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?

Catalonia is not Spain!

I've just spent a few days in Barcelona ( and arrived back today in the rain! A great welcome home to Wales!)

I thought that most would appreciate this picture of the Catalan Government's main building in Barcelona- the Palau de la Generalitat. As you may know, Catalonia has its own Parliament, and the Catalan people are renowned for their patriotism. There was even graffiti on a bin opposite the main Cathedral building stating 'Catalonia is not Spain!'

The question in relation to Wales is, how far off are we to achieving the aim of creating a legislative Parliament for Wales? If we take Cymru X's text referendum on a Parliament for Wales ( which took place in 2005) as anything to go by, there was nearly unanimous support for more powers for the Assembly. As a result, a campaign for a referendum on a Parliament for Wales should be acheivable before 2011....

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Rwyf newydd dreulio cwpwl o ddiwrnode ym Marcelona( nes i gyrraedd adre heddi yn y glaw! Croeso gwych yn ol i Gymru!)

O'n i'n meddwl basa llawer ohonoch yn gwerthfawrogi'r llun yma o adeilad Llywodraeth Catalonia- y Palau de la Generalitat. Fel yr ydych yn gwybod mae'n siwr, mae gan Catalonia Senedd ei hun, ac mae Catalanwyr yn cael eu hadnabod fel pobl gwlad garol iawn. Roedd graffiti hyd yn oed ar y biniau cyferbyn a'r prif Eglwys gyda ' Nid Sbaen yw Catalonia!' arnynt.

Y cwestiwn yng nghyd destun Cymru yw pa mor bell ydym ni o gyflawni'r amcan o greu Senedd Deddfwriaethol yma yng Nghymru?Os ydym yn asesu barn cyhoeddus yn ol refferendwm tecst Cymru X ar Senedd i Gymru ( a ddigwyddodd yn 2005), roedd canran mawr o bobl o blaid Senedd Deddfwriaethol i'r Cynulliad. O ganlyniad, dylai fod refferendwm ar Senedd i Gymru yn amcan credadwy, a hynny cyn 2011....

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

Inter Isles Forum Part 2

I've just got back from the Inter Isles Forum. I am so tired it's unbelievable! It was a very eventful weekend. The discussion on faith and the state did succeed fully in being dominated by the Irish delegates. No surprise there then. The discussions were very interesting and lively, and other Cymru X delegates, namely Steffan Lewis, managed to live up to expectations by sparking a few contentious arguments;-)

In the afternoon session, the delegates visited differing places of worship. I visited the 'Church of Scientology'. I must say that it was an interesting experience considering that I knew nothing about Scientology before the visit. I didn't meet TomCat unfortunately.

The social side of the weekend lived up to it's guaranteed political boffin discussions at the local bars, although we were limited this time round being that all pubs in Westminster where we stayed closed at a mere 11pm.

Wales is set to host the Forum next year, I believe. Let's hope that more Welsh delegates attend next time! Perhaps Independence should be the topic of the day. That would be another lively discussion, for sure.

Alcoa Aluminium in Swansea set to close

Alcoa Aluminium, which is based in Swansea announced today that it's factory will close, with 300 people set to lose their jobs. I haven't yet seen their formal statement, but back in November last year, their reasoning for the proposed job cuts was rising energy costs as well as labour, transport and materials costs. Andrew Davies, the Labour Economic Minister has 'been in talks' with the company, but this has obviously done little to dissuade them from closing their plant. As usual, the Labour Government has been slow off the mark in dealing with such an important issue, and it seems that even though Labour shout about economic successes, this does not reflect the reality of the situation here in Wales at all.

On the other hand, Plaid Cymru is calling on the Government to introduce a longer minimum consultation period before redundancies (France 6 months/UK 90 days), and for employers who decide upon redundancies to enact a ‘social plan’ which involves substantial investment in retraining. Plaid in Westminster has been lobbying the Government to appointment a Minister for Manufacturing in the DTI as a matter of urgency. This is in order to be pro-active about developing the manufacturing industry in Wales, and to pre -empt any necessary discussions on imminent job losses.

The job losses at Alcoa are a disappointment. We need to create new, homegrown industries that will provide jobs for people in Wales, and create a feeling of positivity amongst Welsh people about what we can achieve.

What's wrong with being a size 12?

I've read an article in the Observer today about the model Anna Carolina Reston who died at the end of last year due to anorexia. She was criticised by a Chinese modelling agency for being too fat, even though she was a tiny 8 stone. From there, she developed anorexia, even though she admitted not knowing what anorexia was at the time.

Many models have died of anorexia, and that is one reason why they fashion world is implementing new regulations. It's shocking that so many young women are pressurised in to being thin to succeed. It doesn't create a positive role model for young teenage girls who see stick thin models plastered all over their magazines. Much more should be done to promote larger models so that people don't believe that they have to conform to this waif like 'role model'.

I am a keen supporter of the Eating Disorders Association, and have organised events to raise money for the organisation. Through Plaid, I have sought to help people in Wales who cannot afford access to treatment services due to the fact that almost the only treatment centres available are Private ones in England.

It has taken a death of a supermodel to push the agencies and the Fashion Shows in to action. It is up to the magazines and the television shows now to follow this example, and take positive action in raising awareness of eating disorders. On a Wales level, an Eating Disorders Treatment Centre is much needed. I believe there are plans to open one in Bridgend, but it is a long time coming. Affordable services must be developed in Wales, for the people of Wales.