Post Office Ltd- London Labour's scapegoats

On Saturday I spoke at a public meeting against the closure of Neath Abbey Post Office. Representatives from Post Watch and Post Office Ltd were present. There was a good turnout of local people, who had obvious concerns about the possible closure of a Post Office that they use on a regular basis, and which elderly people find to be much more accessible than the Skewen or Neath central Post Office service. What was frustrating about the meeting was the continued emphasis by Post Office Ltd that they could not be 'political', and that they were merely acting on the Westminster Government's wishes to close 2,500 Post Offices.

It is phenomenal how the Labour Government at Westminster are trying to shrug off any responsibility with regards to the closure programme by allowing the Post Office Ltd to front such public meetings. They are effectively forcing them to take the flack for their own political decision, and making them stand up as scapegoats by the likes of Peter Hain MP who voted in favour of the closures from the outset.

I think that government Ministers, and Labour MPs that voted the way they did should take responsibility for their actions, and partake in such meetings from a government perspective instead of the Post Office Ltd, so that they can tell people exactly what is happening. How are Labour MPs across the country allowed to get away with organising their own public meetings in the guise of supporting communities and retaining their Post Offices, when they are the very people that facilitiated the process by which the Post Offices are diminishing?

How are they then allowed to stop other political parties from airing their opinions at such meetings, (as happened at the meeting in Aberdulais) who are merely seeking to emphasise that it is the Labour Government in London that is making this decision, that it is they who are actively taking government services away from the Post Office?

Is it any wonder that people lose faith in the political process? People are not naive, they can see how hypocritical Labour MPs are in this regard. If MPs care so much about eradicating poverty and developing their communities, why did they not put up a fight when it mattered- when they were voting on this issue? Crying crocodile tears now will not fool the public. Peter Hain should know that more than anybody.

Does blogging make you laugh out loud?

Ok, so aside from the humorous comments that result from the way some AMs look and act in the Chamber from day to day in the National Assembly, I wonder whether our ability to laugh in politics is waning at a faster rate than the influence of Peter Hain over Welsh affairs. I say this in reaction to one of Glyn Davies's latest blog posts about the McCartney vs Mills court house drama, where opposition politicians and the media launched an attack on him for his comments.
I don't think I need to go in to the detail of the blog that reached the headlines here- I want to do the opposite.

The content of what Glyn Davies said aside, he has a valid point when stating that it may be 'goodbye to humour'. When are politicians, or prospective politicians at that allowed to be tongue in cheek, humorous, sarcastic, without it offending others in some tiny way?

I took a blog post down( one of the only ones I have ever taken down) a few months ago as a politician's office contacted me in such an angry, emotional way that I believed that I had no choice but to do so. This was of course regardless of the fact that the post was intended to be taken in a light hearted way, and I stated as such at the beginning of the post.

Will all future political bloggers, especially politicians, have to provide a hazard sign at the top of their blogs if they want to, or intend to say anything that may offend others, even in the slightest manner? Obviously we have to take in to account equal opportunities and fair play when we blog, but where, and how do we draw the line? People may accuse me of having somewhat simple, vague blogs on occasions, but to be honest, this is intentional as I do not want my words to be taken out of context or misinterpreted.

If I was an anonymous blogger such as Pippa Wagstaff or Normal Mouth, then I believe that I would be able to be much more free in my ways of conveying my opinions, if only because I would not be judged for it at every stage. Of course, I hear you say that I have put myself in this position, that I am an elected representative, therefore I should be held to account for my musings. Nevertheless, if the very people who want to communicate with the public fear that they cannot due to pressures from the press, other political parties, or anonymous bloggers with vendettas, then it will be impossible for us to encourage other politicians who are currently in the dark ages of communication to embrace new technologies, and to keep their feet firmly on the ground.

Many politicians have started blogs with good intentions, but have fallen by the wayside. I don't think that this is all to do with them being lazy or uninteresting, but more to do with how they grapple with communicating in such an unregulated and judgemental environment.

( I was going to add a photo of a politician laughing but didn't want to offend anyone by picking out one particular politician;-))

Gordon Brown- no 'Wales only fixes to devolution', but a different story for Scotland.

So Gordon Brown says at the Welsh Labour Conference that there are no 'Wales only fixes' to devolution, yet the day after he announces that he wants to take a fresh look at new powers for the Scottish Parliament, including that of tax raising powers. Now, if this isn't double standards I do not know what is. But this isn't surprising of course. This is merely following the same old pattern that the Labour party have adopted towards devolution- one solution for Scotland, and another minor, watered down version for Wales.

The situation is a little different now however, in that both Nationalist parties are in Government in one form or another. The SNP are in Government alone in Scotland, and are way ahead in the polls. This has led Labour to scurry around in a frenzy, thinking of a way to win back the ground that they have so clearly lost to the SNP. Trying to appear to appease the Nationalists may well be one way of taking ownership over the National question, and of seeking to dispel the excitement over a referendum on Independence. It could work to their advantage, or it could indeed backfire, and make the SNP gloat even more so! The majority of Labour MP's from Scotland are still fighting the devolution agenda, but that is only to be expected, as much like their colleagues in Wales, they realise that they are losing their power base, and their capacity to be recognised on a UK level.

In Wales however, coalition Government and the Labour Unionist wing's determination to fight against further devolution for Wales means that Labour in London are much more cautious in their attitudes towards further powers for Wales than in Scotland( Gordon Brown also does not hail from this neck of the wood, which is another reason for his lack of enthusiasm for Wales)
Paul Murphy's words over the weekend regarding the Convention are case in point, so too are Peter Hain's former remarks, although they are unimportant now. Our devolution settlement was a hotch potch of ideas rammed together, and so it has progressed as such unfortunately. It is only until we have a Parliament for Wales that we can hope for clarity, and continue to strengthen Wales and its Government.

There is another establishing committee of the All Wales Convention tomorrow in London. I doubt whether Gordon Brown will make any shock announcements regarding Welsh devolution to coincide with this meeting. All that I hope for is that we can ensure that the Convention is a success and that it is not undermined by regressives in the Labour party in Wales who are intent upon its downfall. Yet again, we must look to Scotland for inspiration, and find the confidence to push on with the progression of the debate surrounding more powers for Wales, and a referendum to follow.

New Labour’s Betrayal of Founding Principles

Hardly a day goes by without New Labour Ministers in London trying to out Tory the Tories. Today’s policy proposal by Caroline Flint, the Housing Minister is so extreme it makes Margaret Thatcher look like Karl Marx!! Shelter summed up the policy simply by saying if implemented it would return the UK to the Victorian age. Anyone remember the Workhouse?

Downing Street has moved quickly to slap down their Minister tonight, however the comments underline a strategic dynamic that has dominated New Labour thinking since its inception.

In an attempt to triangulate the Tories, New Labour placed itself on the centre right in order to steal the Tories thunder – a strategic move which has led to the building of the New Labour coalition. The problem New Labour has faced is that they have had to continue to betray their founding principles in order to feed the beast of their own making. Today we witness a mass cull of public sector jobs; the squeezing of the wages of frontline public sector workers below inflation, whilst city wages and bonuses are allowed to spiral out of control; the increasing privatisation of public services; the reckless use of the private finance initiative that has already accumulated over £160bn of repayment debt, whilst allowing private firms to refinance incurring extraordinary cost on the public purse – all from a Labour Government.

We witness how a Labour London Government according to the TUC has failed to act on an estimated £25bn per annum tax evasion swindle by the super rich whilst fuel poverty levels go through the roof and little progress is made in addressing child poverty. It’s a Labour Government that has introduced a tax regime which means that average working people pay tax at 33% (income tax and national insurance payments) whilst millionaires are able to declare income on the much more favourable 18% Capital Gains Tax rate.

It is little wonder in such a climate of the betrayal of the founding principles of their movement that someone like Peter Hain finds himself in the mess he is in. So ingrained is New Labour’s ‘sell out’ culture that a politician who made his name as an anti apartheid campaigner willingly accepts money from a financial supporter of the South African National Party! The real damage for Hain is that his own vanity has become more important than principle – a sorry reflection of the type of politics New Labour has fostered.

The Labour party was created to campaign for social justice for working class people. Caroline Flint’s comments are testament to a New Labour Government that has turned its back on these principles. Social justice will never be achieved in Wales as long as we have little protection from a London right wing consensus which has little interest in building a fair society. The sooner we have the tools at our disposal in Wales to get on with the job of creating a prosperous just society the better.

Who will be the next Secretary of State for Wales?

Hain has gone. We all know this by now. He has done the honourable thing in resigning, as his position had clearly become untenable-especially following the referral of the investigation to the police by the Electoral Commission. I think that looking to the future, the Labour party as an institution has to reflect and ask itself whether its obsession with big business is healthy. What were Hain's donors gaining from giving him such vasts amount of money anyway?

For now, and until we get primary legislative powers here in Wales, a Welsh presence at the Cabinet level is a practical necessity. Once Wales has the powers to pass its own laws, the need for a Secretary of State is questionable. The appointment of a new Secretary of State is imminent, and a decision for Gordon Brown to make ( if he doesn't dither for too long) We need a Secretary of State who will be consistent with the progressive agenda of the One Wales Government in Cardiff Bay, and not someone who will act in the inherent self interest of the unionist wing of the Labour party. A Secretary of State who will oversee the historic transition of primary law making powers to the National Assembly following a successful 'yes' referendum campaign.

Lembit's Lib-Lab love in

Unfortunately I've been quite ill the last few days, and I wasn't given a remedy when I sat down to watch the Politics Show in Wales today. A brief post this will be to say how outrageously and sickeningly pompous Lembit Opik was on today's show. Typical of the Lib dems really, in that they always seem to want to appear above all criticism, and Opik's performance, as a friend of Hain's really didn't wash today. If I wasn't so cynical, I'd say that there are a few people in the Lib dems vying yet again for a Lib-Lab pact- waiting ( or seeking to play a part in demolishing) for the One Wales Government to fall on its knees for whatever scheme some anti One Wales AMs and MPs will concoct next.

For the first time ever, I found myself agreeing with David Davies MP for Monmouth who was on Radio 4 yesterday. He stated clearly that no, and apology from Hain was not good enough as it allowes for other MPs to make the same mistake as Hain in the future, only to be smacked on the wrist for doing so. It is not political opportunism at all that Plaid has raised questions over this issue publicly. The fact is that the people of this area, and electors generally, have the right to know what has happened in this instance.

Touhig says on today's show that Hain willingly offered the information to the public with regards to his failure to register the money for his campaign, but I wonder had Hain not done so on his own terms, would others have been quick to take his moment of glory from him?

Yes, lets see what comes of the two inquiries that are underway at the moment, but lets also keep a keen eye on what Gordon Brown will do next. I am almost certain that his judgement on Hain will materialise before that of any inquiry.

We're all talking about Peter Hain

Hain is all over the news for failing to declare £100,000 that was used during his Deputy Leadership campaign. He's been reported to Parliamentary Standards, and the Electoral Commission have launched their own investigation into the whole saga. Hain should be quaking in his boots at the moment, but with Brown's support I don't think that he's that worried. A few people popped in to my office in Neath today, and they all got on to the subject of Hain, and said that it was quite an embarrassment for the local area that this had happened. I hope that he is brought to account, because it won't go down well with the public in this area, or in Wales. Blaming campaign staff is also a no-g0, especially as the legal responsibility to record all donations lies with Peter Hain. At the end of the day, it was all conducted in his name, and therefore he is ultimately responsible for his own actions.

I am also amazed how much Hain spent on a campaign in all, considering that he came in at a sorry 5th position in the overall contest. Of course, American candidates spend far more on election campaigns, but perhaps if Hain had spent less, he may have been able to keep track of his expenses! Who knows?

During the last couple of days, the violins have been out from the Hain camp, stating that he is a politician of conviction- and they bring out the old story of him protesting against apartheid. I fear that Hain is far removed from those days of passionate politics.

I am sure there will be more developments on this story over the weekend. I'd advise Hain to stay at home, and cook something tasty on his aga cooker.

Hain the untouchable

I didn't go to the ITV and the Welsh Yearbook politics awards this year. I was surprised that there would be such a bash for politicians considering the financial crisis that ITV are in at the moment, but there we are....

The only news that I've heard from the evening is of Hain's speech and its bad taste, especially with regards female AM's past and present- comments which I have no inclination to laugh at whatsoever. Other references were made about Doctor Who...Peter Hain travelling in the tardis....failing to see any bother regarding donations in the future....ha ha...

I'm so glad that he can make light of a situation which only last week was plastered on every news channel, and which may cost him dearly in the future. I'm not laughing, and I could hazard a guess that the people of Neath aren't either. Perhaps Hain thinks that he is beyond criticism, that he is untouchable. After his enlightening 'speech' the other night, perhaps he will consider taking a good look at himself and the affect of his actions and words on others in the future.

I had a productive meeting with Brian Gibbons regarding child poverty yesterday. I hope that the schemes underway in Wales will play a part in tackling this issue, although I did raise concerns that while we can show leadership in Wales, we have to work with Westminster if the targets are to be met.

Ed Balls's 10 year plan may be an area to look at but considering that there was no discussion with the WAG prior to Westminster's announcement, we will have to wait with baited breath as to how London's plans will coincide with what happens here( and the child poverty unit in the DWP)

It is somewhat adventurous for the Government in London to term it a '10 year plan', when there is no guarantee that Labour will remain in Government in Westminster for that period of time. I will reserve judgement on it until I receive more information, although I am concerned about the pressure that could be placed on schools to take on more responsibilities with regards the welfare and health of young people across the board.

I also had a meeting with Joseph Rowntree Foundation regarding their work in Wales this week, and they are initiating a significant amount of new research here, which is to be commended. I am eager to organise an event at the Assembly alongside JRF next year, which will again raise the profile of this issue at the Assembly...I hope!

Today is the last day of term at the Assembly, so back to South Wales West it is....

Hain the 'devolutionist'.

Peter Hain has just addressed the Assembly, but fear not, I am not live blogging. It was far too lively a debate to miss out on! I wanted to intervene to voice my concerns on the sale of student loans bill, and the problems that may arise if a private company chooses to change the rules and regulations with regards the loans system in the future. Nevertheless, I did not get the chance amongst all the ya boo politics, which I'm sure was a sign of comfort to Hain as that is what he is used to at Westminster!

The point of interest for me was Hain's reference to a referendum on a Parliament for Wales. He described himself as a 'devolutionist', yet when it came to making moves to supporting a referendum as agreed between Labour and Plaid, he fell short of supporting it outright- going back on his argument that we need firm public support and cross party support before we can even consider holding a referendum.

Ok, so he doesn't want to be reminded of how we lost the referendum in '79, but times have changed and I don't quite think that he's amended his opinion to coincide with that sea change in Welsh opinion, both in favour of a referendum and to the concept of a Parliament for Wales.

We need a much firmer declaration of support from Hain if this referendum is to happen, let alone win it. He may be appeasing those in his party who are opposed to the referendum at this point- namely those MP's who now have little better to do than to talk about putting a Welsh dragon on the British flag! But we can't sit around waiting for them to feel better about the situation. The Convention is happening, and as far as the One Wales agreement goes, the referendum is too.

Now all we need to know is whether Hain and co. will ever be won over by the need to take this a step further, and create a proper Parliament for Wales. To have to go cap in hand to Hain in the first place is more than I can take- for him to sit on the fence like he is doing presently is unacceptable.

A Levels too easy? Give the poor students a break!

I haven't had much time today to scout the news pages as I've been busy at my Constituency Office in Neath. My Community Officer and Administrative Officer started work on Tuesday and we've had a few teething problems with the phones and printers. Apologies therefore if you have tried to ring and there has been no answer!

It's all sorted now, and ready to go. We can get down to working with local people, and local groups. If you ever want to get in touch the number is 01639 643549. We are going to distrubute leaflets in the area around the office in Melincryddan tomorrow, as a starter initiative to encourage people to use the Office and to pop in for a cup of tea now and again. I can't remember how many times I've walked past Peter Hain's office in Neath, only for the shutters to be closed, so I think creating an open and friendly office is a must for any elected representative.

The one news story I couldn't miss today was the yearly A Level results. Well done to anyone reading this that has receieved your results! I really do feel sorry for you with the media story yet again this year leading on 'Are A Levels getting easier?' This was the same story as when I received my results over 7 years ago now! Please, can we not just congratulate our young people instead of criticising them all the time?

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Dwi ddim di cael llawer o amser heddiw i edrych ar beth sydd yn y newyddion oherwydd rwyf wedi bod yn brysur yn fy swyddfa yng Nghastell Nedd. Fe wnaeth fy Swyddog Cymunedol newydd a'r Swyddog Gweinyddol dechrau gwaith yn y swyddfa ar ddydd Mawrth, a da ni wedi cael ychydig o broblemau gyda'r ffon a'r offer yn y swyddfa. Ymddiheuriadau os oes unrhywun wedi bod yn ceisio ffonio, ac heb cael ateb!

Mae popeth yn gweithio'n iawn nawr, diolch byth, ac da ni'n barod am y gwaith caled. Rwy'n edrych ymlaen at gysylltu a phobl lleol, a grwpiau lleol, ac os da chi byth am siarad, neu os oes mater o bwys gennych, plis ffoniwch y swyddfa ar 01639 643549. Rydym yn mynd i ddosbarthu taflennu yfory o gwmpas ardal y swyddfa yn hysbysebu ein gwaith yno, ac ennyn pobl i pigo mewn am baned o bryd i'w gilydd.Rwyf wedi cerdded heibio swyddfa Peter Hain ar sawl adeg, ac mae'r swyddfa wastad wedi bod ar gau, ac hwn sydd wedi gwneud i mi sylweddoli bod cael swyddfa agored yn angenrheidiol i unrhyw aelod etholedig.

Un stori yn y wasg nad oeddwn i'n medru anwybyddu heddiw oedd stori canlyniadau Safon A. Da iawn i unrhywun sy'n darllen y blog yma sy wedi derbyn canlyniadau heddiw ma. Rwyf wir yn teimlo piti drostoch bod stori'r cyfryngau eto mor ddiflas a negyddol ynghylch y peth. ' A yw arholiadau Safon A yn mynd yn haws,' yw'r prif stori. Yr un stori a phan wnes i dderbyn fy nghanlyniadau i dros 7 mlynedd yn ol! Plis, fedrwn ni jyst llongyfarch y myfyrwyr am un dydd, yn lle beirniadu pobl ifanc dro ar ol tro?

Plaid by-election wins

I've just heard that Plaid has won the two by-elections for Community Council positions in South Wales West and I am very pleased. A big congratulations to Joan Bodman in Glyn Neath for her win, and to Bob Williams in Rhydyfro, Pontardawe. Considering that Peter Hain was out and about on three occasions in Glyn Neath all in all, I think Plaid has worked hard, and has done really well.

The challenge now is to get active for the Council elections next year( or a snap General election in October!)

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Rwyf newydd clywed fod Plaid wedi ennill dau is-etholiad ar gyfer safleoedd ar Gynghorau Cymunedol yng Ngorllewin De Cymru, ac rwy'n hapus iawn am hynny. Llongyfarchiadau mawr i Joan Bodman yng Nglyn Nedd am ennill, ac i Bob Williams yn Rhydyfro, Pontardawe. O feddwl bod Peter Hain wedi bod allan yn canfasio tua 3 gwaith yng Nglyn Nedd yn y dyddie dwetha ma, mae Plaid wedi gwneud yn dda iawn, ac wedi gweithio'n galed.

Y sialens nesaf yn awr yw paratoi at etholiadau'r Cyngor y flwyddyn nesaf( neu etholiad Cyffredinol brys yn yr Hydref!)

Hain endorses One Wales Government.... at last....

So, Peter Hain now thinks that the One Wales Government is 'stable'. Who would have thought that Hain would take so little time in coming over to the idea of coalition with Plaid?! I am sure that he has chosen his time of year for the release of this statement quite tactically so, and that failing to support the coalition would make his role of the Secretary of State for Wales look more and more ineffective by the day, with little, if any influence over that of which is decided upon by AM's in Cardiff Bay. It shall be interesting to see how Hain reacts from here on, and how he can relate his current positions as part of the Government at Westminster to his role in Wales.

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Wel mae Peter Hain nawr yn credu bod Llywodraeth Cymru'n Un yn 'sefydlog'. Pwy fasa'n meddwl bod Hain yn cymryd cyn lleied o amser i ffafrio cytundeb o'r fath gyda Plaid?! Rwy'n sicr ei bod wedi dewis yr adeg o'r flwyddyn i wneud datganiad o'r fath mewn ffordd dactegol iawn, ac wedi sylweddoli bod methu a chefnogi'r clymblaid fel Gweinidog Cymru yn gwneud ei rol yn aneffeithiol, gyda llai a llai o ddylanwad dros benderfyniadau'r ACau ym Mae Caerdydd. Mi fydd o'n ddiddorol gweld sut y bydd Hain yn gweithredu o hyn allan, a sut y bydd yn ceisio cydlynnu yr hyn y mae o'n ei wneud yn San Steffan gyda'i waith yng Nghymru.

Talks about Talks...

I've noted how other Welsh bloggers are tackling the issue of coalition deals of late- from reading Matt Withers's column today on a possible Plaid-Labour deal, Glyn Davies who favours a minority Labour Government until a Rainbow coalition takes over, Chanticleer on Lib dem internal wranglings, and Blamerbell, who suggests that a Parliament for Wales should not be a deal breaker due to its inevitability as written within the Government of Wales Act.

What underlines the arguments in the blogs are the red-line issues for each political party- where we are ready to co-operate and sacrifice on policy proposals or political viewpoints, and where we are adamant to remain head-strong and refuse to compromise. The problem with this is that undoubtedly red line issues will differ from member to member, from area to area, and they will also differ with regards to a party's approach to an opposing political party.

It is of course fair enough to say that for us, a New Welsh language Act would be a red line issue as one of many, but I don't think that it would be enough on it's own merit to justify, for example, a rainbow coalition for the next four years. Glyn Davies mentions my 'misguided socialism', but does not outline any clear reasoning for encouraging me to embrace the concept of a rainbow coalition further than that of creating an 'alternative' to Labour in Wales. What is the long term gain of such an outcome for Wales?

However, what is of interest to me is this- If there is a different Government in Westminster to the National Assembly (for example, there could be a Rainbow Coalition in Wales, and a Labour Government in Westminster) how will Hain's veto play out with regards to passing new powers, will a referendum on a Parliament for Wales be off the cards, and could this mean more effective scrutiny of a Labour Westminster Government? It is far from clear how this would pan out.

In my humble opinion, the talks about talks must now develop in to talks about Government here in Wales. We should be discussing our aims and objectives as parties, and whether or not working together is a viable option. It could all culminate with the impossibility of any deal between us due to ideological and practical differences. Until we reach the point where we know when we would be prepared to work with other parties, and under what auspices, we will not be sure of how best to go ahead with forming any style of working Government here in Wales.

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.

Any Questions?

Mae Adam Price, AS Plaid ar rhaglen Radio 4 y BBC 'Any Questions?' heno yn fyw o Mumbles am 8 yr hwyr. Y pobl eraill ar y panel yw Cheryl Gillan, Peter Hain a Lembit Opik. Dylse fe fod yn drafodaeth ddiddorol felly. Cofiwch wrando! Pa mor sicr ydyw y bydd y Cheeky Girls yn cael ei drafod?...

Adam Price, Plaid MP is on the Radio 4 BBC programme 'Any Questions?' tonight which is live from Mumbles at 8pm. The other politicians on the panel are Cheryl Gillan, Peter Hain and Lembit Opik. Should be an interesting one. How sure can I be that the Cheeky Girls will be mentioned...?

Facebook

Rwyf newydd dechrau ati i gynllunio tudalen Facebook ( neu FB) ar y we. Rwyf wedi cael llu o ebyst gan ffrindiau yn fy ngwahodd i ymuno, ond oherwydd yr amser rwy'n cymryd i flogio pob dydd, dyw sefydlu safle Facebook ddim wedi bod yn flaenoriaeth yn anffodus! Mae e'n debyg i myspace o ran eich gallu i ymuno a grwpiau gwahanol ac i siarad gyda pobl gwahanol ar y we. Mae'r we yn lle cymdeithasol iawn i fod dyddie ma. Os da chi am fod yn ffrind i mi ar Facebook, a gweld fy lluniau o'r ymgyrch ac yn y blaen, mae angen i chi ymaelodi ar http://www.facebook.com/.

Tybed a fydd Jane Davidson a Peter Hain yn dechrau safle Facebook cyn hir, neu gofyn i'w swyddogion y wasg i'w wneud?!

I've just got round to getting things going on the website Facebook ( FB). I've had emails from friends inviting me to join for ages, but due to the time that blogging takes up, I've only now set up my page. The site is very similar to myspace in that you can join different groups, and speak to friends online. The web is a very sociable place to be that's for sure! If you want to be my friend on Facebook, and see my wonderful campaigning pictures and discussions, then you will need to register at http://www.facebook.com/.

I wonder if Jane Davidson and Peter Hain will set up a Facebook site before long, or at least get their press officers to do so?!

'I can't believe it!'

I haven't mentioned Peter Hain in a while so I thought I'd return to the Neath MP for another blog. Supposedly, Victor Meldrew has come out in support of Peter Hain's Deputy Leadership campaign on Hain's new sparkling website. He must be a long-term Labour supporter, and confident that this declaration will not ruin his career as would surely be the case for other clebs who might consider supporting pro-trident Hain.

I guess he won't be approaching Katherine Jenkins for support after annoying her previsouly by placing a picture of himself with her on a leaflet without her consent...tut.


Does this now mean that Gordon Brown will need celebrity backing for his Leadership campaign? He might decide to stay clear of approaching any Scottish celebrities such as Sean Connery and the like, as this will do nothing for his 'British' credentials.I am sure that Tony Blair's name will not be on the 'famous' supporters list, either!

Hain veto #2- the North of Ireland

Peter Hain is one of the easiest people to blog about- he loves media attention so there's always something about him in the press, and considering that he has so many different jobs, he's always seen juggling as many issues as he can fit into one day(alongside cooking on his first class aga, of course!)

So today, Hain returns to the politics of the North of Ireland. After his practise run of vetoing Welsh issues at the Assembly, he gets stuck in today by threatening to abolish Stormont if the executive fails to get up and running by the 26th of March. Having studied the politics of the North of Ireland in detail while at University, and having roots in the North, I always find it grating when an MP/ Secretary of State tries to exert control in such an outright and authoritative manner.

Hain shows little thought for the dealings between political parties in the North, or faith in their ability to solve issues for themselves. While outside involvement from Senator Mitchell and John de Chastelain alike proved beneficial during the Good Friday Agreement, British involvement has historically caused much more controversy. We need only use Margaret Thatcher as case in point due to her bullish stance on hunger strikers in the 80's. The fact remains that British politicians are inherently involved in all that is happening in the North, and therefore they cannot take a neutral viewpoint.

Today's reaction by Hain therefore will surely not be welcomed by the main political parties, of whatever colour, in the run up to the election this Wednesday. To use such a threatening tone when the election has not even taken place will only portray a picture of Hain and Westminster alike of seeking to push their own agenda on the people of the North. This is very dangerous ground to be treading. Hain should know better than to be as insensitive to the situation. Let the politicians of the North make their own decisions, for their own people, for a change.

Hain's Assembly veto off to an early start

So Hain, in his capacity as Secretary of State for Wales has overruled Rhodri Morgan as First Minster in announcing his opposition to any prospect of a Plaid- Labour coalition after May (is this a sign of things to come when the new powers come in to play- the regular use of Hain's veto on

decision-making?)

This reeks of double standards on New Labour's behalf. Labour are allowed to harp on about a fantasy story of a Tory-led coalition after the election, but when they are questioned as a party they do not want to waste any time in defending their right to fight this election to win on the basis of thie own programme for Government.

This rule, however only applies to them. New Labour Wales are allowed to accuse the opposition parties of dealings almost on a constant basis, while refusing to give any clear answers themselves on who they would work with if neccesary come May the 3rd!

It will be interesting to see how often Hain involves himself in Assembly affairs, especially with the Deputy Leadership contest looming, and how many of his 'decisions' will in reality be enacted upon by his loyal team of AM's.....

Update- I can't fail to notice that if the figures for Labour and Lib dem seats don't add up come May the 4th, the Labour party, if they follow Hain's line will have to consider a coalition with the Tories! Watch this space!

Hain the hypocrite

I've just been looking through Hansard, and found this from yesterday's debate.

Peter Hain was asked by the Conservative MP Philip Hollobone whether or not he was representing Wales to the best of his ability considering that of late he has prioritised work in Northern Ireland, and his race to become Deputy PM. This was Hain's response:

'In the future, if his Front-Bench colleagues got their way and we saw second-class status for Welsh MPs, with English MPs restricted to dealing with English legislation, he would not be able even to ask such a question, and we would see the Balkanisation of Parliament, which would be a disaster for the United Kingdom that would lead to constitutional chaos'.

So, Hain the hypocrite is firmly against the possibility of Welsh MP's having 'second-class status' at Westminster, yet when it comes to the Welsh Assembly, he bleats that Regional AM's have 'abused' the system, and that they are 'undermining the (local) elected member'. This has led to Labour systematically pushing through an undemocratic policy that stops candidates standing on both the Regional list and in the Constituency.

Anyone who dares undermine the role of Welsh MP's are under attack from Hain, but when this criticism is targeted towards the Assembly, he is the first to jump in to the ring to target Regional AM's. Would this have anything to do with the fact that they are all opposition AM's, and that they pose a threat to Labour dominance in Wales?