Writing on the Gwydir blog site today, (https://gwydir.blog/2020/08/07/why-we-need-to-protect-and-promote-what-it-means-to-be-welsh-2/) the Leader of the Opposition in the Welsh Parliament, Paul Davies MS, has explored how a Welsh Conservative Government would “revolutionise access to our history and our culture”, during a week where people would normally have been gathering for the National Eisteddfod, meeting up with friends from across Wales.
In the article, Paul looks towards the future and announces five pledges for a Welsh Conservative Government to implement for the whole of Wales to improve access to our history and culture, including a National Art Gallery with collections in North and South Wales, a national Military Museum based in Brecon with exhibitions throughout Wales, a National Observatory, a permanent National Library exhibition in Cardiff as well as Aberystwyth and a greater place for the National Archives in Wales.
As a first language Welsh speaker, in the article Paul explores what identity means in a modern Wales, reflecting on what the past, present and the future holds, looking at how Welsh Conservatives have been fundamental in the promotion of Welsh culture. Paul writes:
“As uncomfortable as it may be for our opponents to acknowledge it, Wales-only institutions have often thrived when driven forward by Conservative governments”.
He continues: “many of us will clearly remember the establishment of S4C, the enshrining of the Welsh Language in the curriculum, and the creation of the Welsh Language Board. All the work of the Conservative Party and, it must be acknowledged, the work in particular of Sir Wyn Roberts. Has there ever been a Welsh politician who has achieved more for Welsh identity and culture than Sir Wyn? But yet again too many commentators and historians obsess about devolution referendums and disregard everything that does not suit their narrative."
More recently, Paul examines the impact of the leadership of Nick Bourne on the Welsh Conservative Party and the success of the former Secretary of State Cheryl Gillan who oversaw the vote to extend the Welsh Parliament’s powers in 2011 and also began the process known as the Silk Commission, giving the Welsh Government tax raising and tax varying powers for the first time in 800 years.
However, Paul raises his concerns about how “as Conservatives we have far too often failed to explain what we did and why we did it. We have been too content to be pushed to the side-lines of history because, quite frankly, it doesn’t suit lots of people to acknowledge we Welsh Conservatives even exist.”
Paul concludes by writing: “As Welsh Conservatives we will not only conserve, we will protect, we will prize, and we will promote Welsh history, the Welsh language, and Welsh culture.”