Just when you thought politics could surprise you no more, an e-mail from the Wales Office drops into the inbox.
Not only is Paul Murphy, in his second incarnation as Secretary of State, expressing an interest in sport, he has also started issuing press releases featuring Welsh quotes.
Ok, so it's only "pob lwc bois!", a goodwill message ahead of tomorrow's match at Twickenham, but this is something of a breakthrough.
As Paul Flynn reports on his blog, "An MP once did a party charade in which he invited others to guess ‘Who am I?’ He then opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish, shifted from one foot to the other while gazing at the ceiling. The answer to this conundrum was ‘Paul Murphy, singing the Welsh National Anthem’."
The interest in sport is also something of a departure. Mr Murphy has previously been heard to enquire, during the middle of a heavily reported World Cup, why drivers in London had attached small English flags to their vehicles.
Friday, 1 February 2008
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Off the rails
Today's Western Mail has an interesting feature on favourite childhood toys.
Two politicians feature - both Conservatives, Nick Bourne AM and David Davies MP.
Both say their favourite childhood toy was a train set.
Nick Bourne says it reflects his lifelong passion for trains and railway travel.
David Davies is perhaps more revealing: "I liked setting up crashes on it. I was a destructive little boy....
"I got fed up with it when I was about 15 and I started to take bits of it to the second hand shop for money to spend on less wholesome activities."
Little wonder perhaps that David Davies grew up to be a Conservative MP when he was already privatising his train set at the age of 15.
Two politicians feature - both Conservatives, Nick Bourne AM and David Davies MP.
Both say their favourite childhood toy was a train set.
Nick Bourne says it reflects his lifelong passion for trains and railway travel.
David Davies is perhaps more revealing: "I liked setting up crashes on it. I was a destructive little boy....
"I got fed up with it when I was about 15 and I started to take bits of it to the second hand shop for money to spend on less wholesome activities."
Little wonder perhaps that David Davies grew up to be a Conservative MP when he was already privatising his train set at the age of 15.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Mr Digital Inclusion
Gordon Brown has just been put on the spot over his Cabinet reshuffle at Question Time.
Tory backbencher Ben Wallace wanted to know why Wales now has a full-time Secretary of State whereas the Ministry of Defence and Scotland share one Cabinet Minister.
The answer? Paul Murphy will actually be rather busy with lots of other jobs (I paraphrase Mr Brown).
Tory backbencher Ben Wallace wanted to know why Wales now has a full-time Secretary of State whereas the Ministry of Defence and Scotland share one Cabinet Minister.
The answer? Paul Murphy will actually be rather busy with lots of other jobs (I paraphrase Mr Brown).
Besides chairing the cabinet committee on local government and the regions, and supervising the British-Irish council, Mr Murphy is also "Minister for Digital Inclusion".
This may raise the odd eyebrow among those who believe the Welsh Secretary is rather more at home with a fountain pen than a Blackberry.
This may raise the odd eyebrow among those who believe the Welsh Secretary is rather more at home with a fountain pen than a Blackberry.
Looks straightforward enough to me.....
One of the reasons Elfyn Llwyd is cool on the idea of an early referendum to give the Assembly full law-making powers is that he feels the current system needs to bed down first and is rather complicated.
Fortunately, this diagram from the House of Lords Constitution Committee should allay his fears.
Elfynometer temperature rising
If Plaid Cymru AMs feel their ears burning it may be because the party's parliamentary leader has been briefing the media at Westminster.
Elfyn Llwyd's message - don't rush into an early referendum to give the Welsh Assembly full law-making powers.
"I personally believe we need to get this system working - and get this legislation flowing through with proper scrutiny.
"Rushing through and saying it has got to be a referendum in 2011 - I don't actually sign up to that. I prefer to concentrate now on making sure the legislative process works without a hitch. That's the priority."
He added: "I don't think it's useful talking about it every five minutes. We are not referendumites, we are legislators."
Elfyn Llwyd may not have signed up to a referendum in or before 2011, but his party has. He did acknowledge that he may get one or two phone calls from Cardiff later today.
Elfyn Llwyd's message - don't rush into an early referendum to give the Welsh Assembly full law-making powers.
"I personally believe we need to get this system working - and get this legislation flowing through with proper scrutiny.
"Rushing through and saying it has got to be a referendum in 2011 - I don't actually sign up to that. I prefer to concentrate now on making sure the legislative process works without a hitch. That's the priority."
He added: "I don't think it's useful talking about it every five minutes. We are not referendumites, we are legislators."
Elfyn Llwyd may not have signed up to a referendum in or before 2011, but his party has. He did acknowledge that he may get one or two phone calls from Cardiff later today.
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
The future's not bright.....
Peter Hain spent years fighting apartheid. He spent years trying to get elected to Parliament. He's written dozens of books and pamphlets on politics.
He's spent the last 10 years in government - in big departments like the DTI, the Foreign Office and the Department for Work and Pensions (whose budget is 9 times that of the Welsh Assembly). He was Northern Ireland Secretary when devolution was restored to Belfast.
So he'll be really chuffed to discover that Glyn Davies thinks he'll want to spend his twilight years as AM for Neath.
It may look like promotion from Berriew, it certainly doesn't from Westminster, where Hain is still an MP.
Glyn advises us to remember: "You heard it here first".
We will, Glyn, we will.
He's spent the last 10 years in government - in big departments like the DTI, the Foreign Office and the Department for Work and Pensions (whose budget is 9 times that of the Welsh Assembly). He was Northern Ireland Secretary when devolution was restored to Belfast.
So he'll be really chuffed to discover that Glyn Davies thinks he'll want to spend his twilight years as AM for Neath.
It may look like promotion from Berriew, it certainly doesn't from Westminster, where Hain is still an MP.
Glyn advises us to remember: "You heard it here first".
We will, Glyn, we will.
Equal opportunities employers
Employing your spouse or child isn't against parliamentary rules - unless they receive taxpayers' money in return for doing nothing, as Derek Conway has discovered.
Employing family members is fairly common among "honourable members" although most would surely employ staff capable of remembering the name of their Dad's constituency secretary. (Something young Freddie Conway was incapable of doing).
Conway took Ted Heath's old seat of Old Bexley and Sidcup but in a previous incarnation was MP for Shrewsbury - and for three years parliamentary private secretary to Wyn Roberts when he was Minister of State at the Welsh Office.
MPs do not have to declare employment of family members in any parliamentary register so it is impossible to discover how widespread the practice is.
It's far easier in Cardiff Bay, where the rules on declaraion appear to be stricter. The last time I checked the register of AMs' interests no fewer than a quarter of Assembly Members did or had employed members of their families.
Employing family members is fairly common among "honourable members" although most would surely employ staff capable of remembering the name of their Dad's constituency secretary. (Something young Freddie Conway was incapable of doing).
Conway took Ted Heath's old seat of Old Bexley and Sidcup but in a previous incarnation was MP for Shrewsbury - and for three years parliamentary private secretary to Wyn Roberts when he was Minister of State at the Welsh Office.
MPs do not have to declare employment of family members in any parliamentary register so it is impossible to discover how widespread the practice is.
It's far easier in Cardiff Bay, where the rules on declaraion appear to be stricter. The last time I checked the register of AMs' interests no fewer than a quarter of Assembly Members did or had employed members of their families.
Joy as housing is more affordable
Now there's a headline you won't read in tomorrow's Daily Mail/Express.
Official figures - from the Land Registry - show that house prices in England and Wales fell by 0.4 per cent during December.
Good news then for all those first-time buyers, the teachers and other public servants who can't afford to live in the communities they serve.
Not that the news will be reported in quite that way as the media reflect the impact on those of us lucky enough to own/buy our own homes, who will be feeling poorer on paper.
The British psychology on house prices has always puzzled me. An otherwise bright colleague felt very pleased having made tens of thousands of pounds on his home in Cardiff in three years, seemingly oblivious to the higher cost of the home to which he had just traded up.
A sticky market may be bad news for some parts of the economy, and those home-buyers who have over-stretched themselves and face negative equity, but there are many others for whom
falling prices will mean access to affordable housing for the first time.
Official figures - from the Land Registry - show that house prices in England and Wales fell by 0.4 per cent during December.
Good news then for all those first-time buyers, the teachers and other public servants who can't afford to live in the communities they serve.
Not that the news will be reported in quite that way as the media reflect the impact on those of us lucky enough to own/buy our own homes, who will be feeling poorer on paper.
The British psychology on house prices has always puzzled me. An otherwise bright colleague felt very pleased having made tens of thousands of pounds on his home in Cardiff in three years, seemingly oblivious to the higher cost of the home to which he had just traded up.
A sticky market may be bad news for some parts of the economy, and those home-buyers who have over-stretched themselves and face negative equity, but there are many others for whom
falling prices will mean access to affordable housing for the first time.
Monday, 28 January 2008
Murphy's Lore
Refreshed by a first weekend off in three, I've been browsing through the thoughts of the new Secretary of State for Wales, the better to understand Paul Murphy's politics.
He delivered his most recent speech on Welsh affairs during the Welsh Grand Committee last month.
There are some interesting views on the propensity of (some) politicians to obsess on constitutional issues - and a warning or two about proposed legislation on both housing and the Welsh language. He also believes orders to allow the Welsh Assembly to legislate should not simply be rubber-stamped in Westminster.
Here are a few random quotes:
"I have been trying to work out whether or not I am a devo-sceptic and I have come to the conclusion that I am not. In 1978, I was a devo-opponent, and in 1997 I voted for devolution. My constituents agreed with me in 1978, but they did not agree with me in 1997, because they voted against a Welsh Assembly on both occasions. However, I would rather describe myself as a devo-realist, in the sense that what is here is here. I am not all that keen on a coalition in Cardiff, but we are where we are, and we have to work in the current political climate for the benefit of the people whom we represent, whether we are Members of Parliament, Assembly Members or members of local authorities."
He delivered his most recent speech on Welsh affairs during the Welsh Grand Committee last month.
There are some interesting views on the propensity of (some) politicians to obsess on constitutional issues - and a warning or two about proposed legislation on both housing and the Welsh language. He also believes orders to allow the Welsh Assembly to legislate should not simply be rubber-stamped in Westminster.
Here are a few random quotes:
"I have been trying to work out whether or not I am a devo-sceptic and I have come to the conclusion that I am not. In 1978, I was a devo-opponent, and in 1997 I voted for devolution. My constituents agreed with me in 1978, but they did not agree with me in 1997, because they voted against a Welsh Assembly on both occasions. However, I would rather describe myself as a devo-realist, in the sense that what is here is here. I am not all that keen on a coalition in Cardiff, but we are where we are, and we have to work in the current political climate for the benefit of the people whom we represent, whether we are Members of Parliament, Assembly Members or members of local authorities."
"I repeat the point that I have made in previous meetings that any clamour for constitutional change passes by my constituents. I have received two letters about the constitutional arrangements in Wales in the past year, both of which opposed them, but that is all that I have had. No one rings me up, e-mails me, writes to me or stops me in the street about that issue, but they do so regarding the issues that I have just mentioned, which are the services that we are all pledged to improve."
"We must take great care that we do not become a little bit too obsessed with identity and nationhood. I do not have to look in the mirror every quarter of an hour to remind myself that I am a Welshman-I am, and I am proud of it. At the same time, however, I know that what my constituents expect of me is an improvement in their lives. I believe that the arrangement that we have got, whereby our Assembly deals with certain issues in Cardiff and we share responsibility with it here in Parliament, is a good arrangement for improving our constituents' lives."
"I do not believe for one second that we should be rubber-stamping LCOs or legislation for devolution, because we would not be doing our job as Members of this Parliament. We must scrutinise such matters properly for the purpose of correctness, certainly, but also to establish whether we think that there is a case to be made for the particular powers, whatever they might be, to be devolved to the National Assembly."
"I think that, overwhelmingly, most LCOs, when they come here, will be passed without too much fuss. However, there may be occasions when things are a bit more controversial, and I will cite two LCOs as examples. I think that the LCO that deals with the ending of the sale of council houses will produce controversy. For the past two decades in Wales, the fact that houses have been sold by local authorities has meant that people in Wales, by becoming home owners, have improved their lot."
"The other issue, of course, is the Welsh language, responsibility for which is shared between those of us in Westminster, where it is a reserve power, and Members of the Welsh Assembly, who have a great interest in the importance of the Welsh language. Historically, the issue has been enormously controversial, and it has to be handled sensitively. Many hon. Members who represent Welsh constituencies would be deeply troubled if an extension to the Welsh Language Act 1993 disadvantaged private companies, for example. We cannot afford for companies not to come to Wales because of potentially prohibitive Welsh language legislation We cannot afford to lose companies in Wales that might use the excuse of Welsh language provisions to leave our Welsh people."
You can read more of his thoughts here.
Friday, 25 January 2008
One humdinger
"One humdinger of a day" - Paul Murphy's verdict on the departure of Peter Hain and his return to the Wales Office.
The new Secretary of State says to say that he was surprised by the 4pm call from Gordon Brown was a major understatement.
Asked, inevitably, about the prospect of an early referendum to give the Welsh Assembly more power, he played a straight bat: "I don't think it is something that exercises the daily brain cells of my constituents but it is an issue we have to address."
That will be a revelation to those people in Torfaen who devote their waking hours to the legislative process, the Barnett formula and legislative competence orders.
Like his predecessor, he doesn't believe that referendum will be held before the next general election, which has to be held by June 2010.
"I think that constitutional issues are very important but I think we need to concentrate on what people think out there in Wales are important and that is talking about public services and how we can give them the best deal.
"There is a tendency among politicians of all parties to think about constitutional issues as being important as they live with them all the time and of course I'm not underestimating that.
But we mustn't keep our eye off the ball and forget that people in Wales do want us to see their lives improved with the responsibilities we currently have."
The new Secretary of State says to say that he was surprised by the 4pm call from Gordon Brown was a major understatement.
Asked, inevitably, about the prospect of an early referendum to give the Welsh Assembly more power, he played a straight bat: "I don't think it is something that exercises the daily brain cells of my constituents but it is an issue we have to address."
That will be a revelation to those people in Torfaen who devote their waking hours to the legislative process, the Barnett formula and legislative competence orders.
Like his predecessor, he doesn't believe that referendum will be held before the next general election, which has to be held by June 2010.
"I think that constitutional issues are very important but I think we need to concentrate on what people think out there in Wales are important and that is talking about public services and how we can give them the best deal.
"There is a tendency among politicians of all parties to think about constitutional issues as being important as they live with them all the time and of course I'm not underestimating that.
But we mustn't keep our eye off the ball and forget that people in Wales do want us to see their lives improved with the responsibilities we currently have."
Snub to Wales?
Gordon Brown is in Davos today at the World Economic Forum - a chance to tick off another "cities I've visited" on the tripadvisor section of his Facebook profile.
Switzerland today, India and China last week, Iraq before Christmas, Scotland for the four-hour summer holiday, Lisbon for that brief Treaty signing, Kabul to rally the troops, Washington, Gloucestershire for the floods.
Have I left anywhere out? Possibly. There's one corner of the UK that the PM who stresses Britishness has yet to visit during his 7 months in the job.
Monmouth Tory MP David Davies has been thinking along similar lines - here's his parliamentary question and the Prime Minister's reply.
David Davies: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has visited (a) Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Liverpool and (d) London since his appointment.
Gordon Brown: A list of my UK visits will be published in the usual way following the end of the financial year.
The financial year ends at the beginning of April, by when Mr Brown may have found time to visit Wales. Despite the departure of Peter Hain, the PM is still expected at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno next month.
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Seven years are a long time in politics
Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones (2001):
"Paul Murphy is clearly out of touch with the growing feeling in Wales, and within his own party in the National Assembly. Those of us who have to work within the current settlement see its obvious flaws and a growing number of Labour AMs are coming out to support a law-making Parliament, because they are frustrated at the Assembly's failure to deliver in key policy areas. Paul Murphy and the 'dinosaur tendency' in the Labour Party are being left behind in this debate.?
Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones (2008):
"I welcome Paul Murphy's appointment and look forward to working with him. His role will be pivotal in steering the Welsh Assembly Government's bids for the right to legislate through Westminster and in working with us to deliver the One Wales programme of Government."
"Paul Murphy is clearly out of touch with the growing feeling in Wales, and within his own party in the National Assembly. Those of us who have to work within the current settlement see its obvious flaws and a growing number of Labour AMs are coming out to support a law-making Parliament, because they are frustrated at the Assembly's failure to deliver in key policy areas. Paul Murphy and the 'dinosaur tendency' in the Labour Party are being left behind in this debate.?
Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones (2008):
"I welcome Paul Murphy's appointment and look forward to working with him. His role will be pivotal in steering the Welsh Assembly Government's bids for the right to legislate through Westminster and in working with us to deliver the One Wales programme of Government."
Back to the future
Well, it is Paul Murphy - and he will be full-time (and paid).
Wales now has a full-time Secretary of State (unlike Scotland, or Defence).
Paul Murphy is not known for his love of devolution or an enthusiast for coalitions with Plaid Cymru.
He's a diplomat; he'll need to be.
Wales now has a full-time Secretary of State (unlike Scotland, or Defence).
Paul Murphy is not known for his love of devolution or an enthusiast for coalitions with Plaid Cymru.
He's a diplomat; he'll need to be.
Hain: runners and riders
Who replaces Peter Hain as Welsh Secretary?
There are no longer any Welsh MPs in the Cabinet. So what to do?
Kim Howells and David Hanson are the highest-ranking Welsh MPs outside the Cabinet.
Kevin Brennan, despite strong Brownite links, and Huw Irranca-Davies are junior Ministers further away from the top table.
Whoever gets the job it is unlikely to be a full-time role and it won't necessarily be an MP from Wales.
This could be the time that Gordon Brown finally decides to merge the Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Offices into a Secretary of State for the Nations. Paul Murphy as a comeback caretaker, anyone?
That could also relieve the pressure on Mr Brown from having a part-time Defence Secretary.
Blogging may be a little light this afternoon. Work to do.
There are no longer any Welsh MPs in the Cabinet. So what to do?
Kim Howells and David Hanson are the highest-ranking Welsh MPs outside the Cabinet.
Kevin Brennan, despite strong Brownite links, and Huw Irranca-Davies are junior Ministers further away from the top table.
Whoever gets the job it is unlikely to be a full-time role and it won't necessarily be an MP from Wales.
This could be the time that Gordon Brown finally decides to merge the Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Offices into a Secretary of State for the Nations. Paul Murphy as a comeback caretaker, anyone?
That could also relieve the pressure on Mr Brown from having a part-time Defence Secretary.
Blogging may be a little light this afternoon. Work to do.
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
The Iron Filing - The Thatcher Archive
The sight of all those youthful-looking police on the streets is, of course, guaranteed to make anyone feel old.
There are other signs of ageing. Catching the last train back to my hotel in Cardiff some time ago, it suddenly dawned on me that almost every other passenger was just going out for the evening rather than rushing home to fall asleep in front of Match of the Day.
Here's another sign you're getting on a bit: a footnote to a footnote to an historical figure.
According to the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, and who I am to disagree, I spent June 4, 1990 (when some of today's MPs were in school) interviewing the then Prime Minister.
It was a slightly surreal occasion, an hour one-to-one with one of the political giants of the 20th Century for a rather nervous, spotty hack.
She was slightly scary, although she did sort of apologise afterwards for a handbagging generated by some questions that gently suggested not everything in the garden was rosy.
The "Importance: Major" ranking has been added by officials. The best line from the interview was that she did not plan an early election (1991) but was thinking beyond that.
She was, of course, out of a job within five months of our interview, although that is probably a coincidence.
She may have been an ultra-divisive Prime Minister, but you have to admit she appears to have been very conscientious with the filing.
There are other signs of ageing. Catching the last train back to my hotel in Cardiff some time ago, it suddenly dawned on me that almost every other passenger was just going out for the evening rather than rushing home to fall asleep in front of Match of the Day.
Here's another sign you're getting on a bit: a footnote to a footnote to an historical figure.
According to the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, and who I am to disagree, I spent June 4, 1990 (when some of today's MPs were in school) interviewing the then Prime Minister.
It was a slightly surreal occasion, an hour one-to-one with one of the political giants of the 20th Century for a rather nervous, spotty hack.
She was slightly scary, although she did sort of apologise afterwards for a handbagging generated by some questions that gently suggested not everything in the garden was rosy.
The "Importance: Major" ranking has been added by officials. The best line from the interview was that she did not plan an early election (1991) but was thinking beyond that.
She was, of course, out of a job within five months of our interview, although that is probably a coincidence.
She may have been an ultra-divisive Prime Minister, but you have to admit she appears to have been very conscientious with the filing.
'Ello, 'ello, 'ello
I haven't seen so many police on the streets since, ooh I don't know when.
The Police Federation estimates that more than 18,000 officers and their supporters took the day off to march the streets of London in protest at their pay rise.
Not all those marching were officers taking time off from catching criminals. I spotted one Welsh lobbyist (sorry, "public affairs consultant") marching in the crowd.
Even the Police Federation, it seems, can't put their own case in our democracy without paying someone else for advice on how to get their message across.
The Police Federation estimates that more than 18,000 officers and their supporters took the day off to march the streets of London in protest at their pay rise.
Not all those marching were officers taking time off from catching criminals. I spotted one Welsh lobbyist (sorry, "public affairs consultant") marching in the crowd.
Even the Police Federation, it seems, can't put their own case in our democracy without paying someone else for advice on how to get their message across.
It's our party - but we won't be there
An invitation pops into the inbox - come to the first of a series of regular briefings with North Wales Labour MPs in Portcullis House at Westminster.
"I'm sure it will prove useful" says the invite, temptingly.
Media diaries are re-arranged to make it happen. Six reporters gather at the appointed hour - 0930.
We came - they didn't. Not a single MP turned up.
Don't worry - they were probably busy running the country.
"I'm sure it will prove useful" says the invite, temptingly.
Media diaries are re-arranged to make it happen. Six reporters gather at the appointed hour - 0930.
We came - they didn't. Not a single MP turned up.
Don't worry - they were probably busy running the country.
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
Here to Help
We hacks are not just here for the nasty things in life - asking politicians awkward questions about what they get up to in our name and so on.
No, absolutely not. So when a Conservative MP turned up in the BBC Westminster studios for a pre-arranged interview under the assumption that the interview was for radio - and definitely dressed down for the wireless - we sprang into action.
Tune in to am.pm on BBC 2 Wales tomorrow and see if you can spot which politician is wearing my suit jacket.
(In the interests of balance, this offer is also available to politicians from other parties, subject to fitting).
No, absolutely not. So when a Conservative MP turned up in the BBC Westminster studios for a pre-arranged interview under the assumption that the interview was for radio - and definitely dressed down for the wireless - we sprang into action.
Tune in to am.pm on BBC 2 Wales tomorrow and see if you can spot which politician is wearing my suit jacket.
(In the interests of balance, this offer is also available to politicians from other parties, subject to fitting).
Going global
At Westminster, the Welsh affairs select committee's inquiry into globalisation continues apace("today the world, tomorrow Wales!") with a current focus on broadcasting.
Up for a grilling today, bigwigs from S4C.
Ceredigion MP Mark Williams was keen to know how large an audience the channel's gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Welsh Assembly had pulled in.
"Fairly low" was the considered response of S4C chair John Walter Jones, prompting one or two uncomradely chortles from MPs on the committee. (Not that programmes from Westminster are exactly ratings winners).
Mr Jones explained that audience size wasn't really the point. "It isn't a question of viewing figures, I think, in terms of broadcasting the National Assembly I think it is a service in terms of democracy in Wales and the growth of devolution as a project in Wales and I think that everyone, including S4C, has a duty at some point in advancing devolution as a concept in Wales."
Mr Williams was happy with that response - "I think we would all agree on that very strongly" - although not all MPs would agree that it is the role of broadcasters to "advance devolution as a concept".
Up for a grilling today, bigwigs from S4C.
Ceredigion MP Mark Williams was keen to know how large an audience the channel's gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Welsh Assembly had pulled in.
"Fairly low" was the considered response of S4C chair John Walter Jones, prompting one or two uncomradely chortles from MPs on the committee. (Not that programmes from Westminster are exactly ratings winners).
Mr Jones explained that audience size wasn't really the point. "It isn't a question of viewing figures, I think, in terms of broadcasting the National Assembly I think it is a service in terms of democracy in Wales and the growth of devolution as a project in Wales and I think that everyone, including S4C, has a duty at some point in advancing devolution as a concept in Wales."
Mr Williams was happy with that response - "I think we would all agree on that very strongly" - although not all MPs would agree that it is the role of broadcasters to "advance devolution as a concept".
Watching the watchdog
As announced some time ago, Glyn Mathias has stepped down as an electoral commissioner and been replaced by Ian Kelsall.
Hopefully, the electoral commission will update its website with this news shortly, lest a mischievous MP report the watchdog for making a late declaration.
UPDATE: As if by magic, by complete coincidence, the website has now (1300, January 22) been updated.
Hopefully, the electoral commission will update its website with this news shortly, lest a mischievous MP report the watchdog for making a late declaration.
UPDATE: As if by magic, by complete coincidence, the website has now (1300, January 22) been updated.
Monday, 21 January 2008
Scouse nous
The investment arm of the Dubai Government is said to be considering a bid for the sixth best (at time of writing) football club in England.
Where is the old-style Welsh Development Agency when you need it?
Some consider Liverpool to be the capital of North Wales. Some sacrifices from the Welsh Assembly Government budget might have to be made but for £500m it could be a snip....
It might look like a lot of money, but if things got tight they could flog off Gerrard and Torres to pay a few bills.
Where is the old-style Welsh Development Agency when you need it?
Some consider Liverpool to be the capital of North Wales. Some sacrifices from the Welsh Assembly Government budget might have to be made but for £500m it could be a snip....
It might look like a lot of money, but if things got tight they could flog off Gerrard and Torres to pay a few bills.
Pot, Kettle, Black
The Welsh Conservatives have accused Plaid Cymru of taking "diametrically opposed positions" at Westminster and in the Welsh Assembly over ID cards.
So unlike the Conservatives, who are resolutely opposed to university tuition fees in Wales, but support them in England.....
“How on earth can anyone take this party seriously when its members adopt diametrically opposed positions depending on which end of the M4 they are?" said Tory Assembly Group leader Nick Bourne, or was is a Plaid Cymru spokesman?
So unlike the Conservatives, who are resolutely opposed to university tuition fees in Wales, but support them in England.....
“How on earth can anyone take this party seriously when its members adopt diametrically opposed positions depending on which end of the M4 they are?" said Tory Assembly Group leader Nick Bourne, or was is a Plaid Cymru spokesman?
Thursday, 17 January 2008
The smack of firm government?
Here's a Peter Hain story that doesn't involve donations.
The Welsh Secretary has told First Minister Rhodri Morgan that his Assembly Government won't be allowed to ban smacking in Wales.
Ministers in Cardiff had been examining ways of using the Assembly's new powers to go it alone and outlaw smacking.
Mr Hain, backed by the Attorney General, has now told Mr Morgan that this wouldn't be within the Assembly's competence.
A ban would intrude on the criminal justice system - which is not devolved. The proposed legislative competence order on vulnerable children, currently being negotiated in Whitehall, will be amended to remove any ambiguity about smacking.
So expect a rash of "slap in face for Wales"/"snub to Wales"/"Hain backs child cruelty"/"London calls the tune" press releases from suitably outraged politicians.
The Assembly Government tell us: "We have only just received correspondence from the Secretary of State on this issue, and will want to consider carefully all of the points raised."
Alternatively, they could just ask the First Minister, who was told this information by Peter Hain late last year and is, according to the Wales Office, "more than happy" with the advice.
The Welsh Secretary has told First Minister Rhodri Morgan that his Assembly Government won't be allowed to ban smacking in Wales.
Ministers in Cardiff had been examining ways of using the Assembly's new powers to go it alone and outlaw smacking.
Mr Hain, backed by the Attorney General, has now told Mr Morgan that this wouldn't be within the Assembly's competence.
A ban would intrude on the criminal justice system - which is not devolved. The proposed legislative competence order on vulnerable children, currently being negotiated in Whitehall, will be amended to remove any ambiguity about smacking.
So expect a rash of "slap in face for Wales"/"snub to Wales"/"Hain backs child cruelty"/"London calls the tune" press releases from suitably outraged politicians.
The Assembly Government tell us: "We have only just received correspondence from the Secretary of State on this issue, and will want to consider carefully all of the points raised."
Alternatively, they could just ask the First Minister, who was told this information by Peter Hain late last year and is, according to the Wales Office, "more than happy" with the advice.
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Hain: we can help you through the storm
Peter Hain may be off the hook, pending official inquiries, but should he feel the need for extra help he may not have far to look.
John Underwood, a pivotal figure in the Hain campaign, offers crisis management through a PR company he founded in 1991 "we can help you through the storm".
As it says on the CLEAR website: "Despite well-made plans and best intentions, things can still go wrong. What matters is how you deal with them. CLEAR can help prepare for the worst, handle the flak and respond positively to ensure the fastest possible recovery."
But how can you spot a crisis if it's not staring you in the face?
"It is notoriously difficult to define a crisis. What constitutes a crisis for one organisation will not necessarily be a crisis for another. Generally, however, a crisis will involve, or at least potentially involve, a number of common factors.
Typically, a crisis will:
be unexpected or unpredicted;
begin as a small problem with the potential to escalate into something bigger;
be something around which information is uncertain or unreliable;
threaten the performance or even the survival of the organisation or business
attract negative publicity;
give managers little time in which to react;
involve a break in service, operations or supply;
always have the potential to affect adversely the corporate reputation;
also offer an opportunity to enhance the corporate reputation if managed appropriately."
I think it's safe to assume the Hain camp can tick most of the above boxes.
John Underwood, a pivotal figure in the Hain campaign, offers crisis management through a PR company he founded in 1991 "we can help you through the storm".
As it says on the CLEAR website: "Despite well-made plans and best intentions, things can still go wrong. What matters is how you deal with them. CLEAR can help prepare for the worst, handle the flak and respond positively to ensure the fastest possible recovery."
But how can you spot a crisis if it's not staring you in the face?
"It is notoriously difficult to define a crisis. What constitutes a crisis for one organisation will not necessarily be a crisis for another. Generally, however, a crisis will involve, or at least potentially involve, a number of common factors.
Typically, a crisis will:
be unexpected or unpredicted;
begin as a small problem with the potential to escalate into something bigger;
be something around which information is uncertain or unreliable;
threaten the performance or even the survival of the organisation or business
attract negative publicity;
give managers little time in which to react;
involve a break in service, operations or supply;
always have the potential to affect adversely the corporate reputation;
also offer an opportunity to enhance the corporate reputation if managed appropriately."
I think it's safe to assume the Hain camp can tick most of the above boxes.
Hain's half hour x2
Gordon Brown has given his most unequivocal backing yet to Peter Hain, praising his work in reducing unemployment.
The PM was asked whether Hain was "a dead man walking" during question time in the Commons.
Tory leader David Cameron chose to focus on Northern Rock, rather than the Hain affair.
Earlier, Hain stepped aside a call for him to quit from the Tory MP Nigel Evans,
Activists in the Neath constituency will meet tonight. Constituency Labour Party secretary Sandra Miller says "people may have got the wrong end of the stick over why the executive is meeting tonight"
She says that the purpose of the meeting is to decide the work programme and meeting schedules for the Labour Party in Neath for the coming year. The meeting was originally due to take place before Christmas. There'll also be some discussion tonight on the process of selecting candidates for European Elections.
How could we have got the wrong end of the stick? Here's a clue - a statement sent to me by Peter Hain's office on Monday:
"The Neath Labour Party Executive have been anxious to demonstrate their support and have called an emergency meeting on Wednesday to do precisely this. We are proud to have Peter as our MP."
The PM was asked whether Hain was "a dead man walking" during question time in the Commons.
Tory leader David Cameron chose to focus on Northern Rock, rather than the Hain affair.
Earlier, Hain stepped aside a call for him to quit from the Tory MP Nigel Evans,
Activists in the Neath constituency will meet tonight. Constituency Labour Party secretary Sandra Miller says "people may have got the wrong end of the stick over why the executive is meeting tonight"
She says that the purpose of the meeting is to decide the work programme and meeting schedules for the Labour Party in Neath for the coming year. The meeting was originally due to take place before Christmas. There'll also be some discussion tonight on the process of selecting candidates for European Elections.
How could we have got the wrong end of the stick? Here's a clue - a statement sent to me by Peter Hain's office on Monday:
"The Neath Labour Party Executive have been anxious to demonstrate their support and have called an emergency meeting on Wednesday to do precisely this. We are proud to have Peter as our MP."
With friends like these.....
Some relief for Peter Hain today. The Prime Minister says he's not corrupt, just incompetent.
Corruption is a sacking offence, incompetence is not. Welsh Questions in the Commons today may be worth watching - not something I write very often.
Corruption is a sacking offence, incompetence is not. Welsh Questions in the Commons today may be worth watching - not something I write very often.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
......on the way to the forum
Steve Morgan's attempts to bring order to the chaos of the fall-out from Peter Hain's deputy leadership campaign - by distancing himself from the Putney Popular Front, sorry Progressive Policies Forum, appear to have hit a slight snag.
Crisis? What crisis?!
No, this isn't a Peter Hain fund-raising event, even if some of his friends do appear prominently in the photograph.
North Wales MPs got together to promote the addition of Snowdonia Cheese on the menu in the Members' dining room.
Chris Ruane said, "It is important to us that we promote welsh produce here in London and more specifically here in the Commons."
MPs have their own favourites. Betty Williams, Martyn Jones and Ian Lucas are fans of "Black Bomber", Chris Ruane, David Hanson and Mark Tami prefer the 'Red Devil' - and Albert Owen's choise is 'Green Thunder.'
Snowdonia Cheese also supply Ginger Spice, Pickle Power, Purple Passion and Amber Mist - the latter is a medium cheddar laced with whisky in an orange wax.
Party pooper?
Peter Hain is "getting on with the jobs". The Welsh and Work and Pensions Secretary turned up for Welsh MPs' New Year party in the Commons last night.
He stayed around an hour but wasn't really in the party mood - not surprising as the electoral commission, frustrated by its limited powers, is considering calling in the police to investigate his failure to declare donations.
"We are where we are," Hain told party guests. "but I'm staying. There is too much to do in Wales and the DWP."
Today's Times reports that a commission source feels Hain has shown contempt for the rules by failing to declare donations on time and by putting the oversight down to the pressures of his Cabinet job.
But the commission, unable to fine individuals itself, may face a choice between issuing a slap on the wrists and calling in the police.
Hain is angry that people might think he intentionally concealed donations. He realises his fate will be decided by two inquiries - one by the commission, the other by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.
Amid the cold sausage rolls, party guests were treated to a musical contribution from the talented guitar-playing Cardiff West MP, Kevin Brennan.
His choice of music was in the best possible taste. One of two Hain supporters were slightly alarmed by some of the earlier muzak - including Yesterday and We Can Work It Out.
Brennan was joined on vocals by Wrexham MP Ian Lucas for his annual rendition of Lola.
If Simon Cowell is reading this, I'm happy to put him in touch.
He stayed around an hour but wasn't really in the party mood - not surprising as the electoral commission, frustrated by its limited powers, is considering calling in the police to investigate his failure to declare donations.
"We are where we are," Hain told party guests. "but I'm staying. There is too much to do in Wales and the DWP."
Today's Times reports that a commission source feels Hain has shown contempt for the rules by failing to declare donations on time and by putting the oversight down to the pressures of his Cabinet job.
But the commission, unable to fine individuals itself, may face a choice between issuing a slap on the wrists and calling in the police.
Hain is angry that people might think he intentionally concealed donations. He realises his fate will be decided by two inquiries - one by the commission, the other by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.
Amid the cold sausage rolls, party guests were treated to a musical contribution from the talented guitar-playing Cardiff West MP, Kevin Brennan.
His choice of music was in the best possible taste. One of two Hain supporters were slightly alarmed by some of the earlier muzak - including Yesterday and We Can Work It Out.
Brennan was joined on vocals by Wrexham MP Ian Lucas for his annual rendition of Lola.
If Simon Cowell is reading this, I'm happy to put him in touch.
Monday, 14 January 2008
Name that MP
Any idea which senior MP said this?
"It is of the greatest importance that the conduct of Members of the House meets, and is seen to meet, the high standards expected by the Wicks committee, and also by our constituents. Lapses, however rare, are very damaging to public confidence in the House and in our parliamentary democracy. If lapses occur, and are not seen to be tackled with sufficient rigour, the effect is many times worse. Our system for regulating standards of conduct must be transparent, fair and effective."
You can find the answer here. Absolutely no prizes.
"It is of the greatest importance that the conduct of Members of the House meets, and is seen to meet, the high standards expected by the Wicks committee, and also by our constituents. Lapses, however rare, are very damaging to public confidence in the House and in our parliamentary democracy. If lapses occur, and are not seen to be tackled with sufficient rigour, the effect is many times worse. Our system for regulating standards of conduct must be transparent, fair and effective."
You can find the answer here. Absolutely no prizes.
Hain saga: Alan Hansen's view
Peter Hain has been a Chelsea fan for four decades (I blame the parents) and even in the middle of his current crisis found time to check out the team's result and gloat over the nearest Spurs fan.
So he'll be chuffed to discover what's just landed in my inbox (in my [unpaid] role as manager of Barnesalona in the Telegraph fantasy football league).
Top pundit Alan Hansen took time off from his supermarket shopping to file his assessment of the weekend's Premier League Results.
Sadly, he didn't blame "sloppy defending" by the Hain campaign staff or claim "you'll never win anything with kids"
But this is Hansen's topical verdict on the championship race: "Don't discard Chelsea who are sticking to the top two like Peter Hain to his job."
What you might call a quote of two halves.
So he'll be chuffed to discover what's just landed in my inbox (in my [unpaid] role as manager of Barnesalona in the Telegraph fantasy football league).
Top pundit Alan Hansen took time off from his supermarket shopping to file his assessment of the weekend's Premier League Results.
Sadly, he didn't blame "sloppy defending" by the Hain campaign staff or claim "you'll never win anything with kids"
But this is Hansen's topical verdict on the championship race: "Don't discard Chelsea who are sticking to the top two like Peter Hain to his job."
What you might call a quote of two halves.
Hain: PM chooses his words very carefully
A relieved Peter Hain will enjoy reading today's Sun - up to a point.
The Prime Minister has offered him his support - but Gordon Brown acknowledges that the Welsh Secretary's fate is out of his hands.
“Peter has done a great job and it would be a great loss if he had to leave the Government.
“He took his eye off the ball and he has apologised. The matter must rest with the authorities, who will look at all these matters.
“It would be my expectation that he will carry on in Government.”
Mr Brown praises the Neath MP for his work in Northern Ireland and as Work and Pensions Secretary. Those looking for a slap in the face/snub to Wales won't be disappointed as his other Cabinet role isn't mentioned.
The PM's vote of confidence combined with the absence of significant fresh revelations in the Sunday papers makes it more likely Mr Hain will survive in the short-term - at least until the electoral commission and parliamentary commissioner finish their investigations.
Not all Labour MPs think he will keep his job. Even some of those publicly supportive of Mr Hain say privately that his use of the obscure PPF think thank is "strange" and suggest that despite respect for him on the backbenches his overt ambition in the past has won him few friends.
As my colleague James Landale said on the Ten O'Clock News last night, "He's not out of the woods yet."
At least this is one Welsh Secretary who won't claim to be in the woods looking for badgers.
out of the woods
The Prime Minister has offered him his support - but Gordon Brown acknowledges that the Welsh Secretary's fate is out of his hands.
“Peter has done a great job and it would be a great loss if he had to leave the Government.
“He took his eye off the ball and he has apologised. The matter must rest with the authorities, who will look at all these matters.
“It would be my expectation that he will carry on in Government.”
Mr Brown praises the Neath MP for his work in Northern Ireland and as Work and Pensions Secretary. Those looking for a slap in the face/snub to Wales won't be disappointed as his other Cabinet role isn't mentioned.
The PM's vote of confidence combined with the absence of significant fresh revelations in the Sunday papers makes it more likely Mr Hain will survive in the short-term - at least until the electoral commission and parliamentary commissioner finish their investigations.
Not all Labour MPs think he will keep his job. Even some of those publicly supportive of Mr Hain say privately that his use of the obscure PPF think thank is "strange" and suggest that despite respect for him on the backbenches his overt ambition in the past has won him few friends.
As my colleague James Landale said on the Ten O'Clock News last night, "He's not out of the woods yet."
At least this is one Welsh Secretary who won't claim to be in the woods looking for badgers.
out of the woods
Sunday, 13 January 2008
Every Little Helps....Or Not
Here's another twist in the Hain donations row - a statement from lobbyists Morgan Allen Moore (chairman, Steve Morgan):
"Please be advised that we are reporting the Mail on Sunday newspaper to the Press Complaints Commission over an article in today's edition which suggests we were responsible for a visit by the Works and Pensions Minister Peter Hain to a newly opened Tesco supermarket in Wales.
Prior to publication the Works and Pensions Department itself issued a formal statement advising that the suggestion was inaccurate and that Morgan Allen Moore (a public affairs company) had not been involved in the visit.
Despite this statement the newspaper chose to carry a two page article suggesting that we were involved in the event.
The newspaper also failed to provide Morgan Allen Moore with an opportunity to answer specific allegations prior to publication.
The Mail on Sunday itself undermined the credibility of the entire article by stating in the final paragraph that an official at the Works and Pensions Department said Morgan Allen Moore "had nothing to do with Mr Hain's Tesco visit."
Despite this it chose to publish a story that was blatantly inaccurate and misleading.
We are also today considering options for taking legal action against the newspaper."
The article in question is on the paper's website.
"Please be advised that we are reporting the Mail on Sunday newspaper to the Press Complaints Commission over an article in today's edition which suggests we were responsible for a visit by the Works and Pensions Minister Peter Hain to a newly opened Tesco supermarket in Wales.
Prior to publication the Works and Pensions Department itself issued a formal statement advising that the suggestion was inaccurate and that Morgan Allen Moore (a public affairs company) had not been involved in the visit.
Despite this statement the newspaper chose to carry a two page article suggesting that we were involved in the event.
The newspaper also failed to provide Morgan Allen Moore with an opportunity to answer specific allegations prior to publication.
The Mail on Sunday itself undermined the credibility of the entire article by stating in the final paragraph that an official at the Works and Pensions Department said Morgan Allen Moore "had nothing to do with Mr Hain's Tesco visit."
Despite this it chose to publish a story that was blatantly inaccurate and misleading.
We are also today considering options for taking legal action against the newspaper."
The article in question is on the paper's website.
Hain fights on
Some good news for the beleaguered/embattled/under-pressure (delete as applicable) Peter Hain: his arch critic has decided not to sit in judgement if and when the case against him is heard by parliament's standards committee.
Elfyn Llwyd, who now calls for Hain to resign with a regularity previously matched only by Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland, says he'll stand down from the committee while it considers Hain. (The first case of a juror nobbling himself?)
Llwyd says he offered to resign from the committee after he was criticised for misusing the communications allowance given to MPs - an offer that was rejected.
Plaid's Westminster leader appeared on The Politics Show in a four-party debate that became something of a partisan Plaid Cymru versus the rest battle.
Lib Dem Lembit Opik and Labour's Don Touhig both supported Hain, pending the inquiries that loom.
The Welsh Secretary, should he have been watching from behind the sofa chez Hain, will have been relieved to see the debate focus almost as much on a recent dismeanour by Plaid Cymru MPs as on the current Hain woes.
Elfyn Llwyd, who now calls for Hain to resign with a regularity previously matched only by Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland, says he'll stand down from the committee while it considers Hain. (The first case of a juror nobbling himself?)
Llwyd says he offered to resign from the committee after he was criticised for misusing the communications allowance given to MPs - an offer that was rejected.
Plaid's Westminster leader appeared on The Politics Show in a four-party debate that became something of a partisan Plaid Cymru versus the rest battle.
Lib Dem Lembit Opik and Labour's Don Touhig both supported Hain, pending the inquiries that loom.
The Welsh Secretary, should he have been watching from behind the sofa chez Hain, will have been relieved to see the debate focus almost as much on a recent dismeanour by Plaid Cymru MPs as on the current Hain woes.
The Sunday Hain
The Sunday papers could be worse for Peter Hain. He's no longer omnipresent on the front pages, although there appears to be a consensus among his critics that after yesterday's televised statement he still has questions to answer about the way he financed his deputy leadership campaign.
Several papers report the disquiet in Team Hain when it emerged how the campaign had been funded from the think tank that thinks it's a bank, although aides who still work for him deny that they threatened to resign or that they have advised him to go.
(When I heard Peter Hain was involved in something known as the PPF I assumed the initials stood for the Putney Popular Front from Hain's time in SW15 - perhaps a breakaway from Woolfie Smith's Tooting Popular Front.....).
The Conservatives have stopped short of calling on Hain to go, perhaps because of the questions over the way the shadow chancellor George Osborne's office is funded.
But the Tory MP Crispin Blunt pointed out on Sky that the Work and Pensions Secretary expects benefit claimants to fill in 27-page forms but appears to have failed to fill in a four-page form himself.
His leader, David Cameron, told the Andrew Marr show: "If he goes on like yesterday I think his time will be up.
"It's no good, when all these questions are being asked, just sort of come out and read a statement and scurry back indoors again.
"He has got questions he needs to answer, there are inquiries under way so I'm
not jumping the gun, but he can't go on as yesterday."
The Hain strategy, apparently supported by Number 10, is to hang on until the electoral commission and parliamentary commissioner for standards complete their inquiries.
But if a reshuffle happens before they report - and Labour MPs have been gossiping about one as early as next month - then Gordon Brown will have to decide whether it is worth keeping Hain in his Cabinet. You wouldn't put your mortgage on his future job propects.
Several papers report the disquiet in Team Hain when it emerged how the campaign had been funded from the think tank that thinks it's a bank, although aides who still work for him deny that they threatened to resign or that they have advised him to go.
(When I heard Peter Hain was involved in something known as the PPF I assumed the initials stood for the Putney Popular Front from Hain's time in SW15 - perhaps a breakaway from Woolfie Smith's Tooting Popular Front.....).
The Conservatives have stopped short of calling on Hain to go, perhaps because of the questions over the way the shadow chancellor George Osborne's office is funded.
But the Tory MP Crispin Blunt pointed out on Sky that the Work and Pensions Secretary expects benefit claimants to fill in 27-page forms but appears to have failed to fill in a four-page form himself.
His leader, David Cameron, told the Andrew Marr show: "If he goes on like yesterday I think his time will be up.
"It's no good, when all these questions are being asked, just sort of come out and read a statement and scurry back indoors again.
"He has got questions he needs to answer, there are inquiries under way so I'm
not jumping the gun, but he can't go on as yesterday."
The Hain strategy, apparently supported by Number 10, is to hang on until the electoral commission and parliamentary commissioner for standards complete their inquiries.
But if a reshuffle happens before they report - and Labour MPs have been gossiping about one as early as next month - then Gordon Brown will have to decide whether it is worth keeping Hain in his Cabinet. You wouldn't put your mortgage on his future job propects.
Saturday, 12 January 2008
More Hain, less gain
Peter Hain won't be in any hurry to visit his local newsagent this morning.
The Guardian gives a flavour of the coverage.
The mysterious think tank, through which money for the Hain deputy leadership campaign was chanelled, has apparently spent more time on accountancy than thinking.
Hain is now facing three separate inquiries into his breach of the rules over campaign funding.
The Conservatives seem happy to keep him in the spotlight, with the publicity damaging Gordon Brown's Government, rather than to go for the jugular by calling for him to to. They say we should await the parliamentary comissioner on standards' report. (This may also have something to do with the Tories' own creative fund-raising arrangements via third parties).
Plaid Cymru have called for Hain to go. "More in sorrow than in anger, I am forced to say his position is untenable," says Elfyn Llwyd, perhaps fighting back tears of sorrow, or perhaps not.
Hain's position won't be decided by what opposition parties think. Opinion among Labour MPs will be crucial in making up Gordon Brown's mind on whether to back or sack Peter Hain.
When ministerial colleagues euphemistically concede he's got himself into a "very difficult position", you know this is one political cat rapidly running out of political lives.
The Guardian gives a flavour of the coverage.
The mysterious think tank, through which money for the Hain deputy leadership campaign was chanelled, has apparently spent more time on accountancy than thinking.
Hain is now facing three separate inquiries into his breach of the rules over campaign funding.
The Conservatives seem happy to keep him in the spotlight, with the publicity damaging Gordon Brown's Government, rather than to go for the jugular by calling for him to to. They say we should await the parliamentary comissioner on standards' report. (This may also have something to do with the Tories' own creative fund-raising arrangements via third parties).
Plaid Cymru have called for Hain to go. "More in sorrow than in anger, I am forced to say his position is untenable," says Elfyn Llwyd, perhaps fighting back tears of sorrow, or perhaps not.
Hain's position won't be decided by what opposition parties think. Opinion among Labour MPs will be crucial in making up Gordon Brown's mind on whether to back or sack Peter Hain.
When ministerial colleagues euphemistically concede he's got himself into a "very difficult position", you know this is one political cat rapidly running out of political lives.
Thursday, 10 January 2008
Bringing order to chaos, the sequel
Peter Hain has now admitted failing to declare £103,156.75 in donations from his failed deputy leadership campaign.
He's published details of each donation, from £1,346 for that Parkhouse club meal to various contributions from business figures.
The small print that will interest the newspapers reveals how some donations were made via third parties - through a think tank called the Progressive Policies Forum.
The Hain team say: "The monies had been previously donated to PPF. When unpaid bills came to light PPF was approached and with the permission of the individual donors concerned the monies were donated to Hain4Labour to meet these debts.
"There is no legal impediment to a person donating money on behalf of someone else the PPERA legislation expressly permits it in paragraph 6 of schedule 7. What is important is that the person or company making the payment informs the donee (in this case Peter Hain) that it is on behalf of someone else and gives particulars to the donee so that the donee can report them.
"This is exactly what has happened in this case in respect of five donations. The actual donors have been correctly reported."
One of the actual donors involved may ring a few bells. His name is Steve Morgan.
It appears that Peter Hain's campaign manager - the man who claimed to bring order to chaos - failed to declare a donation from himself.
He's published details of each donation, from £1,346 for that Parkhouse club meal to various contributions from business figures.
The small print that will interest the newspapers reveals how some donations were made via third parties - through a think tank called the Progressive Policies Forum.
The Hain team say: "The monies had been previously donated to PPF. When unpaid bills came to light PPF was approached and with the permission of the individual donors concerned the monies were donated to Hain4Labour to meet these debts.
"There is no legal impediment to a person donating money on behalf of someone else the PPERA legislation expressly permits it in paragraph 6 of schedule 7. What is important is that the person or company making the payment informs the donee (in this case Peter Hain) that it is on behalf of someone else and gives particulars to the donee so that the donee can report them.
"This is exactly what has happened in this case in respect of five donations. The actual donors have been correctly reported."
One of the actual donors involved may ring a few bells. His name is Steve Morgan.
It appears that Peter Hain's campaign manager - the man who claimed to bring order to chaos - failed to declare a donation from himself.
Hain: breaking news
From PA: Peter Hain has met the Electoral Commission and provided it with information about donations made to his Labour deputy leadership campaign, a spokeswoman for the watchdog said.
The electoral commission will publish the information next week after it has carried out "permissibility checks" on the donations.
The electoral commission will publish the information next week after it has carried out "permissibility checks" on the donations.
Waiting, waiting....
Peter Hain is still busy doing his sums so he can present details of his campaign finances to the electoral commission.
Either the missing donations will reach six figures or someone has spun a dramatic advance figure to less the impact of the actual amount.
The BBC understands that the final figure is likely to be around £100,000. Even for a man with the biggest departmental budget in Whitehall, that is rather a lot of money.
Britain's top sleaze watchdog, to use the journalese, was questioned about the Hain affair earlier today. Sir Christopher Kelly told MPs: "The committee will certainly discuss that and see whether or not there are lessons to be learned from the experience.
"And I would guess - although I'm speaking for a committee that I haven't yet
met - that the committee would be concerned that even now not everyone appears
to have understood the importance of being absolutely transparent about
political donations."
Will he survive? A lot depends on the fall-out and the newspaper coverage generated by details of the donations when they finally emerge (possibly tonight).
Mr Hain hopes people will accept his "cock-up, not a conspiracy" explanation. If they don't, then he could be in big trouble.
Either the missing donations will reach six figures or someone has spun a dramatic advance figure to less the impact of the actual amount.
The BBC understands that the final figure is likely to be around £100,000. Even for a man with the biggest departmental budget in Whitehall, that is rather a lot of money.
Britain's top sleaze watchdog, to use the journalese, was questioned about the Hain affair earlier today. Sir Christopher Kelly told MPs: "The committee will certainly discuss that and see whether or not there are lessons to be learned from the experience.
"And I would guess - although I'm speaking for a committee that I haven't yet
met - that the committee would be concerned that even now not everyone appears
to have understood the importance of being absolutely transparent about
political donations."
Will he survive? A lot depends on the fall-out and the newspaper coverage generated by details of the donations when they finally emerge (possibly tonight).
Mr Hain hopes people will accept his "cock-up, not a conspiracy" explanation. If they don't, then he could be in big trouble.
For England, see Wales
You have to admit it's something of a coup for Cardiff to have won the North of England Education conference.
But I do wonder who taught the delegates geography......
But I do wonder who taught the delegates geography......
Drip, drip
The papers have arrived. If your name is Peter Hain, you may want to look away now.
The Guardian claims to have more details of the scale of the breach of the rules committed by Mr Hain's deputy leadership campaign.
No-one suggests Peter Hain intentionally concealed donations but under electoral law the buck stops with the candidate.
Even among his political enemies there are those who feel sorry for the Welsh Secretary; even among his friends there are people who doubt whether his Cabinet career will survive the affair.
The Guardian claims to have more details of the scale of the breach of the rules committed by Mr Hain's deputy leadership campaign.
No-one suggests Peter Hain intentionally concealed donations but under electoral law the buck stops with the candidate.
Even among his political enemies there are those who feel sorry for the Welsh Secretary; even among his friends there are people who doubt whether his Cabinet career will survive the affair.
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
From Norwich, the quiz of the week...
Another twist or two to the latest Hain saga. Gordon Brown defended his Welsh and Work Pensions Secretary in the Commons today over the way he funded his failed campaign to to become Labour deputy leader.
We may yet get details of the donations Hain has failed to declare later this week. I've also been talking to Hain's former aide, Phil Taylor - the man who initially ran the Hain campaign until he was replaced by Steve Morgan, whose claim to have been brought in to bring order to chaos raised eyebrows yesterday.
Taylor, now working at a college in Norwich, denies that the deputy leadership campaign was chaotic and blames Morgan for the failure to declare donations properly. He says all donations were declared while he was in charge.
Asked whether The Guardian is correct to state that tens of thousands of pounds in donations were not declared, Taylor said: "Not on my watch. By the time I left we'd received legally and had declared £37,000 of donation and we hadn't received a single penny in donations that was not declared at the time I left, so there was no chaos of any kind."
Taylor decided to break his silence after hearing Mr Morgan's interview with BBC Radio Wales.
"You know it's widely believed there were a number of donations made during that period in June that weren't declared. Now I can't prove that. I don't know that. We need to wait and see what the campaign actually says when they finally publish their list of results but I think it's inconceivable to suggest that the person who ran the campaign throughout that period didn't know that donations were coming in and failed to declare them and at the end of the day, if you choose to run a campaign you have to take that responsibility yourself.
"What I think is very sad is that I know Peter incredibly well. I've worked for him for a number of years and consider him to be a friend and the Peter I know would have had nothing to do with any of this. He is one of the most straightest, honest, decent men that I have ever met and I just cannot understand what went on in that campaign but I can only assumed that decisions were taken by his campaign manager that he knew nothing about because the Peter that I know would never in a million years have ever accepted any donation and not declared it and not followed the rules and in that sense when Peter says there was chaos, that must absolutely be true. That chaos has to be the responsibility of the person running the campaign and that was Steve Morgan."
He insists Peter Hain should not be blamed for the failure to declare donations but acknowledges that as the candidate he is legally responsible.
"I think we'll only know that when we see what is not in the public domain now that should have been declared at the time and what the explanation for that is. What I am clear about is that it won't be Peter's fault in that he won't have known whatever chaos happened in the campaign that led to these declarations not being made in the way they should have been made. That isn't the Peter Hain I know and I know he wouldn't have stood for that.
"So what I'm clear about is that there won't be any guilt attached to Peter personally. You and I both know that politics doesn't work like that and we'll just have to wait and see what the fall-out is when it becomes public about the donations that weren't declared."
We may yet get details of the donations Hain has failed to declare later this week. I've also been talking to Hain's former aide, Phil Taylor - the man who initially ran the Hain campaign until he was replaced by Steve Morgan, whose claim to have been brought in to bring order to chaos raised eyebrows yesterday.
Taylor, now working at a college in Norwich, denies that the deputy leadership campaign was chaotic and blames Morgan for the failure to declare donations properly. He says all donations were declared while he was in charge.
Asked whether The Guardian is correct to state that tens of thousands of pounds in donations were not declared, Taylor said: "Not on my watch. By the time I left we'd received legally and had declared £37,000 of donation and we hadn't received a single penny in donations that was not declared at the time I left, so there was no chaos of any kind."Taylor decided to break his silence after hearing Mr Morgan's interview with BBC Radio Wales.
"You know it's widely believed there were a number of donations made during that period in June that weren't declared. Now I can't prove that. I don't know that. We need to wait and see what the campaign actually says when they finally publish their list of results but I think it's inconceivable to suggest that the person who ran the campaign throughout that period didn't know that donations were coming in and failed to declare them and at the end of the day, if you choose to run a campaign you have to take that responsibility yourself.
"What I think is very sad is that I know Peter incredibly well. I've worked for him for a number of years and consider him to be a friend and the Peter I know would have had nothing to do with any of this. He is one of the most straightest, honest, decent men that I have ever met and I just cannot understand what went on in that campaign but I can only assumed that decisions were taken by his campaign manager that he knew nothing about because the Peter that I know would never in a million years have ever accepted any donation and not declared it and not followed the rules and in that sense when Peter says there was chaos, that must absolutely be true. That chaos has to be the responsibility of the person running the campaign and that was Steve Morgan."
He insists Peter Hain should not be blamed for the failure to declare donations but acknowledges that as the candidate he is legally responsible.
"I think we'll only know that when we see what is not in the public domain now that should have been declared at the time and what the explanation for that is. What I am clear about is that it won't be Peter's fault in that he won't have known whatever chaos happened in the campaign that led to these declarations not being made in the way they should have been made. That isn't the Peter Hain I know and I know he wouldn't have stood for that.
"So what I'm clear about is that there won't be any guilt attached to Peter personally. You and I both know that politics doesn't work like that and we'll just have to wait and see what the fall-out is when it becomes public about the donations that weren't declared."
Hain update
The Guardian quotes extensively from yesterday's Radio Wales interview with Steve Morgan about Peter Hain's deputy leadership campaign.
It also runs the intriguing but hard-to-confirm line that Gordon Brown is rather unhappy with developments.
Westminster sources expect the Hain campaign donations to be made public tomorrow. This story still has legs.
It also runs the intriguing but hard-to-confirm line that Gordon Brown is rather unhappy with developments.
Westminster sources expect the Hain campaign donations to be made public tomorrow. This story still has legs.
public service blogging
This is not a BBC blog, as you may have noticed, but I am a BBC correspondent and I try to adhere to BBC blogging guidelines. You can check them out here.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
The late Peter Hain
Peter Hain has been proving a reluctant interviewee today (unless you wish to hear him on Tory welfare plans) but he has issued another statement about you-know-what.
"It is no secret that there were organisational and administrative problems within my deputy leadership campaign.
"As I said in December there were unfortunately donations to my campaign that
were not registered within the required time scale to the Electoral Commission.
"I am clear that all donations were made by permissible donors.
"Since I made my intention to make late declarations for these donations
public in December I have been in regular contact with the Electoral
Commission.
"It has been agreed with them that I would provide the required late
declarations by mid-January and I will do so.
"I reiterate that this is deeply regrettable and I sincerely apologise."
I'm only a simple hack but one thing puzzles me: if Steve Morgan was hired to bring order to chaos and insists things were done properly on his watch, why is there a problem with "late donations".
"It is no secret that there were organisational and administrative problems within my deputy leadership campaign.
"As I said in December there were unfortunately donations to my campaign that
were not registered within the required time scale to the Electoral Commission.
"I am clear that all donations were made by permissible donors.
"Since I made my intention to make late declarations for these donations
public in December I have been in regular contact with the Electoral
Commission.
"It has been agreed with them that I would provide the required late
declarations by mid-January and I will do so.
"I reiterate that this is deeply regrettable and I sincerely apologise."
I'm only a simple hack but one thing puzzles me: if Steve Morgan was hired to bring order to chaos and insists things were done properly on his watch, why is there a problem with "late donations".
Bringing order to the chaos
Another daft o'clock start this morning, thanks to The Guardian. It alleges that Peter Hain's campaign for the Labour deputy leadership may have failed to declare tens of thousands of pounds in donations.
Radio Wales succeeded where the Guardian failed and tracked down the Steve Morgan, the lobbyist who ran the Hain bid during its latter stages. He told us he was brought in half-way through the campaign"to bring order to the chaos" - a statement that will ruffle a few feathers with some others who worked on the campaign.
The Hain strategy is to present this whole affair as a chaotic cock-up rather than some deliberate attempt to conceal donations. He has issued a statement sincerely apologising for failing to register the donations properly. It's all hugely embarrassing and offers the odd bullet for reporters to fire at Gordon Brown during his Downing Street news conference today.
The Guardian reports: "Some political sources believe Hain's political future rests on his being able to show that he is the innocent victim of chaos within his election organisation, and that there has been no deliberate attempt to conceal the sources of the donations."
Perhaps even more embarrassing for Team Hain is that it appears to have fought by far the best-funded of the six deputy leadership campaigns - and still came fifth.
Radio Wales succeeded where the Guardian failed and tracked down the Steve Morgan, the lobbyist who ran the Hain bid during its latter stages. He told us he was brought in half-way through the campaign"to bring order to the chaos" - a statement that will ruffle a few feathers with some others who worked on the campaign.
The Hain strategy is to present this whole affair as a chaotic cock-up rather than some deliberate attempt to conceal donations. He has issued a statement sincerely apologising for failing to register the donations properly. It's all hugely embarrassing and offers the odd bullet for reporters to fire at Gordon Brown during his Downing Street news conference today.
The Guardian reports: "Some political sources believe Hain's political future rests on his being able to show that he is the innocent victim of chaos within his election organisation, and that there has been no deliberate attempt to conceal the sources of the donations."
Perhaps even more embarrassing for Team Hain is that it appears to have fought by far the best-funded of the six deputy leadership campaigns - and still came fifth.
Monday, 7 January 2008
Political cross-dressing
The season of goodwill may be officially over (although I like to think it continues 365 days a year on this blog) but the bonhomie generated by the Plaid/Labour coalition in Cardiff appears to extend to their comrades at Westminster.
Political anoraks will spot not only a Plaid Cymru MP but also several members of Peter Hain's staff, whose names I'll withhold to spare their blushes.
The photo, first published on Facebook, was taken at a London club called the Tranny Shack. I don't know it myself (being more familiar with Madame Jojo's)but they all seem to be having a good time.
Saturday, 5 January 2008
First cuckoo of Spring
Rather like Spring, the first reports of the merger of territorial government departments seem to get earlier each year.
Yesterday's Evening Standard suggested, in its Londoner's Diary column, that the fuss over making Des Browne job-share Defence and Scotland could lead to the much-touted Secretary of State for the Nations taking a seat in Gordon Brown's Cabinet.
This would merge the Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Offices in Whitehall - an option much-mooted over the years. Peter Hain would presumably be left free to concentrate on Work and Pensions while another Minister looks after Welsh interests.
Tomos Livingstone offers his usual perceptive analysis of developments here.
I seem to have been writing and broadcasting about this since 1999. It's true, the story has been doing the rounds since then, but that doesn't mean it won't come true.
Keep watching, as they used to say at the end of Dragon's Eye.
Yesterday's Evening Standard suggested, in its Londoner's Diary column, that the fuss over making Des Browne job-share Defence and Scotland could lead to the much-touted Secretary of State for the Nations taking a seat in Gordon Brown's Cabinet.
This would merge the Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Offices in Whitehall - an option much-mooted over the years. Peter Hain would presumably be left free to concentrate on Work and Pensions while another Minister looks after Welsh interests.
Tomos Livingstone offers his usual perceptive analysis of developments here.
I seem to have been writing and broadcasting about this since 1999. It's true, the story has been doing the rounds since then, but that doesn't mean it won't come true.
Keep watching, as they used to say at the end of Dragon's Eye.
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
2007 review: you know, the sort of stuff that fills up papers at this time of the year
For some, there was an historic inevitability about it. Yet there were rumours of rows behind the scenes, of personality clashes, of long-running battles fuelled by naked ambitions.
But the Spice Girls put it all behind them to reform for the money, sorry their greatest hits tour.
Elsewhere, power changed hands as Tony Blair was succeeded by Gordon Brown.
The year began with an unpopular Prime Minister behind in the polls, his party facing a police investigation over the way it raised funded. The year ends.....well, you can fill in your own punchline.
Gordon Brown entered Number 10 promising to restore trust in politics. Fewer than six months later, he had to admit that donations to Labour had not been lawfully declared. As I write, one candidate in Labour's deputy leadership contest is still trying to find out how an "administrative error" left him unable to declare donations properly.
Mr Brown won praise for his handing of a terror threat, of floods and of foot and mouth disease. He tried hard to reverse his image as a control freak by appointing a "government of all the talents" (GOATS), but his honeymoon ran out when he dithered over the election that never was.
Things got worse. The personal details of almost all Britain's families with children went missing (they still are). It emerged that thousands of illegal immigrants had been cleared to work in security jobs - including one whose job involved guarding the Prime Minister's car.
As these tales of woe emerged, one Labour MP - one of those who tried to force the last leader out a year after he won a mandate for a full third term - accused me of cynicism. The stories of dodgy donations and other cock-ups would be enough to test the idealism of Ulrika Jonsson's latest fiance.
Tony Blair's farewell tour may have dragged on a bit, but he was always newsworthy. The day he announced his departure and the day he went were among the most memorable of my 19 years reporting Parliament.
Dramatic political events happened outside the Westminster village. I still find it hard to believe that Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness work together in government, as they do in Belfast. The SNP's Alex Salmond is First Minister of Scotland; Plaid Cymru share power in Wales.
Some of the trivial stories were, as ever, the most fun. Peter Hain's Aga saga gave me a favourite quote: "At first I was a bit sceptical about the Aga. I thought it was a great big lump. But now I actually think it's fantastic. We found food cooked on the electric cooker tasted very second class."
Mr Hain failed to win Labour's deputy leadership contest but found time to rule out a Labour-Plaid coalition and to complain loudly when the BBC later suggested a deal could happen. Having a posh cooker must help when you have so many words to eat.
The Aga "story" was good for trade. This blog's predecessor, the original-but-now-dormant BBC Wales politics blog, was quoted in The Times, the Evening Standard and the Western Mail. There's honour among bloggers as well as among thieves.
We must not forget Lord Glentoran's role in cheering us all up. The newly-appointed Conservative spokesman on Welsh affairs told us: "As far as the politics of Wales is concerned"as of 48 hours ago I knew absolutely nothing. I now know nothing, plus a bit.
"I know nothing about the politics but I know quite a lot about the geography, having climbed most of the mountains."
Sir Menzies Campbell may have had better years but the former Lib Dem leader was a good sport when a Welsh hack turned up in his party conference hotel to ask him incisive, penetrating questions about the contents of that week's Hello! magazine, featuring Lembit Opik.
Two particularly enjoyable reports featured the unveiling of Lloyd George's statue in Parliament Square and a visit to Gordon Brown's tailor. Yes, Timothy Everest really did say "suits you, sir" (with a little prompting).
The year is ending with a personal milestone: my first child benefit form. Apparently, all I need to do is to send off the form, with our daughter's birth certificate and my bank details, to HMRC in Tyne and Wear.
What could possibly go wrong? Happy New Year.
But the Spice Girls put it all behind them to reform for the money, sorry their greatest hits tour.
Elsewhere, power changed hands as Tony Blair was succeeded by Gordon Brown.
The year began with an unpopular Prime Minister behind in the polls, his party facing a police investigation over the way it raised funded. The year ends.....well, you can fill in your own punchline.
Gordon Brown entered Number 10 promising to restore trust in politics. Fewer than six months later, he had to admit that donations to Labour had not been lawfully declared. As I write, one candidate in Labour's deputy leadership contest is still trying to find out how an "administrative error" left him unable to declare donations properly.
Mr Brown won praise for his handing of a terror threat, of floods and of foot and mouth disease. He tried hard to reverse his image as a control freak by appointing a "government of all the talents" (GOATS), but his honeymoon ran out when he dithered over the election that never was.
Things got worse. The personal details of almost all Britain's families with children went missing (they still are). It emerged that thousands of illegal immigrants had been cleared to work in security jobs - including one whose job involved guarding the Prime Minister's car.
As these tales of woe emerged, one Labour MP - one of those who tried to force the last leader out a year after he won a mandate for a full third term - accused me of cynicism. The stories of dodgy donations and other cock-ups would be enough to test the idealism of Ulrika Jonsson's latest fiance.
Tony Blair's farewell tour may have dragged on a bit, but he was always newsworthy. The day he announced his departure and the day he went were among the most memorable of my 19 years reporting Parliament.
Dramatic political events happened outside the Westminster village. I still find it hard to believe that Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness work together in government, as they do in Belfast. The SNP's Alex Salmond is First Minister of Scotland; Plaid Cymru share power in Wales.
Some of the trivial stories were, as ever, the most fun. Peter Hain's Aga saga gave me a favourite quote: "At first I was a bit sceptical about the Aga. I thought it was a great big lump. But now I actually think it's fantastic. We found food cooked on the electric cooker tasted very second class."
Mr Hain failed to win Labour's deputy leadership contest but found time to rule out a Labour-Plaid coalition and to complain loudly when the BBC later suggested a deal could happen. Having a posh cooker must help when you have so many words to eat.
The Aga "story" was good for trade. This blog's predecessor, the original-but-now-dormant BBC Wales politics blog, was quoted in The Times, the Evening Standard and the Western Mail. There's honour among bloggers as well as among thieves.
We must not forget Lord Glentoran's role in cheering us all up. The newly-appointed Conservative spokesman on Welsh affairs told us: "As far as the politics of Wales is concerned"as of 48 hours ago I knew absolutely nothing. I now know nothing, plus a bit.
"I know nothing about the politics but I know quite a lot about the geography, having climbed most of the mountains."
Sir Menzies Campbell may have had better years but the former Lib Dem leader was a good sport when a Welsh hack turned up in his party conference hotel to ask him incisive, penetrating questions about the contents of that week's Hello! magazine, featuring Lembit Opik.
Two particularly enjoyable reports featured the unveiling of Lloyd George's statue in Parliament Square and a visit to Gordon Brown's tailor. Yes, Timothy Everest really did say "suits you, sir" (with a little prompting).
The year is ending with a personal milestone: my first child benefit form. Apparently, all I need to do is to send off the form, with our daughter's birth certificate and my bank details, to HMRC in Tyne and Wear.
What could possibly go wrong? Happy New Year.
Saturday, 22 December 2007
'Tis the season to be jolly.....
Well, it's only once a year. I was snapped during the Wimbledon Common Time Trial Christmas 5k on December 22. Parenthood seems to have slowed me down. Funny that, I'm sure Paula Radcliffe said she ran faster after her daughter arrived.......
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Equally cursed and blessed
A rather relieved Nick Clegg defied the laws of political gravity this afternoon to survive the curse of Opik.
The new Lib Dem leader held off the challenge of Chris Huhne to win by 511 votes despite having won the support of the former Welsh party leader Lembit Opik.
The Montgomeryshire MP had previously backed Charles Kennedy, Mark Oaten and Simon Hughes only to see their ambitions crumble rather soon afterwards.
Clegg's acceptance speech was straight from the Blair/Cameron model - lots of talk about the "new" (I've yet to find a politician who extolls the "old"). He's promised to get outside Westminster one day a week and listen to families who have nothing to do with politics.
After a cautious campaign, there's no clear sign of the direction in which he'll try to lead the Lib Dems, although he did make some potentially interesting comments about putting patients and parents in charge of public services.
Of course by the time he gets a chance of power he may be behind bars if he carries out threat to break the law on ID cards.
No word yet of how he plans to use the talents of Eleanor Burnham. Transport or Homeland Security might be inspired briefs.
The new Lib Dem leader held off the challenge of Chris Huhne to win by 511 votes despite having won the support of the former Welsh party leader Lembit Opik.
The Montgomeryshire MP had previously backed Charles Kennedy, Mark Oaten and Simon Hughes only to see their ambitions crumble rather soon afterwards.
Clegg's acceptance speech was straight from the Blair/Cameron model - lots of talk about the "new" (I've yet to find a politician who extolls the "old"). He's promised to get outside Westminster one day a week and listen to families who have nothing to do with politics.
After a cautious campaign, there's no clear sign of the direction in which he'll try to lead the Lib Dems, although he did make some potentially interesting comments about putting patients and parents in charge of public services.
Of course by the time he gets a chance of power he may be behind bars if he carries out threat to break the law on ID cards.
No word yet of how he plans to use the talents of Eleanor Burnham. Transport or Homeland Security might be inspired briefs.
Monday, 17 December 2007
Reasons to be cheerful
Back at the keyboard today after 10 days away from the office. What did I miss? 833 e-mails (not counting the ones filtered by the spam filter), a couple of stories about Peter Hain's deputy leadership campaign losing track of donations (easily done), a day out at the Welsh Grand Committee, Sian Lloyd got engaged (again), and another slight glitch in Eleanor Burnham's otherwise upwards trajectory towards the Liberal Democrat leadership.
And in what surely will be described as a snub/slap in the face to Wales, Rhydian lost the X-Factor final and Gethin was voted out of Strictly Come Dancing.
There's better news for former steelworkers at ASW, who have forced the Government into a substantial U-turn to compensate them for their lost pensions.
Brian Silver worked at ASW for 32 years and had expected to retire on a pension of £12,000 a year. Under the existing Financial Assistance Scheme, he says he would have received around £1,500. Today's announcement will give him 90 per cent of that £12,000 a year (£10,800) - leaving him almost £9,000 a year better off.
Small wonder he used an appearance on Wales Today this lunchtime to ask Mrs Silver not to go shopping before he gets home.
And in what surely will be described as a snub/slap in the face to Wales, Rhydian lost the X-Factor final and Gethin was voted out of Strictly Come Dancing.
There's better news for former steelworkers at ASW, who have forced the Government into a substantial U-turn to compensate them for their lost pensions.
Brian Silver worked at ASW for 32 years and had expected to retire on a pension of £12,000 a year. Under the existing Financial Assistance Scheme, he says he would have received around £1,500. Today's announcement will give him 90 per cent of that £12,000 a year (£10,800) - leaving him almost £9,000 a year better off.
Small wonder he used an appearance on Wales Today this lunchtime to ask Mrs Silver not to go shopping before he gets home.
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Life, crazy eights and the shock of the new
Some time ago, Peter Black challenged me to the Crazy Eight test. Sadly, the twin perils of having both a full-time job and a life delayed my response.
This blog is usually about other people, but I'll make an exception here to meet Peter's challenge. Some of the answers were supplied by Mrs C.
8 things I am passionate about:
Books
Football
Cricket
Photography
Running
Journalism/newspapers
Fair play
Travel
8 things I want to do before I die:
Suffer fools gladly
Outlive the DFS sale
Find something I'm good at
Get out of TV before HD comes in
Run one more marathon
Finish the novel
Start the novel
Be a good father
8 things I say often:
Have you seen my wallet/keys/ticket?
Is the washing machine free?
Another Barnett formula story? Marvellous!
Where's the remote?
Large latte to take away, please
Is it 6.30am already?
Anyone ring?/any post?
Any score?
8 songs I could listen to over and over and do:
Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - The Smiths
Sit Down - James
I Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles
Imagine - John Lennon
Can't Stand Losing You - The Police
England 2 Colombia 0 - Kirsty MacColl
Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
8 books I've read recently or am still reading:
Shame - Jasvinder Sanghera
It's Not About the Bike - Lance Armstrong
The Blair Years - Alastair Campbell
The Ghost - Robert Harris
A Walk in the Dark by Gianrico Carofiglio
Complete Baby and Child Care - Miriam Stoppard
Forgotten Soldiers - Stephen Walker
Collected Poems - Roger McGough
8 things that attract me to my best friends:
Wit
Unselfishness
Honesty
Intelligence
Tolerance
Creativity
Perspective
Generosity
As you may have guessed from some of the above, life is about to change quite dramatically.
All being well, I'll be spending the next couple of weeks getting to know our new daughter, working on my nappy-changing technique and ignoring e-mails.
I hope to rush back in time for the excitement of the Lib Dem leadership election.
As they say at the end of the news, bye for now.
This blog is usually about other people, but I'll make an exception here to meet Peter's challenge. Some of the answers were supplied by Mrs C.
8 things I am passionate about:
Books
Football
Cricket
Photography
Running
Journalism/newspapers
Fair play
Travel
8 things I want to do before I die:
Suffer fools gladly
Outlive the DFS sale
Find something I'm good at
Get out of TV before HD comes in
Run one more marathon
Finish the novel
Start the novel
Be a good father
8 things I say often:
Have you seen my wallet/keys/ticket?
Is the washing machine free?
Another Barnett formula story? Marvellous!
Where's the remote?
Large latte to take away, please
Is it 6.30am already?
Anyone ring?/any post?
Any score?
8 songs I could listen to over and over and do:
Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - The Smiths
Sit Down - James
I Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles
Imagine - John Lennon
Can't Stand Losing You - The Police
England 2 Colombia 0 - Kirsty MacColl
Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
8 books I've read recently or am still reading:
Shame - Jasvinder Sanghera
It's Not About the Bike - Lance Armstrong
The Blair Years - Alastair Campbell
The Ghost - Robert Harris
A Walk in the Dark by Gianrico Carofiglio
Complete Baby and Child Care - Miriam Stoppard
Forgotten Soldiers - Stephen Walker
Collected Poems - Roger McGough
8 things that attract me to my best friends:
Wit
Unselfishness
Honesty
Intelligence
Tolerance
Creativity
Perspective
Generosity
As you may have guessed from some of the above, life is about to change quite dramatically.
All being well, I'll be spending the next couple of weeks getting to know our new daughter, working on my nappy-changing technique and ignoring e-mails.
I hope to rush back in time for the excitement of the Lib Dem leadership election.
As they say at the end of the news, bye for now.
Question Time
Harriet Harman's predicted tough question time proved to be something of an anti-climax.
Her Tory shadow Theresa May tried to score a few party political points without firing a silver bullet. Ms Harman took the opportunity to repeat her defence.
Questions remain about Labour's use of secret donors and Nick Robinson has listed most of them here. Others may yet be asked by the police.
I do like Jon Mendelsohn's euphemistic job title. Labour's chief fund-raiser is known as "director of general election resources".
Sanitised job titles are now de rigeur in 21st century politics, where lobbyists paid to put forward their client's point of view refer to themselves as "public affairs consultants".
But if job titles accurately reflected roles then we would probably be denied the delights of
Silver Stick in Waiting (if you really need to know, look here) and Steward and Page of the Backstairs, a role held by the late "Backstairs Billy" Tallon.
Perhaps the new constitutional settlement being drawn up by Gordon Brown's Government could come up with some suitably modern titles for these roles.
Her Tory shadow Theresa May tried to score a few party political points without firing a silver bullet. Ms Harman took the opportunity to repeat her defence.
Questions remain about Labour's use of secret donors and Nick Robinson has listed most of them here. Others may yet be asked by the police.
I do like Jon Mendelsohn's euphemistic job title. Labour's chief fund-raiser is known as "director of general election resources".
Sanitised job titles are now de rigeur in 21st century politics, where lobbyists paid to put forward their client's point of view refer to themselves as "public affairs consultants".
But if job titles accurately reflected roles then we would probably be denied the delights of
Silver Stick in Waiting (if you really need to know, look here) and Steward and Page of the Backstairs, a role held by the late "Backstairs Billy" Tallon.
Perhaps the new constitutional settlement being drawn up by Gordon Brown's Government could come up with some suitably modern titles for these roles.
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
The Cable Guy
You know you're in trouble in politics when the Liberal Democrats start laughing at you.
The Lib Dems have provided much amusement for the main UK parties over the years, particularly during leadership elections.
Today, the tables turned and it was Gordon Brown's turn to become the butt of a Lib Dem joke.
Today, the party's acting leader, delivered the best line during Prime Minister's Question Time: "The House has noticed the Prime Minister's remarkable transformation in the last few weeks from Stalin to Mr Bean."
Vince Cable may look like Ming Campbell's older brother but he's generally seen to have played a blinder as acting leader, highlighting Northern Rock before others spotted the problems.
He'll be gone in two weeks, replaced by Nick Clegg or Chris Huhne. Mr Cable's a keen ballroom dancing fan - I wonder if he's done enough these last few weeks to get a slot on the next Strictly Come Dancing?
The Lib Dems have provided much amusement for the main UK parties over the years, particularly during leadership elections.
Today, the tables turned and it was Gordon Brown's turn to become the butt of a Lib Dem joke.
Today, the party's acting leader, delivered the best line during Prime Minister's Question Time: "The House has noticed the Prime Minister's remarkable transformation in the last few weeks from Stalin to Mr Bean."
Vince Cable may look like Ming Campbell's older brother but he's generally seen to have played a blinder as acting leader, highlighting Northern Rock before others spotted the problems.
He'll be gone in two weeks, replaced by Nick Clegg or Chris Huhne. Mr Cable's a keen ballroom dancing fan - I wonder if he's done enough these last few weeks to get a slot on the next Strictly Come Dancing?
Bah, humbug
They're putting the Christmas decorations up today in 4 Millbank, Westminster home of the BBC.
It's November 28.
I can just about cope with Christmas cards in the shops in August, but isn't this a little prematurely festive?
It's November 28.
I can just about cope with Christmas cards in the shops in August, but isn't this a little prematurely festive?
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Flag waving
Wrexham Labour MP Ian Lucas shows off his new design for the Union flag. What do you think?
He said: "This is not just a dry constitutional issue – indeed, I am aware that the politics of flags can stir some strong emotions. I am also keenly aware that there is a school of thought in Wales which means people do not feel the Union Flag represents them.
“I hope my proposal will mean that those people feel that their concerns are being listened to, that the new constitutional arrangements in the UK are marked – and most of all, that there is a wide-ranging debate on the Union Flag and what it means in Wales and the UK."
Mr Lucas raised the issue in a special debate in the Commons last night - the Government has promised to consider his views but don't hold your breath.....
Friday, 23 November 2007
Groundhog Day
The Liberal Democrats are getting terribly excited about the discovery that the Welsh Assembly Government has the power to reshape councils in Wales.
The Assembly Government got terribly excited too when the idea that the power might be transferred from Westminster was first reported more than a year ago.
Indeed, WAG got so excited they first denied they had asked for the power - only to back down when a letter from a Minister (to Welsh Secretary Peter Hain) asking for the power was revealed.
There is of course a huge difference between acquiring a power and using it - a point we reported at the time. (I'm still waiting for WAG to say sorry, mind).
I didn't realise it was a total secret - in fact Peter Black's blog from October 2006 drew attention to the announcement at the time.
The Assembly Government got terribly excited too when the idea that the power might be transferred from Westminster was first reported more than a year ago.
Indeed, WAG got so excited they first denied they had asked for the power - only to back down when a letter from a Minister (to Welsh Secretary Peter Hain) asking for the power was revealed.
There is of course a huge difference between acquiring a power and using it - a point we reported at the time. (I'm still waiting for WAG to say sorry, mind).
I didn't realise it was a total secret - in fact Peter Black's blog from October 2006 drew attention to the announcement at the time.
Thursday, 22 November 2007
The hardest word
Westminster is a slightly calmer place today - not even an Alistair Darling emergency statement to keep us busy.
On Thursday, as Commons leader Harriet Harman sets out future business, MPs can seize precious parliamentary time to raise the issues that matter most to their constituents.
Poverty, climate change, world peace, missing child benefit records? MPs can also use it to score a few party political points. Conwy Labour MP Betty Williams raised the misuse by Plaid Cymru MPs of the communications allowance.
Ms Harman told her: "The committee on standards and privileges takes abuse of the communications allowance very seriously and rightly so as it brings our honest use of the communication allowance and the reputation of the House into disrepute."
Plaid aren't the only ones to fall foul of the new allowance - Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has also had to write a cheque after using the allowance to publish leaflets viewed by some as propaganda.
Labour's desire to score points against their coalition partners is understandable in several ways. On April 26, Plaid Cymru's Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams wrote to Labour candidate Martin Eaglestone threatening him with legal action if he didn't retract, and apologise for, a suggestion the MPs had misused public funds.
Mr Williams gave a deadline of May 1. Mr Eaglestone didn't retract or apologise. He's still waiting for the Plaid legal squad to knock on his door.
Labour, too, will be waiting a long time for the apology demanded by Plaid for misuse of the funds.
Plaid parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd told BBC Wales he'd resist the invitation to say sorry: "Well, the committee don't so I think I'd rather listen to the committee than a few strange backbenchers with little axes to grind.
"If the committee had said apologise, clearly we would have done. The committee don't go anywhere near the word apology, so why should we?"
On Thursday, as Commons leader Harriet Harman sets out future business, MPs can seize precious parliamentary time to raise the issues that matter most to their constituents.
Poverty, climate change, world peace, missing child benefit records? MPs can also use it to score a few party political points. Conwy Labour MP Betty Williams raised the misuse by Plaid Cymru MPs of the communications allowance.
Ms Harman told her: "The committee on standards and privileges takes abuse of the communications allowance very seriously and rightly so as it brings our honest use of the communication allowance and the reputation of the House into disrepute."
Plaid aren't the only ones to fall foul of the new allowance - Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has also had to write a cheque after using the allowance to publish leaflets viewed by some as propaganda.
Labour's desire to score points against their coalition partners is understandable in several ways. On April 26, Plaid Cymru's Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams wrote to Labour candidate Martin Eaglestone threatening him with legal action if he didn't retract, and apologise for, a suggestion the MPs had misused public funds.
Mr Williams gave a deadline of May 1. Mr Eaglestone didn't retract or apologise. He's still waiting for the Plaid legal squad to knock on his door.
Labour, too, will be waiting a long time for the apology demanded by Plaid for misuse of the funds.
Plaid parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd told BBC Wales he'd resist the invitation to say sorry: "Well, the committee don't so I think I'd rather listen to the committee than a few strange backbenchers with little axes to grind.
"If the committee had said apologise, clearly we would have done. The committee don't go anywhere near the word apology, so why should we?"
Money-saving idea
The sacked England football coach Steve McClaren is apparently to be paid £2m for not coaching the team during the next two years.
If the FA are reading this, they may like to know that I would be prepared not to do the job for half that.
I would suggest Alistair Darling might make a suitable replacement for McClaren but the idea of the Scots running English affairs couldn't happen, could it?
If the FA are reading this, they may like to know that I would be prepared not to do the job for half that.
I would suggest Alistair Darling might make a suitable replacement for McClaren but the idea of the Scots running English affairs couldn't happen, could it?
On the mend
Paul Flynn hasn't let a mini-stroke stop him blogging.
He reports good treatment at the hands of the NHS in London. (Has the illness sent him on message?).
One of the tests applied by nurses to test the Newport West MP's recovery was to ask if he knew the name of the Prime Minister.....
He reports good treatment at the hands of the NHS in London. (Has the illness sent him on message?).
One of the tests applied by nurses to test the Newport West MP's recovery was to ask if he knew the name of the Prime Minister.....
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Oh, Darling
It was jaw-dropping stuff. The Commons chamber is home to more than its fair share of fake anger and pantomime drama, but the clashes over Alistair Darling's statement yesterday were real enough.
The gasps from MPs were genuine as the sheer scale of the security breach of child benefit details - and details of how they were lost - emerged.
The body language on the Government front bench, in the words of Quentin Letts of the Daily Mail, suggested the demeanour of "the hired mourners from a Chicago funeral partner".
Calling off the election that never was, Gordon Brown said his Government had proved its competence during his first months in office. Ministers can't be held directly responsible for an official sending the UK's entire child benefit data in the internal post, but questions of competence have followed cock-ups at the Home Office and the Northern Rock debacle.
This week - two emergency Darling statements in two days - has evoked memories for some MPs of some of the less good days enjoyed by John Major's Government. Remember John Smith, late Labour leader?
"If we were to offer this tale of events to the BBC Light Entertainment Department as a script for a programme I think the producers of Yes Minister would have turned it down as hopelessly over the top. I think it might have even been too much for Some Mothers Do Have 'Em. But Madam Speaker, the tragedy for us all is that it is really happening, it is fact, not fiction. The man with the non-Midas touch is in charge. No wonder we live in a country where the Grand National doesn't start and the hotels fall into the sea".
Gordon Brown's Government isn't there yet, but the economic forecasts are less than rosy and once an administration loses a reputation for competence it's very hard to recover - ask John Major.
Alistair Darling has been criticised for dullness, but he is widely seen at Westminster as one of the more competent Ministers. Perhaps he's just been unlucky to have been holding the parcel when the music stopped.
Mr Brown's favourite joke, in his last job, was that there are two types of Chancellor -
those who fail and those who get out in time. Mr Brown doesn't think he failed.
The gasps from MPs were genuine as the sheer scale of the security breach of child benefit details - and details of how they were lost - emerged.
The body language on the Government front bench, in the words of Quentin Letts of the Daily Mail, suggested the demeanour of "the hired mourners from a Chicago funeral partner".
Calling off the election that never was, Gordon Brown said his Government had proved its competence during his first months in office. Ministers can't be held directly responsible for an official sending the UK's entire child benefit data in the internal post, but questions of competence have followed cock-ups at the Home Office and the Northern Rock debacle.
This week - two emergency Darling statements in two days - has evoked memories for some MPs of some of the less good days enjoyed by John Major's Government. Remember John Smith, late Labour leader?
"If we were to offer this tale of events to the BBC Light Entertainment Department as a script for a programme I think the producers of Yes Minister would have turned it down as hopelessly over the top. I think it might have even been too much for Some Mothers Do Have 'Em. But Madam Speaker, the tragedy for us all is that it is really happening, it is fact, not fiction. The man with the non-Midas touch is in charge. No wonder we live in a country where the Grand National doesn't start and the hotels fall into the sea".
Gordon Brown's Government isn't there yet, but the economic forecasts are less than rosy and once an administration loses a reputation for competence it's very hard to recover - ask John Major.
Alistair Darling has been criticised for dullness, but he is widely seen at Westminster as one of the more competent Ministers. Perhaps he's just been unlucky to have been holding the parcel when the music stopped.
Mr Brown's favourite joke, in his last job, was that there are two types of Chancellor -
those who fail and those who get out in time. Mr Brown doesn't think he failed.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Christmas is coming
There's nothing so ex as an ex-politician, as the saying goes. But there are consolations - the pay-off from the public purse, the pundit slot on am.pm and...... an invite to Peter Hain's Christmas party.
Last year some invitations to the Cardiff Bay bash went out in the wrong envelopes. This year some have been sent to retired politicians - e.g. Owen John Thomas AM, who stepped down in May.
Invitations have been posted to names on a list that pre-dates the Assembly elections last May.
Perhaps the elections passed the Wales Office by or its Ministers are still in denial about the outcome?
Last year some invitations to the Cardiff Bay bash went out in the wrong envelopes. This year some have been sent to retired politicians - e.g. Owen John Thomas AM, who stepped down in May.
Invitations have been posted to names on a list that pre-dates the Assembly elections last May.
Perhaps the elections passed the Wales Office by or its Ministers are still in denial about the outcome?
Was it something we said?
In the five months (next week) since Gordon Brown took over as Prime Minister, he's visited Iraq, the United States, Portgual, France, SNP-run Scotland, Northern Ireland and a few other parts of the globe.
There's one corner of the United Kingdom yet to be visited by the new PM. You can probably guess where it is.
Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan tried to find out more about Mr Brown's travel plans via parliamentary questions.
Here's the exchange, from Hansard:
Cheryl Gillan: "To ask the Prime Minister when he last visited Wales; and when he next expects to visit Wales."
The Prime Minister: "A list of my UK visits will be published in the usual way following the end of the financial year."
It's good to see the age of evasion is no more in this modern, transparent, new political era.
There's one corner of the United Kingdom yet to be visited by the new PM. You can probably guess where it is.
Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan tried to find out more about Mr Brown's travel plans via parliamentary questions.
Here's the exchange, from Hansard:
Cheryl Gillan: "To ask the Prime Minister when he last visited Wales; and when he next expects to visit Wales."
The Prime Minister: "A list of my UK visits will be published in the usual way following the end of the financial year."
It's good to see the age of evasion is no more in this modern, transparent, new political era.
Monday, 19 November 2007
Breaking news and more..
News that may send the Elfynometer soaring......Plaid Cymru MPs have been reprimanded by a House of Commons committee for using taxpayers' money to pay for newspaper adverts in the run-up to the Assembly elections earlier this year. Parliament's standards and privileges committee has told Hywel Williams, Elfyn Llwyd and Adam Price to repay the cost of the adverts which were funded by an allowance set up to allow MPs to communicate with their constituents. The MPs said they acted on the advice of parliamentary officials.
You can read the report here.
The Plaid MPs say they will repay the money - either from party funds or their personal bank accounts.
The adverts will now count as campaign spending, pushing Plaid over the limit for the Assembly election, although parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd says the Electoral Commission will accept that.
He won't be taking up Labour's invitation to apologise for the misuse of public funds, as this was not demanded by the report:"Why should we?"
You can read the report here.
The Plaid MPs say they will repay the money - either from party funds or their personal bank accounts.
The adverts will now count as campaign spending, pushing Plaid over the limit for the Assembly election, although parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd says the Electoral Commission will accept that.
He won't be taking up Labour's invitation to apologise for the misuse of public funds, as this was not demanded by the report:"Why should we?"
Friday, 16 November 2007
Law-makers in Need
This being Children in Need day, in common with other BBC journalists I am of course writing this in fishnet stockings while perched on a desk singing out of tune. Heh, it's for charidee. If you donate enough, I might actually put a suit on and go to work.
But I digress. As a parliamentary correspondent, I'm often asked: "David, how do I change the law?"
It's not an easy question, so I'm grateful to the Conservatives for drawing attention to some studious work (by Professor Keith Patchett) for the Institute of Welsh Affairs that pre-dates but anticipates the Government of Wales Act and gives an idea of the complexity of the situation.
This, in brief, is a research note prepared for Tory MPs, summarising Professor Patchett's work on the sources of Welsh-related legislation.
Current mechanisms for legislating for Wales
1.Wales-only Acts of the UK Parliament
2. Provisions in Acts of the UK Parliament applying to Wales specifically
3. Acts of the UK Parliament applying to England and Wales as a single jurisdiction
4. General subordinate legislation made by the Assembly under Acts or exceptionally under Whitehall subordinate legislation
5. Subordinate legislation made by Whitehall specifically for Wales
6. Subordinate legislation made by Whitehall for England and Wales as a single jurisdiction
7. Measures made by the Assembly under Orders in Council modifying or supplementing existing legislation
8. General subordinate legislation made by the Assembly Government under provisions of Acts
9. General subordinate legislation made by the Assembly Government as delegate under Assembly Measures
Mechanisms for extending the competence of the Assembly
10, Legislative competence orders modifying Government of Wales Act
11. Provisions in Acts of the UK Parliament modifying Government of Wales Act
12. Order of the Assembly for commencement of the Assembly Act provisions in the Government of Wales Act 2006
Possible future mechanism for legislating for Wales
13. Acts of the Assembly under Part 4 of the Government of Wales Act 2006
A sceptic might think that this complex situation has been created to make the rather simpler idea of a law-making Welsh parliament irresistible.
Now, where did I leave those tights?
But I digress. As a parliamentary correspondent, I'm often asked: "David, how do I change the law?"It's not an easy question, so I'm grateful to the Conservatives for drawing attention to some studious work (by Professor Keith Patchett) for the Institute of Welsh Affairs that pre-dates but anticipates the Government of Wales Act and gives an idea of the complexity of the situation.
This, in brief, is a research note prepared for Tory MPs, summarising Professor Patchett's work on the sources of Welsh-related legislation.
Current mechanisms for legislating for Wales
1.Wales-only Acts of the UK Parliament
2. Provisions in Acts of the UK Parliament applying to Wales specifically
3. Acts of the UK Parliament applying to England and Wales as a single jurisdiction
4. General subordinate legislation made by the Assembly under Acts or exceptionally under Whitehall subordinate legislation
5. Subordinate legislation made by Whitehall specifically for Wales
6. Subordinate legislation made by Whitehall for England and Wales as a single jurisdiction
7. Measures made by the Assembly under Orders in Council modifying or supplementing existing legislation
8. General subordinate legislation made by the Assembly Government under provisions of Acts
9. General subordinate legislation made by the Assembly Government as delegate under Assembly Measures
Mechanisms for extending the competence of the Assembly
10, Legislative competence orders modifying Government of Wales Act
11. Provisions in Acts of the UK Parliament modifying Government of Wales Act
12. Order of the Assembly for commencement of the Assembly Act provisions in the Government of Wales Act 2006
Possible future mechanism for legislating for Wales
13. Acts of the Assembly under Part 4 of the Government of Wales Act 2006
A sceptic might think that this complex situation has been created to make the rather simpler idea of a law-making Welsh parliament irresistible.
Now, where did I leave those tights?
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Better late than never?
You and I may live in a 21st century electronic 24:7 media culture where news breaks around the clock.
Others pursue the news agenda at a more sedate pace. A mere two weeks after they returned to this country from a top-secret trip to China, MPs on the Welsh affairs committee have, wait for it, put out a press release.
Here's the top line: "The Welsh Affairs Committee has visited China as part of its inquiry into globalisation and its impact on Wales. Members visited Shanghai and the Special Economic Zone of Xiamen in the southern province of Fujian."
Well, hold the front page. What the press release doesn't say is that the MPs were rather restricted in what they could see by the Chinese Government.
Chairman of the Committee Dr Hywel Francis MP said: “The most striking part of our visit to China was becoming aware of the current scale and pace of change. We also saw many examples of a workforce that is increasingly skilled, flexible, adaptable and hard-working.
"The importance attached to universities and skills was impressive. We witnessed a great respect for learning and saw how ‘Confucius Institutes’ are now being established worldwide in favoured overseas universities, including Cardiff. Consolidating existing links and establishing new ones between Welsh and Chinese universities is vital to ensure that education remains the key to harnessing globalisation.”
I know of no Welsh media outlet that works on fortnightly deadlines, but I guess the committee will be chuffed that at least this is one outlet that used the press release.
I'm looking forward to receiving a Christmas card from the committee - probably around the middle of January.
Others pursue the news agenda at a more sedate pace. A mere two weeks after they returned to this country from a top-secret trip to China, MPs on the Welsh affairs committee have, wait for it, put out a press release.
Here's the top line: "The Welsh Affairs Committee has visited China as part of its inquiry into globalisation and its impact on Wales. Members visited Shanghai and the Special Economic Zone of Xiamen in the southern province of Fujian."
Well, hold the front page. What the press release doesn't say is that the MPs were rather restricted in what they could see by the Chinese Government.
Chairman of the Committee Dr Hywel Francis MP said: “The most striking part of our visit to China was becoming aware of the current scale and pace of change. We also saw many examples of a workforce that is increasingly skilled, flexible, adaptable and hard-working.
"The importance attached to universities and skills was impressive. We witnessed a great respect for learning and saw how ‘Confucius Institutes’ are now being established worldwide in favoured overseas universities, including Cardiff. Consolidating existing links and establishing new ones between Welsh and Chinese universities is vital to ensure that education remains the key to harnessing globalisation.”
I know of no Welsh media outlet that works on fortnightly deadlines, but I guess the committee will be chuffed that at least this is one outlet that used the press release.
I'm looking forward to receiving a Christmas card from the committee - probably around the middle of January.
Don't all rush at once
It was, said the (UK) Government, as "another innovative step forward in engaging the public and Parliament in the development of future Government policy".
Peter Hain said: "I now want to ensure that the people of Wales can have a full and active role in the development of the UK Government’s policy programme, which is still hugely significant in Wales and will impact on most aspects of Welsh life."
Voters were invited to contact the Wales Office by e-mail or letter.
So how many responses did the Wales Office get to its appeal for the people of Wales to play a full and active role?
Er, 18.
Peter Hain said: "I now want to ensure that the people of Wales can have a full and active role in the development of the UK Government’s policy programme, which is still hugely significant in Wales and will impact on most aspects of Welsh life."
Voters were invited to contact the Wales Office by e-mail or letter.
So how many responses did the Wales Office get to its appeal for the people of Wales to play a full and active role?
Er, 18.
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Too many MPs?
The Justice committee's inquiry into devolution has been told that Wales has too many MPs and is over-represented at Westminster.
Robert Hazell, head of the devolution unit at University College, London, said:"Wales should have the same electoral quota as the rest of the UK"
There are currently 40 Welsh MPs - he says they should be cut to 33. Which seven would you get rid of?
Robert Hazell, head of the devolution unit at University College, London, said:"Wales should have the same electoral quota as the rest of the UK"
There are currently 40 Welsh MPs - he says they should be cut to 33. Which seven would you get rid of?
Tory chain gang caption competition
Peter Hain can relax, for once. This week's photograph features prominent Tories Cheryl Gillan and Nick Bourne digging for victory/digging themselves into a hole/modelling the latest Guantanamo chic look. You decide.
Not a lot of people know that
The Ministry of Defence employs 171 Welsh speakers, according to Defence Minister Bob Ainsworth.
Monday, 12 November 2007
Not very grand
Devastating news for political anoraks: this week's meeting of the Welsh Grand Committee, that megastore of talking shops, has been cancelled.
Slightly better news for political anoraks: there's a bit of a row about who is to blame.
[Welsh Secretary] Peter Hain's Wales Office told me [Shadow Welsh Secretary] Cheryl Gillan asked for it to be cancelled.
The Conservatives say the Government called it off after discovering Mr Hain, who is also Work and Pensions Secretary, was double-booked. Ms Gillan is furious at the suggestion she was behind the cancellation.
Mr Hain's office insist that they were told by the Tories that they would vote against the decision to meet to discuss both the Queen's Speech and the Pre-Budget report. They had demanded two separate meetings to discuss both events.
The Wales Office is now looking to schedule a Welsh Grand in December, long enough after both events for no-one to care.
Slightly better news for political anoraks: there's a bit of a row about who is to blame.
[Welsh Secretary] Peter Hain's Wales Office told me [Shadow Welsh Secretary] Cheryl Gillan asked for it to be cancelled.
The Conservatives say the Government called it off after discovering Mr Hain, who is also Work and Pensions Secretary, was double-booked. Ms Gillan is furious at the suggestion she was behind the cancellation.
Mr Hain's office insist that they were told by the Tories that they would vote against the decision to meet to discuss both the Queen's Speech and the Pre-Budget report. They had demanded two separate meetings to discuss both events.
The Wales Office is now looking to schedule a Welsh Grand in December, long enough after both events for no-one to care.
Some must have prizes
Most politicians are selfless altruistic souls who wouldn't dream of grabbing any glory for their deeds or demanding recognition, let alone publicity, for their work.
So it often falls upon others, sometimes the media, to reward these efforts with appropriate deference.
Yes, the annual AM.PM awards are almost upon us. The winners will be announced live on the BBC programme of that name on December 5.
These are the categories:
Politician of the Year;
Newcomer of the Year;
Communicator of the Year;
Campaigner of the Year;
Most Outspoken.
A panel of experts, made up of pundits from the programme, will decide the winners. You may well have your own idea of deserving recipients for these awards. I'd love to hear them.
So it often falls upon others, sometimes the media, to reward these efforts with appropriate deference.
Yes, the annual AM.PM awards are almost upon us. The winners will be announced live on the BBC programme of that name on December 5.
These are the categories:
Politician of the Year;
Newcomer of the Year;
Communicator of the Year;
Campaigner of the Year;
Most Outspoken.
A panel of experts, made up of pundits from the programme, will decide the winners. You may well have your own idea of deserving recipients for these awards. I'd love to hear them.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Communications
Another story about money. Rumblings about the new £10,000 communications allowance continue.
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the rules. Plaid Cymru are still fighting complaints about the use of the taxpayer-funded allowance to pay for newspaper adverts during the Welsh Assembly election campaign.
Cardiff North MP Julie Morgan says the leaflets ConservativeHome highlighted were cleared by the Commons fees office. They may refer to the new Prime Minister and her support for his deputy Harriet Harman, she says, but those are matters of fact.
The creation of the allowance was controversial in itself - the arguments clearly won't go away.
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the rules. Plaid Cymru are still fighting complaints about the use of the taxpayer-funded allowance to pay for newspaper adverts during the Welsh Assembly election campaign.
Cardiff North MP Julie Morgan says the leaflets ConservativeHome highlighted were cleared by the Commons fees office. They may refer to the new Prime Minister and her support for his deputy Harriet Harman, she says, but those are matters of fact.
The creation of the allowance was controversial in itself - the arguments clearly won't go away.
Hey big spender?
There's a bit of a row, as you might expect, over the increase in the Wales Office budget - at a time when other government departments are told to tighten their belts on administration costs.The Wales Office (the Whitehall department that represents Welsh interests at Westminster) will see its budget rise from £4.68 m to £8.44m next year, although the figures are disputed by the department itself.
I've just interviewed Peter Hain's deputy, Huw Irranca-Davies, who explained that when you include LCOs, front-loading, framework powers, revenue spending and exclude capital spending, it's nowhere near as big as 80 per cent - although the jargon did leave me struggling by the end of that answer.
The £4m increase is a drop in the ocean of an overall Welsh budget of £14bn but that won't stop opposition parties highlighting the scale of the rise.
Oh, and here's a photograph of the Secretary of State for Wales (he's on the left), showing how the countryside is still open. Peter Hain may have an Aga, but his wellies are definitely not green.
That question again
Some interesting thoughts from Peter Riddell in the Times on how to answer the West Lothian question (if I may be permitted to use the words "interesting" and "West Lothian question" in the same sentence).
He says the idea is to give devolved governments a bigger role in raising their own budgets. That would also help tackle the point made by Stephen Crabb recently that the current system fuels a culture in which there is an inbuilt incentive to demand higher public spending.
Peter's article is another reminder that the pressure for a review of the way Wales is funded is not only coming from west of Offa's Dyke. Arguments about public spending in Scotland may be driving the debate but Wales will be caught in the slipstream.
He says the idea is to give devolved governments a bigger role in raising their own budgets. That would also help tackle the point made by Stephen Crabb recently that the current system fuels a culture in which there is an inbuilt incentive to demand higher public spending.
Peter's article is another reminder that the pressure for a review of the way Wales is funded is not only coming from west of Offa's Dyke. Arguments about public spending in Scotland may be driving the debate but Wales will be caught in the slipstream.
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Happy (half) hour
This may come as a blessed relief or a shocking attempt to dodge political accountability, depending on your point of view. Some may even describe it as a slap in the face or snub to Wales. Take your pick.
The monthly parliamentary feast that is Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales will no longer take place every four weeks.
Instead, Secretary of State Peter Hain and his deputy Huw Irranca-Davies will be put on the spot every fifth week.
The idea is to make some of the larger Whitehall departments more accountable. The Wales Office has a small (although rising by 80 per cent next year) budget, relatively few staff and even fewer executive responsibilities. So MPs often ask Ministers to account for the actions of other Ministers, in Cardiff or in Westminster.
The Wales Office has also missed out on one of the reforms to Question Time introduced in the new session of Parliament. Those Ministers held accountable for 40 minutes or more at the despatch box can be questioned on topical issues.
Welsh Questions last but 30 minutes so MPs will need to use their ingenuity to devise questions with a more topical relevance.
The monthly parliamentary feast that is Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales will no longer take place every four weeks.
Instead, Secretary of State Peter Hain and his deputy Huw Irranca-Davies will be put on the spot every fifth week.
The idea is to make some of the larger Whitehall departments more accountable. The Wales Office has a small (although rising by 80 per cent next year) budget, relatively few staff and even fewer executive responsibilities. So MPs often ask Ministers to account for the actions of other Ministers, in Cardiff or in Westminster.
The Wales Office has also missed out on one of the reforms to Question Time introduced in the new session of Parliament. Those Ministers held accountable for 40 minutes or more at the despatch box can be questioned on topical issues.
Welsh Questions last but 30 minutes so MPs will need to use their ingenuity to devise questions with a more topical relevance.
Mission Accomplished!
It's amazing how frequently the most public words of politicians come back to haunt them.
So begins the blurb on a new book by Matthew Parris and Phil Mason - Mission Accomplished!
Its (involuntary) contributors include Idi Amin, Margaret Thatcher, Leon Trotsky and (frequently) George Bush.
Here's a couple of Welsh examples.
Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells: "If Prime Minister Sharon had lived....he is dead, isn't he? No? It's an easy mistake to make".
Indeed. And here's David Lloyd George. "I have never doubted the fundamental greatness of Herr Hitler".
That's one inscription you won't find on the new Lloyd George statue in Parliament Square.
So begins the blurb on a new book by Matthew Parris and Phil Mason - Mission Accomplished!
Its (involuntary) contributors include Idi Amin, Margaret Thatcher, Leon Trotsky and (frequently) George Bush.
Here's a couple of Welsh examples.
Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells: "If Prime Minister Sharon had lived....he is dead, isn't he? No? It's an easy mistake to make".
Indeed. And here's David Lloyd George. "I have never doubted the fundamental greatness of Herr Hitler".
That's one inscription you won't find on the new Lloyd George statue in Parliament Square.
The West Amersham Question
It doesn't feel like Wednesday. There's no prime minister's question time, which may disappoint David Cameron more than Gordon Brown after yesterday's exchanges.
MPs are instead embarking on several days' debate on the Queen's Speech. Well, some of them are - there are no Commons votes until next week so some will be catching up with their constituents.
Cheryl Gillan invited the Welsh media to her loft-style office in Portcullis House for her regular weekly briefing over coffee and biscuits.
She wouldn't be drawn on Stephen Crabb's views on devolution - pity that. Discovering Ms Gillan's inner thoughts on devolution is like getting blood from a stone. We never had that problem with Bill Wiggin!
She did suggest one potential problem with plans to raise the education leaving age to 18 in England, a question that emerged after she was having her hair done in a salon with a 17-year-old work experience person.
What happens if someone of the same age in Wales moves to England (perhaps her own constituency of Chesham and Amersham) a year after leaving school? Would they be prosecuted or forced back to school?
The most probable answer is that the 17-year-old's work would include a large enough element of training to qualify as education, training or an apprenticeship - but an interesting question nevertheless.
MPs are instead embarking on several days' debate on the Queen's Speech. Well, some of them are - there are no Commons votes until next week so some will be catching up with their constituents.
Cheryl Gillan invited the Welsh media to her loft-style office in Portcullis House for her regular weekly briefing over coffee and biscuits.
She wouldn't be drawn on Stephen Crabb's views on devolution - pity that. Discovering Ms Gillan's inner thoughts on devolution is like getting blood from a stone. We never had that problem with Bill Wiggin!
She did suggest one potential problem with plans to raise the education leaving age to 18 in England, a question that emerged after she was having her hair done in a salon with a 17-year-old work experience person.
What happens if someone of the same age in Wales moves to England (perhaps her own constituency of Chesham and Amersham) a year after leaving school? Would they be prosecuted or forced back to school?
The most probable answer is that the 17-year-old's work would include a large enough element of training to qualify as education, training or an apprenticeship - but an interesting question nevertheless.
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Tights and toll roads
Not wearing tights or medals, I do feel slightly under-dressed at state occasions such as the opening of Parliament.
There are no surprises among the Bills read by the Queen in a speech that was the shortest since Labour came to power, but do read on.....
The major flashpoints are likely to occur over anti-terror laws, where the Government wants to allow the police to continue to question suspects who've already been charged - and to give police the power to detain suspects for longer before charging them.
Welsh angle? Most of the Bills apply to Wales, in varying degrees. Three of them will allow the Welsh Assembly to draft laws in areas of education, planning and local transport.
The latter may be the most interesting - it would give the Assembly Government the power to charge motorists for using the new M4 relief road and trunk roads.
There are no surprises among the Bills read by the Queen in a speech that was the shortest since Labour came to power, but do read on.....
The major flashpoints are likely to occur over anti-terror laws, where the Government wants to allow the police to continue to question suspects who've already been charged - and to give police the power to detain suspects for longer before charging them.
Welsh angle? Most of the Bills apply to Wales, in varying degrees. Three of them will allow the Welsh Assembly to draft laws in areas of education, planning and local transport.
The latter may be the most interesting - it would give the Assembly Government the power to charge motorists for using the new M4 relief road and trunk roads.
A G please, Carol
I have to admit the footage of Gordon Brown's contribution to the 25th anniversary of Countdown had passed me by. And I thought celebrity politics died with his predecessor.
Monday, 5 November 2007
Spot the athlete
Perhaps if I started wearing shades and nodding my head......
Perhaps not. What a great run at the weekend (I mean Paula in the New York Marathon not me in the Wimbledon Common Time Trial, obviously).
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