Welsh Tory leader hits out at anti-monarchy billboard campaign
The leader of the Tories in the Senedd has hit out at an anti-monarchy billboard campaign in Wales.
Andrew RT Davies criticised the posters by the Republic group, which have been spotted in Aberdare, Cardiff and Swansea.
The billboards feature a picture of Prince Charles, who was given the title of the Prince of Wales by his mother Queen Elizabeth, and the slogan “Wales doesn’t need a prince”. The slogan, written in bold white letters on a green background, is also in grammatically incorrect Welsh.
The group, which wants to end the monarchy, argues that a hereditary public office such as the Royal Family “goes against every democratic principle”.
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies told MailOnline: “As the Western Mail/Beaufort Research poll showed earlier this year, 70 per cent of people in Wales want to see Prince William made the Prince of Wales when the current Prince of Wales becomes King.
“The Royal Family are extremely popular in Wales, and that is because their presence provides guaranteed stability in the UK and they are fantastic ambassadors for this country.
“The campaign behind these billboards were is simply not reflective of Welsh public opinion.”
‘Fringe’
He added: “This is a fringe movement, totally divorced from the people’s priorities and opinion.”
Former Welsh Government minister Alun Davies told Andrew RT Davies on Twitter: “What a snowflake. You can’t spend half your life grizzling about a “cancel culture” and then complain when you see things you don’t like.”
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Please stop reporting every inconsequential utterance and tweet that dreadful man makes. They rarely qualify as news while it would be illegal to deny him the oxygen of oxygen, it is within our grasp to deny him the oxygen of publicity.
I think he was talking about the peasant farmer from the vale.
Er fy mod i’n cefnogi’r datganiad, dwi’n credu mai “Nid oes angen..” sy’n gywir.
Nid, nad ? so what ? Os ydym am annog pobol i siarad Cymraeg yn eu bywyd dyddiol bydd y fath yna o holltu blew yn hollol negyddol. Bydde rhywbeth fel “dim ishe Carlo” yn cyfleu yr un neges yn gwmws ond os y byddwn yn gorfod byw gyda’r heddlu ieithyddol dyna fydd diwedd yr iaith yn go iawn.
As an anti monarchist 70-30 is good news 20% could be turned (Brexit as an example) it’s it time for anti-investiture campaign like Yes Cymru?
70-30 according to the Western Mail. I wonder what the poll would suggest if they polled a proper representation of true Welsh public opinion
Hey, Republic, guess what? We don’t want to be in a monarch-led country or a republic under London rule either! The poor translation is telling; they don’t care about us – an afterthought as per usual, a pet project when we happen to pop up in their news feeds. It is true that Wales doesn’t need a Prince from the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, but we also don’t need activists from across the dyke to make that determination on our behalf – this is a question of OUR national dignity, not yours. You do good work (as far as… Read more »
The same Andrew RT Davies who was happy to see billboards in Wales plastered with lies like ‘an extra £ 350 million a week for the nhs’ during the eu membership referendum
Anything for that sweet taste of boot.
Right on Leigh!
One of the many reasons Welsh history is not taught in schools in Wales.
Most people have no understanding why this title is held by a member of the English Royal family and the history surrounding it.
Time that was changed and Welsh history taught. Cymru am byth
As an American with a lingering loyalty to Wales, this is what I see. Wales’ international image is one of weakness and lethargy, unable to establish an identity beyond that of coal mines, poverty and colonial inferiority. Rugby and great music are not enough. And Conservative Welsh leaders have not forgotten the lesson of history, that identification with the English, with expectation of reward from them, is a powerful motivator for disloyalty to Wales. William as Prince of Wales together with King Charles and Queen Camilla would perpetuate that sad image. It is time for Wales to find the fortitude… Read more »
It’s called free speech. We are allowed to criticise those in charge.
What makes that idiot think that he can speak for the people of Cymru just because the people within his own little bubble are a bunch of a**licking Royalist sycophants.
Andrew RT Davies – the definition of a traitor
Dic Sion Dafydd go iawn
Whether you like it or not. The poster is correct. Wales doesn’t need Prince Charles. He has no financial or cultural benefit to Wales. Bit like you. #Gammon
No English royals in wales 🏴 kick all English party’s out of wales that’s the Tories Labour and all Brexit party’s it’s time for a new wales 🏴 A Free Wales 🏴 we in wales have got to stop being little Englanders and be proud to be welsh
Our Conservative extremists love it when their insular message is plastered over buses, billboards & adverts , in fact, are currently imposing Union Flags to be draped on or flown over all government buildings overriding our feelings & wishes. Were we consulted Andrew? No. Unionism personified. And why the British Union is dying, thankfully. And when we use our freedom of speech by stating on a poster that Wales doesn’t need a Prince anymore, bemoan the fact by throwing their dummies out of their taxpayer funded prams. Grow up Andrew RT Davies. Eat your Brexit like a good boy. Mammy’s… Read more »
a dirty great flag on the side of Cardiff’s tax office was the first thing that I thought of and dear RT Davies thought it was a wonderful idea, well I think these @republic posters are also a wonderful idea #IndyWales for me all the way @welshlabour @plaidcymru
The butcher’s apron is a horrible thing to see anywhere. Wales has its own beautiful flag. Cymru am byth 🏴
Remember, the Tories proceeded with Brexit during the height of the Covid pandemic. I’d re-evaluate your criticism if I were you.
I see the so-called ‘Prince of Wales’ title given to the eldest son of the English monarch as an 800 year old insult that has been perpetuated.
The last true PoW was inaugurated today in 1400 🙂
So Mr Davies, regardless of any poll, what exactly have the monarchy done for Wales? What do the castles surrounding Wales signify ? Why do we have an English prince imposed onto us? The answers, as we all know, are – Nothing, Conquest, to replace the deposed and killed Welsh princes. I suspect the monarchy’s days of control over Wales are coming to an end, along with that of the UK parliament.
“The Royal Family are… fantastic ambassadors for this country.” For which country? Wales? England? He is not making himself clear. Perhaps he himself is confused.
Wales should be an independent repulic, the English can decide for themselves if they want to keep thier monachy of not
Syniad gwych – Great idea https://www.republic.org.uk/
There should be a Welsh branch of Republic, right? But if so, we couldn’t go about using their Union Jack motif.
Yes I agree, I am not part of the organisation, I just posted the link
That is the idea of the posters to get people to think about it, it is high time people started to question the existing situation. Cymru am byth 🏴
ANDREW… grow up for goodness sake!