Confensiwn Cymru gyfan/ All Wales Convention

News release on the All Wales Convention from the Government. If there's any spelling mistakes don't blame me;-)

SEARCH BEGINS FOR MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE
ALL WALES CONVENTION

THE starting pistol was today fired in the race to find up to 16 people to serve on the Executive Committee of the All Wales Convention.

First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan said the net would be cast far and wide to ensure committee members truly represented every aspect of Welsh life.

During a joint press conference with Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones and Chairman of the Convention Sir Emyr Jones Parry, the First Minister said this was an important step forward for the Convention.

He also announced the setting up of the All Wales Convention website – file://www.allwalesconvention.org/ – which will keep the public up-to-date with its work.
“Setting up the All Wales Convention to prepare the way for a referendum on full law-making powers is number one in our One Wales commitments for this Assembly term,” he said.
“I am determined that members of the Executive Committee reflect all aspects of modern Wales; that they come from all backgrounds and all parts of Wales to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard during this important national debate.”

The Deputy First Minister said:

“Getting the right people onto the Executive Committee is extremely important. We want it to be balanced and reflect Wales in the 21st Century.
“We are looking for applications from people in all walks of life – anyone who has an interest in guiding the direction of the Convention and playing a part in moving Wales forward.”

Sir Emyr said:

“I’m looking forward to welcoming and working with committee members from all parts of Wales. I am confident that we will find members with a wide range of talents and experience, who will be able to work together to set the direction of the Convention’s work.
“They will have the opportunity to be part of an exciting process, from stimulating the debate across Wales, to analysing what we hear from the Welsh public, and using their judgment to ensure that the report we deliver at the end of the day covers all aspects of our remit.

“The Convention website, launched today, will undoubtedly be a key tool for communicating with people throughout Wales. But this is only one of the tools we will use to communicate. I want the Convention to use a wide variety of different methods to communicate and engage directly with people across the country.”

The Executive Committee will have up to 16 members, plus the Chairman. Members will be recruited in three ways.

Four members will be appointed by inviting the four main political parties in Wales to each nominate a representative. These will be non-elected party members.
Eight members will be appointed through nominations from key Welsh organisations. The organisations invited to nominate members are the Wales TUC; Confederation of British Industry; Welsh Local Government Association; Wales Council for Voluntary Action; Funky Dragon; Faith Communities Forum; Young Farmers Clubs and Llais Merched.

Up to four members of the public will be appointed through an open competition process.

The First Minister said:

“We realise we cannot invite every stakeholder with an interest in the Assembly and Assembly Government to nominate someone to sit on the Executive Committee.

“But the Convention as a whole will encourage participation from all stakeholders and indeed the entire Welsh public,” he said. “We would urge all stakeholders who have not been invited to nominate to encourage their members to play a full role by contributing their views to the Convention.”

Members of the public who want to serve on the Convention should request an application pack by either visiting www.allwalesconvention.org, emailing publicappointments@wales.gsi.gov.uk or telephoning 029 2082 6330. Completed applications must be submitted by Tuesday, May 27.
For further details please contact Nia Jones at the All Wales Convention on 029 2080 1380 or Alan Morris at the Welsh Assembly Government on 029 2082 1870.

Ieuan Wyn Jones visits Neath and Swansea

Ieuan Wyn Jones gyda pobl lleol yng Nghastell Nedd, ac actifyddion Plaid Cymru. Daeth Ieuan Wyn Jones AC i Gastell Nedd ac Abertawe ddoe er mwyn cwrdd a phobl lleol. Dyden ni ddim yn gallu galw ar arweinydd o Lundain i ddod i ymweld a'r bobl ond dwi ddim yn credu ein bod ni'n rhy ofnus o'r ffaith bod Brown wedi ymweld a Chymru heddiw ar ol yr wythnos ofnadwy mae e wedi cael yn y wasg am ei anallu i wneud penderfyniadau allweddol. Rwyf wedi bod allan yn canfasio eto heno yn agos i'r ardal lle rwy'n byw, ac mae nifer fawr o bobl yn gefnogol iawn o'r Blaid. Mae'n bwysig ein bod yn cadw'r momentwm i fynd o nawr hyd ddydd Iau..glaw ai peidio....

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Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister and Plaid's leader visited Neath and Swansea yesterday to meet with local people. Ok, so we can't possibly call on any London leaders to come to Wales, but quite frankly I don't think that Brown's visit to Wales today did the Labour party any good. This week's press has been scathing of Brown's dithering, and rightly so.

I've been out canvassing again tonight near the area where I live, and the response has been very favourable. We just need to keep the momentum going from now until Thursday...come rain or shine....

Local elections are upon us..

Yes, we all know the local elections are happening, especially when opposition debates at the Assembly are tabled in a clear attempt at political point scoring for effective local press releases! We've just had a rant from Darren Millar about dog fouling in his area, and while he acknowledges that responsibility is on the Council for rectifying such situations, he seems intent on calling for 'directives' from the National Assembly. Good to see the Tories calling for centralising services at the Assembly! I wonder what his Council colleagues would say?

I have been out and about on the doorstep canvassing with local candidates in the run up to the election, and the response has been favourable, I must say. Ieuan Wyn Jones is visiting Neath and Swansea tomorrow, and I look forward to raising the profile of the party locally alongside our leader. Plaid's innovate policies for Local Government, alongside our commitment to putting local people first is appealing to the people of this area.

On the other hand, Labour in Pontardawe have sadly resorted to fly posting on BT phone boxes in the area- clearly unable to find a resident willing to put a poster up in their window!!

I hope that we will make gains all over Wales in this coming election. In Neath we are gathering support and interest in the party, as in other areas of Wales such as Caerphilly and Cardiff, not to mention Rhondda Cynon Taf ( despite Chris Bryant's attempt at negative spin in the Welsh press about Plaid candidates) We have to build for the future, and ensure that we get more candidates, and more people from a wide, cross section of society represented on our community and Borough Councils.

Plaid backbenchers and the new Assembly term

Back at the Assembly today for the launch of the new Equal Opportunities body in Wales. As I sit on the Equal Opportunities Committee I will be keeping a keen eye on developments in this area, specifically with regards the work performed by the offices in Wales, and the location of such offices. Making sure that there is a smooth transformation from one body to another is also a key priority for the new organisation, notwithstanding the important policy areas which they need to tackle, alongside the Assembly, of course!

Tomorrow I have a full diary of events and meetings, which also includes an event sponsored by Dafydd Elis Thomas to celebrate 10 years of devolution. I will blog on this in more detail on the anniversary itself.

Tomorrow is also when our first plenary session of the year takes place. Ieuan Wyn Jones has already taken questions as Minister, but this term will see the real affects of Plaid in Government, and its affect on us as a Party. I am looking forward to my role as a backbencher- scrutinising and monitoring the work of the Government. I certainly hope that I will have more to say than ‘Will the Minister agree that…..’ at every session!!

On another note entirely, it seems that the Lib dems are preparing for a leadership contest. I of course have no intention of endorsing any one politician, but what I will say is that I think that Kirsty Williams was unfairly treated during the whole discussion on forming a Government and that this shouldn’t rule her out entirely from any said leadership race. If I was her, I would bide my time, nevertheless, but she should be given fair play.

In other news, I notice that David Collins, Ann Jones’s researcher has resigned. I can only say that it was the appropriate action considering his total disregard of the importance of the Welsh language, and those who speak the language.

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Nol I’r Cynulliad heddiw ar gyfer lansiad y corff Cyfleoedd Cyfartal newydd yng Nghymru. Gan fy mod I’n eistedd ar y pwyllgor Cyfleoedd Cyfartal, byddaf yn cadw golwg ar ddatblygiadau’r corff newydd hwn, yn enwedig yng nghyd destun y gwaith fydd yn cael ei wneud o’r swyddfa yng Nghymru yn benodol, yn ogystal a safle daearyddol y swyddfeydd. Mi fydd gwneud yn siwr bod yna esblygiad naturiol I rol newydd y sefydliad yn bwysig iawn, heb son am bwysigrwydd blaenoriaethau polisi.

Fory, mae gen I ddyddiadur llawn o ddigwyddiadau a chyfarfodydd, sydd hefyd yn cynnwys digwyddiad yn enw Dafydd Elis Thomas yn dathlu 10 mlynedd o ddatganoli. Byddaf yn blogio mwy am hyn yn y man.

Fory fydd y sesiwn llawn cyntaf ar lawr y Cynulliad hefyd. Fe wnaeth Ieuan Wyn Jones cymryd cwestiynnau fel Gweinidog cyn ddiwedd y tymor diwethaf, ond nawr mae’r gwaith yn dechrau go iawn! Rwy’n edrych ymlaen I’n rol newydd ar y meinciau cefn, ac at y cyfle I scriwtineiddio’r Gweinidogion. Rwy’n fawr obeithio y byddaf yn gallu dweud mwy na ‘A fydd y Gweinidog yn cytuno….’ ymhob sesiwn!!

Ar nodyn arall, mae’n rhagweld fod y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn paratoi at gael rhas arweinyddol cyn hir. Wrth gwrs, does gen I ddim bwriad rhoi fy marn ar bwy ddylai arwain y grwp hynny, ond un peth ddweda I yw bod Kirsty Williams wedi cael amser galed iawn o ran feirniadaeth o’I rol yn rhan o drafodaethau’r Llywodraeth, ac ni ddylir hwn wir cael effaith ar ei chyfleoedd fel arweinydd. Os mai fi oedd Kirsty, byddaf yn aros am ychydig cyn rhoi fy enw ymlaen, ond dyle hi, fel pawb arall, cael chwarae teg.

Mewn newyddion arall, rwy’n gweld bod David Collins wedi ymddiswyddo fel ymchwilydd Ann Jones ers ei sylwadau yn pardduo’r iaith gymraeg. Y cyfan weda I yw fy mod I’n cytuno mai dyma’r weithred gorau iddo gymryd o ystyried ei feirniadaeth o’r iaith gymraeg, a’r rheiny sy’n medru’r iaith.

A challenge for Labour in Wales

Much has happened in the Welsh political World since I last blogged- the most important development centering on Adam Price's statements with regards the need to re-ignite the Plaid-Labour/ Red- Green agenda.

I understand that Adam supports both options- a deal, or should I say 'formal coalition' with Labour, or the alternative three party agreement. The reality of the situation is that the Labour party is in Government. In proposing a Plaid-Labour deal, Adam is responding to the situation as it is, and is astute in realising the possibilities and potential of a Plaid - Labour agreement.

It would be foolish for us now to dismiss working with Labour as we would only appear to be opposing for opposing's sake. We cannot push for the three party agreement heads down, with no thought for the current political landscape.

I voted not to suspend talks with Labour as we had not received a closing statement on any said agreement. I believe that this decision is key to understanding where we are now. Labour, at least in appearance, is open to continuing talks with Plaid. Edwina Hart has more than hinted at her willingness to work with us, to discuss how we can move politics forward in Wales. I sense that Labour realise that their hegemony in Wales has ended, and that they must face the fact that they cannot succeed alone. From reading Rhodri Morgan's letter to Ieuan Wyn Jones, it is clear that our party can benefit by at least considering co-operating with Labour- developing a joint group to discuss a referendum on a Parliament for Wales, and the intention to introduce a moratorium on existing changes in the health service at community level being two of the main issues.

It is important now for Plaid to pursue a bilateral approach, so that members and elected representatives alike are provided with two options when a vote will inevitably take place at the National Executive and at our National Council. Members deserve to be presented with the facts in an honest and clear manner. Voting on one option would be unfair, and would not reflect the diversity of that which is on offer to them, and to the people of Wales.

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Sialens i Lafur yng Nghymru

Mae llawer wedi digwydd ym myd gwleidyddol Cymru ers i mi flogi ddiwethaf - y mwya' pwysig i wneud a mynegiadau Adam Price parthed yr angen i ail-danio'r agenda Plaid-Llafur.Rwy'n deall fod Adam yn cefnogi'r ddau ddewis - clymblaid gyda Llafur neu ymuno'r Enfys.

Y gwirionedd yw mai Llafur sydd wedi ffurfio Llywodraeth, ac wrth gynnig clymblaid wyrddgoch, mae Adam yn ymateb i'r sefyllfa fel ag y mae, a'n graff yn sylwi ar botensial y fath gytundeb.

Byddai'n hurt i ni ddiystyru cydweithio gyda Llafur ar hyn o bryd, ac ymddangos ein bod yn wrthblaid sydd yn gallu gwneud dim ond gwrthwynebu. Nid yw'n ddoeth gwthio am glymblaid Enfys heb ystyried y maes gwleidyddol gyfredol.

Pleidleisiais ym Mai i beidio a gohirio trafodaeth gyda Llafur gan nad oedden wedi derbyn unhyw ddatganiad terfynol ar unrhyw gytundeb. Rwyf yn coelio fod fy mhenderfyniad yn allweddol i ddealltwriaeth o'r sefyllfa bresenol.Mae Llafur yn ymddangos yn agored i barhau trafodaeth gyda Plaid. Mae Edwina Hart wedi cyfeirio at ei pharodwydd i gydweithio gyda ni, ac i drafod y ffordd ymlaen yng Nghymru.Mae Llafur wedi sylwi fod ei hegemoni yng Nghymru drosodd, a'n gorfod gwynebu'r angen am bartneriaeth er mwyn llwyddo. O ddarllen llythyr Rhodri Morgan i Ieuan Wyn Jones, mae yn glir y bydd Plaid yn buddio o gydweithio gyda Llafur - gyda datblygiad gweithgor ar drafodaeth refferendwm ar Senedd a bwriad i gyflwyno moratoriwm ar newidiadau i'r gwasanaeth iechyd yn y gymuned yn ddau brif bwnc.

Mae'n bwysig fod Plaid yn dilyn llwybr ddwyochrog fel bod aelodau a chynrychiolwyr etholedig yn cael dwy ddewis pan mae pleidlais yn ein Bwrdd Gwaith Cenedlaethol ac yn ein Cyngor Cenedlaethol. Mae aelodau yn haeddu derbyn yr hollw wybodaeth - byddai pleidlais ar un dewis yn annheg, a'n methu adlewyrchu'r dewis sydd ar gael i Gymru.

New term, new ideas?

I am sitting in the Senedd for the first full session of the Assembly. I'm finding the key pad quite hard to use, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones have spoken about the programme for the year- Rhodri outlining his party's ideas, Ieuan noting that we have not had sufficient debate, and that Rhodri has sought to communicate his vision via the press. Nick Bourne is now speaking about the issue, and it's getting quite animated... He's saying that the lack of consensus politics already loud and clear, and so on......

There will be much more work for AM's now due to the new powers. I am especially looking forward to the petitions aspect of the new powers, whereby the public will be allowed to text/email in new policy ideas and initiatives to the Presiding Officer for discussion. I think that this new concept could be a good starting point for a cross party youth group to take up- to get young people thinking and participating in the ever day workings of the Assembly. This should also be a way in which, of course, pressure groups and community groups can put forward their messages to us.

Rhodri Morgan is speaking again, now about reconfiguration. I think that this will be discussed quite often in the next few weeks. Will Labour go back on their reconfiguration programme, and impose a moratorium, or will they carry on regardless? I think that it will depend on whether or not this progressive, consensus politics really will work. It's entirely up to Labour as to whether they are serious about it or not.

Talks about Talks...

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

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

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

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

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

Electioneering for Assembly election has started....

The Tories are set to hold 'pre- Assembly poll meetings' in Wales in March this year amid criticisms that they are too London centric- well they are a pro- Union Party, after all. They believe that Wales is merely a region! This means that the Tories will hold a Cabinet meeting in Cardiff.
I don't believe that this meeting will have any public effect at all, or makes a difference to Welsh public opinion of Tory priorities, but the Cameron public visits to Wales might turn a few heads if only he decides to cycle the length and breadth of Wales. Only then will he come close to beating Ieuan Wyn Jones's Wales Wide Walk success.

I'm not convinced that Cameron can make much of an impact in Wales. While I recognise that he has re -hashed the Tory image somewhat, Wales is far from being the land of the Tories, and rightly so! But, having said that, it is slightly amusing to see Labour in Wales brand Cameron's visit as 'a gimmick,' and pronounce that “the Tories can stage as many empty press stunts as they like but the people of Wales have not forgotten their record. They brought Wales to its knees, creating mass unemployment and decimating our public services.”
Am I missing something?Labour's track record is hardly much better, is it?

All the Parties in Wales will be seeking to attract attention in the press, and naturally so in the run up to the election. But it will be interesting to see the substance of policy proposals and campaigns coming from the Parties more so than the glitz and spin. We'll see very soon, I'm sure.