‘We want a divorce!‘ – photos of the rally for Welsh independence
- Text by Huck
- Photography by Ryan Thomas
Earlier this month (2 July), thousands of people took part in a rally in Wrexham calling for Welsh independence.
The event, led by movement All Under One Banner (AUOB), Yes Cymru and Indy Fest Wrexham, is the fourth march to be held in support of Welsh independence, following rallies in Cardiff, Caernarfon and Merthyr Tydfil in 2019. The Wrexham march should have taken place in 2020 but had to be postponed due to the pandemic. AUOB claimed between 6,000 and 8,000 people attended the march.
The question of Welsh independence has been gaining traction over recent years. After the Scottish government’s 2017 announcement of its plans to hold another referendum, Plaid Cymru’s then leader Leanne Wood called for a “national debate” on Wales’ constitutional future. She argued that Welsh independence should be considered as part of such a debate, given the possibility of Scotland leaving the UK.
Supporters at the march said interest in independence for Wales had grown over the pandemic in response to the UK government at Westminster’s catastrophic handling of coronavirus. In fact, a 2021 survey indicated that nearly 40 per cent of people in Wales are in favour of independence – the highest levels of support ever recorded.
Nonetheless, in the 2021 Welsh Senedd elections, the momentum for Welsh Independence appeared to have slowed. Welsh voters awarded Welsh Labour an outright majority, and the pro-independence party, Plaid Cymru, recorded disappointing results. This means that the issue of independence is unlikely to be on the agenda until the next elections in 2026.
But this has done little to dampen the spirits of the thousands of attendees at the Wrexham rally who made an impassioned cry for a “divorce” and “a new direction” for Wales. Ryan Thomas was there to capture the action.
See more of Ryan Thomas’s work on his official website.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Is the UK ready for a Kabaddi boom?
Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi — Watched by over 280 million in India, the breathless contact sport has repeatedly tried to grip British viewers. Ahead of the Kabaddi World Cup being held in Wolverhampton this month, Kyle MacNeill speaks to the gamechangers laying the groundwork for a grassroots scene.
Written by: Kyle MacNeill
One photographer’s search for her long lost father
Decades apart — Moving to Southern California as a young child, Diana Markosian’s family was torn apart. Finding him years later, her new photobook explores grief, loss and connection.
Written by: Miss Rosen
As DOGE stutters, all that remains is cringe
Department of Gargantuan Egos — With tensions splintering the American right and contemporary rap’s biggest feud continuing to make headlines, newsletter columnist Emma Garland explains how fragile male egos stand at the core of it all.
Written by: Emma Garland
Photo essay special: Despite pre-Carnival anxiety, Mardi Gras 2025 was a joyous release for New Orleans
A city celebrates — Following a horrific New Year’s Day terror attack and forecasts for extreme weather, the Louisiana city’s marquee celebration was pre-marked with doubt. But the festival found a city in a jubilant mood, with TBow Bowden there to capture it.
Written by: Isaac Muk
From his skating past to sculpting present, Arran Gregory revels in the organic
Sensing Earth Space — Having risen to prominence as an affiliate of Wayward Gallery and Slam City Skates, the shredder turned artist creates unique, temporal pieces out of earthly materials. Dorrell Merritt caught up with him to find out more about his creative process.
Written by: Dorrell Merritt
In Bristol, pub singers are keeping an age-old tradition alive
Ballads, backing tracks, beers — Bar closures, karaoke and jukeboxes have eroded a form of live music that was once an evening staple, but on the fringes of the southwest’s biggest city, a committed circuit remains.
Written by: Fred Dodgson