Cambria Politico by Chris Jones

CAMBRIA POLITICO » Blow away the Ynys Mon blow-in » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Blow away the Ynys Mon blow-in Posted By cambriapolitico On January 13, 2010 @ 2:15 pm In Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Politics | 11 Comments

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The parachutist from leafy Surrey

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ARE THE Tories committing political suicide in Anglesey, writes Clive Betts from the National Assembly press gallery ? And even if the party is not committing suicide on the island, their choice of a rank outsider who has probably hardly been to the island, or indeed to Wales, demands that the gent concerned must be politically neutered before he sets foot in parliament. According to the way that the Commons is currently operating, any MP from Wales can help strike down lawmaking proposals produced by the democratically-elected Assembly in Cardiff. Unless Mr Anthony Ridge-Newman, the newly-selected Tory candidate from Surrey, can reveal that he knows a hell of a lot about Wales, he should take a string of cotton to the Commons when (more probably, if) he ever enters it. With the aid of a needle, he should tightly sow his mouth shut so that he never has any effect on anything to be with the governance of this country. After all, Ynys Mon is considered a winnable seat at the Westminster election by the Tories both in London and Cardiff. It has been held before by the party and seems to many commentators a prime target – provided the right candidate is chosen. Unfortunately, fate is not dealing well with the local right-wingers. An excellent local candidate who was hoping to be picked had to drop out because too little time had been left for all procedures to be completed – although the individual might put his name forward again for the Senedd seat. With an election due by June, no time could be lost in finding a replacement. But the party has run into a major mess finding a suitable one. They have ended up picking a rank outsider, who with any luck will likely to perform exceedingly badly. Anthony Ridge-Newman comes all the way from Surrey. If he knows anything about the island, it may be about how to find a decent beach. Mr R-N is described as a researcher into “internet democracy” – whatever that is. He’s aged in his 30s, and gossip is that he is one of London Central Office’s favoured sons, although that is denied by the Tories’ spokesman in Wales, who says he performed well from a decent-length short list. This is not the first time the local Tories have made a total hash of finding a candidate – presumably too many on the selection committee are either blow-ins, or are aiming to gain the blow-ins’ votes. Perhaps they are thinking of following the line taken by some Labour constituencies – pick a Welshman or someone with Welsh orientation for Cardiff, and someone as English as they come for London. Some years ago the Ynys Mon Tories parachuted into the seat a candidate from Monmouthshire. In fact, he was a good candidate – but only for somewhere else. Such as Monmouth, which he won and held for a time. I covered that election for the Western Mail at the time. As Roger Evans went around the constituency, he had to put up with local people (generally of the younger voting generation) physically laughing at him (from a distance, of course). I thought the Tories had passed the stage that they treated Wales as an offshoot of the Home Counties for promising candidates. So did Nick Bourne when he was questioned at the first press briefing of the new term. Under questioning, he made it clear that he was concerned about a parachutist taking over the seat. Mr Bourne had checked with London about another Surrey gent who had been named as favoured by London Central Office for Anglesey –- but he was not even on the candidates’ list.

http://cambriapolitico.com/2010/01/its-time-to-blow-away-this-ynys-mon-blow-in/print/[24/03/2010 20:40:55]

CAMBRIA POLITICO » Blow away the Ynys Mon blow-in » Print So there was a second blow-in being considered by local Tories… Not that the party’s press spokesman in Cardiff would agree with concerns about the Englishness of his own party’s candidates. ‘Ninety per cent are either of Welsh background or living in the country’, he said. Whether that figure includes Ynys Mon’s new blow-in, I don’t know. Whilst one has to put up with trainees standing in unwinnable seats, it’s pretty unacceptable that any total outsider could potentially second-guess decisions already taken by the Assembly. Should he ever win the seat, he should be formally barred by his party from saying anything at Westminster about any policy which comes under the remit of Cardiff. Mind you, not all parachutists need be total failures. The previous Tory MP for the island was Keith Best, who was broad-enough minded to turn out one of the best … in many ways. The problem is that the Labour Party in London has left Wales with a potentially-dangerous constitutional non-settlement. Quite clearly, no party should now be allowed to choose outsiders to contest winnable Welsh seats, from which basis they can proceed to overrule democratic decisions by Cardiff.

11 Comments To "Blow away the Ynys Mon blow-in"

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#1 Comment By Pork Scratcher On January 13, 2010 @ 3:20 pm Well he has lovely curly hair,bach! #2 Comment By Gareth Westacott On January 13, 2010 @ 7:12 pm Former Ynys Môn MP, Keith Best’…broad-enough minded to turn out one of the best…’ Really? Don’t you remember how he was prosecuted and convicted in 1987 for making fraudulent share applications during the privatisation of British Telecom? His dishonesty didn’t stop him becoming head of the Immigration Advisory Service, though. So, ‘one of the best’? Maybe you mean that, of all the foreigners foisted upon us, he was one of the few who deigned to learn a few words of Welsh. #3 Comment By Anthony Ridge-Newman On January 14, 2010 @ 3:20 pm There are some gross inaccuracies about me in this blog. I would encourage the author to contact me for the facts and to then make corrections: 1) I was not parachuted in to Ynys Mon. I was shortlisted and elected by over 35 Association members on the first ballot with 50 + 1 of the vote – out of five other candidates, some of whom from North Wales. I worked extremely hard before my selection. I spent 4 days in the Constituency and had a team of friends helping me. 2) I am not one of CCHQ’s favoured sons – I only wish I were! 3) From “leafy Surrey”!?!? – I have been in Surrey on and off for many years due to education and work, but I have lived all over the UK and US. I have only been back in Surrey for two years. Before that I was in Worcestershire caring for my mother, before that Devon and before that Florida at the US Geological Survey. I have a lot of national and international experience in the environment and business that is directly applicable to Anglesey. I grew up in Worcestershire – which is close to the Welsh border – not Surrey! 4) I really am proud of my Welsh heritage. I have spent a lot of my time all over Wales from the Gower to Snowdonia. My Grandma Williams, on my mothers side was born and bred in Pontycymmer, near the Rhondda Valley. I am truly excited to be finally moving to Anglesey – full time. I have tried on many other opportunities to move to Wales. I really am passionate about making a difference in Wales. I am learning Welsh and intend to work tirelessly for the people of Anglesey. Please give me a chance to show you what I have to offer first – that is all I ask. I believe it is about getting the right candidate to sort out the island’s economy. It shouldn’t be about where the candidate grew up – the people of Anglesey cannot afford it to be at this time.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Blow away the Ynys Mon blow-in » Print #4 Comment By Anthony Ridge-Newman On January 14, 2010 @ 3:20 pm website: http:..www.ridgenewman.com #5 Comment By The Port Talbot Tory On January 15, 2010 @ 3:18 pm Ian dale raises and interesting comment “Why Are Welsh Tories More Successful Than Scottish Ones?” Raead his article at http://iaindale.blogspot.com/ #6 Comment By HOOVER MON On January 15, 2010 @ 10:22 pm So, Anthony, tell me which are the ‘gross inaccuracies’ #7 Comment By The Prying Eye On January 17, 2010 @ 3:48 pm Hahahaha! The guy who wrote this blog just got owned don’t know about this newman guy but he sounds alrite if he’s willing to make an efort better than the dicks in westminster at the moment! #8 Comment By penddu On January 21, 2010 @ 2:06 pm So to summarise, the Conservative candidate for Ynys Mon recently visited the island for two weeks; has lived in Surrey for two years (their cricket club symbol is similar to the WRUs); and was raised in the West Midlands, which is nearer to the island than his Nan’s home which is two valleys away from the Rhondda. Dont think we will see much more of him then. #9 Comment By Un o Fon On January 22, 2010 @ 12:00 pm I quite agree Antony Ridge-Newman hasn’t got a hope of winning this seat. For the sake of the country he should step down and let the local lad have a go. Anglesey is only winnable at present by a local candidate. So come on Antony step down for good of the country!! #10 Comment By Sean Lloyd On January 22, 2010 @ 6:22 pm I think that everyone needs to just give the guy a break. It is never easy at the best of times to run for political office and he is risking a lot, including his reputation, by trying really hard to make a difference to Anglesy. As a resident I am keen to find out more about him and when he knocks on my door I’ll give him a grilling like I would with any other candidate. Then I will make my mind up by that. That is how votes should be decided. By reading the manifesto and listening and talking to the candidates. Are you saying that he shouldn’t run because he isn’t Welsh? Do you need to be Welsh to care about Wales? Arguably it’s a distinct advantage to not be a local! #11 Comment By Christopher Madoc-Jones On January 26, 2010 @ 5:09 pm I am not a member of the Conservative Party but seem to remember that Keith Best was a popular MP. He has rehabilitated himself admirably since he was punished for a crime which was less deceitful than many of the expenses antics of todays honourable members.Friends in Anglesey told me that he spoke good Welsh and worked hard.The other parties should not count their chickens! Anglesey people may again choose a plucky English underdog over a complacent local poodle.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Blow away the Ynys Mon blow-in » Print URL to article: http://cambriapolitico.com/2010/01/its-time-to-blow-away-this-ynys-mon-blow-in/ Click here to print.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Time for Kirsty to give way to Jenny over the Valley aeroplane » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Time for Kirsty to give way to Jenny over the Valley aeroplane Posted By cambriapolitico On January 14, 2010 @ 6:08 pm In Welsh LibDem, Welsh Politics | 3 Comments

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I REALLY must question the strategy being used by the Liberal Democrats in their weekly press briefing, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

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Whether she likes it or not, it’s time for party leader Kirsty Williams to give way on occasion to the person she beat in the contest for the leadership, Jenny Randerson. This week was one of those occasions – and not perhaps the first. Mrs Randerson had a superb point to make about the costliness of the North-South air link, which would have made headlines. While all that Mrs Williams could present was a very vague press release which I’m sure no-one was really interested in. And, to make matters worse, the AM for Brecon and Radnor regaled us with a mother-in-law joke which was really not in the best marital taste. In other words, as has been said before, Kirsty Williams isn’t starting well in her new post as leader of the Welsh Lib Dems. Indeed, some wonder whether Mrs Williams is slowly going nuts. She will not like the comment, but the press gallery is slowly getting the impression that she is a very poor replacement for Mike German as leader of the Lib Dem group. This week’s press release was a demand that new First Minister Carwyn Jones “matches rhetoric with action” over his commitments to education. Mrs Williams demanded that he reverse the higher education spending cuts which his government had implemented last autumn. She wanted a supplementary budget passed. Now, precious few politicians are going to do an about-turn that quickly, particularly when it so obviously a financial issue. So, that story wasn’t much of a runner. Then Kirsty had some good points about the failure of child-poverty to be reduced in Wales in accord with the Assembly’s written policies. Her solution ? Carwyn should have a chat with Gordon in London about changes to taxes and benefits. Somehow, I don’t think that would be worth it. But what makes me think that Kirsty is going nuts is what passed for her mother-in-law joke. She asked the press gallery to guess what he mother-in-law had given her for Christmas. Some of them even tried. But Kirsty put them out of their agony. The present was a roll of cling-film and a cling-film dispenser. What for ? So that Kirsty could better prepare her sandwiches for her daily trip down to Cardiff Bay. If I were Kirsty’s mother-in-law I would take hold of that cling-film and slowly wrap it around Kirsty’s neck, before pulling it tight. Not too tight, mind you; we don’t want a by-election. Not for the first time, the following days revealed that other Lib Dems AMs had material prepared which more than justified an airing at the Lib Dem briefing. Mrs Randerson, the heavy-weight AM for Cardiff Central, demanded of Carwyn Jones, “The continued subsidy of air-travel by the Welsh Government shows just how out of touch they are with the economic and environmental reality Wales faces. In year one, Welsh taxpayers subsidised each plane passenger using the service by £84, whilst the subsidy for rail travel between North and South Wales was just £6.30 per passenger. “It cannot be right that Welsh taxpayers continue to subsidise costly and heavily polluting airtravel, while our railways and public transport remains desperately underfunded. The Welsh Liberal Democrats would switch the air-link subsidy to be spent on improving the vital and more

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Time for Kirsty to give way to Jenny over the Valley aeroplane » Print heavily used North-South train service.” Under the regulations which govern FM questions, I believe that Mr Jones was given notice that he was going to be quizzed on the Valley link. The link was proving much more popular than expected. It had “exeeded expectations”. But, due to the way the Assembly is now run, that is all we got. The old-style transport committee could have demanded – and would indeed have received, without any need to demand – full reports from civil servants on what was happening, on the rules, and so on. But now, next to nothing. Quite clearly, Mrs Randerson had a far better tale to tell than had Mrs Williams. For once, Kirsty should have given way.

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#1 Comment By Tom Knightlea On January 18, 2010 @ 7:06 pm oh dear oh dear – education ‘not a runner’ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8464331.stm or just not a runner for you? #2 Comment By Gethin On January 25, 2010 @ 11:34 pm “If I were Kirsty’s mother-in-law I would take hold of that cling-film and slowly wrap it around Kirsty’s neck, before pulling it tight. Not too tight, mind you; we don’t want a by-election.” What a disgraceful, disgusting comment from an increasingly misinformed and irrelevant journalist. #3 Comment By cambria politico On January 26, 2010 @ 1:11 pm I suspect Gethin is either a dyed-in-the-wool Lib Dem, or sadly lacks a sense of humour. I am not in the Assembly today, but the invitation for today’s LD press briefing lists two topics. The first is the recession, and the second, the AIR LINK. If the LDs want to lead, they have to be ahead of the news, rather than lagging a full week behind one of their backbenchers. I suspect we are not observing a very happy household. Which doesn’t auger well for the next Westminster election.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » The four day blow-in » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

The four day blow-in Posted By cambriapolitico On January 15, 2010 @ 9:03 pm In Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Politics | 1 Comment

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The parachutist from leafy Surrey

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WELL, HERE’S the reply from the short-suffering candidate to Cambria’s blog about the blow-in chosen by the Tories to fight the once-winnable – but now no longer – Ynys Mon seat at Westminster. The new candidate tells us he has spent all of FOUR DAYS on Ynys Mon [see in point 2]. He’s also got a Welsh grandmother. She was from Pontycymmer. Which means she voted Labour. Or did she own the pit ? Or at least enough shares to be able to go on a foreign holiday every year ? I’m glad to note the candidate used to spend holidays in south Wales. But clearly Wales hasn’t been top of his mind. Because he admits he’s applied for loads of seats in Wales and England. But why not Scotland, as well ? Perhaps because Englanwales is just one uniform country, but Scotland’s something different … The candidate doesn’t answer my question about the immoral right of MPs to overrule decisions by the democratically-elected Assembly. Perhaps because he had never heard of that wee problem before. The candidate boasts of his Worcestershire roots and talks of the link to Wales. Well, some of them may be able to see the Welsh hills, but the people of Worcs know nor care no more about Wales than the people of Wales know or care about Worcs. Few Welsh towns know or care about Wales; the exceptions could be Chester (they get hit on the head in their own suburbs by bilingual signposts), possibly Shrewbury and Hereford, and more likely the Forest of Dean. Anyway, now follows the candidate’s statement. “I’d like to take the opportunity to clarify some of the inaccuracies that are being banded about the blogosphere and in the press. 1) I was not parachuted in to the Ynys Mon seat. I was shortlisted and elected by over 35 Association members on the first ballot with 50 + 1 of the vote. I worked extremely hard before my selection. I spent 4 days in the Constituency and had a team of researchers. At the selection meeting even the sceptics, as per my previous email, said that I was “head and shoulders above all other candidates”, even the potential local one – he himself said that to me. 2) I am not one of CCHQ’s favoured sons - I only wish I were! If fact, during the process of submitting my CVs I felt bottom of the pile. I applied for numerous Welsh and English seats and was declined for all of them, except Anglesey. 3) From “leafy Surrey”!?!? – I have been in Surrey on and off all my life due to education and work, but I have lived all over the UK and US. I have only been back in Surrey for two years. Before that I was in Worcestershire caring for my dying mother, before that Devon and before that Florida at the US Geological Survey. I have a lot of national and international experience in the environment and business that is directly applicable to Anglesey. I grew up in Worcestershire – which is close to the Welsh border – not Surrey! 4) I might not have it bucket loads of it, but I really am proud of my Welsh heritage. I have spent most of my free time all over Wales. And I am truly excited to be finally moving there full time – as I have tried to on many other opportunities. I have been clear that I did not grow up in Wales, but my family home is not far away in Worcester and I spent much of my leisure time in Wales, in the Brecon Beacons and on the Gower mostly. For many personal reasons, my family roots in Pontycymmer are very special to me and my late mother. If I had been a girl (no jokes please!) my mother would have named me after my Grandma Rachel Williams who was born and grew up on Cuckoo Street, Pontycymmer. My cousin (the first girl of my generation) got the honour instead. The last time I was there, was not long before my mother died. She wanted me to take her there for obvious reasons. Every time we go there, it becomes more like a ghost town. This has saddened me

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » The four day blow-in » Print and is what has inspired me to get involved in the future of Wales. Politics aside, I would be grateful if you would update your blog to give a fairer description of my heritage and links to Wales – they are important to me and I would like to be fairly represented. I really am passionate about making a difference in Wales. I am in the process of moving to Anglesey – full time. I am learning Welsh and intend to work tirelessly for the people of Anglesey. Please give me at least a chance to show you what I have to offer first – that is all I ask. I believe it is about getting the right candidate to sort out the island’s economy. It shouldn’t be about where the candidate grew up – the people of Anglesey cannot afford it to be at this time. I agree that Trefor Jones is a great guy, as is the other local chap who wanted to stand, but was not on the Party list. They are both supporting me and are great assets to my team. And those members of the Association, who wanted the local chap to stand, told me they are glad things turned out this way, because they believe they have found the right candidate in me. This is of course a great feeling. Trefor was simply worried about losing his job – so he decided to stand down. Just like many others on the island who are worried, or are actually losing their job right now. This is the main reason I want to win this election – I want to help rebuild a stable economy on the island and regenerate the key towns. If we have a Conservative administration (which we know is most likely) – Anglesey will need a strong voice within the Conservative Party to draw attention to its urgent needs. I am going to work tirelessly to be that voice. Not for me, but for the people of Ynys Mon.”

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#1 Comment By The Druid On January 22, 2010 @ 11:58 am In fact from all the Ynys Mon candidates only Labour’s Albert Owen is actually originally from the island. More here: http://druidsrevenge.blogspot.com/2010/01/are-you-local.html

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Carwyn shows us how to avoid answering a question » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Carwyn shows us how to avoid answering a question Posted By cambriapolitico On January 15, 2010 @ 9:36 pm In Welsh Politics | 2 Comments

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CARWYN JONES was playing hard to get in his first press briefing as First Minister, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

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The big question to which everyone wants the answer is what is going to happen about the soessential extension of Assembly powers so the political union with England is not eventually wrecked on the rocks of Labour’s constitutional non-settlement. Mr Jones got as far as letting us know that the expected Assembly debate on the Jones-Parry Convention report on how to proceed towards gaining those extra powers will be held on February 9. But, former practising barrister that he is, he managed to tell us hardly a word beyond the fact that a “motion” will be laid in front of the Assembly, despite the best efforts of us journalists. Mr Jones did admit that the motion will be a touch stronger than that the Assembly merely “notes” the report. A motion to “note” would tell us nothing beyond that the report in question has been received and has not been rejected. What we really wanted to know is what the Assembly planned to do next; in particular, would the Assembly government be planning to ask London for permission to hold a referendum on giving the so-essential extra powers to Cardiff ? And what would be the preferred date for that referendum ? This autumn is the preferred date as it is said to be the only time when a referendum could be held so that the political agreement between Labour and Plaid on its holding before the next Assembly election in 2011 is kept to. Mr Jones admitted some of the problems – for instance, that a very solid majority in Cardiff in favour of a referendum is essential. He would hold talks with the other parties to try to ensure that. Not that there should be much trouble as the Tory group is happy to go along with holding a referendum. And Nick Bourne, Tory leader, told us later that he wouldn’t mind taking a part (which would surely have to be prominent) in the Yes campaign – although he couldn’t speak for the rest of his group. But what would be the wording of the motion ? Ieuan Wyn Jones, his Plaid deputy, sitting beside the Prime Minister (at least, that’s what he’s called in Welsh), came closest to telling us what Mr Jones’s telling us nothing really meant. “The debate on February 9 will keep all options open,” said the other Mr Jones. With a barrister as First Minister, one can imagine how “wide” those options could turn out. So members of the press tried harder to tie him down. What were the views of Secretary of State and Neath MP Peter Hain on this ? “It is important to keep all options open,” was the reply here. And what about the views of devolution-sceptic Labour MPs in east Wales ? Well, Mr Jones didn’t win the majority votes of Welsh Labour MPs bythreatening to rat on some of their more unpalatable views to the press. So, we got nothing. All we really got from the First Minister is his view that a request for a referendum will have to go to a postelection Westminster. In other words – although of course he never said as much – to a Tory government. There was no time for all the necessary work to be completed before Westminster goes off to fight the election. Fortunately, we already have a promise from David Cameron that he will not hinder the holding of any referendum. So, that’s one worry out of the way.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Carwyn shows us how to avoid answering a question » Print

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#1 Comment By annon On January 16, 2010 @ 10:33 pm yet again we have a Labour leader in the Assembly unable to stand up to his devo sceptic MPs. Carwyn the great – not likely #2 Comment By Anonymous On January 31, 2010 @ 8:25 pm Carwyn is turning out to be just like President Obama: says he’s open to new ideas when in fact his mind is closed to new ideas. Would rather see Wales carry on sinking than actually genuinely entertain, never mind put into practice, ideas to save the Welsh economy and generate indigenous jobs.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Let’s call it the General Election! » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Let’s call it the General Election! Posted By cambriapolitico On February 2, 2010 @ 7:18 pm In Welsh Politics | 4 Comments

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WORDS EXPRESSED by politicians can sometimes mean rather more than they mean on the surface, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery. For instance – “general election”. We all know that one has to be held by next June.

But that is for the parliament which meets in London. But another election has to be held by the following June – although May is the expected date. That is the poll for the Cardiff Assembly. When the first poll was held in 1999, the powers that decided how that poll should be conducted put it out that the last May vote of the last century should by described as the “Welsh general election”. And who was the power that took that decision ? As it was no doubt taken a long time in advance of the vote, the decision was surely taken by the furthest-thinking politician from Wales who has had a finger in a governmental pie for many decades, if not for almost a century. In other words, Ron Davies, at the time Secretary of State for Wales and AM for Caerffili. His idea was that the new Assembly was in no way a jumped-up county council, as it was termed by many who had voted No in the preceding referendum. As well as by some very senior figures at the Western Mail – or should we go back to calling it, Llais y Sais ? The election was in its own way as important as the other election at which the Welsh attended at the polling booths for each four years or so, the general election for Westminster. Therefore, the May 1999 event was the general election for Wales. But as the new century has dragged along, the term the term has fallen into disuse. I don’t think I ever heard it used in either 2003 or 2007. And neither have I heard it with reference to 2011. Until today. Tory leader Nick Bourne was arguing about the date on which a referendum should be held to decide whether extra power should be given to the Welsh Assembly. Mr Bourne was emphasising the position which his party had taken. The referendum “should not be held on the date of our general election”, said the leader of the Tory group. So, the phrase that Plaid Cymru, the Labour Party and the Lib Dems have been ignoring ever since 1999 has at last returned from the purgatory to which it was consigned. Congratulations Nick. Now, when Ron put forward the phrase, he had the backing of the entire governmental publicity machine to ensure it remained in peoples’ minds. Nick hasn’t – yet – got that far in his political progress. So, it’s up to the leaders of the other three parties of their own volition to start using the term, as well. Of course, if Carwyn and Ieuan, First Minister and deputy, cotton on, they will be able to prevail upon the governmental publicity machine to use it as well. And then we’ll all be happy that Wales is no longer being treated as second rate.

4 Comments To "Let’s call it the General Election!" #1 Comment By penddu On February 3, 2010 @ 4:13 pm

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Let’s call it the General Election! » Print I might be wrong, but I thought that it was only in GOWA 2006 that the term was officially used?? #2 Comment By AlunCymru On February 3, 2010 @ 4:14 pm If I remember correctly, the Lib Dem 07 manifesto was subtitled “Manifesto for the Welsh General Election”. #3 Comment By Gareth Orton On February 6, 2010 @ 8:15 pm Self-aggrandising nonsense. Call it the Assembly election, which is what it is. There’s only one general election. #4 Comment By cambria politico On February 6, 2010 @ 8:31 pm Sorry, Gareth, but we are entering into a federal system of government, in which different fields of government are dealt with by different levels of governance – as happens in better-run parts of the world, such as Germany, the United States, Australia, Canada and so many other places. The sort of policies which really concern us from day to day – such as education, planning and health – are under Welsh control. As you presumably want these Welsh-run issues to be given proper prominence in peoples’ minds, we should give the elections which decide the future their proper name. The Welsh general election !

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Is this why Bourne is threatening to abstain? » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Is this why Bourne is threatening to abstain? Posted By cambriapolitico On February 3, 2010 @ 6:36 pm In Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Politics | No Comments

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THE WELSH Tory group at the Assembly is being faced with a terrible conundrum over the referendum on extra powers for Wales which the Labour-Plaid government plan to hold either later this year or in the first half of next year, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

The party seems to have only one demand. This is that the referendum is NOT held on the same day as next year’s Welsh general election. But what is their true reason for threatening to abstain when the “trigger motion” is debated and voted on next Tuesday ? Their abstention – if combined with the Lib Dems – would cause the motion to be lost as it would fail to gain the necessary enhanced majority which the Government of Wales Act demands. One reason for taking this attitude is that they are looking over their shoulders towards the hoards of devolution-sceptics who lurk within that party’s undergrowth. Mr Bourne is acting in the way that a leader really should act – he has decided that the only way forwards for his party is to turn its back on its years of opposition to devolution; instead, it must embrace the concept. Both Mr Bourne and David Cameron, his party leader in London, have emphatically stated that they would not stand in the way of the holding of a referendum But, faced with a definite demand that he put his name to an advance in that previously-abhoured policy, Mr Bourne may feel that he has to demand a price from the two government parties That price seems to revolve around the date of the referendum. Questioned by Cambria at the weekly press briefing on why he was taking this stance, Mr Bourne gave a reason very similar to that touted by the Lib Dems – who are making a very similar demand. He talked of the difficulties of running a Yes campaign, and also of the dangers of finding that campaign muddled both with the practicalities of a Welsh general election campaign, with the very different policy arguments being put forward in that battle. But there could be another reason why Mr Bourne and the Tories are opposed to the referendum and election both being held on the same day. When Cambria put that particular reason to Mr Bourne, he was honest enough to admit that this particular idea had indeed crossed his mind. But he had rejected it. Yet when Cambria asked a very senior figure in Plaid Cymru why the Tories might be so opposed to the use of the same date for two elections, he (or it could be she) was extremely blunt. “Because they would lose votes in the Assembly election,” this individual said. This would happen, it is argued, because of voters linking a Yes vote in the referendum to a vote for one of the three obviously pro-Assembly parties. Equally, of course, No voters would be more likely to turn to the Tories. But the first group of voters would outweigh the second in terms of numbers. Which means that the Tories in London have likely laid down the law to Mr Bourne – separate the two polls, or you’re in trouble with us. Which explains the strength of his threat to abstain – and, with luck, kill moves for a double vote on one day. Of course, any No vote to the trigger-vote proposal – and that is how an abstention would be portrayed by other parties – would risk undoing so much of the good pro-Welsh work which Mr Bourne and some of his colleagues have been achieving with his group and party over the past few years. It would risk the Tories seen yet again as the “English party”. Which is the last thing which they would want.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Is this why Bourne is threatening to abstain? » Print Even if some in the grassroots would be unconcerned.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Cost dictates the referendum date » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Cost dictates the referendum date Posted By cambriapolitico On February 4, 2010 @ 9:18 pm In Welsh Politics | No Comments

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THE COST of holding a referendum is one of the reasons which will help decide the date on which the referendum on extra powers for the Assembly is held writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

Organising voting is rather than expensive process. The cost of holding the referendum has been put at £5m to the public purse. “You can imagine what Untrue Wales will be screaming,” I was told, “if different days are chosen for the Welsh general election and the referendum.” Of course, there are lots of other issues which have to be borne in mind in deciding the date of a poll … Whatever date is decided on by leaders in the Assembly of both Labour and Plaid. Don’t expect any announcement until after the London general election has been held. That will be at the insistence of the Labour Party. As they are the lead party in the coalition, it is their right to take this line. As awkward-squad member Sian Caiach was reported in the Western Mail as saying today, this coalition is only so-called. In fact, Labour call all the shots. Many of Dr Caiach’s own shots are fired at her former party’s own leader Ieuan Wyn Jones. She reckons he’s too feeble to lead the party. One gets the impression that exactly the same view is held by a number of senior females in the party. It almost looks as if the senior male members aren’t up to much. But for some reason they won’t confide in Cambria !

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Why is Kirsty trying to sink the referendum? » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Why is Kirsty trying to sink the referendum? Posted By cambriapolitico On February 5, 2010 @ 10:17 pm In Welsh LibDem, Welsh Politics | 1 Comment

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THE LIB Dems seem terrified that the expected referendum on extra powers for the Assembly will be lost unless a unified Yes campaign is able to concentrate fully on that issue and not be distracted by an election, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

The party has indeed been concerned for some time that the Labour Party’s unwillingness to commence organising at the earlier time possible – ie, some time ago – an all-party Yes campaign will lead to a referendum defeat. That was the line continually spun by the Welsh LD party’s previous leader, Mike German. Now we have a variation on that tune. This time it comes from Peter Black, the party’s AM for South West – and voice for present leader Kirsty Williams in the land of hard-spun policy. Mr Black was playing hard-ball at his party’s weekly press briefing. If the coalition parties, Labour and Plaid, did not give assurances that the dates of the referendum and the 2011 election were not separated, the LDs would refused to vote for the trigger-motion that would enable the referendum to go ahead. Few journalists believed that the LDs would, in fact, stick to their guns when the time for next week’s vote arrives. The party are just too pro-devolution. It’s true that it seems likely that the LDs would be willing to accept a weaker form of promise on this issue than would the Tories – who are taking a very similar line. Speaking to the press, Mr Black was very convincing on why the referendum had to be split from the election. Basically, an election is the time when parties maximise their differences with every other party. It’s hardly the sort of time when your campaigners would either want to – or be capable of – start talking about how much they agree with aspects of another party’s policies, But then another issue has perhaps to be brought into the reckoning. This is the issue of who in fact wrecked the planned rainbow coalition alliance between Plaid, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems immediately after the last Welsh general election in 2007. The Western Mail reported that former Plaid parliamentary candidate Sian Caiach, of Llanelli, stated in her letter resigning from the party that one of the reasons she was quitting was because the party had turned their back on the rainbow alliance. The party had decided to link with Labour because, she claimed, senior figures in Plaid were unwilling to see Ieuan Wyn Jones become First Minister. Now, that’s a very, very interesting story. And there could well be a lot of truth in it. Except for the fact that the rainbow deal collapsed because the Lib Dems walked out – to the notinconsiderable fury of the party’s two former ministers in the coalition they had once run with Labour – Mike German and Jenny Randerson. After the Lib Dems had done the dirty, a deal with Labour was all that was left for Plaid to enter into. For some reason the Western Mail didn’t tell us that. Perhaps that was because they couldn’t remember. Or the reporter couldn’t find the file of the story in the paper’s library. Or because the paper didn’t even have an Assembly reporter at the time. But why did the Lib Dems walk out ? Because of a demonstration outside a meeting of the Lib Dem’s Welsh executive being held in Llandrindod. The demo was in opposition to the planned rainbow coalition. I don’t think we ever discovered the precise reason. But it was said at the time that the basic reason behind it was opposition by some prominent Brecon and Radnor Lib Dems to any close link with the Tories.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Why is Kirsty trying to sink the referendum? » Print The reason for that was purely local constituency concerns about the contest with the Tories at subsequent elections. In other words, local concerns killed national policy. The local Lib Dem AM is of course Kirsty Williams. She has indignantly denied allegations from inside her party that she was a driving force in that demo. In any case, she is now facing her first big national test. Which may be why she – in the form of Peter Black – is threatening to act so strongly against both the election and the referendum being on the same day.

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#1 Comment By Castro On February 6, 2010 @ 11:28 am I wouldn’t trust the Glib Phlegms further than I could throw a (grand) piano! Mike German & Jenny Randerson were hijacked in Llandrindod by Kirsty’s flying pickets from her little Brecon and Radnor fiefdom. One placard read “Rainbow Coalition? – over my dead body”. As it turned out that’s exactly what happened to the Glibs -they’re dead and buried, thank God. Sian Caiach should have targeted the Glibs rather than Plaid for the Rainbow failiure of 2007, but has a major beef with the latter for reasons that go back some time. Pity.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » An Ulster lesson from Carwyn for Untrue Wales » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

An Ulster lesson from Carwyn for Untrue Wales Posted By cambriapolitico On February 6, 2010 @ 9:07 pm In Welsh Politics | 6 Comments

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PETER ROBINSON and the Democratic Unionists of Northern Ireland are set to play a star role in the Welsh referendum campaign on extra powers for the National Assembly, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

The Irishmen will be set against another group who will also play a key role in the campaign. The other group will be a small cluster of Labour Party members centred on that island of true-Brits in Islwyn and Torfaen – together with their Tory friends in Newport and Monmouth. The Labour backsliders call themselves True Wales – although with their perversions of Welsh politics and Welsh history they should surely have them more-correctly named Untrue Wales – and their organisation will surely head the disaffected members of what used to be affectionately called the “People’s Party” in the No campaign. Following in the steps of that miner’s son who regrets he never worked underground – Neil Kinnock, of Islwyn – and of the Catholic Irishman who forgets his own people saw that independence was the only way forward – Don Touhig, of Torfaen – Untrue Wales will assuredly try to make a lot of noise. Asked during the weekly Cabinet briefing, how he would deal with such doubters within his own ranks, First Minister Carwyn Jones was cautious on how he answered. Within the Labour group of AMs, there are of course no doubters, he told us. You can be sure that anyone who did step out of line on supporting the move for a referendum for more powers would swiftly find him- or herself without a group to be a member of – in other words, he or she would lose the whip. We all know that some Labour AMs are keener on additional powers than others. But that is inevitable in any political grouping. Yet Labour’s AMs do not embrace as wide a variety of opinions on this issue as the Tories did when their Assembly membership included the Abominable No man, David Davies, of Monmouth. Mr Jones told us that the expected Assembly vote next week to pursue a referendum would then be sent to the party for its views. The First Minister was exceedingly vague about the terms which that party consultation would take. Perhaps because the methods would be many and various. But what about Untrue Wales ? That is when Mr Jones got a bit sarcastic. How significant is that group ? Not very, he insinuated. A very long Western Mail interview with the group named only one individual. Surely the lack of other names is significant, Mr Jones seemed to be saying. That is when the First Minister decided to turn on the pressure. Untrue Wales is arguing that the referendum is a stage on the slippery slope to independence. Mr Jones then pointed to another political grouping which is in the midst of discussions on an advance of devolution. The Democratic Unionists are close to agreeing that Ulster devolution should be expanded to include both policing and justice. Mr Jones invited Untrue Wales to ask the Democratic Unionists whether they saw this forthcoming change as being the next stage in their move to independence. As Mr Jones’s wife is a Catholic from west Belfast (the nationalist side of the city), he could with ease include a barrow-load of sarcasm in his reply. “Does the DUP want an independent Northern Ireland ?” he asked.

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#1 Comment By michael On February 7, 2010 @ 3:19 pm

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » An Ulster lesson from Carwyn for Untrue Wales » Print The situation in Northern Ireland is nothing like the one in Wales. Why is it the yes campaign have to evoke this nonsense. The electorate would far rather hear the benefits of more devolution. What difference will it make to schools or hospitals. I also find it a little rich for this site that fully supports independence to say it does not see more devolution as a stepping stone. #2 Comment By cambria politico On February 7, 2010 @ 4:50 pm The nonsense we are having to endure – and, no doubt,there will be much more coming – is that any increase in devolution puts us automatically on a slippery slope to independence. We had to endure this years ago from Neil Kinnock, with both his “slippery slope” and “jobs for Welshspeakers” claims. I fail to see that Ulster is “nothing like” Wales. Both countries have devolution, and both are experiencing pressures for more powers to be given to their capitals. Carwyn Jones was ridiculing the Untrue Wales – although the First Minister didn’t add the “un” to the Gwent group’s title – claim that any additional devolution would lead inevitably to independence. Perhaps one day Untrue Wales will unveil their real demands – ie no devolution at all. They wish to be exactly like the English; if the English get it wrong, they want Wales to get it wrong in precisely the same way. In this ever-more-complicated world, devolution is the way forward. Find me a unitary state the size of the UK. No wonder the place is badly run. #3 Comment By michael On February 7, 2010 @ 5:30 pm Yes both have devolution, but even you must see that the recent history of Ulster is very different to that of Wales. The reason Ulster went down the road of devolution was to find a political solution to 25 years of politically violence. More powers or not Wales would not see such violence so we can have a discussion on the benefits of more Powers ie better hospitals and schools etc. It is this discussion the people of Wales will be interested in. I see you like the rest of the Yes campaign would rather throw mud at the other side than have this discussion. It would be nice also if we could hold an adult debate and not constantly go on about the English. #4 Comment By cambria politico On February 7, 2010 @ 9:41 pm And on schools, our are considerably better than across the border – ask any teacher. The only row is over how much should go to each head for running costs, and our system is significantly different from the English. The Assembly committee did a major investigation, and saw no need to change. Now the minister is trying again. As for mud, I think that (Un)true Wales is the source of most. Yes, it would be nice to ignore the English. But they are much larger, live next door, set the pace, and so many of the anti-devolutionists (as well as the Welsh Tories) just love to pick holes in the Assembly – through reference to England. #5 Comment By David York On February 8, 2010 @ 12:30 pm If as you say our schools are better they have managed to achieve that without more powers. Although you provide nothing but anecdotal evidence for this. What the previous contributor asked was how will more powers make a difference to peoples lives. A no vote will not get rid of the Assembly. Your arguments are very weak indeed, considering you have wanted full lawmaking powers for so long. Have you never asked yourself the question why. (I am looking for a positive answer not the usual why

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » An Ulster lesson from Carwyn for Untrue Wales » Print shouldn’t we or blame the English crap) #6 Comment By cambria politico On February 8, 2010 @ 9:09 pm Education better – no competing for positions in league tables; no split between grammar and secondary moderns (if you can’t remember what those sink schools were, ask some counties across the border); etc. I am sorry you refer to any reference to England as crap. I am an Englishman, and I get fed up with Welshmen demanding devolution, and then being scared by England-lovers into ensuring that Welsh policies are as close to the English as possible. And as for what can be done with full powers … had you been within the Assembly, you would have long ago lost count of instances where Wales could not do what it wanted because the powers (or, a critical tiny piece of those powers) was retained in London (which I believe is in England). One of the latest examples was safety of school transport – the powers currently being enacted by the Assembly are defective in their weakness because of powers retained by London; and those powers are held by London, but only for England-and-Wales, while Scotland and probably Northern Ireland retain their freedom to act.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Time to raise a glass to Mick » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Time to raise a glass to Mick Posted By cambriapolitico On February 24, 2010 @ 10:40 pm In Welsh LibDem, Welsh Politics | No Comments

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HOW ABOUT a bit of sympathy for Mick Bates, the Lib Dem AM for Montgomery, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

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Mick unfortunately has a slight liking on occasion for a pint – or more. Indeed, the incident in Cardiff earlier this year may not be the first time he has descended a pub or restaurant stairs in that city rather more rapidly than intended. Were he a sot, I would have no time for him. But I would like to echo a recently-former Lib Dem councillor who blogged that Mick was “a sweet daft, lovable character”. A bit daft, certainly. Perhaps he should consider taking up barley farming rather than the sheep who presumably provide most of his income. Mick was back in the Assembly yesterday, taking part in a morning committee’s hearing. It looks indeed as if the affair is about to disappear into journalists’ memories (which, I warn you, can be quite long !). In view of his “unreserved apology” if he had abused the ambulance-man who was called to help him, I would strongly expect the police, the hospital trust and the ambulanceman’s union to have all concluded that there is absolutely no case for taking further action. Should the case ever reach court, the beak would rapidly throw it out and ask who was trying to waste his time charging a person who honestly couldn’t remember, and was horrified at what he was said to have done. I am writing about it because Mick’s party leader Kirsty Williams told us during her weekly briefing that Mick had had no contact from anyone official after the incident, and neither had she. Not the plod or the hospital or anyone else. So that’s the end of the matter, Cambria innocently asked. No way, it would seem, was the answer. The Lib Dems are of course willing to co-operate with any investigation. Only too willing, was the impression I got. I can understand why a senior politician in today’s rather odd world had to clamp down on any fellow politician’s misbehaviour. After all that we have heard about duck islands and expenses (for a Tory MP), and second-class rail travel being considered for parliamentarians, politicians are clearly always wrong. As well as guilty of everything … My minimal experience of rural folk is that things are a bit different out in the country. Lembit Opik is the other representative for Montgomery. When I asked him whether his affair with a Cheeky Girl might harm him electorally, his retort was brief. Farmers were asking after the other Cheeky Girl. Could he have her sent down to Newtown ? And when a singing trio of farmers entertained a Lib Dem conference in the county, one of their songs concentrated on a heifer and a bull, and what one might do to the other. I recall the horror on the face of Peter Black, AM for South West. Come on boys, lighten up. Mick has fulsomely apologised. The incident might not be good enough for an election address in Rhiwbina (Cardiff North), but I’m sure Nick would be on his way to a bumper majority next time round in Montgomery. A pity he’s retiring.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Time to raise a glass to Mick » Print

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » The Tories and how to curb Tesco » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

The Tories and how to curb Tesco Posted By cambriapolitico On February 25, 2010 @ 11:46 pm In Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Politics | 1 Comment

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A SUGGESTION BY a senior Conservative that the supermarkets should be broken up created some excitement at the briefings when the Assembly resumed after the half-term break, reports Clive Betts from the Press Gallery.

Admittedly, it was only a suggestion from one of those think-tanks which had, no doubt, been told to engage in some blue-sky thinking. But Tory leader Nick Bourne, sitting for Mid and West – where a host of small towns could easily be adversely affected – seemed in no hurry to reject the idea. Although he poured cold water on the break-up suggestion, he quickly followed by emphasising the problems supermarkets could bring. Although Mr Bourne did drop in a mention of the advantages … ”We do need to mention the dangers of supermarkets. But they do have their good sides.,” he said. Mr Bourne emphasized that the problem is very much international. But he failed to come up with the point I noticed in a book review a couple of days ago. One country which has dealt with the problem much better than Britain is Germany. Presumably, in that country, Aldi and Lidl have not gained the massive power which currently accrues to Tesco in Britain. You can be sure that in the massively-overcentralised state that is Britain, the closest and mostpowerful of links exist between individuals on the main board of Tesco and politicians at the top of both the Labour and Tory parties. It was because of such links that the comments by Mr Bourne were so surprising. But then the Welsh Tories are almost left-of-centre. Kirsty Williams, when told of Mr Bourne’s comments, commented that she was glad that the Tories were catching up with a Lib Dem policy that was eight years old. As a farmer’s wife living in rural Brecon , she quickly listed the host of problems with Tesco and their ilk cause. The basic one is that they are so big, and many of their suppliers are small. Lack of equity between the two sides was a major problem. The little men were unable or afraid to complain about their treatment because of fear of losing contracts. A supermarkets ombudsman would be a first step in reform. And what about breaking up – “An ombudsman is the first step,” she said.

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#1 Pingback By automobile accessory power | Monsoonshield Coachwork Design On February 26, 2010 @ 1:41 am [...] The Tories and how to curb Tesco | CAMBRIA POLITICO [...]

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Lib Dems s**t rather than glory » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Lib Dems s**t rather than glory Posted By cambriapolitico On February 27, 2010 @ 7:21 pm In Welsh Politics | 1 Comment

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PLENTY OF doubts among the press as the Assembly resumes after its half-term break about Plaids strategy for its Westminster election campaign, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

What a great way to gain votes, by campaigning for a hung parliament, party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones argues. Although some of the press add an exclamation mark, in surprise. Interestingly, that strategy is the precise opposite of that being followed by Kirsty Williams and the Lib Dems. KIrsty had to put up with a bit of semi-barracking during her press briefing from journalists who demanded to know with which party her party would link after the election due shortly. Her line was simple. Our aim is to get as many MPs elected as possible. In Wales, that means to hold the current three, and to add Swansea West and Newport East. As for a post-election coalition, that issue rests “in the hands of the people” – in other words, in where they put their votes. Behind that line lies the statement that a crucial issue in deciding which way the Lib Dems should swing is the movement in how the votes are cast. In other words, the numbers of MPs elected for each party could fail to reflect the trend of voters’ intentions; and this the Lib Dems might not go the “obvious” way. Kirsty then reflected on the problems which followed the last Welsh general election. At that time, careful discussions led to the negotiation of a Plaid – Conservative – Lib Dem coalition. Until, that is, Lib Dem leaders met in Llandrindod. That conflab was lobbied by a demonstration, with Kirsty and Lembit Opik (MP for Montgomery) dominant, urging that the agreement be thrown out. Which it was. This was to the absolute fury of the party’s sensible wing, prominent among them Mike German and Jenny Randerson – both, of course, former ministers in a previous coalition, and expecting, with good reason, similar jobs in the next. Kirsty’s reflection this week on those happenings was most revealing. She said, “We didn’t cover ourselves in glory.” Indeed, indeed, as the Sensible Wing said afterwards. Ieuan’s position in those Assembly plans was, of course, that he would have become First Minister. Ieuan’s current argument in favour of a coalition at Westminster (or “hung parliament”, as he would have it) is that his party would avoid a coalition, but use its votes in support of the “best” policies for Wales – in particular, the extension of powers to the Assembly to rectify the current incomprehensible cat’s cradle that Cardiff is saddled with.

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#1 Comment By AlunCymru On March 1, 2010 @ 5:22 pm Lib Dems have 4 MPs not 3. The agreement wasn’t “thrown out”, it was a tied vote. Which is an altogether different kind of farce. Which they then reversed with a conference vote two days hence. Still farcical though but at least that’s the real facts.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » A farrago from Farage » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

A farrago from Farage Posted By cambriapolitico On February 27, 2010 @ 9:45 pm In Welsh Politics | 2 Comments

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WE ALL know that the United Kingdom Independence Party are a load of incompetent idiots, with their belief that devolution was forced on Wales by order of the European Union, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

Apparently, Brussels was intent on breaking up the UK as part of a grand plan to replace nation states with regions that would be beholden to what they call a new superstate in Europe. Of course, as the UKIP contains within its membership a strong core of right-wing thatcherites, they would be unlikely to accept that the Welsh revolt against thatcherism had a lot to do with reason for and size of the Welsh devolution vote. As I can’t think of any UKIP members in Wales who had in the years before 1997 any interest in Wales – apart from believing it to be a region of England – they would hardly possess any knowledge of the situation at that time. I see that this week that party’s former leader has now reinforced the view that the UKIP is a load of incompetent idiots. Talking about the EU’s new president, Herman van Rompuy, Mr Farage said the former prime minister of Belgium headed a “non-country”. As The Independent wrote, “The view that Belgium is a ‘non-country’ is taken seriously by Eurosceptics both in UKIP and on the right wing of the Conservative Party. They argue that there is no Belgian nation but only separate groups of French speakers and Dutch speakers living in an artificial kingdom who do not have the same patriotic objections that the British would have to seeing their country absorbed in an EU superstate.” Mr Farage has clearly heard something about the problems of Belgium. But perhaps the UKIP leader should try to examine the UK outside his beloved London-dominated South East England which he currently represents. He revels in Belgium’s problems. What about those afflicting his beloved UK ? After all, it’s not longer the UK of a century ago. What about the 26 counties which walked out after 1915 ? What about the remaining six in Ireland, where a substantial minority are still determined to depart, and are only kept tied to London’s apron strings by a political “settlement” which hardly seems very settled (although you won’t read about that in the London press). And what about all the counties of North Britain. Is it true that the authorities up there are thinking about a referendum on leaving, as well ? And what about the counties of Wales - a country too unimportant ever to be accorded the title of West Britain. Of course, the West Britons are the ONLY true Britons. Those uninvited German immigrants simply stole the name, because they wanted to lock into something grander than themselves. Dear me, Mr Farage, your party tries to represent a Kingdom. But really it’s not much more than a dukedom. You should rename your party the Disunited Kingdom Independence Party. Then we’d all know that you were an honourable man with a deep belief in the truth.

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#1 Pingback By Regions and the EU « Cosmetic Uprise – UK and the EU On February 28, 2010 @ 12:23 am

http://cambriapolitico.com/2010/02/a-farrago-from-mr-farage-about-wales-and-the-d-uk/print/[24/03/2010 20:28:14]

CAMBRIA POLITICO » A farrago from Farage » Print [...] night Farage appeared on Question Time filmed in Cardiff. So I was delighted to see that at least one blog had taken the time to write about the Welsh aspect. Whilst rather… crude in their writing, [...] #2 Comment By D. Enw On February 28, 2010 @ 4:57 pm I agree with Farrage, Belgium is a non-country. As a Welsh nationalist I also think the UK is a non-country too. It’s no skin off my nose, but, if pressed, I’d be very happy to see Flanders declare independence – why, as a Welsh nationalist would I want to keep Belgium united? The peaceful splitting up Belgium would be a precident for outselves, Basques, Catalans, Scots, Bretons etc that you could have a dozen or so other independent states withing the EU (internal enlargement) with no blood-spilling, nor great problems. It van Rompuoy can’t take some strong comments and if politicians can’t make them, then it’s a sad indicement on European democracy.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Tories demand a re-think on Barnett, and blame the Scots » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Tories demand a re-think on Barnett, and blame the Scots Posted By cambriapolitico On March 20, 2010 @ 1:18 pm In Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Politics | No Comments

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BLAME THE Scots for the fact that the Barnett formula has not changed, despite it being so out-of-date and its failure to ensure that Westminster tax money fails to be sent to the areas which deserve it most of all, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

That was the line from Nick Bourne, leader of the Welsh Tories. Wales would get about an extra £1bn per year. But it would be at the expense of the Scots. You can spy behind the comments the name of the Scot who is causing the trouble. Surely no less than the Prime Minister Mr Brown, a person with whom Mr Bourne, you can be sure, is seldom in agreement. And of course there is a second person who would complain, Mr Bourne reminds us. That is the First Minister in Edinburgh. And – being SNP – he’d no doubt make a hell of a rumpus. But it’s good to note that the Tories have thought quite deeply about the issue. And that they’ve come to the sort of conclusion which has been around for some time. Even if those comments about the SNP will not often be voiced aloud by Plaid in Wales.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Hands off the councils, warns Jane » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Hands off the councils, warns Jane Posted By cambriapolitico On March 20, 2010 @ 1:48 pm In Welsh Politics | No Comments

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HOW IS the Assembly going to save sufficient money to overcome the current economic crisis ? Could the problem be solved by axing some of the 22 local authorities in Wales, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery ?

The suggestion was roughly demolished by environment minister Jane Davidson, as she dealt with one of the big-cuts suggestions currently being aired. It is often remarked that the Welsh unitary councils are much smaller than local authorities in England. It is sometimes said by even experts in Wales that some of them are too small – Ebbw Vale (they call it Blaenau Gwent nowadays) and Merthyr are instanced. But environment minister Ms Davidson was having none of it. For the last year of its existence, she was a member of Cardiff City Council. And it seems she reckons she was wasting her time in City Hall. For the last year of the old situation, and the first year of the new South Glamorgan County Council nothing got done. Everyone was preparing for change, or starting up a new system. A “huge amount of money” was spent in this way. “For two years, nothing happened,” she said. I don’t know whether the journalists who asked the question are quietly leading into a campaign to chop councils. But the issue had been answered earlier by Ms Davidson in the weekly cabinet briefing. For several years, the Assembly government has been emphasising the importance of co-operation between public organisations in order to reduce costs. Ever-concerned about criticism over too many high-salaried executives, the government has been putting much thought and energy into cutting down barriers which hinder co-operation. And in setting up the arrangements which assist. A new board has been set up to bring together the heads of public organisations and was, as Ms Davidson spoke, about to hold its first meeting. If talking could solve all our problems, there would be none left. We are doing the talking. Now it is necessary to ensure that action follows.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Give Jane Carwyn’s job » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Give Jane Carwyn’s job Posted By cambriapolitico On March 21, 2010 @ 10:21 pm In Welsh Politics | No Comments

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JANE IS the First Minister we never had, but should have writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

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Ms Davidson is regrettably retiring at the next election, which means she has reached currently the highest position she will ever occupy in Welsh governance. But her performance when she took the week’s cabinet briefing for the press indicates she would have been a strong contender for the top job – had she been willing to try for it. Indeed, it could be said that she would have been better than the man who recently ascended to the big office on the fifth floor. Why ? Because perhaps she lacks the cynicism which sometimes creeps into what Carwyn Jones says. Also, because she refuses to be so over-political in a way that regrettably comes as second natures to so many British politicians. Of course, it helps that she occupies a department where it is easier to find the high ground and to occupy it – sustainability. When Ms Davidson was, prior to the election, looking after education, she managed to slip into a managerial mode when talking about what she was planning. Managerial and evangelical. But most of all, enthusiastic. Ditto, when it comes to sustainability. But even more so. Within 15 years, Wales would be able to generate from renewables – particularly wind, much of it off-shore – more than twice its entire energy use. Having dealt with that, the minister then proceeded to the stunt – well, I suppose we have to call it that – which involves giving out bags in a Welsh shopping centre as part of the lead-up to the consultation shortly to be introduced into the Welsh law which will state how much should be charged for each plastic bag given out by supermarkets. Now, this is something about which we have heard very little from our Welsh press. But then our main Welsh paper – the dearly-loved Western Mail – seems much more concerned with what’s going wrong with the Assembly, and with politicking between individuals, than with telling us about what can really concern us. Although no doubt they wouldn’t agree. And then there’s Ms Davidson on her coming trip to the very appropriately-named Bryn Oer on the mountain ridge above Tredegar to plant the start of a new Welsh forest to enable us to deal with our pollution problem. When the minister can even get enthusiastic about a consultation on possible changes to planning laws, we start to realise the loss the Assembly will suffer at the 2011 election. Except some of us already know. You don’t get listed by one of our English-national newspapers as one of the top 100 people in the UK in the sphere you are occupying unless there’s something special about you. Ms Davidson managed that with the Independent one week.

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CAMBRIA POLITICO » Kirsty on Welsh Assembly coalition » Print - CAMBRIA POLITICO - http://cambriapolitico.com -

Kirsty on Welsh Assembly coalition Posted By cambriapolitico On March 24, 2010 @ 8:00 pm In Welsh LibDem, Welsh Politics | No Comments

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EVERYONE IS talking nowadays about coalitions, and Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams seems to reckons she has learnt more about creating them than most politicians, writes Clive Betts from the Assembly press gallery.

“I have no intention of getting into the same situation as last time,” said Ms Williams as she discussed how this novelty- except in Wales, Scotland and, of course, the once-British Ireland – of our governmental system should be dealt with. The issue has arisen, of course, because of political readings which say Westminster will produce a hung Parliament after this summer’s election. “Last time” for Kirsty was immediately following the last Assembly poll, when the Welsh Lib Dems careered off in the opposite direction to that favoured by the party’s then-leader, Mike German. New arrangements will have to be adopted for the future, Ms Williams is saying now. After all, coalitions will almost certainly be the norm in Welsh politics for quite some time – until some other party than Labour achieve the dominance that Labour is currently losing. Ms Williams seems to be thinking of upgrading the role of both the party leader – currently, of course, herself – and of the party group. Perhaps, it was mused to her at her party’s weekly press briefing, the next party conference in the autumn is the time to achieve that. Presumably, by changing the constitution. But the leader’s comment was not nearly so clear-cut. She spoke, instead, of a “better understanding” between the leader and the party’s grassroots. But what in reality does that mean ? An understanding which ends in another misunderstanding, perhaps ? Kirsty ended up – “The party will get better at dealing with the situation,” she commented. Actually, she tried to make that seem a blunt statement with which no-one can disagree. Which, unfortunately, it wasn’t.

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