English-speakers will be able to cope with name

IT shouldn’t be controversial. The Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill proposes to lower the minimum voting age to 16 as well as some other technical changes to how elections are run. But the proposal to rename the National Assembly for Wales “Senedd” has sparked the most interest from Assembly Members.

It should be a straightforward idea that confirms what many people already call the institution; helping to “normalise” the use of Welsh among Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers alike.

The main counter proposal is to adopt a bilingual name - the clumsy “Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament”. The argument goes that English speakers will be unable to cope with a Welsh name. This will lead to voters becoming confused and disengaged from Welsh politics which will undermine the institution and ultimately our nation’s democratic process. It’s a well-meaning concern, but underestimates both the problems facing our democracy and the ability of English speakers to learn new words.

As countless studies from Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre and pressure groups like the Electoral Reform Society show, the public’s disengagement in politics and democracy is deep rooted. Understanding the difference between the executive and legislative branch, the balance of power between the Welsh and UK Government, and the varying roles and responsibilities of MPs, AMs and local councillors are not well understood.

The idea that these deep-rooted structural problems can be solved by renaming the institution Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament is fantasy. The Welsh public felt no special attachment to the European Parliament, why would the word “Parliament” used in the context of Wales do something different?

The reality is that Senedd is now the strongest and best understood alternative to the National Assembly for Wales. Names like Congress and Senate are used in Welsh and UK media to describe the legislative branch of government in the US, without the clarifying label, American Parliament.

In Ireland, Dáil is the name of their Parliament, used without problem by English speakers. For centuries, English speakers have incorporated words from other languages into everyday use – and the English language is stronger for it. A simple, distinctive, easy to pronounce word already in common and increasing usage should be obvious option. English speakers are more than able to cope and the Welsh language will be all the stronger for the change.

Stephen Brooks, former Director of the Electoral Reform Society Cymru

In Ireland, Dail is the name of their Parliament, used without problem by English speakers

Stephen Brooks