Wide ranging measures

I suppose it is a fact of life that Alistair Darling has a rhetorical style that alllows him to deliver such a significant financial statement in a calm delibeate manner. By all accounts this package is significant and even commentators like Wil Hutton acknowledge the issues involved.

So the pattern is clear the scale of the issues enveloping us all are seen to be so large that some old fashioned recipes are required including spend now, tax later and raising a few more quid off those (2% of tax payers it seems) earning more. Some shortt erm money for low earners, child allowance and pensioners and a VAT reduction all round.

The last measure (VAT) leaves me a little cold but I suppose it is meant to be effective as spending is stimulated. I wait to see.

Anyway in the classic battles of modern politics the "lines" are drawn and Labour is committed to investing/spending out of the crisis, while I remain alittle unclear what the Tories will do - apart from disagree with Labour.

BNP

There is clear disintegration in the extreme right and the leaking of membership names is the latest chapter in tensions that will see some rearranging of power - it has happened before and will happen again.

However the response made by Hazel Blear's is interesting as it comes from a person who has been influencing policies at the centre for some years and therefore bears some responsibility for the problem she describes. Those who have been active in the trade union wing of the Labour movement have not ignored the issues around the far right. For example UNISON have been vigilant and invested significant sums in campaigns against the far right.

So yes Hazel let us bring our Party, our representatives and our movement back in to concerted effort in taking a message and the ideological battle to the BNP and their like.

Oh dear

I must reject a suggestion that the low number of postings reflects the lowly position of my football team! but in reality just a bit busy, and less frequent access to my on line laptop.

But a few stories to pick up over the weekend, after recovering from this bottom of the pile feeling.

Tesco loyalty card - that's alright then!

I understand that George Osborne is a wealthy man but as the Tories shadow Chancellor he clearly wants to stress his common touch. So forget the Bullingdon club this is the man who tells the Times "I have a Tesco loyalty card in my wallet"!!.

Well done George, that makes you as normal as the rest of us then.

I suppose an inquisitive journalist would ask to see the record of transactions on the card and see how often George shops at Tesco's and for what products?

So George how about going on tv and opening up our Tesco purchasing records to the nation. Mine includes too much wine for my own good, CDs, socks pants and food. George's card?

Sky high - help the cause please

For a reason that is beyond me (probably youth and excitement) my son Gareth and his mate Barry are going to sky dive and raise a few quid for a good cause.

If you want to help them reach their target then see here :

and give these young men a few quid for their chosen cause.

Setting the States alight!

Its not just Obama making the headlines in the States this week but the great progress being made by Shan Jones of Y Felinheli, Gwynedd. This week's great news includes her recognition as "Freshman" (??) of the year and recognition for a record setting pace in the goal scoring section.

To quote:

"Jones was honored as the conference freshman of the year as well as being named to the Sun Belt All-First Team. The talented forward ranks 55th in the nation in goals per game and 96th in points per game. Jones leads the Blue Raiders in goals scored, points, shooting percentage, shots on goal, shots-on-goal percentage and game-winning goals.

Despite being in just her first season of collegiate soccer, the Gwynedd, Wales native sits in eighth place in school history for most goals scored in a season and already finds herself in fifth place in school history for most game-winning goals in a career".


Da iawn Shan ymlaen a ti.

Is Tosh watching .........................

Scottish satisfaction

After another break I return with a strange sense of smugness. Not the fact that Obama won (well) and has given one of those occasional, and much neeeded, lifts to the tone of poltics but events in Scotland.

For some strange reason Salmond is one of those politicians who riles me. He projects a smugness that, combined with his nationalist politics, makes me pleased to see some better perspective on the cause of Scottish independence. I supect some focus on day to day challenges may now occupy his mind more than a drive to areferendums.

Then again perhaps now is the time to renew the call once made by Wendy Alexander and demand the independence referendum. As I have said before we live in inter-dependent times, not independent times.

Obama dreaming

Experience of 1997 tells me that not too much faith should be placed in one political figure but it is hard not to get the same feeling of excitement watching and reading the US election coverage. The sight of people queueing for hours to use their vote, many to overcome previous democratic travesties, is a sign to warm the heart. Obama dreaming.

This could indeed be one of those genuine 'historic' moments should the prevailing impression of the media prove true when the votes are counted.

Perverted priorities

The world is facing more events of "catastrophic proportions" and yet, judging by the breakfast news and most newspapers, such suffering is nothing compared to two rude DJs on Radio 2. Through a sleepy blur I think I saw Breakfast news manage a few seconds on the Congo, after several minutes on the DJ issue.

It is a perfect summary of the perverted priorities that have overtaken our media obsessed age. I am sure history will find this perversion of priorities perplexing. It was unwise of my Prime Minister to even get involved in commenting on what has become a self obsessed debate at the BBC.

Let us hope we can focus our efforts on real and catastrophic events in the years to come.

Downturn blues ?

The economic transition which is in progress will have a range of impacts. The squeeze on house prices is something many will welcome as "affordability" and entry prices become easier for more people. Yet for those facing negative equity the squeeze is less welcome. The problems of house builders are one other example of the impacts of the down turn and are likely to test the robustness of many companies financial models and assumptions.

There is no escaping this adjustment and the political consequences are unclear. Gordon seems to have responded well to a "crisis" while Cameron, having promised much as a new face, seems to have an empty pantry.

And yet, out and about over half term, the shops still seem to be in good business. Perhaps the impact on such activity will be a third phase. Phase one - financial sector/liquidity, phase two - employers and builders etc, phase three (Jan onwards?) - increasing employment problems?

Strange goings on in Conwy

I found the story about the recruitment of a new Chief Executive at Conwy County Borough Council bemusing, especially with the added dimension of Plaid Cymru influence over the authority. Clearly each employer must make their own recruitment decisions but the lack clarity about the language proficiency required of the candidate seems strange. Of course there can be the argument that the council wishes to consider as open a field as possible with language proficiency being one consideration for a Chief Executive.

So what have the council in mind and are they open to challenge if they fail to meet their own statutory language scheme - this could run for some time given the politics which can surround language politics.

What goes around..comes around

Given the somewhat blurry 'facts' we have about this Russian-Corfu party, except that Osborne was present, what the hell was Osborne doing launching his attack on Mandelson. Bizzare politics of the big own goal variety.

Did he feel that he was safe, as the host was I understand a Bullingdon member, and that has spectacularly backfired with Mr Rothschild clearly peeved by George's blubbering. The smell of blood ........

Men of a certain age.....

Men (perhaps we should be called boys) of a certain age are very happy this week as the new AC/DC album flies off the shelves of our local supermarkets. The band's first "new" album in years - Black Ice - and anyone using the word "new" in this context needs a healthy supply of "-" !

You know what your getting, the X Factor it ain't but men of a certain age will smile all the way to their CD players.

It doesn't disappoint.

Public service debate

These pieces in the Guardian caught my eye with debate around the impact of the financial turmoil on public services. Some good thoughts about the role of civil society and perhaps reflecting some of the pressures that will arise, like the financial allocations to Welsh councils today.

I suspect this debate will run and run.

Eluned has served us well

With Eluned Morgan MEP standing down at the next Euro election it is appropriate to say 'thank you' and hope a woman of her talents can serve Welsh politics in the future. Through her work on Europe and her promotion of Cymdeithas Cledwyn she has much yet to offer Labour politics.

ps - as a postscript to my last posting I am not ill (to the best of my knowledge) just facing the implications of changed personal circumstances - no more to be said).

Job vacancy - Parliamentary Candidate for Arfon

As the years roll by we might expect to start expecting the unexpected. In my case there have been a number of changes in my personal life that have lead me to review commitments.

As a result I submitted my resignation as Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Arfon on Friday. The people of Arfon will now be safe from my efforts to leaflet and canvas them for Labour's cause. The Party's work will of course go on and, as soon as a new candidate is elected, I am sure the constituency will focus their efforts on mounting a campaign for the next Westminster election (and playing their part in the Euro elections of 2009).

So to everyone who helped my campaigning in Arfon over the last 8 years or so, many thanks. To those people who may have cast a vote in my, and Labour's, favour - thank you. To my political opponents I have a respect for playing their part in keeping democracy alive. It is a very precious commodity. Not being a 'nationalist' is always a driving force in my personal politics but I have a mutual respect for those who take on political roles in the modern age.

Blogging will continue as a Labour blogger - we can't really afford to loose people blogging in Labour's cause in Wales. Perhaps blog menai will get his wish and my thoughts will be less campaigned focussed and more free style in their approach.

So time to amend blog profile and re emerge as Martin Eaglestone - Labour blogger (not PPC Arfon)- Perhaps to fight Labour's cause again another day.

USA soccer superstar

It is great to see a success story like Shan Jones from Y Felinheli. Shan took up a soccer scholarship in Tenessee, America and those of us following the Blue Raiders are thrilled to see the girl, who grew up amongst her friends in the village, becoming a sports star on the USA women's soccer scene.

And the bottom line is she is great footballer. Wales take pride.

Time for 'Y Goron Fach' Caernarfon to extend their horizons and organise a trip to support Wales's latest soccer star.

"Best brains" problem

I am sure I heard Digby Jones on Radio Four say the government should be careful in their regulation of the financial sector as the "best brains" will flee the country and we will be the worse off after the credit crunch settles down.

If the "best brains" have got us to this point then it seems I should start praying if the less well capable should get their hands on the financial controls!!

"Pop combo"

There may be a credit crunch but rock and roll goes on. So off to Liverpool with my teenage daughter and a possie to visit the Carling Academy for "One Night Only" !!!!!!

Review here soon - lets get down pop pickers.

More exciting is the news I saw at HMV that AC/DC are to release their long awaited new gem at the end of the month. Hooray.

My daughter was not as impressed by that!

Public sector consequences?

As the financial fallout continues and governments seek responses to the banking crisis my mind turns to the consequences for the coming years. The general uplift in the economy witnessed over the last decade has provided some good news for public services. Expanding budgets and investment in infrastructure to start overcoming previous Tory neglect.

But the climate for the coming years must now be very different and it will be interesting to see how Welsh public services, the Assembly Government and public sector workers cope (declaration of interest!).

Much food for thought and many organisations like councils will face massive decisions about priority spending areas and their obligations (whether old persons, waste management, equal pay or education reform to name just a few).

(blogging not quite as frequent at moment but normal service to resume soon with explanation)