Plaid AM endorses Welsh Conservative Welsh Language Commissioner Policy
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas has broken ranks with Plaid Cymru colleagues by seeming to publicly back, and endorse, Welsh Conservative policy for the Welsh Language Commissioner to be an appointment of the National Assembly for Wales – and not the Welsh Government.
As part of a wide-range of measures seeking to enhance accountability, and local engagement, with decision-making in Wales, Welsh Conservatives have proposed a Localism & Citizenship Bill; which would include ensuring all Commissioners are put into post by the Assembly – ensuring their appointment is more reflective of the views of the people of Wales.
Plaid Cymru have previously blocked such measures – opposing votes in the Senedd ensuring the Welsh Language Commissioner is appointed by the National Assembly for Wales. Plaid AMs, indeed, voted against such a move in January 2014.
However, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas endorsed Welsh Conservative policy on Tuesday; proclaiming "Hear, Hear" in the Senedd as Shadow Welsh Language Minister Suzy Davies AM outlined, and reaffirmed, the Welsh Conservative position in the Senedd.
Suzy Davies AM said:
“I welcome Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas' endorsement of Welsh Conservative policy concerning the Welsh language, and the accountability of the relevant Commissioner.
“Welsh Conservatives are devoted to bringing both transparency and local people to the heart of local decision-making. Making Commissioners accountable to the Assembly, not Welsh Ministers, will be one way to achieve this.
“I hope Lord Elis-Thomas can persuade his Plaid Cymru colleagues to follow his lead and back our moves to make key public appointments – like that of the Welsh Language Commissioner – more open, transparent and consensual – rather than the centrist approach of Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party.”
