Welsh minister uses ‘No Mask, No Wales’ parody poster to drive home rule message
A Welsh Government minister has used a joke poster to drive home the message that mask wearing rules are different to England in Wales.
Lesley Griffiths, the MS for Wrexham and the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, posted a picture of the parody poster on her Facebook page.
The original Twitter post, which was designed by social media expert Owen Williams, features an image of a Welsh flag flying on a hillside with the message ‘No Mask, No Wales’.
Underneath it states: “If you’re visiting us this summer, wear a mask. Wales isn’t England. Our laws are different.”
The post prompted a tsunami of angry responses from people who did not like being told that the rules are different in Wales.
On her Facebook page, Griffiths said: “Restrictions may have lifted in England today, but here in Wales, some protections are staying in place to help keep you safe.
“All the latest information can be found here:
On Sunday night Williams revealed it had had been seen over 3.5 million times, with 10% of that number directly engaging with the tweet.
‘Professionally Welsh’
Williams, who describes himself as professionally Welsh, told Nation.Cymru most people had recognised it as a parody.
He said: “It took me twenty minutes to make, and to be clear it’s satire! But also, it has a serious message: Wales and England are different.”
Some of the comments about the fake poste included: “It’s provocative and I feel its nationalistic when we rely on the English pound to drive our economy.”
Another said: “Actually most of your laws are English and the union between England and Wales has never properly been repealed since Henry 8th. You’re still part of England.”
The poster has also attracted a lot of praise.
Rob Harris said: “I’m looking forward to travelling to Wales (and Scotland) this summer. I will gladly follow the rules, as I would when visiting any other country in the world. Not only is this about keeping us safe; it’s about respect.”
Richard Martin said: “Legendary work once more. Parch.”
In Wales face coverings continue to be compulsory for public transport and shops wile the UK government has made it advisory in England.
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It’s such a good design that the WG should use it and pay the guy.
Syniad gwych, da iawn 😊
I can’t see how anyone could be offended by being informed that the rules might be different in a different country. They would be the first to complain if they got fined for breaking rules because they were unaware. Cymru am byth 🏴
I think it’s what you call “deliberate offence” people on the right, including politicians, are very good at it 😉
An friend who has lived in Wales for forty years and still thinks he’s English said he thought it was rude because it didn’t say please.. 🙄
Tell him it’s an instruction, not a request.
Visitors to Monmouthshire seem to think that they are still in England. I am sick of asking people to wear masks, especially as I am clinically extremely vulnerable.