Wolfie Smith

So, what follows is a story about some psuedo-aristocratic twonk who is so out of touch with reality he thinks it is a good idea to upset the Welsh, then expect to be elected to represent them. Only in UKIP.....


BBC scraps radio language debate

Aug 2 2007

by Tom Bodden, Daily Post


THE BBC was forced to scrap a controversial debate programme yesterday after Welsh language experts pulled out in protest.

The Hecklers show on Radio 4 was due to be recorded during the National Eisteddfod in Mold next week.

But the eisteddfod organisers yesterday followed the Welsh Language Board in withdrawing from the broadcast.

The idea had been for socialite baronet Sir Dai Llewellyn, born in Aberdare and a former UKIP candidate, to claim the promotion of the Welsh language had gone too far and be challenged by a panel of experts.

But the decision of the eisteddfod, following that of language board chairwoman Meri Huws, meant the show had to be cancelled.

North Wales Police confirmed that chief constable Richard Brunstrom also decided not to take part after considering the views of the Welsh Language Board.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed not to be able to offer Radio 4 listeners the opportunity to hear what would surely have been a compelling debate around the Welsh language and its promotion.

“We’re also surprised that those invited to take part were unwilling to engage in a discussion about something they clearly feel passionate about.

“Hecklers begins its third series tonight and we will endeavour to replace the Welsh language programme with something equally thought-provoking in the next couple of weeks.”

The eisteddfod yesterday became the second body to pull out of the recording at Theatr Clwyd in Mold for broadcast later this month.

A statement from the eisteddfod yesterday said: “When the original invitation was received, we were under the impression that the programme would provide an opportunity to explain the value of the Welsh language in a cultural and economic context.

“But having received an outline of the intended broadcast and a CD of other programmes in the same series, it became obvious that the focus of the programme belonged to an agenda which is at least 20 years old.

“Now, devolution, the Welsh Language Act and the multi linguistic European context has made the original thesis irrelevant.

“We would be happy to participate in a programme which discusses the new vibrant current situation which exists in Wales, but we do not believe that there is any value in being part of a programme which visits old arguments which are already dead in the water.”

C_steam

="we couldn't be arsed, besides, we'd probably end up looking stupid trying to defend a dead language which we only use to **** off the english"

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harryaldridge

So where did he upset the welsh? It sounds like they got upset because they weren't prepared to put forward arguments in favour of the welsh language!! What is wrong with a good debate?

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stathan

Paranoia is a dangerous animal C Steam.

If the Welsh wish to speak their own language then let them do so, its really nothing to do with you, its probably worth pointing out that as in many other cases of destroying other countries cultures the English were were the ones who tried but failed to stamp out its use out in the first place.

Fortunately they failed, I'm sure that you'll trot out the old " locals talking in English until you entered the pub upon which they all switched to Welsh faithful standby anecdote in in a minute"



If you don't come from Wales keep your nose out of matters that you don't understand.



The relevent point of this subject is that the fools who waste so much money in Wales forcing the Welsh language on English speakers and actively discriminating against them in the jobs market and many other areas, are so dull that they don't realise that will have a better effect on the current resurgence in the language by encouraging rather than bullying and discriminating.

Which is the real point here that the clowns from the Welsh language board do not have the moral fibre to stand in discussion about their ludicrous policies, The moron Brunstrom is English anyway so I've no idea why he was involved.


As a point of interest 750,000 people out of a population of 3m speak Welsh and this figure is rising rapidly ( also bearing in mind that 25% of the population of Wales were born in England and obviously don't speak Welsh and probaly never will anyway)

Andrew Constantine

The real Welsh are descended from some of the earlier inhabitants of Britain and pre-date those Anglo-Saxon-Jute immigrants whose descendants we call the English. The Welsh language is one of the oldest in Europe and it has a written literature that predates many European nations.

If the Welsh wish to preserve their proud and anchient nation, they must work hard to keep their language alive. It is over 35 years since I last spoke any but it did have beauty and poetry obvious even to a teenager

For any members of this site who are interested in 18c Welsh history, the autobiography of that remarkable Welshman William Owen may be found in draft on captain-william-owen.blogspot.com.

I find it amusing that I, an English nationalist, seems to have more respect for the nation of Wales than some British who would decry my patriotism for England. For some who are prejudiced aginat Wales, it may because they know that the British do not form a nation and resent those of us who recognise and identify with a nation.

Andrew Constantine
A United England in a United Kingdom, free of the EU.

sean43

Great post stathan. I live in Cardiff and I have no problem with Welsh speakers, just the money that is wasted translating everything in areas which have very little Welsh speakers angers me.

Dai Llewellyn, well Nigel Farage lost credibility for me by appointing him Cardiff North candidate. I said he would do better than in 2003 and he didnt, candidates like that and UKIP want to be taken seriously - I dont think so. UKIP needs more candidates like Stathan, who shocked the Vale by gaining over 2 thousand votes, in turn losing the Tories a seat, and that is what was uttered from the Tories themselves.

Wolfie Smith

I think it is great that the Welsh choose to speak their own language - I am very proud of my own English dialect. When I visit Wales, as I do often, I am impressed by the number of youngsters I hear speaking Welsh.

I think that national identity is what UKIP stands for, or at least its what it stood for when I joined up. Under the present Tory beholden leadership it might be a bit different, of course.

Tories never liked the Welsh much.

This Sir Dai character is a bit of a div, but he won't hang around long. The ones Farage brings in never do.

Ivowtothee

Its not what language is used, it is getting the message across to all people if the U.K. in what ever language they can understand, that right, left or centre of politics is meaningless (which it is to most folks) and should be replaced with Common Sense which it seems to me most modern politicians either completely lack or have to look over their shoulder first to see if the 'party' agree.
Let's just be sensible and avoid 'sensitivities'

C_steam

Touchy!

Yes, I lived in north wales for 8 years. Yes, I've experienced the language switch in shops and restaurants (it is not anecdotal, certanly not in north wales) . Yes, I've witnessed the language - spoken by a minority - forced upon many people including my wife, since it is mandatory to be taught in schools there. Yes, I've seen, at great expense, the dualling of languages on all signs, instructions, council booklets, job applications and so on. All this for a language spoken by a minority, a language that had all but died out due to the apathy of the people toward it, not by any enforcement by 'english invaders'

A language needs to be kept alive by its people, not by legislation.

And given your 'keep your nose out of matters unless you live here' viewpoint, as exhibited more and more by the welsh and the scottish i meet, is it suprising that the ED's are blossoming? Perhaps you should join plaid?

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tamashi

I too have experienced the language switch in North Wales and the active dislike of many Welshmen towards the English. The Welsh however are amateurs in anti-English sentiment and actions when compared to the Scots!

I have had more than one occasion in Scotland where the whole pub went silent when I walked in! Scotland is carrying out ethnic cleansing in many areas where the English are being forced out of jobs and denied houses or services in a way that would have the PC Racism Brigade frothing at the mouth if it was happening in England. Try working for the NHS in Scotland if you have an English Accent.....its scary!

However, it’s actually quite PC to hate the English, after all many of our own political elite seem to want to destroy this country and everything it stands for. Terrorism has achieved its end in Northern Ireland, Plaid were throwing petrol bombs not that long ago and the SNP have built their reputation and power base by being anti-union and blaming everything on the English ********. I find it quite amusing that Plaid and the SNP can be racist, nationalist bigots but even attempt to take a similar stand on behalf of the British nation and see what happens.