see you in a week...

I won't be blogging for a while as I am taking a week off next week. I didn't manage to get a proper break during the Easter holiday so I am taking this chance while I can. I've just been at Pen y Bryn special school all morning taking part in the Partners in Politics scheme which Mencap Cymru run. The school is lovely, and it was great talking to the young people about their lives, and the work experience opportunities that they have while at the school.

Yesterday I also visited the Foyer in Swansea which is being refurbished to house 28 homeless young people in the area. I was visiting mainly to talk about Trothwy's Learning and Work project, and looked at some of the work accomplished by some of the young people who attend the sessions. Its all about providing them with the opportunity to build up confidence and experience to go on to College courses in the future, and from what I saw, the course is very beneficial.

I hope the blogosphere will cope without me! See you all in a week's time....

Westminster e-petitions event

I've just got back from London where I took part in a panel debate hosted by the Hansard society on e-petitions at Portcullis House. The procedure committee at Westminster instigated a review in to e-petitions last year, and the event was held to discuss the effectiveness of such systems, and the development of the democratic process.

The procedure committee has put a series of recommendations forward to the Government in order to develop a new e-petitions system which may be introduced instead of the 10 Downing Street petitions system, which currently does not put any obligation on Ministers to react to various petitions ( the conjestion charge petition being a case in point). This system would call for Ministers to reply to any correspondence arising from petitions within a set time, and for at least 3 petitions to be discussed on the floor of Parliament within a year. The procedure committee may have the potential to be the gatekeeper for such petitions, to help petitioners word their petitions effectively, and they may also refer any petition to a select committee to consider in greater detail. It will be interesting to see what the Government's response will be to these new proposals, especially as the Prime Minister has just launched an 'Ask the PM' youtube site to try and engage with the younger voters( although any questions asked will not be replied to until mid June!) As I mentioned in my speech, perhaps it is time for Westminster to follow Wales's lead.....

We launched our e-petitions system in April and we have had at least 10 e-petitions so far ( one to pull down the display of Thatcher...interesting!) and so far I believe that the petitions committee has been a success in terms of providing a clear link with the electorate here in Wales. We did our first site visit only two weeks ago to Blaenau Gwent to see plans for a bypass that local people are calling for so that lorries do not continually drive past the only school in the area. Going out on such visits gives us as committee members a clearer idea of what the petitioners have in mind, and how we can best help them in their campaign. We are also organising to take the petitions committee out to other areas of Wales considering the success of our North Wales meeting. Of course, publicising the petitions system is integral, and I hope that we can use the summer festivals to raise awareness of what the petitions system has to offer.

More on Thatcher....

I'm quite angry at the moment. So I'll write a blog to cool down. I went on Radio Cymru today to speak about my opinions on the Thatcher art display (or whatever you wish to call it) that is being unveiled at the Assembly on Wednesday ( I wonder who will officially open it?) Alun Cairns, the Thatcher loving AM was on the show with me, and effectively accused me of censorship because I do not wish the art to be displayed at the front of the Assembly. He then went on to compare such a stance with actions taken by previous leaders...such as Hitler- of all people! I am offended, frankly, because I have no interest in censoring what is shown at the Assembly. Having said that, I would like to think that AMs could make decisions which are sensitive to those who view the National Assembly as their National building, who have no interest in Margaret Thatcher towering above them as they enter the building! At the end of the day, this piece of art was commissioned by the Assembly, therefore AMs had the decision at that point to accept it or reject it. Why not commission a piece of art that celebrates Wales and its people, and shows where we want to go as a Nation?

In the interview, Alun Cairns went on to say that this was commissioned to provoke debate, yet he did not see why or how it should provoke 'political' debate. This stance is unbelievable. Of course it is going to create a widespread political debate.

I shouldn't expect any better from a Tory who has a picture of Margaret Thatcher in his office, and who believes that she was a 'positive influence' on Wales. Please, give me strength.

Thatcher at the Senedd....

You may be aware of my opinions on that Thatcher piece of art at the Assembly which is set to be unveiled on the 21st of May. You can read the story here, and make up your own mind on it. I personally don't see why we should be giving Thatcher any legitimacy in the new Wales. The existence of the National Assembly can be largely attributed to the decimation she and her government administered over Welsh communities and the fact that sufficient political will was generated to ensure that Wales would never be fully exposed to a future Tory Westminster government.

The new Wales is supposed to be about moving away from the Thatcherism of the two main UK parties, which is alien to the political values of our nation. What is the purpose of placing a statute of Thatcher in the building that is supposed to symbolise the re-birth of our nation?

I understand the concept behind the display. That doesn't mean that I have to agree with it. I perhaps wouldn't mind so much if this was done in a sensitive way e.g placed on display in a room filled with other pieces of art, or portraits of other political leaders. I may have been less disturbed than when I heard that it was going to be displayed at the front of the Senedd, but nevertheless it has been given the go-ahead.

We had a lively discussion on the Richard Evans phone in on Friday about this very issue, and it has obviously polarised opinions quite substantially. I did find it quite ironic, however, that Jenny Randerson AM told me on air (she was on the panel of AMs that commissioned the display) that my opinions 'were dangerous', when the main reason why she supported the art display was to encourage free speech!

I think this venture on behalf of the Assembly will backfire on the Institution quite frankly. Hardly anyone from the South Wales Valleys will come to the Senedd, view the display and think 'Oh, that's why we need a Referendum on a Parliament for Wales.' They will be angered, they will be upset, they will question why we made such a decision in the first place. Her very presence legitimizes her appalling legacy in Wales. I feel strongly that this is a massive own goal and shows grave insensitivity to former miners and their families, and whole coalfield communities, who suffered under the Thatcher government.

Some of the people who phoned in said they would organise a protest at the Assembly. It will definitely make people 'confront their demons', but was this what the artist really had in mind?

Question Time lets Wales down...again...

Fe wnes i wylio Question Time neithiwr am y tro cyntaf ers sbel. Dwi ddim di bod yn ffan o'r rhaglen am y ffordd mae nhw'n trin Cymru a gwleidyddion o Gymru ar y rhaglen. Roeddwn i'n falch o weld Helen Mary yn cynrychioli Plaid, a dwi'n meddwl roedd hi'n hynod effeithiol. Roedd gormod o amser wedi cael ei rhoi at drafod hunangofiannau gwleidyddion, a Cherie Blair yn fy marn i, a phan ceisiwyd trafod y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol roedd Dimbleby yn gloi i rhoi stop i'r drafodaeth. Byddai pobl o ardaloedd eraill Prydain 'ddim yn deall' yn ol fe. Wel, rwy'n ffeindio hynny'n anodd i dderbyn i fod yn onest. Mae'r BBC yn trafod sefyllfa a gweithredoedd gwleidyddol nifer fawr o wledydd heb gor-gymhlethu pethau. Byddai pobl yn gwylio'r sioe o tu allan i Gymru wedi gallu cael darlun o beth sydd yn digwydd yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd, a sut, efallai rydym yn neud pethau'n well, neu yn wahanol i San Steffan- mae arholiadau sats ond yn un enghraifft o hynny.

Os nad yw rhaglennu megis Question Time, a newyddion rhwydwaith y BBC yn sylweddoli pwysigrwydd adroddiadau ar wleidyddiaeth Cymru a'r Cynulliad, yna mae'n hen bryd i ni datblygu system ein hun yng Nghymru. Rwyf wedi gwylio newyddion y BBC yn y bore pan mae nhw'n trafod addysg a iechyd yn Lloegr dro ar ol tro. Dyw hwn ddim yn adlewyrchu yr hyn sydd yn digwydd yng Nghymru, ond does dim ymdrech ar rhan y BBC i rhoi y darlun lawn o wleidyddiaeth Prydeinig i'w gwylwyr.

................................................................

I watched Question Time last night for the fist time in a long while. I'm not its number one fan, especially as its attitude to Welsh politics and Welsh politicians is quite remarkable. I was pleased to see Helen Mary Jones represent Plaid effectively and robustly, although I believe that far too much of the programme's time was spent discussing political autobiographies, and the life of Cherie Blair. When someone in the audience ( a lib dem researcher in the Assembly I believe) tried to discuss Welsh politics, he was quickly put to a stop by Dimbleby. People in other parts of the UK 'wouldn't understand' was the argument put at the time. I really find this quite astonishing. The BBC report about the political make up and the political goings on of countries all over the World. Surely the viewers of Question Time would have found it interesting to learn about how we do things differently, and often better, here in Wales compared to Westminster?- the sats exams are just one example of this.

If programmes such as Question Time, and BBC network news can't see the importance of broadcasting Welsh news and politics, then we have to take our message of discontent to them loud and clear. I have watched BBC breakfast news on numerous occasions where they discuss the education and health policies that affect England, yet this has no bearing on me or my life. It is unfortunate that the BBC don't make more of an effort to create news stories that reflect the political reality across the UK.

Controversy on AMs websites

Blogging has been light as I am trying to set up my new website and blog ( with the great help of webs wonder of course). Had I known that today there would be uproar following an email regarding guidelines on AMs websites which are publicly funded, I may just have given up trying to set them up at all! I am now a little unclear as to what I can and can't put up on my website, and whether or not being 'political' will be detrimental to my being able to show what work I do at the Assembly on said website! Hmmm

I had actually intended to keep my blog and website separate, but I know that some AMs incorporate both. I suspect that there will be wider discussion on this via the Assembly's commission, as it has created some uproar amongst Assembly Members ( or those of us who actually use websites and blogs on a regular basis, at least) If there is consultation with AMs then this will create some clarity on the issue, at least. It was the fact that most of us didn't know anything about what the guidelines were, or where they had come from that was the main issue. Many press releases that we write as AMs are political, and either attack other political parties or make reference to a party political stance. I don't really want to be stopped from posting such things on my main website, as it gives the impression that we are being restricted and that we are not conveying our stance on certain issues. If a politician can't be political, then there is a problem!!

A relatively quiet day at the Assembly today. I enjoy the Mental Health LCO committees that take place every Tuesday morning. Today we took evidence from RCN and the Law Society amongst others. I also attended the launch of the Kidney Wales campaign which is urging people to sign the organ donor register. It has been a hugely successful campaign, and many people spoke at the event who have had organ transplants themselves- the true champions of the cause.

Port Talbot Residents Against Power Station

I went to a protest this morning in Port Talbot ( having recovered from my awful day of suffering from food poisoning on Friday) against the wood chip burning plant set to be erected in Port Talbot. The campaigners- Port Talbot Residents against Power Station, are taking the Westminster Government to court, claiming on their latest newsletter that ' it is morally unjustifiable for the Government to build more power stations in Port Talbot when the town is already failing EU air quality health standards on a regular basis.'

I have raised such concerns on an Assembly level, and will continue to so. I also believe that Wales should have the power to decide whether planning is granted for developments which are bigger than 50 mw.

Many residents turned up, but I was glad to see Brian Gibbons AM present, who must be concerned with the way his Labour colleagues in Westminster are dealing with the situation ( and his colleague Hywel Francis, perhaps, who was not present today) I noticed that when the crowd endorsed taking the Government to court, Brian Gibbons clapped in approval. Is this another sign of a divergence of opinion between Labour in Cardiff Bay, and Labour in Westminster?

I hope to raise the issue again this week at the National Assembly because the Environment Agency now has the license to operate the power station and to regulate it. There is an ongoing court case, yes, but if there are ways that we can pursue this matter via the Assembly, then I will do my utmost to represent the voices of the people of the area.

Mike German to step down...in October.....

Do you ever get the feeling that the Lib dem group at the Assembly are a little unhappy with their leader?

Peter Black AM's blog post on his leader is testimony to the fact that he wants Mike German to go, and to go sharpish. Wait until October? No way, that's far too long a wait to get Kirsty Williams AM in there, and leading the 6 strong team of Lib dems at the National Assembly!

At the end of the day, he could easily have stood against Mike German as leader after the Assembly elections, but he chose not to stand- he and others sat back and allowed Mike German to carry on. If he was that ineffectual a leader, then why not stand against him?

I presume there was no leadership contest after the National Assembly elections, as Kirsty Williams was not popular amongst party members who wanted the deal with Plaid and the Tories to work. Kirsty was seen as trying to undermine that deal. Whether this was a play at the leadership is any one's guess.

Nevertheless, Mike German (if he keeps to his words) will stand down in October. Plenty of time for some Labour party leadership hopefuls to try and shore up a possible coalition deal with a fresh, new lib dem leader ( could it possibly happen?...)

Public Toilets

We have just had a debate on the provision of public toilets in our local areas here at the National Assembly for Wales. This is of course a serious issue, especially when the numbers of public toilets available for usage are going down. I have been involved in an issue in Maesteg where the Lib dem administration of the previous Council had closed public toilets in the area.

Nevertheless, I thought it might be interesting for you linguists to know that William Graham, Tory AM tried to get an amendment accepted to change the word 'toilet' in the motion to 'lavatory'. Now, this is a language debate worth having, isn't it Normal Mouth?!

Financial support from the Lottery for Eating Disorders in Wales

I've just found out that the Lottery has announced today that it will be putting £800,000 aside to support those suffering from an eating disorder in Wales. The BBC reports that this will be administered by the Eating Disorders Association, which may be a hard task as it no longer exists. It is now called b-eat...

Nevertheless I have been told by reliable sources that the Steering Group for the Big Lottery project will be the AWEDSIG ( All Wales Eating Disorder Special Interest Group) management group that Joy Jones chairs- a group that is a member of the Cross party group on Eating Disorders here at the National Assembly.

This is great news for those of us who are campaigning for increased provision and support for those with an eating disorder in Wales, and I look forward to learning about the new projects that will follow in line with this investment. B-eat has support groups in Wales, but it does not, for financial reasons, have a broad presence in Wales. I'm excited by the possibilities for action in light of the Lottery's funding announcement today.

Confensiwn Cymru gyfan/ All Wales Convention

News release on the All Wales Convention from the Government. If there's any spelling mistakes don't blame me;-)

SEARCH BEGINS FOR MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE
ALL WALES CONVENTION

THE starting pistol was today fired in the race to find up to 16 people to serve on the Executive Committee of the All Wales Convention.

First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan said the net would be cast far and wide to ensure committee members truly represented every aspect of Welsh life.

During a joint press conference with Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones and Chairman of the Convention Sir Emyr Jones Parry, the First Minister said this was an important step forward for the Convention.

He also announced the setting up of the All Wales Convention website – file://www.allwalesconvention.org/ – which will keep the public up-to-date with its work.
“Setting up the All Wales Convention to prepare the way for a referendum on full law-making powers is number one in our One Wales commitments for this Assembly term,” he said.
“I am determined that members of the Executive Committee reflect all aspects of modern Wales; that they come from all backgrounds and all parts of Wales to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard during this important national debate.”

The Deputy First Minister said:

“Getting the right people onto the Executive Committee is extremely important. We want it to be balanced and reflect Wales in the 21st Century.
“We are looking for applications from people in all walks of life – anyone who has an interest in guiding the direction of the Convention and playing a part in moving Wales forward.”

Sir Emyr said:

“I’m looking forward to welcoming and working with committee members from all parts of Wales. I am confident that we will find members with a wide range of talents and experience, who will be able to work together to set the direction of the Convention’s work.
“They will have the opportunity to be part of an exciting process, from stimulating the debate across Wales, to analysing what we hear from the Welsh public, and using their judgment to ensure that the report we deliver at the end of the day covers all aspects of our remit.

“The Convention website, launched today, will undoubtedly be a key tool for communicating with people throughout Wales. But this is only one of the tools we will use to communicate. I want the Convention to use a wide variety of different methods to communicate and engage directly with people across the country.”

The Executive Committee will have up to 16 members, plus the Chairman. Members will be recruited in three ways.

Four members will be appointed by inviting the four main political parties in Wales to each nominate a representative. These will be non-elected party members.
Eight members will be appointed through nominations from key Welsh organisations. The organisations invited to nominate members are the Wales TUC; Confederation of British Industry; Welsh Local Government Association; Wales Council for Voluntary Action; Funky Dragon; Faith Communities Forum; Young Farmers Clubs and Llais Merched.

Up to four members of the public will be appointed through an open competition process.

The First Minister said:

“We realise we cannot invite every stakeholder with an interest in the Assembly and Assembly Government to nominate someone to sit on the Executive Committee.

“But the Convention as a whole will encourage participation from all stakeholders and indeed the entire Welsh public,” he said. “We would urge all stakeholders who have not been invited to nominate to encourage their members to play a full role by contributing their views to the Convention.”

Members of the public who want to serve on the Convention should request an application pack by either visiting www.allwalesconvention.org, emailing publicappointments@wales.gsi.gov.uk or telephoning 029 2082 6330. Completed applications must be submitted by Tuesday, May 27.
For further details please contact Nia Jones at the All Wales Convention on 029 2080 1380 or Alan Morris at the Welsh Assembly Government on 029 2082 1870.

Are you 'feeling the pinch'?

Its quite staggering that Labour are still living in cloud cuckoo land when it comes to failing to recognise the disasterous result of the local council elections. Every interview that I have seen with a Labour cabinet member has been a cardboard cutout of the next. People have not voted Labour because they are 'feeling the pinch' on their personal finances. That's it. Nothing to do with Gordon Brown's dithering, or policy u-turns, or lack of leadership! Once they've sorted out the credit crisis and the fuel problems, then everyone will be happy and return to Labour, they seem to suggest. Perhaps if they were a little less arrogant this clear anti Labour election result wouldn't have materialised, but the way that they have spun this election result is a sign, again, that they are out of touch with reality.

I'm not sure where they go from here. Another Labour leadership contest would be far from appealing. Whether this result will reflect on their standing in any General election is questionable, but they do need to sit down and ask themselves who they are trying to represent and what they are going to do.

One thing that I can be sure about is that if Labour lose the next General election, fighting for more powers for the National Assembly for Wales should become far more appealing to them. I doubt that going cap in hand to a Tory Government in Westminster would be an attractive thought for Labour AMs.

Plaid has done really well across the board, making gains in places like Wrexham, Torfaen, RCT and Caerphilly. We are also the largest party now in Camarthernshire. Nevertheless, we still have a lot of work to do in many areas such as Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend. The loss of Gwynedd is obviously disappointing. Llais Gwynedd should now be given the education portfolio to act on their aspirations for the County. Plaid will be more than willing to work with them in this instance.

Oh, and Boris winning the London Mayoral election, don't get me started. I refuse to enter a serious political debate about a buffoon which is Boris Johnson.

Adam Price MP on election result for Plaid

Plaid wins Rhos!!!

We won Rhos- plaid 578 to 344 to Labour.

We have won some seats from labour- Rhos and Godre'r Graig, but lost cwmgwrach to Labour. This is all I know for now.I think we are also fine in crynant.

I now live in a Plaid ward. Well done Councillor Marcia Spooner!

What I now know is that we have won our 2 seats in Glyn Neath, and Ystalyfera, Crynant. We have one seat in Pontardawe ( Linet Purcell) also. We were really close in Labour strongholds Cilfrew, and in Melincryddan, Neath. It was pure gutter campaigning by Labour in Cwmgwrach, but what this election has shown is that Plaid can win anywhere in Neath. Bring on the General election!

It is now 3.45 am and I am off to bed! Nos da!