A trip to Builth and back.

I haven't blogged in a few days sorry ( if anyone noticed or cared) In the meantime, while I have been away from the blogosphere, you may know that Plaid has a new Heritage Minister. I can tell you one thing for certain, he won't be frequenting any of the Cardiff Bay pubs in a hurry- neither will most AMs if they want to make sure that they won't be in the press for all the wrong reasons the next morning...Anyway, I digress.

I was in Builth today- we held a petitions committee meeting at the show, where we took evidence from Cymdeithas yr Iaith regarding the funding of a Welsh language newspaper, and those who are opposed to the closure of Wyeside Arts Centre. The meeting went well all in all, but it didn't help that our meeting took place right opposite the young farmers stage, where our proceedings were nearly drowned out by karaoke- esque singers blasting out old favourites! At one stage I thought it would be easier if we just gave up and joined in singing and dancing to the can can, but that would have just looked absurd;-)

I took a look around the showground as well while I was there, although I have to admit that I frequented the craft and food stalls more than I did the areas where they were displaying various tractors and diggers, not to mention special comfort mats for cows! The place was packed, although I did take issue with the massive McDonald's stand which proudly displayed a fruit stall as if trying to trick us into believing that they are some sort of up market, locally producing food company! Hmmmm. I don't think so somehow. That's my lot for Builth this year, but I'll be popping in to the Eisteddfod in a week's time.

In other news, things seem to be looking good for the SNP in the Glasgow East by-election. Some commentators are saying that a loss for Labour could force Brown out as PM. I'm not so sure myself, as this was said of Crewe and Nantwich etc, but considering that this is in Brown's back yard, ( when he isn't at 10 Downing street entertaining the likes of Thatcher, that is) and that it is a clear Labour stronghold, to lose this seat would be a massive loss to Scottish Labour. Some of my fellow Plaid colleagues have been up there helping out.. the SNP. I only hope that they will return the favour when we need support in the future. The SNP would no doubt be very pleased to win this seat. It would definitely show a confidence in the SNP government, and signal a change in perception amongst voters in the area.

The Tories have let rip about civil servants bonuses today also. I wouldn't mind them taking the moral high ground so much if they weren't hypocritical in taking the pay rise for AMs that many of us refused to take at the time when public sector workers were being squeezed. So its one rule for civil servants, another for the Tories? Typical.

Gordon Brown- no 'Wales only fixes to devolution', but a different story for Scotland.

So Gordon Brown says at the Welsh Labour Conference that there are no 'Wales only fixes' to devolution, yet the day after he announces that he wants to take a fresh look at new powers for the Scottish Parliament, including that of tax raising powers. Now, if this isn't double standards I do not know what is. But this isn't surprising of course. This is merely following the same old pattern that the Labour party have adopted towards devolution- one solution for Scotland, and another minor, watered down version for Wales.

The situation is a little different now however, in that both Nationalist parties are in Government in one form or another. The SNP are in Government alone in Scotland, and are way ahead in the polls. This has led Labour to scurry around in a frenzy, thinking of a way to win back the ground that they have so clearly lost to the SNP. Trying to appear to appease the Nationalists may well be one way of taking ownership over the National question, and of seeking to dispel the excitement over a referendum on Independence. It could work to their advantage, or it could indeed backfire, and make the SNP gloat even more so! The majority of Labour MP's from Scotland are still fighting the devolution agenda, but that is only to be expected, as much like their colleagues in Wales, they realise that they are losing their power base, and their capacity to be recognised on a UK level.

In Wales however, coalition Government and the Labour Unionist wing's determination to fight against further devolution for Wales means that Labour in London are much more cautious in their attitudes towards further powers for Wales than in Scotland( Gordon Brown also does not hail from this neck of the wood, which is another reason for his lack of enthusiasm for Wales)
Paul Murphy's words over the weekend regarding the Convention are case in point, so too are Peter Hain's former remarks, although they are unimportant now. Our devolution settlement was a hotch potch of ideas rammed together, and so it has progressed as such unfortunately. It is only until we have a Parliament for Wales that we can hope for clarity, and continue to strengthen Wales and its Government.

There is another establishing committee of the All Wales Convention tomorrow in London. I doubt whether Gordon Brown will make any shock announcements regarding Welsh devolution to coincide with this meeting. All that I hope for is that we can ensure that the Convention is a success and that it is not undermined by regressives in the Labour party in Wales who are intent upon its downfall. Yet again, we must look to Scotland for inspiration, and find the confidence to push on with the progression of the debate surrounding more powers for Wales, and a referendum to follow.

Conference highlights

I'm now back from Conference. Unfortunately I couldn't get internet access at the Centre as Helen was busy blogging when I wanted to do my bit for the blogging world, so apologies all! I enjoyed conference this year. I haven't read other blogs to see as yet how you lot at home interpreted it. The mood was upbeat contrary to Guto Thomas's analysis that it was somehow 'subdued'. My fringe meeting on child poverty went well, as did the emergency motion on Remploy, with visitors from the Remploy Wrexham factory present. Alyn Smith, the SNP MEP spoke excellently on the Saturday of Conference, as did Ieuan Wyn Jones the previous day.

Debates on Conference floor with regards Inheritance tax, climate change and the House of Lords were all very interesting. I spoke on the Richard Evans live phone in about Plaid's review on the House of Lords. This discussion has been transferred to National Council, but until it is a fully democratic institution I will reserve my right to be sceptical of Plaid's involvement there. Lady Bethan I will never be!

Back to the Assembly this week, and to lots of interesting debates and meetings....

A National Conversation

Jack McConnell, the Leader of the Labour Party in Scotland has resigned today. Perhaps he is just not ready to put up a fight against the SNP, especially following yesterday's White Paper on Independence.

However, this is improbable given that the opposition parties were quick to issue a joint statement against the SNP's Independence conversation. Could this be a sign that a Rainbow coalition is on the way in Scotland, in a desperate attempt to oust the minority administration of the SNP? I sincerely hope not!

The National Conversation website seems very professionally thought out, and addresses the issues head on. The aim is to create an atmosphere where people can talk about Independence in Scotland, and have a chance to take part in the process of deciding on the country's future.

As the Scotsman duly suggests, the SNP are taking a gradualist approach, partly because they do not have a parliamentary majority, and will struggle to win any vote at this stage. Nevertheless, I believe that a gradualist approach is needed in the debate on Independence, so that there is a concerted effort to pick away at the stereotypes and the myths surrounding Independence, and a clear attempt at outlining the arguments for and against Independence in the cold light of day.

On the issue of holding a referendum on a Scottish Republic, from what I have read, I gather that there would be a follow on referendum on a Republic if the Scots voted for Independence initially. The Queen would continue to have a Castle at Balmoral( lucky her!) Nevertheless, I can't see the Scots agreeing to maintaining the English Monarchy in such circumstances. I may be wrong, but constitutionally it would create tensions- this without even contemplating the effect on Gordon Brown and other Scottish MP's, who, if prevented from sitting at Westminster would deny Labour a majority.

As yet there is no timeline for the Conversation on Independence, but I am sure that the SNP will be spearheading a campaign as part of this White Paper, and will be working at grassroots level to promote a positive outcome to the referendum.

I believe that the One Wales Government should be looking with interest to what is happening in Scotland at the moment. We have the challenge of initiating a referendum on a Parliament for Wales by 2011- of setting up the Convention successfully, and of encouraging people to take part in the debate surrounding additional powers for the Assembly. It will be a challenge, especially with tensions in the Labour ranks, but it is, after all, part of the One Wales agreement, and as far as I am concerned, we must work positively to make a success of the process.

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!

still waiting for regional result but great night for Neath

Excuse the tiredness......

It's 10.38am and we still haven't had the South Wales West regional vote. It's looking tight, and I hope that we can clinch the 2nd regional seat.

Very tired, and annoyed that we had to leave without a clear result today.

Neath was an exceptional result, and is definitely winnable in 2011. Well done Alun Llewelyn, you made Labour very scared. Hain looked much more orange than usual, and was trying to comfort Gwenda when she thought she had lost.

Disappointing about Swansea West, but across the region we don't look too bad. Aberavon at constituency level was heartening in second place, but Gibbons has a huge majority to try and hack in to!!!

No television to find out results until early hours of the morning when the Afan Lido put on the televisions in the gym. Bizarre hour of candidates sitting watching Huw Edwards on the screens...and sleeping on cross trainers and running machines!

BNP walking around in matcho crowds all night, while I tried to avoid catching their attention. Communists got in to a bit of a cerfuffle with them. I couldn't even think of looking at Nick Griffin. Very disconcerting that the BNP have picked up votes, that's for sure.

I am getting ready to go out for today and face the world. Our count is at Port Talbot Civic Hall at 2pm. We will learn there how we have done on the regional list.

All in all, Plaid has done exceptionally well. Not the Labour meltdown that we had hoped for, but room for development for Plaid for 2011. Helen Mary winning Llanelli was an election high for me, and my friend Aileen Campbell getting in on the list for the SNP.

See more pictures on my facebook page of the evening.

Election day -Early morning start....

Just arrived back fom distributing ' Good Morning, vote Plaid twice' cards in Swansea West. I didn't mind getting up early as it was a lovely morning, and I wasn't sleeping too well anyway! I have a distinct feeling that the Lib dems and Labour were out as well. ( although Labour were probably just targeting their own voters- can't have taken long then!!..)

Excellent Plaid advert on the front of the Evening Post today as well. The party centrally has really sharpened it's act. Let's hope we can continue this momentum after the election, especially if there is a snap General election, and Council elections around the corner! They've really worked hard at HQ, I have to say.

I'm going to get ready to go out and vote now, then to help out in Neath, where Ted Jones the Plaid blogger thinks that we are in the running to win. I must say we've had an excellent response on the streets in Neath, but I couldn't possibly call it one way or the other. We've worked solidly on the campaign for over a year, and it would be great if Alun Llewelyn could beat Gwenda 'out of her depth at the Assembly' Thomas.

I would also love to predict a Plaid win for Aberavon, as our candidate Linet Purcell is exceptional. She is forward-thinking, keen, is able to communicate Plaid's message effectively, and can win over new supporters in a matter of minutes with the excitement and pleasure that she shows in taking part in the campaign. There is no comparison between her and a dull Brian Gibbons. Support on the streets here have also been very very good.

I'll try and blog later on as well, and give some thoughts on the whole election and how it's gone.

I'm also keeping a keen eye on the Scottish elections, and have already made sure that I have text alerts for Clydesdale and Cumbernauld, where two of my SNP friends are standing. It should be a very eventful night in Scotland, that's for sure! Let's hope we can emulate that here in Wales!

Democrazy 2007- inspiring the youth to vote....

Jamie Hepburn, an SNP candidate has posted this you tube video created by the Electoral Reform Society in Scotland on his blog. The intention of the video is to encourage young people to vote.

I'm not sure if such a video has been made for young Welsh voters, but it's important to get young people out and taking part in politics here in Wales. The question is- Does this you tube video inspire you? Will it make any difference?

Labour meltdown in Scotland

I think that this SNP billboard ad is very effective and simple. It defines the difference between their priorities for Government, and Labour who wish to invest billions in renewing the trident nuclear programme.

It seems that Labour are in meltdown in Scotland, what with Labour considering to move operations to develop Trident from it's Scottish base to Devon due to mounting opposition in the country to new nuclear arms, and following the latest revelation that Labour in Scotland have used high ranking party officials posing as members of the public in their party political broadcast!

I've been watching some of the BBC Scotland election coverage when I find the time, and I must say it's quite exciting, especially given that the SNP are doing so well in all the polls. Independence is obviously a hot election topic. We will know soon after May the 3rd whether the SNP's hopes of initiating a referendum on the issue will become a reality.

A youtube message from Aileen Campbell SNP

London centric Question Time

Here is a letter that I have just written on the Have your Say BBC Question Time site. Basically, Leanne Wood Plaid AM was supposed to be on Question Time tonight, and today she was told that she would be replaced regardless of the fact that her name has been on the website as taking part all week. There are no Plaid politicians on the panel IN WALES. I find this totally unacceptable. Would they do the same thing to the SNP in Scotland? I don't think that they would even consider it. This is censorship on behalf of the BBC.

Please write to complain!

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I would like to place a complaint against Question Time for pulling Leanne Wood AM from the line up for tonight's show. The show will take place in Wales, yet there is no representation from Plaid Cymru- the main opposition party here in Wales. This is totally unacceptable.

In shows that take place in other parts of Britain, smaller parties, and a cross section of opinion has been represented, yet when the show is in Wales this evening, a large percentage of opinion shall in fact be ignored due to the fact that you have neglected to include Plaid representation on the panel.

I will not be watching tonight's show in protest. Leanne Wood is a hard working, campaigning AM, who has appeared on the show previously. The fact that there are no Plaid Cymru politicians on a show in Wales in the run up to May’s Assembly election is outrageous.

Regards

Bethan Jenknis

Aileen Campbell- young SNP candidate

Please check out this myspace website for my friend, Aileen Campbell who is standing for the SNP in the Clydesdale Constituency. She's another young candidate who is working really hard to encourage young people to take part in the political process.
I wish Aileen all the best of luck for the election in May! I'm sure there will be updates of progress from now until May.....

Labour members in Scotland 'gagged' from discussing Iraq war.

This is a very interesting press release issued from the SNP about the Labour Party in Scotland.
Seems as if they are trying to gag Labour members from having an opinion on very important issues like the Iraq war, and that small debate called Trident!
Is this a sign of desperation on Labour in Scotland's part to try and avoid contentious debates in the run up to the Scottish Parliament elections, by any chance?

LABOUR MEMBERS BANNED FROM DISCUSSING IRAQ WAR

Commenting on a report that Labour Party members have received a letter from
the party's general secretary banning them from discussing the Iraq war,
Trident or any other reserved issues in the run-up to the Scottish
Parliament elections the SNP's Deputy Leader, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, said:

"While Trident missiles are based in Scotland and Scottish soldiers are in
Iraq it is astounding that Labour thinks they can stop people talking about
them.

"These are issues that affect people in Scotland and voters deserve to know
what parties say on these important issues. The SNP will not shy away from
telling the people of Scotland that billions would be better spent on
Scotland's public services rather than nuclear missiles; and we will not shy
away from a debate on the Iraq morass like Tony Blair.

"That Labour leaders want to shut down debate on them shows their campaign
is falling apart in Scotland. They know they are unpopular on these issues
and that it is the SNP which is putting forward a positive case for a fresh
approach."

ENDS

Annibyniaeth i Gymru

Rwyf newydd ddod ar hyd i flog ar Annibyniaeth i Gymru sydd yn nodi fy mod i'n un o aelodau Plaid sydd yn blogio am annibynniaeth ac yn cefnogi'r cysyniad o annibyniaeth. Fel rwyf wedi dweud o'r blaen, Annibyniaeth yw un o amcanion Plaid a Cymru X- mudiad Ieuenctid y Blaid. Yn fy marn i, dylem gofleidio'r drafodaeth ar annibynniaeth yn yr un modd ag y mai'r SNP yn ei wneud yn yr Alban- h.y mewn modd hyderus, gobeithiol. Mae Cymry fel pobl yn aml iawn yn llawer rhy negyddol am ein gallu fel Cenedl, ac mae e'n orfodol i ni fel Plaid ceisio meithrin hyder y bobl, ac ymarfer ein prif dadleuon o blaid Annibyniaeth yn llawer fwy aml.

Rwyf yn cefnogi annibynniaeth i Gymru oherwydd rwy'n credu dylsem cael yr hawl i lywodraeth ein hun fel gwlad, a'r hawl i ddewis i beidio dilyn penderfyniadau 'Prydeinig' tro ar ol tro. Rydym o dan meddiant Lloegr o hyd, a dylsem ni cael yr hawl i ddewis dyfodol o hunan lywodraeth o fewn Ewrop- i sefyll law yn llaw gyda gwledydd eraill.

Ar lefel personol,( a byddai nifer yn anghytuno, mae'n sicr!) rwyf yn cefnogi annibyniaeth oherwydd rwyf am gofleidio'r cyfle o greu Cymru gwell- Cymru sosialaidd, gweriniaethol. Ni fedrwn newid cymdeithas er gwell tra ein bod yn rhan o Undeb sydd yn amharu ar ein gallu i dyfu ac i ddatblygu fel gwlad.

Mae'n rhaid i ni gael trafodaeth sydd yn cyfleu balans o farn am annibyniaeth, ac sydd yn cynnwys dadleuon teg a ffeithiol yn hytrach nag ein bod yn dod yn rhan o ymgais negyddol Llafur Newydd o ofni pleidleiswyr am ddyfodol Cymru annibynnol-o ddiffyg adnoddau, o botensial methiannau, a'n anallu i rheoli ein gwlad ein hun.

Un peth sy'n sicr, byddai Cymru annibynnol yn medru arwain gwlad yn well o lawer na Tony Blair a'i debyg sydd wedi ein arwain mewn i rhyfel anghyfreithlon yn Irac, sydd yn rhan o broblem mawr y 'cash for peerages' ar hyn o bryd, ac sydd yn hybu polisiau adain de, Toriaidd.

Oes, mae angen mwy o ymchwil ar sut y byddai Cymru Annibynol yn edrych ac yn cael ei weithredu, ond mae'r posibiliad o ymchwil o'r fath yn gyffroes, a'r ymgyrch dros Gymru Annibynol yn gadarnhaol.

Inter Isles Forum

I'm going to the Inter Isles Forum on Friday. I'm really looking forward to it. Basically, it is a Forum organised by St Columb's Park House that brings all youth wings of political parties together from across the Isles to discuss a certain topic and to share ideas. Last year's event was at Edinburgh, and all representatives prepared a paper on the differing models of democracy in their countries/ regions. It was great to meet people from other political parties, and fascinating to watch the tensions develop in the Sinn Fein vs Unionist discussions! Cymru X has kept in touch with some of the youth groups, but mostly Young Scots for Independence and the Scottish Nationalist Student Federation. We've shared ideas on our text referendum for a Parliament for Wales( they organised a text referendum on Independence after our successful campaign), and we've also been to each other's Conferences to pick up on new ideas.

This year, the topic of the Forum is religion and the state, which I'm sure will create much lively discussion again. There will be guest speakers from different faith groups, and workshops on the main themes. I'm sure we'll all get a chance to socialise but I'll report on the weekend when I get back from London Sunday evening! I don't have a laptop, so blogging on the go is not a possibility, unless I am donated one under Plaid's new free laptop scheme, that is;-)

'What's Hain harping on about now?!'

All I have to say about Peter Hain's comments today on the break up of the Union is that it is a clear sign of the Labour Party panicking in the run up to both the Scottish Parliament election and the Welsh Assembly election in May. This statement has much to do with Gordon Brown's agenda of seeking to scare their 'supporters' to vote in reaction to the growing prospect of an SNP victory in Scotland, and a subsequent referendum on Independence. This would be disastrous for the Scottish number 10 wannabe.

Frankly, Labour's strategy is all over the place. Now that they know that they can no longer patronize the people of Wales with the 'vote Plaid get Tory' scenario, they have nowhere to go. To attack Plaid on the Independence issue is hardly new or inspiring- Rhodri Morgan doesn't even consider it the top priority for the forthcoming Assembly election!

With the mess Labour has made since being in power- from the cash for honours inquiry, the Iraq War and Home Office saga, I am sure that such matters will factor more so in the minds of the voters than that of a rambling, negative Peter Hain.