An interesting new blog

Lots could be read in to the launch of a blog by the Bontnewydd branch of Plaid Cymru - with Bros Wigley and Iwan on the patch we should expect a lot - but will it survive beyond May's elections ? (or perhaps develop a life as the alternative leadership voice if 'One Wales' hits rocky waters ?).

Anyway I have posted best wishes to Dafydd on his Lordship mission, and await more news over the coming weeks and months.

Hat tip to Miserable Old Fart

FA Cup

Hooray.

Now to focus on beating Leighton Andrews Cardiff at the weekend.

Politics has an unsurprising event !

Mnay of us are commenting on it and I suppoose the most surprising thing is that none of us are surprised !.

The supposed conditions are a hurdle set at a height a ruptured snail could jump over.

So Plaid's transition from voice of protest/opposition continues, principles out of the window and in to the murky world of Council, Assembly,Westminster (unelected) and Europe.

Anyway I wish him all the best should he get elected to the role by his colleagues.

Well I couldn't resist the top shot in which Rhodri and myself give a passable impression of the dance scene in the film Full Monty !

In the bottom shot we are pictured with Councillor Brian Jones of Gwynedd Council who sat in on the meeting with business representatives and heard a few views from the heart about issues relating to Plaid controlled Gwynedd Council.

Connecting North and Mid Wales

After Rhodri had safely moved on from Caernarfon I headed down to Llandrindod Wells to join Cymru Wales UNISON (APF) conference. As well as listening to the views and concerns of Unison activists about the nature of Gordon's 3 year pay announcement it was a chance to catch up with Alun Davies AM.

Alun is building a good reputatioon on the backbenches of the Assembly and, given the fears of the fragility in our vote in Mid Wales, could have many years ahead as our Regional list Member.

We continued the de-brief about May 2007 and discussed a few of the issues that could be of interest from the Dwyfor end of the former Caernarfon constituency.

Rhodri in Caernarfon

The Daily Post has posted a video of Rhodri's visit to Caernarfon. A pity (but inevitable) that it focusses on the Cymdeithas protest rather than the interesting discussion with local shop traders and business representatives. In the video Rhodri confimrs that a new language act forcing langauge measures on the private sector is not on the horizon.

Having been in Mid Wales since yesterday evening I will post more photos soon.

Rhodri listening

I warmly welcomed Rhodri to Caernarfon today and his first appointment was with representatives of the TGWU/Unite for an update on the former Ferodo site and the continuing campaign for justice for the dismissed workers.

The site may have a brightrer future on the horizon but Rhodri was keen to hear how the recent sale relates to the ongoing dispute. Anyway here are Gerald Parry, Tom Jones and Paddy McNaught in good early morning spirits with Rhodri.

Pictures of the walkabout, and our welcome from Cymdeithas Yr Iaith to follow. (they are on someone else's camera!)

Croeso Rhodri

I met the new slim line Rhodri Morgan on his "Taith Iaith" in Bangor this afternoon, before time in Caernarfon tomorrow.

Meanwhile - wow - but I think it is cock up not conspiracy.

This announcement - but what about the waste ?

and this (okay not as important but you know my interests).

Photos of Rhodri tomorrow as we meet local business reps and meet and greet the public.

Was it the tears ?

I was pleaed to see the high turnout and the initial two primaries give the prospect of exciting times ahead in the US. Was it Hilary's tears or the fact that Ian Dale (top Tory blogger) was on Sky News predicting an Obama win by 8 points (I think-but it was late).

High quality opportunity - but remember the workers

The site has a deep history in local communities but it seems a new high quality opportunity may be coming along. While it may never employ a 1,000+ people again let us hope that its superb location can help boost North West Wales.

However somewhere in this all some greater justice must be found for the former Friction Dynamics workers.

Encouraging

Whatever happens later this year it is at least encouraging to see the high level of interest in the US Presidential hustings. There is long way to go and alot of money to be spent but a good start.

"I do not wish to be a member of Plaid Cymru any more"

This was the opening sentence of a sensational letter from Dewi Thomas announcing in the Daily Post (letters page) that he had left Plaid Cymru. The final sentence of his letter reads "I have my first Plaid Cymru membership card dated December 1959 when I was a schoolboy full of ideals and dreams" (resigning after a membership one month less than I have been on planet in total !)

In between the letter states

"Following the decision by Gwynedd County Council to carry on with their plan to reorganise primary schools my conscience will not permit me to continue my association with Plaid.

I cannot remain a member when they intend to close Bronyfoel and Baladeulyn schools and destroy communities.

Here are some of the events that influenced my decision ; primarily the protest in Caernarfon on December 13 and the general feeling amongst the long-time Plaid members present that it was a sad day for Plaid.

It was so different to the many other protests I've been involved with over a long period of time, nationalists protesting against nationalists. If this is what being in power involves, then keep me out of it.

During the so called consultation period the views of the school governors was completely ignored,the opinions of those with experience in education was disregarded.

At a special meeting of the Plaid Constituency one of the leaders made shameful remarks about Seimon Glyn,Owen Williams and Alwyn Gruffydd, that they cared nothing for education, but only wanted to stab Plaid in the back. I respect the three's perspective as staunch nationalists over the years.

Dafydd iwan deliberately misrepresented what I said about area schools.

Rhydian James's view in his latest letter was the final nail in the coffin. It appears that I am not a true idealist or nationalist, I've been in the wilderness for the last 50 years if that is true. You've won Rhydian, you've got rid of an old dinosaur.The future's yours.

Are the other sad people I talked with`or saw during that rally also mistaken ?
Are they not true nationalists?

I have my first Plaid Cymru card dated December 1959,when I was a schoolboy full of ideals and dreams".


I know Dewi and there must be some personal pain in such a letter. There is also a lot of political trouble!

Champion of a cause

The appointment of a Commissioner for Older Persons is making news beyond Wales and is another small example of the Assembly Government setting a pattern for modern politics. I also suspect there will be enough activity in differential patterns of service, energy charges and care to keep the Commissioner busy.

(I did not blog yesterday as requested here).

New summit emerges

My parents passed me this photo as they had caught the emergence of the new summit building on Snowdon/Wyddfa on one of the finer mornings last week. I have expanded the relevant bit which shows the progress made. I might event have to walk up to inspect - but not toady !

The future of politics

"The future of politics will be determined by a burgeoning blogosphere"

is how Paul Flynn ends an over enthusiastic piece about his appearance on Welsh radio with Jane Davidson. I am not so sure about this. It is certainly a very welcome tool for politics and certainly provides some avenues beyond the main stream media to network news and views of interest to politicos. However we might also be in one of those technology phases where a still (relative) newness is giving an oxygen to use that will settle over time.

However I am also very concious that my own children probably spend as much/more time on line with youtube/myspace/bebo and facebook than they spend watching "ordinary" tv. So perhaps the times are a changin....

On line protest - of silence

I am not sure whether blogging should be silent or, perhaps more effectively, seek mass blogging on a single subject across the globe. Anyway I noted this request on the Guardian's blog section and will take note for tomorrow. Another simple example of how things we take for granted can be more difficult elsewhere in the world.

In the meantime it seems that Welsh blog land is reawakening after a Christmas break although some intemperate views on One Wales show us that we have an interesting year ahead as the Labour-Plaid Welsh Assembly Government face their first full year of decisions.

Meanwhile I am looking forward to welcoming Rhodri Morgan this week as part of his New Year 'Taith Iaith' . As stated in Y Cymro

"Barn Llafur erioed yw bod ffyniant yr economi a ffyniant yr economi a ffyniant yr iaith yn mynd law yn llaw" (economic and linguistic well being go hand in hand)

This is so true for Arfon and North West Wales as it is building a brighter economic future that will secure the socio-economic conditions to help foster the two languages, and bilingual character of our communities.

Sad news

I was saddened to hear of the death of Merfyn Williams. I worked with Merfyn in the Snowdonia National Park many years ago and had in more recent times shared time with him at various conferences and seminars. Always time for a chat and a good sense of humour. Rest in peace.

If I was Gordon Brown in 2008 I would .......

I am preparing for the first campaign meeting of 2008 to get Arfon's 'Team Labour' up and running for the year ahead. As I scribbled ideas and strategies it struck me that a good open ended question for the blog would be :

"If I was Gordon Brown then in 2008 I would ........." Insert Answer.

Yes moderation is enabled, but perhaps some New Year wit might help provide the big political idea for 2008 and beyond.

Over to you.

enough of football...

Anyway I felt you'd had enough of football so the less said the better.

City of Culture 08

Blwyddyn Newydd da a croeso i 2008.

Happy New Year and welcome to 2008.

Well Liverpools' not too far away and, for most North Walians, means we can choose to access a wide range of events (many free of charge) far easier than for example the Millennium centre or in the Bay. Anyway I may have missed the ringing of 'Great George' but this website will allow us to keep up with activities in the coming weeks and months.