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?

10 years of Devolution

I've written quite a heartfelt article for the Bridgend Post about 10 years of devolution, but I won't reiterate it here as I prefer to keep these posts a bit lighter (not that it gets me anywhere in any of the blog awards;-))

I was 15 when the referendum on a National Assembly took place. I couldn't vote at the time, but I did take part in the rally from Pontypridd to Cardiff with the Yes campaign. I remember that my Dad was involved in the campaign from the Socialist Alliance perspective, and I can recall proudly carrying a banner on the rally, taking in the excitement of the day.

I didn't get involved in the ins and outs of the campaign as such, but I remember that there was a buzz about the referendum taking place, and I watched with interest the live TV coverage of those in pubs and venues across the country sporting t-shirts with 'Yes for Wales'.

I did watch some of the coverage and I distinctly remember scurrying downstairs to switch on the television the next morning, like a Christmas morning- the present being a successful Yes vote. Ron Davies is no Sion Corn but his 'Good Morning Wales' speech still resonates now, and of course I could never forget the powerful image of all the leaders raising their hands in celebration at the result, however narrow the margin.

Following this occasion I did not take part in party politics for some time, but I did decide to study politics at Aberystwyth ( so 97 must have had some sort of effect!) At Aberystwyth, I was told repeatedly by the likes of Richard Wyn Jones and Dafydd Trystan how important Ron Davies's statement that 'Devolution is a process, not an event' was in framing the discussion surrounding devolution in Wales, and how it was vital for us to deliver on the challenges of devolution here in Wales.

At first, I can remember believing that Plaid had taken on the challenge with vigour, and Plaid's election successes conveyed such. Nevertheless, on one level, people began to correlate Plaid with the Government despite Labour being in power, and I think we suffered as a consequence after the early honeymoon period of devolution. Plaid have now become a much more professional, pro-active party, and now, a party of Government with responsibility to deliver.

I would be mindful not to say that we are 'celebrating' devolution today, because we yet have a long way to go. Of course, we have started the process of bringing politics closer to the people, of passing laws in devolved areas of policy, and the opportunity of politicians in Wales to raise local issues on a political stage in Wales.

Nevertheless, we have to be one step ahead at all times, and the next step is the Convention, which will engage the public and key opinion forming bodies on their concerns about the extension of powers in Wales, so as to prepare the ground for a Parliament.

What we have at the moment is a halfway house of an Institution, with a veto from the Secretary of State for Wales, implemented to appease a handful of Labour MP's in Westminster. This isn't sustainable, and those who took part in the Richard Commission will tell you as such.

I am proud, of course, to be part of politics here in Wales at this important juncture in our history as a political party-in Government for the very first time. I have always believed in the importance of the National Assembly, even when other campaign groups were still going to London with their lobbies and campaigns.

Now I am looking forward to our Nation's progression, and to the confidence that we must find to create a Parliament for Wales, to serve the future generations of Wales.

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.

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

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?

Calling all young people

So, young people of Wales, put your money where your mouth is, and get involved in politics! I for one do not want to enter the elections in 2011 ( if I re-stand anywhere!) with young people claiming that politicians don't listen to them, and that their opinions are worthless.
I want to help rectify the situation, and get young people involved in decision-making for young people. BUT I will need help. I can't do it all myself. ( I know that Funky Dragon exists, but this won't compromise that at all)

So, I want to test the waters here on the blog to see what we can do, who wants to do it, and how we go about it. Ideally, I'd like to get a cross party team of people with different interests and talents so that we can get the ball rolling.

If you are interested either email me or comment on this site and we can go from there.....

By the way, I think that 'young people' should be loosely classed as those under 30 years of age. Like our youth movement, Cymru X, you can be a member if you are under 30 years old..... If you have a problem with this, just say!

Celebration time for Plaid

Just popping by to say a belated thank you to all who voted for Plaid in this election, and to all activists who have worked so hard to make key gains for the party. An excellent result of 15 seats for Plaid, and a majority for the SNP in Scotland.


It was a long day yesterday but at about 4pm we were told that we had 2 seats on the list in South Wales West.

Had a lovely evening celebrating. Although I am now extremely tired!

Now it's back to the graft again. No complacency for Plaid at all!


For now, enjoy the sunshine!

still waiting for regional result but great night for Neath

Excuse the tiredness......

It's 10.38am and we still haven't had the South Wales West regional vote. It's looking tight, and I hope that we can clinch the 2nd regional seat.

Very tired, and annoyed that we had to leave without a clear result today.

Neath was an exceptional result, and is definitely winnable in 2011. Well done Alun Llewelyn, you made Labour very scared. Hain looked much more orange than usual, and was trying to comfort Gwenda when she thought she had lost.

Disappointing about Swansea West, but across the region we don't look too bad. Aberavon at constituency level was heartening in second place, but Gibbons has a huge majority to try and hack in to!!!

No television to find out results until early hours of the morning when the Afan Lido put on the televisions in the gym. Bizarre hour of candidates sitting watching Huw Edwards on the screens...and sleeping on cross trainers and running machines!

BNP walking around in matcho crowds all night, while I tried to avoid catching their attention. Communists got in to a bit of a cerfuffle with them. I couldn't even think of looking at Nick Griffin. Very disconcerting that the BNP have picked up votes, that's for sure.

I am getting ready to go out for today and face the world. Our count is at Port Talbot Civic Hall at 2pm. We will learn there how we have done on the regional list.

All in all, Plaid has done exceptionally well. Not the Labour meltdown that we had hoped for, but room for development for Plaid for 2011. Helen Mary winning Llanelli was an election high for me, and my friend Aileen Campbell getting in on the list for the SNP.

See more pictures on my facebook page of the evening.

I'm off to the count...enjoy the results.....

Well I can't say I've taken part in the 'live blogging' activity that's going to happen tonight, but I've posted a few blogs today that should give some sort of taster as to how the day has gone, and the election for Plaid in general terms. I don't want to get nostalgic just yet!

I'm off over to the count very soon so I won't be able to read the wealth of Welsh political blogs this evening. It is a very good idea I must say. I will probably pass any information that I might get to blamerbell, but I don't know why I should either, because I bet he didn't vote Plaid twice!

Oh well, enjoy the evening, the results, the pro-plus to stay awake, and Huw Edwards's take on the election from Cardiff Bay. I'll be over at the Afan Lido in Aberavon all evening at the Neath and Aberavon count.

Fingers crossed it'll be a good night for Plaid!

Nos da!

Good Evening voters!

I've considered that it's not wise to predict seats, especially as we have no inclination at all of how things are really going! It's also due to the fact that I don't want to appear a) over confident b) too sceptical- these are extremes of feelings as you are no doubt aware, but it's hard to grasp a happy medium at a time like this- when winning the most seats possible is all we can think about as Plaid candidates! I will give you some insight in to what I am thinking nevertheless.....

I would like to think that we will pick up seats in this election due to the enormous amount of work that we have put in to strategy, work on ground level, and campaigning. Whether this happens in the North, Mid and West, or the South Wales Valleys is another question in itself.

Obviously, whatever happens we will learn from this campaign, and develop for the future, but I would especially like to see Helen Mary Jones win Llanelli. She is an excellent politician. If she loses tonight, she will be greatly missed from the Plaid Assembly team.

It would also be a spirit lifting exercise for us to possibly win back one of the South Wales seats that we won in1999. Islwyn, Rhondda and Caerphilly are ripe for the taking, with first class candidates. It would give us the boost in the Valleys that we need to broaden Plaid's appeal.

To be realistic for a moment, I'm not sure if we will pick up some Valleys seats which are still largely Labour dominated. Case in point could be Merthyr Tydfil, and my reasoning being that there are so many Independent candidates that they will inevitably split their votes against Huw Lewis. I hope that I am wrong of course, and that Plaid will save the day in order to rid Merthyr of the Unionist, Penarth boy that is Huw Lewis!

Rhodri Glyn Thomas is a cert to win in Camarthen East, not that this is newsworthy. What is worth keeping a look out for nevertheless is Plaid's Chair, John Dixon, who is standing in Camarthen West. He's rumoured to be well on the way to a win tonight. Arfon, as a new constituency is also one to look out for, and I hope that the experienced Alun Ffred will win by a long shot.

Elin Jones has run a superb campaign in Ceredigion, with excellent activists on hand( and staff!). I was present at Simon Thomas's count in the last Westminster election, and I can honestly say from that experience alone - a political party cannot take anything for granted.

On the issue of Independent candidates, I will keep an eye on whether or not Marek retains his seat in Wrexham, and Ron Davies's influence on Caerphilly ( which I happen to think is minimal). Trish Law will retain Blaenau Gwent, there is no doubt about it.

I haven't mentioned all of the constituencies for the election. I'll leave other bloggers to predict, or give thoughts on the rest!

In the meantime, I've been to some of the polling stations today here in Neath at the quieter times, but there is indication that the percentage of those voting is up. This might be something to do with the weather, or if we are more positive, it could be to do with a renewed interest in Welsh politics- or a thirst to oust Labour once and for all....

We'll soon find out... ......

Election day -Early morning start....

Just arrived back fom distributing ' Good Morning, vote Plaid twice' cards in Swansea West. I didn't mind getting up early as it was a lovely morning, and I wasn't sleeping too well anyway! I have a distinct feeling that the Lib dems and Labour were out as well. ( although Labour were probably just targeting their own voters- can't have taken long then!!..)

Excellent Plaid advert on the front of the Evening Post today as well. The party centrally has really sharpened it's act. Let's hope we can continue this momentum after the election, especially if there is a snap General election, and Council elections around the corner! They've really worked hard at HQ, I have to say.

I'm going to get ready to go out and vote now, then to help out in Neath, where Ted Jones the Plaid blogger thinks that we are in the running to win. I must say we've had an excellent response on the streets in Neath, but I couldn't possibly call it one way or the other. We've worked solidly on the campaign for over a year, and it would be great if Alun Llewelyn could beat Gwenda 'out of her depth at the Assembly' Thomas.

I would also love to predict a Plaid win for Aberavon, as our candidate Linet Purcell is exceptional. She is forward-thinking, keen, is able to communicate Plaid's message effectively, and can win over new supporters in a matter of minutes with the excitement and pleasure that she shows in taking part in the campaign. There is no comparison between her and a dull Brian Gibbons. Support on the streets here have also been very very good.

I'll try and blog later on as well, and give some thoughts on the whole election and how it's gone.

I'm also keeping a keen eye on the Scottish elections, and have already made sure that I have text alerts for Clydesdale and Cumbernauld, where two of my SNP friends are standing. It should be a very eventful night in Scotland, that's for sure! Let's hope we can emulate that here in Wales!

Make a difference! Vote Plaid tomorrow!

All I can say is- I've knocked on as many doors as possible, I've walked all the streets of South Wales West that I could physically reach, I've leafleted, argued, discussed, contemplated and it's finally come to an end!

I've thoroughly enjoyed the campaign. It's been a great experience, and the Plaid team in South Wales West has worked so hard to make this campaign a success. Thank you to everyone who has helped Plaid during this important campaign.

I can only hope now for a Plaid Government on Friday morning. The ideal wake up call!

Don't forget- vote Plaid twice tomorrow!

Tribalism and politics

You must read this excellent article by Patrick McGuiness which was printed in yesterday's Western Mail. While you are doing that, I'm off to read up on the enlightening viewpoint of Gordon Brown in the Observer that next week's Assembly elections, local election in England, and Scottish Parliament are of little importance to him ( !), and to prepare myself mentally for a hard week of campaigning up until Thursday. I will probably watch the BBC Leader's debate tonight, but I must say that I was disappointed earlier with the standard of debate on the Politics Show. Jane Davidson's patronizing smirk was enough of a switch off!

It's getting to the point where I am increasingly nervous about the election. I can't sleep, I can't relax, and I'm so engrossed in this election now that I seriously don't think that I would be able to predict how it goes for fear of cursing the whole affair!

What did make me feel good today though was that on my weekly last minute rush around the supermarket, I overheard two people talking glowingly of Plaid, and how we were a threat to Labour in this election. Made my day!


Tribalism the Enemy- Patrick McGuiness


Politicians will blame everyone but themselves for our cynicism and apathy about politics. But cynicism and apathy are our way of protecting ourselves against the routine deceits and disappointments of the political class in Wales. When the government announced, earlier this month, that it would not meet its own child poverty targets, when Unicef statistics revealed the UK’s children were at the bottom end of the scale in the developed world in terms of welfare, or when New Labour and the Tories voted through billions of pounds for Thatcher’s Trident system, our first reaction was disappointment. Our second was to say to ourselves: ‘What did we expect?’, ‘They’re all the same’, ‘Why bother to vote’. Apathy and cynicism are not always the opposite of political passion and engagement – often they are their flip side. It’s much safer to be cynical – the cynical can never be let down.

But the biggest reason for ordinary people’s apathy and cynicism about Welsh politics is Tribalism. Tribalism is the cancer in our system, and it comes in two forms: the first puts party gain over the both the electorate and the political institutions; the second is negative campaigning, where a party spends more energy and initiative creating fear and suspicion of others than it does creating trust and belief in itself. In Wales we’ve seen plenty of both from our ruling party.

The 2003 Assembly election campaign saw some of the dirtiest politics in recent years waged against Plaid Cymru: extreme emails claiming to come from Plaid members were traced to Labour’s Millbank HQ and accusations of ‘racism’ and ‘xenophobia’ bandied around with chilling abandon. There is nothing nastier than a party on the ropes, but perhaps the lowest point in Welsh Labour’s campaign history is a website called ‘Natwatch’, which mocked not only the Welsh language (we’re never far from the anti-Welsh underbelly here) but attacked a Plaid politician for being English, stooping so low as to mock her North East England accent! To think we were told that the Assembly would put an end to Westminster posturing and bullying. Instead, they are replicated on a smaller scale, like watching charmless children act out adult arguments in a playground.

This time around, Labour’s sole weapon (ironically in a month when used Tory votes to get Trident through parliament) has been ‘Vote Plaid Get Tory’. What is most depressing about this is that Labour is effectively saying: ‘your vote has no positive value, only a negative one’. After all these years in power in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, is this the best a ruling party can offer? They value our vote – our opinion – so little that they only want us to use it negatively.

This strategy looks set to rebound on them with the kerfuffle caused by rumours of possible Labour/Plaid deals. Judging from the overwrought contribution, on Tuesday’s Good Evening Wales, of Huw Lewis, one of Labour’s most obsessive Plaid-bashers, there could be some blood-letting ahead. He was already making serious threats against whoever in his party had the audacity to think in these terms. What! Co-operate with another party? String ‘em up!

But Tribalist ranters aside, do we really think that political co-operation is such a bad idea? After all, there is plenty of common ground between Plaid and Labour voters, and it is a fair bet that many people in Wales would be in favour of some form of Plaid/Labour partnership. It would reflect a large and coherent voting base, and it would reach across different parts of the spectrum.

But Labour won’t hear of it – power is not there for the sharing. They think they’re the natural party of government, and they’re prepared to do some pretty unnatural things to keep it that way. Anyone who dares to challenge Labour on the territory to which it feels entitled – John Marek, Dai Davies or Trish Law, not to mention Plaid – has felt the force of an exceptionally wealthy and ruthless machine that now puts more effort and money into negative campaigning than it does into running things properly.

Much of this obsessive negativity comes from Tribalism. For the Tribalist, any form of co-operation with other parties is an abomination.

But in real life, that strange rumoured realm politicians rarely visit, we are all different. Different people work together at home, in business, in offices every day. Are our politicians so stupid or mean-spirited that they can’t do something similar? Diversity is good, they keep telling us, yet do their utmost to avoid any form of political diversity.

Labour’s Tribalists have succeeded only in damaging the possibility of a progressive consensus in Wales and lowered the esteem in which our new political institutions are held. They have also done untold damage to their own party’s standing as a mature political force, and alienated swathes of voters from the relevance and seriousness of politics. It is sincerely to be hoped that in the post-Rhodri leadership struggle, they are pushed into the margins of the party they have already so badly damaged.

As for May 3, there is a simple solution, and Labour don’t want you to see it: vote for who you want, for the reasons you want. If someone represents what you believe in, vote for them.
Your vote is your expression, not a politician’s means to power. Though they have forgotten that, but next week there’s a chance to remind them.

5 days, 22 hours to go!

It's now 11pm and now is the first chance I've had to sit down properly all day. I've been in Maesteg today, ( where Labour's Janice Gregory was spotted-looking scarily pleased to see us!) and also Sandfields in Aberavon where we found quite a lot of Plaid support, followed by an evening session in Glyn Neath, where, to be frank, most people wanted to be left alone to watch the rugby/football on telly... Such is the way of the world!

I had a productive day today, but I must admit that I've been up and down this week. It's probably the tiredness. There's only so much canvassing I can do in a week! The HTV poll and the Western Mail poll did lift my spirit somewhat today, but as I've commented on a few other welsh blogs- we can't be complacenct just because we've had a few good polls- far from it. If anything, these polls should be an incentive to work even harder to make sure we get a Plaid Government after May the 3rd.

The election debates on the BBC have been quite interesting, and I enjoyed Adam Price's contribution on Question Time last night ( although on the question of Harry going to Iraq, my answer would have been very different!)

I'm going to the Swansea Health Service rally tomorrow at the Guildhall. Plaid's Dr Dai Lloyd will be speaking at the rally to give a few home truths about the whole saga regarding Neurosurgery. It should be an interesting day! I wonder how many Labour candidates will be there... after all, the candidates in South Wales West have all said very clearly on their leaflets that they are at the forefront of the campaign to retain the Neurosurgery Unit at Morriston. Ohhh, fair play to them!

See you tomorrow if you are at the rally. If it's another day of glorious sunshine, I don't mind canvassing and campaigning one bit!

History on Plaid's Side in Swansea!

Dyma lun o ymgeiswyr Plaid yng nghanol Abertawe heddiw- fi, Dr Dai Lloyd,Ian Titherington gyda'r hanesydd John Davies. Roedd John Davies 'Hanes Cymru' wedi dod i gefnogi ein hymgyrch. Mae hanes ar ein hochr ni! ...Mae'r ymgyrch yn mynd o nerth i nerth. Wythnos i fynd!

Here is a picture of Plaid candidates in the centre of Swansea today. In the picture- me, Dr Dai Lloyd, Ian Titherington alongside John Davies the historian. History is on our side! The campaign is going form strength to strenght. A week to go!

Plaid Aberavon on the campaign trail...( or Cafe trail!)

Plaid's Linet Purcell in La Cucina- a lovely little Cafe in Skewen, where we have a Plaid Cymru notice board until the election on May the 3rd. We happened to pass by a few weeks ago when out canvassing, and jumped at the opportunity to let the people of Skewen know about all the campaigning that Linet and Plaid Afan are doing in the area- from supporting the planning protestors in Llandarcy, to sorting out the parking issue in Taibach, to collecting thousands of signature for the Neurosurgery petition by cycling around the constituency, and supporting the cleaners of Port Talbot Hospital in their fight against cuts in working hours.

Pop in and have a look if you are in the area... you might as well try a Caramel Latte while you are there!

Coalition. The dirty word of Welsh politics?

All this talk of coalition is really getting under my skin, I must admit. If I try and be the 'Honest John' of Blamerbell Briefs fame, I would say that I am not buying in to the media's obsession with 'coalition'. The reason being that this election has been marred with discussion of coalition, which I think has played a huge part in putting voters off. Many people that I have met on the doorstep don't want Labour back in power, but neither do they ever want to see the Tories in power in Wales again. Nick Bourne's arguments on Radio Wales yesterday don't seem to hold ground as much as he would like, therefore. Yes, voters do not like Labour at the moment, but they definitely do not see the Tories as 'an alternative' in Wales as part of a coalition or not.

To be honest, I don't want to get too embroiled in this coalition debate because I want to campaign to win seats for Plaid, to form a Plaid Government in May. It's frustrating that to say the above is just swept under the carpet and scorned at, as if by stating that I want to win an election on Plaid's own merit is dodging the question of coalition! It is not!

In my opinion, two weeks before an election is not a time to be discussing the ins and outs of coalition or co-operation post election- of who is phoning who, and who will be getting the top jobs. This confusion is only turning potential voters away, and allowing Labour to scaremonger in all their election leaflets about letting the Tories in through the back door.

Yes, I am something of an idealist. Some people say it's because I am young. They say I will soon grow up, be sensible, and realise that it's not a perfect world. Until ' I grown up', I do not sit comfortably with working with the Tories- new image, shiny new leader, whatever. Call me what you like- backward looking, naive etc. I'm not particularly bothered. My politics is driven by my heart, and I don't see the point in being in politics if at the first sniff of power, I sell my principles. Is ousting Labour at any cost a real, legitimate reason for forming a Goverment anyway?

In cases like this, it's better to be honest than to shy away from discussion. I know that there could be difficult decisions to make post May the 3rd, and I will, if elected, be part of such discussions, no doubt. If consensus needs to be reached between certain parties to form a Government, then that shall take place after May the 3rd, and not a minute before that.

Do parents shape your political belief?

Part of a blog by the Green candidate in Mid and West Wales, Leila Kiersch encouraged me to write this blog. (It may be a bit long, and if you don't want to know anything about me don't read on!)

Leila Kiersch mentions how different people from different backgrounds become interested in politics, and comments on parental influence upon the type of politics pursued in later life. It made me question whether my background had any connection with my political views, and how they were shaped....



I can honestly say that my parents' political persuasions did influence me and my actions to a large extent. I soaked up so much from their political action. I can remember taking part in numerous protests outside Tesco's in the valleys as a child, when we were encouraging people to boycott South African goods as part of the Anti- Apartheid movement. Becuase I was young, it was always easier for me to shove a leaflet in people's faces politely ( believe it or not, my brother, Ciaran, was always the charmer when it came to handing out the leaflets, with his cheeky smile and blond curly hair- how things change!)

I remember Desmond Tutu coming to speak at a Chapel in Dowlais, which was jam packed. I also recall being quite upset at seeing many of the older activists being carted away in a police van when they took part in direct action!

These examples of experiences must have had some baring on my views and political actions- the campaigning, the organising, the drive to try and change the world!
But what made more of an impact on me than the active side of my childhood experiences of campaigning against open cast, to attending peace rallies with my parents etc , was their personal views and backgrounds.

My father, an ' anarcho-syndicalist' has always supported me in what I do, but I could never say that he is a Plaid supporter! He stood in the first National Assembly election against Huw Lewis, ( but what the exact party name was I cannot remember!) and I admire him for that. He has always been involved in left wing politics since I can remember- anti-poll tax campaigns and so on, and is very vocal about those beliefs! Nevertheless, he is now somewhat disillusioned with politics given that small factions of 'the left' seem always to be split. I also think that he was put off organising such a chaotic mixture of minds. Now his politics is his poetry, which has an important part to play in shaping Welsh politics and culture.

My mother is more subtle in her politics than my dad. She is much more ready to embrace Plaid's politics. She moved to Wales from Belfast nearly 30 years ago- learnt Welsh, taught Welsh, and embraced Welsh cultural life. Coming from a place like Belfast, I think that she took joy in the fact that she could enter politics without sectarianism and violence involved. Her background and history has always inspired me to become active, and my fascination with Irish politics has shaped much of my eagerness to get up and be passionate about developing the political process here in Wales.

I have many other political influences which I could write an essay about, but will not do so here! My background from growing up in the valleys, and the people around me, will always shape my way of thinking, and so will my family.

Whether I would have followed this path regardless of my parents is hard to answer. I'm not sure that I would be as passionate about politics had I not had such experiences as a young person.

Obviously you meet people throughout life who inspire you, but many key influences do stem from childhood. I was quite rebellious as a child, and hated conforming to the norm, but oddly I never rebelled against my parents' political beliefs, or feel the need to distance myself from their way of thinking.

Things may change with time of course, but I'd like to think that I would never let them down by becoming a Tory!!

Is Rhodri Morgan against Iraq War?

So I learn that Rhodri Morgan is 'probably' against the Iraq war. Well how very nice of him to let us share with him the trials and tribulations of his complex thoughts. You'd think that by now, after seeing thousands of Iraqi's dies, and 142 British soldiers, that he could have at least started to make up his mind before now.

Some commentators may say that Rhodri Morgan's view is irrelevant in this context, but I would beg to differ. Not because I believe that despite the war being a non-devolved issue that he should necessarily comment, but because Rhodri Morgan is Wales's Prime Minister, or Leader of Welsh Labour as is correct during election time;-)

The fact that he is a figurehead in Wales, a leading politician, means that he should communicate with the people of Wales his views on the most pressing issues of the day. As we all know, Rhodri Morgan has previously expressed opinions on numerous issues that are beyond his control, and his opinions on the Iraq War shouldn't be any different.

Had Rhodri Morgan said last year during Question Time that he found the issue complex and that supporting his wife through the debate in Westminster etc was testing, I think the audience might have given him an easier ride, might have empathised with him a little. But he chose to sit on the fence, and for that reason showed a clear lack of political leadership- leadership which Wales desperately needs.

This latest admission by Rhodri Morgan has come too late in my opinion. I'm not saying that because it's election time, and because all parties are competing for precious Assembly seats, but because Rhodri Morgan should have been ready to make a statement either for or against the war when he could have perhaps influenced decision makers in their London towers, and Labour colleagues, and when I, like thousands of other people in Wales protested against the war.

A statement now, when the Iraq war is quickly degenerating in to chaos, and when the Labour Party's legacy will be associated with this dreadful decision to enter an illegal war, is far too late.

Dafydd Wigley in Neath today

Dyma lun o Alun Llewelyn, ymgeisydd Castell Nedd, Carolyn Edwards sydd ar rhestr rhanbarthol Plaid Gorllewin De Cymru, Dafydd Wigley a fi yng nghanol Castell Nedd y bore ma. Fe ddaeth Dafydd Wigley i estun ei gefnogaeth i'r ymgyrch yn yr ardal, ac fe gafodd croeso gwresog gan bobl y dre.

Here is a picture of Alun Llewelyn, Plaid's Neath candidate alongside Carolyn Edwards who is on the Regional list in the area, Dafydd Wigley, and myself in the centre of Neath this morning. Dafydd Wigley came to show his support for the campaign here locally, and the local people gave Dafydd a warm welcome.

Save our Health Service!

Dyma lun o ymgeisydd Plaid Castell Nedd, Alun Llewelyn, fi, Jean Jenkins sydd yn aelod o'r RCN, a Carolyn Edwards sydd ar rhestr rhanbarthol Gorllewin De Cymru. Fe wnaethom lansio'r poster mawr yma ar gyfer Castell Nedd Port Talbot heddiw. Ar ddiwedd y dydd, iechyd yw un o'r materion pwysicaf ym mywydau pobl pob dydd, ac mae'n hen bryd i ni ddod a rheolaeth aneffeithlon Llafur Newydd i ben yn etholiadau'r Cynulliad ar Fai y 3ydd.

Here is a picture of Alun Llewelyn, Plaid candidate for Neath, me, Jean Jenkins, a member of RCN, and Carolyn Edwards who is on Plaid's Regional list for South Wales West. We launched the billboard for Neath Port Talbot today. At the end of the day, health is one of the most important election issues for thousands of people in Wales, and we owe it to them to get Labour out on May the 3rd, after they have made a mess of our health service fo so many years.

Croeso i Gymru, Tony!

Fel rwyf wedi dweud yn y gorffennol, ac fel mae'r blogwr Guerilla Welsh Fare wedi ategu, mi oedd ymweliad Tony Blair i Gymru yn bell o fod yn arwydd negyddol i'r gwrthbleidiau, yn enwedig i ni ym Mhlaid Cymru. Ar stepen drws, mae ynganu'r enw 'Tony Blair' yn cael ei weld fel rheg i nifer fawr o bobl. Roedd yr ymweliad ddoe ond yn pwysleisio'r amhoblogrwydd hynny, am nad oedd croeso mawr iddo yn y ddinas fawr nac ym Mhort Talbot ychwaith!

Mae Tony Blair wastad wedi cael problem gyda twymo tuag at y Cymry ac at wleidyddiaeth datganoledig Cymru. Yn wahanol i Ogledd Iwerddon lle mae e wedi ceisio chwarae rol blaenllaw mewn siapio dyfodol gwleidyddiaeth datganoledig, mae Cymru wastad wedi bod yn boendod iddo, ac yn fwrn. Dyw e byth yn dod ma hyd nes bod etholiad, neu nes bod angen iddo chwipio Rhodri Morgan a'i ACau Llafur Newydd ym Mae Caerdydd mewn i drefn.

Gobeithio fydd effaith yr ymweliad ddoe yn troi mwy o bobl tuag at Blaid Cymru gan mai ni yw'r unig blaid lle nad yw'n harweinydd yn ymateb i gofynion o Lundain. Rydym yma i wasanaethu o Gymru, ar gyfer pobl sydd yn byw yng Nghymru. Mae Cameron wedi bod 'ma yn pwyso ar agenda'r Ceidwadwyr Cymraeg, sydd ond yn tanlinellu bod eu harweinyddiaeth nhw hefyd yn dod o'r canol yn Llundain.