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?

Cameron on pay rise for MPs- political opportunism?

Does anyone recall Nick Bourne's remarks back in March this year with regards to the decision by a number of Plaid AMs to reject the 8.3% pay rise that was suggested by an Independent review? I'm sure you do, but I'll remind you- Bourne said that it was the 'worst kind of political opportunism'. Well, fast forward a few months, and the same debate is taking place on a Westminster level following an Independent report on MPs salaries. However, Tory hypocrisy is clear yet again, with David Cameron clearly indicating that those on the Ministerial payroll will not accept the suggested pay rise, or the above inflation pay rise for MPs. Will Nick Bourne be telling his leader at Westminster that he is guilty of political opportunism, and that of the worst kind? I don't think so somehow! Will Nick Bourne and his group at the Assembly refuse to take their pay rise retrospectively as a result of their colleagues' decision at Westminster? Hardly.

Don't think for a minute that I'm letting the other parties off the hook, either. Harriet Harman, a Labour Minister has also been quoted in the press as saying that MPs should not accept the pay rise due to rising inflation and household finances. It was for this very reason that I did not accept my pay rise- how can it be justified when workers on the front line are being squeezed due to rising social pressures, and a lack of salary increase to coincide with this?

At the time, I received hundreds of emails from Police officers and nurses, amazed that we were even considering accepting such a hefty pay rise under current circumstances. Of course I understand that we have more responsibilities as AMs due to new powers at the Assembly, but like those in the third sector, and those who work diligently on low wages throughout their lives, if we are passionate and committed about what we do, finances should be at the back of our minds, not the main reason as to why one becomes a political representative.

I understand that there will be a vote at Westminster on this issue on the 3rd of July, but I agree with the recommendation made that MPs should not vote on their own salary increase. It somehow defeats the object of having an independent investigation in to the issue in the first place.

I look forward to seeing what individual MPs have to say on the matter. Following the somewhat controversial discussion on MPs allowances, I think that many MPs will make up some excuse or another for why they deserve a pay rise of such significance.

Tory review on further devolution

Lord Wyn Roberts is to head a review of Tory grassroots opinion on further powers for the Assembly. We heard all about it over the weekend, and from Nick Bourne on the Politics Show. I understood it to be a review of Tory opinion, but it got a bit sidetracked by the fact that Nick Bourne seemed to suggest that its brief would be wider- they would also consult with the community at large(but surely that's what the Convention is going to do?)

This is of course a last ditch attempt by Bourne to shore up party support for his undeniable support for further devolution for Wales. Of course, naturally, I believe that we should have more powers for the people of Wales, yet there remains a difference of opinion amongst the Tories to this day.

OK, so David Cameron wants to get this over and done with so that the party can get on with dealing with the real issues ( although I would argue that bread and butter issues come hand in hand with the constitutional question. Paul Murphy, are you listening?!)
What would have been more positive from Cameron would have been a clear, direct lead on his views as to the future of devolution. He seems able to comment freely on most issues- from Faith schools, to the green agenda to party funding, so why not devolution? Perhaps it is the devo-bashing element within his party, namely David Davies MP that stops him from doing as such?

My initial feeling therefore is that this review will come out in support of further powers for Wales. If the review does not come out as such, then Bourne's position will be weakened significantly. He wants Tory members behind him, and does not want to be challenged for his party's dithering on this.

Where this will then leave the Unionists of the Labour Party is another question for another day....

The 'diplomatic' AM for South Wales West

I am still in the Assembly's plenary session, and it will be extended until 6pm tonight. Of course, its vital that we discuss issues as AM's, but for those of us who are not allocated to contribute on debates at certain times of the session, it can be quite a long stint in the chamber!! I think there has to be more emphasis on the Assembly's external communications department to encourage a growth in the number of people who choose to attend the plenary sessions, and encourage interest in the debates here at the Assembly. Personally, I have contributed a number of new, innovative ideas for this purpose, and I hope that Dafydd Elis Thomas and his team will implement them in due course.

I have raised questions on the funding of the One Wales Government agreement today at the Senedd so as to ensure that the Government priorities are implemented and that we are seen as a Government to be delivering on our promises. Nick Bourne quipped in that my comment was coded and diplomatic. I have never been described as 'diplomatic' before, so I take it as a compliment!!!

I have also contributed in the questioning of the Education Minister, Jane Hutt, with regards the Government's grants for school uniforms, and the way in which it should be implemented so as not to conflict with the grants currently implemented by Local Authorities.

Tomorrow, the Equal Opportunities Committee will sit at the Assembly. We will discuss the establishment of a Children's committee at the Assembly- a committee which I deem as being essential so as to look at how our policies and measures affect children across the board. We will also be discussing a review of polling stations and their accessibility for disabled people, as well as the proposal of a scrutiny committee on Migrant workers in Wales. All very interesting issues, and which I will blog on in greater detail at a later date.

New term, new ideas?

I am sitting in the Senedd for the first full session of the Assembly. I'm finding the key pad quite hard to use, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones have spoken about the programme for the year- Rhodri outlining his party's ideas, Ieuan noting that we have not had sufficient debate, and that Rhodri has sought to communicate his vision via the press. Nick Bourne is now speaking about the issue, and it's getting quite animated... He's saying that the lack of consensus politics already loud and clear, and so on......

There will be much more work for AM's now due to the new powers. I am especially looking forward to the petitions aspect of the new powers, whereby the public will be allowed to text/email in new policy ideas and initiatives to the Presiding Officer for discussion. I think that this new concept could be a good starting point for a cross party youth group to take up- to get young people thinking and participating in the ever day workings of the Assembly. This should also be a way in which, of course, pressure groups and community groups can put forward their messages to us.

Rhodri Morgan is speaking again, now about reconfiguration. I think that this will be discussed quite often in the next few weeks. Will Labour go back on their reconfiguration programme, and impose a moratorium, or will they carry on regardless? I think that it will depend on whether or not this progressive, consensus politics really will work. It's entirely up to Labour as to whether they are serious about it or not.

Coalition. The dirty word of Welsh politics?

All this talk of coalition is really getting under my skin, I must admit. If I try and be the 'Honest John' of Blamerbell Briefs fame, I would say that I am not buying in to the media's obsession with 'coalition'. The reason being that this election has been marred with discussion of coalition, which I think has played a huge part in putting voters off. Many people that I have met on the doorstep don't want Labour back in power, but neither do they ever want to see the Tories in power in Wales again. Nick Bourne's arguments on Radio Wales yesterday don't seem to hold ground as much as he would like, therefore. Yes, voters do not like Labour at the moment, but they definitely do not see the Tories as 'an alternative' in Wales as part of a coalition or not.

To be honest, I don't want to get too embroiled in this coalition debate because I want to campaign to win seats for Plaid, to form a Plaid Government in May. It's frustrating that to say the above is just swept under the carpet and scorned at, as if by stating that I want to win an election on Plaid's own merit is dodging the question of coalition! It is not!

In my opinion, two weeks before an election is not a time to be discussing the ins and outs of coalition or co-operation post election- of who is phoning who, and who will be getting the top jobs. This confusion is only turning potential voters away, and allowing Labour to scaremonger in all their election leaflets about letting the Tories in through the back door.

Yes, I am something of an idealist. Some people say it's because I am young. They say I will soon grow up, be sensible, and realise that it's not a perfect world. Until ' I grown up', I do not sit comfortably with working with the Tories- new image, shiny new leader, whatever. Call me what you like- backward looking, naive etc. I'm not particularly bothered. My politics is driven by my heart, and I don't see the point in being in politics if at the first sniff of power, I sell my principles. Is ousting Labour at any cost a real, legitimate reason for forming a Goverment anyway?

In cases like this, it's better to be honest than to shy away from discussion. I know that there could be difficult decisions to make post May the 3rd, and I will, if elected, be part of such discussions, no doubt. If consensus needs to be reached between certain parties to form a Government, then that shall take place after May the 3rd, and not a minute before that.

Tory donations at a record £ 24million- will Bourne splash this cash in Assembly election?

News today shows that the Conservatives received much more cash in donations than New Labour last year. They received£24.2 million in total, ( including gifts in kind and state funding) which is nearly twice the amount of Labour's total finances- standing at a mere £12.3 million.

In Wales, the issue comes down to whether or not the British parties really do want to fight the Assembly election on Welsh issues only. They may announce publicly that this is so, but behind closed doors, are they not scrappling to get their hands on HQ money that can fund a larger, possibly more successful Assembly election campaign?

If they are serious about Wales and the development of the National Assembly for Wales, then these parties must fight the election in it's entirety on a principled stand that Wales comes first- this must include a discussion on who donations are from, and where they are from. I believe that all parties should use money from Welsh donors, and donors in Wales. As a member of Plaid, I believe firmly in this, as it corresponds with my aspiration of establishing a Wales which can stand on it's own two feet. For the Tories, Lib dems and Labour, such a step could highlight a clear ideological shift - from being financially dependent on money budgeted from their London centre, to promoting fundraising and campaigns on purely a Wales wide level.

There needs to be a complete overhaul in the funding system- an increase in state funding could be an option, but only under the premise that a cap on funding would be introduced on private donations for all parties, and strict guidelines as to how such funding is implemented. I also believe that correspondence of any possible funding between investors and political parties should be much more open, so that corruption can be avoided. Cases such as Labour's 'cash for honours' scandal would then (with luck!) be a thing of the past.

Only when parties sign up to an agenda that puts Wales first can Glyn Davies AM and others with similar opinions suggest that Rhodri Morgan should concentrate efforts on targeting Nick Bourne as the Leader of the Conservatives in Wales. And only then can Labour in Wales truly become the Welsh Labour party that they continuely seek to portray themselves as in the Welsh press in the run up to the election on May the 3rd.