Letter to the Editor - Welsh Language

Written by Eleanor Burnham and published in Daily Post on Mon 10th Jul 2006

Wyn Hobson's letter of the 7th July over the Government's decision to put off merging the Welsh Language Board was unjust in accusing the opposition parties of political point scoring. Last week I and my Tory & Plaid Cymru colleagues put aside our differences in the interest of doing what is best for the future of the Welsh language.

The Government were told from the start that their plans to merge the board wouldn't work. They were told that it would damage the good work the Board has done. They were told that Wales needs a strong independent body to safeguard the future of the language. They were told these things and chose to ignore them.

It is the duty of opposition parties to hold the Government to account and expose its failures. Mr Hobson is right that we must act now to maintain a strong independent board and safeguard the future of the Welsh language. Next week the opposition parties will be putting aside our differences again and bringing forward a joint motion to do exactly that.

Yours truly,

Eleanor Burnham AM

Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Welsh Language