Boris to rescue 'The Valleys'?

I am far from convinced by the idea floated by the Institute for Welsh Affairs of an elected Mayor for 'The Valleys'. It sounds like an idea from somebody who doesn't live in South Wales
(oh, it is!) It also sounds quite patronizing, and quite frankly if I should be excited about praising the system which elected Boris Johnson as Mayor of London then there is something seriously wrong! As Valleys Mam says in her impassioned blog on this issue, there are schemes to re- energise said communities already in place. Would a Boris-esque hero save 'The Valleys' from destruction and doom?

The whole point of devolution is to bring politics closer to the people. I certainly don't believe that another tier of government in the form of a Mayor is the answer to the question in relation to the development of the South Wales communities that are mentioned in the report.

And while we're on the subject, where do you actually stop when you talk about 'The Valleys'? There's been arguments over many a year now within valleys communities themselves about who are the real valleys communities (Yes, its true) Do we really want to open up that debate again?! ( I think of the old Aberdare, Rhondda hatred for one which stems from the Miners strikes.)

The fact that the report was launched in Cardiff says it all, really. It would also help if the Westminster government stopped their centralisation agenda of closing HMRC offices that provide key jobs for people in the South Wales area, stop closing Job Centre offices and moving all the positions to Cardiff, and stop actively working against the Welsh Assembly Government's agenda of seeking to devolve key offices to areas such as Merthyr Tydfil.

Let the debate continue.

petitions committee celebrates its first year

Its been a busy few days for me, and now I have time to sit down and blog. I was privileged that Huw Lewis responded so quickly to my blog on his comments on devolution. I have read his article on this issue, but I based my blog on the general BBC story to clarify to all. I'm pleased that Huw is so passionate about devolution, and that he has emphasised his commitment to the process. I need never attack him again on this matter.

Yesterday a delegation of the cross party group on eating disorders met with Edwina Hart to discuss the future strategy for eating disorders in Wales. I will expand on developments in due course, but I can say that it was a very productive meeting, and we all came out with smiles on our faces! Sarah Aldritt, a young woman who is recovering from an eating disorder came to the meeting also, and put forward her opinions to the Minister regarding the lack of access to Dietitians in Wales, and a carer- Martin Ball also came along to provide the Minister with a valuable insight in to his experiences caring for a daughter with an eating disorder. Health professionals were also present, and could obviously provide the Minister with expert knowledge of what is happening in the Trusts and LHBs ( if anything) regarding the treatment of eating disorders in Wales.

Yesterday I also attended the launch of the AMs photo display at the Senedd. Many AMs took part, and the photos are there are week at the Senedd for you to look at. I took pictures around the theme of the 'Iron Lady'. I'll post them here for you to look at!

I also took part in a petitions committee event last night to mark a year since the establishment of the petitions committee. It was a hugely successful event, and Andy Williamson from the Hansard society chaired a panel debate about the petitions system, and how we are developing it here in Wales. We have had over 100 petitions now, and the committee is going from strength to strength.

Today I attended the Unison/Unite public sector pay rally at The Point in Cardiff Bay. I'm hoping to go and meet those who are on strike at the Bridgend picket line tomorrow. Its an issue that is totally unacceptable. When MPs can award themselves hefty pay rises and such, its unacceptable that those in the public sector are not been rewarded the pay rise they deserve. London Labour undermining the workers in the public sector again. No surprises there.

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.