Vote Plaid to save Neurosurgery!

I've just got in after returning from the Swansea Save our Health Service rally, and from canvassing in Neath. The rally went really well I think. There were speakers from all involved in the campaign locally- nurses from Fairwood Hospital, staff at Morriston, Hill House workers, alongside all political parties. Even though Plaid was the only party to vote unanimously to keep Neurosurgery in Swansea, all the other main parties were totally defiant( as you would expect before an election) that Neurosurgery would stay at Morriston after the election. Alun Cairns was booed to high hilt( bless!), nobody seemed to believe a word Andrew Davies had to say, and Peter Black was keeping a low profile.

Surprise surprise, Brian Gibbons didn't turn up to give his opinion on why key local decisions with regards the health service has been deferred until after the election! The Socialist candidate for the election made the biggest gaff of the day, by stating something along the lines of 'The NHS should stay within the private sector'. Whoops!

One issue that I was certain would be raised was that the campaign was 'political' and that this was undermining the cause. I did an interview for BBC, therefore, stating that the Labour party had politicized this issue long ago by kicking the issue in to touch until after the election, and for showing clear lack of leadership in the process of re-organising the Health Service here in Wales.

I also thought it quite ironic that Alun Cairns accused Dai Lloyd's speech at the rally of being 'political' when he was glued to the front of the demo ( pushing a coffin along the road) for the whole time! As our candidate for Neath, Alun Llewelyn later commented- anything that they do not agree with is 'political'! If, as politicians, we cannot get involved in local campaigns to help, and to protect local services, then what is the point of standing for elections, and trying to make a difference?

Overall, I thought that the rally was well organised and effective, especially as health is a key election issue. If anything is achieved from today, let's hope that it will inspire more people to vote on May the 3rd, and vote out a failing Labour Government.

History on Plaid's Side in Swansea!

Dyma lun o ymgeiswyr Plaid yng nghanol Abertawe heddiw- fi, Dr Dai Lloyd,Ian Titherington gyda'r hanesydd John Davies. Roedd John Davies 'Hanes Cymru' wedi dod i gefnogi ein hymgyrch. Mae hanes ar ein hochr ni! ...Mae'r ymgyrch yn mynd o nerth i nerth. Wythnos i fynd!

Here is a picture of Plaid candidates in the centre of Swansea today. In the picture- me, Dr Dai Lloyd, Ian Titherington alongside John Davies the historian. History is on our side! The campaign is going form strength to strenght. A week to go!

Plaid Swansea Public Meeting on Health 7 / 3 / 07

PUBLIC MEETING ON HEALTH

Informing PLAID’s Regional Health Manifesto

Where?: The Red Lion
Morriston

When?: Wednesday, March 7th
7:30 p.m.

With?: Dr Dai Lloyd AM
Shadow Finance Minister for Wales
&
Helen Mary Jones AM
Shadow Health Minister for Wales

CYFARFOD CYHOEDDUS ar IECHYD

Helpu creu Maniffesto Rhanbarthol Iechyd Plaid Cymru

Ble?: “Y Llew Coch”
Treforus

Pryd?: Dydd Mercher, Mawrth 7fed
7:30 y.h.

Gyda?: Dr Dai Lloyd AC
Gweinidog Cyllid Cysgodol Cymru
a
Helen Mary Jones AC
Gweinidog Iechyd Cysgodol Cymru

Neurosurgery debate- will this define the election in South West Wales?

It was inspiring for Plaid in South Wales West to read the letter below in the Evening Post yesterday. Dr Dai Lloyd AM and Darren Price, the leader of Plaid Cymru's group at Swansea Council have been campaigning hard for what seems like months on end to retain the Neurosurgery Unit at Swansea. We organised a protest outside the Assembly alongside the Evening Post, and have been active in the campaign to encourage people to sign the petition to keep Neurosurgery at Swansea.

We were the only Party to vote outright against the move to Cardiff- all the other Parties showed clear signs of split loyalties. They all ultimately elected to favour their own individual priorities to that of promoting a coherent party policy on this most important issue.

Nevertheless, Brian Gibbons, the Labour Health Minister seems intent on delaying the issue until after the Assembly election; another ploy to deceive voters. I am sure that this will be a defining election issue, but Plaid will continue to campaign to keep Neurosurgery at Swansea- election or no election.

......................................................................................................................................................................l..

In recent letters on the proposed neurosurgery centralisation in Cardiff there seems a sense of resignation that, regardless of when the decision is taken and what that decision is, the Assembly elections are a foregone conclusion and the existing Labour AMs will be re-elected.In a General Election, where individual majorities can be as high as 20,000, this may be the case, but the situation regarding Assembly elections is very different.

The Post petition against the proposal produced 105,000 signatures. As far as I am aware, the vast majority of the Post's sales are in nine constituencies from Aberavon in the east (Brian Gibbons's seat) to Preseli/Pembrokeshire in the west. A Labour AM was elected to eight of those seats. The combined majority of those AMs is just 26,125. Plaid Cymru was second in six of the eight seats, and not far off second in the other two. Plaid AM Dai Lloyd was quoted (Post, January 6) as saying "a Plaid health minister would want neurosurgery to stay in Swansea".

Anyone reading this letter can see from these figures their vote is crucial. I already know which way I'll be voting this year.

John Young

Llys Sant Teilo

Llangyfelach, Swansea