Between 10am and 1pm today, members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg will launch a new period in their campaign for a new Welsh Language Act. Members will hand deliver a letter to the Offices of the Party Leaders at the National Assembly stating that even though they are convinced that some sort of a new language act is likely to be introduced, they must ensure that any new language act that is part of a coalition agreement is a full and comprehensive one.They will also be displaying a banner saying 'A WEAK Language Act, No Thanks!' and distributing leaflets outside the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay. The Cymdeithas members will be led by Gwenno Teifi (jailed last year for her part in the campaign for a New Welsh Language Act) who is facing another jail sentence by Carmarthen Magistrates Court in 3 weeks (July 9th).

In their election manifestos, Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Welsh Conservatives made promises to introduce new legislation. With the more open attitude of Carwyn Jones, the minister for Education, Culture and the Welsh Language, and the possibility of a coalition, the political climate seems more positive.In the letter, Cymdeithas yr Iaith call on the leaders of all parties to ensure that this truly important chance to change the fate of the language is not lost. Any new welsh language act must give the Welsh language official status, create the post of Language Commissioner, and ensure that Welsh citizens have the right to see and use the language in all aspects of life, and in every sector. Hywel Griffiths, chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith said:"Introducing a new Welsh language act that does not stick to the principles – official status, creating a Commissioner and giving Welsh citizens linguistic rights, - would be creating a weak, ineffectual act, and the best chance to legislate positively in the field of the Welsh language for a decade will have been lost. A weak language act will block any effective developments on the matter of the language for another decade.""It is essential that any new Welsh language act will put an obligation on companies in the private sector to provide goods and services through the medium of Welsh. The shocking attitude of Thomas Cook has shown clearly that legislation is the only way to ensure this. As noted in the 2007 Language Measure, we acknowledge that any measure will have to be enforced incrementally – large multinational companies would be affected first. Such an act is completely practical, and completely necessary, and such precedents have already been set in terms of establishing rights in the fields of disability, gender and sexuality."