Others have written at length about the new Labour website Aneurin Glyndwr - "definitely one to watch" as Labour's leader in Wales put it. (Definitely not one to listen to for music lovers)
If you thought that was an endorsement, Rhodri Morgan says you are being "naughty". The First Minister told reporters this morning that he had no prior knowledge of the site's content or style and had not approved it.
The site has now dropped its spoof Delilah video, it says in response to protests from opponents - although there were also murmurs of the Performing Rights Society taking an interest.
Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy was said by colleagues to be "furious" about the spoof, although those close to him pointed out that "fury isn't really Paul's style".
His endorsement was apparently confined to a website putting Welsh Labour's ideas into the blogosphere rather than the Delilah spoof.
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Monday, 30 March 2009
Vote Blue, Fly Green?
Anyone remember the Conservatives' re-branding as an eco-friendly party?
It's funny how the memory plays tricks. The green focus seems to have been sidelined since the credit crunch arrived.
Anyone who can recall those heady "Vote Blue, Go Green" days may be surprised to see Tory MPs claiming for internal flights in the latest list of parliamentary allowances.
David Jones, a frontbench spokesman on Welsh affairs, claimed almost £1,300 in the last financial year for flights between his constituency (Clwyd West) and Westminster.
He argues that he let the plane take the strain because engineering works on the West coast main line made travelling by train on Sundays impossible for much of the time. He also points out that the air fare is sometimes less than the cost of a return on Virgin.
No news yet on the cost to the planet or whether David Cameron plans to plant a forest or two to offset all the carbon generated.
UPDATE: A reader (they do exist) alerts me to Mr Jones's own views on the eco-benefits of Welsh food: "They also know that it has been produced reasonably locally and is not contributing to excessive carbon emissions by being flown half way across the world."
It's funny how the memory plays tricks. The green focus seems to have been sidelined since the credit crunch arrived.
Anyone who can recall those heady "Vote Blue, Go Green" days may be surprised to see Tory MPs claiming for internal flights in the latest list of parliamentary allowances.
David Jones, a frontbench spokesman on Welsh affairs, claimed almost £1,300 in the last financial year for flights between his constituency (Clwyd West) and Westminster.
He argues that he let the plane take the strain because engineering works on the West coast main line made travelling by train on Sundays impossible for much of the time. He also points out that the air fare is sometimes less than the cost of a return on Virgin.
No news yet on the cost to the planet or whether David Cameron plans to plant a forest or two to offset all the carbon generated.
UPDATE: A reader (they do exist) alerts me to Mr Jones's own views on the eco-benefits of Welsh food: "They also know that it has been produced reasonably locally and is not contributing to excessive carbon emissions by being flown half way across the world."
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Lib Dems go back to the land
My first Lib Dem news conference of the year (the best things in life are worth waiting for). The theme: allotments.
The Lib Dems estimate as many as 100,000 people could be on waiting lists for allotments but suggest those waiting should not be put off growing their own.
Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott admits to trying runner beans without much success but recommends spuds: "you can't really go wrong with potatoes".
Farmer Roger Williams, from Brecon and Radnorshire, offered his own take on the issue for MPs: "The problem is we don't have a second home allotment allowance".
(I think he was joking.)
The Lib Dems estimate as many as 100,000 people could be on waiting lists for allotments but suggest those waiting should not be put off growing their own.
Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott admits to trying runner beans without much success but recommends spuds: "you can't really go wrong with potatoes".
Farmer Roger Williams, from Brecon and Radnorshire, offered his own take on the issue for MPs: "The problem is we don't have a second home allotment allowance".
(I think he was joking.)
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Going for gold?
Spotted at the venue for the London 2012 Olympics: Welsh Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones.
Er, probably not. According to Plaid's Westminster leader, Elfyn Llwyd, the deputy FM was there to store up "ammunition for later use".
The Plaid Cymru leader made a hush-hush visit to see preparations for the sporting spectacular in east London yesterday.
Was the sports fan - and acquaintance of Olympic champions past - there to live the Olympic dream, to fantasise about entering the stadium at the head of the marathon to the roars of a capacity crowd or standing on the gold medal podium as God Save the Queen is played?
Er, probably not. According to Plaid's Westminster leader, Elfyn Llwyd, the deputy FM was there to store up "ammunition for later use".Mr Llwyd believes promises that the London Olympics would benefit the whole of the UK have come to nothing and that the loss of lottery funding means some youngsters in Wales are actually discouraged from taking up sport.
Few Welsh companies have bid, let alone won some of the lucrative contracts on offer. Plaid feel the south-east of England will disproportionately benefit from the whole festival while the rest of us pay for it.
Or did the suggestion he was looking for ammunition mean Mr Jones was after a place in the shooting team?
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
New Landlady for Queen Vic?
Here's one story I may have missed during my absence from Westminster.....Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan's audition for EastEnders. As I understand it, the current Queen Vice landlady Peggy Mitchell has been fighting a council by-election. Job swap?
Monday, 23 March 2009
Back from Nappy Valley
Back to work, to the relief of my family after five months in Nappy Valley; refreshed yet exhausted, relieved that my children survived the experience.
Apart from several thousand e-mails, global economic meltdown, and a couple of sessions of the Welsh Grand Committee, what did I miss?
We may or may not be an invisible nation, but Welsh political news didn't always make it to my adopted corner of south west London during the last few months.
Occasionally, the odd rumour would penetrate domestic life. Some were less believable than others - did politicians really put iPods on expenses? Pull the other one, it's got flat-screenTVs on it.
The occasional murmur of stand-offs over LCOs did reach me, although my fellow members of the Trinity Tots playgroup appeared more concerned with jobs and the economic crisis than constitutional affairs. It's funny how parenthood changes (distorts?) your priorities.
In politics, a lot has changed, a lot has stayed the same. Parliament's Welsh Affairs committee rushed out its report on gloablisation before my return. The Conservatives published their long-awaited report on devolution but have apparently yet to reach a conclusion.
The Daily Sport has acquired a new political columnist. You can apparently also follow his work on Tweetminster, the latest invention for those with too much time on their hands.
Whisper it quietly, but it is possible, I discovered, to live outside the blogosphere. Tempting as it was to rush online to discover what, for example, Peter Black had to say on the latest fiscal stimulus, something else always intervened (usually a full nappy) to concentrate the mind. There were days when I barely had time to read Hansard.
Having spent this morning ploughing through the inbox it may take me some time to catch up with political events. Please bear with me and if there's anything of significance I've missed during my time away from the coalface, do get in touch and let me know.
Apart from several thousand e-mails, global economic meltdown, and a couple of sessions of the Welsh Grand Committee, what did I miss?
We may or may not be an invisible nation, but Welsh political news didn't always make it to my adopted corner of south west London during the last few months.
Occasionally, the odd rumour would penetrate domestic life. Some were less believable than others - did politicians really put iPods on expenses? Pull the other one, it's got flat-screenTVs on it.
The occasional murmur of stand-offs over LCOs did reach me, although my fellow members of the Trinity Tots playgroup appeared more concerned with jobs and the economic crisis than constitutional affairs. It's funny how parenthood changes (distorts?) your priorities.
In politics, a lot has changed, a lot has stayed the same. Parliament's Welsh Affairs committee rushed out its report on gloablisation before my return. The Conservatives published their long-awaited report on devolution but have apparently yet to reach a conclusion.
The Daily Sport has acquired a new political columnist. You can apparently also follow his work on Tweetminster, the latest invention for those with too much time on their hands.
Whisper it quietly, but it is possible, I discovered, to live outside the blogosphere. Tempting as it was to rush online to discover what, for example, Peter Black had to say on the latest fiscal stimulus, something else always intervened (usually a full nappy) to concentrate the mind. There were days when I barely had time to read Hansard.
Having spent this morning ploughing through the inbox it may take me some time to catch up with political events. Please bear with me and if there's anything of significance I've missed during my time away from the coalface, do get in touch and let me know.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Bye for now
I have decided to spend more time with my family.
Forgive my use of this over-used cliche from the political world, but it is actually true. Today is my day at the office for a while.
Twenty years since I started work at Westminster, I will be disappearing for a few months to work on my childcare skills.
Reports that I am retiring on the proceeds of the takeover by a Dubai-based investment company of Charlton Athletic (I declare a small shareholding) are sadly wide of the mark.
The decision is prompted by the imminent arrival of our son. As an equal opportunities family, I will be taking the adoption leave while my wife goes out to work...
Admittedly, this is a risky, volatile, unpredictable time for a political correspondent to remove himself from the fray.
But the battle for the Welsh Liberal Democrat leadership will just have to cope without me.
I will miss the presidential election - but Lembit Opik's chances of taking this top job in the Lib Dems appear remote.
Listeners to Good Morning Wales will no longer be able to set their clocks by my appearance and can look forward to hearing a new voice at 6.30am.
By my return in March, the United States will have a new leader.
The Conservatives may have decided their policy on devolution.
Parliament's Welsh affairs committee may even have finished its two-year inquiry into globalisation.
It will certainly have started its inquiry into the National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Agriculture and Rural Development) Order 2008, dealing with the red meat industry.
Note to self: hurry back for that one.
People will wonder about the crying, the tantrums and the challenging behaviour. But the kids will just have to get used to their dad.
By next spring, my family will probably have decided it would like to spend less time with me.
I am back at my keyboard/microphone on March 23. Bye for now.
Forgive my use of this over-used cliche from the political world, but it is actually true. Today is my day at the office for a while.
Twenty years since I started work at Westminster, I will be disappearing for a few months to work on my childcare skills.
Reports that I am retiring on the proceeds of the takeover by a Dubai-based investment company of Charlton Athletic (I declare a small shareholding) are sadly wide of the mark.
The decision is prompted by the imminent arrival of our son. As an equal opportunities family, I will be taking the adoption leave while my wife goes out to work...
Admittedly, this is a risky, volatile, unpredictable time for a political correspondent to remove himself from the fray.
But the battle for the Welsh Liberal Democrat leadership will just have to cope without me.
I will miss the presidential election - but Lembit Opik's chances of taking this top job in the Lib Dems appear remote.
Listeners to Good Morning Wales will no longer be able to set their clocks by my appearance and can look forward to hearing a new voice at 6.30am.
By my return in March, the United States will have a new leader.
The Conservatives may have decided their policy on devolution.
Parliament's Welsh affairs committee may even have finished its two-year inquiry into globalisation.
It will certainly have started its inquiry into the National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Agriculture and Rural Development) Order 2008, dealing with the red meat industry.
Note to self: hurry back for that one.
People will wonder about the crying, the tantrums and the challenging behaviour. But the kids will just have to get used to their dad.
By next spring, my family will probably have decided it would like to spend less time with me.
I am back at my keyboard/microphone on March 23. Bye for now.
Question Time
Question Time was a pretty sombre affair today, even without the Prime Minister.
Gordon Brown is in Brussels so Harriet Harman stepped in for 30 minutes dominated by today's unemployment figures.
William Hague, deputising for David Cameron, appeared to pull his punches as the Tories decide this is not the time for political knockabout.
He did attempt to link Gordon Brown with the crisis, based on the PM's claim to have avoided a return to boom and bust.
Sharper questions about whether the Government would take responsibility for the state of the economy came from the backbenches.
Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price suggested Harriet Harman apologise over "the failures in policy and the weakness in regulation that have contributed to the current economic crisis".
In response, Harriet Harman read out a (slightly surreal in the circumstances) prepared reply to a different question - about Iraq.
Perhaps Ms H was too embarrased by Britain's economic problems to remind the Commons of those MPs who have trumpeted economies that are currently in an even bigger mess?
Gordon Brown is in Brussels so Harriet Harman stepped in for 30 minutes dominated by today's unemployment figures.
William Hague, deputising for David Cameron, appeared to pull his punches as the Tories decide this is not the time for political knockabout.
He did attempt to link Gordon Brown with the crisis, based on the PM's claim to have avoided a return to boom and bust.
Sharper questions about whether the Government would take responsibility for the state of the economy came from the backbenches.
Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price suggested Harriet Harman apologise over "the failures in policy and the weakness in regulation that have contributed to the current economic crisis".
In response, Harriet Harman read out a (slightly surreal in the circumstances) prepared reply to a different question - about Iraq.
Perhaps Ms H was too embarrased by Britain's economic problems to remind the Commons of those MPs who have trumpeted economies that are currently in an even bigger mess?
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Going, going....
Here's a joke doing the rounds in the Welsh Assembly this afternoon:
A big player on the European stage….
Going to be really missed…..
A very hard act to follow indeed….
But that’s enough about Michael Ballack not playing against Wales tomorrow night, what about Eluned Morgan then?
Ms Morgan is stepping down as an MEP next June and the rumour bill is already buzzing over her plans.
Here is Peter Hain's verdict: "As a friend and close Party colleague, I hope she will find an appropriate and senior role in Welsh politics in future because she is one of Labour's brightest stars and the Party cannot afford to lose her talents."
"Appropriate and senior?" Westminster is awash with former Euro-MPs although the smart money appears to be on her ending up in Cardiff Bay, with obvious vacancies in Cardiff West and Pontypridd opening up for 2011.
A big player on the European stage….
Going to be really missed…..
A very hard act to follow indeed….
But that’s enough about Michael Ballack not playing against Wales tomorrow night, what about Eluned Morgan then?
Ms Morgan is stepping down as an MEP next June and the rumour bill is already buzzing over her plans.
Here is Peter Hain's verdict: "As a friend and close Party colleague, I hope she will find an appropriate and senior role in Welsh politics in future because she is one of Labour's brightest stars and the Party cannot afford to lose her talents."
"Appropriate and senior?" Westminster is awash with former Euro-MPs although the smart money appears to be on her ending up in Cardiff Bay, with obvious vacancies in Cardiff West and Pontypridd opening up for 2011.
Willy-waving
It's an academic debate over a policy no-one seems to want to introduce.
But don't let that put you off the latest spat between MPs and Welsh Assembly Members.
The Welsh Assembly Government wants the power to scrap the right to buy council housing.
But it doesn't want to actually scrap the right to buy. Do keep up.
The Assembly Government wants to suspend the right to buy in some areas.
But to do that it is requesting wider powers that would allow Ministers to abolish the scheme.
MPs - whose approval is needed before any transfer of power - are not happy. At least, members of Parliament's Welsh affairs committee are not.
Their report says the Assembly Government should drop its request for wider powers or the order granting them should be blocked.
The (Plaid Cymru) deputy Housing Minister Jocelyn Davies says the committee can scrutinise but the Assembly will decide.
The Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Peter Black has accused the MPs of trying to dictate housing policy from Westminster.
The MPs say they are trying to be helpful.
Although one committee member did confide in me his analysis of the conflict: "It's willy-waving, basically"
But don't let that put you off the latest spat between MPs and Welsh Assembly Members.
The Welsh Assembly Government wants the power to scrap the right to buy council housing.
But it doesn't want to actually scrap the right to buy. Do keep up.
The Assembly Government wants to suspend the right to buy in some areas.
But to do that it is requesting wider powers that would allow Ministers to abolish the scheme.
MPs - whose approval is needed before any transfer of power - are not happy. At least, members of Parliament's Welsh affairs committee are not.
Their report says the Assembly Government should drop its request for wider powers or the order granting them should be blocked.
The (Plaid Cymru) deputy Housing Minister Jocelyn Davies says the committee can scrutinise but the Assembly will decide.
The Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Peter Black has accused the MPs of trying to dictate housing policy from Westminster.
The MPs say they are trying to be helpful.
Although one committee member did confide in me his analysis of the conflict: "It's willy-waving, basically"
Monday, 13 October 2008
Plaid's lords-in-waiting
Miss Wagstaff reminds us that Lord Mandelson of Foy and Hartlepool takes his seat in the House of Lords today while Plaid Cymru's would-be peers are still waiting for the nod.
Miss W suggests a link between the delay in the elevation of the future Lord Wigley and company and Plaid's opposition to the House of Lords.
There may be a slightly stronger link between the delay and Plaid's role in dialling Scotland Yard to report alleged selling of peerages by the Blair Government. (No-one was charged, all denied any wrong-doing etc).
Plaid's Westminister leader, Elfyn Llwyd had raised the issue with the former patronage secretary (aka Government Chief Whip) but progress with Geoff Hoon was slow.
He's now seeking a meeting with his replacement Nick Brown, of whom it is often said he is so loyal to the Prime Minister they share a surname.
Given Plaid's incidental role in helping Tony Blair on his way, perhaps the new Chief will prove more amenable to the nationalists' request for ermine.
Miss W suggests a link between the delay in the elevation of the future Lord Wigley and company and Plaid's opposition to the House of Lords.
There may be a slightly stronger link between the delay and Plaid's role in dialling Scotland Yard to report alleged selling of peerages by the Blair Government. (No-one was charged, all denied any wrong-doing etc).
Plaid's Westminister leader, Elfyn Llwyd had raised the issue with the former patronage secretary (aka Government Chief Whip) but progress with Geoff Hoon was slow.
He's now seeking a meeting with his replacement Nick Brown, of whom it is often said he is so loyal to the Prime Minister they share a surname.
Given Plaid's incidental role in helping Tony Blair on his way, perhaps the new Chief will prove more amenable to the nationalists' request for ermine.
Thursday, 9 October 2008
Y Tŷ Mawr o'r Tu Mewn
It would be rude not to welcome another Welsh blog, particularly one trying to make up for the lack of Welsh language print outlets.
Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams has started his new blog today and sees it as a replacement for a newspaper column he once wrote.
It's proof, perhaps, that the world is moving online in an age when evening newspapers are increasingly printed during the night before publication and fewer people read the printed word.
Y Tŷ Mawr o'r Tu Mewn - The Big House from the Inside - is written in Welsh but translations are apparently available for those of us who don't speak the lingo.
Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams has started his new blog today and sees it as a replacement for a newspaper column he once wrote.
It's proof, perhaps, that the world is moving online in an age when evening newspapers are increasingly printed during the night before publication and fewer people read the printed word.
Y Tŷ Mawr o'r Tu Mewn - The Big House from the Inside - is written in Welsh but translations are apparently available for those of us who don't speak the lingo.
If Iceland can do it....
I suspect the campaign for Welsh independence may be looking for another role model in the light of recent events.
This is what the Plaid Cymru AM Helen Mary Jones wrote in the Western Mail in August.
"Take Iceland as an example. It has a population of around 300,000 and is the tenth most prosperous country in the world (by GDP per capita) according to the International Monetary Fund. It is also the second most equal society in Europe. If Iceland can do it, Wales can."
Adam Price has reported how Iceland has a gdp £7,000 per head higher than in Wales with a growth rate double the Welsh level over five years.
"Why is it," asks Adam, "that small nations are succeeding more than ever before?"
He told the Western Mail last July: “Iceland, with the population of Cardiff, has achieved a very impressive economic growth rate of 10% thanks to an imaginative use of the tools and resources available to it."
Few would suggest today that Wales adopts a similarly "imaginative" approach.
Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy used the economic crisis to take a swipe at Labour's coalition partners today:
"Small countries don't necessarily flourish under current circumstances. Ireland is in some difficulty, to say the least, Iceland is in terrible difficulty.
"It is the strength of the United Kingdom economy as a United Kingdom that will ensure that we are in a position to withstand it [the economic crisis]."
We'll find out in the months to come just how strong that UK economy is.
This is what the Plaid Cymru AM Helen Mary Jones wrote in the Western Mail in August.
"Take Iceland as an example. It has a population of around 300,000 and is the tenth most prosperous country in the world (by GDP per capita) according to the International Monetary Fund. It is also the second most equal society in Europe. If Iceland can do it, Wales can."
Adam Price has reported how Iceland has a gdp £7,000 per head higher than in Wales with a growth rate double the Welsh level over five years.
"Why is it," asks Adam, "that small nations are succeeding more than ever before?"
He told the Western Mail last July: “Iceland, with the population of Cardiff, has achieved a very impressive economic growth rate of 10% thanks to an imaginative use of the tools and resources available to it."
Few would suggest today that Wales adopts a similarly "imaginative" approach.
Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy used the economic crisis to take a swipe at Labour's coalition partners today:
"Small countries don't necessarily flourish under current circumstances. Ireland is in some difficulty, to say the least, Iceland is in terrible difficulty.
"It is the strength of the United Kingdom economy as a United Kingdom that will ensure that we are in a position to withstand it [the economic crisis]."
We'll find out in the months to come just how strong that UK economy is.
'Keeping the show on the road'
Peter Hain caused something of a stir with his latest intervention into the debate on the Welsh Assembly's powers. So what of the views of his successor at the Wales Office?
Here are Paul Murphy's thoughts, as shared with the media during a briefing this morning:
"This ain't the time for dealing with constitutional issues. It's time to be dealing with the economy of the country."
The Welsh Secretary meets Sir Emyr Jones Parry of the All-Wales Convention tomorrow in Llandudno. He says he'll be listening, but if Sir Emyr asks his views.....
"I don't think there is any appetite amongst Welsh people at the moment to be wanting to deal in any sort of detail with referendums on future powers. That doesn't mean to say the convention shouldn't go on doing its work."
But he added: "I don't think it is a top priority, I really don't. I think the priority for government, both in Cardiff and London at the moment is to deal with the problems affecting people's lives.
"I don't think it needs somebody with a PhD in history to work out what my views on this are. You know my views.
"I think the issues that affect us at the moment in terms of people's lives, how they live, the economy, and the price and cost of living and so on are the things we should concentrate on.
"I'm not saying that the governance of Wales is important, it is. I just don't think it is a priority at the moment.
"I have always felt that it would be from everybody's point of view, whatever your view is on devolution, completely foolish to enter into a referendum campaign when you know at the end of the day that certainly from those who want extra powers that is likely to be lost and I think that we wouldn't be thanked by people in wales for concentrating on these issues at the moment when you have to concentrate on the issues which affect their everyday lives."
Asked how he would vote in any referendum, he said: "Let's wait and see what happens when it comes and see what the recommendations are. The views of the Welsh Labour Party are that there should be extra powers for the Assembly. As a loyal member of the Labour Party and the Government I don't divert from that.
"You know my views over the years but the Labour Party has spoken within its own conference on what it feels it should do, it's not for me to go against that.
"I just feel this ain't the time to be dealing with constitutional issues. It's time to be dealing with the economy of the country.
"That doesn't mean to say the convention shouldn't go on working, it should do but I'm sure that Sir Emyr will tell me that when he's gone across Wales at the moment people have told him what their priorities are. I'd be very surprised if they're talking of anything else."
Asked his own greatest achievement since taking the job eight months ago, he was succinct: "Keeping the show on the road".
Here are Paul Murphy's thoughts, as shared with the media during a briefing this morning:
"This ain't the time for dealing with constitutional issues. It's time to be dealing with the economy of the country."
The Welsh Secretary meets Sir Emyr Jones Parry of the All-Wales Convention tomorrow in Llandudno. He says he'll be listening, but if Sir Emyr asks his views.....
"I don't think there is any appetite amongst Welsh people at the moment to be wanting to deal in any sort of detail with referendums on future powers. That doesn't mean to say the convention shouldn't go on doing its work."
But he added: "I don't think it is a top priority, I really don't. I think the priority for government, both in Cardiff and London at the moment is to deal with the problems affecting people's lives.
"I don't think it needs somebody with a PhD in history to work out what my views on this are. You know my views.
"I think the issues that affect us at the moment in terms of people's lives, how they live, the economy, and the price and cost of living and so on are the things we should concentrate on.
"I'm not saying that the governance of Wales is important, it is. I just don't think it is a priority at the moment.
"I have always felt that it would be from everybody's point of view, whatever your view is on devolution, completely foolish to enter into a referendum campaign when you know at the end of the day that certainly from those who want extra powers that is likely to be lost and I think that we wouldn't be thanked by people in wales for concentrating on these issues at the moment when you have to concentrate on the issues which affect their everyday lives."
Asked how he would vote in any referendum, he said: "Let's wait and see what happens when it comes and see what the recommendations are. The views of the Welsh Labour Party are that there should be extra powers for the Assembly. As a loyal member of the Labour Party and the Government I don't divert from that.
"You know my views over the years but the Labour Party has spoken within its own conference on what it feels it should do, it's not for me to go against that.
"I just feel this ain't the time to be dealing with constitutional issues. It's time to be dealing with the economy of the country.
"That doesn't mean to say the convention shouldn't go on working, it should do but I'm sure that Sir Emyr will tell me that when he's gone across Wales at the moment people have told him what their priorities are. I'd be very surprised if they're talking of anything else."
Asked his own greatest achievement since taking the job eight months ago, he was succinct: "Keeping the show on the road".
Going global
An update on the long-running globalisation inquiry by Welsh MPs from committee member Hywel Williams: "I think we are all concerned that this should be finished as soon as possible. I wouldn't want to criticise any of the planning but it did grow unexpectedly.
"We hadn't foreseen how far-reaching globalisation and its inquiry would be."
He added: "Like Topsy, it grew and grew and grew. We were thinking of a straightforward investigation into globalisation. We then realised there were aspects to do with education and the mass media as well as economic matters.
"I am longing for the day when it is published."
He may not be alone in that.
"We hadn't foreseen how far-reaching globalisation and its inquiry would be."
He added: "Like Topsy, it grew and grew and grew. We were thinking of a straightforward investigation into globalisation. We then realised there were aspects to do with education and the mass media as well as economic matters.
"I am longing for the day when it is published."
He may not be alone in that.
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
A long time in politics
What were you doing in November 2006? It seems so long ago.
Tony Blair was Prime Minister. Charlton Athletic were in the Premiership.
Peter Hain was running Northern Ireland. The Spice Girls were preparing for their comeback tour.
In November 2006, the credit crunch was a granola bar. Vera Duckworth was hoping to retire to Blackpool.
Parliament's Welsh affairs select committee announced its inquiry into globalisation on November 17, 2006. The FTSE-100 index closed that day at 6,192.
Two years and several international flights later, the committee's report is apparently being written although there is no date for publication as yet.
During what was a major inquiry, the MPs spent £28,000 visiting China and £15,260.99 on a trip to Poland and the Czech Republic. They also went to Spain.
The inquiry has even lasted longer than one political career. The committee took evidence from Digby Jones before he became a Government Minister. He stepped down last week after 15 months as a Trade Minister.
It took evidence from Trade Minister Ian McCartney, who left government more than a year ago, and Welfare Reform Minister Caroline Flint, who has changed jobs twice since then.
The MPs heard from ITV Wales, who have since announced cuts in programming and jobs.
Since the inquiry began, the FTSE-100 index has fallen by 25 per cent. House prices have fallen by more than 10 per cent in the past year. Energy prices have soared. Vera never made it to Blackpool.
You could argue that this is a globalisation inquiry that has been slightly overtaken by events and that much of the evidence gathered is now rather out-of-date.
You could also argue that the global financial crisis makes a globalisation inquiry all the more urgent.
But you'd still have to wait for the report.
So why the delay? Committee members point out that their workload has increased dramatically since they acquired the role of scrutinising requests to legislate from the Welsh Assembly.
Two years on one inquiry still sounds like rather a long time but I guess it's important not to rush things.
At this rate, the Tories' Roberts Review on devolution will be in the bookshops before the globalisation report is finished (although I wouldn't bet on it)
Tony Blair was Prime Minister. Charlton Athletic were in the Premiership.
Peter Hain was running Northern Ireland. The Spice Girls were preparing for their comeback tour.
In November 2006, the credit crunch was a granola bar. Vera Duckworth was hoping to retire to Blackpool.
Parliament's Welsh affairs select committee announced its inquiry into globalisation on November 17, 2006. The FTSE-100 index closed that day at 6,192.
Two years and several international flights later, the committee's report is apparently being written although there is no date for publication as yet.
During what was a major inquiry, the MPs spent £28,000 visiting China and £15,260.99 on a trip to Poland and the Czech Republic. They also went to Spain.
The inquiry has even lasted longer than one political career. The committee took evidence from Digby Jones before he became a Government Minister. He stepped down last week after 15 months as a Trade Minister.
It took evidence from Trade Minister Ian McCartney, who left government more than a year ago, and Welfare Reform Minister Caroline Flint, who has changed jobs twice since then.
The MPs heard from ITV Wales, who have since announced cuts in programming and jobs.
Since the inquiry began, the FTSE-100 index has fallen by 25 per cent. House prices have fallen by more than 10 per cent in the past year. Energy prices have soared. Vera never made it to Blackpool.
You could argue that this is a globalisation inquiry that has been slightly overtaken by events and that much of the evidence gathered is now rather out-of-date.
You could also argue that the global financial crisis makes a globalisation inquiry all the more urgent.
But you'd still have to wait for the report.
So why the delay? Committee members point out that their workload has increased dramatically since they acquired the role of scrutinising requests to legislate from the Welsh Assembly.
Two years on one inquiry still sounds like rather a long time but I guess it's important not to rush things.
At this rate, the Tories' Roberts Review on devolution will be in the bookshops before the globalisation report is finished (although I wouldn't bet on it)
Strings attached?
The strange political ceasefire over the financial crisis and the Government's rescue package announced today appears to be operating in parts of the Welsh Assembly too.
Here's the view of the Plaid Cymru leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones: "I do support the package. I understand the concerns of taxpayers...when there's so much public money being set aside for the banks. But I do think it's necessary because the economic situation is unsustainable, with share prices plummeting.
"And it's not only a problem for us here in Britain...it's a problem that's affecting people all over the world. And it came to the point, where the Government in Westminster had to react in this way and I do hope this will help the situation on the stock markets, and will encourage banks to lend to each other."
Plaid's Treasury spokesman, Adam Price, has a slightly different take on things, suggesting political hostilities have yet to be suspended throughout Westminster. (Some people may find it refreshing that some MPs are still asking awkward questions):
"By calling for the restructuring of the entire banking sector the Government is tacitly admitting a systemic failure at the heart of banking caused partly by poor regulation, partly by the recklessness of the bankers themselves. But how do you restructure when the Government says it doesn't want to run the banks, won't put anyone on the Board, will leave the management intact and won't even place a real cap on executive pay?"
"The taxpayer is now the biggest sleeping partner in economic history. The Government says there are strings attached to this bailout but in reality they are so weak and so few that the Government's credibility, and that of the entire financial system, are hanging by a thread."
UPDATE: Plaid have been in touch to say that IWJ agrees with Adam Price's analysis. "No split". Perhaps he ran out of time during his Radio Cymru interview this morning to offer similar criticisms on air.
Here's the view of the Plaid Cymru leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones: "I do support the package. I understand the concerns of taxpayers...when there's so much public money being set aside for the banks. But I do think it's necessary because the economic situation is unsustainable, with share prices plummeting.
"And it's not only a problem for us here in Britain...it's a problem that's affecting people all over the world. And it came to the point, where the Government in Westminster had to react in this way and I do hope this will help the situation on the stock markets, and will encourage banks to lend to each other."
Plaid's Treasury spokesman, Adam Price, has a slightly different take on things, suggesting political hostilities have yet to be suspended throughout Westminster. (Some people may find it refreshing that some MPs are still asking awkward questions):
"By calling for the restructuring of the entire banking sector the Government is tacitly admitting a systemic failure at the heart of banking caused partly by poor regulation, partly by the recklessness of the bankers themselves. But how do you restructure when the Government says it doesn't want to run the banks, won't put anyone on the Board, will leave the management intact and won't even place a real cap on executive pay?"
"The taxpayer is now the biggest sleeping partner in economic history. The Government says there are strings attached to this bailout but in reality they are so weak and so few that the Government's credibility, and that of the entire financial system, are hanging by a thread."
UPDATE: Plaid have been in touch to say that IWJ agrees with Adam Price's analysis. "No split". Perhaps he ran out of time during his Radio Cymru interview this morning to offer similar criticisms on air.
Mandy's Shadow
It's not only David Hunt's former SPAD who's making news. The former Welsh Secretary himself is making a frontbench comeback in the Lords.
Lord Hunt of Wirral, as he now is, will be shadowing the future Lord Mandelson when the Business Secretary takes his seat in the upper house.
Lord Hunt of Wirral, as he now is, will be shadowing the future Lord Mandelson when the Business Secretary takes his seat in the upper house.
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Doctor Devolution
Here's a quiz question for you: what has Dr Who got to do with Conservative policy on devolution?
The answer is to your left. No, David Tennant did not, as far as I'm aware, have a say in a report on the subject commissioned by David Cameron.
But the man next to him did. Michael McManus co-wrote the report with Lord Roberts of Conwy (who apparently insisted on recognising the contribution of his 'ghost writer' with a credit.
The report, commissioned in March, is now known semi-officially as "the long-awaited Roberts Review". The Tories have risked increasing expectations by formalising the policy review and talking about settling the issue within a party where conflicting views run deep.
The more time that goes by without publication, the more opponents will question the lack of a coherent party policiy on the subject - especially when MPs have already been offered a free vote in any referendum on greater powers.
We may not know for sure what's in the bumper report, which the Tory leader has promised to publish "soon", but we can assume it's been well-written.
Michael's other published works include Sir Edward Heath's autobiography The Course of My Life, a critically-acclaimed biography of Jo Grimond and the life story of Nicholas Courtney, Still Getting Away With It.
Nick Courtney is best known as Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart in Dr Who.
which sort of explains the photo above and various others here.
A passion for Dr Who may not in itself be a great help in writing a tome on Welsh devolution, so I presume Michael is relying on the expertise he gained as a special adviser to David Hunt during his time at the Welsh Office in the early 1990s.
His report is likely to disappoint those Tories who want to "exterminate" the Welsh Assembly.
You may be surprised that it (an interim report) apparently runs to 20,000 words.
Don't be: the Heath autobiography ran to 360,000 words. David Cameron got off lightly.
The answer is to your left. No, David Tennant did not, as far as I'm aware, have a say in a report on the subject commissioned by David Cameron.But the man next to him did. Michael McManus co-wrote the report with Lord Roberts of Conwy (who apparently insisted on recognising the contribution of his 'ghost writer' with a credit.
The report, commissioned in March, is now known semi-officially as "the long-awaited Roberts Review". The Tories have risked increasing expectations by formalising the policy review and talking about settling the issue within a party where conflicting views run deep.
The more time that goes by without publication, the more opponents will question the lack of a coherent party policiy on the subject - especially when MPs have already been offered a free vote in any referendum on greater powers.
We may not know for sure what's in the bumper report, which the Tory leader has promised to publish "soon", but we can assume it's been well-written.
Michael's other published works include Sir Edward Heath's autobiography The Course of My Life, a critically-acclaimed biography of Jo Grimond and the life story of Nicholas Courtney, Still Getting Away With It.
Nick Courtney is best known as Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart in Dr Who.
which sort of explains the photo above and various others here.
A passion for Dr Who may not in itself be a great help in writing a tome on Welsh devolution, so I presume Michael is relying on the expertise he gained as a special adviser to David Hunt during his time at the Welsh Office in the early 1990s.
His report is likely to disappoint those Tories who want to "exterminate" the Welsh Assembly.
You may be surprised that it (an interim report) apparently runs to 20,000 words.
Don't be: the Heath autobiography ran to 360,000 words. David Cameron got off lightly.
Monday, 6 October 2008
Reshuffle fever abates
Iain Dale reports that the reason Gordon Brown didn't merge the Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland jobs was because he would need to legislate to do so.
A similar problem befell Tony Blair when he tried to abolish the Welsh post some years ago. Only after the Wales Office was placed into what was then the new Department for Constitutional Affairs did No 10 discover numerous statutory references to the Secretary of State for Wales.
(In a legendary cock-up of a reshuffle, the Wales Office itself had briefed that its boss was to be known as the Minister for Wales. The Scotland Office had removed its own nameplate).
I'm not lawyer but I'm not sure the problem is insurmountable. You could use the short-hand description Secretary of State for the Union or Nations Secretary while appointing one person Secretary of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Politics is full of unofficial titles - Deputy Prime Minister, anyone - that creep into use, or indeed official titles that are seldom used - First Lord of the Treasury, First Secretary of State.
Perhaps the real reason the merger didn't happen was to do with unfinished business in Northern Ireland and the political damage (to Labour) caused by having a part-time Scottish Secretary.
As things stand, we shall probably have to endure months more of speculation along similar lines in the run-up to the next reshuffle.
A similar problem befell Tony Blair when he tried to abolish the Welsh post some years ago. Only after the Wales Office was placed into what was then the new Department for Constitutional Affairs did No 10 discover numerous statutory references to the Secretary of State for Wales.
(In a legendary cock-up of a reshuffle, the Wales Office itself had briefed that its boss was to be known as the Minister for Wales. The Scotland Office had removed its own nameplate).
I'm not lawyer but I'm not sure the problem is insurmountable. You could use the short-hand description Secretary of State for the Union or Nations Secretary while appointing one person Secretary of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Politics is full of unofficial titles - Deputy Prime Minister, anyone - that creep into use, or indeed official titles that are seldom used - First Lord of the Treasury, First Secretary of State.
Perhaps the real reason the merger didn't happen was to do with unfinished business in Northern Ireland and the political damage (to Labour) caused by having a part-time Scottish Secretary.
As things stand, we shall probably have to endure months more of speculation along similar lines in the run-up to the next reshuffle.
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