Former Plaid Councillor defects to Ukip!

The Ukip Welsh conference have cleverly stage managed news that 

Former Cardiff Plaid Cymru councillor Mohammed Islam and former Newport Tory councillor William Routley  have  defected  to Ukip.

They were unveiled this afternoon as the party's newest members at Ukip's Welsh conference in Margam Park.

Both lost their seats at the last council elections in 2012.

Mr Islam, who represented the Riverside ward for eight years, said:

 "I didn't agree with Plaid going into coalition with Labour at the Assembly in 2007. Now they're talking about backing a Labour government at Westminster

 I am very much against Labour and totally opposed to this. That's why I'm joining Ukip."Asked whether he was interested in standing for the Assembly as a Ukip regional list candidate in 2016, he said: "It's too early to say."

He had stood in the 2010 general Election under the Plaid banner and Plaid for some reason poured Money into the seat   nearly £10,000 by my calculations 

It alas wasn't worth it.

General Election 2010: Cardiff West[5]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Labour	Kevin Brennan	16,893	41.2	−3.6
	Conservative	Angela Jones-Evans	12,143	29.6	+7.0
	Liberal Democrat	Rachael Hitchinson	7,186	17.5	+0.5
	Plaid Cymru	Mohammed Sarul Islam	2,868	7.0	−5.9
	UKIP	Michael Hennessey	1,117	2.7	+0.6
	Green	Jake Griffiths	750	1.8	+1.8
Majority			4,750	11.6
Turnout			40,957	65.2	+7.0
	Labour hold		Swing	−5.3

A Plaid Cymru spokeswoman said:'

"The former councillor in question has not been an active member of Plaid Cymru for some years.
"He lost his seat in 2012 and his activity levels dropped when he was not selected to be a candidate in the 2013 Riverside by-election in his former ward."

It is quite  a political journey from a Progressive Social  Democratic Party like Plaid seeking Independence  for Wales to a right wing anti-immigration  party that has called for abolition of the National Assembly in the past.

From Mr Islam comments it seems he was motivated to remove Labour from Cardiff rather than Plaid's policies .

In a country like Wales which has been under Labour's hegemony for nearly a century there a tendency for all parties to seek the "anti labour" vote .

This leads them to seek candidates  who may not agree with the parties aims but who rather like being a councillor and find that they can gains the votes they would not get as a Conservative or get someone else to do the canvassing and pay for the election.

Mr  Islam defection may have a positive affect on Ukip here . A candidate of his ethnic background may make them  think twice over some of it racist rhetoric.

He may have found a Party that marches much of his real views but I wonder where he stands on Ukips policy on immigration and how it portrays this? 

I would oppose Ukip Euro scepticism and its right of centre policy  but I would not loath them as much as I do when some of their campaigning becomes almost indistinguishable  from the BNP.

Mt advice is for him to look around  at his new mates  and if he finds they are not to his liking he probably find he 's not going to find a new ones in the future 

Phurnacite shows why we must have local control over fracking.

The Wasting Mule claims that 

 Pressure is growing for the National Assembly to have the same control over fracking that the Scottish Parliament is due to gain following the landmark recommendations of the Smith Commission.

If you need to see why have a look at recent posts of Plaid Wrecsam  who have en covering attempts to protest about surveys in their in their area which ended up with the Bailiffs being called in and the protesters evicted.

The Wales Office is studying the commission’s proposals and aims to present cross-party plans for the further devolution of powers by St David’s Day.

Former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley (who clearly has his political Mojo back which is much welcome)  attempted to amend Westminster’s Infrastructure Bill so that AMs would be responsible for fracking and said the party’s MPs would make a new push when the legislation returns to the Commons.

However despite such powers seemingly being seen as appropriate for Scotland it is clear that one of the reasons for this is  the SNP’s Political Strength

 “The strength of the SNP is enough to safeguard the interests of Scotland. Plaid Cymru must win more seats and much more influence at Westminster, if we are to secure the powers to control such unacceptable developments in Wales.”

 A Welsh Government spokesman said: 

“If onshore oil and gas licensing powers are to be devolved to Scotland, there are no reasons why such powers should also not be devolved to Wales. The devolution of powers for the consenting of all energy projects and energy infrastructure, with the exception of nuclear power, would enable us to realise our ambition to put in place a single, streamlined and transparent process for Wales.”

Which looks like a Yes for devolving fracking to me but you never know with Welsh Labour

For some reason the Easting Mule could only find "a spokesman" from the other parties in the Assembly

A Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesman said: Who Federal party remember are part of the Westminster coalition  said

 “A number of fundamental safety and environmental concerns regarding fracking are yet to be addressed...
“Welsh Lib Dems are already calling for a number of energy planning responsibilities to be devolved to Wales. We are looking carefully at the proposal for fracking licensing as part of the Smith Commission to see if Wales should also have powers in this area.”

For some reason the Conservative Assembly group declined to comment on the devolution of fracking but said: 

“A set of commitments agreed by the four main parties will be announced ahead of St David’s Day next year.”

Which seems to be an indication that such powers are not included in these commitments  



Back in 2012  I blogged about the toxic legacy of the Phurnacite plant at  Abercwmboi in the Cynon Valley .

And remembered at the time I remember a local politician in the 80's saying 

"Only when the Phurnacite becomes unprofitable will the claims about the pollution be heard "

And I wrote 

It is an example of how Wales was exploited for its mineral wealth from the Slate Quarries , Coal , Steel etc. and we must make sure that we have full control of all ways our Nation run including the monitoring of Industry to ensure they are not harming Workers the local population and the environment,

Fracking  clearly falls in to that criteria and we must examine the long term effects of this . But it must be made her in Wales not by some Tory from Surrey or other  leafy English constituency.,

But it also means that local concerns must be addressed by the Assembly and they alone should not have full control.

I admit there's no guarantee that the  the Government of an Independent Wales will ensure this but at least we the electorate will be responsible if we don't remove them.

Does Carwyn want Tax Powers or Not.

Some may agree that Income Tax being devolved to Wales with or without the "Lockdown" is a Tory Trojan Horse designed to make the Welsh and Scottish Governments  take the blame when Taxes go up 

It is a compelling argument but is it a reason to reject these powers 

I maybe the reason  First Minister Carwyn Jones  has said there should be a referendum on income tax powers for Wales.

Mr Jones said he “would not be in favour” of any more referendums that look at devolving power, with the exception of the issue of income tax.

He said that “on balance” such a referendum would need to be held in Wales, but he added: 

“I’m vary wary of any suggestion, leaving aside what I said on income tax, that somehow every change in Wales needs to be approved by a referendum. That’s not what was said in Scotland.”

Mr Jones has stated that reform to the Barnett formula must come before such a poll

My suspicion is Labour hope that these powers will be rejected even if they seem to be campaigning for them.

Opposition Leaders however have indicated there is no need for referendum

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood, said:

 “Given there will be some tax powers offered, in all likelihood, to the English regions now without the need for a referendum, we would argue that changes the picture for Wales. Tax powers should be able to be triggered by the representatives of the people of Wales via this institution.”

And as La Pasionaria Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Lib Dems, points  out 

: “The principal of having some tax varying powers here is absolutely the right one... I really wonder whether that is necessary especially if all political parties put it in their manifestos in May and people were elected on the basis of that.”

Of course  this argument may fall apart  if Ukip enters the Assembly in 2016 with members whose intention is to wreck that institution . I would be interesting  (but frighting) if Carwyn looked to Nigel Farage to tel his members  to back a referendum)
Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative leader, said he was “opened minded” on the question of an income tax referendum and said he wasn’t a huge fan of referendums but highlighted that a question on tax had been put to the Scottish electorate in the past. Which is true it was a separate Question in the 1997 referendum

Choice	Votes	%
I agree that there should be a Scottish Parliament	1,775,045	74.29
I do not agree that there should be a Scottish Parliament	614,400	25.71
Valid votes	2,389,445	99.50
Invalid or blank votes	11,986	0.50
Total votes	2,401,431	100.00
Registered voters and turnout	3,973,673	60.4

It was still passed by a clear majority  but down by some 10%

Choice	Votes	%
I agree that a Scottish Parliament should have tax-varying powers	1,512,889	63.48
I do not agree that a Scottish Parliament should have tax-varying powers	870,263	36.52
Valid votes	2,383,152	99.21
Invalid or blank votes	19,013	0.79
Total votes	2,402,165	100.00
Registered voters and turnout	3,973,673	60.45

To this date no Scottish Government has used these powers.

But the 2nd question was bolstered by the first and we can only wonder how many people would bother to vote in a Welsh referendum  especially if there is a half-hearted campaign by Labour.

On this basis I would not support another referendum unless it was for complete parity with Scotland.

Hunt the Slipper.

I'm surprised that there has not been more coverage  of  Shadow Education Secretary (for England) Tristram Hunt who "joked"of his fear that he could be moved to the Wales Office if Labour have to share power after the next election.

The Wasting Mule Online reports that

a light-hearted remarks at an event with broadcaster Kirsty Wark, he described the telephone conversation he dreads receiving Labour leader Ed Miliband.He said: “What I’m really scared of, Kirsty, is that terrifying telephone call from Ed Miliband which says, ‘Tristram, you’ve done, you know, really well in your post as Shadow Education Secretary. We think you’ve really sort of pushed the agenda. But as you know we didn’t quite get the result we want and, you know, we think, you know, you’d be very good in the Welsh Office relative to, you know, whoever we’re working with - the Liberal Democrats.’”
Ms Wark responded: “Oh, I hope there are no Welsh people in the room

 However,  it seems Mr Hunt maybe realising  has slipped up was to tell the audience he expected Labour would win the May election.

He said:

 “[We] will have a working majority of 11 and the reason we will do that is that this is the first parliament since the 1920s where standards of living have fallen over the course of the parliament and people are £1,600 worse off a year and people do not think this recovery is working for them.”

It was left to that mysterious entity  "a spokesman" To say that Mr Hunt insisted that he had no dislike of Wales and that the “point he was making is he wants to stay in the education brief”.
I am fully aware that the position of Welsh Secretary even before devolution was regarded as the lowest in the cabinet . If the Prime Minister is First amongst Equals it does not include the  Man or Women appointed to represent Welsh Interests in the Government or is it the Governments interests in Wales.?
And  also agree with those who argue that the position of Welsh Secretary together with his or hers Northern Irish and Scottish counterparts should be merged in to a Minister for the devolved Nations (not regions mind) and the saving shared amongst the legislatures.

But i can't help feeling that since The post of Secretary of State for Wales came into existence on 17 October 1964, the first incumbent being Jim Griffiths, MP for Llanelli who campaigned for it and wanted the job. Even amongst Welsh Labour MPs the cry of "Oh no not Wales " went through thier heads as saw thier vision of being a major player around the Table dashes

The Smith Commission and "The General Will"

The Smith Commission set up after the NO vote in the Scottish referendum must be the fastest  constitutional commission on record   its work on 22 October this year, and concluded its deliberations on 26 November.  It has left  some left cynics wondering if it was just a smokescreen to make sure the infamous VOW by the three main Unionist Party leaders Cameron Miliband and Clegg can at least seem to be delivered.

Wings over Scotland have come up with some interesting figures on the  Smith Commission began 

They write...

If we assume it took Sundays off that’s 30 days, and we’ll also assume it worked full eight-hour days, which gives us a total of 240 hours (though we suspect in reality it was rather less than that).
It noted that it received “over 18,000″ submissions from the general public, as well as 407 from organisations. If we divide 18,407 into those 240 hours, we learn that if the Commission did nothing other than read submissions, it would still have had to get through approximately 77 an hour.
That gives the Commission a generous 47 seconds to read and thoughtfully consider each submission, weighing up its pros and cons against the other 18,406 and contemplating how it might fit into the practical possibilities of the devolution process and whether it would be acceptable to the five political parties who were charged with reaching a compromise agreement.

I seem to remember  while at Harlech  at studding under the late and must missed Lewis Lloyd that  Jean-Jacques Rousseau. came up with the concept of the General Will

The law is the expression of the general will. All citizens have the right to contribute personally, or through their representatives, to its formation. It must be the same for all, whether it protects or punishes. All citizens, being equal in its eyes, are equally admissible to all public dignities, positions, and employments, according to their capacities, and without any other distinction than that of their virtues and their talents.

Rousseau also claimed that this did not mean that this the rule of the majority, but one person may have the idea that unselfishly benefits everyone.

He has been accused over advocating totalitarianism. and God knows how you sort it out,but it is clear the Smith Commission had absolutely no intention of consulting outside the Westminster and Hollyrood bubbles.

It is clear, that the Smith commission saw its remit, not to find what is best for Scotland but to find some way of getting the signatories of the VOW of the hook while muting those who campaigned for Independence.

What Smith failed to recognise is that  the YES campaign  went further than mainstream political parties and whilst I am not advocating Rousseau philosophy he should at least have listened to those who independently made submissions instead of it seems leaving them unread.

Selling Wales to English Cities 2

I'm not usually a Conspiracy theorist  but after  the Mule suggestion that  North and South Wales should become regions of Liverpool and Bristol. BBC Wales has come up with similar news.

They report Claims that...

..." Wales will lose out if Cardiff does not become part of a bigger economic region to bid for UK government investment, researchers have claimed.
Chancellor George Osborne is expected to give extra help to Leeds and Sheffield in his Autumn Statement on Wednesday.
It follows support for Greater Manchester and Greater Glasgow.
Centre for Cities called on Cardiff to work more closely with its south Wales neighbours and with Bristol.

 The Beeb at leadt admit  that the UK government's support of big cities is both political - after the independence campaign in Scotland - and economic, to try to address the imbalance between the London economy and the rest of the UK.

Andrew Carter, acting chief executive of Centre for Cities, said Cardiff and Bristol needed to respond to the prospect of competition from other regions...

.."There is a real fear that Cardiff and Wales will miss out from not being able to organise to make a coherent argument to the UK government,
The first step was for Cardiff and its neighbouring local authorities to work together more closely so that they would be on a stronger footing.
Cardiff could then reach out to Bristol to look at areas where they could collaborate, er.
These could include rail electrification, creative and digital industries andthe development of a new nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point on the Somerset coast,

Mr Carter  the Beeb and  the Mule do not seem to realise that we now have our own legislature . Who you may ask will be ultimately responsible for the these cities . Or could this collaboration have no democratic input at all?

Dylan Jones-Evans, professor of entrepreneurship at University of the West of England in Bristol, and of course former Tory candidate for the Welsh assembly agreed, and said Wales should make the most of electrification of the main railway line from London.

He said

.."If we don't work more closely together, Bristol will be the stop for major investment coming from London during that period,"

OK so this is just talk of collaboration  but I can only wonder in whose best interest wiil be served here.

The so called M4 corridor has already been to the detriment of the Valleys  as jobs concentrate there.

Plaid MP has recently  claimed that The Welsh Government  have treated  West Wales as an “afterthought” after it emerged the government has not budgeted for any transport investment in Carmarthenshire or Ceredigion.

It comes as the Government presses ahead with plans for the controversial £1bn M4 relief road in Newport, which Plaid Cymru claims will be built at the expense of other projects in West Wales.

Information presented to the Enterprise and Business Committee by the Welsh Government shows no money has been budgeted for transport projects in Ceredigion or Carmarthenshire, while Pembrokeshire will see a £57m investment in a A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Penblewin trunk road.

MP Jonathan Edwards said lack of infrastructure investment dampens all efforts to boost the local economy.

Indeed the £1bn M4 relief road may well benefit Bristol more than it does West Wales .

If not become part of a bigger economic region then treat Wales as a whole not divide it and make them part of English cities.

But then even among some of Assembly members there is no desire to unite Wales economical.

I have no objection collaboration between Cardif and Bristol to see what can benefit both but not if it further drains the economic future  Valleys and West Wales which I suspect will happen.

.

.

Mule suggest we sell Wales to English Cities

The Wasting Mule correspondent David Williamson  the Political Editor of Media Wales.seems to have come up with a solution to  as he says Wales tiring  of playing second-fiddle to Scotland in the constitutional quartet,

Greater Powers ?

Renewal of the  Barnett t Formula?

Parity?

Independence?

No Williamson's solution is to divide Wales and make us subordinate to English Cities.

He starts off with reasonable criticism 

...Wales is unlikely to hold the UK to ransom in similar fashion and therefore lacks the clout Scotland enjoys. Articulate politicians and respected academics can make reasoned arguments for constitutional change but it is realpolitik which compels the Whitehall machine to grind into action.
Yes, Wales should ensure that Westminster grants the Assembly a fair funding formula. But the argument over millions of pounds should not divert our attention from the significance of what could be a multi-billion pound transformation of England’s economy and power structure.

But rather than say its time we woke up and gained the same leverage as Scotland he then goes on to say that...

...Civic England is waking up to the potential of self-government, not due to romantic notions about resurrecting Albion’s vanished realms but because there is excitement about a chance to finally rebalance the UK economy.
The promise of greater control over billions of pounds has persuaded 10 greater Manchester councils to agree to an elected mayor. Liverpool’s six councils are negotiating a similar settlement.
Chancellor George Osborne has backed plans for £15bn investment in Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield to create a “northern powerhouse”. The HS2 and HS3 high-speed rail schemes will slash journey times between major cities and give companies a greater range of options for out-of-London headquarters.

So rather than seek parity with Scotland Williamson  suggest we some how gain advantage by riding on the tails of a English City bonanza

He writes

...North Wales needs superb rail links to Crewe and the HS2 network and opportunities to collaborate with nearby great cities on regional renewal should not be missed. Mid Wales needs to plug into Birmingham as the city prepares for a new era of investment thanks to 49min journey times to London.

South Wales must forge strategic relationships with Bristol. There is the potential to speak with one voice on the need for infrastructure investment – the Great Western Line and the M4 are critical to both regions – and on the development of a hi-tech research hub, pooling expertise from biotech enterprises and universities.

Rather than regretting that Wales cannot command the attention of Whitehall with the power of Scotland, we can forge a better future with the ambitious leaders of commerce, academia and government right on our doorstep

What utter rubbish . Divide Wales make North Wales a region of Liverpool and South Wales  a region of Bristol.

Yes we need an infrastructure to links us not only with English Cities but the rest of Europe,

The problem of Wales is that a major infrastructure both in North and South Wales were constructed no for Wales to get access to Liverpool or London but for them to get access to Ireland

We need an infrastructure that benefits Wales and not on that open  us to continuous  exploration.

We saw in the past how the wealth of our Coalfields and Slate Quarries benefited capitalism outside Wales and left us with Slag Heaps, Ill Health and long term unemployment.

I have nothing against forging links with anyone  but it must be based on equality .and an equality that carries on.

Williamson and the Mule seem to be suggesting that we abandon any ambition to run things ourselves  and sell us to the ambitious leaders of commerce, academia and government right on our doorstep like an impoverished harlot.