I was momentarily confused in reading today's Guardian. There is seriouis coverage of Afghanistan but on reading page five, in isolation,it is headed by the extraordinary headline "eat the Taliban" - a strange new strategy.
Clealrly the sub editor failed to spot the consequence of leaving the "b" on page 4 !
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Ruane in the frame !
It seems some blogs are seeking to claim crimes of the state against our North Wales friend and colleague Chris Ruane. Will the Queen sleep tonight ?
Glyn "has the time arrived" Davies ?
Glyn Davies AM explains a few of the choices that face opposition AMs, and quite fairly explains how a whipped vote can be taken in ignorance of the consequences.
However partly reflecting thoughts posted previously he raises the question of whether mature oposition now requires the acceptance of reponsibility, not just opportunistic voting to torpedoe Labour plans. We await the response of Alun Ffred Jones and Plaid Cymru.
However partly reflecting thoughts posted previously he raises the question of whether mature oposition now requires the acceptance of reponsibility, not just opportunistic voting to torpedoe Labour plans. We await the response of Alun Ffred Jones and Plaid Cymru.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Lacking commitment ?
Peter Black makes some useful points in his blog (15.11.06) about a lack of commitment in the opposition groups. It reminds me of the recent words of the Presiding Officer who suggesed that the opposition groups can't become the government for 10 minute periods, and then disapear again.
Lacking necessary commitment ?
Peter Black makes some useful points about the lack of commitment amongst opposition groups (15.11.06). In ways it echoes the recent words of the Presiding Officer who suggested the opposition groups can't become the government for ten minute periods, and then disapear to opposition. Government is more serious than that and the people will expect serious action not grand standing.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Goats again
I see in the Daily Post that my favouritly named group - the North Wales Feral Goat Interagency Group - has been busy again.
Useful advice
Today's news carries the warnings of the Environment Agency about the risks of flooding in the coming months. Sensible advice for many to note and follow.
It also highlights the importance of such issues in the planning process and some difficult decisions that need to be faced politically in Wales today and in the future.
It also highlights the importance of such issues in the planning process and some difficult decisions that need to be faced politically in Wales today and in the future.
Planning can be uncomfortable
Glyn Davies AM uses his blog on the 13th November to post some thoughts about his role in planning decisions. This caught my eye as I earn my bread and butter in town and country planning.
It is often the case that people, especially those involved in politics, find decisions hard to stomach as the system exists in a statutory framework with decisions lead by policies and evidence - it can sometimes be uncomfortable. It is of course people like Glyn who will sometimes determine issues that started thir own journey on the route to a final decison in planning offices across Wales.
It is often the case that people, especially those involved in politics, find decisions hard to stomach as the system exists in a statutory framework with decisions lead by policies and evidence - it can sometimes be uncomfortable. It is of course people like Glyn who will sometimes determine issues that started thir own journey on the route to a final decison in planning offices across Wales.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Ready for launch !
A gap in blogging as the Arfon delegation tavelled to Cardiff for Labour's special policy conference. Some early morning sight seeing in Cardiff Bay and a day of solid debate in County Hall. Speeches from Peter Hain, Rhodri Morgan and policy responses from each of our Assembly Ministers. If people take the time to read these policy documents they will see the scale of the programme Labour seeks to deliver after May 2007.
I contributed to the debate on Welsh language (Heb gwaith-dim iaith) and about Plaid Cymru's apparent ignorance of the work of trade unions on the skills and learning agenda.
Home for match of the day - but we had to avoid a fallen tree lying across the road. The joys of the A470 !
I contributed to the debate on Welsh language (Heb gwaith-dim iaith) and about Plaid Cymru's apparent ignorance of the work of trade unions on the skills and learning agenda.
Home for match of the day - but we had to avoid a fallen tree lying across the road. The joys of the A470 !
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Carwyn offers new powers ideas
Carwyn Jones has spoken to the Western Mail (yes I'm only just getting there) about how the Assembly's new powers may be used. Good ideas in tune with our times.
Special conference
Some may be focussed on rugby but as the BBC report Labour activists are gathering on Saturday to approve the majority of our policy platform for May's elections.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Blinkered vision ?
There is a web site which seeks to cover the town of Caernarfon. Let me acknowledge that we have previously exchanged views as they have clearly taken against my campaign for the Assembly. However I have always respected their right to free comment - part of the power of technology and democracy. Hence I offer a link. so people can judge for themselves.
I sometimes ask myself why town people need to contact the Town Council via a commercial web site, that remains a mystery to me, but a matter for the town council and their residents!
Two significant events in the town this year have attracted attention beyond our boundaries: the big wheel over the summer weeks, and the son et lumiere "Merlin's Magical Quest" Yet both have been largely ignored by the web site, and in the case of the recent son et lumiere, somewhat negative questions. Even if the web master was on holiday surely one of his busy reporters could have obtained some shots of this years wonderful show rather than the old images used on the web. I can only conclude it is their choice not to use new exciting images from a major event in the town. Why ?
As someone who did attend the show let me inform the web site, and others, that they missed a wonderful event, which cost a whole family the equivalent of a round of drinks, and showed the great potential of this product to Caernarfon. While agreeing that Caernarfon is relatively poor there is sufficient money for regular nights out, to support major shows (e.g the Faenol has much local support and costs more -as does a trip to Cineworld in Llandudno Junction) and the area can help support this show. The town's business community has much to gain.
Perhaps to their surprise I agree with the web site when it asks does Caernarfon, and the local business community want this chance? To prompt debate one could ask if, in spite of the regular moaning, whether the town, and our local councils, are comfortable in their own way, and do not wish to see much change ?
I think the son et lumiere show, and the creative ideas that go with it, could give a major boost to the local economy. Yes, further developmental work is required to provide accommodation packages etc but it deserves our support. Unless of course you have an alternative ? If we are not careful I fear the idea could go elsewhere.
I sometimes ask myself why town people need to contact the Town Council via a commercial web site, that remains a mystery to me, but a matter for the town council and their residents!
Two significant events in the town this year have attracted attention beyond our boundaries: the big wheel over the summer weeks, and the son et lumiere "Merlin's Magical Quest" Yet both have been largely ignored by the web site, and in the case of the recent son et lumiere, somewhat negative questions. Even if the web master was on holiday surely one of his busy reporters could have obtained some shots of this years wonderful show rather than the old images used on the web. I can only conclude it is their choice not to use new exciting images from a major event in the town. Why ?
As someone who did attend the show let me inform the web site, and others, that they missed a wonderful event, which cost a whole family the equivalent of a round of drinks, and showed the great potential of this product to Caernarfon. While agreeing that Caernarfon is relatively poor there is sufficient money for regular nights out, to support major shows (e.g the Faenol has much local support and costs more -as does a trip to Cineworld in Llandudno Junction) and the area can help support this show. The town's business community has much to gain.
Perhaps to their surprise I agree with the web site when it asks does Caernarfon, and the local business community want this chance? To prompt debate one could ask if, in spite of the regular moaning, whether the town, and our local councils, are comfortable in their own way, and do not wish to see much change ?
I think the son et lumiere show, and the creative ideas that go with it, could give a major boost to the local economy. Yes, further developmental work is required to provide accommodation packages etc but it deserves our support. Unless of course you have an alternative ? If we are not careful I fear the idea could go elsewhere.
Plaid can't quite get the message
At lunchtime I joined BBC Radio Cymru for "Taro Post" to discuss Labour's forthcoming pledge on the learning fund for trade unions. Plaid's spokesperson was my opponent in the Arfon constituency, Alun Ffred Jones. Ffred just could not come to recognise the role of trade unions in the skills and training agenda, and even seemed to question what role/competence the unions have in such work. An alarming level of ignorance and not good for Plaid.
In modernising our economy, and upgrading workplace skills, trade unions have a strong role to play.
In modernising our economy, and upgrading workplace skills, trade unions have a strong role to play.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Blogger questions blogger
Richard Brunstrom used his blog to stir up some views on the government making a "mess" of Police funding :
"Then another budget meeting. We’re going to have to downsize, and I have to plan for it. The government has got police finance into a really dreadful mess and is seemingly in complete denial. We’re going to have to take the consequences - and so are you. Still, nil desperandum"
So I thought I would react calmly and use his blog to ask for a briefing paper on why he thinks this is ? There is a balnce between central and local funding and North Wales has I feel pressed the local element hard in recent years. Why has this made a mess ? The reform/abolition of Police Forces debate was a one off and does not in itself explain abudget crisis.
I await the Chief Constable's response so some considered judgement can be given to the issue.
"Then another budget meeting. We’re going to have to downsize, and I have to plan for it. The government has got police finance into a really dreadful mess and is seemingly in complete denial. We’re going to have to take the consequences - and so are you. Still, nil desperandum"
So I thought I would react calmly and use his blog to ask for a briefing paper on why he thinks this is ? There is a balnce between central and local funding and North Wales has I feel pressed the local element hard in recent years. Why has this made a mess ? The reform/abolition of Police Forces debate was a one off and does not in itself explain abudget crisis.
I await the Chief Constable's response so some considered judgement can be given to the issue.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Futures
First Minister Rhodri Morgan is making a sreries of speeches this Assembly term and the contents set out some challenging thoughts and issues. "Futures" was the topic earlier this week and may prove an interesting Sunday read.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
29-29
A pleasant couple of hours in Y Fic, a cracking game of rugby and good atmospehere. Apparently there was some Championship football - but we are all rugby fans today !!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Priorities
It seems that the Leader of Plaid Cymru could not make the day on which his Party chose the Parliamentary debate. I am sure Madrid was nice and warm and more convivial than the Iraq debate. People are talking
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Top level coordination
Another blog reports problems in Plaid Cymru trying to organise support for the Iraq vote. Meanwhile other reporters are asking why Plaid Cymru leader Elfyn Llwyd was reporteley not present in London given the over riding importance of the debate.
Perhaps a local Plaid Cymru contact could enlighten me on what the attractions of Madrid (?) are that it takes precedence over the big vote ???
Perhaps a local Plaid Cymru contact could enlighten me on what the attractions of Madrid (?) are that it takes precedence over the big vote ???
Its this "horseshit" that will drive regulation
Mr O'Leary of RyanAir loves to express himself colourfully - but this type of comment on a report generating such serious evidence does the free market capitalists very little favour.
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