Campaigners warn Welsh language policies at stake after collapse of Co-operation Agreement
Campaigners have warned that the future of policies that affect the Welsh language are “at stake” following the collapse of the Co-operation Agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government on Friday.
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth ended the three-year deal, which was due to expire in December, with immediate effect.
He cited concerns over First Minister Vaughan Gething’s election campaign finances as a factor, claiming the receipt of £200,000 from a company convicted of environmental offences “demonstrates a significant lack of judgment”.
Mr ap Iorweth also said he was worried about the First Minister’s decision to sack his minister for social partnership, Hannah Blythyn, following the leak of a phone message to the media which she insisted she was not behind.
Commitments
Cymdeithas yr Iaith has called on the government to adhere to the commitments contained in the agreement relating to the Welsh language, despite Plaid Cymru’s withdrawal.
Dafydd Williams, Deputy Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said: “Following the collapse of the Co-operation Agreement, we call on the Welsh Government to declare their intention to adhere to policy commitments relating to the Welsh language and to prove that the future of the language and our communities remain at the heart of its vision.
“Key developments in several policy areas that affect the Welsh language are at stake, but we expect these to be achieved as promised in the Agreement.
“We will expect the Welsh Language Education Bill to provide Welsh education for all pupils, for the White Paper on Housing to alleviate the housing crisis in Welsh communities and to include radical measures that would go to the root of the damage to the open housing market, and for the Broadcasting and Communications Advisory Body for Wales to be established in the near future.
“The Welsh Government does not have to rely on an agreement with other parties in order to deliver for Wales.”
Progress
Following Plaid Cymru’s announcement that it was ending the deal, The First Minister said: “We will now look closely at how we can progress the outstanding co-operation agreement commitments, including the Welsh Language Education Bill and the White Paper on Right to Adequate Housing and Fair Rents.”
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Pram explodes showering the Bay in toys…
Pay attention you two at the back, you are supposed to be in charge…
Two ? Has VG an alter ego who only comes out after dark ?
The leader of Plaid, now exorcised by what arcane rite?
Pity no one mentioned the War, and how it has yet another version, this must be the Official Version…BBC Wales…protecting reputations…
Iorwerth has done the right thing. Gething should not be supported, too many question marks over his integrity, ethics and decision making.
Interpretation of the response from Guessing Gething; I haven’t a clue
Why? So after all, Labour are as anti Wales as the Tories! No wonder they won’t put in protections for place names. This is why I both Love and Hate being from Wales!!!! Love the Hsitory and how our nation was born out of resistance to foreign control, hate how their descendants have all but forgotten their sacrifices. Some have even given their enemies the identity that they were trying so hard to protect.
Cynical politicing by Plaid and Labour,fiddling while Wales slowly circles the drain . You lot have been in charge and brought us to this. I was in favour of Devolution 25 years ago,but on every metric everything is worse because of a disengeged public (we still struggle to get 47% turnout) and low calibre politicians as well as perpetual Labour/Plaid government and a weak opposition. Cymdethas can warble all it wants about about the Welsh Language but even that has declined (to 18%)despite billions spent on it. Maybe if they were reasonable and stopped trying to force the language on… Read more »
“I was in favour of Devolution 25 years ago”
Really
“We would be better off with nothing”
Is that because UK governments have done so much better?
Still favour Y Senedd but only if it contains worthwhile politicians elected through open competition via a STV by a more animated interested electorate, not some dodgy closed list. It should be the duty of all the active political parties to stimulate the interest of our electorate to participate. Right now leading parties seem to enjoy the fact that over half of potential voters do not cast their vote.