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National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Welsh Language)

Indeed, yes. I think the hon. Gentleman wants me to agree with that, and I endorse that. In conclusion, Mr. Jones, I refer to a previous meeting of this Committee, when the hon. Member for Clwyd, West suggested that I should return to my previous occupation. [Interruption.] It was a kind observation, I know. I will revert to my earlier, now lapsed profession, as a historian, once again. The great Edward Williams, Iolo Morgannwg, invented myths, legends, the Gorsedd and the National Eisteddfod, itself as a democratic, albeit patriarchal creation, which, among other things, has been the longest surviving bulwark in modern times for the Welsh language, and we should celebrate that. In the inimitable words of the late Gwyn Alf Williams: ““Iolo built his Gorsedd out of legends of remote and misty druids. He invented ceremonies, ritual and robes that Wales had never seen. Having created his Bards out of fantasy and forgery, he then gave them the watchword: Y gwir yn erbyn y byd: the truth against the world.”” Surely, near as we are to Primrose hill, we can in all truth, take this small forward step together, for the sake of the Welsh language. Set against Iolo’s inventions and achievements this is but a very simple request. The real challenge is to ensure that the measures which will flow from the agreed order are not sources of division within Wales but sources of enhanced pride and greater unity in support of both our languages. I hope my Committee has prepared the way for that unity. After all, mewn undeb mae nerth a heddwch: in unity there is strength and peace.