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Hain warns of UK break-up threat Hain warns of UK break-up threat
(about 1 hour later)
The United Kingdom could be broken up by a coalition of Conservatives and nationalists, claims Wales and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain. The United Kingdom could be broken up by a coalition of Conservatives and nationalists, claims Welsh Secretary Peter Hain.
Mr Hain accused "myopic Tories" of ignoring their traditional support for the Union by trying to "whip up nationalist sentiment" in England. Mr Hain says Plaid would damage Wales economically by pursuing independence while Tories would harm the union by reducing the role of Welsh MPs.
He called the end of the UK a "one-way street to irrelevance for Wales".He called the end of the UK a "one-way street to irrelevance for Wales".
The Neath MP, who wants to be Labour deputy leader, spoke after Chancellor Gordon Brown also warned of the threat.The Neath MP, who wants to be Labour deputy leader, spoke after Chancellor Gordon Brown also warned of the threat.
The Tories, despite once priding themselves as "the party of the Union", now place selfish party advantage ahead of national interest Peter Hain MPThe Tories, despite once priding themselves as "the party of the Union", now place selfish party advantage ahead of national interest Peter Hain MP
Mr Brown, who is expected to become prime minister later this year, warned at the weekend of the "Balkanisation of Britain".Mr Brown, who is expected to become prime minister later this year, warned at the weekend of the "Balkanisation of Britain".
In an article for Saturday's Daily Telegraph, the chancellor accused today's Conservatives of adopting "anti-Unionist positions" in collusion with nationalists.In an article for Saturday's Daily Telegraph, the chancellor accused today's Conservatives of adopting "anti-Unionist positions" in collusion with nationalists.
Writing in Monday's Western Mail, Mr Hain said the chancellor's call for a debate on Britishness was "long overdue - not least because the Union is under attack from the Laurel and Hardy partnership of the Tories and the nationalists".Writing in Monday's Western Mail, Mr Hain said the chancellor's call for a debate on Britishness was "long overdue - not least because the Union is under attack from the Laurel and Hardy partnership of the Tories and the nationalists".
Mr Hain wrote: "The Union has shaped every aspect of our lives, in Wales just as much as in Scotland and England.
Mr Hain cites BBC Wales' Doctor Who as a British success story"The contribution of Wales to the industrial development of Britain was enormous, helping to create prosperity and to turn us into a world power.Mr Hain cites BBC Wales' Doctor Who as a British success story"The contribution of Wales to the industrial development of Britain was enormous, helping to create prosperity and to turn us into a world power.
"In return, Wales has long benefited from support from the Treasury, with Welsh public spending almost £1,000 per head higher than in England."In return, Wales has long benefited from support from the Treasury, with Welsh public spending almost £1,000 per head higher than in England.
Globalised economyGlobalised economy
"Today's booming Welsh economy, with more jobs than ever in our history, ten years of growth, low interest rates and low inflation, and world-class manufacturing operations like Airbus, would be unthinkable in the event of separation. "Today's booming Welsh economy, with more jobs than ever in our history, 10 years of growth, low interest rates and low inflation, and world-class manufacturing operations like Airbus, would be unthinkable in the event of separation.
"If we are to compete against the likes of China and India in a globalised economy, we must do so together as we have been doing successfully up to now.""If we are to compete against the likes of China and India in a globalised economy, we must do so together as we have been doing successfully up to now."
The Neath MP also cited the likes of Aneurin Bevan, the Welshman who founded the National Health Service, and the BBC Wales productions of Doctor Who and Torchwood as successful examples of British-Welsh co-operation. Mr Hain "shared values and interests" were under threat from a coalition of Tories and the narrow separatists of Plaid Cymru and the Scottish nationalists.
He wrote: "But our shared values and interests are now under threat as never before from an opportunistic coalition of myopic Tories and the narrow separatists of Plaid Cymru and the Scottish nationalists. "The Tories, despite once priding themselves as 'the party of the Union,' now place selfish party advantage ahead of national interest," he wenton.
"The Tories, despite once priding themselves as 'the party of the Union,' now place selfish party advantage ahead of national interest.
"By trying to whip up and then harness nationalist sentiment in England, they risk unleashing forces which can lead to only one thing: the Balkanisation of Britain. That would damage Britain and damage Wales.""By trying to whip up and then harness nationalist sentiment in England, they risk unleashing forces which can lead to only one thing: the Balkanisation of Britain. That would damage Britain and damage Wales."
'Disintegration''Disintegration'
He said Wales could not afford "nationalist introspection". Warning against "nationalist introspection" in Wales, he added: "Unless we see it off, it will prove a one-way street to the disintegration of the United Kingdom - and a one-way street to irrelevance for Wales."
"Unless we see it off, it will prove a one-way street to the disintegration of the United Kingdom - and a one-way street to irrelevance for Wales," he added.
Observers believe the Union is likely to be a major issue in the Scottish Parliament elections in May, with the Scottish National Party committed to independence.Observers believe the Union is likely to be a major issue in the Scottish Parliament elections in May, with the Scottish National Party committed to independence.
However, it is likely to have a lower profile in Wales, where Plaid Cymru's stated aim is "to promote the constitutional advancement of Wales with a view to attaining full national status for Wales within the European Union".However, it is likely to have a lower profile in Wales, where Plaid Cymru's stated aim is "to promote the constitutional advancement of Wales with a view to attaining full national status for Wales within the European Union".
The chancellor's warnings have been backed by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who said the "Faustian bargain" between Conservatives and nationalists would end the Union.The chancellor's warnings have been backed by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who said the "Faustian bargain" between Conservatives and nationalists would end the Union.
But Scottish Conservatives accused the chancellor of "undermining Britishness with his support for English regionalisation, identity cards and the European constitution."
On Tuesday, BBC Wales will reveal the findings of a poll it has carried out on the state of the UnionOn Tuesday, BBC Wales will reveal the findings of a poll it has carried out on the state of the Union