Controversy on AMs websites

Blogging has been light as I am trying to set up my new website and blog ( with the great help of webs wonder of course). Had I known that today there would be uproar following an email regarding guidelines on AMs websites which are publicly funded, I may just have given up trying to set them up at all! I am now a little unclear as to what I can and can't put up on my website, and whether or not being 'political' will be detrimental to my being able to show what work I do at the Assembly on said website! Hmmm

I had actually intended to keep my blog and website separate, but I know that some AMs incorporate both. I suspect that there will be wider discussion on this via the Assembly's commission, as it has created some uproar amongst Assembly Members ( or those of us who actually use websites and blogs on a regular basis, at least) If there is consultation with AMs then this will create some clarity on the issue, at least. It was the fact that most of us didn't know anything about what the guidelines were, or where they had come from that was the main issue. Many press releases that we write as AMs are political, and either attack other political parties or make reference to a party political stance. I don't really want to be stopped from posting such things on my main website, as it gives the impression that we are being restricted and that we are not conveying our stance on certain issues. If a politician can't be political, then there is a problem!!

A relatively quiet day at the Assembly today. I enjoy the Mental Health LCO committees that take place every Tuesday morning. Today we took evidence from RCN and the Law Society amongst others. I also attended the launch of the Kidney Wales campaign which is urging people to sign the organ donor register. It has been a hugely successful campaign, and many people spoke at the event who have had organ transplants themselves- the true champions of the cause.

£400 raised for Childline ( so far so good)

I've now raised £400 for Childline Cymru for the SA1 jog which I will take part in in a few hours time. I'm lucky that the weather is nice, and that I've spent a few hours in the gym ready for the run! I will put a photo up of the event, but I'll make sure that there isn't one of a sweaty and flustered Bethan post run!

Supposedly a few other AM's will be at the reception at The Village hotel in Swansea, but I'm not quite sure if they are doing the running bit- I'll soon find out!

On another note, I'm working on developing my website at the moment, so if you have any good ideas for a design, or if you want to suggest any features or content that I should include on the website, please leave a comment. Of course, I want a website that people will use regularly, and to encourage people to get in touch with me, so let me know what you think....

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Rwyf nawr wedi cynilo £400 ar gyfer Childline Cymru ar gyfer yr SA1 jog rwyf am wneud mewn cwpwl o orie. Rwy'n lwcus fod y tywydd yn neis, a'r ffaith fy mod i wedi bod i'r gym cwpwl o weithie mewn paratoad! Fyddai'n rhoi llun lan ar y blog o'r digwyddiad, ond fydd dim llun o fi yn chwysu lan ma, dyna sy'n sicr!

Yn ol y son mae nifer o ACau eraill yn mynd i'r Derbyniad sydd yng Ngwesty'r Village yn Abertawe, ond sai'n sicr os oes un ohonynt yn rhedeg hefyd..fyddai'n darganfod hynny cyn hir mae'n siwr!

Ar nodyn arall, rwy'n datblygu fy wefan newydd, felly os oes gennych chi syniadau da ar gyfer cynnwys neu edrychiad y wefan plis gadewch i mi wbod. Wrth gwrs, rwyf am greu wefan ddiddorol sydd yn ennyn pobl i'w hail ddefnyddio, ac i gysylltu a mi, felly bydd unrhyw syniadau yn werthfawr iawn i mi....