Fury as republican-led Welsh government REFUSES to hand out school book marking the Queen’s jubilee
Fury as republican Mark Drakeford’s government in Wales REFUSES to distribute book marking the Queen’s platinum jubilee to all schools despite it being translated into Welsh, saying they must ‘opt in’ to £12m scheme
Book explores ‘role of the Monarch and what the Platinum Jubilee represents’ Ministers wanted it sent to all schools across the UK, and it was printed in WelshLabour administration in Cardiff said it will only be distributed on ‘opt in’ basis
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The Welsh Government sparked fury today after refusing to fully distribute a schoolbook celebrating the Queen‘s platinum jubilee.
The Department for Education announced last year it was commissioning the work which explores ‘the role of the Monarch and what the Platinum Jubilee represents’ ahead of the 70 year milestone in June
It wanted the book sent to all school in the UK and agreed to translate it into minority languages including Welsh as part of a scheme believed to have cost £12million.
However the Labour administration in Cardiff has said it will only be distributed on an ‘opt in’ basis to schools that actively ask for copies. The Welsh first Minister Mark Drakeford is a self-confessed republican.
He and his ministers were branded ‘utterly petulant’ over the decision. Tory Senedd shadow education minister Laura Anne Jones said: ‘This book is about teaching the next generation about how our country functions and its history.
‘The only reason Labour would not want children to have them is because they believe it is not in its interest for them to take pride in British institutions and the UK’s past.
‘Of course, it might also be down to Mark Drakeford being a republican who would rather not have the Queen at all. Either way, it’s Labour that needs to go back to school and learn how to govern.’
The Department for Education announced last year it was commissioning the work which explores ‘the role of the Monarch and what the Platinum Jubilee represents’ ahead of the 70 year milestone.
However the Labour administration in Cardiff has said it will only be distributed on an ‘opt in’ basis to schools that actively ask for copies. The Welsh first Minister Mark Drakeford is a self-confessed republican.
Announcing the book last year, the DfE said it would cover events in the past 70 years, including ‘the construction of the Channel Tunnel, election of the first female Prime Minister and the invention of the World Wide Web, so children across the country can learn more about their home and its history’.
But a Welsh Government spokesman told Wales Online: ‘The Welsh Government has no role in the production or distribution of the book.
‘Education is a devolved matter. We have been clear that the book should be available in Welsh and English and schools only receive the book on an opt-in basis.
‘A large number of events are planned across Wales this year to mark the historic platinum jubilee and all primary schools in Wales will be able to order the platinum jubilee book in early May.’
Last week ministers said that they were working to make sure the book was available across the whole UK.
Last Wednesday, Wales Minister David TC Davies told the Commons: ‘The UK Government wanted to celebrate the enormous achievement and the enormous commitment to public service that has been made by our monarch, and have produced the book bilingually to ensure that schoolchildren across Wales are able to read bilingually about the contribution made by Her Majesty the Queen.
‘I am sure they all look forward eagerly to receiving their copy. The UK Government are working with the Welsh Government to ensure that that can happen imminently.’
The Queen shed tears for Prince Philip at an extraordinary service in remembrance of his remarkable life of service to Britain and his wife today.
Her Majesty stood in Westminster Abbey where she had personally ensured her beloved husband’s final wishes were fulfilled after his covid-hit funeral left her sat alone without the rousing hymns and guests he loved so much.
The 95-year-old monarch used a stick as she was walked to her seat by her disgraced son the Duke of York to give her ‘strength and stay’ Philip the final farewell he had wanted. The service was attended by the Royal Family and his relatives, friends and people who benefitted from his charities. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were the only senior royals not there.
Her Majesty stands to sing surrounded by her family with the Duke of York also on the front row.From left to right, front row: Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and Viscount Severn. (Second row left to right) The Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, the Duchess of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, Isla Phillips, Savannah Phillips, Mia Tindall, Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall
Despite battling mobility problems, she stood to pray and sing anthems during a 40-minute service that her husband of 73 years had helped plan for before his death last April. But in a controversial decision she chose Prince Andrew to support her as she arrived and left the church, clutching his elbow with one hand and a walking stick with the other.
The Queen had stood with tears in her eyes as the 1,800-strong congregation sang Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer before the bells of Westminster Abbey rang out to mark the end of the memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh.
After she leant on Andrew as she walked back out of the church, the Queen appeared to grimace as she walked to the car hunched over with the Duke of York at her side guiding her towards the Bentley.
She appeared to be holding tightly to her stick and appeared to be making a great effort to get to the vehicle, concentrating very hard in taking each step. Once inside the car she appeared to be back to her normal composed self as the car slowly drove away. She waved to onlookers as she arrived and left the service.
