Welsh Tories Show Some Guts

The Tories' decision to call a vote of confidence against Alun Pugh for the political appointment of Kulture Kommisar, Dai 'speak no Welsh' Smith was spot on. Why didn't Plaid Cymru supporting this motion?

Smith's colonial attitude towards the Welsh language and culture means he's not to be trusted running such an important institution. And who'll take any money that Dai Smith won't be reappointed once Labour look to appoint the new head of the Arts Council on a permanent basis?

Why are Plaid such wimps? Do they think if the shoe was on the other foot that Labour wouldn't go to town against such a blatantly political appointment, who has such a low opinion of Welsh culture? Would Labour accept a person of say Saunders Lewis's view as head of the Arts Council? (even though Lewis called for a national Welsh and English radio service as far back as 1935 - forty years before the founding of Radio Wales and Radio Cymru).

Smith has such a low opinion of culture through the medium of Welsh, that he hasn't been arsed to learn the language, even though being a Welsh historian it would have been to his benefit. His identity is that of an ethnic English-speaking Welshman who won't learn Welsh on principal. His politics is based in a colonial mentality towards Welsh. Smith is an English nationalist.

If Plaid were a confident Welsh nationalist party, they would fight against such an appointment. It makes you wonder if Plaid have the guts ever to be in Government.

FAW - Last Bastion of the Welsh-Not

Noticed that the Welsh Language Society are now posting news on their website in English. I just couldn't believe this story! Absolutely disgraceful.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg have strongly criticised FAW Secretary General David Collins and the FAW Council for their anti-Welsh, English-only policy, another prime example of the need for a New Welsh Language Act.

John Pritchard, Secretary of the Caernarfon and District League, recently replied to a letter from the FAW through the medium of Welsh, and to his great surprise, received the following response from FAW Secretary General David Collins:

"I can infom you that the Football Assocciation of Wales conducts its business in English... it will remain the policy of the FAW that all communications are conducted in English."

John Pritchard was also refused permission to speak through the medium of Welsh in two separate hearings with the FAW, and they refused to pay for any translating facilities, forcing John Pritchard to speak in English. John Pritchard said:

"During this time I requested several times, that the FAW, which represents football throughout the whole of Wales communicate through the medium of Welsh. My request was turned down more than once; with the decision to refuse according to the replies, made by the Secretary General, who despite having an important sounding job title is still an employee of the Association and I doubt, has the power to rule on such a significant issue."

John Pritchard strongly believes that he was discriminated against by the Football Association of Wales on account of being refused to communicate in any form with the FAW through his own language, in his own country.

He requested a guarantee from the FAW that they were willing to discuss adopting a full bi-lingual policy, but received no further reply from the FAW. He has therefore sent a complaint to the Legal Department at FIFA. He believes that the FAW have broken FIFA Statutes 3 which states:

"Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or groups of people on account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion."

And statutes 8.2 which states:

"It is the responsibility of each member association to translate into the language of their own country"

As well as gaining the support of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, John Pritchard has also gained the support of Hywel Williams MP, and local Assembly Member Alun Ffred Jones, who will be writing to FIFA on his behalf. Catrin Dafydd, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith's New Welsh language Act campaign said:

"This is a perfect example of the need for a new Welsh Language Act. An act that would make the Welsh language an official language in Wales. An act that would create a Commissioner to regulate such matters. An act that would give all Welsh people Welsh language rights."

Cymdeithas yr Iaith have also received many complaints from its members regarding the FAW's non-existence bi-lingual policy, and their English only website. We fully support John Pritchard, and will be contacting our members, urging them to complain to the FAW and FIFA regarding the matter.

Please use the following email addresses to lodge your complaint:

FAW: info@faw.org.uk
FIFA: contact@fifa.org

Or write to: FAW, 11 / 12 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff, CF24 5PJ

Dai Smith

Well, now there's a surprise. Alun Pugh chooses Dai Smith, the attack-dog of Welsh Labour's Kulturfampf as the new head of the Arts Council of Wales. Welcome to the new Labour Brit Nat Crachach!

The man who's made his name and identity as an ethnic Welshman who can't/won't speak Welsh is now in charge of culture in Wales - that's culture in both languages.

How can a man who speaks only one language be responsible for culture when such a substantial part (and budget) of the Arts Council's money goes towards Welsh-medium events? What would Smith say if a non-English speaking person was appointed to the job? But then, English is a proper language and Welsh is a conquered language which has no interesting out-put or contribution.

How can Smith appreciate a play in Welsh? How will he cope if some scandal arises, say a libel case or plagiarism? We look forward to seeing him snivelling on the National Eisteddfod field amongst all those middle-class Welsh-speakers that he gives the impression of not enjoying their company. Will he be able to laugh or enjoy a sketch in Welsh at the Urdd Eisteddfod? At this year's Hay on Wye Book Festival he'll only be able to give any kind of view on books in one of the languages, which sort of says it all.

The man behind another Labour initiative, Library of Wales (which, again publishes no books in Welsh, shouldn't that be English Library of Wales then?) now holds more power. Library of Wales has Smith's stamp all over it - even the socialist realism promotion posters!

I'm not calling for an ethnic Welsh-speaker to get the job, just someone who speaks Welsh. He or she could be English, Irish or any other nationality. Smith as a British nationalist obviously believes the Welsh language is below him. That as part of his identity he is an ethnic Welshman who won't learn Welsh - two languages for Welsh-speakers, one for Dai Smith. Welcome to the Labour crachach. Welcome to English-language nationalism.

Smith isn't the head of the Arts Council of Wales he's the head of English languages Arts Council. In Smiths colonial eyes, there is only one interesting culture in Wales, and that's English language culture. If he thought otherwise he's had made the effort to learn Welsh as his boss, Alun Pugh has so commendably and ably done so. As it is, and as Smith is an intelligent person, we must assume that Smith couldn't be arsed 'cos he has such a low opinion of Welsh. And now he's in charge of culture. Get ready for more socialist realism.

Performers, writers and artists who work through the medium of Welsh should campaign against this appointment. It's an insult to their language, culture and profession.

Good enough for the Commonwealth - now for the Olympics

Wales it seems is good enough to be represented at the Commonwealth Games - and a big cheer for all those competing - but not good enough for the Olympics?

The Commonwealth Games is commonly called 'the friendly games' - a bit like 'special' games for 'special' people don't you think? But what about the proper, grown up Olympics? Why can't David Davies represent Wales in 2012 rather than Britainland?

Despite all the compelling arguments for a Welsh team - economic, tourist, esteem, affinity of the competitors, the British nationalist Labour Party in Wales will show their true colours and line up behind the union jack.

Look forward to an six years of unmitigated British Nationalism shoved down our throats by the British nationalist establishment, no doubt with Brit Nat labour-speak - 'inclusive', 'patriotic', 'unifying' all use ad nauseam!

Lord Faulkner

British Nationalist Labour Peer Lord Faulkner's incredible arrogance nearly had me choking on my cornflakes last week. His interview poo-pooing an English Parliament got this Welshman's off to a bad start!

Most politcal parties believe or at least like to believe they're there to serve and save their nation. Labour it seems see things differently. The nation is there to save and serve Labour. The British nationalists in the Labour Party know they could be facing eternal opposition if England were to have its own parliament, so, no parliament for England then. A bit like Wales. The Assembly was meant to be Mid Glam on stilts, when it seems they can't control the Assembly, they then change the rules.

England deserve a parliament. It's the only sensible option. Lord Faulkner and the other British nationalists Labour smugocracy should go out for a pint in their local English pub where they'll see that most Englishmen and women think so too.

Some more thoughts about the opening of the Senedd

5. The National Poet's poem. What was it about? Mixed metaphor and what the hell was the snake? As one Welsh-speaking friend said, bring back the strict-meter, cynghannedd bards. At least there's an indigenous Welsh poetic tradition of 'canu mawl' singing praise, which was developed precisely for an occasion such as opening a Senedd. Very New Labour, lots of empty talk about inclusiveness so as to underplay the Welshness. Verdict - get some cynghaneddwr to writ en 'awdl' in Welsh and resuscitate Harry Webb or Idris Davies to write something in English.

6. Queen opening the Senedd? Not so fussed. I suppose having the Queen gives the place the blessing of the Brit establishment and gives a nice warm feeling to old women and Labour Brit Nat AMs - didn't Huw/Hugh Lewis look smart? Wanted to look his best for the Queen in fine tradition of Valley socialists’ awe of the English monarchy no doubt. But it's not worth getting worked up about it. However, well done Leanne Wood for not turning up as an act of defiance against the recognition of the alien monarchy and for being one the few AMs who actually does and says something interesting, what ever your view of her politics. Good also to see the Welsh republicans making their voices and whistles heard. It reminds the Brit establishment and Labour crach that we're not all fawning peasants. Verdict - one all to monarchists and republicans.

7. The building? Well, yes it is a good design and exciting. Good on all involved. And as Windbag looks out of his office he can see at least two different successful projects that he has opposed - building a new Senedd, the Bay barrage. Who said he was a man with no vision. Verdict - one nil against the Windbag for being a boorish opposition politician.

8. The building 2. Must be the only debating chamber in the world which has no icon, flag, sign or crest which shows what the place is a debating chamber of. Even the most useless county council has some crest of the County and Borough of Cwmcrymi. And what is that thing in the middle of the chamber - did they buy it from a seaside shop in Barry Island? Shouldn't the Assembly's crest be there? Verdict - crap design in centre of chamber shows contempt for Wales and lack of pride in the establishment. Brit Establishment must be laughing at Dafydd Elis-Thomas having swallowed the 'inclusive' post-nationalist claptrap. One nil to anti-Devolutionists.

Some Thoughts about the opening of the Senedd

1. Excellent move to have all the judges in Wales present at the ceremony. It's time the North was taken out of the Chester circuit – Wales isn’t a region any more. Verdict - one nil to the Senedd.

2. Good to see representatives of the various religions and denominations in Wales. Verdict - one nil to the Senedd.

3. Rhodri Morgan's speech was the usual after-dinner jovial stuff. A good move to lighten up the procedures, but, hmmm, one can't help thinking that a British Prime Minister (or the Prime Minister of what Labour would consider a 'proper' country) would be quite so flippant. Of course windbag's kokey speech shows that the Senedd is not a stuffy institution up it's own arse with etiquette and blokes in tights. Wales is different, more 'democratic' and up-front, more ‘special’... like some kids are more 'special' than others. Isn't that the real reason for the speech? Jokes to hide any references to the true historic moment of the occasion? Verdict on speech - nice speech but won't dare speak so flippantly if he were opening a 'proper' parliament i.e. Westminster. Score draw.

4. Still, Morgan spoke more Welsh than Dafydd Elis-Thomas. Verdict - one nil to the windbag, fairplay.