Wise move by Tories

I have always beleived that in many constituencies Tories could comfortably vote for Plaid candidates as a safe bet against Labour. I have no doubt that (Lord) Dafydd Wigley's big majorities were based on an appeal across Plaid/Tory boundaries with, I will acknowledge, some Labour supporters thrown in for good measure.

As I have argued before it is possible that this cozy relationship is more strained after the One Wales agreement. This is one element of the additional interest in the Westminster election when it arrives. Welsh Tories clearly see some potential ground to exploit. With Plaid's grip on fortress Gwynedd facing a challenge on several fronts it will be an interesting few weeks/months/years.

Fight back ????

It is perhaps a sign of the weakness in the Tory's current position that the conference is opended by the phrase "the great Conservative fight back". I cannnot see how the launch of a "fightback" ties in with speculation that this conference sits on the verge of an election. It just feels all wrong tactically from their perspective. Surely they should be sitting on top of a curve, hammering the government, and with the public sweeping in behind.

It is the absence of these forces that must make an election very attractive for Gordon Brown.

Shining new ground

Being married to a rabid Evertonian I was amused to be sent a picture of their new ground. The sender may have supported the other Merseyside team !

Being NMs guest blogger

Normal Mouth invited me to answer a few questions. You can see my responses here.

(thanks given for not mentioning Cardiff City too often after results this week !)

Entertainment in the sunshine

Not much was expected at the Oval today.A weakened Caernarfon - too many recent headbuts and punches - against table topping Llanelli.

It started badly with Llanelli scoring inside 30 seconds at the Oval before, to most people's surprise, Caernarfon bounced back to lead 3-2 at half time. The entertainment was increased by the number of errors, but Llanelli made fewer in the second half to run out 4-3 winners.

Then I come home to see Wales blow my £12 in the office sweep.

I have some feeling that Fiji were my second team out of the sweep so we are all, unfortunately, Fijians now.

Taking policy up a level

I didn't make it to Bournemouth but monitoring activities via the computer suggests I was successful in election to Labour's national policy forum. Conference approved Gordon Brown's reforms so it will be an interesting period in which to directly participate in national policy development on behalf of Welsh CLPs.

Vaughan well briefed

The BBCs Vaughan Roderick blogs about Welsh Labour's election review and I suspect is well briefed. How do I know? Well as one of those who helped the review group it became clear the Party needed an honest, open assessment so we could learn valuable lessons to strengthen our future activities. Find a translation here.

Clearly the circumstances of the next Assembly elections will be different by 2011 and we will have completed several more sets of elections before that time (Westminster, councils and Europe) but the need for a clear programme of work and activities is made in the report.

The report may well feed a short frenzy of speculation but mature responses will realise that it is valuable for a Party like Labour to reflect, learn and move forward. While Gordon's poll ratings give us a valuable short term boost we must continue to adapt our work to evolving situations.

Waiting for Leighton !

Its only a mickey mouse cup ! I can just hear Leighton Andrews winding up some obsevations on Baggies 2-Cardiff 4........

Keeping the tent large

Eluned Morgan MEP has started to unfold the debate about lessons Welsh Labour may need to absorb after May's Assembly elections. Eluned's point is well made that our electoral strategy has to maintain a broad base and a drift to any comfortable territory on the left could leave the Tories space to prosper. This is one of many difficult issues Welsh Labour must face as we move forward from May 2007.

Blogs offer coverage here, here, here amongst others.

Paul Flynn takes an upbeat view.

Advice taken

So advice taken, blog upgraded, and over the next few days various links will be added. I have got in to practise with a couple of Labour bloggers but will diversify as time allows.

So thats a yes then ?

Lord Wigley of Derby ? Valleys Man notes developments in the Lordships saga. Plaid have become so "New Nationalist" that Lord Dafydd is simply another pragmatic stage of transformation. If the support of the Plaid group is as high a test as is now necessary, then surely its a done deal - or would the Arfon-Anglesey tension in Plaid see an attempt to block Dafydd's Lordship bid ? Unlikely.

32 miles + - I am the junior partner

The Eaglestones ran 32 miles today and we were sent on our way by Colin Jackson. Nice guy. Anyway to clear up any misunderstanding I am the junior partner and it was Sue who completed the Marathon Mon-Anglesey Marathon, while I made do with the 10k.

I spoke to one man who was completing his circa 250th marathon - Madness on two legs...?

"A step in the dark"

I have been unsure how I might present today's posting. I have decided as follows.

Today I sat in the company of an IRA bomber and the daughter of a Tory MP.

It was a priviledge because the people concerned were Jo Berry and Patrick Magee who spoke at the All Wales Peace Festival at Y Galeri in Caernarfon. "A step in the dark" was a phrase used by Prof Nick Wheeler at the event to describe that moment when people take a step the consequence of which they cannot be sure, but which can open the door to peace and reconciliation.

Jo Berry is the daughter of Tory MP Sir Anthony Berry who was killed by Patrick Magee with the Brighton bomb in 1984. They stood together to explain how their journey had taken them to find the human face behind the conflict but I'm not sure any words in a blog can convey the power of being present before such witness.

10,000 plus - but time to be more communial

It seems that over 10,000 visits have been made to read over my musings about politics, the Baggies etc etc. I however realise I have not been very communal in my links so over the next week I am taking advice (yes I need techie support) to add some more links. Blogging is simple but I don't find the making of links easy. How sad.

I also think we need a North West Wales/North Wales bloggers get-together, even though it may prove more risky for a Labour blogger!. However I might get a chance to gather some spectrum of views, over a drink, for my pamphlet on Labour, language and rights.

Let me know what you think ?

Galeri bar ?

Are you dancing ?

Well its High School Musical II so I hope you are tuned in and dancing ?

Belgium on the BBC

My thoughts about beer and chocolates are shared here. If beer is one of the few things keeping them together then Welsh seperatists should presumably produce lots of crap beer ?

10 years ago

Lots of recollections about where people were ten years ago. For my part it was delivering pre-breakfast 'vote today' leaflets in the Maes Barcer estate,Caernarfon and at the end of the day at the Gwynedd area count at Arfon leisure centre. I think someone has footage of Tom Jones (T&G) and myself jumping arm in arm as the 'yes' vote was announced. One of many memories I have with Tom over the years of union/political work.

Prior to that point I also recall the atmosphere going a little colder when some of our nationalist friends thought it was slipping to a 'no'. ? But we are all friends now.

Inside the tent

Glyn makes use of some leaked info which I find perfectly illustrates why the dynamic of Welsh politics changed with the One Wales agreement.

If IWJ and other Plaid politicians now find themselves speaking to official stats rather than the former tactic of pursuing people like Andrew Davies then I see that as a benefit if having them in the tent. Their former motives (perhaps just the role of opposition?) can be queried but what do their activists think - surely their world didn;t improve that quickly ? Or is was never too bad in the first place ?

Oh well welcome to Government and a new maturity.

1-1 and then another Cofis win

Well Bristol City fought back and took an honourable draw with the Baggies. In truth a point away from home against a team high on the adrenelin of promotion is okay.

Meanwhile Caernarfon returned to winning ways away at new entrants Llangefni. My place of campaigning against my place of work.

Now as for Mourinio - well I think he'll land on his feet, and suspect the new manager(s) know the rules (i.e Chamions League within two seaosons or out) .

Nice compo cheque I'm sure !

An unwritten rule of capitalsim - they write the rules

After the financial events of the last few days many people are left in wonder at the situation where those people who have earned huge incomes (in various forms) for many years telling all us ordinary folk - for which I will include politicians for now - that the power of the economy is best left to the unfettered private finance, and all will be well.
Keep away you state/politicos as we knows wots best.

Now it seems that state support, and semi nationalsition of debt, (I am sure it is not described as such in our Treasury announcements) is best for all.

In my younger days I would have ranted and raved at such situations but I now just accept that one unwriten rule of our system is that they will at critical times re-write the rules to suit them. And it is probably in all our best intererests that the economy on which we now depend for so much does not throw an even bigger wobble.

No doubt someone has today been cashing in as some investor confidence was restored and share prices increased - will that be handed to us the taxpayers who underwote the cheque called "confidence" ? I somehow suspect not.

Long way to go yet

I didn't manage to get to the Oval on Saturday and therefore missed Caernarfon's first loss of the season. Glyn makes comment but loosing to Rhyl 1-0 is not a disaster and perhaps, in a way, shows some of the improvement made. Still there's a long way to go and everyon emay now be finding their feet.

Meanwhile the mighty Baggies bang in 4 and I say bring on Trundle, Bristol City and all that tomorrow night.

Belgium - good beer and chocolates, linguistic and devolved issues

Saw this piece in the Observer. Anyone able to share a little more light ?

Will people accept Plaid facing two ways ?

One of the big unknowns after the One Wales agreement, and Plaid taking seats in government, is the extent to which ordinary voters will accept Plaid seeking to face in two directions (similar but not the same concerns for Labour as we did it before). IWJ is right to focus on the big change this means for Plaid.

At one level the tactic of putting Labour at semi-arm's length is understandable but many people will not be fooled by conference rhetoric. To deliver each element of our Assembly programme we need each other to be supportive, and, as Labour has the whip hand in London then, for the moment at least, I judge they need us more.

So Adam can sabre rattle as he wants, but Elfyn seems to be talking real politik (step forward Lord Wigley of ??), and Ieuan knows that One Wales (and his future?) sinks or swims by joint effort. Blow it and there is no certainty of a sunnier day on the horizon.

Meanwhile we wait to see how the Assembly events influence the Westminster election process - because in reality noone really knows. It will actually be for Wales an election in a unique context.

Half time - sweep prize under pressure

Cymru - Cymru. There is still hope but my stake in the office sweep looks a little under pressure ! C'mon Cymru.

Only a few years - but so many grey hairs !

Leighton Andrews AM has flagged up the fact that HTV have put coverage of the Assembly referendum on line. A really interesting view and a chance to see how political views can be caught out in a very short period of time.

Original request remians-sensible debate please

I won't go into what suddenly came out of my posting about Labour, language and the rights agenda but I have a genuine ongoing wish to explore the issue.

Needless to say I did not see the Daily Post until a work colleague made a comment about Labour over morning coffee.So if anyone still wishes to post comments (perhaps less likely now??) then I will follow up - it seems I was right to think there may be a debate to iron out.

Review not yet complete

It seems some academics want to wind up Labour as the new Assembly term gets close. A bit strange given that Labour's internal fundamental review,set uo after May's weak result, is ongoing and will have a number of vital things to say. But it cannot be disclosed until the Welsh Executive has met to review the report and the review turned in to a concrete set of actions for Welsh Labour in the coming years. Perhaps we are facing up to big questions but taking time to consider issues in the depth they deserve.

Meanwhile some issue in the Lib Dems only sneaks on to the bottom of page 11 of the Daily Post - a word no one can currently associate withe LDs: leadership.

Brunstrom blog draws strange comment in Observer

Brunstrom being zapped on his blog is picked up by Porter in The Obersver but with the slightly strange argument that the N Wales Police, and their new baseball caps, are better armed than troops in Afgahnistan. It is this type of sunday paper argument I find a little strange and showing a loss of perspective for what might be an important point (adewquarw resources for the Army).

(anyway after an early wobble Wales won and I remian confisent of collecting my office sweep - provided several other nations have a handicap of at least 50 points!).

My big opportunity ?

The Caernarfon Herald this week reports an investment opportunity that I may find hard to resist, and I have Plaid lead Gwynedd Council to thank for my current dilemna. It seems that flats in the new, and endlessly debated, Victoria Dock development will soon be available and I will only have to find £690,000 - yes thats nearly seven hundred thousand pounds - to take advantage.

I may need to lower my bedroom matress nearly three inches to grab this golden opportunity !

Any way up above is Rhodri taking a look at the site back in May - perhaps it was the £690,000 that caused the heart scare !

On a more serious note this situation stirs several thoughts.

Firstly when and where will the affordable housing pushed by Gwynedd Council and, we are told, that has been promised in exchange for this development site be delivered ?

Secondly will other homeowners have cause to celebrate as these prices filter in to the local housing market ?

Thirdly if I am forced to hold back my investment due to stock market uncertanties can the project survive ?

Cymru Cymru

Well the world cup approaches and although I am not much of a rugby fan I am now fully committed to the cause having drawn Cymru in the office sweep. No matter what Woodward says I know Jenks can deliver the big £12 prize for me ! Does anyone feel my 2nd team Fiji have a better chance ?

Communities First brings more success-ask Max Boyce

It seems that even Max Boyce has felt the power of Communities First with the success of the funding in Maes Barcer bringing new people to Y Galeri to see a perfroming opportunity. This is just one example of how Labour's programme for hard pressed communities can bring success.

Interesting few months

Many people have been focussed on the coverage about whether Brown will go for an early poll.

However having been away for the Bank Holiday weekend I have been a bit slow in picking up on more local developments of interest. The Herald has run a story announcing the arrival of a new political party that promises to dislodge Plaid Cymru councillors in the elections of May 2008.

I find it a pity that Labour is not seen as a home for the protests of such people but accept this is unlikely to happen in a Gwynedd context. Perhaps one of Plaid's success since 1996 has been to corale many an "independent" under their banner and subject them to the Plaid whip. As`their influence extended they have become the establishment and show many of the traits associated with those who feel beyond reach.

This is fascinating stuff as my guess is a number of those involved with the new party include many Plaid Cymru stalwarts who know where the bodies lie ! There are a number of voices raised in protest at Plaid's actions in Gwynedd and disillusion at a small cabal who effectively wield power.

So it will still be time to start lining up the wards and the candidiates .... interesting times.

All Wales Peace Festival - experiences not to be missed

The All Wales Peace Festival will be held in Caernarfon in Y Galeri on Saturday 22nd September from 12.00 midday onwards.

There will be many interesting activities and speakers that should not be missed including Jo Berry and Patrick Magee. Indeed I was looking at an exhibition for Forgiveness project at Greenbelt and it makes one realise the depth of emotional, political and spiritual journey that many people make.

Anyway the Festival deserves our support.

Sorry Orwell

Today's Observer contains the latest of what seem ever more regular commentary in newspapers about those who dabble in blogging. There seems some great confusion that those blogging are seeking to engage in some great literary mission when, I think, many are just exercising some democratic expression/frustration and happy to share our thoughts with others. Often badly written and misspelt (can I be bothered spell checking ?). I'm glad Orwell would have done the same but is it really that important ?

Not quite Brazil

Unfortunately it did not turn out to be Brazilian style football today and on balance, and in spite of taking an early lead, Caernarfon were perhaps the happiest with their 1-1 draw. Anyway still unbeaten after three league games which is good in any league.

Its just like watching Brazil ......

Well it will be another Saturday afternoon with table topping Caernarfon Town at the Oval. And what a strange sight to see TNS languishing at the other end. But its still "early doors" as the footie saying goes...

Do you know something we don't ?

That was the question of interest to one Plaid Cymru councillor as Arfon Labour hit the campaign train with a street stall this morning in Caernarfon.

Who knows ????- but Arfon Labour is ready and we will be working hard in the coming weeks to build up our profile just in case Gordon Brown wants to pulverise Cameron at the polls.

An age of identity crisis

There is clearly something in the water.

Apart from reliving some of Billy Bragg's great sing along tunes ( with added edge) I attended his talk on "Can Britishness be defined in a new bill of rights?" and was interested to see how Bragg would devlop the debate.

In truth, and as the audience pointed out, his Britishness debate was perhaps more closely linked to him defining a progressive and left view of Englishness, rather than "Britishness" per se. The purpose of his admirable journey being to grapple with issues of identity in order to counter more extreme views promoted by the BNP. Bragg understood why people might feel a dual identity (e.g. Welsh-British) but I'm not sure he was tuned in to the impacts of those seeing a single national (non-English) identity as can be found around Welsh blog land.

I then return home to find David Banks in the Daily Post writing about Wales "Resigned to being a nation divided" and some August ramblings about the north-south divide and cultural differences, seemingly fostered by Labour MPs.

Must check my water suply.

Hello again

Having spent several days in a tent at Greenbelt 07 there a number of trhings to reflect on but I come home to another musical link just down the road. Greenblet is an incredible mix of music, art and thought provoking faith and I listened with interest to Billy Bragg, Douglas Alexander, Martyn Joseph, stand up comics, and many more who were unknown to me prior to the weekend but have left many a thought to ponder in the coming weeks.

Bush throws a last dice ?

The enemy would not follow America home, but perhaps it has arrived some time ago and prior to 9/11. Perhaps the battering in Iraq is somehow of symbolic importance to Bush while the ideological battle should be taken up in other ways. Bush may have a difficult closing period.

Its all gone bangers and mash

As decisions are taken on the priorities for Police time it seems one got their CBM - community bangers manager - in a twist.

Can't get it right - even in August

I suspect some bright spark in the Tory research team is feeling the heat if even a part of today's farce is true. It might have been a bright idea to grab some headlines in the August silly season by listing NHS services under threat. Yet the claims are melting like snow in the summer sun (remember that ?).

Oops !

Don't slide in to nationalist speak

It seems lots of people are sliding in to nationalist speak and if the priorities of the people are to be met then we should focus on health, economy, environment etc. It seems Glyn Davies has now wandered down routes shaped by nationalsit thinking. Why, what has Alex Salmond's barmy paper in Scotland got to do with our situation in Wales ?

So I will spend the next period pondering a few of the ideas contained in One Wales and seeing what progress we need to make as the Assembly returns from recess.

Cofis of f to winning start

Well it was wet and heavy going but Caernarfon managed an entertaining enough 3-1 over Port Talbot. A pretty even match in many ways with Caernarfon going 2-1 ahead before Port Talbot missed a very late penalty (fine savw from Caernarfonb's keeper)and then Caernarfon went to the other end to head home for 3-1.

Town seem to have signed some skilful players (Scouse accents a plenty yet again) and there could be some entertinment in the weeks ahead. Port Talbot a little unlucky not to get the draw but in the heavy conditions their larger players struugled a little more.

Meanwhile the Baggies ran up a win and new signings came good.

League of Wales kicks off - go and give support

Well it is often derided, and finances are obviously in short supply compared to the global investors in the Premiership, but the Principality League of Wales kicks off today and I would urge people to go and support one of the teams. In Arfon we can follow Bangor City and Caernarfon Town and today it will be the visit of Port Talbot to the Oval which provides my afternoon's entertainment. Best wishes also to Llangefni Town as they enter the top level for the first time.

League of Wales kicks off - go and give support

Well it is often derided, and fianances are obviously short compared to the global investors in the Premiership, but the Principality League of Wales kicks off today and I would urge people to go and support one of the teams. In Arfon we can follow Bangor City and Caernarfon Town and today it will be the visit of Port Talbot to the Oval which provides my afternoon's entertainment. Best wishes also to Llangefni Town as they enter the top level for the first time.

Rebuild and strengthen

Not Wales 20:20 but the new signings by the Baggies - but I feel another big cheque is due this week - I wonder how much Luton get if we sell Davis to Spurs ?

Wales 20:20

A couple of commentators thought I might have jumped the gun in my blogging about the new discussion forum but, some 24 hours on and having read the pamphlet in full, I remain with mixed feelings.

I have no doubt that debate is good and never to be feared in a democracy. It is partly why I enjoy blogland, not because it contains the future of democracy, but adds to debate.

Huw makes a number of points that many will share. We can have Labour majorities - PR simply makes it more challenging. I feel however that Huw loks at the bleaker side of May's results, I perhaps see the glass as half full. Loosing some seats, but doing comparatively better than other parts of the UK. After some distraction we should now be able to focus on delivering major parts of Labour's manifesto as the senior partner in a coalition. I am sure Scottish Labour would like to be in our position.

Yet review and reform are right. The Party itself is doing that and we can all contribute. I'm not sure we need new Forums and websites to debate Party organisation and which I feel takes up a major part of the new pamphlet.

My impression of May 2007 - and factors hardly mentioned by Huw are Blair and Iraq, stay at home voters and yes I agree to an extent our decreased resources as a Party. However when the wind is against I feel we might have spent much more for not much return in the PR system.

Huw refers to a fresh intake of AMs but I am not sure what mechanism he proposes. People work hard to get elected and at both Westminster and Assembly levels do not often voluntarily opt to step aside for fresh blood. Nor does it always work - Sue Essex being a big loss in my opinion and we know the pain of imposing central solutions on local parties.

Clearly Labour, of all parties, faces the big challenge in closing any talk of a widening gulf between MPs abd AMs. Could it be we had no commonly agreed vision of where we wished to actually take devolution after delivering on Labour's referendum ? The shortfal on the Richard Commission recommendations was noteable sign of any gulf. So that is common ground as a task to be resolved.

Neither does Huw address the linguistic cultural issues that I feel are part of political life in modern Wales. Eluned Morgan has asked how we are to reach out and embrace potential support in western/Welsh speaking parts of Wales ?

Huw feared some would react angrily. Perhaps he had Paul Flynn in mind !

For my part I see no need to fear debate. I have several reasons to disagree with elements of Huw's analysis

* many of these points about organisation could have been tackled internally,
* it is not just resources,
* what about Blair/Iraq and May 2007 ?
* perhaps Wales fared better than Huw admits ? (although not well enough)
* modern politics requires relatively broad churches working to a common good,
* can Wales reach outwards across current cultural divides (not for example by missing the Eisteddod)

So there is some thought generated by the pamphlet and new blog.

Finally is the language wise. Talk of not being fit for purpose (in bold print) is, I feel, aimed at generating controversy for its own sake. Perhaps distracting from oterh elements of the pamphlet.

Mud glorious mud

Well that was the Anglesey show and a chance to compare notes with Albert Owen MP on recent political developments. However main issue today was mud glorious mud after the overnight and torrential rain. Forgot my camera so can't show - how boring.

Language not suited to Wales 2020

For those waiting with drawn breath it seems that Huw Lewis is going to stir up debate by saying Labour is "unfit for purpose". If`true (and not just headline grabbing spin) this seems a little unwise and a view with which I would take difference. Wales 2020 will be a new forum for debate - is it not the already the title of a Cymdeithas campaign ?

Vaughan up the wrong tree ?

Ordovicius flags up Vaughan Rodericks blog in which VR starts to reassess his views on the timing of the Westminster election. He reviews and reassesses seats and suggests Betty Williams should go for Arfon.

VR may not be tuned to recent announcements at the Aberconwy and Arfon Labour CLPs, which I will leave for him to research, but information suggests one of these seats is about to run a full selection process and it is the Arfon constituency who have appointed a secretary for the selection proceudre.

Gey your CVs ready.

20,000 % inflation

There are many terrible aspects to the horror that is Zimbabwe but the simple economic fact reported in the Guardian that inflation runs at 20,000% shows an economic crisis that will keep in the country in despair beyond Mugagbe's years.

I wonder at what point the telephone book numbers involved with such inflation become meaningless - 500%, 1000%, 5,000% ???

Footie kicks off

Well off we go for another season of a pain but being married to an Evertonian my season kicked off at Goodison Park and a chance to see whether Jason Koumas would start well. Well in truth it was one of Jason's less effective games and it was Arteta who shone in the misfield battle.

Of course Goodison is in many one of the last of the old fashioned grounds and EFC and their fans are engaged in an active debate over a new ground outside the city boundaries and funded off the back of a Tesco supermarket (don't tell Cymdeithas).

Anyway the Baggies lost so we could be in for a long season ahead.

Dafydd stamps his feet !

Judging by the letters page and corrections in the Daily Post it seems Dafydd Wigley has thrown a strop that anyone should suggest his Eisteddfod speech was a criticism of red-green. Dafydd is fulsome in his explanation that all he had in mind was a call for more dosh from London.

Now this is where I think its more difficult as it is simply not practical for Plaid to now sign up for a programme of government that is delivered out of hard negotiation and then expect someone else to fund major chunks of it. It means either (a) Plaid and Ieuan don't undertstand the costs of their programme - thus I agree dragging Labour down the same road, or (b) they are not really serious about focussing on delivery.

Perhaps specific bids for joint priorities might get some chance of attention but I doubt if generalised calls for more dosh will ever succeed. Otherwise we await the outcome of spending reviews, but with less stable economic conditions I don't expect much. However some pre election sweeties might prove useful to Wales. is that right - perhaps not but it is where we currently are and no use pretending otherwise.

Hot on Y Maes

Diwrnod boeth iawn ar Maes yr Eisteddfod ac gyfle am sgwrs gyda nifer o wynebu o gwahannol cefndir - sedd un o cryfderau y Maes.

Scorching weather on the Maes and a chance to catch up with various friends and acquaintanes. Including a chat with Dylan Iorwerth about the Welsh language print scene and whether we can cope with Y Dydd as well as Golwg, Y Cymro, (and the Herald Cymraeg insert in the Daily Post) amongst others. I sense no one is quite convinced about the market for a daily Welsh langauge paper, and how much capacity is their in the market ? What did the seemingly positive tone of the red-green deal mean in this respect ?

A claim to Welsh cultural fame as I played football (aged some 7-15 years old) with Dylan who is a winner of the "Goron". I am sure it was Baggies influence that drove him to greater things ! (Not his support of the Spurs as I recall)

No doubt this revelation may lead some to question Dylan's choice of company but I find him an interesting, amicable and passionate acquaintance.

It's a beautiful game !

Well I never thought I'd see the day but it seems Pele has had enough of adverts on erectile misfunction and returns to football with the Baggies. Its a beautiful game and there will surely be a rush for Baggies shirts with the name Pele on the back.

I remember him (shurely sum mistake !) in the 1970 world cup and I am sure he brings skill and experience to the Hawthorns.

Crachach - an easy hit ?

Lots of excitement in Welsh blogland after Dylan Jones-Evans (like myself a candidate who missed out in May) posts on the "crachach", clealrly a group feared/despised/hated in various degrees. They may exist, as in other societies, but I commented as follows :

"On the substantive point it is surely no surprise that societies contain some political/ societal "elites" and the job of the rest is to unsettle them and create our alternative structures.Just don't get sucked in and then change is more possible. Perhaps reflecting that devolution in itself is not the solution but the policies / values that drive us".

So we might get more value from exploring common values amongst those who are not the crachach to generate more change- but then we might be infiltrated by the crachach - and more paranoia generated. In addition there are clearly problems in how some perceive the C, who is in and who is out ? Perhaps someone should open those blog polls I see in other places to poll on the C !

Oh well off to Mold/Wyddgrug to see the crachach.

Foot and mouth

I work many miles from Surrey but today the hand of foot and mouth reached me at work in Ynys Mon with general advice to minimise contact with farming lands/workers as a precautionry measure to minimise risks. Very sensible but let us hope the restrictions are lifted quicly, the industry heading back to normal. Oh and all buy tickets for Sioe Mon/Anglesey show in solidarity.

Yesterday's man bites back

Crikey I didn't expect Dafydd Wigley to answer so quickly but no sooner had I wondered aloud about DWs stance on the coalition that he raced to the Eisteddfod Maes to tell the world.

Is this really a query about finance or another shot from the "Dewis" faction in the hope of joining others (in both parties) trying to shake the foundations of red-green government.

Some words from AFJ on Red-Green

Gwe usefully highlights a forthcoming publication from the IWA about the red-green process. Some comments about Jane Hutt but also some words from Arfon's AM Alun Ffred Jones :

"The book also reveals why Plaid Cymru opted to be a junior partner in a Labour-led government, rather than choosing what became known as the Rainbow alternative, with the party’s leader Ieuan Wyn Jones as First Minister in a coalition with the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. Plaid was divided on this question, but the Rainbow deal would have required the three Opposition parties to devise a reason for a motion of no confidence.

As Plaid Cymru’s Arfon AM Alun Ffred Jones, who switched sides for this reason, explained: “One we’d installed Rhodri Morgan as First Minister, the game had changed. I felt we couldn’t play fast and loose with votes of no confidence. There would have to be a credible reason for making a challenge. I would have felt uncomfortable in manufacturing a vote of no confidence.”

So Aron was rainbow but moved as the debate moved on. At least a confirmation of elements of the process and debate. Did Wigley agree with Ffred?

Bright young Tory hope defects to Labour

Bright young Tory hope defects to Labour in response to Brown's leadership
- Moderate Conservatives joining Labour, says Gordon Brown

One of the Tories' brightest young politicians in Wales has defected to the Labour Party, praising Gordon Brown's strong leadership as the main reason for his switch.

26-year-old school teacher David Anstee was a member of a powerful Welsh Conservative Policy Group which wrote the party's 2007 Assembly election manifesto. Today Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed him to the party, saying that moderate conservatives were responding to his call to join Labour to build a better Britain. David Anstee will be joined today by Rhondda Welsh Assembly Member Leighton Andrews at the New Assembly building.

Mr Anstee cut his political teeth as the only Conservative to stand for election as a councillor in Rhondda in over 20 years. He was the vice chair of the Rhondda Conservatives. But he has resigned his membership and applied to join Labour.

GORDON BROWN said:

"I am pleased that David listened to my call for moderate conservatives to join the Labour Party and help build a better Britain. I welcome him to the party and look forward to hearing of his positive contribution in the future."

DAVID ANSTEE said:

"Like many political moderates I had hoped that David Cameron's leadership of the Conservatives would herald a changed party that reflected the concerns of the people of our country.

"But unfortunately the Conservative Party has shown itself to be incapable of change. It has pandered to the views of its right wing whenever it has faced a serious test.

"In contrast, I have been really impressed by Gordon Brown's leadership. His strength and vision for Britain has been inspiring. We need a serious leader for serious times, to meet the challenges of security, global warming and housing."

LEIGHTON ANDREWS said:

"This will prove to be another blow to the leadership of David Cameron in London and Nick Bourne in Cardiff. David Anstee is precisely the kind of talent they want to attract to their party. But he sees the future of Britain as being best served by the Labour Party.

"Like so many others, David has realised that Labour is the only party that can be trusted to stick to its principles and govern in the interests of all. He knows that Labour offers policies of substance, not empty PR stunts followed by sudden lurches to the right."

Ends


Notes:

In a speech to Labour's National Policy Forum on 14th July, Gordon Brown said: "As we reach out to all who share our vision of a better Britain of rising aspirations and new and better opportunities I urge all who share our values - progressives in all areas of Britain and moderate Conservatives - to join us in making Britain the country it can be."

Time for "swper" (supper)

In her recent weekly column in Y Herald Cymraeg Angharad Tomos floated the idea of sharing "swper", some breaking of bread, to explore language issues. This generated some debate on maes-e where a number of contributors seem to want to leave matters to Cardiff Bay, and not contaminate themselves by contact with unworthies like myself.

However I can confirm I would be more than happy to share some time chatting to Angharad and if I make it across to Mold then we might get time for coffee and a chat. I would happily explore the impacts of the language rights debate as it is an interesting area of public policy development.

Time for "swper" (supper)

In her recent weekly column in Y Herald Cymraeg Angharad Tomos floated the idea of sharing "swper", some breaking of bread, to explore language issues. This generated some debate on maes-e where a number of contributors seem to want to leave matters to Cardiff Bay, and not contaminate themselves by contact with unworthies like myself.

However I can confirm I would be more than happy to share some time chatting to Angharad and if I make it across to Mold then we might get time for coffee and a chat. I would happily explore the impacts of the language rights debate as it is an interesting area of public policy development.

"Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander"

A chance to review the local papers and nice to see my old sparring partner Mr Trfeof Davies taking up issues in the letters page of the Caernarfon Herald. Trefor is upset that I had the temerity to suggest that in spite of the new era of red-green politics Labour should continue to scrutinise Plaid led Gwynedd council and events at organisations like Cymad.

He reflects on the red-green deal and states that for Labour "To join up with the Tories would have been political suicide" - that is why Labour would never do it - and exactly why Plaid reached their conclusion.

It will be interesting to see what reaction the new Ministers gather as they strut the Maes this week. Surely Rhodri Glyn and others deserve the same warm reception as previous Ministers given that change has not yet been delivered.

Back for Steddfod !

So after a few fine days watching the dolphins in Cei Newydd. I have kept clear of the news and apart from some stuff about Great Whites (I admit I didn't see them in New Quay !) and some football transfer stories I don't have much idea what went on until this morning's F&M story.

So what does blog land tell me about the week that passed : well I am back in time to catch Normal Mouth flagging up some pre Staddfod nonsense from Adam Price, and how could I survive without Lembit's latest antics (is he that scared of Glyn Davies ?), even Tribune is running with a Rhodri to retire early story - "has told friends he is to step down as First Minister and Labour leader - possibly as early as next year".

Paul Flynn offers some comments on today's foot and mouth outbreak while the Guardian as often turns my mind to the scale of disasters elsewhere in the world.

So a simple selection of things that caught my eye on return to blog land and a chnace for my reflection in the days ahead.

Hols !

We all need a break and I'm not a blogging aholic (my family think otherwise)

So off for a week, but I am still surprised and thankful that some 25 or so of you a day call by to take a peep. I just find the blog a little theraputic.....

Not very Liberal ?

It seems the Lib Dems can take Opik's antics but some things go too far.

Croeso

Welcome to a new defender as it seems we face the loss of most of last year's defence as the new season approaches. I assume more transfer action to follow as Premiership standard players seek Premiership clubs, and the Baggies sign up people with potential and experienced pros (or Ex Hibs players!).

Which party should I crash ?

I don't always agree with Huw Lewis - part of the joy of being part of a broad based socialist party - but his closing remarks are interesting

"At the moment our political culture in Wales is comparable to a teenager battling mam and dad for an extended curfew without a party to go to".

I think for the non-nationalist majority this poses some interesting questions that should not be overlooked or belittled.

Reflect and learn

I posted about a language issue in the villlage and see Cymuned protested on the issue. Maes -e is discussing variious tactics of protest and inconvenience.

My advice is for the manager/owner to reflect on their attitude,invite the former waitress and her famil down for some reconciliation. but I do not yet rush to the legislative conclusion that others may propose.

Don't abuse me (!) but this is where my views currently stand, but they are not static.

Miserable old fart

Hen Rech Felin makes an interesting post to highlight concerns over Plaid possibly backing off a referendum now bums have hit ministerial seats.

I don'tt hink the post was bilingual as it does not appear on miserable old fart - not a criticism, just an observation.

Valuable education

I think the opportunities provided by outdoor education centres are invaluable. They should be protected. Yet I also know that within my own working career, which included time at the Snowdonia National Park, there were feelings about too many of these centres in North West Wales.

I think we now see the nonsense of such thinking and can we provide many better understandings of rural life than time spent at such centres ?

See here

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Llanrug/

Tories love of devolution ?

Perhaps the failure to acheive the Rainbow will affect opposition power in the Assembly. Its at points like this that I have a twinge of sympathy for people like Guto Bebb and Dylan Jones Evans who I think would focus on the Assembly and not other places.

"What a cheek!

Carpet bagging Tory's been an AM for less than three months and already he's looking elsewhere…

LABOUR today slammed a Tory AM for seeking election to Parliament in a totally different constituency than the one he represents in the Assembly. Alun Cairns was elected to the Assembly for the south Wales west region less than three months ago. But today it was announced that he will stand for Parliament in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Labour AM for Swansea East Val Lloyd called for him to give up his Assembly seat. She said he should show more respect to the people of south Wales west who elected him as a Tory representative in May. VAL LLOYD said: "Alun Cairns' move shows a blatant disrespect to the people in the south west of Wales. It is less than three months after the election and he is already looking about for his next opportunity. It's a disgrace. "How can Alun Cairns properly represent the concerns of people in the south west of Wales when he is campaigning for election in a completely different region? "Just like his leader David Cameron, he is cutting and running from his constituency at the first opportunity. "I call on Carpet Bagger Cairns to resign his seat in the Assembly at once so that people in the south west of Wales get the full-time representation they deserve."

Planners reflections

I wonder how many times I have discussed the merits of flood risk issues, flood risk assessments etc over recent years. That while working for a council in which flood risk has not been as big an issue as other areas. (perhaps a dangerous statement in itself!)

I reflect on this given the events of the last 6 weeks around the UK including the vital messages about the vulnerability of vital infrastucture.

Reflect and learn and lots of issues for Sustainability Minister Jane Davidson while inspecting the mud of Buil;th Wells.

Iraq - the hair restorer link !

It may be that I was till half asleep, and a fuzzy brain didn't tune in to the discussion clearly, but I am sure David Owen (former leader SDP, youngest Foreign Secretary many years ago) started to discuss on Sunday News 24 whether the use of hair restorer by Tony Blair had affected his health and decision making about Iraq. This somehow linked to his new book on a medical condition he described as hubris (the title of the book I think).

If the use of hair restorer is to blame the the world needs to be alerted.

A bizzare start to a Sunday morning.

Summer Festivals !!!!!

Good luck to Sesiwn Fawr in Dolgellau as it seems the weather has lead to the cancellation of the musical part of Wakestock in Pwllheli.

Knowing the importance of tourism to the local economy then the town could well have done without this. It will be interesting to see whether the loss of the music leads to people spending more time in and around the town, or will they simply head home.

However judging by the BBC report it seems public safety must sensibly take precedence.

A Scrabble name for the new shirt

Should I get this guy's name om my Baggies shirt. Quite a few Scrabble points - but why only refer to a good season (singular), it doesn't feel long term, alhtough long term is 3 years it seems in modern contracts.

IWJ, the business community and Welsh language legislation

With the announcement of new Ministers I foresee another fascinating tension as the Deputy First Minister "listens" to the business sector regarding their views on the need for Welsh language legislation in the private sector, while also managing his own Party's aspirations for more and stronger powers. As Minister for the Economy does he feel Thomas Cook, Stenna, Anglesey Aluminium or small shop keepers in Pwllheli should be forced in to such legisation ?

(for the record I have mixed views and am yet to be convinced- but may be persuadable given the evidence. I do not take the same view of language legislation that for example the Tories took of the minimum wage i.e dire warnings about the end of our economy).

However these are the examples where Plaid will find being in government very different to opposition aspirations. It will be a fascinating process and who can guess what critical motions may appear on Plaid conference agendas if insufficent progress is made. Will slow incremental change be enough ?

Happy birthday

Happy birthday to a genuine hero - role model -political giant. My daily coffee mug at work marks the 80th birthday. How great to see the 89th.

Racing the train

A nice event tonight as three generations of Eaglestones raced the train from Dinas to Caernarfon. Photos may follow. Well done to Eaglestone Senior who finished the 5k/3mile course in the over 70's category.

I suppose another event that I had time for, and which I would have missed had May 3rd gone the other way.

Potter - so what ?

Am I alone in not having read a Harry Potter book ? It seems that people will go to extraordinary lengths to obtain copies or spoil young people's anticipation. I recall some coverage of the fact that Potter may have boosted literacy levels amongst young people - I hope so. The closest I got was to join the kids to see one of the films, the last one I think.

Of coure I couldn't resist buying Campbell's diaries and it will be my main read when the holiday week arrives soon (but not soon enough ..) However it seems Campbell is also falling foul of our technolgy and I wonder how long before we get to on line literature replacing paper, like on line music.

Then again perhaps I already read as much on line (blogs etc) as I do in hard back version.

No Welsh here ?

News of the latest we "don't speak Welsh here" workplace controversy is sweeping my home village of Y Felinheli. We`await to see what evolves - but if true, and I have no reason to think it should not be, why do people do these stupid things ???

Bums on seats - now the rethink ?

Well Plaid's bums are almost on the seats, and who exactly it will be will be unveiled in the coming period. However the fact that Red-Green have found common ground already sees Lord DET playing for a longer game. His comments to the BBC seem to reflect concerns amongst some nationalists that a long march to freedom might be diverted by the attractions and comforts of power.

Indeed his comments seem to strike much common ground with observations from Peter Hain that ruling coalitions should not call referendums that they could well loose.

Anyone for a referendum by 2015 ?

Is the piggy bank ready ??

Excitement mounts as polls are studied !

I hope we didn't spend all our money during the Assembly campaign and how will our campaigns shape up post Red-Green deal ????

Evaluating life

This afternoon I witnessed the Veterans Day Parade in Caernarfon and, as always, sharing time in such company makes one evaluate one's own good fortune and reflect on the experiences of others.

I was also struck by Rhodri Morgan's words in the Western Mail, which give the impression of someone re evaluating life and priorities. How deeply, and how far, we wait to see but perspectives on politics have changed I suspect.

The same but different

The "row" over the BBC and the Queen had some echoes for me of elements of the Campbell diairies and the more serious spat with the BBC. The BBC mixes fact and fiction but the outcome is disputed.

Expert takes up the reins...

Who ?

Apparently he is now our shadow secretary of state. Well done DC we look forward to more inspired appointments to motivate the Welsh Tories.

Don't be mean - it is a significant political event

Rumblings continue amongst some Labour people but I think the significance of today's event should not belittled. As is stated here and here Plaid Cymru have taken a significant step and entered government.

I think this has its own consequences to which Plaid will need time to adjust. Now tied to an agreement about a programme of government, and required to defend the hard politics of priorities, and no doubt facing many examples of having their own words quoted back to them in debates.

It will mean they can't go the local papers complaining every week and "good" news is a matter for the coalition - not just Plaid.

What will Gwynedd Council tell the Herald each week - I detect that there will be a different tone in their comments on the Assembly !

(or will tensions between Gwynedd and Ieuan bubble up ???)

Comparing notes on dramatic day

It was nice to catch up with Sue Essex tonight who was looking a little refreshed given that she stepped down in May. Clearly concerned about the news on Rhodri with whom she goes back a long way in Cardiff and Welsh politics. Our best wishes to Rhodri.

Top tip from Peter Black

Political co-operation survives the Red-Green deal and Peter Black's advice has worked - I simply had to hover slightly above the title bar.- so simple really.

Oh well back to saving the earth. It seems several bands who were saving the planet yesterday are burning up the electric at T in the Park today.

(while is the title bar locking me out ?)

Yesterday we could all save the world by singing along to the Red Hot Chillis.

Today lots of people gathered to watch some men burn lots of petrol racing fast cars around a track.

Strange world sometimes.

All parties have problems as they select candidates for local elections. We all have members who feel they deserve better, and sometimes then stand as independents if they feel bigger than the party. It seems that our new friends in Plaid have one such row brewing in Caernarfon where a stalwart member feels the party havehttp://www.golwg.co.uk/pages/showpage.asp?pubid=1&edid=627&aid=7952&pid=8827 "shit on his head" (if my translation is even roughly correct).

I hope Moi is on board with the Red-Green deal or these little acorns can sometimes grow big trees.

Y Felinheli celebrates - not Red-Green - but carnival day. After a wet week the sun is smiling and all is looking good

I just wish this quote was mine :

Mr Morgan insisted that the contentious question of a referendum would be enacted in ‘good faith’, while ‘testing the waters of Welsh opinion’.

Over to you

Tom Bodden posts like this on the Red-Green vote. Now it's Plaid's turn.

Labour- a reflection of Wales ?

As Friday's vote approaches then in both mainstream, and blogging world, the stresses of the potential Red-Green vote are showing all round. Some see fundamental rifts in the debate while others reflect the tension in the nationalist camp.

I have always felt that as Labour is a broad church, not formed for nationalist purposes, then it is no surprise that we find the current vote difficult. I am not a delegate at the special conference but shared my view with colleagues by e-mail as follows :


"I write as an individual member, who happens to have been a candidate. I see there are a number of e-mails flying around as we consider our judgement on the efforts to create a stable government for Wales. For anyone who is interested I set out below my own thoughts.

I have not met anyone yet who feels we should let the Tories back in to power, and that is the principal driving force for my opinions. At the moment the Lib Dems seem to have gone missing and it is ironic that the one party which promotes PR, and claims progressive views, has acted so strangely after May 3rd.

So I do feel Red-Green is a viable option, and we must now back Rhodri Morgan and support the vote on July 6th. As someone who largely entered democratic politics to contest this patch (Caernaron/Arfon) against Plaid Cymru I feel we must have confidence in our own role as the major partner, and trust the people of Wales to amend their constitutional status at a pace they will choose - not when the political class try and impose a timetable.

Party politics is at its most challenging when we face hard decisions and at this moment I beleive Rhodri deserves our support.

Best wishes to you all
Martin Eaglestone"

Gwyl Y Felin - blogging intermitent

The joys of living in Y Felinheli include ready access to the joys of Gwyl Y Felinheli and, I must admit blogging is a little intermitent given the chance to enjoy the great range of entertainment we are offered.

I even missed the North Wales cluster meeting about Red-Green to take part in the Faenol 10k (completed with some effort!).

If you are anywhere near Y Felinheli come and join us. The commitee deserve our support as the weather has not been kind.

BBC's take on Brown and New Statesman

The BBC gave a view on Brown's first statement that take sseveral angles.

Meanwhile David Murquand ran some interesting (if not wholy accurate) lines in the New Statesman (page 34) including :

"Devolution has fostered a remarkable and fundamentally healthy growth in the self confidence and sense of nationhood of the Scots and Welsh. Scotland and Wales are now distinct political communities, with real capital cities and real parliamentary assemblies, in a sense that has not been true for 300 years and has never ben true of Wales.

The revival of England's sense of nationhood is a natural respinse to these transformations. Though the metropolitan liberal intellientsia has never been comfortable with the idea, the English are a people, too. If the people of Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland are entitled to autonomy over a wide rnage of policy areas, how ca it be right to deny it to the English?"

Therein also lies any potential danger to the Barnett review that was a formula based in a single Parliamentary context.

In the City

So there we were in the City of Liverpool enjoying a wedding celebration when, just prior to midnight, the disco came to a sudden halt, the alarms are ringing and we are all asked to leave via a side door. Blue lights, tape etc etc. Party over- back to house in taxi. Half an hour later the bride (in her splendid dress) and groom, best man and various other people arrive at the house as the hotel area remains closed. The news says someone was arrested 100 yards away.

One little story from the weekend's events.

But the party and wedding were splendid. Perhaps it was the threat of me singing in the kariokee that closed it down !

Crossroads for nationalism ?

In reading around maes-e, blogs and other places there is a clear head of steam amongst some for smacking down Adam Price, and stopping the Red-Green option. Some push it as far as floating the possibility of new nationalist party.

There is an inevitable post devolution tension, Plaid are not alone in feeling it, but they perhaps have some of the most acute tensions to resolve.

We await another week's political drama but I suspect the strong potential for Red-Green by the end of the week has unleashed a force for longer term division in nationalism (I wait to see what happens with Labour).