Legislation Committee No. 5

Proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Welsh Language) Order 2009

Consultation Responses

IG19(i) Spencer Harris, Wrexham

Annwyl Sir/Madam,

I am writing this email in support of establishing the right for the Welsh Assembly to legislate in the area of the Welsh Language.

I am a Welshman and have learnt the language as a second language and now count myself as fluent in its use. It is only right that the people of Wales have the power to legislate when it comes to protecting, nurturing and developing the use of Welsh as a medium for the future.

There are many benefits to our language:

• It provides the link between our past, present and future

• It serves as a cultural bond that binds us and creates such special events as the National Eisteddfod

• It produces the Urdd and gives children the opportunity to express themselves with confidence whether that be through art, poetry, singing or dance

• Bi-lingualism is good for our children, as it stretches children at an earlier age. This is evidenced by the huge upsurge in demand for Welsh medium education rather than English

• It distinguishes us from other nations and creates a culture unique to Cymru

Giving the assembly powers allows us to sensibly legislate, in stages, to enable the people of Wales, over time, to rebuild confidence as a nation in its identity and language. Every leader must dare to dream, as must governments and my vision for the future of Wales is one in which Wales is a bi-lingual country where I can say s'mae to people first as I walk past people on the street rather than the hello I use today.

We will never reach this goal or dream this dream if it is left to the UK Government to steer this course. It is just not important enough to them. They are not Welsh. They don't share our past. They don't share our vision of the future. Our children deserve the right to speak their own language. We must make this happen. It is our long term priority as a Nation.

For these reasons and many more it is essential that politicians see what is happening in Wales today, give the powers to the Assembly and ensure that we can sensibly legislate, take people with us and move towards the vision of a bi-lingual Wales.