Independence in Europe?

So, Welsh nationalists support "independence in Europe". Ok, it's fine to change one's mind (all parties do it from time to time) but it surprises me that Welsh nationalists are in favour of the EU at all.

How can Welsh nationalists, who passionately assert their national identity promote a process of European integration which has started to transcend the nation-state? Is this not a contradiction in their argument?

Contrary to what Jill Evans, Plaid Cymru's MEP, says (Western Mail, 10/04/09 p. 18), I do not believe that Wales would be "better off as an independent state within the EU."

Wales, as a constituent nation of the United Kingdom, wields significantly more leverage in Europe as one of the leading decision-making nations along with France & Germany, by being part of the Union of Nations which make up the United Kingdom, than it would if we were to secede from the Union.

Advocates of “independence in Europe” justify their argument by saying that we would have more MEPs, get our own seat on the Council of Ministers, our own Commissioner and, once in a blue moon, get the presidency of the EC.

Of course, in recent times, two Welshmen - Neil Kinnock and Roy Jenkins - have represented Wales and the UK in Brussels at the highest levels. My point - Wales already appears to be punching above its weight as far as Welsh representation goes in Europe and on the international stage. Indeed, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, the Chair of the All Wales Convention, was once the UK's Ambassador to the UN.

Speaking of the UK, if each UK nation were to secede from the Union, the UK would be no more and we would obviously lose our status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council (thereby losing significant political influence in world affairs). So as a rider to this, it would be interesting to hear what Plaid Cymru's position is on the EU gaining a seat on the UNSC at the expense of the UK & France?

Anyway, back to Europe - by pointing to the so-called advantages of "independence in Europe" (more MEPs, Council, Commissioner, Presidency etc.) nationalists ignore the almost inevitable reorganisation of the institutional makeup of the EU to take into account its ever-enlarging membership.

Enlargement means that the European Union's institutional structure is becoming unwieldy, meaning that if there were an adjustment in the number of MEPs, Wales would probably not get the holy grail of 12 members which Jill Evans promises.

Surely all this talk of "independence in Europe" and institutional arrangements detracts from the practical work which can be done in Europe on behalf of the Welsh people. It is for our four Welsh MEPs to fight Wales' corner in Brussels.

I know from working with Jonathan Evans MEP, this is exactly what he has been doing for the last ten years. I know Kay Swinburne, the Welsh Conservative candidate at these forthcoming European elections, will do exactly the same when she arrives in Brussels.