More thoughts on devolution

My previous blog post on Peter Hain also featured on the website Ourkingdom, where this was left as a comment-


Phil, on November 29th, 2007 at 10:35 pm Said:

They(Labour) rushed headlong into devolution a decade ago because they thought that they would have a permanent power base in Scotland and Wales when England eventually went back to the Conservatives rather than for any concerns about recognising Scotland and Wales as distinct nations with the right to self-determination. The last thing that Hain or Labour want is a Welsh Alex Salmond coming along in the future and upsetting the apple cart. They have got their fingers burnt in Scotland, so they’ll be in no hurry to do likewise in Wales. I think that you and all Welsh patriots have a fight on your hands but this English patriot wishes you all the best anyway.

Of course, Hain and Labour can see what is happening in Scotland, and are desperate for this situation not to be replicated in Wales. Nevertheless, this made me take the debate a step further, and to wonder what would happen to the development of devolution a) when there is a Welsh Labour Leadership bid and b) if the Tories win the General Election.

a) Now, Huw Lewis may not like the analogy of Welsh Labour v British Labour judging by his latest blog post, in that he is desperate to undermine the fact that any divide exists. Nevertheless, we all know that tensions do exist within the realm of the Labour party in Wales and that a leadership bid would only serve to intensify this situation.

If for example, we had a contest between a Huw Lewis and a Carwyn Jones when Rhodri Morgan steps down, then the One Wales coalition could be looking at two very stark future scenarios....

We could see a Huw Lewis stand, promising grass roots members and Labour Council Leaders to pull out of the coalition with the nasty Nationalists, ( where there would be no further dispute as to whether money would go 'to the Valleys' from the Assembly) either pushing the outcome to a Rainbow coalition or a Labour minority Government for as long as it could last. Deliver a Referendum? I think not!

Or we could see a Carwyn Jones promising to soldier on with the Labour-Plaid coalition, and trying his best to balance the devo sceptics and the devo enthusiasts through to 2011. Deliver a referendum? I think that he would have no choice but to do so, but how this would be done while keeping all of Welsh Labour vaguely content is anyone's guess.

b) If the Tories win the next General Election, then this throws a) totally out of sync. and forces us to look at devolution in a new light. Labour's somewhat arrogant nature may well be discarded of over night, and they will be encouraged to revisit their current stubbornness to co-operate with regards pushing the National question forward. A Tory Government could set Welsh Labour thinking that more powers for Wales is their only way to muster any control in the UK( especially if Scotland is firmly on its way to Independence) and will campaign positively for more powers for Wales. Welsh Labour MP's will be on opposition benches, and will not for a minute defend Tory policies on a London level.

I may not be on track with these analogies at all, but it does pose some interesting questions about the alternative routes for the devolution process in the future.

Bob the Remploy scapegoat?

It's a busy week for Hain. Yesterday at the Assembly he was muddying the waters yet again on the excellent LCO's, and today there is due to be a statement on the future of Remploy in Wales. Since the decision was referred to Hain, we are expected to hear that the number of factories closing will fall to 28 from the 43 that was expected to close earlier in the year. Ystradgynlais and Brynaman staff, however, will still have to move to the Baglan site, and the Trefforest site will close.

While this is a victory of some sort for the Union's, I do believe that referring the decision to Hain was a tactical decision taken by the Government to make annoucements on factories which they had already earmarked to keep open. The announcement not to close the Bridgend factory was no surprise, and especially not so to Union Officials.

Nevertheless, while the factories have been getting all the headlines, the fate of the Swansea Shared Service Centre in Fforestfach has already been sealed. The Centre is set to close, and new jobs created in Leeds. This despite the ongoing consultation process, and the Government's promise to re- look at all areas within the Remploy proposal. I have been working closely with workers at the Centre who are now furious that a decision has been taken on their Centre during this process, while all the Remploy factories, and the reasons for closure were revisited and re investigated.

The way that this consultation was carried out is an example of how not to do it in the future. Remploy management were effectively Government- led, therefore we need clarity in the future about who makes what decision and when. I fear that Bob Warner was used as somewhat of a scape goat in all of this - he was branded as being responsible for the attrocious cuts in Remploy, regardless of the fact that we all know that Remploy is a Government funded enterprise.

This does not restore the workers faith in the consultation process, especially when the future of their careers are in the balance. I will await the announcement today, and also await with interest the response, and the future actions of the Union's involved.

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.

First Minister's questions- Child Poverty

Bethan Jenkins: Do you have any knowledge of whether the child poverty implementation plan that was constructed in November 2006 will be carried through to this Assembly? At several meetings with representatives of Save the Children Wales, they expressed their concern about this strategy and whether the Assembly will receive a report on the implementation plan?


The First Minister: Yes, I believe it to be the case. You tend to get overly concerned about the names of particular implementation plans, but the broad thrust of having a strategy to eradicate child poverty by 2020 is an absolutely solid commitment of the One Wales administration.

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Bethan Jenkins: A wyddoch o gwbl a gaiff y cynllun gweithredu ar dlodi plant a luniwyd ym mis Tachwedd 2006 ei gario drwodd i’r Cynulliad hwn? Mewn sawl cyfarfod gyda chynrychiolwyr Achub y Plant (Cymru), mynegasant eu pryder ynghylch y strategaeth hon ac a fydd y Cynulliad yn cael adroddiad ar y cynllun gweithredu?

Y Prif Weinidog: Bydd, credaf fod hynny’n wir. Yr ydych yn tueddu i bryderu’n ormodol am enwau cynlluniau gweithredu arbennig, ond mae byrdwn cyffredinol cael strategaeth i ddiddymu tlodi plant erbyn 2020 yn ymrwymiad cwbl gadarn gan weinyddiaeth Cymru’n Un

Senedd debate- young people with disabilities

Responding to Equal Opportunities Committee Report on Service Provision for young people with disabilities.

Bethan Jenkins: Thank you for the report. I just wanted to mention that Stephen Dyer, Amy Barrett and Daniel Beynon, members of the reference group that helped to shape today’s report, are present here today, and they want a reassurance from the Minister that the voices of young people, especially young disabled people, will continue to be heard. Disabled children must have the same access to services as other children in Wales have. Lots of disabled people are now involved in organisations such as Funky Dragon, but I believe that such organisations should carry more weight in political decision-making. I would like to echo their representations and ensure that their voices are heard strongly and clearly today.


Jane Hutt: You are very much a champion for young people, and I welcome them here today. We had a robust and challenging session with Funky Dragon on Thursday, and many Assembly Members—and, most importantly, Ministers—were put on the spot and questioned and scrutinised. I was pleased that we were able to find funding last year, when Jane Davidson was the Minister for education, to support the network of young disabled people in Wales, which had done some pioneering work following the big international conference that it organised in Swansea. Young disabled people will steer us through the conference later this week, and will certainly be at the forefront of scrutiny, challenging how the Government responds to this important report. Diolch yn fawr.

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Bethan Jenkins: Diolch ichi am yr adroddiad. Yr oeddwn am ddweud bod Stephen Dyer, Amy Barrett a Daniel Beynon, aelodau o’r grŵp cyfeirio a roddodd help imi lunio’r adroddiad hwn heddiw, yma heddiw, ac maent am gael sicrwydd gan y Gweinidog y bydd llais pobl ifanc, yn arbennig pobl ifanc anabl, yn parhau i gael ei glywed. Rhaid i blant anabl gael yr un mynediad i wasanaethau â phlant eraill yng Nghymru. Mae llawer o bobl anabl yn ymwneud â sefydliadau fel y Ddraig Ffynci erbyn hyn, ond credaf y dylai sefydliadau o’r fath gael mwy o ddylanwad ar benderfyniadau gwleidyddol. Hoffwn ategu eu sylwadau a sicrhau bod eu lleisiau’n cael eu clywed yn gryf ac yn glir yma heddiw.


Jane Hutt: Yr ydych yn sicr yn lladmerydd o blaid pobl ifanc, ac fe’u croesawaf yma heddiw. Cawsom sesiwn rymus a heriol gyda’r Ddraig Ffynci ddydd Iau, a rhoddwyd sawl Aelod o’r Cynulliad—ac, yn bwysicach na hynny, Weinidogion—mewn picil a chawsant eu holi a’u rhoi drwy broses graffu. Yr oeddwn yn falch ein bod wedi llwyddo i ddod i hyd i arian y llynedd, pan oedd Jane Davidson yn Weinidog dros addysg, i gefnogi’r rhwydwaith o bobl ifanc anabl yng Nghymru, a oedd wedi gwneud gwaith arloesol yn dilyn y gynhadledd ryngwladol fawr a drefnodd yn Abertawe. Bydd pobl ifanc anabl yn ein tywys drwy’r gynhadledd yn ddiweddarach yr wythnos hon, a byddant yn sicr ar flaen y gad o ran y broses graffu, gan herio’r ffordd y mae’r Llywodraeth yn ymateb i’r adroddiad pwysig hwn. Diolch yn fawr.

Question on the deportation case of Venera Aliyeva

Bethan Jenkins- I wish to raise the pressing issue of three constituents of mine from Swansea, Venera Aliyeva, and her children, Anna and Murat Memedov, who are being detained in a centre in Bedfordshire. They will be sent back to Azerbaijan, and they are in fear of their life. Could we make any representations to Westminster on this issue, to show that we are in support of retaining them in this country?


Carwyn Jones- Forgive me for not commenting on the specific case that you raise, as I do not know the full details. However, you raise an important point: people who are living in this country, and who face the threat of deportation should have full access to the law and to financial support to enable them to pursue their case. That is the mark of a civilised society. We have always had people moving to our shores from elsewhere. We are—to quote the First Minister—an island of immigrants; it is simply a question of when we arrived here. We sometimes forget that. I agree with the suggestion that, where we have what seems to be a difficult situation, people should have full access to justice so that their cases may be heard.

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Bethan Jenkins-
hoffwn godi mater brys yn ymwneud â thri o’m hetholwyr o Abertawe sy’n cael eu cadw mewn canolfan yn Swydd Bedford, sef Venera Aliyeva, a’i phlant, Anna a Murat Memedov. Byddant yn cael eu hanfon yn ôl i Azerbaijan, ac maent yn ofni bod eu bywydau mewn perygl. A fyddai modd inni gyflwyno unrhyw sylwadau ynglŷn â hynny i San Steffan, er mwyn dangos ein bod o blaid eu cadw yn y wlad hon?

Carwyn Jones-
Maddeuwch imi am beidio â gwneud sylwadau ynglŷn â’r achos penodol y cyfeiriwch ato, gan nad wyf yn gwybod y manylion yn llawn. Fodd bynnag, yr ydych yn codi pwynt pwysig: dylai pobl sy’n byw yn y wlad hon, ac sy’n wynebu’r bygythiad o gael eu hanfon o’r wlad gael mynediad llawn at y gyfraith ac at gymorth ariannol i’w galluogi i ddadlau eu hachos. Mae hynny’n arwydd o gymdeithas waraidd. Mae pobl wastad wedi bod yn dod i’n glannau o leoedd eraill. Yr ydym—a dyfynnu’r Prif Weinidog—yn ynys o fewnfudwyr; yr unig wahaniaeth yw pa bryd y cyraeddasom yma. Yr ydym yn anghofio hynny weithiau. Yr wyf yn cytuno â’r awgrym, lle mae gennym sefyllfa sy’n ymddangos yn un anodd, y dylai pobl gael mynediad llawn at gyfiawnder fel bod modd i’w hachosion gael eu clywed.

Question to Business Minister on Swansea Shared Service Centre

My second question is on Swansea’s shared services. There has been a declaration to save some of the Remploy factories, but there has not been any sort of announcement on the retention of the Swansea shared service centre. The staff at the centre are concerned that Anne McGuire, the Westminster MP, who is responsible for this, continues to say that the centre will be moved to Leeds. Could the Government make further representations to Anne McGuire, and ask why this decision has been made prior to the consultation process ending, given that it should rest with Peter Hain?

Carwyn Jones: Your points on shared services will be on the record. Those points can be made to Anne McGuire

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Mae fy ail gwestiwn yn ymwneud â gwasanaethau a rennir yn Abertawe. Cafwyd datganiad yn ymwneud ag achub rhai o’r ffatrïoedd Remploy, ond ni chafwyd unrhyw fath o gyhoeddiad ynglŷn â chadw’r ganolfan gwasanaethau a rennir yn Abertawe. Mae staff y ganolfan yn poeni y bydd Anne McGuire, yr AS yn San Steffan, sy’n gyfrifol am hyn, yn dal i ddweud y bydd y ganolfan yn cael ei symud i Leeds. A fyddai modd i’r Llywodraeth gyflwyno mwy o sylwadau i Anne McGuire, a gofyn pam y gwnaethpwyd y penderfyniad hwn cyn i’r broses ymgynghori ddod i ben, gan gymryd mai Peter Hain a ddylai gael y gair olaf?

Carwyn Jones: Bydd eich pwyntiau ynglŷn â gwasanaethau a rennir yn cael eu cofnodi. Gellir cyflwyno’r pwyntiau hynny i Anne McGuire.

Question on Eating Disorders to Edwina Hart

Bethan Jenkins: You just mentioned eating disorders, which is an issue that greatly interests me. A few months ago I spoke about Ali Valenzuela from Swansea, who could not get access to services. Another of my constituents, from Porthcawl, had a consultation set up in the Princess of Wales Hospital but it was cancelled. She has had to go the Priory in Bristol. I urge you to look into this urgently to see what we can set up in Wales. We are trying to establish u an all-party group on eating disorders in the Assembly, but urgent action needs to be taken because so many people are going to England for services that should be provided in Wales.


Edwina Hart: I have discussed this with officials and have been trying to look for the necessary funds to be made available to start to provide an adequate service in Wales. Health Commission Wales has authorised quite a lot of treatment for individuals in the Priory in Bristol and elsewhere, but the issue is what happens when they come out of the Priory and what local services are available to them. Assembly Members have raised several cases with me. The response to one, which was to attend an arts class once a week, is not the response that I would expect at a local level. People need support groups and assistance. They need to address the whole issue of how they feel about their body and their life, and we certainly do not have all those services in place across Wales. I will aim, during the course of the next three years, budget permitting, to prioritise these issues.

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Bethan Jenkins: Yr ydych newydd grybwyll anhwylderau bwyta—mater sydd o ddiddordeb mawr imi. Ychydig fisoedd yn ôl soniais am Ali Valenzuela o Abertawe, na allai gael mynediad at wasanaethau. Trefnwyd ymgynghoriad ar gyfer un arall o’m hetholwyr o Borthcawl yn Ysbyty Tywysoges Cymru, ond diddymwyd yr ymgynghoriad hwnnw. Mae wedi gorfod mynd i’r Priory ym Mryste. Fe’ch anogaf i edrych ar hyn ar fyrder i weld beth y gallwn ei sefydlu yng Nghymru. Yr ydym yn ceisio sefydlu grŵp hollbleidiol yn y Cynulliad ar anhwylderau bwyta, ond mae angen cymryd camau brys oherwydd bod cynifer o bobl yn mynd i Loegr er mwyn cael gwasanaethau y dylid eu darparu yng Nghymru.


Edwina Hart: Yr wyf wedi trafod hyn gyda swyddogion ac wedi bod yn ceisio chwilio am y cyllid angenrheidiol er mwyn gallu darparu gwasanaeth digonol yng Nghymru. Mae Comisiwn Iechyd Cymru wedi awdurdodi cryn dipyn o driniaethau i unigolion yn y Priory ym Mryste ac mewn lleoedd eraill, ond yr hyn sy’n digwydd pan ddeuant o’r Priory a pha wasanaethau lleol sydd ar gael iddynt yw’r broblem. Mae Aelodau’r Cynulliad wedi codi sawl achos â mi. Nid yw’r ateb i un, sef mynd i ddosbarth celf unwaith yr wythnos, yn ateb y byddwn yn ei ddisgwyl ar lefel leol. Mae angen grwpiau cefnogi a chymorth ar bobl. Mae angen iddynt fynd i’r afael â’r modd y maent yn teimlo ynghylch eu corff a’u bywyd yn gyfan gwbl, ac yn bendant, nid yw’r holl wasanaethau hynny ar waith gennym ym mhob cwr o Gymru. Os bydd y gyllideb yn caniatáu hynny, byddaf yn anelu at roi blaenoriaeth i’r materion hyn yn ystod y tair blynedd nesaf.

Guest blogger # 4 Graham Smith- Republic

CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR THE MONARCHY

Graham Smith is the Campaign Manager for the organisation ‘Republic’. To find out more go to their website www.republic.org.uk or email Graham on g.smith@republic.org.uk.


“It’s time” is a well-worn political slogan, but for Republic it says it all. The monarchy is well past its use-by date: a feudal and unaccountable institution in a modern, democratic age. Now, as a number of developments converge to create a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for republicanism, Republic is gearing up for a major new campaign.

In many ways the intellectual arguments have already been won – few politicians and commentators seriously defend the principle of hereditary public office, as we have seen in the House of Lords debate. The British monarchy has largely survived the tectonic cultural and political shifts of the last sixty years because of political inertia and self-interest – and a residual sense of deference that runs throughout our society. This has, in no small way, been helped by the longevity of the reign of Elizabeth II, a monarch who enjoys high levels of personal support and affection and who, rightly or wrongly, is regarded as having ‘never put a foot wrong’.

However, things are about to change. The monarchy faces a number of challenges over the next few years, some of which will only get more acute as time passes. These challenges will present Republic with unique opportunities to push for the abolition of this absurd institution.

Firstly, the Queen is 81 and is now in the twilight of her reign. Given that the popularity of the monarchy rests on a widespread affection for the Queen it is likely that as the issue of the succession comes into sharper focus more and more questions will be asked about the institution’s future. This debate will be heightened by the much less popular prospect of Charles becoming King. With routine criticism of Charles, William and Harry in the press, it is clear the automatic respect the royals once enjoyed is evaporating fast. And of course, this will be the first succession since the end of universal deference, and the first since the advent of a more ruthless, 24-hour news media. It is inconceivable that this succession will be like any that have gone before. And this debate will not wait until the inevitable happens – it will start soon and grow louder with every passing year. Republic will be pushing that debate forward, pushing for change before the succession becomes a reality.

Looking to the Commonwealth, Australia now has a republican Prime Minister. Opinion polls for the past twelve months have all pointed to a Labor Party election victory in Australia, and it has now become a reality. The Labor Party is led by Kevin Rudd, a committed republican who has promised a second referendum on the issue of an Australian republic. This suggests that the debate will be in full swing in Australia within two to three years, with a possible referendum within three to six years. It is very likely that New Zealand and Canada will follow suit, judging from recent opinion polls. Such developments will cause a major debate back here in the UK – and will give strength to our own cause. Republic will be raising the simple question time and again – if Australia can choose their own head of state, why not us?

Back home in the UK, our own constitution is now a topic of mainstream political debate. Britain’s constitutional settlement is up for grabs, with all political parties now advocating change. The case has already been made against hereditary public office, during the Lords debate. Questions have already been raised about how all this change may affect or threaten the position of the monarchy. Root and branch reform is being proposed by some, while the Prime Minister is now advocating a written constitution. This all means two things: firstly the Pandora’s Box of constitutional reform will be open, and as the debate moves forward numerous opportunities will arise to press the point that we should be able to choose our own head of state. Secondly, as many other constitutional issues are settled during this process of reform, such as electing the upper house or writing our constitution, it will leave the monarchy as the last piece of unfinished business. This issue will begin to attract more and more attention from a wider array of constitutional reformers.

As these developments unfold, Republic will be pushing ahead with major new campaigning initiatives, geared to generating a higher level of public debate about the future of the monarchy. For us the case is clear – in the 21st century, in an age of democratic accountability and constitutional reform, Britain should rid itself of a feudal and anti-democratic institution. This is an important issue - the monarchy is an institution which lies at the heart of our constitution and it is an institution which cannot be defended by serious argument. It has no place in modern society and it must go. We believe the next few years will be our best opportunity yet to make this case loud and clear – and to move Britain toward a republican and truly democratic future.

Sustrans Cymru/ Wales

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Mae'r pleidleisio ar gyfer £50 miliwn Y Loteri Fawr wedi dechrau.

Ewch i www.thepeoples50million.org.uk a phleidleisiwch dros brosiect Connect2 Sustrans, a gwnewch yn siŵr bod eich teulu, eich ffrindiau a'ch cydweithwyr yn gwneud hynny hefyd.Yn ogystal â chael pobl i wneud mwy o ymarfer corff, bydd Connect2 yn cymryd camau ymarferol i fynd i'r afael â newid hinsawdd a lleihau tagfeydd traffig.

Mae'r prosiect yn cynnwys 79 cynllun ledled y DU – gyda naw ohonynt yng Nghymru.Yng Nghaerfyrddin, Clydach, Port Talbot, Merthyr, Pontypridd, Casnewydd, Trefynwy, Caerdydd a'r Rhyl rydym am fynd i'r afael â'r rhwystrau a grëir gan ffyrdd prysur, rheilffyrdd neu afonydd sy'n rhwystro pobl rhag cerdded a beicio ar gyfer siwrneiau bob dydd - i'r siopau, i'r ysgol, i'r gwaith ac ati.Rydym yn wynebu cystadleuaeth gref gan dri phrosiect o wahanol rannau o Loegr ac rydym angen eich cymorth i greu dyfodol mwy iachus a chynaliadwy: gallai munud o'ch amser wneud gwahaniaeth.Mae pleidleisio ar y rhyngrwyd yn dechrau heddiw ac yn cau am 12 canol dydd ar ddydd Llun 10 Rhagfyr.

Bydd yna hefyd bleidlais ffôn ar ITV1 ar benwythnos y 7fed o Ragfyr, gyda'r canlyniadau i'w disgwyl ar y 12fed.

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who would join a political party?

Due to problems with the Assembly server I won't be able to do my guest blogger section this week, so it will restart after the weekend if the IT is working again at the Assembly.

I was going to write a letter to the Western Mail and local papers in response to Ray Davies, a Caerphilly Councillor's recent criticism of Plaid for entering the House of Lords, but Dafydd Iwan got in there first!

I know Ray well, and was probably just as surprised as Dafydd Iwan to read the somewhat angry letter in the papers this week from Ray. If he was a Plaid member, then I could totally understand his resentment for our change in policy, but for someone who has remained in the Labour party as an anti war activist over the years, who has had to defend his party's involvement in Iraq and so on, I find it quite perplexing that he has responded in such a manner.

Before I was a member of any political party, and when I invited Ray to speak at Aberystwyth Guild of Students as part of activities surrounding the peace movement in Wales, I always asked him why he was a member of a party that he campaigned so much against. His answer was (to generalise) that he wanted to make changes from within, and help in restoring 'Old Labour'. He was always so clear in that opinion and aim, and didn't once question his membership to Labour, even when the Labour run Council at Caerphilly had run ins with him over his determination to continue to protest during peace protests using non violent direct action.

Of course, I agree with Ray on the issue of the House of Lords, but that is a decision which party members have taken. Had it been a policy imposed on members, then the discussion would be quite different. If we decide to become members of political parties, and want to remain as such, then sometimes we can't always get our own way- however much we try! We can obviously campaign against ideas before they become ingrained in policy if we disagree with them vehemently, and we can even choose to leave the party if our principles do not fall in line with the party's general direction. Nevertheless, Ray must know that there is a broad church of people in every party, and that is how it will always be.

Death of the ID card?

I've just been watching Question Time from Scotland and it dawned on me that the programme is much more in touch with the reality of devolution North of the English border than it is in covering Wales-Scottish MSP's on the show tonight far outweighed the representation of AM's when the show was in Swansea recently, for example. We've had to battle in the past to get any Plaid representation on QT in Wales, and the compromise during the election was that Adam Price MP would appear on the show in Oxford. You guessed right, they didn't really make Wales the main topic of discussion!

I enjoyed the debate tonight, especially as I think that Nicola Sturgeon is a very talented politician, and succeeded in making meaningful points regarding ID Cards, and of course, Scottish powers. It was a hard night again for Labour given that any representative on this evening's show would somehow have to react to the crisis in the HMRC at the moment. Wendy Alexander put 'if I'm honest' as a caveat to almost everything she said to ensure that she would not have to take responsibility for the matter- unsurprisingly.

The discussion centred on whether a Government Minister should resign over the fact that discs pertaining to personal details from 7 million child benefit files were misplaced, and posted to another department within the Government (this via the company TNT, and not Royal Mail- as I understand from various broadsheet reports) I believe that officials in the HMRC have resigned today, but there are calls for Alistair Darling to resign also.

It did dawn on me that while I was sitting watching Question Time, on another channel, Mclaren was explaining to English football fans why he was sacked as England Manager the day after the team failed to qualify for Euro 2008. In other professions it seems that there is an obligation on those with key responsibilities to resign, to step down if there is an error on their behalf. Nevertheless, in politics, it seems that more often than not, different rules apply. This is probably one of many reasons why people lose faith in the political system.

I don't advocate that there should be resignations for every small fault, but that where Government does go wrong, there should at least be an acknowledgement of the fault or error made, and actions taken however minute, to restore the public's faith in our political institutions.

Darling will probably stay in position, but he will have a tough job ahead in selling the concept of ID cards, not that I believed that there was ever a case to advocate it. At least now Nick Clegg won't have to martyr himself by getting arrested by refusing to carry and ID Card- one less thing for his publicity team to worry about at night I suspect....

The dangers of blogging....

We are having problems today with access to email. It is only when these services are taken away from us that we realise how much we rely on them to work now! How times change.

I have just done an interview for Waterfront on the issue of blogging, and the debate which will take place tonight in Standards Committee regarding AM's and code of conduct issues surrounding blogging. I am unsure as to what will be the outcome of this meeting. Personally, the current code of conduct is quite clear, and would extend to AM's use of blogging and comments made using this form of communication. Perhaps they will decide that blogs will not be able to be funded through AM's allowances, I am not sure. If so, I don't think that many AM's will host a blog as such because it will confine what we can say. As you know, my blog is administered through blogger to allow me to express my political opinions outright, and it is free of charge!

I get the impression that Matt Dicks, the Waterfront reporter, isn't too keen on blogs as it takes away from broadcast media, and their chance to get hold of a good story. Nevertheless, blogs are here to stay and I think they offer a chance to discuss Welsh political issue as they happen. The only aspect of blogging that I do not really like or appreciate are personal attacks on others, especially by anonymous contributors. It lowers the tone of the debate substantially, and is actually one of the main reasons why my fellow AM's do not blog!! I will await the response of the committee through Commissioner Chris Franks AM, and relay my opinions again at that point...

Yesterday I raised a number of issues at the Assembly- to do with Swansea Shared Service Centre, National Anti- Bullying Week, and an asylum case in Swansea that I am seeking to raise on a Westminster level. I will post the questions and responses here as soon as the record comes through.

I also attended a Save the Children event last night at the Millennium Centre where Funky Dragon was launching its UNCRC Alternative Report. Jane Hutt addressed the audience also, and seemed to mention that there were other AM's present- everyone bar me! We young people still suffer discrimination, obviously;-)

Today I raised the issues of eating disorders with the Health Minister, and specifically the fact that there is no treatment centre in Wales. I am currently setting up a cross party group on eating disorders, which hopefully can organise events for Eating Disorders Awareness Week here at the Assembly, as well as look at the services currently provided in Wales, and how we must improve. Like many other AM's I have been in contact with the Graham Menzies society based in Mid Wales which provides an excellent service in this area. I hope that they, and other bodies like them will join our group, and will provide us with expert knowledge as to how to move ahead in raising the profile of eating disorders in Wales.

Tonight, I am attending the Funky Dragon annual dinner, and I hope to make some links there, and to get involved in future initiatives. For someone who never had the opportunity to get involved in Funky Dragon, I hope to see how they are trying to encourage people from all sections of society to take part in their schemes and projects.

Could Plaid have a 'Baroness Lloyd' by January?

I took part in a radio discussion today with other Plaid members regarding the House of Lords, all with differing opinions. We can't, for now at least, go back on the decision, so I will of course step in line, and see what can be made of the situation.

Yes, Dafydd Wigley is the likely contender. I have heard Sian Lloyd's name bandied about a bit. I've even heard that she was the one to have started the rumours, but time will tell whether anything will actually materialise from this. For now there is plenty of work for party officials in preparing the timeline for hustings and so on. I can't wait. Jill Evans MEP made the point over the weekend that at least Plaid will be electing our Lords democratically within party structures. I'm not sure that this is much of a comfort to those of us who are opposed to the concept, but it is an argument for the way that we can try and do things differently to other maintstream parties. What's important in all of this is that we continue to campaign for the democratisation of the House of Lords, and that we don't fall in to a comfort zone when we 'elect' our first batch of Lords or Ladies.

I failed to mention last week that Dragon's Eye also carried a piece about Child Poverty, and Huw Lewis's concerns that the Government will not meet its targets. Leighton Andrews rightly pointed out that reaching the target may be challenging, and this due to the fact that Westminster still retains many of the powers with regards to the benefits system- which has an inevitable affect on this particular issue.

Of course, the Assembly will do as much as we can within our remit to reach the target of halving child poverty by 2010, but we must also relay our concerns to Westminster with regards the issues that we have no power over. I suspect that Huw Lewis is coming out with this now as he realises the depth of his responsibility in chairing the specialist working group on Child Poverty in Wales, and is perhaps cynically hinting that there is an issue with Government prioritisation due to his unhappiness with the Plaid/ Labour deal.

What I am certain of is that the Government must work alongside all groups with interest in this area to ensure that we implement ideas that will assist in easing the burden of poverty amongst children, and that WAG voices its opinions loud and clear to the Government at Westminster.

Anti Bullying Week

PRESS RELEASE … DATGANIAD I'R WASG … PRESS RELEASE
15 / 11 / 2007
Embargo: For Immediate Release

Time to Stamp Out Bullying - AM

Plaid Cymru Spokesperson on Child Poverty, Bethan Jenkins AM, has tabled aStatement of Opinion at the National Assembly supporting NationalAnti-Bullying Week which starts on Monday.

Twenty-five-year-old Ms Jenkins will be supporting a number of events nextweek including the NSPCC's Defeat Bullying Campaign.

Speaking from the Senedd building, Ms Jenkins said:

I wholeheartedly endorse the NSPCC's Defeat Bullying campaign and wish themevery success in their endeavours to stamp out bullying. Ahead of, andduring Anti-Bullying Week I look forward to working with the NSPCC and urgeall schools to participate in the Defeat Bullying Campaign. I have alsotabled a Statement of Opinion at the National Assembly asking my fellowAssembly Members to support efforts during Anti-Bullying Week."

The Statement of Opinion, which has been circulated to all Assembly Membersfor their support reads as follows:

"Calls on all Assembly Members to support National Anti-Bullying Week (19th- 23rd November) and to support the work of schools, parents and othergroups and individuals to eradicate all forms of bullying includingcyber-bullying and work-based bullying aganst adults."

ENDS

Notes to Editors
See also: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/getinvolved/raisemoney/fundraisinginschools/defeatbullying/defeatbullyinghome_wda50219.html
and:
http://www.antibullyingweek.co.uk/

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

Bethan Jenkins AC / AM
Gorllewin De Cymru ● South Wales West

PRESS RELEASE … DATGANIAD I’R WASG … PRESS RELEASE

16 / 11 / 2007

Embargo: I’w rhyddhau ar unwaith

Amser cael gwared ar fwlio - AC

Mae Llefarydd Plaid Cymru ar Dlodi Plant, Bethan Jenkins AC, wedi cyflwyno Datganiad Barn yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol yn cefnogi'r Wythnos Gwrth-fwlio Genedlaethol sy’n dechrau ddydd Llun.

Bydd Ms Jenkins sy’n bump ar hugain oed yn cefnogi sawl digwyddiad wythnos nesaf gan gynnwys Ymgyrch trechu Bwlio’r NSPCC.

Yn siarad o adeilad y Senedd, dywedodd Ms Jenkins:

“Rwy’n cymeradwyo’n galonnog Ymgyrch yn erbyn Bwlio’r NSPCC ac yn dymuno pob llwyddiant yn eu hymdrechion i gael gwared ar fwlio. Cyn ac yn ystod Wythnos Gwrth-fwlio, rwy’n edrych ymlaen at weithio gyda’r NSPCC, ac yn annog pob ysgol I gymryd rhan yn Ymgyrch Gwrth-fwlio. Rwyf hefyd wedi cyflwyno Datganiad Barn yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol sy’n gofyn i fy nghyd-aelodau gefnogi ymdrechion yn ystod Wythnos Gwrth-fwlio."

Mae’r Datganiad Barn, sydd wedi cael ei anfon at bob Aelod y Cynulliad am eu cefnogaeth, yn darllen fel y dilyn:

“Yn galw ar holl Aelodau’r Cynulliad i gefnogi’r Wythnos Gwrth-fwlio Genedlaethol (19eg - 23ain Tachwedd) a chefnogi gwaith ysgolion, rhieni a grwpiau ac unigolion eraill i gael gwared ar bob math o fwlio gan gynnwys bwlio seiber a bwlio yn y gweithle yn erbyn oedolion."

DIWEDD

Sylwadau i Olygyddion

Gweler hefyd:
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/getinvolved/raisemoney/fundraisinginschools/defeatbullying/defeatbullyinghome_wda50219.html
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/getinvolved/raisemoney/fundraisinginschools/defeatbullying/welsh_brochure_wdf51527.doc

ac:

http://www.antibullyingweek.co.uk/

Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â Steffan Lewis ar 029 20 848 713 / 07961 732405

crazy 8

I have been suggested by Miss Wagstaff to take part in the Crazy Eight. Like Miss Wagstaff and Dylan Jones Evans have already said, if I did this again tomorrow, my answers would be different probably!

8 things I’m passionate about:

My family
Politics and representing local people
campaigning
Wales
Ireland
Women’s rights
Animal welfare
Musical opportunities for young people

8 things I want to do before I die

live in an Independent Wales
Travel. I’d love to go to Cuba and Africa
Take part in VSO
Have children
Do a marathon
Meet Joni Mitchell
Live in a different country to Wales
Play in a band.... again

8 things I say often

’I know, like’.
‘Do you know what I’m saying?’
‘I’m 25. Yes, I know I’m young for a Politician.’
‘Tarra’
‘Will the Minister agree with me that…..’
‘I hate mornings!’
' I’m trying to cut out the coffee.’
‘What’s Adam Price said this time?!’


8 books I’ve read recently or am still reading

The life of David Dellinger- over the summer, and I haven’t read much since..
Mind the Gap- Ferdinand Mount
The Age of Consent- George Monbiot
Dipping in to lots of books on poverty and child poverty at the moment
Agent Zigzag-Ben Magintyre
The Little Book of Great Women’ by the New Internationalist
The Beauty Myth Naomi Wolf
My father’s newest book of poetry which includes a poem about my car crash two years ago..nice!

8 songs I could listen to over and over and do:

Prologue to History- Manic Street Preachers
Life Becoming a Landslide- Manics
Blue- Joni Mitchell
Honeycomb Grey- Ashley Maher
Stockholm Syndrome- Muse
Tracy Curtis- If the Moon Could Talk
Ben Folds Five- Brick
Glen Campbell- Wichita Lineman. My father used to sing it to me every evening as a child


8 things that attract me to my best friends

Loyalty
Personality
Shared interest
Having a laugh
Same mindset
Honest with you and vice versa
Socialising
Being open

8 people I think should do Crazy 8

Alun Cairns AM - to get him blogging again...
Carwyn Jones- as he loves blogging so much...
Glyn Davies - as he doesn't stop blogging..
Betsan Powys - as I think her blog is one of the best from a Journalist and I would like to hear her opinions...
What is Wales aka Greg Lewis... could be quite controversial responses...
Southpaw Grammar... same as above!
Paul Flynn MP -one of the best blogger MP's...
Leila Kiersch (Green) I am not sure if this former Green candidate blogs anymore, but worth a try..

Alltwen Primary School

I visited Alltwen Primary School on Friday, and I wanted to do a blog on its own about it to say how much I enjoyed the visit. The class all had a question ready to ask me, as they had been looking at my blog in the morning, and had 'googled' me as well- swotting up on me before my arrival!

They asked me some interesting questions on child poverty and climate change, and were interested in if I enjoy my work as an Assembly Member, and whether I get nervous. As they are all keen musicians I did get quite a lot of questions on my viola playing, and how many concerts I have played in. I'll have to visit again, and play them a few tunes!

I've asked the teacher whether the class will do a guest blog for me to post here on this site, and I hope that they can do that through the School Council, and the work of the School's Eco- council.

I hope to be visiting again soon, and perhaps some of them will be the politicians of the future. Who knows?......

Sunday musings

I haven't managed to blog for a while because it's been quite busy. I went to the BT call centre in Cardiff on Friday night that takes the calls for Children in Need. I've put a picture on my blog of the event. It's not often I'll advertise another politician from a different party, but Jenny Willott MP attended the event also, so here we have it!!

It's a Sunday afternoon, and so I have a little more time than I do in the week to blog. I've just been watching Huhne and Clegg rip each other to pieces on the Politics Show, which was quite a spectacle. Considering that Peter Black's blog posts centre mostly on Plaid Cymru, and on our internal differences etc, I wonder how detailed a response he will give to what I can only describe as an embarrassing situation for the Lib dems on live television this morning. It seems that tensions are fraught between the two leadership camps in the run up to the vote, and that they are reverting to personalising the issue- another thing which the Lib dems do so well. Does anyone remember Charles Kennedy?! Being a bystander to the leadership race, and purely on today's performance, Clegg seems to be coming out on top. He managed to take the moral high ground to Huhne's personal attacks on him as 'calamity Clegg', but that's about as much as I can muster in enthusiasm for this contest for today I'm afraid.

Of course, Plaid have had an interesting week, to say the least- what with the discussion on our defence policy, and the House of Lords. On the latter issue, I am disappointed that our party has decided to send members to the House of Lords. It just seems to me that we should be concentrating our efforts on campaigning on a referendum on a Parliament for Wales, and utilising our best people in this area as opposed to sending them to an undemocratic body in Westminster. In my opinion, this action will only serve to bed Plaid Cymru down further as part of the London based political agenda.

I hope I am proven to be wrong, and that we will gain from having representatives who scrutinise laws and measures effectively at the House of Lords when they are selected next year, but I firmly believe that we should be concentrating our efforts elsewhere. As a party that spearheaded the cash for honours inquiry alongside the SNP, we should be distancing ourselves from this institution, not actively legitimising an undemoctratic body, which Gordon Brown has announced that he has no intention of reforming during this term of Parliament, at least.

Nevertheless, the reality is that the party has endorsed representation at the Lords. I can take a good guess as to some of the names that will be considered. Can you?!

Questions to the Environment and Social Justice Ministers

Climate Change Bill-question to Jane Davidson

Bethan Jenkins: The Climate Change Bill currently has a target of a 60 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Environmental groups now say that the Bill must have a target of a minimum reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 80 per cent by 2050, in order to be on track with the targets. What discussions have you had with your colleagues in Westminster about changing the target to 80 per cent?

Jane Davidson: The target of 60 per cent reflected the advice of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in its 2000 report, ‘Energy—The Changing Climate’. The consultation revealed support for a tougher target but there is limited detailed evidence to support an alternative figure. However, there is an aspiration to support an alternative figure, and the Prime Minister and the Minister responsible for climate change have made it clear that the Committee on Climate Change will be asked to conduct a review of the 60 per cent target and consider whether it should be strengthened further. If it recommends that, the Government will listen. I warmly welcome that as, I am sure, will you.

Bethan Jenkins: Mae gan y Mesur Newid yn yr Hinsawdd darged i leihau gollyngiadau carbon deuocsid 60 y cant. Dywed grwpiau amgylcheddol yn awr ei bod yn rhaid i'r Mesur gael targed i leihau gollyngiadau carbon deuocsid 80 y cant o leiaf erbyn 2050, er mwyn bod ar y trywydd cywir gyda'r targedau. Pa drafodaethau yr ydych wedi'u cael gyda’ch cydweithwyr yn San Steffan ynghylch newid y targed i 80 y cant?

Jane Davidson: Yr oedd y targed 60 y cant yn adlewyrchu cyngor y Comisiwn Brenhinol ar Lygredd Amgylcheddol yn ei adroddiad yn 2000, ‘Energy—The Changing Climate’. Datgelodd yr ymgynghoriad gefnogaeth i darged anoddach, ond ychydig o dystiolaeth fanwl a geir i gefnogi ffigur arall. Fodd bynnag, ceir dyhead i gefnogi ffigur arall, ac mae'r Prif Weinidog a'r Gweinidog sy'n gyfrifol am newid yn yr hinsawdd wedi datgan yn glir y gofynnir i'r Pwyllgor ar Newid yn yr Hinsawdd gynnal adolygiad o’r targed 60 y cant, ac ystyried a ddylid ei gryfhau eto fyth. Os bydd yn argymell hynny, gwrendi’r Llywodraeth. Croesawaf hynny’n frwd, fel y gwnewch chithau yr wyf yn siŵr.

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


Child Poverty
Q11 Bethan Jenkins: Will the Minister make a statement on child poverty in Wales? OAQ(3)0086(SJL)

Brian Gibbons: We have made good progress on tackling child poverty in Wales. Poverty rates for children here are now below the Great Britain average. Recent statistics show that 28 per cent of children in Wales live in households with incomes below 60 per cent of the median, the rate for Great Britain being 29 per cent.

Bethan Jenkins: The Minister may be aware of Monmouthshire County Council’s decision to charge children for the use of social services in their area. Does the Minister agree that the wheels are falling off the Cameron cart, and that we should consider relooking at this? [Interruption.] They are following their Thatcherite agenda, as usual.

The Presiding Officer: Order. I need no help from the official opposition. The Minister will be well aware that, although he has responsibility for local government, he is not responsible for the decisions of individual local authorities.

Brian Gibbons: I am aware that these are merely proposals at this stage, and I hope that, on reflection, the local authority will bear in mind the points that Bethan has made. If we are ever to abolish child poverty in Wales, we need to be proactive in addressing the problems of the most vulnerable children in our society. That will not be achieved by charging children—quite the contrary; the outcome would be to move in the wrong direction and drive further children into poverty and disadvantage.


Tlodi Plant

C11 Bethan Jenkins: A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am dlodi plant yng Nghymru? OAQ(3)0086(SJL)

Brian Gibbons: Gwnaethom gynnydd da ar fynd i’r afael â thlodi plant yng Nghymru. Mae cyfraddau tlodi ar gyfer plant sydd yma’n is na chyfartaledd Prydain Fawr erbyn hyn. Mae ystadegau diweddar yn dangos bod 28 y cant o blant yng Nghymru’n byw ar aelwydydd ag incymau sy’n llai na 60 y cant o’r canolrif, a’r gyfradd ar gyfer Prydain Fawr yw 29 y cant.

Bethan Jenkins: Efallai fod y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol o benderfyniad Cyngor Sir Fynwy i godi tâl ar blant am ddefnyddio gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yn eu hardal. A yw’r Gweinidog yn cytuno bod yr olwynion yn disgyn oddi ar gart Cameron, ac y dylem ystyried ailedrych ar hyn? [Torri ar draws.] Maent yn dilyn eu hagenda Thatcheraidd, yn ôl eu harfer.

Y Llywydd: Trefn. Nid oes arnaf angen unrhyw gymorth gan yr wrthblaid swyddogol. Bydd y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol iawn, er bod ganddo gyfrifoldeb dros lywodraeth leol, nad yw’n gyfrifol am benderfyniadau gan awdurdodau lleol penodol.

Brian Gibbons: Yr wyf yn ymwybodol mai cynigion yn unig yw’r rhain ar hyn o bryd, ac yr wyf yn gobeithio y bydd yr awdurdod lleol, ar ôl ystyried, yn cofio’r pwyntiau a wnaeth Bethan. Os ydym i ddileu tlodi plant yng Nghymru byth, mae angen inni ymdrin yn rhagweithiol â phroblemau’r plant fwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cymdeithas. Ni chyflawnir hynny drwy godi tâl ar blant—i’r gwrthwyneb yn llwyr; y canlyniad fyddai symud i’r cyfeiriad anghywir a gyrru rhagor o blant i dlodi a’u rhoi dan anfantais.

Not so compassionate Tories in Monmouth....

Yesterday at the Assembly I took part in an interview for Cardiff Union Television( CUTV) which is a new venture by Huw Thomas aka the one time blogger chanticleer. I think that its a very positive venture, and I will be keeping up to date with its progress. I did an interview on my involvement in student- based politics, and how I got involved in party politics.

I then met with a delegation from the Cuban Government for lunch, who were visiting the Assembly to learn about devolution and its processes. They were on a somewhat fleeting visit, and were set to visit London- first stop- Madame Tussauds to see the wax work of Fidel Castro!

The afternoon's plenary session ensued, and I raised issues on the Climate Change Bill, specifically with regards the 60% target in C02 emissions, and the call by pressure groups for the Government at Westminster to raise this to an 80% reduction. I also raised the issue of Monmouth Council's proposal to charge parents of vulnerable children for social services provision in the area. Even though this is but a proposal at this stage, the very fact that a Tory led Council is proposing such a measure shows that the Tories are more than ready to discard Cameron's supposedly compassionate, caring image! My comments were met by heckling from the Tory benches who were trying to drown out the issue I suspect, but they won't be able to dispel the issue that easy!

Today is Ray Gravell's funeral at Stradey park, and I know that there are many Plaid AM's attending. I am sure that it will be a stately event, and will show how hugely respected Grav was, and will remain, by the people of Wales.

Tonight I am visiting Broadlands Residents Association in Bridgend, and I am looking forward to tomorrow evening's Children in need activities....

Questions to the FM last week

Road Safety Measures

Q4 Bethan Jenkins: Will the First Minister make a statement on road safety measures in Wales? OAQ(3)0400(FM)

The First Minister: More than 350 schemes involving 20 mph limits or zones have now been implemented across Wales. Taken together, they have demonstrated an annual average accident reduction of 86 per cent. That is just one of a series of programmes that we continue to implement in order to improve road safety across Wales.

Bethan Jenkins: I am sure that you are aware that this week is National Road Safety Week. I obviously welcome the commitments made by the One Wales Government to tackle this issue, especially with regard to children. In Pontardawe, there are numerous problems with road safety measures and access for trade vehicles. In addition, you need four accidents to happen before any sort of action can be taken, which I think is unacceptable. Could you make a statement to support the need for pre-emptive as opposed to reactive road safety measures in this area?

The First Minister: I would hope that we are not being reactive, because we have issued a challenge to try to achieve the UK Government’s casualty reduction targets by 2010. The targets are a 40 per cent reduction in the number of casualties that are killed or seriously injured, a 50 per cent reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured, and a 10 per cent reduction in the number of slight casualties. I think that we have a reasonable chance of achieving that objective in Wales.


C4 Bethan Jenkins: A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am fesurau diogelwch ar y ffyrdd yng Nghymru? OAQ(3)0400(FM)

Y Prif Weinidog: Mae dros 350 o gynlluniau sy’n golygu cyfyngiadau neu barthau 20 mya wedi cael eu gweithredu ar draws Cymru erbyn hyn. Gyda’i gilydd, maent wedi dangos gostyngiad blynyddol o 86 y cant yn nifer y damweiniau ar gyfartaledd. Nid yw hon ond un o gyfres o raglenni yr ydym yn dal i’w gweithredu er mwyn gwella diogelwch ar y ffyrdd ar draws Cymru.

Bethan Jenkins: Yr wyf yn siŵr eich bod yn ymwybodol mai’r wythnos hon yw Wythnos Genedlaethol Diogelwch ar y Ffyrdd. Yn amlwg yr wyf yn croesawu’r ymrwymiadau a wnaethpwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru’n Un i fynd i’r afael â’r mater hwn, yn enwedig o safbwynt plant. Ym Mhontardawe, mae nifer o broblemau’n ymwneud â mesurau diogelwch ar y ffyrdd a mynediad i gerbydau masnach. Yn ychwanegol, mae gofyn cael pedair damwain cyn bod modd gweithredu mewn unrhyw ffordd, sy’n annerbyniol yn fy marn i. A wnewch chi ddatganiad i gefnogi’r angen am fesurau rhagataliol yn hytrach na mesurau diogelwch adweithiol yn y maes hwn?

Y Prif Weinidog: Byddwn yn gobeithio nad bod yn adweithiol yr ydym, oherwydd yr ydym wedi gosod her i geisio cyrraedd targedau Llywodraeth y DU o ran gostwng y nifer sy’n cael eu hanafu a’u lladd erbyn 2010. Y targedau yw gostyngiad o 40 y cant yn nifer y bobl sy’n cael eu lladd neu eu hanafu’n ddifrifol, gostyngiad o 50 y cant yn nifer y plant sy’n cael eu lladd neu eu hanafu’n ddifrifol, a gostyngiad o 10 y cant yn nifer y mân anafiadau. Credaf fod gennym obaith rhesymol o gyrraedd y nod hwnnw yng Nghymru.

...........................................................................................
Ray Gravell

Bethan Jenkins: I would like to associate myself with those people who have offered their condolences to the family of the great patriot, Ray Gravell, who passed away recently. On a more positive note, the Cambria magazine has started a campaign in the form of a petition calling for the renaming of the Prince William Cup as the Ray Gravell Cup. Could the Government make a statement to the Welsh Rugby Union pledging its support to this petition? Over 2,000 people have already signed the petition, and 1,000 people have also joined the relevant group on Facebook. Therefore, can the Government support the campaign?

Carwyn Jones: First, I endorse the tributes that have been made by several Members in the Chamber today. I had the experience of walking around Stradey Park with Ray and a Welsh black bull prior to Llanelli’s match against Colimiers in the European cup, and I remember that experience well.

On the other point raised, the Government has no view on the petition, and, at present, I am responding on behalf of the Government. It is, of course, a matter for individuals to decide to express their opinion in whichever way they wish.


Bethan Jenkins: Hoffwn ymuno â’r bobl sydd wedi cynnig eu cydymdeimlad i deulu Ray Gravell a fu farw yn ddiweddar. Yr oedd yn genedlaetholwr o fri. Ar nodyn mwy positif, mae cylchgrawn Cambria wedi dechrau ymgyrch ar ffurf deiseb sy’n cynnig ailenwi Cwpan y Tywysog William yn Gwpan Ray Gravell. A all y Llywodraeth ddatgan ei chefnogaeth i’r ddeiseb hon i Undeb Rygbi Cymru? Mae mwy na 2,000 o bobl wedi llofnodi’r ddeiseb yn barod, ac mae 1,000 o bobl hefyd wedi ymuno â’r grŵp perthnasol ar wefan Facebook. Felly, a all y Llywodraeth gefnogi’r ymgyrch?


Carwyn Jones: Yn gyntaf, ategaf y geiriau o gydymdeimlad a gyflëwyd gan sawl Aelod yn y Siambr heddiw. Cefais y profiad o arwain tarw du Cymreig o gwmpas Parc y Strade gyda Ray cyn gêm Llanelli yn erbyn Colimiers yng nghwpan Ewrop, ac yr wyf yn cofio hynny’n iawn.

O ran y pwynt arall a godwyd, nid oes gan y Llywodraeth farn am y ddeiseb, ac, ar hyn o bryd, yr wyf yn ateb ar ran y Llywodraeth. Wrth gwrs, penderfyniad unigolion yw mynegi eu barn ym mha ffordd bynnag a ddymunant.

Tuesday at the Assembly

Again, another busy day. As I said in my previous blog, I met with the National Grid today alongside Dr Dai Lloyd and Nerys Evans AM. David Mercer spoke about the development, and gave the company line with regards the benefits of the pipeline, as you would expect of course. I understand that it is important for us to meet with National Grid to discuss the issues highlighted by our constituents, but it isn't very surprising that they chose to meet with us now given that we have been quite vocal of late in the Assembly with regards this issue. Nevertheless, the gas has already entered the pipes at Cilfrew and Milford Haven, and has heightened dismay amongst residents who allege that they were not informed of this action. I have no reason not to believe them.

I have attended many a meeting with regards this matter, and will continue to have reservations about the development, despite National Grid's attempts to convince me otherwise.

There was a Sustrans event today at the Senedd following this to raise awareness of their campaign to gain lottery funds for the people's £50 million Lottery Giveaway. Connect2 will revitalise walking and cycling in 79 communities across the UK by creating new routes for the journeys we all make every day. Crossings and bridges will be created over busy roads, railway lines and rivers, linking into new networks of local paths to get us to where we want to go. Sustrans Wales were today urging AM's to raise awareness of the scheme, and to vote for the Welsh developments.

In the afternoon I raised a supplementary question on delayed transfers of care to the First Minister, and then in the evening I attended a public meeting regarding the proposed extension of the open cast development in Margam. As you may know, Plaid has a policy of introducing a 500 meter buffer zone around such developments, and I believe this is an area that we need to do much more work on as a party. I have requested a meeting with Friends of the Earth in Wales, who I know have campaigned against open cast developments in the past- the recent one being in Ffos y Fran in Merthyr and I hope to discuss this with the Environment Minister, Jane Davidson.

Guest blogger # 3 Kelvin Mason. Aberystwyth Peace and Justice Network

This week's guest blogger is Kelvin Mason from Aberystwyth Peace and Justice Network. I am placing this blog here quite early on in the week to ensure that the debate is topical.

On Saturday 10th November at 11am the Mayor of Aberystwyth, Lorrae Jones-Southgate, laid a white poppy wreath at the castle war memorial on behalf of the Town Council. ‘The White Poppy symbolises the belief that there are better ways to resolve conflicts than killing strangers.’ (www.ppu.org.uk/whitepoppy). The Council is now in its fourth year laying the white poppy wreath to commemorate the non-combatants who die in wars. Aberystwyth has a strong history of peace activism, particularly among Greens, Plaid Cymru and Quakers. Aberystwyth is apparently the only Council in Britain that lays a white poppy wreath.

Around forty people attended this year’s ceremony, including members of Aberystwyth Peace and Justice Network, an umbrella group for activists. Leading the ceremony Pryderi Llwyd Jones said: ‘We have gathered here on the eve of Remembrance Sunday to remember, with those who will be here tomorrow, those who have lost their lives in two world wars and the families ad communities that lost their loved one. But we must also remember that we’re living in a world where war and the preparation for war is still creating sorrow and enmity, suffering and conflict. Militarism is increasing rapidly on a huge scale…. We are here in the belief that there is an alternative way. The white poppy is a symbol of that way of peace.’

Following two minutes silence, Côr Gobaith sang Lloyd Stone’s lyrics to Sibelius’ Finlandia, expressing an internationalist sentiment that lends passionate support to that alternative way of peace: But other hearts in other lands are beating / With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

From a frosty initial response, the Town Council’s relationship with the Royal British Legion with respect to the white poppy ceremony has improved considerably over the last four years. This year a letter from Lotte Reimer on behalf of Aberystwyth Peace and Justice Network appeared in the Cambrian News.

The letter thanked the Council for their action and continued, ‘Could we also take this opportunity to thank the Royal British Legion for the respect they accord the white poppy ceremony and to wish them all the best with their red poppy appeal. One day, we hope a constructive dialogue will mean red and white poppy wreaths can be laid side by side in a shared ceremony of remembrance.’

Although the Legion has not ‘backed down’ on the question of a shared ceremony, they have taken a progressive step to the side. Town Clerk, Jim Griffiths, told those assembled at the war memorial that the Legion believed we shared a common sentiment. They propose mobilising their full support for a white poppy appeal where the whole town can remember together. The Legion tentatively suggested the appeal might centre on Peace Day, September 21st.

It remains now for the Town Council, Aberystwyth Peace and Justice Network and all concerned to meet and discuss this proposal. Then, there will be the opportunity to meet together with the Royal British Legion to build trust and discuss whether we can all learn to walk with others on uncommon ground (Chatterton, 2006).

CHATTERTON, P. (2006) "Give up Activism" and Change the World in Unknown Ways: Or, Learning to Walk with Others on Uncommon Ground Antipode, 38, 2, 259-281.

Support for Asylum Justice

I have had a relatively busy day today. We carried out street surgeries in Bryncoch, Neath in the morning- something which we do every Monday and Friday in the region. We should be coming to a neighbourhood near you very soon!

After that, I attended the funeral of one of our Bridgend activists, David Cogswell. He was a lovely man, who supported me throughout the election, sent me press cuttings to follow up local press stories and attended events and activities in the area. He died of cancer late last week, and I will miss him, and his enthusiasm for life.

Later today I visited a few community groups, and then attended the Law Society's Pro Bono week event in Cardiff. Tonight the event centred on Asylum Justice, and the work which is carried out in representing asylum seekers during appeal processes, and in providing them with general support. Here in Wales, Legal Aid is at a minimum for such cases due to the merits system which was introduced for Wales and England in 2004. Therefore Asylum Justice are now seeking to train Immigration Advisers to represent asylum seekers during the appeals process, as there is a severe shortage of firms taking part in this work in Wales.

I am eager to get involved in the work that Asylum Justice carries out in Wales, especially as I have had many asylum seekers approach me for support with their individual cases since I have been elected. Many of the cases have proved successful, but unfortunately, the Labour Government in London has not been forthcoming in its support for organisations such as Asylum Justice, in its desperate attempts to out Tory the Tories on immigration.

More meetings and events tomorrow, starting with National Grid and a meeting on the LNG pipeline. Should be an interesting one!

Guest Blogger # 2 Carl Harris NUS Wales

This week’s guest blogger is Carl Harris. He studied Theatre at Trinity College,Carmarthen where he was later elected as the Deputy President of the Students' Union for two successive years. He has been involved with the National Union of Students' for 3 years and now works as the Deputy President of the NUS Wales.

For anyone that has heard of, or been involved in the national union, you may have often heard the line “we are the largest democratic organisation in Wales, representing over 250,000 students in the FE and HE sector”. In fairness this is a fact. Another fact is that the majority of our members are in the Further Education sector. However what have we done to justify that we really are the collective voice of students?

Well apart from… leading the fight against top up fees in Wales; pressuring the Government to stop universities charging every student a £50 administration fee to process their fees; winning 100% exemption from council tax and pressuring the Assembly Government to introduce the Assembly Learning Grant…There is still plenty more to do.

NUS Wales is here to promote, defend and extend the rights of students in Wales, and this year is no exception. Our priority campaigns focus on Education in the Further and Higher sector, the Welfare of students, and solidarity with our international counterparts.

On Higher Education - we will be campaigning to keep the cap on tuition fees in Wales and will be holding a demonstration outside the Welsh Assembly to highlight the amount of debt students in Wales are in after graduation. We want the WAG to recognise the amount of money that students put into the economy and to also recognise that students deserve free public transport in Wales – especially with the no doubt, soon to be rising cost of fees.

On Further Education – we have used the opportunity to input into the Webb Review and call for 1% of all FE college funding to go to Student Unions within that college. We believe it is fundamental that students have a voice over their education and can participate in decisions that affect them. Sufficient funding enables Unions to represent their students efficiently both internally and externally.

On Welfare – we are working with a number of external organisations to ensure that students have appropriate information and support in the areas of housing, health including sexual health, finance and employment rights. We begin our campaign in the New Year for Carbon Monoxide testers to be mandatory in all student houses/HMO’s.


There are many strands to all of our campaigns, and the above are just a few examples of what we are working on. I welcome any comments on what I’ve listed and hope they can cause some debate. If not, I am sure we’ve got plenty of other information that can cause a bit of controversy. Be sure to look out for our campaigns!

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Y blogiwr gwadd ar fy mlog yr wythnos ‘ma yw Carl Harris. Fe wnaeth Carl astudio Theatr yng Ngholeg y Drindon, Caerfyrddin, lle ddaeth yn Ddirprwy Lywydd yn yr Undeb am dwy mlynedd yn olynol. Mae ef wedi bod yn rhan o UCMC am dair mlynedd, ac nawr fe yw Dirprwy Lywydd UCMC.


I’r rheiny ohonoch sydd wedi clywed am, neu wedi bod yn rhan o’r undeb cenedlaethol, mae’n bur debyg y byddwch yn gyfarwydd â’r dataganiad “ni yw’r mudiad democrataiddd mwyaf yng Nghymru, yn cynrychioli dros 250,000 o fyfyrwyr yn y sector AB ac AU”. Mae hyn yn ffaith. Mae hefyd yn ffaith fod y mwyafrif o’n haelodau yn y sector Addysg Bellach. Serch hynny, beth ydym ni wedi ei wneud i gyfiawnhau’r honiad mai ni yw llais cyfunol myfyrwyr?

Ar wahan i… arwain y frwydr yn erbyn ffioedd cyflenwi yng Nghymru; gosod pwysau ar y Llywodraeth i atal prifysgolion rhag codi ffi weinyddol ar brosesu eu ffioedd; sicrhau eithriad 100% rhag treth y cyngor, a dwyn pwysau ar Lywodraeth y Cynulliad i gyflwyno Grant Dysgu’r Cynulliad…. Mae dal i fod digonedd i’w wneud.

Mae UCMC yma i hyrwyddo, amdiffyn ac ymestyn hawliau myfyrwyr yng Nghymru, ac nid yw eleni yn wahanol yn hyn o beth. Mae ein prif ymgyrchoedd yn canolbwyntio ar Addysg yn y sector Bellach ac Uwch, a sefyll yn gadarn gyda’n cyfeillion rhyngwladol.

Addysg Uwch – byddwn yn ymgyrchu i gadw’r cap ar ffioedd dysgu yng Nghymru a byddwn yn cynnal gwrthdystiad tu allan i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol er mwyn dwyn sylw at lefel dyledion myfyrwyr yng Nghymru pan fyddant yn graddio. ‘Rydym eisiau i Lywodraeth y Cynulliad sylweddoli faint o arian mae myfyrwyr yn ei gyfrannu at yr economi a hefyd cydnabod fod myfyrwyr yn haeddu teithio am ddim ar drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yng Nghymru – yn arbennig o gofio y bydd ffioedd yn sicr o gynyddu cyn bo hir.

Addysg Bellach – ‘rydym wedi defnyddio’r cyfle i gyfrannu at Adolygiad Webb ac wedi galw am 1% o gyllid pob coleg AB i fynd i Undeb y Myfyrwyr yn y coleg hwnnw. Credwn ei bod yn hanfodol bwysig i fyfyrwyr gael llais yn eu haddysg ac y gallant gyfranogi mewn penderfyniadau sy’n effeithio arnynt hwy. Mae cyllido digonol yn galluogi Undebau i gynrychioli eu myfyrwyr yn effeithiol, yn fewnol ac yn allanol.

Lles – ‘rydym yn gweithio gyda nifer o fudiadau allanol er mwyn sicrhau fod myfyrwyr yn cael gwybodaeth a chefnogaeth briodol ym meysydd llety, iechyd, gan gynnwys iechyd rhywiol, trin arian a hawliau cyflogaeth. Byddwn yn dechrau ein hymgyrch yn y Flwyddyn Newydd dros wneud offer canfod carbon monocsid yn orfodol ym mhob llety myfyrwyr a thai aml-ddeiliaid.


Mae yna sawl rhan i’n hymgyrchoedd; dim ond enghreifftiau o’r hyn ‘rydym yn gweithio arnynt yw’r uchod. Buaswn yn croesawu unrhyw sylwadau ar yr hyn ‘rwyf wedi eu rhestru, a gobeithio y gallant ysgogi rhywfaint o drafodaeth. Os na allant, mae’n sicr fod gennym ddigonedd o wybodaeth ddadleuol ar eich cyfer. Gwyliwch allan am ein hymgyrchoedd!

You can contact Carl by emailing carl.harris@nus-wales.org.uk

Medrwch cysylltu a Carl drwy ebostio carl.harris@nus-wales.org.uk

50 years of Guardian Women's page

I went to London last night for the celebration of 50 years of the Guardian Women's Pages, and for the announcement of the Mary Stott prize- the prize of which is the chance for the winners to edit the section for one edition, and £500 spending money! It was a good evening, and a chance to meet with the Women's pages current editor, Kira Cochrane. Diane Abbott MP was supposedly the first on the guest list, but I didn't see her there. Of the few men that did attend, I saw Ed Miliband getting tucked in to a canapes or two! I look forward to reading the Mary Stott winners' pieces in the Guardian, and to perhaps another 50 years of Guardian Women's pages....

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Neithiwr es i i Lundain i ddathlu 50 mlynedd o dudalennau Menywod y Guardian, ac ar gyfer cyhoeddiad ennillwyr y wobr Mary Stott- y wobr yw i golygu'r tudalennau ar gyfer y papur, a £500! Mi oedd o'n noson dda, a chyfle i mi gwrdd a golygydd y Tudalennau Menywod presenol- Kira Cochrane. Mi oedd Diane Abbott AS ar frig y rhestr o westeion, ond wnes i ddim gweld hi yno. O'r dynion a oedd yno, fe welais i Ed Miliband yn helpu ei hun i'r bwyd oedd ar gael. Rwy'n edrych mlan i ddarllen gwaith ennillwyr Mary Stott, ac am, efallai, 50 mlynedd arall o dudalennau menywod y Guardian...

Compulsory education to 18. What do you think?

One of the elements of the Queen's speech that interests me is the proposal by Ed Balls to make it compulsory for young people to access education and training until they are 18 years of age. I do recognise why this proposal has been introduced -to up skill young people, to increase their employability, and to offer a range of practical and academic courses.

Nevertheless, I am a little concerned by the fact that it will be 'compulsory'. A survey conducted by the Guardian reveals that 71% of teenagers wanted to maintain their right to leave education at the age of 16, and I would be inclined to agree with their sentiment. Until we totally reform the GCSE structure and the A-level qualification I do not see how we can make it compulsory for young people to remain in education, especially when many have already fallen out of the loop, and are failing to attend classes on a regular basis. We have to address the culture surrounding the importance of education to the lives of young people. In my opinion, if we force it upon young people, it will inevitably mean that we will push more young people away from the education system, and alienate another generation of young people.

It is also vital to add that these new diplomas as advocated by the London Education Minister will have to be properly funded if they are to be successful. If FE Colleges and schools are insufficiently supported, then the scheme could fall well short of its goal. We need to consider how this will affect the current educational structure, and in particular sixth forms in schools which are already falling in number due to the rise in FE Colleges across the country.

The most worrying aspect of this proposal in my opinion is that a student who does not attend a class or session will be given an 'attendance order'. In short, if they choose not to study from the age of 16 to 18 this will be deemed a criminal offence. They will be given an on the spot fine of 50 pounds, and a court fine of 200 pounds! Hardly a progressive way of encouraging young people to remain in education. This sounds to me as if this is just another ASBO in disguise.

At the end of the day, the young people that would be implicated in this plan have no voice. They cannot vote, and therefore many such proposals are rushed through Government without due consultation with the very people that will be forced to adhere to them.

There should be much more rigorous consultation with young people on all issues that affect them, and this is something which I wish to help spearhead in Wales. We do have organisations like Funky Dragon that encourage youth involvement in politics, but there is a long way to go in making sure that young people's input is not merely a token gesture.

Renaming Prince William Cup to Ray Gravell/ Ail enwi cwpan Tywysog William i Ray Gravell

Today in the Senedd I raised the issue of renaming the Prince William Cup to the Ray Gravell Cup to show our support to a great Welshman- to honour his dedication to rugby, and to Wales. Carwyn Jones was answering the session's question time as Business Minister, and recommended that individual AM's would support the campaign.

I will raise this again with the First Minister and Ieuan Wyn Jones as this will help increase the profile of the campaign with the WRU. Considering that thousands have now signed the petition and have joined the Facebook online group, I see it as only right that AM's support this campaign. Helen Mary Jones is tabling a statement of opinion for all AM's to sign in support, therefore if you are supportive of the campaign, you should email your local AM.

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Heddiw yn y Senedd fe wnes i godi'r mater o gefnogi'r ymgyrch i ail enwi cwpan Tywysog William i Gwpan Ray Gravell, ac hynny er mwyn dangos cefnogaeth i Genedlaetholwr o fri, ac i'w gofio am fod yn chwaraewr rygbi syfrdanol. Carwyn Jones oedd yn ateb y cwestiwn fel y Gweinidog Busnes, ac fe ddywedodd y byddai ACau unigol yn cefnogi'r ymgyrch. Byddaf yn codi'r mater eto gyda'r Prif Weinidog a Ieuan Wyn Jones, gan y byddai derbyn eu cefnogaeth yn siwr o rhoi mwy o bwysau gwleidyddol ar Undeb Rygbi Cymru. Mae Helen Mary Jones yn ysgrifennu datganiad barn ar y mater hwn, felly os ydych yn ei gefnogi, rwy'n argymell eich bod yn ebostio/ cysylltu gyda'ch AC lleol.