On 4 March the SNP published its latest paper in its Building a New Scotland series, which focused on defence and foreign policy. In it the SNP committed an independent Scotland to joining NATO. I propose that Plaid Cymru should do the same for Wales.
An independent Wales in Europe is one of Plaid Cymru’s main goals as a political party, so much so that it’s in the party’s constitution. Usually this has been reflected in Plaid Cymru’s desire to see Wales as a member of the EU, which they’ve stated should be a long-term goal for an independent Wales. But joining NATO would be a more achievable goal in a shorter time frame, laying the groundwork for more.
An independent and European Wales
NATO is also a European organisation. Just two of its members aren’t located in Europe – Canada and the USA – and its focus is on the defence and security of Europe. Aside from Ireland, Austria, and Malta, every member of the EU is also in NATO; Sweden joined NATO on 7 March. This includes nine countries that have a smaller population than Wales.
Joining NATO would show that a newly independent Wales is committed to being a European country, and would help pave the way for EU membership. NATO fits well within Plaid Cymru’s vision of an independent Wales in Europe.
Post-independence, the countries that form the UK as it is now will need to cooperate on the defence of these islands. If Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England were all part of NATO this would make cooperation easier. Pre-established organisation would mean that signing treaties and setting new structures or organisations wouldn’t be necessary. And again, post-independence cooperation between our countries is something Plaid Cymru is already committed to.
NATO and defence
GDP of 2% is the baseline target for defence spending for NATO members. As of 2024, only 12 members meet or exceed it. There’ll always be the argument that this money is better spent elsewhere, such as on health and education.
But for an independent Wales, a commitment to meet this target as soon as practically possible would show to Europe that Wales takes joining the international community – and the responsibilities that come with that – seriously. It would also help an independent Wales to develop a more capable defence force.
Being serious about defence would also reassure voters in Wales that Plaid Cymru takes their security seriously. And that becoming an independent country won’t take Wales away from the NATO security umbrella the country has been under as part of the UK since NATO’s formation.
Nuclear weapons
Plaid Cymru has a policy against nuclear weapons. All of its MPs voted against Trident renewal in 2016. And it has stated that it would refuse the placement of such weapons in Wales or Welsh waters if it was in government in Wales.
NATO is a nuclear-armed alliance. Three of its members have nuclear weapons and five are part of a nuclear weapons-sharing programme with the USA. But the bulk of its members don’t have nuclear weapons, and hosting them isn’t a precondition of NATO membership. There would be no need for NATO to station nuclear weapons in Wales. And even if US Navy ships visited Wales, the only vessels that bear such weapons are SSBNs – the submarines that carry Trident nuclear missiles. Wales doesn’t have the facilities to host SSBNs in any event.
So Plaid Cymru’s anti-nuclear weapons stance and NATO membership aren’t in contradiction. Further, as a NATO member, an independent Wales could lobby for the end of nuclear weapons.
Committing an independent Wales to becoming a member of NATO ultimately fits into Plaid Cymru’s goals for Wales to be at the heart of Europe, contributing to the global community as an independent country. For that to be achieved, the party needs to follow in the footsteps of its Scottish sister party – to commit to NATO membership for an independent Wales.
