:: I don't know anything about him/her, but there is someone standing in the Uplands ward of Swansea for next week's council elections called Plastic Sam Sampson.
:: Nearly all questions to the Counsel General at his regular Senedd session are about his job. Nearly all answers are about how he can't answer because of conventions of confidentiality.
It seems AMs have finally realised this and given up - Carwyn Jones's question time lasted just seven minutes today.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Rasher decision
Bacon baguettes were on offer at Plaid's local election campaign launch today. I didn't have one and I didn't miss much according to one Plaid AM.
"They should be better if we're serious about healthy eating," he says.
"They should be better if we're serious about healthy eating," he says.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Park Life
A possible insight today into why the Assembly Government has prohibited PFI in the NHS while it continues in the rest of the public sector. Put simply, ministers have less control from the centre over PFIs. About 120 of Wales's 130 hospital sites scrapped car park charges today. Some have private contracts to honour and cannot act immediately. By May 2011, only four will still charge.
But one hospital, Neath Port Talbot, will continue to charge until 2032. Guess how the gleaming NPT was financed.
But one hospital, Neath Port Talbot, will continue to charge until 2032. Guess how the gleaming NPT was financed.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Shine a light
:: Among the soaring rhetoric and occasional mentions of the "I" word at Plaid's spring conference yesterday, Helen Mary Jones gave this unusual warning about the next general election.
"Maybe you'll get lucky. Maybe for all Cameron's shiny hair and green credentials he won't pull it off."
Shiny hair?
:: I didn't stop at the stand selling volumes of the new Welsh encyclopaedia, which I now regret, having read the Guardian's glowing review. What a shame then that as we finally get around to producing our own encyclopaedia, the rest of the world is abandoning them.
"Maybe you'll get lucky. Maybe for all Cameron's shiny hair and green credentials he won't pull it off."
Shiny hair?
:: I didn't stop at the stand selling volumes of the new Welsh encyclopaedia, which I now regret, having read the Guardian's glowing review. What a shame then that as we finally get around to producing our own encyclopaedia, the rest of the world is abandoning them.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Serve and protect
I wasn't going to blog during recess. But the decision not to get Wales covered by laws protecting NHS staff seems like a bit of a gaffe by someone. Especially given that the constituents of the minister who introduced the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - David Hanson, MP for Delyn - will not be covered by the clauses in question.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Well Plaid my son
"Someone ought to tell Rhodri Glyn Thomas that Cardiff City fans WANT to go to Wembley," a reader emails.
The Heritage Minister told today's plenary he would suggest to the FA that it holds Cup semi-finals at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
This in the week that City progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals, earning the club its first trip to Wembley since 1927.
I thought Plaid wanted to do well in Grangetown in May.
The Heritage Minister told today's plenary he would suggest to the FA that it holds Cup semi-finals at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
This in the week that City progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals, earning the club its first trip to Wembley since 1927.
I thought Plaid wanted to do well in Grangetown in May.
Goodwill on Earth
Goodwill has broken out all over the place.
An inquiry into last summer's foot and mouth outbreak found the relationship between Wales, Scotland and Whitehall only functioned because of goodwill on all sides between officials and ministers.
Meanwhile, commenting on an increased workload for the Welsh Affairs Select Committee thanks to the LCO procedure, Rt Hon Alun Michael MP tells the Western Mail: "Frankly it's been a bit of a nightmare but goodwill on both sides has made it work."
An inquiry into last summer's foot and mouth outbreak found the relationship between Wales, Scotland and Whitehall only functioned because of goodwill on all sides between officials and ministers.
Meanwhile, commenting on an increased workload for the Welsh Affairs Select Committee thanks to the LCO procedure, Rt Hon Alun Michael MP tells the Western Mail: "Frankly it's been a bit of a nightmare but goodwill on both sides has made it work."
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Welsh Way
Last week, Department of Health minister Ben Bradshaw claimed Wales was going to miss out on extended GP surgery opening hours. Guardian columnist George Monbiot thinks the policy is an example of NHS privatisation by stealth.
You would do well to argue that the Welsh health service is headed for a similarly privatised destiny. But if we are going in the opposite direction, I can't help wondering where we will end up. What exactly is the big idea that unifies all this ...
The Health Minister says there are too many commissioning bodies, allowing patients to fall through the gaps. Meanwhile bigger trusts are being created. During last year's election campaign, Edwina Hart's predecessor was forced to clarify himself when he told a hustings that trusts had reached the end of their lives. A former doctor and senior public health official has been appointed as Wales's top civil servant. First Minister Rhodri Morgan has talked of a health service revolution. The One Wales agreement says the internal market will be brought to an end and there will be no PFI in the health service. But the Assembly Government is happy to use it to build schools.
You would do well to argue that the Welsh health service is headed for a similarly privatised destiny. But if we are going in the opposite direction, I can't help wondering where we will end up. What exactly is the big idea that unifies all this ...
The Health Minister says there are too many commissioning bodies, allowing patients to fall through the gaps. Meanwhile bigger trusts are being created. During last year's election campaign, Edwina Hart's predecessor was forced to clarify himself when he told a hustings that trusts had reached the end of their lives. A former doctor and senior public health official has been appointed as Wales's top civil servant. First Minister Rhodri Morgan has talked of a health service revolution. The One Wales agreement says the internal market will be brought to an end and there will be no PFI in the health service. But the Assembly Government is happy to use it to build schools.
Pay attention
Plaid Cymru AMs might think that 8.3% is far too much, but an AM from another party tells me he hopes Plaid realise some members "took a f***ing pay cut to get elected". Another says the only civil servants who earn the equivalent of an AM's salary are "minions".
Monday, March 10, 2008
Holding back the years
:: On the menu in the Assembly canteen today - North American Hash.
:: Not a day, week, month or year goes by without at least one special interest laying claim to it. You know the sort. April is National Paint Your House Red Month. June 11 is International Take Your Cat to Work Day.
Sadly, there are now so many of these well-intentioned "awareness raising" initiatives that I fear they struggle to raise the awareness they were intended to raise.
Unless you work in the Assembly Government, where such days/weeks/months/years hold extraordinary importance. WAG loves to match its publicity activities to them.
Today we were informed that ministers will this week be making announcements or attending events that in some way relate to the following units of time: Tourism Week, Science and Engineering Week, World Kidney Day, UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the National Year of Reading and, my favourite, Wales Innovation Week.
Something about dental health is also going to happen, which is odd, given that National Smile Month isn't until May.
I want to meet the civil servant responsible for keeping track of what day it is.
:: Not a day, week, month or year goes by without at least one special interest laying claim to it. You know the sort. April is National Paint Your House Red Month. June 11 is International Take Your Cat to Work Day.
Sadly, there are now so many of these well-intentioned "awareness raising" initiatives that I fear they struggle to raise the awareness they were intended to raise.
Unless you work in the Assembly Government, where such days/weeks/months/years hold extraordinary importance. WAG loves to match its publicity activities to them.
Today we were informed that ministers will this week be making announcements or attending events that in some way relate to the following units of time: Tourism Week, Science and Engineering Week, World Kidney Day, UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the National Year of Reading and, my favourite, Wales Innovation Week.
Something about dental health is also going to happen, which is odd, given that National Smile Month isn't until May.
I want to meet the civil servant responsible for keeping track of what day it is.
Friday, March 07, 2008
More light than heat
Those of us who work in the Assembly will know how cold the Senedd can get. It's part of what you might call a drive for sustainability. Or turning the heating down to save the rainforests.
But the fact you can sometimes see condensed moisture when you talk in there on a cold day still isn't enough to fulfill the impeccable environmental credentials that the Senedd aims for.
A report to the Assembly Commission last December found "the building is currently consuming around 50% more electricity than it should need on an annual basis".
While the performance on heating was excellent, the Senedd was using noticeably more energy for lighting, broadcasting and computer equipment than anticipated.
We can only hope that in the drive for greater sustainability the Commission heads for the light switches, not the thermostat.
But the fact you can sometimes see condensed moisture when you talk in there on a cold day still isn't enough to fulfill the impeccable environmental credentials that the Senedd aims for.
A report to the Assembly Commission last December found "the building is currently consuming around 50% more electricity than it should need on an annual basis".
While the performance on heating was excellent, the Senedd was using noticeably more energy for lighting, broadcasting and computer equipment than anticipated.
We can only hope that in the drive for greater sustainability the Commission heads for the light switches, not the thermostat.
Timed to imperfection
The idea behind this pay rise is fair - take away AMs' perks by scrapping the allowances regime and give them a fair wage as judged by an independent pay review.
It cannot be right that someone's workload increases so much in eight years, but their pay does not reflect it. Meanwhile, they are able to swell their income through a mysterious system of benefits and allowances that no-one outside the Assembly knows about or understands.
This is the argument being advanced by Dafydd El. But I fear that because of the timing it's an argument that won't win much sympathy. There could not be a worse time to do this. And the new allowances regime might not even be in place until the next election.
I'll be intrigued by how and if Plaid AMs return their pay rises.
It cannot be right that someone's workload increases so much in eight years, but their pay does not reflect it. Meanwhile, they are able to swell their income through a mysterious system of benefits and allowances that no-one outside the Assembly knows about or understands.
This is the argument being advanced by Dafydd El. But I fear that because of the timing it's an argument that won't win much sympathy. There could not be a worse time to do this. And the new allowances regime might not even be in place until the next election.
I'll be intrigued by how and if Plaid AMs return their pay rises.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Our survey says
A very large 10-volume document was deposited on my desk this week. It contains the findings of Assembly Government research into what we think of public services. And lo, it found we are very happy with them.
Of more interest is a finding that 24% of people "preferred to access services" bilingually in English and Welsh. One per cent said English or Welsh, two per cent said Welsh only and 73% said English only.
Because of the rather awkward way this is phrased in the report, I'm not entirely sure what that 24% is saying. No-one can access services in English and Welsh at the same time, unless they are clever enough to fill out two forms at once or conduct the same conversation simultaneously in two languages.
Of late there has been an increased focus on encouraging Welsh speakers to use the language, a development I applaud because as a Welsh speaker I can certainly identify with the type of person described here who does not use Welsh when dealing with officialdom.
Does this survey mean that only a quarter of the people in Wales agree with the principle, indeed the law, that says public bodies should operate in English and Welsh?
Of more interest is a finding that 24% of people "preferred to access services" bilingually in English and Welsh. One per cent said English or Welsh, two per cent said Welsh only and 73% said English only.
Because of the rather awkward way this is phrased in the report, I'm not entirely sure what that 24% is saying. No-one can access services in English and Welsh at the same time, unless they are clever enough to fill out two forms at once or conduct the same conversation simultaneously in two languages.
Of late there has been an increased focus on encouraging Welsh speakers to use the language, a development I applaud because as a Welsh speaker I can certainly identify with the type of person described here who does not use Welsh when dealing with officialdom.
Does this survey mean that only a quarter of the people in Wales agree with the principle, indeed the law, that says public bodies should operate in English and Welsh?
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Afternoon delight
Counsel General and Leader of the House Carwyn Jones found himself in an embarrassing spot about extending the Assembly's timetable yesterday. A hardcore of Labour AMs - said to have north-Walian origins - were opposed to more Thursday afternoon committee meetings.
Following harsh words from the opposition, and tricky questions for Mr Jones at the Cabinet's weekly press briefing, Labour decided to back down at a group meeting yesterday morning.
Thursday afternoon sessions needed a unanimous agreement at the Assembly's Business Committee. Other party whips, business managers and the Presiding Officer were happy with the idea, but Mr Jones could not agree because of the opposed Labour AMs.
It is extraordinary that Labour found itself in this position. AMs are very hard working and may have good reasons to oppose Thursday afternoon meetings. But there is no way politicians can win sympathy from the public on an issue like this, especially in the present climate.
One wonders whether Mr Jones would have similar difficulty delivering his group if he was its leader. Meanwhile, Andrew Davies answered First Minister's questions while Rhodri Morgan was away.
Following harsh words from the opposition, and tricky questions for Mr Jones at the Cabinet's weekly press briefing, Labour decided to back down at a group meeting yesterday morning.
Thursday afternoon sessions needed a unanimous agreement at the Assembly's Business Committee. Other party whips, business managers and the Presiding Officer were happy with the idea, but Mr Jones could not agree because of the opposed Labour AMs.
It is extraordinary that Labour found itself in this position. AMs are very hard working and may have good reasons to oppose Thursday afternoon meetings. But there is no way politicians can win sympathy from the public on an issue like this, especially in the present climate.
One wonders whether Mr Jones would have similar difficulty delivering his group if he was its leader. Meanwhile, Andrew Davies answered First Minister's questions while Rhodri Morgan was away.
Say what you see
You may have read recently that end-of-term oral exams in foreign language GCSEs are to be replaced with term-time assessments in the classroom. Lib Dem AM Eleanor Burnham read this, in the Daily Telegraph as it happens, so she asked Education Minister Jane Hutt whether the policy would apply to Wales.
Here is the reply Ms Hutt gave plenary last Wednesday.
"As I'm not a reader of the Daily Telegraph (laughter), particularly, I have to say, when it does not relate to Welsh policy or Welsh issues, I don't think I need to comment any further than that I am fully in support of the pioneering work being undertaken by Cilt Cymru."
I confess I was not certain what this meant, but I took it to mean that Wales was plotting its own course and would not scrap end-of-term foreign language oral exams
Just to be sure I was not grasping the stick at its incorrect end, I checked with the Assembly Government press office. And it seems I was wrong.
So, to clarify, when Ms Hutt was asked whether end-of-term oral exams are to be scrapped in foreign language GCSEs, what she should have said was "Yes".
Friday, February 29, 2008
Flippin 'eck
“Dolphins have incredibly healthy diets. Their interest is mackerel and my interest is mackerel now. And I want to be able to communicate with the dolphin to say well I’ve changed my diet to something much more like yours now.”
Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan, First Minister
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
So Solid
In Aberconwy last May, local Plaid Cymru candidate Gareth Jones - now the local Plaid AM - had the phrase "Save Llandudno Hospital" printed on the ballot paper as part of his successful campaign to rid that constituency of Labour.
So Plaid's response to an announcement by Health Minister Edwina Hart on the future of Llandudno hospital today was intriguing. A final decision hasn't been taken, but one of the reviews she launched after the election agreed with the removal of breast surgery, coronary and acute stroke services. A range of other services, including stroke rehabilitation and breast screening, will be retained and revamped in exchange.
Last March, Mr Jones said this: "Removing coronary care beds and breast surgery services, and no longer admitting medical emergencies, is, by any standards, a downgrading."
Well, today he issued a press release welcoming the "solid guarantee" that the hospital would not be downgraded and would retain its status as an acute site. He says he's going to press Edwina to keep breast services at Llandudno, adding: "The minister's promise today will come as a great relief to all those in Aberconwy and surrounding areas that have argued so strongly for the future of Llandudno hospital."
I honestly don't know if what was announced for Llandudno today amounts to a downgrading or not. But with Plaid supporters already upset about Y Byd and the closure of small schools in Gwynedd, more and more appears to be riding on Rhodri Glyn Thomas's forthcoming Welsh-language LCO.
So Plaid's response to an announcement by Health Minister Edwina Hart on the future of Llandudno hospital today was intriguing. A final decision hasn't been taken, but one of the reviews she launched after the election agreed with the removal of breast surgery, coronary and acute stroke services. A range of other services, including stroke rehabilitation and breast screening, will be retained and revamped in exchange.
Last March, Mr Jones said this: "Removing coronary care beds and breast surgery services, and no longer admitting medical emergencies, is, by any standards, a downgrading."
Well, today he issued a press release welcoming the "solid guarantee" that the hospital would not be downgraded and would retain its status as an acute site. He says he's going to press Edwina to keep breast services at Llandudno, adding: "The minister's promise today will come as a great relief to all those in Aberconwy and surrounding areas that have argued so strongly for the future of Llandudno hospital."
I honestly don't know if what was announced for Llandudno today amounts to a downgrading or not. But with Plaid supporters already upset about Y Byd and the closure of small schools in Gwynedd, more and more appears to be riding on Rhodri Glyn Thomas's forthcoming Welsh-language LCO.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Cliche-free zone
The Welsh attempt at a national male costume (obligatory rugby shirt and farmer's cap for boys at the school Eisteddfod) always struck me as a pretty poor attempt to keep up with the girls and their traditional hat/"ffedog" combination.
Anyway, as you can see below, Rhodri Morgan doesn't go in for such hackneyed symbols of national identity. This is a picture of him briefing the press in the Senedd today, where he told reporters: "We are known as throwing a good party in Brussels for St David's Day, shall I say."
He also said some interesting things about China which you will probably read about in tomorrow's papers, or on the wire now if you are a subscriber.
Anyway, as you can see below, Rhodri Morgan doesn't go in for such hackneyed symbols of national identity. This is a picture of him briefing the press in the Senedd today, where he told reporters: "We are known as throwing a good party in Brussels for St David's Day, shall I say."
He also said some interesting things about China which you will probably read about in tomorrow's papers, or on the wire now if you are a subscriber.
Doing their level best
Not content with using incomprehensible jargon to express itself, the Assembly Government's education department is now using incomprehensible diagrams. This is how it represents "tri-level" reform of schools. And yes, I know, there are four levels.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Who said what
It's been a day of funny quotes in Cardiff Bay.
In a bid to hush-up a rowdy plenary session Dafydd Elis-Thomas said he would not allow the Assembly to become a "mini Westminster".
Tory AM Andrew Davies said "I had a McMeal I did" when telling AMs what he ate at lunch.
His Conservative colleague Darren Millar asked Health Minister Edwina Hart if she thought there were "too many fat politicians in Wales, myself included".
But my favourite came from Rhodri Morgan who said his new permanent secretary Dame Gillian Morgan, a former doctor, was "non-man and non-mandarin".
In a bid to hush-up a rowdy plenary session Dafydd Elis-Thomas said he would not allow the Assembly to become a "mini Westminster".
Tory AM Andrew Davies said "I had a McMeal I did" when telling AMs what he ate at lunch.
His Conservative colleague Darren Millar asked Health Minister Edwina Hart if she thought there were "too many fat politicians in Wales, myself included".
But my favourite came from Rhodri Morgan who said his new permanent secretary Dame Gillian Morgan, a former doctor, was "non-man and non-mandarin".
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Welsh Labour conference, Llandudno
:: A colleague and I were lurking at the back of the conference hall a moment ago. We must have looked bored because an Assembly Government minister come up to us and said: "If you like I'll set the fire alarm off and you can all go home."
:: According to the guide to fringe events, Peter Hain was due to speak. An organiser of the event confesses that he informed the Labour Party Mr Hain was pencilled in as a speaker, but then forgot to confirm with the former Welsh Secretary.
:: Just been to a conference debate on whether Y Comreds should be allowed to discuss non-devolved matters at Welsh Labour conferences. One delegate speaking in favour of the motion said it would be a good idea because then they could talk about the disestablishment of the church. Which happened in 1920. As if these occasions aren't fascinating enough.
:: There's a man down the chippy with a nice hankie who swears he's Secretary of State for Wales.
:: Always very tight security at Labour conferences. So I'm not sure how Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones got in, because his pass was accidentally issued to someone of the same name. I'm having visions of him haranguing a steward saying: "Don't you know who I am? I'm the Counsel General."
:: According to the guide to fringe events, Peter Hain was due to speak. An organiser of the event confesses that he informed the Labour Party Mr Hain was pencilled in as a speaker, but then forgot to confirm with the former Welsh Secretary.
:: Just been to a conference debate on whether Y Comreds should be allowed to discuss non-devolved matters at Welsh Labour conferences. One delegate speaking in favour of the motion said it would be a good idea because then they could talk about the disestablishment of the church. Which happened in 1920. As if these occasions aren't fascinating enough.
:: There's a man down the chippy with a nice hankie who swears he's Secretary of State for Wales.
:: Always very tight security at Labour conferences. So I'm not sure how Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones got in, because his pass was accidentally issued to someone of the same name. I'm having visions of him haranguing a steward saying: "Don't you know who I am? I'm the Counsel General."
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Union of the snake
:: Had a week off for recess. Llandudno tomorrow for Labour conference. First of three weekends in a row that I will be spending in Wales's answer to Bournemouth.
:: Doubtless you will have heard about the Valentine's Day tiff between Labour and Plaid. Trade union members can go to the Plaid website and click on their union. Up pops a half-completed email addressed to your brothers/sisters, instructing them that you do not want your membership fees going towards Labour-affiliated funds.
But why this strange alteration to Plaid's site? I had a look at it yesterday when an embargoed press release came through. As instructed I clicked on some unions' logos to see how it all works. Today, when I checked back, the logos had gone, to be replaced by Plaid's daffodil. Sorry, poppy.
:: Doubtless you will have heard about the Valentine's Day tiff between Labour and Plaid. Trade union members can go to the Plaid website and click on their union. Up pops a half-completed email addressed to your brothers/sisters, instructing them that you do not want your membership fees going towards Labour-affiliated funds.
But why this strange alteration to Plaid's site? I had a look at it yesterday when an embargoed press release came through. As instructed I clicked on some unions' logos to see how it all works. Today, when I checked back, the logos had gone, to be replaced by Plaid's daffodil. Sorry, poppy.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Ffalabalam
:: The way jobs are divvied up in the Assembly Government's Cabinet is strange. Drugs policy is a responsibility of the Social Justice Minister, but youth offending is a responsibility of the Health Minister. I would have thought it would be the other way around.
:: There has been a consultation on a Welsh-language children's channel with a suggestion that S4C2 is used for this purpose instead of broadcasting the proceedings of the National Assembly.
But substituting plenary with Planed Plant Bach might be easier said than done, I'm told. S4C is looking at whether it has the bandwith available. I don't pretend to understand the technology, but let me put it like this: Wil Cwac Cwac is more demanding than the Assembly.
:: There has been a consultation on a Welsh-language children's channel with a suggestion that S4C2 is used for this purpose instead of broadcasting the proceedings of the National Assembly.
But substituting plenary with Planed Plant Bach might be easier said than done, I'm told. S4C is looking at whether it has the bandwith available. I don't pretend to understand the technology, but let me put it like this: Wil Cwac Cwac is more demanding than the Assembly.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
It's rude to point
:: Education Minister Jane Hutt, in her response to an Assembly committee, says she cannot include communication problems in a definition of additional learning needs because of the "unintended consequence of casting doubt on the generality of the current formulation".
What? Is this how we are all meant to talk now? Thanks to Kirsty Williams for spotting this.
:: Is it just me, or is anyone else annoyed by how many friends Hillary Clinton seems to have? Every time she appears before an audience she points and gestures to people she apparently recognises in the front row. I wish she'd stop it
What? Is this how we are all meant to talk now? Thanks to Kirsty Williams for spotting this.
:: Is it just me, or is anyone else annoyed by how many friends Hillary Clinton seems to have? Every time she appears before an audience she points and gestures to people she apparently recognises in the front row. I wish she'd stop it
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
The day cometh
Even though they want a Welsh Parliament, the Liberal Democrats will not campaign for a 'yes' vote in a referendum on primary powers for the Assembly if it is held on the same day as the 2011 election. Welsh Lib Dem leader Mike German says a simultaneous election/referendum would confuse things. A cross-party 'yes' campaign could not be sustained during a bitter election battle, he says.
In America referendums on election day are not uncommon - seven states banned recognition of same-sex marriage on mid-term election day last year.
Perhaps it would help the cause of greater devolution to have the referendum on election day. Might those voters who turn out at least be more favourably disposed towards having an Assembly?
What Mischievous Mike really wants is to remind us of the broad spectrum of opinion towards devolution that exists within Labour and Plaid Cymru, the two governing parties of the One Wales coalition. He is agitating for Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones to move swiftly towards a referendum, knowing full well that they dare not appear over hasty. That is why they created the convention.
There are two important elections before 2011 - a General Election and an election for a new Labour leader in Wales. Who knows what complexion that will cast upon proceedings?
Mr German can call for meetings with Rhodri Morgan about setting up a 'yes' campaign for 2011 all he wants. If they stick to their stated retirement dates, Messrs German and Morgan will be long gone as party leaders by the time 2011 comes around.
In America referendums on election day are not uncommon - seven states banned recognition of same-sex marriage on mid-term election day last year.
Perhaps it would help the cause of greater devolution to have the referendum on election day. Might those voters who turn out at least be more favourably disposed towards having an Assembly?
What Mischievous Mike really wants is to remind us of the broad spectrum of opinion towards devolution that exists within Labour and Plaid Cymru, the two governing parties of the One Wales coalition. He is agitating for Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones to move swiftly towards a referendum, knowing full well that they dare not appear over hasty. That is why they created the convention.
There are two important elections before 2011 - a General Election and an election for a new Labour leader in Wales. Who knows what complexion that will cast upon proceedings?
Mr German can call for meetings with Rhodri Morgan about setting up a 'yes' campaign for 2011 all he wants. If they stick to their stated retirement dates, Messrs German and Morgan will be long gone as party leaders by the time 2011 comes around.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Much is made of Rhodri Morgan's common touch. Today he shows us something else he has in common with y werin: blind faith the night before the Six Nations. Here is an exert from his good luck message to Wales's rugby team. Talk about setting yourself up for a fall ...
I know that we in Wales are famously optimistic at the start of every Six Nations campaign – and perhaps we too often let our hearts rule our heads.
But I genuinely feel we could be on the verge of a new golden age, in the style of the great Welsh sides of the 1920s and 1970s.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Theory of relativity
:: In case Conservative MP Derek Conway's difficulties have got you wondering, 15 AMs have declared on the register of members' interests that a family member or partner has worked for them during the third Assembly. That's one in four. A couple of others say they have partners who work for the Assembly itself or for the Assembly Government. Two, of course, are married to each other.
:: Impending financial doom is being reported everywhere today. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors estimates 123 homes will be repossessed every day this year. The Bank of England is going to be allowed to offer secret help to failing banks to prevent another Northern Rock-style fiasco. Mortgage approvals are at a 12-year low. The Chancellor will need to raise taxes by £8 billion in his spring Budget to meet the Government's limit on national debt, the Institute of Fiscal Studies warns. And the US economy has had its slowest year since 2002 - fourth quarter GDP growth in 2007 was much lower than expected at 0.6%.
No wonder the Assembly Government now wants to see a better return on its big spending commitments. The nine years devolution has had to establish itself have been years of economic growth and massive public spending. A lean period would genuinely test the Assembly's value for money.
:: Impending financial doom is being reported everywhere today. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors estimates 123 homes will be repossessed every day this year. The Bank of England is going to be allowed to offer secret help to failing banks to prevent another Northern Rock-style fiasco. Mortgage approvals are at a 12-year low. The Chancellor will need to raise taxes by £8 billion in his spring Budget to meet the Government's limit on national debt, the Institute of Fiscal Studies warns. And the US economy has had its slowest year since 2002 - fourth quarter GDP growth in 2007 was much lower than expected at 0.6%.
No wonder the Assembly Government now wants to see a better return on its big spending commitments. The nine years devolution has had to establish itself have been years of economic growth and massive public spending. A lean period would genuinely test the Assembly's value for money.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Plaid Conundrum
:: The smacking row and the resignation of Peter Hain reveal a tricky problem for Plaid Cymru and an opportunity for the Liberal Democrats.
There was a time when such a spectacle as the smacking row would have prompted a volcanic frenzy of anger from Plaid. "Look," you can almost hear them say. "Whitehall is bullying the Assembly."
Instead, the story catapulted the Welsh Liberal Democrats into the news as the only opposition party with the necessary pro-devolution credentials to cry foul.
A similar thing happened with the appointment of Paul Murphy to Welsh Secretary. Ieuan Wyn Jones, who once talked of Labour's "devolution dinosaurs", must now bite his ministerial tongue. No such problem for the Lib Dems, who steal an opportunity to speak up for devolution by talking down Mr Murphy.
If One Wales delivers a referendum, then none of this will matter and Plaid will continue to claim it is fueling the engine of devolution. Sometimes, however, that referendum seems like a pretty big if.
:: A Liberal Democrat briefing paper about the party's strategy in the Assembly has dropped into my inbox. Judging by who sent it and the list of other recipients - all Lib Dem staff - I can only assume I was sent it in error. There is usually a juicy scoop involved when a reporter gets to see something he is not meant to see. Luckily for the Lib Dems, the contents of this confidential document are too boring to report.
There was a time when such a spectacle as the smacking row would have prompted a volcanic frenzy of anger from Plaid. "Look," you can almost hear them say. "Whitehall is bullying the Assembly."
Instead, the story catapulted the Welsh Liberal Democrats into the news as the only opposition party with the necessary pro-devolution credentials to cry foul.
A similar thing happened with the appointment of Paul Murphy to Welsh Secretary. Ieuan Wyn Jones, who once talked of Labour's "devolution dinosaurs", must now bite his ministerial tongue. No such problem for the Lib Dems, who steal an opportunity to speak up for devolution by talking down Mr Murphy.
If One Wales delivers a referendum, then none of this will matter and Plaid will continue to claim it is fueling the engine of devolution. Sometimes, however, that referendum seems like a pretty big if.
:: A Liberal Democrat briefing paper about the party's strategy in the Assembly has dropped into my inbox. Judging by who sent it and the list of other recipients - all Lib Dem staff - I can only assume I was sent it in error. There is usually a juicy scoop involved when a reporter gets to see something he is not meant to see. Luckily for the Lib Dems, the contents of this confidential document are too boring to report.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Training hard now
Posters around the Assembly are appealing for rugby players to take on the Houses of Commons and Lords in the annual match on February 2. The Assembly's team has been kitted out by a donation from First Great Western. As everyone naturally wants to be out of the showers before England kick off against Wales at Twickenham that afternoon, one assumes it was felt too dangerous to put the travel arrangements at the mercy of Britain's train network, whatever the largesse of its operators. The team bus leaves Crickhowell House at 7am.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Smacking ban slapped down
A Government-commissioned survey of 1,800 parents found 67% felt there should not be a complete ban on smacking children. This finding - tempered by the views of 64 children, most of whom thought corporal punishment had no place in modern childhood - prompted the Government to abandon a proposed smacking ban last October.
Why, then, does the Assembly Government want to ban smacking in Wales? The Assembly voted in favour of supporting a smacking ban in January 2004 by 41 votes to nine. But it is not in One Wales, nor is it in the manifestos put forward by Labour and Plaid Cymru in May. Does the Assembly know that Welsh parents hold a different opinion from that surveyed by the UK Government? Or does it have information which disproves the UK Government's assertion that the current law is working?
Or has this idea been chosen as a means to test the boundaries of the current law-making procedure and probe the limits of the maligned LCO system? Neither Whitehall nor Cathays Park know exactly how this new system will work. It will take some prodding by the Assembly Government to discover what exactly it can get from an LCO. If, in the process, ministers have to back down from introducing a smacking ban - something that was never their original intention - then so be it. Who knows, the impression of an overmighty London machine frustrating the will of the Assembly might hasten the arrival of the referendum on primary powers.
Why, then, does the Assembly Government want to ban smacking in Wales? The Assembly voted in favour of supporting a smacking ban in January 2004 by 41 votes to nine. But it is not in One Wales, nor is it in the manifestos put forward by Labour and Plaid Cymru in May. Does the Assembly know that Welsh parents hold a different opinion from that surveyed by the UK Government? Or does it have information which disproves the UK Government's assertion that the current law is working?
Or has this idea been chosen as a means to test the boundaries of the current law-making procedure and probe the limits of the maligned LCO system? Neither Whitehall nor Cathays Park know exactly how this new system will work. It will take some prodding by the Assembly Government to discover what exactly it can get from an LCO. If, in the process, ministers have to back down from introducing a smacking ban - something that was never their original intention - then so be it. Who knows, the impression of an overmighty London machine frustrating the will of the Assembly might hasten the arrival of the referendum on primary powers.
Badge of honour
It's bad news for brock. But given that the members of this inquiry included Lorraine Barrett and Brynle Williams, a cattle farmer, it is remarkable that today's report from the Rural Development Sub-Committee manages to say anything at all about badger culling. I am sure the powers that be will have noted this achievement by committee chairman Alun Davies.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Leak no evil
:: This morning, while walking through the Senedd, I noticed a bottle on the floor marked "Leak Detector". I suspect this piece of apparatus has more to do with rain than gossip in the tea room. All political establishments are familiar with leaks. But the Senedd must also contend with a leaky roof. Despite being open since early 2006, yellow signs next to puddles on the floor are still not uncommon after a good soaking.
:: A colleague recently returned from New York with a souvenir which he left on my desk. Said item has mysteriously disappeared. It could be knocking around my vast office somewhere, but if you see anyone in Cardiff Bay playing with a paper aeroplane from FAO Schwarz please let me know.
:: A colleague recently returned from New York with a souvenir which he left on my desk. Said item has mysteriously disappeared. It could be knocking around my vast office somewhere, but if you see anyone in Cardiff Bay playing with a paper aeroplane from FAO Schwarz please let me know.
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