The Decline of Welsh Nonconformity 8: Poltics.

Welsh Chapels had fulfilled a political role since before the 'revolutionary' year of 1868, when newly-enfranchised Nonconformists had overturned the long-dominant county families in seats like Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire. They had traditionally supplied speakers and candidates for the Liberal Party, in opposition to the Anglican-supported Conservative Party. The campaign for the disestablishment of the Anglican Church saw nonconformity even more closely involved with politics, with Nonconformist advocates like David Lloyd George (pictured) and John Herbert Lewis holding the 1894-5 Liberal Government to ransom over this. Nonconformists and churchmen clashed in print, with allegations dishonouring to the body of Christ being traded openly.[1] Besides this, there was also the question of social action, working to make the lot of the poor better. These came together with the rise of labour, and especially the rise of socialism. For those concerned with social action, socialism seemed to offer a better way of addressing social issues than the old individualism. For some socialists, it was easy to paint Liberal-supporting chapels as being no more than stooges for capitalism, stressing an inner piety that capitalists had little to fear.[2]

[1] While the early literature on Disestablishment and the woes of the Church in Wales was generally prepared to recognise fault on both sides, e.g. Judge Johnes' Inquiry into the Causes of Dissent in Wales, later literature, such as that of David Davies, Penarth (The Ancient Celtic Church in Wales) and anything by the Bishop of St. Asaph was far more confrontational. The reaction of Nonconformity to the final Disestablishment settlement was anything but gracious, and left an impression of vindictiveness.
[2] Cyril E. Gwyther: ‘Sidelights on Religion and Politics in the Rhondda Valley, 1906-26’ in Llafur (3.1) (Aberystwyth, 1980).