Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:29 pm on 10 November 2020.
Yes. Thank you, Llywydd. I thank the Minister for that. I am disappointed to hear that the Minister has said that the Government is willing to agree in principle, but not willing to take action immediately on this. But I do hear her comments and there are some things that we would welcome.
But I would just restate that the Government has accepted this approach and this drafting in order to add bodies to standards in the past, so there is no technical difficulty, and it's Government policy to extend standards to more bodies in order to create more opportunities and rights for the people of Wales to live their lives through the medium of Welsh. So, there is no policy disagreement here either.
The Government often complains, perhaps the Minister didn't do so now, but the Government often complains of a lack of capacity, and clearly, in a time of pandemic, that will be even more of a problem in terms of a lack of legislative capacity to introduce further standards. And, as I said earlier, there is an opportunity on a plate here in order to deliver this. So, it's the opposite of a lack of capacity and resource that we see here. I would urge you, Minister, to reconsider this issue. If the Government rejects these amendments today, as you have said that you will, then the Government can never use the excuse of a lack of capacity and resource when it comes to not introducing standards in future, and it will be clear for everyone to see that it's a lack of enthusiasm in legislating for the Welsh language that is the true problem, and I wouldn't want people to get that impression.
So, to conclude, Llywydd, I would urge Members to consider something. We were reminded over the past few days of the excellent work that returning officers do in the name of democracy, ensuring that the democratic process is accessible to everyone, and that every vote counts. I am talking clearly about America, but in Wales it is crucially important that the Welsh language is given its proper place and that our citizens can be confident that the law will guarantee, as a matter of right, not at the discretion of an individual returning officer, their ability to engage with the democratic process and to engage with democratic bodies in Wales through the medium of Welsh, particularly as we expand the franchise and expand our democracy to the next generation through this Bill. So, I thought this was a golden opportunity. Senedd Members have an opportunity to secure this today. Let's grasp that opportunity.