Gwlad

In late 2017, a preliminary meeting was held by Royston Jones{{cite web|title="Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth" - The vision of a socialist Wales isn't dead.|url=https://www.thelever.org.uk/blog/2018/9/14/er-gwaetha-pawb-a-phopeth-the-vision-of-a-socialist-wales-isnt-dead|last=Duffryn|first=Tom|date=19 September 2018|website=The Lever|access-date=22 September 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=28 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328215557/https://www.thelever.org.uk/blog/2018/9/14/er-gwaetha-pawb-a-phopeth-the-vision-of-a-socialist-wales-isnt-dead|url-status=live}} in Aberystwyth over the formation of a new pro-Welsh independence party. In August 2018, Ein Gwlad ({{langx|en|Our Nation}}) was founded in Llanelli, with Gwyn Wigley Evans as its leader.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-welsh-independence-party-launches-15361729|title=New Welsh independence party launches with a swipe at system 'that's exploited Wales for so long'|last=Crump|first=Eryl|date=2 November 2018|website=Daily Post|access-date=22 April 2021|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422125040/https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-welsh-independence-party-launches-15361729|url-status=live}} Evans said he wanted to dismantle the established and archaic UK political system that has "shackled and exploited the people of Wales for so long", whilst party member Siân Caiach claimed that "A lot of people in all parties, not just in Plaid Cymru, really would like Wales to be a better place, have a better government and have more autonomy and even independence."

In February 2019, Ein Gwlad changed its name to Gwlad Gwlad ({{langx|en|Nation Nation}}). For the 2019 United Kingdom general election, the party announced its intention to stand candidates in the four Welsh seats where Plaid Cymru had stood down in favour of other parties taking an anti-Brexit position as part of the "Unite to Remain" pact: Brecon and Radnorshire, Cardiff Central, Montgomeryshire and the Vale of Glamorgan.{{cite news|url=https://nation.cymru/news/gwlad-gwlad-standing-in-four-seats-where-plaid-cymru-have-withdrawn-to-offer-people-a-pro-independence-vote/|title=Gwlad Gwlad standing in four seats where Plaid Cymru have withdrawn 'to offer people a pro-independence vote'|date=15 November 2019|access-date=22 April 2021|website=Nation.Cymru|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217204400/https://nation.cymru/news/gwlad-gwlad-standing-in-four-seats-where-plaid-cymru-have-withdrawn-to-offer-people-a-pro-independence-vote/|url-status=live}} Evans said: "The 'Remain Alliance' has been cooked up in London between the Lib Dems, the Greens and Plaid, without local consultation of any sort. By standing in the four constituencies, we want to give an opportunity for people to cast a vote for real Welsh independence. A large number of people asked us to step into the breach, and this is what we have done."{{cite news|title=Pro-Welsh independence party 'steps into the breach'|url=http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=131313&headline=Pro-Welsh%20independence%20party%20%E2%80%98steps%20into%20the%20breach%E2%80%99§ionIs=news&searchyear=2019|last=Betteley|first=Chris|date=20 November 2019|website=Cambrian News|access-date=22 September 2021|language=en|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515002940/https://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=131313&headline=Pro-Welsh%20independence%20party%20%E2%80%98steps%20into%20the%20breach%E2%80%99§ionIs=news&searchyear=2019|url-status=live}} Ultimately, the party only stood in Cardiff Central (280 votes, 0.7%),{{Cite web|title=Cardiff Central (Constituency) 2019 results - General election results - UK Parliament|url=https://electionresults.parliament.uk/election/2019-12-12/Results/Location/Constituency/Cardiff%20Central/|access-date=2021-09-22|website=electionresults.parliament.uk|language=en|archive-date=12 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612091058/https://electionresults.parliament.uk/election/2019-12-12/results/Location/Constituency/Cardiff%20Central|url-status=live}} Montgomeryshire (727 votes, 2.1%){{Cite web|title=Montgomeryshire (Constituency) 2019 results - General election results - UK Parliament|url=https://electionresults.parliament.uk/election/2019-12-12/Results/Location/Constituency/Montgomeryshire/|access-date=2021-09-22|website=electionresults.parliament.uk|language=en|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129233446/https://electionresults.parliament.uk/election/2019-12-12/results/Location/Constituency/Montgomeryshire|url-status=live}} and the Vale of Glamorgan (508 votes, 0.9%).{{Cite web|title=Election result for Vale of Glamorgan (Constituency) - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament|url=https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/3819/election/397|access-date=2021-09-22|website=members.parliament.uk|language=en}}

On 24 March 2020, Gwlad Gwlad changed its name to just Gwlad.

The party stood candidates in 14 of the 40 parliamentary constituencies in the 2021 Senedd election and a full slate of four candidates in each of the five Senedd regional lists. It averaged 0.6% in the regional lists, coming tenth with no candidates elected.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cqwn14k92zwt/welsh-parliament-election-2021|title=Welsh Parliament election 2021|access-date=2021-06-21|website=BBC News|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009132408/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cqwn14k92zwt/welsh-parliament-election-2021|url-status=live}} The same day, Gwlad also stood in the 2021 election for a Police and Crime Commissioner for the Gwent Police area.{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/gwent-police-crime-commissioner-election-20345577|title=These are the people vying to be Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent|first=Ruth|last=Mosalski|date=14 April 2021|website=WalesOnline|access-date=22 April 2021|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422141709/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/gwent-police-crime-commissioner-election-20345577|url-status=live}} Its candidate was Clayton Jones, who is a councillor on Ynysybwl and Coed-y-cwm Community Council. He came last with 2,615 votes, representing 1.4% of the total.{{cite web|title=Election of Police and Crime Commissioner for the Gwent Police Area|url=https://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/fileadmin/documents/Resident/Voting_and_Elections/PCC_Elections/Gwent_Area_PCC_Election_-_Regional_Result.pdf|website=Blaenau Gwent CBC – Voting and Elections – Gwent Area PCC Election|accessdate=15 June 2021|date=6 May 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511122609/https://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/fileadmin/documents/Resident/Voting_and_Elections/PCC_Elections/Gwent_Area_PCC_Election_-_Regional_Result.pdf|url-status=live}}

On 21 September 2021, Gwlad was fined £200 by the Electoral Commission for late delivery of weekly donations and transactions reports for the 2019 UK general election, as well as the late delivery of its campaign spending return.{{cite news|url=https://nation.cymru/news/electoral-commission-fines-welsh-pro-independence-party/|title=Electoral Commission fines Welsh pro-independence party|date=21 September 2021|website=Nation.Cymru|accessdate=21 September 2021|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921182254/https://nation.cymru/news/electoral-commission-fines-welsh-pro-independence-party/|url-status=live}}

Gwlad, which describes itself as "the first syncretic party in Wales", is committed to achieving full independence for Wales, including the creation of a separate currency{{Cite news|date=2021-04-22|title=Welsh election: Separate currency plan from Gwlad independence party|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-56836487|access-date=2021-04-22|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422125029/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-56836487|url-status=live}} called the Hywel.{{cite news|url=https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/19262367.senedd-election-pro-independence-gwlad-see-opening-right/|title=Meet Gwlad, the pro-independence party who see on opening on the right|last=Axenderrie|first=Gareth|date=27 April 2021|website=County Times|access-date=22 September 2021|language=en|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427183802/https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/19262367.senedd-election-pro-independence-gwlad-see-opening-right/|url-status=live}} It also stated its intention to accept the result of the Brexit referendum in 2016, in which Wales voted 52% to Leave.{{Cite web|url=https://gwlad.org/|title=Gwlad - a new voice for an independent Wales|access-date=22 April 2021|website=Gwlad|archive-date=26 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426085755/https://gwlad.org/|url-status=live}} The party wants to move the Senedd to Llandudno Junction.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-independence-party-wants-move-20400415|title=The Welsh Independence party that wants to move Senedd to North Wales|first1=Ruth|last1=Mosalski|first2=Lydia|last2=Morris|date=16 April 2021|access-date=21 June 2021|website=North Wales Live|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514201500/https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-independence-party-wants-move-20400415|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/senedd-election-2021-gwlad-party-20379584|last=Mosalski|first=Ruth|date=14 April 2021|title=Gwlad party wants a new currency for Wales and an army|access-date=12 May 2021|website=WalesOnline|language=en|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512091356/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/senedd-election-2021-gwlad-party-20379584|url-status=live}}

Despite being labelled "a Welsh UKIP" by some critics,{{cite news|url=https://nation.cymru/news/populist-and-proud-or-a-welsh-ukip-an-interview-with-ein-gwlad/|title=Populist and proud or a Welsh UKIP? – an interview with Ein Gwlad|last=Mansfield|first=Mark|date=20 December 2018|work=Nation.Cymru|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=20 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620041028/https://nation.cymru/news/populist-and-proud-or-a-welsh-ukip-an-interview-with-ein-gwlad/|url-status=live}} Gwlad claims to be neither right-wing nor left-wing, but describes itself as being committed to enterprise and free markets. Evans said that Wales "really need[s] to move away from the Westminster circus" and that his party was "working hard to promote the cause for independence by attracting the 90 per cent of Welsh electorate who do not vote for Plaid Cymru."

Prior to the 2022 Welsh local elections, the party had one community councillor who was originally elected as an independent[https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/media/1214056/community-_amended_results_final-2017.pdf Town and Community Council Election Results 2017] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422155008/https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/media/1214056/community-_amended_results_final-2017.pdf |date=22 April 2021 }}, Carmarthenshire County Council. Retrieved 22 April 2021 member for the Hengoed ward of the Llanelli Rural Community Council,{{Cite web|title=Sian Mair Caiach|url=https://www.llanelli-rural.gov.uk/member/sian-mair-caiach/|access-date=2021-04-22|website=Llanelli Rural Council|language=en-GB|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422155554/https://www.llanelli-rural.gov.uk/member/sian-mair-caiach/|url-status=live}} and another community councillor, Clayton Jones, who was elected in 2017 as a Plaid Cymru{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Clayton|date=2018-04-04|title=Western Mail letters|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/western-mail-letters-wednesday-april-14489393|access-date=2021-06-21|website=WalesOnline|language=en|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204819/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/western-mail-letters-wednesday-april-14489393|url-status=live}} member for the Lower Ward of the Ynysybwl and Coed-y-cwm Community Council in Rhondda Cynon Taf.{{Cite web|title=Councillors|url=https://www.ynysybwlcoedycwmcc.org/councillors/|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Ynysbwl & Coed-y-cwm Community Council|language=en-GB|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608004539/https://www.ynysybwlcoedycwmcc.org/councillors|url-status=live}}

Gwlad won a county councillor in the 2022 Welsh local elections, with Gwyn Wigley Evans being elected for the Llanrhystyd ward in the Ceredigion County Council. Evans took the seat with 39.8% of the vote, and a majority of 13.2% over the Welsh Liberal Democrats who had previously held the seat.{{cite web |title=Local Elections - 5th May 2022 |url=http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/your-council/voting-elections/local-elections-5th-may-2022/ |website=Ceredigion County Council |access-date=9 April 2022 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407144416/http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/your-council/voting-elections/local-elections-5th-may-2022/ |url-status=live }} The party also elected two members to the Ynysybwl and Coed-y-cwm Community Council: a councillor who was elected following a poll in the Lower Ward {{cite web|title=Declaration of Result of Poll - Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council - Ynysybwl and Coed-y-Cwm Community Council - 5th May 2022 |url= https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Council/Votingandelections/Electionresults/CommunityTownCouncilElections2022/ynysybwllowerward.pdf/|website=Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council|access-date=27 July 2022 |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705071850/https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Council/Votingandelections/Electionresults/CommunityTownCouncilElections2022/ynysybwllowerward.pdf/|url-status=dead}} and Clayton Jones, who was elected unopposed in the Upper Ward.https://www.facebook.com/pg/Ynysybwl-and-Coed-y-Cwm-Community-Council-150197705732488/posts/ {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=August 2022}}{{better source needed|date=July 2022}}

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