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.

Lib dem embrace 'happy meal' politics with free toothbrush

Just thought that it would be interesting to comment that a while back the Lib dems accused Plaid and other parties, of ' Happy Meal politics' - offering 'freebies' to electors in the Manifesto. Now it seems that the Lib dems are happy to follow suit, if a little less adventurous. They are offering all children under 4 years old a free toothbrush.... Perhaps they could include it in the McDonald's Happy Meals to balance out the damage done to our children's health.

Lib dem negative campaigning- Are you 'lovin' it'?

I bet McDonald's are happy with the free advertising the Lib dems are giving them today with an attack on political parties' 'happy meal' policies. Personally I'm tired of seeing ugly yellow M signs plastered around our towns, and I've heard enough about the problems surrounding the fatty foods of the capitalist company which is McDonald's, without Kirsty Williams using the company's lingo as a political point scoring exercise!

To say that Plaid's free lap top for school children is a reflection of our 'obsession with freebies' is unacceptable. The policy has been well thought out. It is researched based, centering on successes in other European countries, including a recent trial in Wolverhampton which has been hugely popular amongst school children. The purpose of the proposal is to up skill young people, to make learning more interesting, and to offer new technological opportunities to all in society. The policy has been costed, and will be rolled out across the sector.

Kirsty Williams's comments that there are 'no substance' to opposition party policies are also unfounded. She fails to remark that Plaid have a comprehensive list of policies which include doubling the childcare budget, setting targets to cut C02 emissions, first time buyer grants and introducing a Welsh Language Act, to name but a few. If these are not substantial policies, I am lost for words.

Incidentally, Peter Black AM has said previously that he wants to concentrate on the positives of the election campaign for the Lib dems, attacking Plaid's ' Kick Labour in to touch' billboard campaign. But surely this announcement today is a sign of Lib dem negative campaigning?

......The Lib dems want to develop healthier school meals. Let's hope that there's not a McDonald's in sight, then!

Bridgend Youth Council's McRubbish campaign.

The protest today at McDonald's organised by Bridgend Youth Council was a very successful protest. There was over 50 young people present, and two protests were organised- one outside Pencoed McDonald's, and also in Bridgend. All were clad in sparkly McDonald's- esque hats, and t-shirts sporting the words 'Recycle ur McRubbish'. They managed to encourage people to sign their petition, and to speak to a representative from McDonald's. The aim now is for the Youth Council to prepare for a meeting with McDonald's, with plans and new ideas of how the company can recycle, and initiate energy saving schemes for the area. Such schemes have taken place in Sheffield according to the company.

McDonald's has been targeted by the youth group as part of a wider campaign to raise awareness amongst companies of the importance of recycling. I sincerely hope the Officials at McDonald's will listen to the students. More protesting and campaigning is needed to put pressure on such companies to change their working practices.

A delegation of the Youth Council are travelling to London on Tuesday to talk with representatives from McDonald's at their Central Office.

Good luck, and I look forward to taking part in future campaigns!