Question Time lets Wales down...again...

Fe wnes i wylio Question Time neithiwr am y tro cyntaf ers sbel. Dwi ddim di bod yn ffan o'r rhaglen am y ffordd mae nhw'n trin Cymru a gwleidyddion o Gymru ar y rhaglen. Roeddwn i'n falch o weld Helen Mary yn cynrychioli Plaid, a dwi'n meddwl roedd hi'n hynod effeithiol. Roedd gormod o amser wedi cael ei rhoi at drafod hunangofiannau gwleidyddion, a Cherie Blair yn fy marn i, a phan ceisiwyd trafod y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol roedd Dimbleby yn gloi i rhoi stop i'r drafodaeth. Byddai pobl o ardaloedd eraill Prydain 'ddim yn deall' yn ol fe. Wel, rwy'n ffeindio hynny'n anodd i dderbyn i fod yn onest. Mae'r BBC yn trafod sefyllfa a gweithredoedd gwleidyddol nifer fawr o wledydd heb gor-gymhlethu pethau. Byddai pobl yn gwylio'r sioe o tu allan i Gymru wedi gallu cael darlun o beth sydd yn digwydd yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd, a sut, efallai rydym yn neud pethau'n well, neu yn wahanol i San Steffan- mae arholiadau sats ond yn un enghraifft o hynny.

Os nad yw rhaglennu megis Question Time, a newyddion rhwydwaith y BBC yn sylweddoli pwysigrwydd adroddiadau ar wleidyddiaeth Cymru a'r Cynulliad, yna mae'n hen bryd i ni datblygu system ein hun yng Nghymru. Rwyf wedi gwylio newyddion y BBC yn y bore pan mae nhw'n trafod addysg a iechyd yn Lloegr dro ar ol tro. Dyw hwn ddim yn adlewyrchu yr hyn sydd yn digwydd yng Nghymru, ond does dim ymdrech ar rhan y BBC i rhoi y darlun lawn o wleidyddiaeth Prydeinig i'w gwylwyr.

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I watched Question Time last night for the fist time in a long while. I'm not its number one fan, especially as its attitude to Welsh politics and Welsh politicians is quite remarkable. I was pleased to see Helen Mary Jones represent Plaid effectively and robustly, although I believe that far too much of the programme's time was spent discussing political autobiographies, and the life of Cherie Blair. When someone in the audience ( a lib dem researcher in the Assembly I believe) tried to discuss Welsh politics, he was quickly put to a stop by Dimbleby. People in other parts of the UK 'wouldn't understand' was the argument put at the time. I really find this quite astonishing. The BBC report about the political make up and the political goings on of countries all over the World. Surely the viewers of Question Time would have found it interesting to learn about how we do things differently, and often better, here in Wales compared to Westminster?- the sats exams are just one example of this.

If programmes such as Question Time, and BBC network news can't see the importance of broadcasting Welsh news and politics, then we have to take our message of discontent to them loud and clear. I have watched BBC breakfast news on numerous occasions where they discuss the education and health policies that affect England, yet this has no bearing on me or my life. It is unfortunate that the BBC don't make more of an effort to create news stories that reflect the political reality across the UK.

Mosgito

Braidd yn flinedig ar ol y teithio ddoe i ddweud y lleia, ond wedi cwpwl o gyfarfodydd yn y Cynulliad heddiw( sydd yn le dawel iawn dros y pasg, rhaid dweud) fe wnes i ffilmio ar gyfer y rhaglen i bobl ifanc ar S4C, Mosgito. Cwpwl o oriau difyr yn stiwdios Llandaf yn ymarfer cyfweliadau ar fy ngwaith fel AC, ac yn gwylio'r cyflwynwyr yn rhedeg o gwmpas y lle mewn hetiau difyr( gan fod eitem arall ar hetiau, a'u ffasiwn...) Yn ffodus does dim rhaid i ACau wisgo wigs na hetiau ffurfiol yn y Siambr felly doedd dim rhyw lawer gen i i gyfrannu i'r drafodaeth hynny!

Gobeithio'n fawr y bydd mwy o bobl ifanc yn cysylltu a mi ynglyn a gwleidyddiaeth ac ymgyrchu ar ol gwylio'r sioe heno ma. Mae e dal yn anodd i bobl ifanc sichrau bod y system yn croesawu eu barn yn rhan o'r drafodaeth gwleidyddol, ond gobeithio bydd hwn yn newid gyda dyfodiad y pwyllgor deisebau, a'r pwyllgor ar blant a phobl ifanc......


Pasg Hapus pawb!

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Im quite tired after the travelling yesterday but after a couple of meetings at the Assembly today( which is a very quiet place over easter I noticed) I went over to LLandaff BBC to film for the Welsh language youth show, Mosgito. A few hours of rehersals of interviews on my work as an AM ensued, and I then watched with vague hilarity at the presenters fleet around in random hats- as they were doing another piece for the show on fashion hats and easter hats! Fortunately for me us AMs don't have to wear such formal attire at the Assembly so I had little to contribute to that particular bit!

I hope that more young people will contact me to get involved in politics/ campaigns following the show. Its still quite a challenge for young people to get their voice heard in the system, but I hope with the establishment of the petitions committee and the young people's commitee at the Assembly that this will change.....

BBC Network News- the debate continues

Today I attended a breakfast meeting hosted by Sir Michael Lyons on the 'BBC Trust a year on'. While breakfast meetings are commendable in theory, questions arise as to whether such meetings are accessible for all AMs, or the public with interest in this issue- those with family commitments could be a case in point. This is a side issue of course, but one worth taking in to consideration. In one of the breakfast meetings that I attended in my region for example, I was one of two women present out of over 30 men....

Coming on to the issue of the BBC, its network news provision and the lack of Welsh news coverage was raised by numerous AMs- and raised quite passionately so. We made the point that Plaid MP Adam Price made last year regarding the shockingly miniscule time and resources provided to cover Welsh news on the BBC network, and I also raised the way in which we have to battle to get any political representation on Question Time when it comes to Wales even though, ironically, a Welsh company, Tinopolis produces the show! There is an ongoing review into this particular issue, so we will have to wait and see what come of that. Nevertheless, it was ackowledged that all 'regions' needed to be reflected in the news provision, so that 'regions' are not disillusioned with output from the BBC in the future.

Of course, on other issues, we celebrated the shows made in Wales by BBC Wales such as Torchwood (members of the Arts committee here at the Assembly were invited to a launch of the show last night. Not including me unfortunately!) and Doctor Who, but the point was made that such programmes should be expanded, and expertise used in Wales to produce first class programmes. The Coal House was a tremendous success, for example, and I know that my family really enjoyed it, even if I think that it was a little stereotypical myself! This is how we need to progress anyhow, and justify clearly to the people of Wales as to why paying the license fee really is worth it.

It's not all about coalition....

I had my first few experiences of speaking in the chamber today, and yesterday. I have raised issues concerning the future of Remploy, renewable energy and its development locally, as well as enhancing the provision of social activities for young people in our communities ( yes, there are issues other than coalition on the agenda believe it or not). I am enjoying this side of the work, as it does play a part in holding Minister's to account and scrutinizing their work. This is not to say that the session is always riveting and exciting. Personally I believe that much more needs to be done to enhance the appeal of the debate, and the depth of the debate at the Assembly.

The Senedd is certainly a great building to call your workplace, although I do tend get slightly distracted sometimes by an excitable Alun Cairns heckling at every opportunity! It seems to become louder when Plaid or Labour Member's speak, when the whole coalition issue is set off again. I'll have to look at the record of proceedings tomorrow, and do a Glyn Davies style dialogue of the event!

Obviously everyone is aware that by now, our party are in talks with Labour. I think its best for me to say 'let's wait and see' on this one. Come Saturday, we'll have more of an idea what Labour are offering, and whether or not this will please our Assembly group, who will ultimately make the decision on the preferred option. The BBC reports that there are some unhappy MP's in the Labour party already at a proposed deal with Plaid. Of course they have a right to air those uncertainties, but something will have to be decided on sooner or later.....

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Cefais fy nghyfleon cyntaf i siarad yn y siambr heddiw ac echddoe. Rwyf wedi tynnu sylw at ddyfodol Remploy, ynni adnewyddol a'i ddatblygiad lleol, ac ehangu'r cyflenwad o weithgareddau cymdeithasol i bobl ifanc (mwy na clymblaid ar yr agenda, choeliwch chi fyth!).

Rwy'n mwynhau'r rhan yma o'r gwaith, gan ei fod yn rhan bwysig o graffu gwaith y Gweinidogion. Nid fod hyn o hyd yn ddifyr a chyffrous. Yn bersonol, rwy'n coelio fod rhaid gwneud llawer i ehangu'r apel a'r dyfnder o drafodaethau yn y Cynulliad.Mae'r Senedd yn lle gwych i wethio, er bod rhaid gwynebu;r peryglong o Alun Cairns yn heclo!

Byddaf yn edrych ar y recordiau yfory, a pharatoi deialog "Glyn Davies" ynglyn a digwyddiadau.Wrth gwrs, mae pawb yn gwybod erbyn hyn, fod ein plaid mewn trafodaethau gyda Llafur. Gwell i mi aros cyn dweud unrhywbeth penodol am hyn!

Erbyn y Sadwrn, bydd yn fwy amlwg beth mae Llafur yn cynnig ac os y bydd hyn yn plesio ein grwp, a fydd yn penderfynnu ar y dewis gorau. Maae'r BBC yn adroddi fod rha ASau anhapus o few y blaid Lafur, dros gytundeb posib gyda Plaid. Weth gwrs, mae ganddynt hawl i leisio eu ansicrwydd, ond bydd penderfynniad yn gorfod dod cyn hir...

SNP decision while Wales plays the waiting game.

English to follow below


Llongyfarchiadau mawr i'r SNP heddiw am sefydlu Llywodraeth yn yr Alban. Er ei fod yn lywodraeth lleiafrifol, rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y fedrir yr SNP cyflwyno newidiadau radical i wleidyddiaeth yr Alban. Wrth gwrs, mae hyn yn dibynnu ar ewyllys da cefnogaeth y pleidiau eraill, ond mi fydd yn ddiddorol iawn dilyn hynt a helynt y Senedd yn yr Alban.

Dros y ffin yma yng Nghymru, mae'r trafodaethau dal yn digwydd. Mae'r wasg yn erfyn am stori mae arna i ofn. Mi oedd 3 camera BBC yn ein cyfarfod grwp y bore ma! Roedd darllediad y BBC tamaid bach yn cam arweiniol hefyd, gan honi heddiw bod y Glymblaid Enfys yn edrych yn fwy o bosibiliad. Y ffaith yw nad yw'r glymblaid hwn ar lefel uwch neu llai na'r trafodaethau am yr opsiynau eraill ar hyn o bryd.

Rwy'n edrych ymlaen at gael y penderfyniad, beth bynnag yw hwnnw, gan fod pethau yn ddi-symud braidd nes bod Llywodraeth yn cael ei ffurfio. Fel dywedodd Dafydd Ellis Thomas yr wythnos hwn, dyw'r sefyllfa ddim yn 'creisis', na chwaith yn 'stalemate' fel a dywedodd Nick Speed yn ei darn ar newyddion HTV heno. Mae hwn yn benderfyniad mor bwysig i bob Plaid fel na fedrwn rhuthro mewn i dim heb pwyso a mesur pob opsiwn yn glir, ond byddech yn falch o wybod mod i wedi dod i benderfyniad. Er nad wyf am ei rhannu yma eto wrth gwrs!

Am y tro, fe a i ati i agor pentwr o ohebiaeth rwyf wedi derbyn ers Mai y 3ydd!

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A big congratulations to the SNP for announcing today that they will form a Government in Scotland. Even though it shall be a minority Government, I hope that the SNP can succeed in introducing radical changes that will benefit Scotland. Of course this depends somewhat on the good will and support of the opposition parties, but it will be very interesting to watch how the political scene develops in Scotland.

Over the border here in Wales, negotiations are still taking place. I fear that the press are by now desperate for a story. There were 3 BBC cameras at our group meeting today! I thought that their news coverage was a little bit misleading tonight as well, as it suggested that a Rainbow coalition was now much more likely than it was previously. The fact of the matter is that this option still holds the same ground as the other options on the table, and that's how it should be reported.

I am looking forward to the day when a decision will finally be made, whatever the outcome is, as I can foresee that things will be pretty slow moving at the Assembly until a Government is formed. As Dafydd Ellis Thomas said earlier this week, the situation is not a 'crisis' or a 'stalemate' for that matter, as Nick Speed suggested tonight on HTV Wales. This is such an important decision for Plaid that we can't just make quick decisions for the future at any cost. We have to weigh up each option clearly. You will be pleased to know that I have made up my mind, but I won't be airing it here for the time being.

For now, I will return to opening the huge bundle of post that I have had on my desk since May the 3rd!

BBC Complaints Choir. I've heard it all now.

The BBC's election idea to organise a 'BBC Complaints Choir' to sing a song of complaints from those who email in to 'moan' about politicians, is absurd. ( the choir title is bad enough) The song is set to be aired on election night, of all nights! The choir, CF1, are mostly made up of young people from Cardiff, and I think that this is a somewhat negative idea on behalf of the BBC. We need to encourage young people to take part in politics in a positive way, and to engage with politicians as such, but this 'song of complaints' will only add to many people's stereotypical perception of politics, which I for one am trying to change.

If the BBC wanted to do something with a choir for the election they could perhaps have adapted the popular idea of the S4C show Codi Canu, where rugby supporters from rival teams battled it out to sing at the Millenium Stadium recently. Plaid v Labour choir would definitely be one to see! They could even have chosen a delegation of people to compose a song about issues that are important to them in their area. But a song of complaints really is pushing it too far. The thought of a ream of complaints sung to a traditional welsh tune is more than I can bare as a musician. ( although I am sure that the choir will give it their best shot;-))

All I can say is that I'm glad that I will be otherwise engaged on the night of the election, and I won't be watching this spectacular sing song on the BBC.

Candidate or AM? That is the question.

It seems that some politicians always manage to live up to the image of being difficult- in this case it's in the shape of Leighton Andrews, New Labour candidate for the Rhondda, who has commented on BBC election guidlines.

Once the Assembly has been dissolved for an election, all candidates, whether they have been AM's for the last 4 years or not must be labelled 'candidates', and ministers must be 'spokespeople.' Leighton Andrews said of the matter- 'I think what they are creating is a sort of real world and a BBC world in the real world we are AMs, talking to constituents, holding surgeries.' His comment is a little confusing, but basically hints that the policy is uncalled for.

Personally I do not think that there needs to be a debate on this. When the Assembly has been dissolved, AM's are candidates like everyone else, and shouldn't be treated any differently. This safeguards the BBC's impartiality, and our ability to assess all candidates on a level footing.

What interests me more as an election issue is that the BBC must give an equal platform to the main political parties during interviews and news stories from now until the election. This must have annoyed Leighton Andrews during the Burberry protest on Friday, as other parties were given a chance to air their opinions on the closure. Other parties that perhaps haven't commented before, or whose views have not been broadcast to a large majority of the population via the BBC.

Is there an argument that this practise should be implemented all year round? There may be, but I am sure that it would create much tension amongst AM's and political parties alike, especially in the context of the BNP. I do not sit easy with the idea of debating with the BNP for example, or giving them coverage on TV. Nevertheless, in the next few weeks all political parties will have to decide whether or not they share a platform with them, or take part in discussions with this blatantly racist party.

I have heard rumours that South Wales Central list candidates have taken the stance not to share a platform with the BNP during the election. Does this only serve to push the BNP underground, and confirm their anti- establishment arguments, or should this party be refused a platform as is the view of the organisation Unite and Searchlight?
I would be very interested in hearing well thought out comments on this pressing issue.

Reid to 'text' immigrants

I'm sure others will blog on this issue also, but I was bemused to learn of John Reid's new way of encouraging immigrants not to overstay their visa- by texting them. Surely if the Government had these thousands of mobile numbers, they would be tracking down more illegal immigrants than they are currently? And surely, if you do receive a text from the Home Office, and you don't wish to leave Britain, you would merely delete it, and forget about the text?

This all seems a bit desperate on John Reid's behalf. This is not the time to practise youth culture or new ways of communication.

Reid's comments to the BBC will only serve to feed in to the hands of the tabloid papers, and BNP propoganda of the stereotypical perception of illegal immigrants- that "It is unfair that foreigners come to this country illegitimately and steal our benefits, steal our services like the NHS and undermine the minimum wage by working. '

I agree with the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants chief executive Habib Rahman, when in reaction to Reid's comments said:

"We want a more balanced approach, not just hyping up public emotions on some very emotive subjects."

The Verdict- one step too far for reality TV?

The new BBC reality programme, The Verdict seems to have created a heated debate amongst critics and feminists alike in the last few days. The show is that of a fictional rape trial, with celebrities as the 'jury'. With the controversy that followed the racism on Celebrity Big Brother, the decision to air this programme must not have been taken lightly by BBC bosses. Yet yesterday, many people protested outside the BBC amid concerns that The Verdict 'sidelines the victim, trivialises and sensationalises rape'. This can hardly be positive feedback for the BBC.

The Verdict centres on a controversial rape trial, yet viewers are keen to discover the opinions of their favourite celebrity 'juror'. The panel includes the likes of Michael Portillo, Stan Collymore, Patsy Palmer, Jeffrey Archer( a lively bunch, then!) and discussions in between the court room scenes are eye opening if only to discover that there still exists many preconceptions of rape victims- the stereotypical response of ' they asked for it', ' she was provokative' being the main phrases exercised over lunch.

Johan Hari's column in the Independent regarding this programme highlights the general attitude of the jury, commenting that, 'and as we watch the "jury" discuss the case, spewing out antediluvian myths about rape victims with barely a splutter from the rest, it becomes clear why so many rapists walk free'.

Fewer than 1 in 100 rapists now end up behind bars, and The Verdict could potentially dissuade rape victims from going forward due to the way in which the young woman on the show is treated when giving evidence.

This is a highly sensitive issue, and one that must be treated with caution. Nevertheless, I agree with Johan Hari in that the programme plays a role in portraying how potential rape victims are currently treated during trials, and how this culture needs to be changed.

School Councils

The BBC reported recently that the Welsh Assembly has legislated to make school councils a compulsory part of school life- with councils making decisions on school wear, to the kind of food that they can eat at school time- does that mean that chips are back on the menu....bring back Jamie Oliver....quick!!! In secondary schools, a certain number of pupils will take part in discussions on the school governing board, but they won't be able to make decisions on disciplinary issues or on individual students.

I welcome the fact that school councils are being made compulsory as this is a good springboard for young people to exercise their rights, and feel ownership for decisions made as opposed to having teachers 'tell' them what to do on a daily basis. I hope that it will encourage young people to consider issues affecting them far more seriously, and that they will respect those decisions if they feel that they have had an clear input.

I was on the school council while I was in secondary school( this may surprise you!!!) and to be totally frank, we did little, if anything more than organise our 6th form prom at the end of the year- mostly due to the fact that we did not have influence over any other decisions in the school. I think that this announcement is therefore progressive, and will make young people feel as if they are part of something as opposed to being vilified and branded as 'yobs' time and time again.

Nevertheless, I firmly believe that schools must allow enough freedom for children to have an opinion on more than merely school uniform and food! I believe that children should have some degree of authority to develop ideas on youth issues across the board, which could then be communicated to the local community/ county council at the end of each term- opinions on ASBOS, local provision of community facilities for young people, the discussion on lowering the voting age- anything that they feel is important to them. The County/ Community Council could introduce a quota of ideas which they must at least consider implementing. This type of scheme would be a step in the right direction of encouraging young people to take part in their communities and make a positive difference.

The Assembly should safeguard that any decisions that are taken democratically by a school council with regards the school's policies are implemented accordingly, and that a School Charter should be developed to safeguard such decisions. I emphasise this as allegedly some headteachers choose to veto opinions and decisions made by school councils as they themselves do not agree with them. If we want to make the school councils an effective body, and not a token gesture, then the pupils' voices must be heard.

We might then nurture more young politicians who want to change the world....It certainly wouldn't be a bad thing, and I can guarantee they'd do a better job than the Labour lot we have at the moment who are ruling in Cardiff Bay.