Hain has gone. We all know this by now. He has done the honourable thing in resigning, as his position had clearly become untenable-especially following the referral of the investigation to the police by the Electoral Commission. I think that looking to the future, the Labour party as an institution has to reflect and ask itself whether its obsession with big business is healthy. What were Hain's donors gaining from giving him such vasts amount of money anyway?
For now, and until we get primary legislative powers here in Wales, a Welsh presence at the Cabinet level is a practical necessity. Once Wales has the powers to pass its own laws, the need for a Secretary of State is questionable. The appointment of a new Secretary of State is imminent, and a decision for Gordon Brown to make ( if he doesn't dither for too long) We need a Secretary of State who will be consistent with the progressive agenda of the One Wales Government in Cardiff Bay, and not someone who will act in the inherent self interest of the unionist wing of the Labour party. A Secretary of State who will oversee the historic transition of primary law making powers to the National Assembly following a successful 'yes' referendum campaign.
21 comments:
"What were Hain's donors gaining from giving him such vasts amount of money anyway?"
Business men will support candidates who they feel will pursue a particular agenda that will suit their interests. Nothing new there. But yes I agree with you, it is good that Hain has gone.
You want someone who works on behalf of your nationalism - difficult but still you cant see beyond your own blinded interests to recognise many people just dont agree with you.
Bethan
For ease and future reference, you can shorten "the unionist wing of the Labour Party" to "The Labour Party". It is a unionist party committed to devolution, as opposed to separation. It isn't hard. Didn't they teach you anything in Aber?!
And given that you represent a party committed to cutting tax for big business in Wales (whilst raising tax for working families) your comments about another party being in hoc to business are a little "rich".
Other than that - spot on!
Another Sixth-Form standard contribution, Bethan. I gave you the benefit of the doubt when you embarked on your political journey, but you have consistantly fallen short. With every speech, press comment or blog, you manage to sound dafter than you did in the last. You have the damned cheek to talk about big business and self interest, while represeneitng a party that was caught red-handed using our taxes for illegal election ads and wants Labour to appoint a Sec of State to roll over and take one for the Nationalist cause. Pathetic.
I agree with last comment it baffles me how Bethan is an AM when far more talented people have to sit around and listen to this relentless rubbish. You are so utterly consumed by you own selfish and limited politics that you fail to show any respect to those with genuine differences - differences which in terms of public support have a far greater basis than that nonsense you spout on a regular basis. Plaid are a party of hypocrites with no consistency other than the fact that you are a party of divisions, minorities, and arrogance.
Bethan - considering you like to constantly slate more or less everyone who isn't as perfect as you (mainly Labour figures, strange that considering you and your lot completely sold out the moment you got a whiff of power!) what is the likelihood of you commenting on the fact that Ceredigion planning committee has been discriminating in favour of Welsh speakers? its bad enough that the minority of welsh speakers dominate the agenda in wales but this blatant discrimination is nothing short of a disgrace.
"For now, and until we get primary legislative powers here in Wales, a Welsh presence at the Cabinet level is a practical necessity"
Now i know you are not directly elected by anyone but perhaps you could for once consider the people of Wales rather than your own personal and party preferences. Especially as many of you down the bay rather amusingly like to consider yourselves democrats.
Paul Murphy - brilliant news! that will hopefully go some way to preventing the undemocratic self-serving march towards more powers for the lot down the bay.
My, my, at last a few other people are now saying they see through this most immature middle school attempt at politics from a pretty young lass who'd serve Wales better as a hairdresser than as an Assembly Member! Everything placed on this Blog by Miss Jenkins is so childish it's frightening to think that such people sit in the Chamber in Cardiff Bay!
Bethan is not that bad, don't like her politics too much but at least she bothers to actually say/do something. Many AMs are totally anonymous so she should be praised for putting herself on the line. But no-one ever said being a politician was easy, criticism comes with the territory. But i'm sure Bethan is tough enough and smart enough not to take it too seriously.
All this anonymous lot seem to be the same, rather pathetic person - more interested in slating Bethan than saying anything constructive. This is probably because they lack the imagination and intelligence to make a real contribution. In fact, they fail to come up with a decent insult, turning to the "Bethan is young" mark - an obvious target.
As for Hain going, I suppose he had to, but I will miss his unearthly orange glow... Paul Murphy isn't good news, but I don't think that any Labour MPs would be, unfortunately.
Age means very little in politics, other than to say that younger people are a welcome change from the norm. In fact we need more younger people so to attack someone for their age (Menzies Campbell included) is pretty stupid.
Me and Bethan are often at political loggerheads most of the time, but all this anon comments slating her is cowardly and on the whole off the mark. So come on, if you have such strong comments to make, leave your name and grow a backbone...
I agree with Southpaw! Unless the point is a mind blowing revelation. I would not allow anonymous comments on a blog. If you wish to verbally attack politicians don't hide like a coward!!!Fair play Bethan sticks her head out of the parapet why can't anon!!!
Carwyn
Arizona
What a lot of silly schoolboy comments from annonys
Look at you own party and the contribution some of your more mature women make.
Point made - I agree if you have a serious point make it, and come out if you want to be so personal.
At least Bethan would have a level playing field in replying
Obviously some people don't like to hear that there will be a successful "Yes" vote. It may come as a shock to some but all the opinion poll's show this will be the outcome.
On another point they say the darkest hour is before the dawn with the appointment of Paul Murphy this would seem to be true.
John Evans
Bethan you should ignore the anon army and their personal attacks (i say Army i am sure it is more likly one person with many different alter egos!)
Bethan should be commended for having the polituical courage to speak out on these issue. Many AM's would not get recognised in their own homes they are so utterly irrelevent. Keep up the excellent work bethan you are growing into a more mature politican and I am sure have a great deal to offer the Assembly over the coming years.
anons- you may think that your personal attacks affect me, but they do not. I accept anonomous comments as I want a discussion about politics, but I guess I am also allowing people to personalise the argument- which can only be expected. I am young, yes, but I am contrinuting in my own way to the political process. You may not like me, but I know for a fact that there are people who do think that I have a role to play, and that I am making a difference. It wouldn't be right if everyone thought negatively of me, or vice versa.
I think a lot of the comments are centred on the fact that I am touching a raw nerve about the make up of the Labour Party in Wales. Members will know this tension to be a fact, but they cannot and will not face up to it. I do not deem this opinion that I have to be narrow minded or stupid...but you may disagree.
Bethan
First things first - one of the 'anon' comments were from me as I don't have, and refuse to register for, a Google account. Am more than happy to put my name to comments, though. While a few of them may come from the same pen, it is also very possible that people just think that you, and you rather silly brand of politics, are not up to the mark. Your repeated, annoying reference to the 'Unionist wing' of the Labour Party is a prime example. We are a Unionist Party - there is no wing. Just the same as you and Plaid are separatists, we are Unionists. As you are more than happy to cash in £40 grand plus a year for your work, grasping simple political facts should be fairly straight forward.
I have no interest in name calling, but I do genuinely find the consistently vacuous and disingenuous nature of your comments both in the chamber and on your blog embarrassing in their stupidity and offensive in their inanity. It would seem that a fair few other people do, too.
And Marcus - surely there are easier ways to try and get lucky than flirting with someone online who you repeatedly used to slate amongst fellow 'staffers' during you short time in the Assembly?
Best,
Simon
Hahah Simon what a classic post. You outline some pretty fair points mind you, I tend to think Bethan means well but is often lacking in what she says. And while I dont disagree that young people matter to the political process (some will think that of Bethan) it is my view that such a privilaged position means our politicians should be more thoughtful in their approach and comments. The reality is however politicians who comment in the way you suggest are not going to recognise such criticism of themselves. As for Southpaw I don't know him but he does appear to have a bit of a reputation - whether or not this is justified i really don't know!? But because you have publically criticised him he will no doubt respond directly to you.
Simon- you say'but I do genuinely find the consistently vacuous and disingenuous nature of your comments both in the chamber and on your blog embarrassing in their stupidity and offensive in their inanity'
can you give me examples? I raise issues which interest groups and constituents alike thank me for raising the Chamber. I am not delusional, as I said, some people do not agree with me but I have every right to be there.
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