Senedd today

I'm not taking part in any of the debates today at the Senedd, but I am listening in on the debate on co-payments in the NHS. There is a debate later by the lib dems on bus services in Wales, where no doubt they will add to their growing wish list of financial demands from the Welsh Assembly Government. A few months ago, the idea was floated that backbenchers should be able to table debates here at the Assembly. We are still waiting to find out whether there is scope to table time for backbench debates. It is frustrating sometimes that those within the ruling groups in the Assembly cannot be pro active in initiating debates on this level. I believe this would inject some energy in to debates in the Chamber, and ultimately add another layer of scrutiny of Government Ministers. Of course, we respond diligently and thoughtfully to all the opposition party debates, but I sincerely believe that there is a need to re- assess the way that debates are run here, or how time is used during the afternoon, mid-week sessions.

Another conversation that I had today with fellow AMs was about the potential for more academic discussion amongst AMs on policy and strategy. We all know about the House magazine which is produced at Westminster, but there is no Assembly equivalent. Of course, we could look at doing an online journal of sorts, and encourage critical debate amongst AMs and political thinkers alike on the web. Those of us who blog take part in such discussions on a daily basis, but I believe that we could look in to this idea again, as this may be another way of encouraging public interest and involvement in our National Assembly.

An update on the Royal visit tomorrow- supposedly the cleaners have been asked to polish the plants on show at the Assembly! What a joke. The place is smelling of paint, and flowers have been placed on display. Its interesting that so much effort is being made for one person, for one day. Why don't the public have this treatment when they come here every day? I asked for a debate on the future of the Monarchy during business questions yesterday, and Nick Bourne AM also agreed that such a debate should take place. Perhaps that could be a theme for a backbench debate for the future?

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?...)

Come the Referendum....

Peter Black says on his blog today that we should get on with the Yes campaign for a Parliament for Wales. I couldn't agree more, but wasn't it the Lib dems who said a while ago that they didn't want a vote on a Parliament on the same day as the next National Assembly elections? Seems a bit disjointed, but now that the Lib dems are changing tactics ( again) and trying to out Welsh Plaid Cymru and the 'Welsh' Conservatives at the moment ( what with Eleanor Burnham's reference to the LCO system as 'swimming through custard') then this doesn't surprise me.

The Convention is set to start its work in the summer, and I see no reason why the Yes campaign cannot start organically regardless of the timeline of the Convention. Surely everything that we are seeking to do in the National Assembly( at least here in Plaid Cymru) is to try and show how and why we need a full legislative Parliament for Wales?

Yes, the current system is complicated and long-winded- but let us not forget that this was instigated as a way to appease the Labour party internally. Again, it was the Unionist vs Devolutionist fight in the Labour party that took precedence over endorsing the findings of the Richard Commission. That is why we are where we are today.

So lets move on, be positive about the Referendum, and enthuse the people of Wales about the importance of the Assembly becoming a Parliament. OK, so the Ian Lucas's and the Don Touhig's of this World probably don't have constituency offices brimming with letter on the constitutional question at face value, but when we delve into the issues, then the importance of enhancing the powers of the Assembly becomes clear.

People want to know why the National Assembly can't decide to keep the Post Offices open, why we can't change the regressive immigration and asylum policies of London Labour. People want to know why we can't make decisions on planning applications above 50MW, and why the Assembly can't reach the child poverty targets alone. There are many things that we can do currently as an Institution, but for the sake of clarity and consistency, as well as for the sake of enshrining the rights of the people of Wales- we must campaign for a successful outcome to this referendum.

Call for an inquiry in to Iraq War ( again...)

So the Tories have called for an inquiry in to the Iraq War, oh how opportunistic of them. Do I sense an election on the way? Of course I do! Perhaps they would like to erase from history the fact that 146 of their MPs voted in favour of the war from the outset, or, because they have a new sparkling leader, does that automatically mean that they can change their opinions?

Plaid has been consistent in calling for an inquiry, and Adam Price's campaign to Impeach Tony Blair was positive in that it sought to mobilise the peace movement in a common campaign goal. Nevertheless, these calls have fallen flat, and the Government still do not believe that it is 'the right time' for an inquiry, when 'our troops' are fighting on the ground ( and are losing morale if the latest poll of families of servicemen is anything to go by)

The Lib dems have put in an amendment to the Tory motion, asking all MPs who voted for the War to apologise. I don't see anything wrong with this, but unfortunately I don't see MPs offering to apologise in a hurry. Apologies are not that common in politics because politicians don't like being wrong, or being seen to be wrong even if they know they are!

Miliband is still in denial that the war was even a mistake, regardless of the fact that even some of George Bush's most ardent supporters in America now recognise that yes, they were, ( gulp) wrong to occupy Iraq.

An Independent inquiry is desperately needed to assess the war on every level- from clarity on the reasoning for war, to the action taken on a ground level, to the continuation of US/ British intervention in Iraq, to seeking to restore faith from the electorate in the political system. Until the London Government acknowledges this, I do not see how they can seek to even address their waning credibility.

A politics free weekend?

Was it George Osbourne who said that he didn't take part in any political activity over the weekend? I don't keep to this very often (Saturday night Plaid Neath quiz night as case in point, which was very enjoyable I'd like to add) but sometimes when I watch the Politics Show I start to go for the remote, knowing that there is athletics on the other channel! Its mainly because some of the interviews are, shall we say, a little monontonous, or at best predictable. Take Nick Clegg today for example.

I don't think that I learnt anything new about the Lib dems, only that they still aren't quite sure where they are at, and what they are trying to achieve. Its a little worrying for them, that despite their Cameron puppet leader they are still flatlining in the polls. Clegg was rushing over his words, trying to ensure that he wouldn't have to answer any questions about whether he would go into coalition with the Tories or Labour if it came to the crunch on a Westminster level. Remind you of any past events, anyone?!

As was said in the piece on the Lib dems on the show, there are plenty of ways in which they can seek to offer new ideas, but they don't seem to be grasping this agenda, especially so in Wales where Plaid are already offering and delivering on left of centre policies which coincide with the thoughts of the normal Lib dem voter. What annoyes me most about Lib dems, however, is their insistancy on appearing whiter than white about every policy or debate, despite this being far from the truth in many, but not all cases. Voting with New Labour and the Tories for the selling of student loans to private companies being one of their most recent fault lines in Westminster.

I have read many a Lib dem blogger talk about Labour and Plaid in Government in Cardiff Bay, and it is interesting that their ( one being Peter Black of course) strategy is to hammer in to Plaid at every opportunity, and this despite them failing to take up the opportunity when it arose to go in to Government! Now I know that we have to take hard decisions in Governemnt, and I haven't always agreed with everything that the Government in Cardiff Bay has done, but I enjoy the fact that we can negotiate from inside Government, and that we can influence the more progressive Labour AMs to think in line with Plaid's priorities and policy objectives. You can spin our involvement in Government any way you like, but I believe that this has been a superb opportunity for Plaid to govern, and to enthuse party members and the Welsh people alike.

Paul Murphy is Secretary of State.

Paul Murphy is the new Secretary of State for Wales. One man, one job to do-for how long is anyone's guess, mind. Lets hope that even though he describes himself as a 'devo-realist,' that the system of transferring powers via the LCO system to the Assembly can now start to run a smoother course. It can only be tried, although if relations fail between Westminster and Cardiff Bay, there may be interesting times ahead...

The Lib dems have already come all out criticising the appointment. Roger Williams, said:

“I have the highest regard for Paul Murphy as a person and as a Minister. However, his views on devolution are well known – in policy terms he is a devo-sceptic. I do not believe he is the right person to take devolution forward.”

Plaid's Elfyn Llwyd took a far more conciliatory approach:

“He is hard working and sincere, and his track record in Northern Ireland speaks for itself. He is a man of the highest calibre, and we’re sure he will co-operate with the One Wales government'.

So there we have it.

Cross party group on eating disorders gets under way

I've had a busy few days back at the Assembly. Today is a little less frantic so I have prepared to say a few words during the Lib dem minority party debate on ID Cards today. I am hoping to concentrate on the issue of Welsh identity in the context of the argument against ID cards, and the way in which ID cards are another way for Gordon Brown to push forward his obsession with 'Britishness'.

Yesterday, I launched the new Cross-party group on Eating Disorders. I'm really looking forward to the work of the group. Edwina Hart was present, and requested that we draw up a strategy, and raise awareness of eating disorders in order to mainstream the issues surrounding the illness. We are hoping to launch the aims and objectives of the group during Eating Disorder Awareness Week, which starts on the 25th of February. The National campaign this year focuses on the role of carers of those who suffer from eating disorders. While this is an important issue, as this will be our first event as a National Assembly group, we will be a little more general in our approach. If anyone would like to contribute to the group or to help with the organisation of the event, then please do get in touch.

Ming has called it a day

Well, when should you call it a day? Today obviously! Menzies Campbell has announced he's standing down as Lib dem leader. His reason- too much discussion on the leadership, which is taking away from real political discussion- that being what policies they can nick from other parties. (Sorry, it was too easy a hit!)

I know I'm not supposed to, but I actually feel sorry for Ming tonight. According to the BBC he has returned home to his wife in Edinburgh to be consoled. It would only be natural for him to want to be around people he can trust- he certainly won't find many of them in the corridors of Westminster.

If it's one thing that Lib dems do well, its getting rid of leaders, and then appearing as if they are whiter than white to the public. Simon Hughes appeared tonight on our screens all morose(he'd definitely practised the frowning. Perhaps he's having tips from Cameron's team?) but in my opinion, there's no hiding the fact that Ming was pushed. Now that the dust has settled, and we've all stopped being so excited about the snap election, the Lib dems have sat down in their leaflet strewn offices to plot and plan the next leadership coup. Conspiring against one of the best leader they ever had, arguably, in Charles Kennedy, they now know that they have to compete with the young, or the younger guns in Brown and Cameron, so Ming had to go.

If we're still interested by then, the Lib dem leadership should be decided upon by about December. This is surely an avid attempt by a lib dem press officer to make sure that the Lib dems stay in the press until then. Bring on the candidates- Nick Clegg, Simon Hughes, Chris Huhne. What about a woman? Wouldn't that really put a spanner in the works?

Whatever happens, I hope that Ming can still play a part in active politics. Us politicians who are criticised for our age on a regular basis have to stick together. Ok, so he wasn't the most inspiring leader ever, but I don't think he deserved to be made a scape goat for Lib dem failings.

Let the battle for the leadership commence.

Plaid backbenchers and the new Assembly term

Back at the Assembly today for the launch of the new Equal Opportunities body in Wales. As I sit on the Equal Opportunities Committee I will be keeping a keen eye on developments in this area, specifically with regards the work performed by the offices in Wales, and the location of such offices. Making sure that there is a smooth transformation from one body to another is also a key priority for the new organisation, notwithstanding the important policy areas which they need to tackle, alongside the Assembly, of course!

Tomorrow I have a full diary of events and meetings, which also includes an event sponsored by Dafydd Elis Thomas to celebrate 10 years of devolution. I will blog on this in more detail on the anniversary itself.

Tomorrow is also when our first plenary session of the year takes place. Ieuan Wyn Jones has already taken questions as Minister, but this term will see the real affects of Plaid in Government, and its affect on us as a Party. I am looking forward to my role as a backbencher- scrutinising and monitoring the work of the Government. I certainly hope that I will have more to say than ‘Will the Minister agree that…..’ at every session!!

On another note entirely, it seems that the Lib dems are preparing for a leadership contest. I of course have no intention of endorsing any one politician, but what I will say is that I think that Kirsty Williams was unfairly treated during the whole discussion on forming a Government and that this shouldn’t rule her out entirely from any said leadership race. If I was her, I would bide my time, nevertheless, but she should be given fair play.

In other news, I notice that David Collins, Ann Jones’s researcher has resigned. I can only say that it was the appropriate action considering his total disregard of the importance of the Welsh language, and those who speak the language.

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Nol I’r Cynulliad heddiw ar gyfer lansiad y corff Cyfleoedd Cyfartal newydd yng Nghymru. Gan fy mod I’n eistedd ar y pwyllgor Cyfleoedd Cyfartal, byddaf yn cadw golwg ar ddatblygiadau’r corff newydd hwn, yn enwedig yng nghyd destun y gwaith fydd yn cael ei wneud o’r swyddfa yng Nghymru yn benodol, yn ogystal a safle daearyddol y swyddfeydd. Mi fydd gwneud yn siwr bod yna esblygiad naturiol I rol newydd y sefydliad yn bwysig iawn, heb son am bwysigrwydd blaenoriaethau polisi.

Fory, mae gen I ddyddiadur llawn o ddigwyddiadau a chyfarfodydd, sydd hefyd yn cynnwys digwyddiad yn enw Dafydd Elis Thomas yn dathlu 10 mlynedd o ddatganoli. Byddaf yn blogio mwy am hyn yn y man.

Fory fydd y sesiwn llawn cyntaf ar lawr y Cynulliad hefyd. Fe wnaeth Ieuan Wyn Jones cymryd cwestiynnau fel Gweinidog cyn ddiwedd y tymor diwethaf, ond nawr mae’r gwaith yn dechrau go iawn! Rwy’n edrych ymlaen I’n rol newydd ar y meinciau cefn, ac at y cyfle I scriwtineiddio’r Gweinidogion. Rwy’n fawr obeithio y byddaf yn gallu dweud mwy na ‘A fydd y Gweinidog yn cytuno….’ ymhob sesiwn!!

Ar nodyn arall, mae’n rhagweld fod y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn paratoi at gael rhas arweinyddol cyn hir. Wrth gwrs, does gen I ddim bwriad rhoi fy marn ar bwy ddylai arwain y grwp hynny, ond un peth ddweda I yw bod Kirsty Williams wedi cael amser galed iawn o ran feirniadaeth o’I rol yn rhan o drafodaethau’r Llywodraeth, ac ni ddylir hwn wir cael effaith ar ei chyfleoedd fel arweinydd. Os mai fi oedd Kirsty, byddaf yn aros am ychydig cyn rhoi fy enw ymlaen, ond dyle hi, fel pawb arall, cael chwarae teg.

Mewn newyddion arall, rwy’n gweld bod David Collins wedi ymddiswyddo fel ymchwilydd Ann Jones ers ei sylwadau yn pardduo’r iaith gymraeg. Y cyfan weda I yw fy mod I’n cytuno mai dyma’r weithred gorau iddo gymryd o ystyried ei feirniadaeth o’r iaith gymraeg, a’r rheiny sy’n medru’r iaith.

You'll be glad to know that I won't be blogging for a while!

Just a quick blog to say that I am going away for a few days so I won't be blogging.

The last week has certainly been interesting. I was attending a wedding yesterday when Leighton Andrews came over to me (it was a pure coincidence that both of us were there before the consipracy theories start!) and told me that the Lib Dems had voted in favour of joining a possible Plaid led Government. Nothing surprises me with the Lib Dems.

For the record, last week I voted against the proposal that my party suspend negotiations with Labour, because I thought it was premature to do so at that stage. I think the way things turned out vindicates that position.

Pro rainbow and red - green advocates cannot dismiss different opinions as tribal whilst ruling out the other strategy. The only consideration should be what's best for Wales. Let's see what's on the table when we return from recess.

Have a nice week.

A week is a long time in politics...............

They say a week is a long time in politics. After my short experience as an AM, I think I'd say an hour is a long time in Welsh politics, especially if you assess this in terms of last night's Lib dem drama!

You all know where I stand on the issue of coalition (the Western Mail highlights this, but its news is unfortunately very out of date today), but I am perplexed by the Lib dems. Totally perplexed. They suspended talks with Labour to pursue talks with Plaid and the Tories. Negotiations took place, with Mike German seemingly either oblivious to opposition in his own party, or in denial of that opposition so as to pursue his dream of being a Cabinet Minister( again).

The Lib dems have some serious issues to address- leadership being its main priority. I must say, having seen how the Lib dems have acted, a Rainbow coalition would have been far from stable from the outset. I don't think Peter Black could stomach giving Mike German a Ministerial position, which is one of the reasons, (or the only reason?) why I believe that they are in this mess right now.

One thing is sure, we have to work through these next few days to get a deal. I don't believe that suspending talks with Labour was wise tactially for us, but that is neither here nor there at this point.

We must talk with Labour at this crucial stage, and re-ignite the red- green option. We will have to encourage Labour to play ball now. Whether they will co-operate with us is another issue altogether.

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Wythnos yn hir men gwleidyddiaeth..............................

Mae nhw yn dweud bod wythnos yn amser hir mewn gwleidyddiaeth. Yn fy mhrofiad byr fel AC, buaswn yn dweud fod awr yn ddigon hir yng ngwleidyddiaeth Cymru, yn enwedig pan yn aseseu yn nhermau drama'r Democratiad Rhyddfrydol neithiwr!

Rydych i gyd yn gwybod lle rwyf yn sefyll ar glymbaid enfys (mae'r Western Mail yn tanlinellu hyn, newyddion braidd yn hen heddiw), ond ni allaf ddeall y Lib Dems. Wedi gohirio trafodaethau gyda Llafur, i ymroddi i drafodaethau gyda Plaid a'r Toriaid, doedd Mike German ddim yn cydnabod y gwrthwynebiad yn ei blaid, efallai i ganlyn y freuddwyd o fod yn Weinidog, eto.Mae rhaid i'r Dem Rhydd wynebu rhai problemau mawr, gan flaenoriaethu arweinyddiaeth.

O weld sut maent yn ymddwyn, ni fyddai clymblaid enfys wedi bod yn sefydog iawn o'r cychwyn. Dwi ddim yn credu fod gan Peter Black y stumog i roi Gweinidogaeth ar blat i Mike German. Un o'r rhesymau maent yn y fath lanast.Yn sicr, yn y dyddiau i ddod rhaid gweithio yn galed i gael cytundeb. Nid oedd gohirio trafodaethau gyd Llafur yn symudiad tactegol ar ein rhan, ond dydi hyn o ddim gwahaniaeth rwan.

Rhaid i ni drafod gyda Llafur ar yr adeg yma, ac ail-danio'r ddewis Plaid-Llafur. Rhaid ysgogi Llafur i chwarae'r gem rwan. Ond, a fydd y blaid yna yn cydweithio?

Lib dem Councillor endorses BNP candidate

Chocking on my Bran flakes this morning( I'm trying to be healthy, not pretentious;-)), I read in the Independent that a Lib dem Councillor in Darlington has been waylaid- signing a nomination form of a BNP candidate for the local elections this May. All legitimate and mainstream political parties should unite against the BNP, in my opinion.

It shall be interesting to see whether Campbell expels the Councillor from the party. I certainly think that this would be the appropriate action to take.

Lib dem embrace 'happy meal' politics with free toothbrush

Just thought that it would be interesting to comment that a while back the Lib dems accused Plaid and other parties, of ' Happy Meal politics' - offering 'freebies' to electors in the Manifesto. Now it seems that the Lib dems are happy to follow suit, if a little less adventurous. They are offering all children under 4 years old a free toothbrush.... Perhaps they could include it in the McDonald's Happy Meals to balance out the damage done to our children's health.

Swansea says No to Stock Transfer

I've just heard the result for the stock transfer vote in Swansea. Of the 56% council tenant turnout, 71% voted against stock transfer in the city. All Council's are in a tricky situation with regards stock transfer, due to the fact that many lack the necessary funds to upgrade and develop stock. Nevertheless, this vote today is a clear sign that transfer is not the favoured way forward for Swansea tenants. Plaid Cymru does not endorse the Labour Government at Westminster's social housing policy, and this vote today reflects our opposition loud and clear. The Labour Government must now re-think it's strategy. Public housing should be funded through the public sector.

It seems that the Lib-dem Council's bias 'yes' campaign to stock transfer has actually backfired on itself in this case, encouraging people to question the Council's motives. Other vigorous 'yes' campaigns which have been celebrity endorsed by the likes of Lucy Owen and Roy Noble were successful in Rhondda Cynon Taff, ( not to mention the fact that RCT Council sent letters to ALL Council staff urging them to vote yes) but not so in Swansea where the no campaign was very strong. Let's hope that this vote opens up a sensible and well thought out discussion on the future of social housing in Wales.

Lib dem negative campaigning- Are you 'lovin' it'?

I bet McDonald's are happy with the free advertising the Lib dems are giving them today with an attack on political parties' 'happy meal' policies. Personally I'm tired of seeing ugly yellow M signs plastered around our towns, and I've heard enough about the problems surrounding the fatty foods of the capitalist company which is McDonald's, without Kirsty Williams using the company's lingo as a political point scoring exercise!

To say that Plaid's free lap top for school children is a reflection of our 'obsession with freebies' is unacceptable. The policy has been well thought out. It is researched based, centering on successes in other European countries, including a recent trial in Wolverhampton which has been hugely popular amongst school children. The purpose of the proposal is to up skill young people, to make learning more interesting, and to offer new technological opportunities to all in society. The policy has been costed, and will be rolled out across the sector.

Kirsty Williams's comments that there are 'no substance' to opposition party policies are also unfounded. She fails to remark that Plaid have a comprehensive list of policies which include doubling the childcare budget, setting targets to cut C02 emissions, first time buyer grants and introducing a Welsh Language Act, to name but a few. If these are not substantial policies, I am lost for words.

Incidentally, Peter Black AM has said previously that he wants to concentrate on the positives of the election campaign for the Lib dems, attacking Plaid's ' Kick Labour in to touch' billboard campaign. But surely this announcement today is a sign of Lib dem negative campaigning?

......The Lib dems want to develop healthier school meals. Let's hope that there's not a McDonald's in sight, then!

Swansea Lib dem Councillor leaves coalition to 'vote with his conscience'

While the Lib dems like to portray themselves as a nice party who never fall out or have any internal issues, it seems that their colleagues in Swansea have burst the bubble, with Landore Councillor Rob Speht deciding to leave the leading coalition due to 'lack of inclusion in decision- making'. The council dealings are tricky to keep up with- what with ex Lib dem and new Tory group leader Rene Kinzett taking the Conservatives out of the coalition, ( something to do with the Assembly election, perhaps, and wanting to shake off associations with the Lib dems?) and a spate of defections here and there.

The Evening Post's article on the issue suggests that Rob Speht was unhappy as he failed to be selected as the Swansea East candidate for the party, but this, according to the man himself is not the case- he didn't even put himself up for selection.

He goes on to emphasise that the people of the area voted for him as a Lib dem, therefore he will now 'vote according to my conscience'. This does make one wonder what the remainder of the lib dems in the coalition base their decisions on if they are not voting according to their conscience already!

The coalition now has just 31 members to a Council of 74 members. Will there be more lib dem defections and movements towards leaving the ruling group, and does this reflect a general feeling of dissatisfaction within the Lib dems, and their lack of vision as a party?

Lib dems sell out on key Assembly election pledge.

So the Lib dems have already sold out on a key election pledge, it seems. During the Lib dems campaign launch yesterday, Mike German, the Lib dem Leader at the Assembly went back on his claims that any future coalition with Labour would mean that they would have to sign up to PR in local Government.

Mike German said that all the party's manifesto priorities would be up for discussion following the election. Nevertheless, he has been known to have said on many occasions that PR in Local Government would be a prerequisite to entering any negotiations on coalition.

The Lib dems have already compromised their core beliefs. Surely, if Mike German is serious about governing, he should lay out clear commitments on behalf of the Lib dem group?Commitments which would undoubtedly shape their period in Government?

But then again, perhaps they want power for power's sake alone. I wouldn't be surprised.