Senedd today

I'm not taking part in any of the debates today at the Senedd, but I am listening in on the debate on co-payments in the NHS. There is a debate later by the lib dems on bus services in Wales, where no doubt they will add to their growing wish list of financial demands from the Welsh Assembly Government. A few months ago, the idea was floated that backbenchers should be able to table debates here at the Assembly. We are still waiting to find out whether there is scope to table time for backbench debates. It is frustrating sometimes that those within the ruling groups in the Assembly cannot be pro active in initiating debates on this level. I believe this would inject some energy in to debates in the Chamber, and ultimately add another layer of scrutiny of Government Ministers. Of course, we respond diligently and thoughtfully to all the opposition party debates, but I sincerely believe that there is a need to re- assess the way that debates are run here, or how time is used during the afternoon, mid-week sessions.

Another conversation that I had today with fellow AMs was about the potential for more academic discussion amongst AMs on policy and strategy. We all know about the House magazine which is produced at Westminster, but there is no Assembly equivalent. Of course, we could look at doing an online journal of sorts, and encourage critical debate amongst AMs and political thinkers alike on the web. Those of us who blog take part in such discussions on a daily basis, but I believe that we could look in to this idea again, as this may be another way of encouraging public interest and involvement in our National Assembly.

An update on the Royal visit tomorrow- supposedly the cleaners have been asked to polish the plants on show at the Assembly! What a joke. The place is smelling of paint, and flowers have been placed on display. Its interesting that so much effort is being made for one person, for one day. Why don't the public have this treatment when they come here every day? I asked for a debate on the future of the Monarchy during business questions yesterday, and Nick Bourne AM also agreed that such a debate should take place. Perhaps that could be a theme for a backbench debate for the future?

A right Royal visit.

Oh gosh. I'm faltering on the blog scene aren't I? But that's justified by the fact that I've just written a blog for ourkingdom regarding the Tories and devolution, so that should go live in the next few days. I've been really busy this week with attending local events to mark Refugee Week, to speaking at an event to support asylum seekers, to doing street surgeries in Porthcawl. These are all very valid reasons as to why I haven't been here on the blogosphere, although I do keep up to date with the affairs of the day from the comfort of my twitter page welsh politics updates.

Today I was on the Politics Show in Wales talking about Prince Charles's visit to the Assembly next week( its not a breach of security to discuss it we learnt today, as all the details are on the Royal Family website- check it out!) He is set to open the new youth chamber at the National Assembly, and I voiced my concerns with the fact that an unaccountable and undemocratic representative will be opening the chamber. After all, we are seeking to encourage young people to engage in politics, and the involvement of the Monarchy may well lead to more disengagement from our youth in the political process. How about asking a young person to 'officially' open the chamber. Would that be beyond the realm of possibility?

I haven't been invited to the day of Royal bonanza at the Senedd, but as I left the Assembly today there were decorators in painting the walls of Ty Hywel. A member of staff muttered to me- 'If the weather is nice, he won't even walk through Ty Hywel anyway, so what's the point?' Is it a wonder that the Royal family believe that everywhere they go in the world smells of fresh paint and flowers, when public institutions must foot the bill to ensure that they don't see the cracks in the walls? I've put in a Freedom of Information request to find out how much this visit is costing the Assembly's Commission. Its times like this that I wish that I'd taken my full pay rise, as I know on good authority that the pay rise I didn't take went straight back in to the hands of the Commission! Is this really a good use of our resources?

So, another busy week ahead, what with Prince Charles's visit, and the controversy over the Israeli Ambassador's visit also. I can guarantee you that security will be tight this week at the Senedd so if you are considering visiting the Chamber to see the portrait of Maggie Thatcher, I'd probably wait a bit....