At 10.30am on Wednesday the 3rd of February, members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society) will present a petition to the National Assembly, signed by over 10,000 people supporting a New Welsh Language Act. This historic moment denotes a significant climax in the campaign for establishing new legislation in the field of the Welsh language, and marks the fruits of a year of labour by Cymdeithas members. Hywel Williams MP and Ieuan Wyn Jones AM from Plaid Cymru, Eleanor Burnham AM from the Liberal Democrats and Lisa Francis AM and Nick Bourne AM from the Conservative Party will witness the presentation. As usual, the Labour Party has shown a complete lack of vision and utter contempt for the opinion of the people of Wales by refusing to be present at the presentation.

In addition to presenting the petition, Hywel Williams MP will present a copy of Cymdeithas’ Draft Language Measure to the Assembly Members. This is a symbolic gesture, which will be indicative of Cymdeithas’ belief that the first legislation passed by the National Assembly, when it receives extra powers from Westminster in May, should be a New Welsh Language Act.Catrin Dafydd, chair of Cymdeithas’ New Welsh Language Act group, said,"For over a year the national, cross-party consensus amongst politicians of the opposition parties and language experts regarding the need for a New Welsh Language Act has become obvious for all to see. Presenting this petition is incontrovertible evidence that the people of Wales want to see the Welsh language receive official status, and people’s rights to use the Welsh language in all aspects of life secured. Thus far, the National Assembly Government has ignored the consensus amongst the opposition parties – the fact that they are now also ignoring the will of the people of Wales by refusing to be present at the presentation shows their utter contempt.""It is very appropriate that Members of Parliament and Assembly Members will join us to witness the presentation of this petition because Hywel Williams’ symbolic gesture of presenting our Language Measure to the Assembly Members is a clear sign of our belief that passing a New Welsh Language Act is a matter for the Welsh Assembly. We hope that the members of the opposition parties accept the challenge and ensure that a New Welsh Language Act is the first legislation passed after the Assembly receives its’ new powers. This is what the people of Wales want to see."Cyflwyno deiseb deddf iaith - BBC Cymru'r Byd, Chwefror 7 2007Parties unite to back language campaign - icwales.co.uk, Chwefror 7 2007