The Welsh Republic

1949, Cliff Bere's impassioned call for Welsh independence

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

Undated [1949]. First edition. Paperback with stapled binding. Printed titling to cover. 21.5 × 14cm, 7pp.

A rare first edition of Cliff Bere's rallying cry for a Welsh Republic, published at the foundation of the Welsh Republican Movement. It is seven pages and calls for the English government to offer self-government for Wales, it criticizes the English national philosophy and the Labour Party's "compromise with the anti-democracy of torysim". The last two paragraphs read "Toryism is the enemy which is murdering Wales. Our answer must be to rise and destroy it in Wales. We will make Wales an untenable position for it whatever camouflage it tries to remain; we will drive it back to its own land from every entrenchment it as made in our country and in our minds; we will show that Wales belongs, not to England, but to the world. We are facing a mighty struggle. The nearer it gets to home the harder the English imperialist tradition dies. It will die especially hard in Wales. The history of Ireland's struggle against the English parties can allow no other assumption. But die it shall. At last from the long surrender the Welsh republic will arise."

Cliff Bere (1915–1997) was among the most committed and trenchant of Welsh nationalists.

Condition

This copy is in good condition for age. The booklet has obviously been folded in half (vertically) and slipped into a pocket, and that light crease is evident throughout. There is a little rusting to the staples but it remains in strong readable condition.