Welsh Conservative candidates in south Wales have faced backlash over their promise on Welsh language policies. The promised policy was included in a leaflet promoted by Conservative candidates Adrian Lang, Jonathan Martin and Stephen Senior ahead of the council elections this week, which will take place on Thursday, May 5. For further information on the council elections, click here.
The candidates, who hope to represent the Panteg ward of the Griffithstown and Sebastopol area of Torfaen, vowed to change various policies if they won. They promised to freeze council tax, clear pavements of bins and fix roads. But the leaflet also included a vow to "oppose divisive Welsh language demands".
Read more: How to find your polling station for the council elections in Wales 2022
The candidates' promised policy on the Welsh language has sparked backlash on social media, with some describing it as "disgraceful," while others called it "anti-Welsh". Many took to Twitter to express their anger over the planned policy, including @CantreBeiniol. They said: "You thought the mentality of the Blue Books was a thing of the past? You haven't reckoned on [Welsh Conservatives] "divisive Welsh language"!"
Another user, Jac Jones, said: "One step away from promising a return to the Welsh Not." While Keith Parry said: "Relics of a by gone age standing for the Tories."
Twitter user, @mramorgan, said: "Shem on [Andrew RT Davies] and the [Welsh Conservatives], the Welsh language is our right as people of [Wales], it is our heritage."
In response to the backlash, a Welsh Conservative Senedd spokesperson said that the party had always been supporters of the Welsh language. They said: "The Welsh Conservatives have a long and proud history of supporting the Welsh language and we continue to do so."
