9. Welsh Conservatives Debate: 2023 Eurovision Song Contest

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:25 pm on 29 June 2022.

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Photo of Heledd Fychan Heledd Fychan Plaid Cymru 5:25, 29 June 2022

(Translated)

Thank you, Llywydd, and I thank the Conservatives for bringing this debate forward today and state our support for it. I would also like to echo the comments of Tom Giffard in saying that we agree, that we also regret that this competition cannot be held in Ukraine because of the illegal ongoing attacks by Russia. We don’t want to take advantage of the fact that Ukraine is going through such an appalling time, and we welcome the fact that 2023 should be a celebration of Ukraine, and that should be the case wherever the competition is held. I should also declare that I'm one of those who is not going to apologise for the fact that I'm a big fan of Eurovision. I’m sorry, but I watch annually with the family, like many people in Wales, and I also voted for Ukraine this year.

But it is a golden opportunity for us here in Wales, and I think the point is an important one: yes, we should be campaigning for Eurovision to come here to Wales. After all, it’s been in the UK eight times previously, seven times in England and once in Scotland, so it’s about time that Wales had the opportunity to host and the international benefits of that. As Tom Giffard said, we have a wealth of music here in Wales to celebrate, and I do believe that we could be exhibiting everything that we’re famous for internationally. It’s a golden opportunity in that regard. Also, if you consider that we will have an excellent opportunity internationally on the international stage with the men’s football team at the world cup, well, why not then celebrate culture in a very different way here in Wales too?

I am going to challenge the Conservatives, however. The 'true party of Wales'? Well, support, therefore, our amendment that Wales should take part in Eurovision as a nation in its own right, because that’s what our amendment states, to ensure that Wales—. Given that we have such huge talent, as has been listed, why shouldn’t we compete too? Why haven’t we heard the Welsh language ever in Eurovision? That’s one of the things that I enjoy most about Eurovision, hearing all of the different languages, seeing all of the different cultures reflected, and I think it’s about time Wales had that opportunity too.

So, I would ask everybody here: why can't we—[Interruption.] I’d be more than happy to take an intervention, Andrew, particularly if you’ll sing it.