A new Plaid Cymru Senedd and what it means for electrical safety in homes (And why you should learn a little Welsh)
Bore da!
Along with May’s local authority elections in England we also had devolved elections in Wales and Scotland. These will have a major impact on the direction that the devolved nations will take over the next 5 years, and so a lot more (welcome) interest has been paid to what’s going on in Wales than usual.
These elections have been the most consequential since the opening of the Senedd (The Welsh Parliament), with the ending of control of Welsh Labour who have had a plurality in the Senedd since its inception. At this election the choice came down to the vision offered by two very different parties – Plaid Cymru, (literally “The Party of Wales”) and Reform UK. Polling leading up to the election was very close but on the day Plaid Cymru won the most seats, became the largest party and were able to form the next Welsh Government with the first ever Plaid Cymru First Minster, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
New First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth (Centre)
enjoying learning about Electrical Safety with the author
Whilst there are wider issues at stake here, obviously the most important question being asked in hushed tones across the length and breadth of the UK is “what does a Plaid Cymru run Wales mean for domestic electrical safety?”
The good news is that Plaid Cymru ran their campaign on a new way of approaching health and housing, with a focus on prevention. Housing quality and the necessity to improve it came up again and again during the campaign, featuring heavily in Plaid’s manifesto and plan for the first 100 days, including committing to “The right to adequate housing”.
This is important for Wales as it has some of the oldest, lowest quality housing in western Europe, with a substantial proportion predating 1919, meaning a higher likelihood of disrepair and older electrical installations. Whilst an electrical installation being old doesn’t necessarily mean that it is unsafe, it does make the chances much higher, with decayed wiring and out of date (or non-existent) safety devices among the problems plaguing older installations.
Working in partnership with excellent charity Care & Repair Cymru we have helped improve homes across Wales (read the report) with targeted funding from our £1 million Electrical Safety Fund. This work not only directly helped many people living in terrible, unsafe conditions, but also made clear just how much work there is to do for any Government serious about improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable in society.
Electrical Safety First is heading into this new Senedd with 3 main asks for homes which will help the Welsh Government deliver the high quality and safe housing Wales deserves:
- Free electrical safety checks for those on the Priority Services Register, so that the most vulnerable across Wales can have their homes checked and unlock remedial funding
- Require any home sold in Wales to underdo an electrical safety check before being placed on the market – to ensure that buyers are fully informed, and that safety is never used as a bargaining chip
- Put the Welsh Housing Survey on a permanent and regular schedule, to ensure that the Welsh Government and important stakeholders (ESF) can see that the housing quality is improving
Here’s hoping that this new Senedd enjoys the stability somewhat lacking from certain other areas of the UK and is able to deliver for the Welsh people – and that they put Electrical Safety (drum roll) First.
Finally, If you are avid Wales-watcher or have even enjoyed a holiday in Wales you will also have noticed over recent years the increased use of the Welsh language, Cymraeg. It is everywhere, from road signs to official documents to bi-lingual webpages and is enjoying something of a renaissance in music and culture. Plaid Cymru are keen to continue this trend, with a target of one million Welsh speakers in Wales by 2050, the (now complete) renaming of all constituencies to their Welsh names and intending to hold all cabinet meetings in Cymraeg.
As such, perhaps we should all learn a few words, maybe whilst enjoying a delicious Welsh Cake and listening to Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers)?
The de-facto Welsh national anthem, this should be instantly recognisable if you have ever watched the 6 nations.
Key Welsh phrases to get you started:
Good Morning Bore Da
Thank you Diolch
Welcome Croeso
Goodbye Hwyl fawr
Please can you recommend me a Registered electrician?
Gallech chi argymell trydanwr cofrestredig i mi, os gwelwch yn dda?
Five yearly electrical installation check
Gwiriad gosodiad trydanol bob pum mlynedd
I love being electrically safe
Rwy’n hoffi bod yn ddiogel gyda thrydan
Diolch am ddarllen (thanks for reading)
Will
More posts by William Wright
