MS tries to force English - demanding an apology

MS tries to force English - campaign group demands an apology 

Cymdeithas yr Iaith has called for an apology from a Conservative Member of the Senedd after they allegedly tried to pressure a Minister to speak English in the Senedd.

While asking the Trefnydd [Government Chief Whip] a question, Janet Finch-Saunders attempted to get Heledd Fychan to answer her question in English, saying that “I did ask the question in English.”

Heledd Fychan responded in Welsh, saying, “Yes, and we have two languages here, so I will use the Welsh language to reply to your question.”

As the recorded livestream of Senedd proceedings shows that the Welsh to English translation worked perfectly during the meeting, campaigners are claiming that the Conservative Member was behaving in an “anti-Welsh” manner.

The language campaign group has written to Janet Finch-Saunders MS demanding an apology from her for “undermining Welsh-language rights”.

Siân Howys, language rights spokesperson at Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said:

“Janet Finch-Saunders displayed a disgraceful anti-Welsh language attitude in the Siambr yesterday. We thank Heledd Fychan for standing her ground and continuing to answer in Welsh. But she should not have to take such a stand - Janet Finch-Saunders’s behaviour is completely unacceptable. The Llywydd should speak with her, and the Senedd Commission should educate her about the importance of respecting the language. She should apologise to Heledd Fychan, to the large proportion of her constituents who support the use of Welsh, and to the rest of us who wish to live our lives in Welsh and who face this kind of attitude and barriers far too often.

“This is another example of the pressure on people to speak English in everyday life. In a country where we do not have many language rights, one of the few places where a right to use Welsh has been established is the Senedd Siambr. And yet Janet Finch-Saunders is insisting on undermining that right.

“We call on every Member of the Seventh Senedd to commit to using and promoting Welsh, both orally and in writing, in Senedd proceedings, when employing staff and when serving constituents. 36 out of the 96 Members have already made that commitment, but now is the time to turn the tide in favour of the Welsh language in the Senedd’s administration.”

The campaigners have also expressed their concerns to the Llywydd about the incident, claiming that it highlights serious shortcomings in the Senedd Commission’s language policy.

Siân Howys added:

“The Senedd Commission, the Senedd Remuneration Board and the Members themselves need to be brought under the Welsh Language Standards, so that a robust legal framework is in place. We also call on all Members of the Senedd to make greater use of Welsh in their work, starting today.”