Iraq vote - a distraction

I did not support the war in Iraq and having stood in several elections have had made my views clear on numerous occassions. However I see no point in today's vote - except for opportunism early in the new term, which happens to see elections in Wales and Scotland.

Now we are there the focus should be on resolving the complex issues the invasion has unfolded, not discussing if and when an investigation is required.

Is technology our only saviour ?

In the light of today's climate change report is there any hope within our selfish society apart from advances in technology across the globe ? Certainly the minor impacts of individual action, for example in Wales/UK, are dwarfed by international issues.

Let's be up front, I support the general principle of green taxes but feel we need to think about offsetting regressive impacts on hard presed parts of our communities.

Why not visit SERA and see what red and green might debate in this subject area.

Multi cultural North West Wales

An enjoybale afternoon at Bangor's first multi cultural festival, and well done the Mayor for bringing it all together. It was an inspiration and success breeds success. However in spite of their candidate's smiling face can I humbly suggest the festival is a big challenge for Plaid Cymru. Their "fortress Gwynedd" policies don't sit very well with a celebration of our now multi cultural, community.

But as long as everyone learns Welsh then the thought police won't throw them out They can't cope with the "English", so heaven knows what they do with multi-culturalism in this part of Wales.

Brighter still

This weekend Caernarfon has witnessed one of the best shows, I suugest, available in the world this weekend. "Merlin's Magical Quest" was a son et lumiere on the walls of Caernarfon Castle - magnifique !. If you did not attend then you missed out. Check out Y Grael cyf for more information and news on future shows.

This is exciting and Caernarfon must take advantage.

Brighter economic future

I am sorry to tell Peter Black that Peter Hain - the man he respectfuly calls "rent a gob" on his blog - was today in Parc Menai, Bangor and received a warm welcome at the CAST centre. There is so much exciting technology happening in this centre and it is a fantastic mark of the success of Objective One funding in North West Wales. Now the innovation and technolgy is kicking in and the link with the University is vital. It is exactly where part of our economy needs to be and promises a brighter future for our area.

Peter was off to Belfast in the evening for his Northern Ireland responsibilities,and is clearly a Labour figure managing a major brief with great competence. To me "rent a gob" looks good material for at least Deputy Leader.

Chief's blog mischief

Given the publicity surrounding Richard Brunstrom's blog I thought we'd better show some blogging solidarity by linking up.

He manages to cause major debate in our media - but people sometimes need to remember that a bit of controversy if often his aim.

Of interest

This posting on e-politix may be of interest.

Stats and real outcomes

For me this type of story from the Western Mail brings in to focus the challenge in managing the public services effectively. I will not comment on the detail as I would need to check the facts, but our focus must be on scrutinising the effects of investment and must move to the outcomes acheived not just statistical manoueveres.

Budget delays

Well in spite of Elis Thomas and Marek the opposition have found enough common ground to tell us what they won't support - and the Assembly budget decision is delayed. That will start costing us all money as I'm told the budget included some extra spending for schools, roads and social services.

However in the coming days the opposition wil have to agree on what they want from their un-costed wish list. We await with interest.

Massive target announced

Today's announcement about tackling child poverty plants a massive red flag at the heart of Welsh politics. The degree of co-ordination and commitment required to deliver on this aim needs careful consideration, and a special relationship with Westminster.

It is what the analysts will call a 'dividing line' come next May's election and if to be acheived could require wide ranging and creative use of the Assembly's additional powers.

Many say that politics can be boring, but the aim announced today could shape Wales, and Welsh politics, for a generation.

Cardiff and Wolves

A gap in posting as I travelled down to Cardiff for Labour's Welsh Policy Forum. A weak excuse for a blogger I know (at least Peter Black was in Copenhagen when he had problems), but it sometimes helps to debate issues with people rather than in cyberspace !

Anyway a successful day of discusiion as Labour prepares for a special conference in November, and the countdown to next May's manifesto. We seem in good spirits in Wales.

On the football front I had warned Leighton Andrews AM that Cardiff's wheels might come off if Chopra was injured. Well he (Chopra not Leighton !) was suspended yesterday and Cardiff went down 1-0 !

Leighton is also quick off the mark blogging on the takeover at the club.

Meanwhile the Black counytry derby resuumed and Albion racked up 3 more goals, incuding a strike from Hartson. All is good !! Same players - different team : funny old game.

Coalition - chapter 510 !

I suppose it was inevitable. HTV stole a march last week with comments from their interview with Nick Bourne, so 'Dragon's Eye' got some words from Rhodri Glyn Tomos to keep the fire burning. After the current budget debate (surely that, and the 'wish list' should have been this week's debate Rhun !?) this coalition stuff could continue until we all publish manifestos and we have real policies to compare.

Once again I say that only one party (Welsh Labour) can publish, and deliver, a manifesto - if the people of Wales want us to.

To acheive that we need to win seats like Arfon. So the advice in Arfon remains - vote Labour (Eaglestone) and possibly get Wigley as well off the list.

Meanwhile expect more kites to be flown ......

Driving for growth

For those in other parts of Wales you may be interested in the new initiative launched today which seeks to give extra momentum to initiatives that are trying to overcome some big issues facing North West Wales. Andrew Davies has endorsed, and will chair the Mon-Menai Delivery Board. It was therefore a little disapointing to hear Richard Parry Hughes, Plaid Cymru leader of Gwynedd Council, pouring some cold water on the idea by 5.00pm (interview on Post Prynhawn). Some of us thought this was an idea the councils wanted, and in bringing the Minister centre stage (like the Heads of the Valley initiative) it means we are on the agenda. Grab the chance and don't loose time squabbling over what money is clean, and what is redirected. Let's put enough practical ideas in place to give the Minister a headache !

£21 billion - perhaps it is an event !!

Having followed the tax stuff I thought i would release as follows and I assume an Assembly colleague will ask Nick Bourne to square the circle.

PRESS RELEASE - Tory Tax Hypocrisy

Martin Eaglestone, Labour's Assembly candidate in Arfon, has called in to question the logic of Tory tax policy.

Martin Eaglestone said "The news that the Tory party are to consider £21 billion pounds of tax cuts exposes the hypocrisy of their group in the National Assembly who at the very same time are demanding more expenditure from the Welsh Assembly Government. The uncosted wish list published by opposition groups this week is seeking more expenditure. yet we can now see the real Tory agenda is the old story of tax cuts for the most well off".

"This report exposes the contradiction in the Tories position. It is not possible to square the circle of reduced tax and ever higher public expenditure as set out in the wish list. The Tories have to come clean on what they want - tax give aways to the rich or investment in public services".

Gwynedd accents

I have received the folowing message which seems suitable material to publicise via the blog amongst other routes :

"Subject: Gwynedd Accents

Dear All,

I know this isn't technically archival, but a friend asked if I could
circulate this to anyone who might be able to help.

The University of Birmingham are looking for people from Caernarfon for
help with a project they are currently running - they need individuals who
have lived in the area their whole lives as part of their study on
regional accent and dialect.

Further details from here:
http://www.bham.ac.uk/news_and_events_details.asp?
section=0001000100080001&id=2850

If anyone has contacts who might be able to help, I'm sure the project
would be really grateful.

Thanks

Jess Sykes"

Why not get in touch if relevant to study.

£21 bilion non event ?

I am getting a little suspicious. I wonder whether Cameron has set up a couple of commission's to provide some barmy ideas that he could dump as a sign of new strength ?

Save post offices, fund the health service, extend public services - but cut £21 billion. I think not. We wait to see.

By the way what do we loose in Wales to save £21 billion ???? I hope Nick Bourne has his calculator out given the Tories wish list in the Assembly budget negotiations.

Politics of the wish list

Well the Assembly draft budget has been published and no doubt our small press family in Wales will have fun following the ins and outs of negotiations that are inevitable under a minority administration. However sensible opposition surely requires more than a wish list and must provide detailed ideas as to what the wish list costs. If the wish list is to be funded from the budget we need to know what is not going to be funded. I am not a great financier but I know some simple rules of these budgets.

So my question to Alun Ffred and Plaid Cymru is whether Labour's pledge on free prescriptions will be undermined, or free school meals or which other element of policy ?

My day

Late home from work but fellow bloggers have alerted me to the History Matters blog site so I have posted a little record

Leighton's insight

Leighton Andrews AM has provided a useful insight to some blogging activity across Wales. However I must say I see nothing wrong in my football tastes given the 5 knocked past Ipswich. I started the season thinking big John Hartson would lead us back, however its seem the pace of Kamara and guile of Philips may do the job. Of course big John now has incentive to work harder.

Striking photos

This feature in the online Guardian causes some pause for thought.