Hello. Welcome back. I return refreshed from a half-term break to discover that more tensions have emerged between Liberal Democrats at either end of the M4.
During the past year, Welsh Lib Dems have seen senior party figures at Westminster call for the scrapping of a massive defence investment and try to reduce the number of Welsh MPs by 30 per cent.
Now several senior Lib Dem MPs have signed up to a move to block further devolution to Wales, this time in the area of home education.
A Tory MP, Graham Stuart, tabled an amendment to a new law going through Parliament, an amendment that would have deleted a clause in the Bill that would give the Assembly the power to pass laws on home education in Wales.
Six Lib Dem MPs, including the party's education spokesman, David Laws, signed Mr Stuart's amendment, despite the Lib Dems claiming to be in favour of greater powers for Wales.
Cock-up or conspiracy? Jenny Randerson, the party's education spokeswoman in the Welsh Assembly, says: "My colleagues in Westminster subscribed to this amendment in error and will be removing their names from this Tory amendment. David Laws, the Lib Dem education spokesperson will, during the debate, argue in favour of devolving these powers to Wales.
“The Liberal Democrats remain committed to furthering Welsh devolution and they will vote against this amendment if it is called.”
An easy mistake. Perhaps ordinary voters simply don't understand just how easy it is for politicians to say one thing and then sign up to the opposite. The more charitable explanation is that there was some confusion over whether, having removed English powers from the Bill, you could still include powers for Wales.
Showing posts with label Welsh Lib Dems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Welsh Lib Dems. Show all posts
Monday, 22 February 2010
Monday, 8 February 2010
Lib Dem drama latest
UPDATE: A paramedic has come forward to jog Mick Bates' memory - this from Radio Wales News.
He has now been relieved of his frontbench duties after a paramedic claimed he was physically assaulted by him. The medic, who is planning to press charges against Mr Bates, says he was punched in the chest and that the police were called to give Mr Bates a verbal warning.
According to the paramedic, Mr Bates delivered a tirade of verbal abuse, and punched him in the chest while he was trying to administer first aid. A police officer was called into the ambulance to give Mr Bates a warning but he was not arrested. The paramedic says that the abusive behaviour continued at the accident and emergency department, where he was kept under observation by security. The Liberal Democrats say they're investigating.
Mick Bates has previously questioned NHS executives about the problems caused by violence and aggression to staff.
He has now been relieved of his frontbench duties after a paramedic claimed he was physically assaulted by him. The medic, who is planning to press charges against Mr Bates, says he was punched in the chest and that the police were called to give Mr Bates a verbal warning.
According to the paramedic, Mr Bates delivered a tirade of verbal abuse, and punched him in the chest while he was trying to administer first aid. A police officer was called into the ambulance to give Mr Bates a warning but he was not arrested. The paramedic says that the abusive behaviour continued at the accident and emergency department, where he was kept under observation by security. The Liberal Democrats say they're investigating.
Mick Bates has previously questioned NHS executives about the problems caused by violence and aggression to staff.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Peter's friends and a sell-out
As Labour donors prepare to break bread with the Welsh political and rugby establishment (well, one or two of them), the Liberal Democrats are gearing up for their own fund-raising conference in Swansea.
Keen readers of this blog, both of you, will remember how the Lib Dems offered companies the chance to sponsor a reception hosted by the Welsh Assembly Member Peter Black. This will jog your memory.
Sadly, I can reveal that, despite the knockdown price of £800 for the whole reception - roughly the cost of a single main course with Welsh Labour - there was a slight shortage of blue-chip companies, or indeed fish-and-chip companies, prepared to sponsor the bash. It won't now take place.
Peter himself tells me: "I asked and was told that there were no offers for the reception that was advertised in my name."
So the rest of us will just have to make alternative plans - as if being bumped off the guest list for Katie and Alex's wedding was not enough of a blow for one week.
The Lib Dems tell me that despite their failure to sell Peter's party, their £45-a-head conference dinner is sold out.
The guest speaker is Evan Harris MP who, I am told by the Lib Dems, is "very, very funny."
Perhaps it's the way he tells them. Swansea beckons. See you at Paddington.
Keen readers of this blog, both of you, will remember how the Lib Dems offered companies the chance to sponsor a reception hosted by the Welsh Assembly Member Peter Black. This will jog your memory.
Sadly, I can reveal that, despite the knockdown price of £800 for the whole reception - roughly the cost of a single main course with Welsh Labour - there was a slight shortage of blue-chip companies, or indeed fish-and-chip companies, prepared to sponsor the bash. It won't now take place.
Peter himself tells me: "I asked and was told that there were no offers for the reception that was advertised in my name."
So the rest of us will just have to make alternative plans - as if being bumped off the guest list for Katie and Alex's wedding was not enough of a blow for one week.
The Lib Dems tell me that despite their failure to sell Peter's party, their £45-a-head conference dinner is sold out.
The guest speaker is Evan Harris MP who, I am told by the Lib Dems, is "very, very funny."
Perhaps it's the way he tells them. Swansea beckons. See you at Paddington.
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Fashion victim and cake
Greetings from Bournemouth, where the fine weather and free cake on offer at the Liberal Democrat conference is almost enough to leave me in a sunny mood at the start of the (UK) conference season.
The cake marks a return to the cheesy stunts and photo-opportunities enjoyed by Lib Dems in years gone by.
A party worker donned a Gordon Brown mask to deliver the said cake to the party's leader in Wales, Kirsty Williams.
She was kind enough to give me the first slice, even if it was smaller than you might expect. The point the Lib Dems were making is that Wales gets a smaller slice than it should when it comes to public spending.
I took the opportunity to canvass English Lib Dem activists to see whether they'd fancy giving up some cash from their constituncies to spend on public services in Wales.
And, well-meaning souls that they are, most agreed, including a man from Harrow who argued that London already subsidises the rest of the UK to the tune of £11bn a year so a few more million wouldn't make much difference.
On a fashion note, a colleague noted that Ms Williams was wearing a dress identical to that worn during her role as presenter of the Welsh Mastermind.
If I ever turn up at a Lib Dem conference and discover I share a wardrobe item with Peter Black you have permission to shoot me before I reach for the revolver myself.
The cake marks a return to the cheesy stunts and photo-opportunities enjoyed by Lib Dems in years gone by.
A party worker donned a Gordon Brown mask to deliver the said cake to the party's leader in Wales, Kirsty Williams.
She was kind enough to give me the first slice, even if it was smaller than you might expect. The point the Lib Dems were making is that Wales gets a smaller slice than it should when it comes to public spending.
I took the opportunity to canvass English Lib Dem activists to see whether they'd fancy giving up some cash from their constituncies to spend on public services in Wales.
And, well-meaning souls that they are, most agreed, including a man from Harrow who argued that London already subsidises the rest of the UK to the tune of £11bn a year so a few more million wouldn't make much difference.
On a fashion note, a colleague noted that Ms Williams was wearing a dress identical to that worn during her role as presenter of the Welsh Mastermind.
If I ever turn up at a Lib Dem conference and discover I share a wardrobe item with Peter Black you have permission to shoot me before I reach for the revolver myself.
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Facing facts or facing both ways?
More news from the Welsh Lib Dems here. The man who describes himself as the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales says it's time to face facts over spending.
Roger Williams says: "All politicians must face up to the fact that we will need to cut spending to reduce the deficit, and they need to start outlining what they would cut, rather than making tokenistic gestures, or avoiding the issue altogether.
"While Brown and Cameron are playing hide and seek over cuts, Vince Cable has outlined a set of serious proposals that would make a major impact on reducing our levels of debt. This is by no means the full list of what needs to be done, and more hard choices will have to be made in the run-up to the general election, but this is an important first step."
An important first step or a "rough, first attempt"? With the Lib Dems, you don't need to choose.
Roger Williams says: "All politicians must face up to the fact that we will need to cut spending to reduce the deficit, and they need to start outlining what they would cut, rather than making tokenistic gestures, or avoiding the issue altogether.
"While Brown and Cameron are playing hide and seek over cuts, Vince Cable has outlined a set of serious proposals that would make a major impact on reducing our levels of debt. This is by no means the full list of what needs to be done, and more hard choices will have to be made in the run-up to the general election, but this is an important first step."
An important first step or a "rough, first attempt"? With the Lib Dems, you don't need to choose.
The Things They Say
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams on the proposed military training academy at St Athan:
"It is hard to underestimate the economic impact this will have if St Athan's bid is successful. It is a huge investment in Wales and the people of Wales, and my congratulations go to all those who have worked on the bid, who have been vigorously promoting the advantages of a South Wales location and the useful experience of the local workforce.
"There have been a number of job losses and closure threats at St Athan over the past few years, but this contract should now bring some stability to the workers and to local people. It is a vote of confidence not just in St Athan, but in the whole of Wales - a recognition that we are a location with expertise, a country with ability, a place to do business."
That was Kirsty Williams speaking on January 17, 2007. Or perhaps that was just a "first, rough attempt".
"It is hard to underestimate the economic impact this will have if St Athan's bid is successful. It is a huge investment in Wales and the people of Wales, and my congratulations go to all those who have worked on the bid, who have been vigorously promoting the advantages of a South Wales location and the useful experience of the local workforce.
"There have been a number of job losses and closure threats at St Athan over the past few years, but this contract should now bring some stability to the workers and to local people. It is a vote of confidence not just in St Athan, but in the whole of Wales - a recognition that we are a location with expertise, a country with ability, a place to do business."
That was Kirsty Williams speaking on January 17, 2007. Or perhaps that was just a "first, rough attempt".
Sunday, 14 September 2008
The Place To Be
Exciting things happen during Liberal Democrat conferences. Admittedly, they often happen far away from the conference itself. Who can forget the Lib Dem conference of 1992, admittedly rather overshadowed by "Black Wednesday".
Then there was the Lib Dem gathering in Blackpool that coincided with the bombing of Afghanistan. I was back in London before Sunday night that year.
Gordon Brown's troubles have diverted attention away from Nick Clegg's first conference as Lib Dem leader but, for now, we're staying in Bournemouth.
For those pining for leadership battles, there is of course the future of the Welsh Lib Dems to be decided.
For the Politics Show We lined up the telly dream team of the only declared candidate - Kirsty Williams - and a past Welsh Lib Dem leader, Lembit Opik.
Both agreed, only for Kirsty to claim that she had a diary clash with a fringe event. A quick check discovered that the fringe event didn't start until an hour after the Politics Show.
Perhaps her withdrawal had something to do with this description of internal party tensions.
Luckily, the outgoing leader, Mike German, has agreed to step in - despite the fact he's appearing at the same fringe Kirsty cited as a diary clash.
Then there was the Lib Dem gathering in Blackpool that coincided with the bombing of Afghanistan. I was back in London before Sunday night that year.
Gordon Brown's troubles have diverted attention away from Nick Clegg's first conference as Lib Dem leader but, for now, we're staying in Bournemouth.
For those pining for leadership battles, there is of course the future of the Welsh Lib Dems to be decided.
For the Politics Show We lined up the telly dream team of the only declared candidate - Kirsty Williams - and a past Welsh Lib Dem leader, Lembit Opik.
Both agreed, only for Kirsty to claim that she had a diary clash with a fringe event. A quick check discovered that the fringe event didn't start until an hour after the Politics Show.
Perhaps her withdrawal had something to do with this description of internal party tensions.
Luckily, the outgoing leader, Mike German, has agreed to step in - despite the fact he's appearing at the same fringe Kirsty cited as a diary clash.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Lib Dems counting the pennies
You wouldn't think the Welsh Liberal Democrats were so awash with cash that filing their accounts would be a difficult task.
You'd be wrong - the party is in trouble with the electoral commission for failing to meet its deadline.
The Welsh Lib Dems are now facing a possible fine from the commission, the size of which could depend on how late the accounts are when finally submitted. They were due in May.
The commission said: "Final statements of accounts have yet to be received from the Welsh Liberal Democrats accounting unit. The penalty it faces will depend on how late they are".
Its head in Wales, Kay Jenkins, said: "The regulatory framework put in place by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act is designed to ensure the integrity of our democratic system and is quite clear on the time-frame that must be adhered to. That is why we are fining parties who did not meet the deadline for submitting their accounts."
Commission chief executive Peter Wardle agreed verbatim: "The regulatory framework put in place by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act is designed to ensure the integrity of our democratic system and is quite clear on the time-frame that must be adhered to. That is why we are fining parties who did not meet the deadline for submitting their accounts."
Perhaps when the Welsh Lib Dems have filed their audited accounts they can ask the commission why it needs two people to deliver identical statements.
The Lib Dems say: "We acknowledge that when the accounts were submitted they had not been audited and certified. This process is now taking place. We do not take this fine lightly and are undertaking a thorough review of our present procedures to ensure audited accounts will always be submitted on time in the future"
You'd be wrong - the party is in trouble with the electoral commission for failing to meet its deadline.
The Welsh Lib Dems are now facing a possible fine from the commission, the size of which could depend on how late the accounts are when finally submitted. They were due in May.
The commission said: "Final statements of accounts have yet to be received from the Welsh Liberal Democrats accounting unit. The penalty it faces will depend on how late they are".
Its head in Wales, Kay Jenkins, said: "The regulatory framework put in place by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act is designed to ensure the integrity of our democratic system and is quite clear on the time-frame that must be adhered to. That is why we are fining parties who did not meet the deadline for submitting their accounts."
Commission chief executive Peter Wardle agreed verbatim: "The regulatory framework put in place by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act is designed to ensure the integrity of our democratic system and is quite clear on the time-frame that must be adhered to. That is why we are fining parties who did not meet the deadline for submitting their accounts."
Perhaps when the Welsh Lib Dems have filed their audited accounts they can ask the commission why it needs two people to deliver identical statements.
The Lib Dems say: "We acknowledge that when the accounts were submitted they had not been audited and certified. This process is now taking place. We do not take this fine lightly and are undertaking a thorough review of our present procedures to ensure audited accounts will always be submitted on time in the future"
Thursday, 27 March 2008
A plural society
Hot news arrives from the Welsh Lib Dems' spokesperson on education, Kirsty Williams.
"Pupil’s (sic) results reflect ethnic and social inequalities" screams the headline.
Call me a dinosaur, but is it really asking too much to expect political parties to get the punctuation right when writing about these things?
"Pupil’s (sic) results reflect ethnic and social inequalities" screams the headline.
Call me a dinosaur, but is it really asking too much to expect political parties to get the punctuation right when writing about these things?
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Sponsored absence
I will sadly forego the pleasures of the Welsh Liberal Democrat conference in Llandudno this weekend, although colleagues will ensure it receives sparkling coverage on radio, TV and online.
I did offer to stay away if their AMs sponsored me for the London Marathon, although that failed to persuade anyone other than Peter Black (thank you, Peter) to cough up. (It's not too late for the rest of them to dig out their credit cards.........).
The Welsh Lib Dems are billing Nick Clegg's visit (10am, Saturday) as his first national conference speech as leader. His graveyard slot is explained by other engagements elsewhere later that day.
The conference does offer the chance for AMs to jockey for position ahead of the expected retirement of Mike German as Welsh party leader later this year.
I'll leave it to others to run through the list of runners and riders, although one
political insider got in touch to point out that one potential candidate has been stressing her experience in legal issues.
Indeed, Eleanor Burnham, for it is she, has mentioned her past life on the bench no fewer than seven times since her re-election last May.
The phrase "as a former magistrate" sprung from her lips on July 10, 2007 (twice), October 17, December 5 (twice), January 16 and January 30.
Evidence enough to overwhelm those sceptics who assumed her leadership pitch would be based on her role as a qualified aromatherapist.
I did offer to stay away if their AMs sponsored me for the London Marathon, although that failed to persuade anyone other than Peter Black (thank you, Peter) to cough up. (It's not too late for the rest of them to dig out their credit cards.........).
The Welsh Lib Dems are billing Nick Clegg's visit (10am, Saturday) as his first national conference speech as leader. His graveyard slot is explained by other engagements elsewhere later that day.
The conference does offer the chance for AMs to jockey for position ahead of the expected retirement of Mike German as Welsh party leader later this year.
I'll leave it to others to run through the list of runners and riders, although one
political insider got in touch to point out that one potential candidate has been stressing her experience in legal issues.
Indeed, Eleanor Burnham, for it is she, has mentioned her past life on the bench no fewer than seven times since her re-election last May.
The phrase "as a former magistrate" sprung from her lips on July 10, 2007 (twice), October 17, December 5 (twice), January 16 and January 30.
Evidence enough to overwhelm those sceptics who assumed her leadership pitch would be based on her role as a qualified aromatherapist.
Thursday, 11 October 2007
The feet of history
Great excitement ahead as the weekend should offer definitive news on the future of Wales's longest-serving political leader.
I fear that Mike German's political opponents are not treating the leadership of the fourth largest party in the National Assembly with the seriousness it might expect.
Sadly, I will be passing up the opportunity of a sunny weekend in Aberystwyth to run the Cardiff half-marathon.
I have however taken the precaution of arranging mile-by-mile electronic updates from the seaside lest I miss an historic moment.
Running 13 miles is hard enough at my age without the disappointment of missing out on a coup by the Burnhamites.
I fear that Mike German's political opponents are not treating the leadership of the fourth largest party in the National Assembly with the seriousness it might expect.
Sadly, I will be passing up the opportunity of a sunny weekend in Aberystwyth to run the Cardiff half-marathon.
I have however taken the precaution of arranging mile-by-mile electronic updates from the seaside lest I miss an historic moment.
Running 13 miles is hard enough at my age without the disappointment of missing out on a coup by the Burnhamites.
Thursday, 26 July 2007
Welcome to the silly season
Today is the last day of term at Westminster, quite possibly the official start of the silly season.
Or has it already arrived? Here are a few tell-tale signs gleaned from reading, watching and listening during the past week:
The prime minister's preference for a Labour government rather than a coalition with Plaid Cymru is presented as news.
Sunday newspaper columns blatantly lift diary stories from other papers without checking them.
The Western Mail devotes a whole page to the Barnett formula.
Or has it already arrived? Here are a few tell-tale signs gleaned from reading, watching and listening during the past week:
The prime minister's preference for a Labour government rather than a coalition with Plaid Cymru is presented as news.
Sunday newspaper columns blatantly lift diary stories from other papers without checking them.
The Western Mail devotes a whole page to the Barnett formula.
Traffic news replaces real news.
Adam Price says he's "demob-happy" on his Facebook profile.
You don't recognise the bylines in newspapers.
I'm blogging about the leadership of the Welsh Lib Dems.
Other tell-tale signs that the silly season is here gratefully received.
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