Survival of Welsh language at odds with ‘dystopian’ future under Westminster says new Cymdeithas chair
The newly elected chair of campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith has said that the survival of the Welsh language is part of a package of campaigns at odds with the “dystopian” future offered by Westminster.
Robat Idris, who was elected as Chair on Saturday after Mabli Siriol Jones stood down, also called for bold action in the face of hostility towards Wales from Westminster when he addressed the Cymdeithas yr Iaith AGM.
He referred to the group manifesto – A Free Wales, A Green Wales, A Welsh Wales – which considers Welsh language and communities in the context of the climate crisis and the campaign for independence.
“It offers a vision that we can all work to realise in order to create a better Wales for our people, and a better future for our children,” he said.
“It goes without saying that this vision is completely at odds with the dystopian worldview of the Westminster Government – Cymdeithas yr Iaith must act boldly in the face of their hostility to the environment, to communities, and to Wales.
“The Welsh Government must be called to account when necessary, too – they need to put their in action substance so that the language can flourish – this extends far beyond a specific policy on the language – it includes everything.
“Policies on land and farming, industrial policy, energy policy, policies on housing, policy on tourism – the list goes on!”
He stated that “The Welsh language and our communities don’t exist in a vacuum” at the close of the group’s conference, which marks 60 years since the campaign group was launched.
Campaigns
Mr Idris is an active campaigner in community and national groups, organisations and campaigns, including Pobl Atal Wylfa B (People Against Wylfa B), Cymdeithas y Cymod (The Fellowship of Reconciliation), Undod and SAIL.
He said: “There are so many problems in the contemporary Wales and beyond that I feel compelled to campaign. But like Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s campaigns, the organisations and campaigns that I’m part of do not stand alone.
“Each campaign, like the campaign for the language, is part of the ongoing global effort for social, environmental and political fairness.
“That requires and is an opportunity to collaborate with others who are active in areas such as housing, education, health, environment and so on.”
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Da iawn Robat Idris! All voices, like that of Liz Saville Roberts earlier, which make a strong stand for Cymru give great hope and are so needed to combat the filthy effluent of hatred flooding over our land emanating from the slurry pumps of the anti Welsh client journalist propaganda mobs. Gwaith dda!
All support for the Conservatives in Wales is rapidly draining away. When Cymdeithas yr Iaith whose primary concern is protection of the language, is actively campaigning against the Tory government policies in fear of their known disregard for the language and culture. It’s a sure indication that the Conservative Party are not welcomed. Popular sentiment is very much pro language and Welsh culture. You only have to look at what’s happened in Wales football. The adoption of Yma o Hyd as an anthem is a perfect example of the nation’s feelings. The Welsh Conservatives are by their support of such… Read more »
Got a letter just two days ago from a friend. The daughter and her husband are learning Cymraeg in order to do business and teach in Cymru and grandaughters are soon off to university, one to teach Cymraeg, the other to do physics. This is an English border family. I am told this is now by no means unusual among this group.
Fantastic to hear!
The very best of luck to them
The language is under threat but we can be uplifted by the fact that people are willing to defend it and strive for its wider use. The threat is presently spearheaded by the London Tory government but we need to be vigilant. In the event of Labour winning the next GE they will assume the role of spearhead. There is very little goodwill among that party towards the Welsh language or our culture, heritage, identity etc. They will continue with the aim of eventually assimilating us into the wider AngloBrit nation, and their stooges in the Bay will be content… Read more »
Whilst I have some sympathy for ‘protect the Welsh language’ campaigns, I do feel that we would be better to put serious pressure on the Welsh Government to abolish English Medium elementary/primary education. All kids in Wales should learn to speak Welsh at school, no ifs and no buts. Surely that is the most robust way to secure the language and such a policy could not be overturned by Westminster.
Not sure that abolishing English medium education is a great move, Peter. It would certainly galvanise those who harbor anti-Cymraeg sentiments and birth a whole new generation of haters (with some merit, if the prosperity of our language become a legal or governmental mandate). The “they’re all a bunch of elitist, middle class snobs who are also backward troglodytes with their ugly, stupid language” brigade have been rather quiet of late (or their numbers have dwindled). On our side of King Offa’s hedgerow, at least. There is, I’m sure you’d agree, a reluctance to close English medium schools vs rural,… Read more »
Correct. Overt campaigns to wipe out English medium will feed those with a need for new ammo to attack the language. Don’t expect too much from our Welsh “Government” as too many of them are at best token supporters. They still expect their kids to go to the “better” English universities and question the need for fluency in Welsh even in those service areas where communication is a key element in service delivery. Too much effort going into tokenism and gestures and nowhere near enough into supporting common usage.
Dewis gwych o gadeirydd. Da iawn bobol.
Dystopian is a very good word to describe Tory ideology. We should all use it often.