Welsh independence divides opinion among young people

Cerys and Patrick have a lot in common. They’re both young, Welsh, and very interested in politics.

The one thing they don’t agree on is Wales’ future within the United Kingdom.

A leading academic said the conversation around Welsh independence “has become normalised” amongst young people.

This week, the Plaid Cymru Welsh government set up a new body to consider the case for Welsh independence, as well as more devolution for Cardiff Bay.

For Patrick, he thinks his country is better off in the UK with more devolved powers, while Cerys believes an independent nation could offer more opportunities to people.

Nationalist party Plaid formed a government in Wales for the first after winning 46 seats during the May 2026 Senedd election.

While it hasn’t called for a referendum on independence, the second line of its constitution says: “As the National Party of Wales, the party’s aims shall be: to secure independence for Wales in Europe.”

Pro-union party Reform UK is the second biggest in the Senedd after winning 34 seats in May’s election.

Its Welsh leader Helen Jenner said voters “do not want to see Wales ripped out of the United Kingdom” and said the commission was “ridiculous”.

A recent poll by Survation for the pro-independence group YesCymru suggested people under 35 in Wales were more in favour of independence than their older peers.

“People feel left behind, especially my age,” said Patrick, a 20-year-old student from Newport.

He added that he can understand why people are “energised and enthusiastic” about independence because of issues such as “student loans, the cost of living, the geopolitical scene”.

But he said: “As of right now, I just do not think there is a case for it.”

However, Patrick, said he would support further devolved powers for Wales within the union.

He said that “practical elements” such as whether there would be a border between Wales and England remain answered questions for him.