Senedd today

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

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

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

Controversy on AMs websites

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

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

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

Mosgito

Braidd yn flinedig ar ol y teithio ddoe i ddweud y lleia, ond wedi cwpwl o gyfarfodydd yn y Cynulliad heddiw( sydd yn le dawel iawn dros y pasg, rhaid dweud) fe wnes i ffilmio ar gyfer y rhaglen i bobl ifanc ar S4C, Mosgito. Cwpwl o oriau difyr yn stiwdios Llandaf yn ymarfer cyfweliadau ar fy ngwaith fel AC, ac yn gwylio'r cyflwynwyr yn rhedeg o gwmpas y lle mewn hetiau difyr( gan fod eitem arall ar hetiau, a'u ffasiwn...) Yn ffodus does dim rhaid i ACau wisgo wigs na hetiau ffurfiol yn y Siambr felly doedd dim rhyw lawer gen i i gyfrannu i'r drafodaeth hynny!

Gobeithio'n fawr y bydd mwy o bobl ifanc yn cysylltu a mi ynglyn a gwleidyddiaeth ac ymgyrchu ar ol gwylio'r sioe heno ma. Mae e dal yn anodd i bobl ifanc sichrau bod y system yn croesawu eu barn yn rhan o'r drafodaeth gwleidyddol, ond gobeithio bydd hwn yn newid gyda dyfodiad y pwyllgor deisebau, a'r pwyllgor ar blant a phobl ifanc......


Pasg Hapus pawb!

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Im quite tired after the travelling yesterday but after a couple of meetings at the Assembly today( which is a very quiet place over easter I noticed) I went over to LLandaff BBC to film for the Welsh language youth show, Mosgito. A few hours of rehersals of interviews on my work as an AM ensued, and I then watched with vague hilarity at the presenters fleet around in random hats- as they were doing another piece for the show on fashion hats and easter hats! Fortunately for me us AMs don't have to wear such formal attire at the Assembly so I had little to contribute to that particular bit!

I hope that more young people will contact me to get involved in politics/ campaigns following the show. Its still quite a challenge for young people to get their voice heard in the system, but I hope with the establishment of the petitions committee and the young people's commitee at the Assembly that this will change.....

BBC Network News- the debate continues

Today I attended a breakfast meeting hosted by Sir Michael Lyons on the 'BBC Trust a year on'. While breakfast meetings are commendable in theory, questions arise as to whether such meetings are accessible for all AMs, or the public with interest in this issue- those with family commitments could be a case in point. This is a side issue of course, but one worth taking in to consideration. In one of the breakfast meetings that I attended in my region for example, I was one of two women present out of over 30 men....

Coming on to the issue of the BBC, its network news provision and the lack of Welsh news coverage was raised by numerous AMs- and raised quite passionately so. We made the point that Plaid MP Adam Price made last year regarding the shockingly miniscule time and resources provided to cover Welsh news on the BBC network, and I also raised the way in which we have to battle to get any political representation on Question Time when it comes to Wales even though, ironically, a Welsh company, Tinopolis produces the show! There is an ongoing review into this particular issue, so we will have to wait and see what come of that. Nevertheless, it was ackowledged that all 'regions' needed to be reflected in the news provision, so that 'regions' are not disillusioned with output from the BBC in the future.

Of course, on other issues, we celebrated the shows made in Wales by BBC Wales such as Torchwood (members of the Arts committee here at the Assembly were invited to a launch of the show last night. Not including me unfortunately!) and Doctor Who, but the point was made that such programmes should be expanded, and expertise used in Wales to produce first class programmes. The Coal House was a tremendous success, for example, and I know that my family really enjoyed it, even if I think that it was a little stereotypical myself! This is how we need to progress anyhow, and justify clearly to the people of Wales as to why paying the license fee really is worth it.

The 'diplomatic' AM for South Wales West

I am still in the Assembly's plenary session, and it will be extended until 6pm tonight. Of course, its vital that we discuss issues as AM's, but for those of us who are not allocated to contribute on debates at certain times of the session, it can be quite a long stint in the chamber!! I think there has to be more emphasis on the Assembly's external communications department to encourage a growth in the number of people who choose to attend the plenary sessions, and encourage interest in the debates here at the Assembly. Personally, I have contributed a number of new, innovative ideas for this purpose, and I hope that Dafydd Elis Thomas and his team will implement them in due course.

I have raised questions on the funding of the One Wales Government agreement today at the Senedd so as to ensure that the Government priorities are implemented and that we are seen as a Government to be delivering on our promises. Nick Bourne quipped in that my comment was coded and diplomatic. I have never been described as 'diplomatic' before, so I take it as a compliment!!!

I have also contributed in the questioning of the Education Minister, Jane Hutt, with regards the Government's grants for school uniforms, and the way in which it should be implemented so as not to conflict with the grants currently implemented by Local Authorities.

Tomorrow, the Equal Opportunities Committee will sit at the Assembly. We will discuss the establishment of a Children's committee at the Assembly- a committee which I deem as being essential so as to look at how our policies and measures affect children across the board. We will also be discussing a review of polling stations and their accessibility for disabled people, as well as the proposal of a scrutiny committee on Migrant workers in Wales. All very interesting issues, and which I will blog on in greater detail at a later date.

Creative ideas for AM surgeries

I've had quite a productive day today. I've been out doing a street surgery in Pontardawe, and there is plenty of issues to get stuck in to in the area. I like getting out and about because I think that going to talk to people is much more accessible than having to wait for them to come to you at a designated time. It also takes you to different areas, and allows you to meet different people with varying concerns. I'm looking in to the idea of holding surgeries in alternative venues so that I can be more accessible. For example, during the election, the cafe La Cucina in Skewen were more than happy for us to use the Cafe as a base, and it was an ideal location to meet people. Aileen Campbell, the youngest MSP at the Scottish Parliament has also researched this possibility, and held a surgery at a local fayre over the summer so as to raise her profile locally.
In Camarthen East, I know that Adam Price MP holds surgeries with local groups or charities. I am going to trial it in this area, and see what the response is like.

This afternoon I was also at a meeting with Bridgend Council. This meeting is intended to keep AM's updated with the work of the Council generally, concentrating on regeneration plans in the area. It was very informative, much like the meeting that I attended last month with Swansea Council Leaders. It's a way of keeping us in the loop with any developments, and a key opportunity for us to question the Council with regards issues that have arisen through our work as AM's. I am not sure if Neath Port Talbot are organising such meetings, but I think that it would be a positive initiative for them to take on.

Tomorrow I am going to a Cut the Carbon rally organised by Christian Aid in Cooper's Field in Cardiff. Hollywood actress Greta Scacchi and others will be speaking at the rally. Then I will go on to the Football match at the Millennium Stadium. I hope we put up a good fight!

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.

Senedd-open democracy?

I was wondering if anyone could shed a light on my following question?

How can people contact Assembly Members to speak with them at the Senedd on the day? I know that people can contact their AM via phone or pop in to local offices, but does everyone have to pre- book meetings? Can they green card their representatives on the spot, as in Westminster?

I ask because on many occasions I have been to the Senedd, and it seems that there are hardly any Politicians in the main milling area where the public go before watching Plenary sessions. Because the Senedd is below the public quarters, there isn't an obligation on Members to pass their constituents on the way to the Chamber- therefore avoiding any tricky questions from pressure groups. (Brian Gibbons knows all about this!)

I think that there should be cordoned off, designated areas for AM's to meet with their constituents in the main Senedd building, and perhaps computer pods could be dotted around so that people can email their AM in the Chamber- this would be monitored for obvious reasons!

I think that this would assist in creating a feeling of vibrancy, and a new buzz to the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. There is a need for open democracy, but I don't believe that those who constructed the bricks and mortar of our democracy embraced that challenge as head on as we would have wished. Does anybody agree?