The future of the Wales Office. Need it all be so negative?

I have to admit that I don't particularly see eye to eye with Elfyn Llwyd's analysis as to why the Wales Office should not be reformed under new constitutional changes by Gordon Brown- i.e that "it would slow down the democratic process and hinder the work being done on LCOs [legislative competence orders]' and that ' it would be foolish to take this step at this moment in time. '

The Westminster Government has plans to introduce a new super department for the UK's nations and regions. Whether Wales is classed as a region in this instance I'm not so sure, but the main thrust behind this particular change is the argument that it would serve to benefit devolution, not undermine it. I haven't seen the plans in full, but I would tend to agree with Peter Black AMs analysis ( there's a first!) in that the main concern lies with the status of any new super department, and the need for Wales to be fully represented in such a department. To do away with the current system of having a dedicated Secretary of State for Wales would be insufficient without taking this into account.

I am more flexible about changes to the Wales Office as I believe that it must evolve as devolution progresses. To leave it as it stands would be in denial of the system that we have in place at the moment, and the development of the Welsh Assembly to date. Of course, as I have said on so many occasions that I am now becoming bored of myself, the current LCO system was created by Labour for Labour, and the veto by the Secretary of State on new legislation brought forward by AMs still stands. I would be much more supportive of any ideas to change the make up of the Wales Office if Gordon Brown and his advisers scrapped this injustice, and gave the Assembly more flexibility to govern without strict caveats to power here in Wales.

The sooner we get a Parliament for Wales the less we will have to worry ourselves with the workings of the Wales Office. In my opinion, an office that combines the work of Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland could be given the flexibility to be more progressive in that it may encourage those in the department to share cross border ideas on legislation, and encourage greater communication between the Celtic Nations.

We shall wait and see what comes of this idea.

A trip to Builth and back.

I haven't blogged in a few days sorry ( if anyone noticed or cared) In the meantime, while I have been away from the blogosphere, you may know that Plaid has a new Heritage Minister. I can tell you one thing for certain, he won't be frequenting any of the Cardiff Bay pubs in a hurry- neither will most AMs if they want to make sure that they won't be in the press for all the wrong reasons the next morning...Anyway, I digress.

I was in Builth today- we held a petitions committee meeting at the show, where we took evidence from Cymdeithas yr Iaith regarding the funding of a Welsh language newspaper, and those who are opposed to the closure of Wyeside Arts Centre. The meeting went well all in all, but it didn't help that our meeting took place right opposite the young farmers stage, where our proceedings were nearly drowned out by karaoke- esque singers blasting out old favourites! At one stage I thought it would be easier if we just gave up and joined in singing and dancing to the can can, but that would have just looked absurd;-)

I took a look around the showground as well while I was there, although I have to admit that I frequented the craft and food stalls more than I did the areas where they were displaying various tractors and diggers, not to mention special comfort mats for cows! The place was packed, although I did take issue with the massive McDonald's stand which proudly displayed a fruit stall as if trying to trick us into believing that they are some sort of up market, locally producing food company! Hmmmm. I don't think so somehow. That's my lot for Builth this year, but I'll be popping in to the Eisteddfod in a week's time.

In other news, things seem to be looking good for the SNP in the Glasgow East by-election. Some commentators are saying that a loss for Labour could force Brown out as PM. I'm not so sure myself, as this was said of Crewe and Nantwich etc, but considering that this is in Brown's back yard, ( when he isn't at 10 Downing street entertaining the likes of Thatcher, that is) and that it is a clear Labour stronghold, to lose this seat would be a massive loss to Scottish Labour. Some of my fellow Plaid colleagues have been up there helping out.. the SNP. I only hope that they will return the favour when we need support in the future. The SNP would no doubt be very pleased to win this seat. It would definitely show a confidence in the SNP government, and signal a change in perception amongst voters in the area.

The Tories have let rip about civil servants bonuses today also. I wouldn't mind them taking the moral high ground so much if they weren't hypocritical in taking the pay rise for AMs that many of us refused to take at the time when public sector workers were being squeezed. So its one rule for civil servants, another for the Tories? Typical.

No to Oath of Allegiance

As you can imagine, I do not agree with the comments made today by former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith to introduce a mandatory oath of allegiance for school pupils.

I'm deeply disturbed by proposals to force young people in our schools to swear an oath of allegiance to the monarchy. The conscious right of people in Wales to express their political and cultural identity in their own way would be violated if such proposals are ever realised.

I firmly believe that such practices have no room in a confident, forward looking Wales that is perfectly at ease with its identity. We need reassurances that our National Assembly will have the powers to block any such proposals if Gordon Brown chooses to embrace Lord Goldsmith's recommendations in full.

What we need is more investment in political citizenship across the board at a younger age, not an attempt at forcing a narrow, old fashioned and Imperial political ideology on our young people. Scotland has already rejected the plans, so too should Wales.

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

Fel y medrwch ddychmygu, dydw i ddim yn cytuno gyda sylwadau yr Arglwydd Goldsmith heddiw i gyflwyno system o dyngu llw gorfodol ar bobl ifanc.

Dydw i ddim yn cytuno gyda’r fath gynllun i dyngu llw i’r Frenhiniaeth. Byddai cynllun o’r fath yn tanseilio gallu pobl Cymru i leisio eu barn gwleidyddol, a’u hunaniaeth diwylliannol.

Dydw i ddim yn credu y dylai’r fath weithred fod yn rhan o’n gwlad hyderus, blaengar, sydd yn balch o’i hunaniaeth unigryw. Mae angen i ni sicrhau yn nawr bod gan ein Cynulliad y gallu i wrthwynebu unrhyw gynlluniau y mae Gordon Brown yn ceisio gweithredu yn y maes hwn.

Beth sydd angen arnom yng Nghymru yw mwy o ymwybyddiaeth o wleidyddiaeth yn gyffredinol, ac nid ymgais negyddol i wthio barn ideolegol hen ffasiwn, Imperialaidd ar ein pobl ifanc. Mae’r Alban wedi gwrthod y cynlluniau yn barod, a dylai Cymru wneud yr un peth.

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

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

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

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

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

Who will be the next Secretary of State for Wales?

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

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

Cross party group on eating disorders gets under way

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

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

Lembit's Lib-Lab love in

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

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

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

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

Ming has called it a day

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

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

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

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

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

Let the battle for the leadership commence.

No spin Brown?

Well, we should all be thankful. Gordon Brown has withdrawn 1,000 troops from Iraq( or 500 if you want to take the information from Channel 4 news) When we were all trudging the streets of London, Cardiff, Aberystwyth wherever in protest against the war, what we wanted the London Government to do in Iraq was ignored.

Suddenly we must all fall over ourselves in praise of Gordon. 'Thank you for listening to us', 'thank you for acting with your conscience, dear Gordon' ( or thank you for getting ready for an election more like it. Bad advice from the media masters I must say. Cameron can get you on returning to the Blair spin now....nasty....)

So, to be positive about all of this today, and to ensure that I stop throwing things at my television in disgust, Gordon, I'd like to start by requesting that the Independent inquiry that Plaid called for many months ago will be acted upon now. Can we finally analyse the affects and the reasons for the war, and get the answers we need to restore people's faith in politics?

Or perhaps that won't fit in to the election strategy? While you are busy thinking about how to withdraw the remaining troops, I'm sure that we can start the process of an inquiry. After all, there are quite a few Government reviews ongoing at the moment. One more wouldn't hurt a soul.

While I wait for the announcement of the inquiry I'll go and get my canvassing shoes polished ready for the(possible) weeks of campaigning ahead.

Snap election? Just tell us one way or another.

Here is a picture of our McMillan Coffee morning at Plaid's Neath Office. I seem to be raising money for a different charity every week. I can imagine that by Christmas I will be getting on everybody's nerves asking for money, but you can't call me lazy then, at least.

In other news, the Independent reports that allies to Gordon Brown will advise him to go for an election in the next few weeks. It's reported that Brown wants to wait for the poll reaction to Cameron's leadership speech on Wednesday. Personally, I wish he'd just make a decision now. After having one election already this year, I need to give myself some time to mentally prepare for another one at this stage, especially given that the weather's getting colder and wetter for trudging the streets!

He either goes now, or leaves it for at least a year. Next spring, the honeymoon period will be over, and it will not be the ideal time for a General election. It will obviously co-incide with the local Council elections, which may be a positive or a negative for Labour. There seem to be headline grabbing policy announcements every other day at the moment, and I'm not sure how long this can be sustained until people start asking the same questions as they did of Cameron- which is how are you going to deliver?

Whatever date is chosen, I don't think that there will be a revolutionary outcome to the election result until the system changes, and until first past the post is consigned to the history books. There may be a few Lib dem losses to Labour gains, but I don't think it will be the shock outcome that some expect.

In Wales, of course, Plaid will campaign to target areas such as Ceredigion( where it will either be Penri James, Sion Jobbins or Mabon ap Gwynfor as candidates), Ynys Mon and Llanelli, and in retaining our three seats. I would like to think that in the future, we cast our eyes upon really challenging some South Wales seats that are ripe for the taking- and make sure that we have a few more female candidates standing, for that matter!

'I can't believe it!'

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

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


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

Gordon Brown/ Trident

Mae yna erthygl difyr yn y New Statesman heddiw am Trident a'r theoriau y tu ol i rhesymau Gordon Brown dros gefnogi'r polisi i'w hadnewyddu.

There is a good article in the New Statesman today about Trident and the conspiracy theories behind Gordon Brown's decision to support the policy.

PM Leadership contest?

Charles Clarke in today's Independent has confirmed rumours that he is eager for David Milliband to stand against Gordon Brown in a bid to become the next PM. The policy website that was launched last month by Clarke and Alan Milburn to debate the future of the party was seen as an attempt to gather support for an alternative candidate for the leadership, and to dismiss the idea that Gordon Brown will simply walk in to No.10 uncontested.

Clarke said that Miliband would be a good candidate and a good prime minister:

'Unlike [the Tory leader] David Cameron, he's got good ministerial experience in a tough, spending department.'

Notably he did not agree to endorse Gordon Brown as the next PM, by stating that "I'll take that decision when we have a leadership election".

If Labour members have any political sense they will opt for a leadership contest, and I would hazard a guess that Miliband would be a stronger contestant against Cameron in terms of offering something new to the party, appealing to a wider section of society( or at least attempting to do so), would not be so intrinsically associated with Tony Blair, and would give the 'young' Cameron a run for his money.

In my opinion, opposition parties would be more fearful of a Miliband leadership, (especially the Tories) as Brown's popularity is currently plummeting in the polls. One thing is certain, Brown is no doubt very annoyed that the attempted coup d'etat last summer failed. Things could have been very different by now...

New Labour receives more donations from big business....

I've sent out this press release tonight regarding New Labour funding. It will be interesting to see if any of the Labour AM's respond in the area. It's laughable that New Labour describe themselves as Socialists while receiving such donations from big business backers. I don't understand how so many Union's can continue to supporter New Labour. Frankly, they are supporting a party that they wish they had in an ideal reality, and not the New Labour that exists today.



Plaid Candidate Slams Labour for Cash from City Asset stripper

Plaid candidate for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins has today slammed the Labour party following reports in the Sunday Times that the Labour party has received substantial donations by two private equity investors- Nigel Doughty and Sir Ronald Cohen. Bethan called on Labour candidates in the South Wales West regions to publicly pledge that none of this money will be used by them during the Assembly campaign.

Plaid’s Bethan said:

‘These big business supporters of New Labour according to the Sunday Times donated £250,000 each to New Labour in 2006. Sir Ronald Cohen has reportedly given £800,000 to the Labour party and is seen as one of Gordon Brown’s financial backer. They have made their fortune from the private equity business which is effectively asset stripping. Trade Unions accuse private equity firms of buying up businesses and then closing factories and discarding employees, or reducing pension benefits to make a profit.

As a politician who believes in fighting to help ordinary working people, I find it incredible that the Labour party are receiving money from individuals who have made their fortunes in this line of business.

Bethan added:

The Labour party in Wales is not a separate accounting unit, which means that the money to fund their Assembly campaign in Wales will come from their London HQ. I am challenging Labour candidates throughout the region to publicly declare that they will not use a single penny of this money in South Wales West.

The Labour party say that they are happy to receive donations from people and organisations who share their values. It just goes to show how right wing the Labour party has become if they consider asset strippers to share a compatible view on economic prosperity and social justice.”


Notes

South Wales West region covers Swansea West, Swansea East, Gower, Neath, Aberavon, Ogwr, Bridgend constituencies
Labour are quoted in the Sunday Times as saying ‘The Labour party receives support from many individuals and organisations that share our values of economic prosperity coupled with social justice.’
Unions claim private equity firms are funding Labour to avoid a tax clamp down. They currently enjoy tax concessions of only 10% tax on capital gains
Sir Nicholas Cohen is founder and former Chairman of Apax partners and is estimated to have a fortune of £260m. Apax bought into Focus, the UK’s 3rd largest DIY chain for £120m. The company was last week put up for sale with debts of £280m. Apax reportedly doubled their money on the investment.

'Welsh ' Labour confusion

While I've been computerless for the last couple of days, I've been listing some of New Labour in Wales' confusing messages....

1) Rhodri Morgan has stated that he wishes to fight this Assembly election on Welsh issues alone- child poverty and the future of the economy being two main issues. Yet Rhodri has this week concerntrated all his efforts on attacking the Leader of the Conservatives, David Cameron, and his lack of previous political experience. This strategy of attacking Cameron personally- no doubt due to the fear of a 'Cameron factor' affecting Wales in the next election has come about as opposed to looking closer to home -to the Conservative leader in Wales, Nick Bourne.

2)Following a failed attempt by Labour MP's in Wales to oust Tony Blair during the summer of 2006, and despite most Labour MP's and AM's lending their support to Gordon Brown for the PM's job, you'd think that Blair would get the message that any words of wisdom on the forthcoming Welsh Assembly election would be unpopular. After the disaster in Blaenau Gwent, you'd assume that Rhodri Morgan would be sensible enough to hide Blair from view. Yet in the last few weeks alone, we see Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie parading around the marginal Cardiff North Consistuency, and a desperate 'support Rhodri' speech last night from Blair at Labour's Conference in Llangollen. Both events will most likely have a negative affect on the Welsh electorate, regardless of Blair's shameless scaremongering when warning of a Tory led coalition come May the 4th when New Labour fails at the polls.

3) Rhodri Morgan has always said that he will not comment on the Iraq war as it is not a devolved issue- we all remember the Question Time debate, and Rhun ap Iorwerth's half hearted attempt at questioning him further on the issue on last night's Dragon's Eye.
Yet Rhodri Morgan has been bold enough to comment on Blair's current exit strategy from Iraq, expressing the fact that it is 'very problematic". So Rhodri can have an opinion on some elements of the war, but not others? He can comment on Welsh troops who are out there, but not on whether they should be there or not....

4) Another confused message, which could come up for debate again soon is whether or not Labour in Wales will use 'Welsh' funds for the Assembly election, or whether we will see them dip in to the pockets of London Labour.

'Welsh' Labour would then definitely only be a construct of their own imagination.

Blairism, Brownism. Is there a difference?

Bob Hart, Edwina Hart's husband has now entered the anti- Blair camp in the run up to the National Assembly elections in May. He has hit out against criticisms of the hypocritical nature of Labour AM's who supported the PCS Civil service strike. He laments that AM's 'do not share the free market zeal of disdain for working people which characterises Blairism', and that there are no plans for job cuts by the Government in Wales.

Bob Hart's attack on Blairism( what about Brownism?) may be justified, but as Jeff Evans of PCS emphasises in today's Western Mail, the fact of the matter is that job cuts in Wales are inevitable. The strategy is, after all, a Westminster based strategy. The reality is that Labour in Cardiff Bay cannot merely opt out of the implementation of this policy without taking the fight, with more strength, to their colleagues in Westminster.

In fairness, there may be a divergence of policy opinion between London and Cardiff, but if this is so, then Labour AM's should not only take part in Civil Service strikes across Wales, but they should put much more pressure on their fellow Party Members in London to put a stop to this privatisation agenda. The very fact that they have so far failed to do this shows that Labour AM's are still bound by New Labour's centralisation agenda. Until there is a change in attitude amongst Labour AM's- until there is an obvious readiness to stand up to Blair and Brown alike, this latest attempt to shrug off the Blair affect on Wales is just another sign of panic from Labour AM's.

The angry reaction by the public to Labour in Wales's double standards in supporting the strike, but failing to stop the job cuts shows that Labour will not succeed in pulling the wool over their eyes. When jobs are slashed, they will know that it was their own 'socialist' Labour Party that took such a decision, and nobody else.

PCS strike

I attended the PCS Swansea strike action meeting today. There was about 30-40 people there along with Stop the War, Defend Council Housing campaigners who contribute to many an interesting meeting!

It's disgraceful that Gordon Brown is intending to cull 100,000 Civil Service jobs over the UK. We are no doubt going to suffer disproportionately as Wales employs a large percentage of Civil Servants. The job losses are very worrying, especially given that it will affect Welsh economic vitality, and will undoubtedly hit many Objective 1 areas of Wales hard. Gordon Brown has been portrayed as this new Socialist Leader that is set to follow on from the right wing Tony, but it is Brown who has been prioritising the said job cuts without compromise, or thought for the workers on the ground.

One of the best speakers today was the Department of Work and Pensions National Executive rep. He spoke passionately about his experiences of unfair pay, unfair treatment in the workplace, and his fight to retain the Civil Service jobs. He, (as did many of the speakers) mentioned the hypocrisy of the Labour Party in Wales- with Sue Essex and Val Lloyd AM attending picket lines today, while silently refusing to challenge their colleagues actions in Westminster on the issue.

Nevertheless, the point that resonated most with me was that his fight was less against cash for peerages, but against cash for privatisation. At the end of the day, this is the core reasoning behind Brown's plans. Unions, along with opposition Politicians alike must campaign together to put a halt to this right wing agenda.

Blair gets back to business

One of the few debates on Iraq took place at Westminster today, only that Tony Blair just happened to excuse himself from proceedings by arranging himself a meeting with businessmen. I'm sure it's no surprise that he didn't want to be there, considering that Iraq will undoubtedly be his legacy when he leaves Number 10 in a few months time. But considering that innocent people and soldiers from our Isles are dying on the streets of Iraq, you'd think that Tony would prioritise this particular discussion!

Nevertheless, Blair probably wanted to avoid questions regarding US and British difference of opinion on the way forward for Iraq now. It was reported today that the US favour a strategy of intensifying presence in Southern Iraq, whereas Britain are keen to stage a phased withdrawal of troops. Surely Blair isn't finding last minute courage to stand up to Bush, and formulate an individual strategy for Britain?! Too little too late would be many an anti-war campaigner's opinion.

Blair may be dodging Parliament now to avoid the tricky questions, but sooner or later he must be held to account for this illegal war, and for refusing to be accountable for his actions. How many more innocent people's lives will it take for Blair and Brown alike to put a stop to this mess in Iraq?
.......and incidentally, how long will it take for Rhodri Morgan to have some sort of opinion on one of the most important issues of this decade?

Ruth Kelly- another nail in the coffin of Labour's 'socialist' past....

Ruth Kelly announced today that she is to send her son to a Private School http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6243475.stm. Well, what a surprise. If I ever started to believe that New Labour was a Socialist Party, I was knocked back to my senses today with this enlightening statement. The fact that her son has 'substantial learning difficulties' is neither here nor there when we are debating the merits of free education versus the merits of private education. Private education is for the privileged few, and I am totally opposed to it. Children should receive the best possible education through the public sector. What makes Ruth Kelly's situation different to thousands of parents like her all over Britain? Surely, as a Labour Minister (formerly Education) she should be setting an example to others by promoting state education, developing its structures, and making sure that the best possible facilities are available for children with learning difficulties like her son's?

In a statement today, Tony Blair's official spokesperson said that Blair believes that parents should have the 'right to decide', and is supportive of a mixture of state and private schooling. What a shocking statement from a PM that has introduced tuition fees and top-up fees, a PM that advocates City Academies and PFI funded schools. A shock indeed.

So while the gap between Tory and New Labour becomes ever more blurred, with Cameron piping up in support of Ruth Kelly, it seems the Lib dems are finding common ground with the other two Parties on this issue. Lib dem Sarah Tethers was today nominated to exclaim, 'It's unfair to criticise a parent for choices they make for their individual child.' Are there any differences at all between these Parties any more? It seems highly unlikely.

While Plaid are fighting to keep small schools open, for free education for all, for more investment in part-time study and vocational courses, the others are huddling together in their perceived middle ground, and privatisation seems to be at the very heart of it.