Calvin and Christopher saved from deportation

I've just been informed by the campaign against the deportation of George William and his family to Pakistan that the High Court ruling today determined that Calvin and Christopher- the two eldest sons should not be deported. This is excellent news for the family. I spoke to the two of them last week while they were at the detention centre, and their morale was low as they were set to be on an imminent flight to Pakistan. I am not sure what the next step is in this ordeal, but I hope that the family can return to some form of normality.

I know that George and his family are worried that they may be moved away from Swansea, but I am trying to help them, as are others, in supporting the case for them to stay in the area where they have made their home. I really can't imagine the pressure that has been on them as a family in dealing with this case, and their own imminent judicial review. The system is such that every step is a battle, and does not allow for any flexibility at all.

I have been busy this week at the Assembly, and in the region. I spoke at a Unite Against Fascism event in Swansea, which was well attended. The basis of the discussion was to mobolise activity against the BNP in the area- not just in the run up to the election, but to ensure that campaigning happens all year round. Helen Griffiths, the Swansea based actor and Director spoke passionately about her involvement in Unite locally, as did the National Secretary of Unite, Weyman Bennett.

I also spoke at the Assembly this week in favour of lowering the voting age to 16 years old. I totally acknowledge that lowering the voting age alone will not inspire young people to vote, but I do believe that if young people can pay taxes and fight in illegal wars at 16, then the least we can do is allow them to vote. I also made the point that a high percentage of those who marched and protested against the Iraq War were young teenagers, who often thought that their voices were ignored at the height of the campaigning. Its up to us to inspire young people to want to take part in the political process, not create more barriers to their positive input.

All talk today is of the fact that Rhodri Morgan has announced that he will retire on his 70th birthday in 2009. I've been blogging about this for some time, but the media has, and is still quite quiet on this issue. I heard Vaughan Roderick speak on Radio Wales earlier today about it, stating that the leadership race is not at the top of the political agenda here in Wales because of the coalition Government. That may well be the case, but I am sure that there are movements behind the scenes already with regards to seeking support and nominations.

Leighton Andrews fronting the campaign to shore up voters in West Wales may be just the start of things to come..... Huw Lewis could visit Caernarfon next....its only a thought.... Whatever happens I don't think that the race itself will affect the running of the Assembly. After all, we have a wealth of talent in our Plaid Ministers;-)
What will be interesting however is who will win the leadership race, and what this will mean for the future of Wales.