When should you call it a day? The story of Campbell and German

News flash today is that Mike German says that he intends to remain as leader of the Assembly Lib dem group until 2008. Now, there must have been group discussion on this, as only a few weeks ago Peter Black was adamant that a leadership contest was needed- a 'fresh mandate' for a leader was the words he used if I can recall.

This will now give Kirsty Williams enough time to shore up support with members after a bruising few months. Or, then again, there could be a Kirsty vs Randerson battle ahead... if you're bothered to keep an interest until then.

It is a concern about what will happen to the Lib dems in Wales up until 2008. They do appear a little lack lustre at the moment as a group, and have little in common to promote until the leadership battle commences in 2008. This is not to say that individuals are not hard working or energised by their role, but a leadership contest now might have been just what they needed.

Anyway, the Lib dem problems in Wales are arguably out done by the UK leadership issue. Today's Independent reports that senior Lib dems have allegedly set until March next year for Campbell to improve his ratings in the polls or make ' a dignified exit.' It was only a matter of time before the cracks started to appear again on this particular issue. The fact that the political debate has now been polarised between the Tories and Labour makes the Lib dem situation look even worse in reality. That and the fact that the other two parties are fighting for the middle ground in British politics, which has again led to a squeeze in support for the Lib dems.

There will, more than likely, be another two years until the General election. Can the party afford to wait around for a renewal in leadership until then?

Snap election? Just tell us one way or another.

Here is a picture of our McMillan Coffee morning at Plaid's Neath Office. I seem to be raising money for a different charity every week. I can imagine that by Christmas I will be getting on everybody's nerves asking for money, but you can't call me lazy then, at least.

In other news, the Independent reports that allies to Gordon Brown will advise him to go for an election in the next few weeks. It's reported that Brown wants to wait for the poll reaction to Cameron's leadership speech on Wednesday. Personally, I wish he'd just make a decision now. After having one election already this year, I need to give myself some time to mentally prepare for another one at this stage, especially given that the weather's getting colder and wetter for trudging the streets!

He either goes now, or leaves it for at least a year. Next spring, the honeymoon period will be over, and it will not be the ideal time for a General election. It will obviously co-incide with the local Council elections, which may be a positive or a negative for Labour. There seem to be headline grabbing policy announcements every other day at the moment, and I'm not sure how long this can be sustained until people start asking the same questions as they did of Cameron- which is how are you going to deliver?

Whatever date is chosen, I don't think that there will be a revolutionary outcome to the election result until the system changes, and until first past the post is consigned to the history books. There may be a few Lib dem losses to Labour gains, but I don't think it will be the shock outcome that some expect.

In Wales, of course, Plaid will campaign to target areas such as Ceredigion( where it will either be Penri James, Sion Jobbins or Mabon ap Gwynfor as candidates), Ynys Mon and Llanelli, and in retaining our three seats. I would like to think that in the future, we cast our eyes upon really challenging some South Wales seats that are ripe for the taking- and make sure that we have a few more female candidates standing, for that matter!

No hike in Top-up fees in the next two years. You should be thankful.

So the Government are not going to raise the cap on top-up fees in the next two years according to the Independent. Well, as is noted in the article, this isn't really new. The Government did not intend to review the situation until 2009, but cynically, I believe that they have been prompted to re-iterate their pledge due to pressure placed on the Government by the Russell Group to increase the fees before the 2009 bench-mark.

This announcement also come to light as a result of the figures released today by the National Audit Office which outlines that 10,000 students a year fail to continue their studies following their first year at University. For now, students can rest in the knowledge that they will have a little less debt when they finish University due to this announcement, but how long the Government can retain this policy is another question entirely.

The parameters of the campaign have moved considerably since I was involved. At the outset it was a campaign against the concept of fees and up-front tuition fees, this then moved on to the battle against the £3,000 top-up fee which was duly introduced for students studying in England, now it is a sorry case of opposing the hike on such fees as opposed to rejecting the concept. Here in Wales, the top-up fee debate is brimming under the surface, and I am sure the Student Movement will be prepared for yet another fight!

NHS, NHS, NHS.

It seems that the Conservatives are having that long awaited debate on the future of their party's policy- from the recent discussion over the future of Grammar schools, to today's latest announcement on the funding of the NHS.

The Independent reports that a group of 40 MP's, led by Peter Bone MP, have published a plan for all patients to be required to take out compulsory private health insurance( you wouldn't have thought that this would be contentious for the Tories, but wonders will never cease!)

Obviously, I welcome the Official party response to the plan which states that "they are free to put forward their ideas," as it is important for any political party to debate key policies in an open manner, which does not stifle opinion. Nevertheless, one must question whether this symbolises a threat to Cameron's new style leadership, or whether it is merely a genuine call from members for a debate within the party- a debate that has been so far cast to one side under Cameron's leadership.

Perhaps it is necessary for the Tories to clarify the direction of their party and their future, and decide once and for all how they wish to continue with key announcements on policy. Does Cameron really want to make the mistake of becoming Tony Blair #2 by steam rolling decisions through the party without considering opposition to such decisions?

From what I can gather, Cameron and co. seem to be intent on maintaining that the Tories have changed, have shrugged off their negative legacy, and that the NHS is in fact at the heart of their political agenda. Now its a case of whether or not they can take the party with them on the journey of this perceived new found Conservatism.

Getting the work/life balance right- Women in the workplace

There is an interesting article in today's Independent about women in the workplace, particularly concentrating on an Equal Opportunities Commission report which was released today. The report's findings indicate that women do not know their rights in the workplace while they are pregnant. Of the 2,000 interviewed, 1 in 4 complained of being treated unfairly when they returned to work.

This is a clear indication of the need for employers and government alike to enforce clear strategies which do not discriminate against pregnant women in the workplace, and introduce policies which assist working mothers. The report acknowledges that many women could be dissuaded from re-entering the world of work if conditions and treatment do not change, and if employers do not address their 'knowledge gap' with regards equal opportunity in the workplace. Of course company profit and sustainability is important, but workers rights must be prioritised.

Another element of this argument is the enhancement of childcare provision. Many companies do not invest in childcare provision for their staff, therefore parents are left to fund increasingly expensive private childcare for their children. I am aware of a number of women who have returned to work after maternity leave, only to be stigmatised by bosses, and alienated by other workers for seeking to create a work/ life balance.

This is one of the many reasons why Plaid are pledging to prioritise childcare issues in the run up to the Assembly election. We are proposing to double the Assembly's childcare budget in a bid to create universal affordable childcare. The provision as it stands is patchy, and often those who seek childcare facilities cannot afford it. I would like to see more investment by companies in childcare provision, and the development of the Equal Opportunities Gender budgeting agenda.This would be a first step in encouraging a work, life balance and in creating genuine equal opportunity in the workplace.

PM Leadership contest?

Charles Clarke in today's Independent has confirmed rumours that he is eager for David Milliband to stand against Gordon Brown in a bid to become the next PM. The policy website that was launched last month by Clarke and Alan Milburn to debate the future of the party was seen as an attempt to gather support for an alternative candidate for the leadership, and to dismiss the idea that Gordon Brown will simply walk in to No.10 uncontested.

Clarke said that Miliband would be a good candidate and a good prime minister:

'Unlike [the Tory leader] David Cameron, he's got good ministerial experience in a tough, spending department.'

Notably he did not agree to endorse Gordon Brown as the next PM, by stating that "I'll take that decision when we have a leadership election".

If Labour members have any political sense they will opt for a leadership contest, and I would hazard a guess that Miliband would be a stronger contestant against Cameron in terms of offering something new to the party, appealing to a wider section of society( or at least attempting to do so), would not be so intrinsically associated with Tony Blair, and would give the 'young' Cameron a run for his money.

In my opinion, opposition parties would be more fearful of a Miliband leadership, (especially the Tories) as Brown's popularity is currently plummeting in the polls. One thing is certain, Brown is no doubt very annoyed that the attempted coup d'etat last summer failed. Things could have been very different by now...

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.