believe that is the best vehicle to improve the lives of people in Wales by breaking with the broken status quo of the United Kingdom."
The Welsh Liberal Democrats said it believed in "in federalism and devolution" and also said it didn't "believe in putting up more barriers or borders".
Reform UK said it believed "in the strength and benefits of the union" and that it was "strongly" against the breakup of the United Kingdom.
Wales Green Party said that Welsh Independence would allow the country to make decisions for the future rather than being "reliant" on Westminster, and that independence would "make Wales a better place to live and work".
The Conservatives have been asked to comment.
