Statement by Yes Breizh following the Cardiff meeting on 14 September
In Cardiff, political leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland jointly affirmed a principle that, fundamentally, goes beyond their individual nations alone: a people must be able to democratically decide its future, and no central power can permanently obstruct the expression of this will.
This statement concerns Scotland, Wales and Ireland first and foremost. But it cannot leave Brittany indifferent.
Moreover, it is surprising that at a meeting of such significance, dedicated to the future of nations bound to us by so many historical, cultural, and human ties, Brittany was not present, even as an observer, either through its Region or through any of its representatives in Parliament.
But let us guard against too easy comparisons
Brittany is neither Scotland, nor Wales, nor Ireland. It is Brittany.
She has her own history, personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses. Above all, she has her own path to forge, and that belongs to the women and men of Brittany.
Yes Breizh therefore does not propose that they adopt a model from elsewhere. Nor do we ask them to choose between loyalty to Brittany and belonging to the Republic.
We offer them the chance to take back control of what can and must be decided in Brittany in order to act on the factors that directly determine its future: the economy, housing, health, languages, education, energy, the environment, agriculture, the sea, digital technology, security, and regional planning.
This is what we call devolution
It is neither a privilege demanded of the State, nor a favour that should be expected from it.
This is a modern conception of public accountability.
Because a country that decides on almost nothing ends up no longer answering for very much.
And a State that claims to decide everything from its centre all too often ends up deciding far removed from reality.
Nevertheless, nothing lasting can be built without the consent of the Bretons themselves.
Devolution will not be decreed.
It will be the work neither of a party, nor of an organisation, nor of a few elected representatives. It will only have legitimacy if it proceeds from the clearly expressed will of the Breton people.
That is why our first task is to convince not through slogans, but through facts; not through assertion, but through demonstration.
Explain. Compare. Quantify. Propose.
Show that a Brittany endowed with new responsibilities is not only possible, but that it can be more efficient, more democratic and more master of its own destiny.
It will then be up to Brittany and the French Republic to find together the legal and constitutional ways to translate this will into the institutions.
No institutional organisation is eternal
France has long been built through the concentration of power.
That was his story.
However, history does not command us to endlessly repeat the solutions of the past.
No Constitution is intended to freeze history.
The 21st century can be that of a Republic confident enough in itself to trust its constituent parts, strong enough to share responsibilities, and modern enough to recognise that unity does not require uniformity.
Our ambition is not to pit Brittany against France.
It is right that Brittany, mindful of its victories and tenacity throughout its history, responsible for its actions and confident in what it can become, should finally take its full share in the conduct of its own destiny.
Scotland will follow its own path.
Wales will follow its own path.
Ireland will follow its own path.
Brittany must now forge its own path.
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