Delyth Jewell MS

They say a day is long time in politics. So last week’s local government election results feel like a much longer period has passed, already. It’s hard to believe that just a week ago, I was standing in an election count in Caerphilly with results pouring in from every direction amidst an avalanche of rosettes and ballot papers - the beautiful chaos of democracy.

There's been some dispiriting commentary in the media recently that’s sought to reawaken social divides over the Welsh language. The BBC’s Jeremy Bowen, though a distinguished broadcaster, has rightly come under heavy criticism for claiming that a “determination to spread” the Welsh language risks “devaluing” the identity of Welsh people who don’t speak it. (The irony here was, of course, implicit in the fact that Mr Bowen hasn’t chosen to live in Wales for many decades).

Y Cyfarfod Llawn Plenary 11/01/2022 Bilingual English Welsh Cynnwys Contents This is a draft version of the Record that includes the floor language and the simultaneous interpretation. The Senedd met by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair. Statement by the Llywydd Good afternoon and a very happy new year to you all. Before we begin, I want to set out a few points.