Draft:Welsh Underground Network

• Comment: Of the local news coverage, the mentions are in passing or do not cover the group in detail. The only source possibly useful to proving notability (secondary and in-depth) is the first WalesOnline source but this is about a single protest and doesn't make clear the group's scope, demands, methods or relations to other groups. — Bilorv (talk) 20:14, 2 April 2023 (UTC)

• Comment: Classic WP:TOOSOON. So far, only one action has resulted in independent coverage and the interviewed-based articles which they're using to spread their message are not independent and can't be used to support notability. Stuartyeates (talk) 07:51, 6 August 2022 (UTC)

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Welsh Underground Network
The flag of the Welsh Underground Network
Chairperson	Joseph Jones
Founded	2019
Ideology	Marxism-Leninism Welsh Independence Anti-imperialism Euroscepticism
Political position	Far-left
Website
www.welshundergroundnetwork.com
Politics of Wales Political parties Elections

The Welsh Underground Network (WUN, Rhwydwaith Tanddaear Cymraeg) are a Marxist-Leninist organisation in Wales aiming to establish an independent, socialist Welsh Republic.

History

The WUN were formed as a left-wing news service based in the South Wales Valleys dubbed 'Valleys Underground' in 2019. Following the establishment of a Wrexham chapter in 2021, Valleys Underground was reformed into the Welsh Underground Network.

Activities

The Welsh Underground Network conducts events such as referral-free foodbanks, 'community clearups', baby-banks, and book clubs. The WUN has participated in pro-independence marches organised by All Under One Banner Cymru.

In November 2021, three WUN activists were arrested after scaling the roof of a Solvay S.A. chemical factory in Wrexham in a protest organised by Palestine Action. The trial of the "Solvay Three" was closed in April 2024, with all three defendents being fined.

In March 2023, activists from the WUN organised a pro-refugee protest against the far-right Patriotic Alternative in Llantwit Major, after the city council announced plans to build temporary accomodation for Ukrainian refugees.

In April 2024, the WUN organised a protest against a speech given by Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg at Cardiff University. The protest was condemned by both Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden and Labour Party Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens. In August 2024, the WUN organised counter-protests against the far-right 2024 United Kingdom riots.

Ideology and political positions

Former WUN chair Joe Jones has stated that the WUN began as a big tent pro-independence left-wing organisation before later adopting Marxism-Leninism as an organising method to tackle "a slowing-down of activity and internal divisions." He has also stated that the WUN aims to normalise communism as a part of the Welsh political scene, to "promote working-class liberation in a clear, coherent manner," push other pro-independence and left-wing movements into doing more direct action, and to ensure the presence of a vocal left-wing faction within the pro-independence movement, to avoid "the false promises of a ‘liberal nationalism’, learning the lessons from the Republic of Ireland." In a 2022 interview with the Irish Connolly Youth Movement, the WUN stated that it was primarily influenced by the Black Panther Party, and stated that it supported Welsh language revitalisation.

The WUN has published a ten point political programme defining its aims:

1. An independent, socialist Welsh republic;
2. Revival of Welsh cities, towns, and communities;
3. Workplace democracy;
4. Free and accessible universal education;
5. An end to child poverty in Wales;
6. An end to managed decline turning post-industrial areas in commuter belts;
7. An end to homelessness in Wales;
8. International solidarity with oppressed people;
9. Police and prison abolition;
10. Working class unity of "all creeds, colours, and nations."

In September 2022, the Welsh Underground Network released a statement condemning British Imperialism, in the aftermath of the Death of Queen Elizabeth II. In February 2024, the WUN published a statement opposing rejoining the European Union, citing "a deeply violent border policy", the "freedom to move labour from one area to another in order to lower wages and undercut the working class of one area with the working class of another," and Syriza's failure to tackle the Greek government-debt crisis in 2015.