News on the BBC that Neath Port Talbot has warned in a letter sent to the unions on Friday that it may dismiss its 7,000 workers and re-employ them on new terms without agreement on savings.
The council is of course a Labour Council, but I wonder who is responsible for such a letter. If it the proposal had been discussed in the council chamber or in committee then surely the opposition councillors would have (even if it was opportunist) kicked up a fuss?
Has this plan just come from Human Resources and are they making up council policy?
Neath Port Talbot has also said it will reduce its workforce by about 750 full-time posts through natural wastage, voluntary redundancies and service changes.
It is clear from this example that we are going to see major redundancies and wage cut in our local authorities. If there was just a very low average of 500 jobs in each of our Welsh Councils this would mean 11000 jobs throughout Wales and together with wage reductions and cuts in shift allowances this, does not bode well for the future.
This does not include the prospect of another reorganisation of local government in Wales as preposed by Tory guru Professor Dylan Jones-Evans which in itself will see major jobs cuts.
The Con-Lib government has already frozen any rate rises in England and clearly expects the Welsh assembly to follow suit.
The lack of funding to local government has been a major problem under successive Labour and Conservative governments who have rejected the ideas of a local income tax and still promote a rates system which is expensive to implement and not regressive. Of course Parties at Westminster are not really concerned who runs local authorities as Margret Thatcher effectively neutered them in the 80's. Who can point at a progressive council today who could seek to make public transport affordable for all through the rates?
The current recession has given all aspects of government the excuseto make cuts that they have alway sort to implement.,and it is difficult to argue that we need to make savings. But one suspects that the highly paid executives of local authorities (who even if they are dismissed for whatever reason) leave the Council with huge payouts who are making such macho threats to its workforce will make much of a sacrifice.
National Left - Wales needs a progressive left future.
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
English and Northern Ireland Allies?
I think the people at Wales Home are deliberately provoking controversy. Firstly we had a hagiographical portraits of several AM’s, starting with Lyne Neagle by someone under the pseudonym Willy Nilly , and now we have an article by Robin Tilbrook, the Chairman and a founding member of the English Democrats bemoaning Plaid Cymru for its apparent lack of support for an English parliament.
I don’t know what Plaid’s policy towards an English Parliament is or whether they would prefer devolving power to the English regions, and of course in any of these the question of Cornwall remains. But I suspect that Plaid would not seek to support a party that advocates leaving the EU and claims part of Wales (Monmouthshire) for England to the extent they propose standing in the Assembly elections on this issue.
It would be interesting if there was a moderate (and I don’t even mean left leaning) Party advocating an English parliament but at this moment in time. Plaid should concentrate or furthering its links with the Greens in England.
However a more interesting problem occurred to me with regarding Northern Ireland. The SDLP seem to be the natural partners of Plaid and the SNP but they remain linked to the Unionist Labour Party. So is there another Party in NI. that they could embrace.
The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) does lean to the left and I’m sure most Plaid supporters would agree with much of their social Policy but its very Unionism and it ties to Loyalist Paramilitaries probably exclude them. Bur what would the reaction be if they applied to join the European Free Alliance (EFA)?
Or if somehow there was a non-sectarian left leaning Ulster National Party advocating Independence of both the UK and the Irish Republic. The EFA would surely have to consider this. After all the fact that Ireland is an Island does not necessitate it should be united.
This of course is probably just fantasy but we should consider it in order to understand our own position
I don’t know what Plaid’s policy towards an English Parliament is or whether they would prefer devolving power to the English regions, and of course in any of these the question of Cornwall remains. But I suspect that Plaid would not seek to support a party that advocates leaving the EU and claims part of Wales (Monmouthshire) for England to the extent they propose standing in the Assembly elections on this issue.
It would be interesting if there was a moderate (and I don’t even mean left leaning) Party advocating an English parliament but at this moment in time. Plaid should concentrate or furthering its links with the Greens in England.
However a more interesting problem occurred to me with regarding Northern Ireland. The SDLP seem to be the natural partners of Plaid and the SNP but they remain linked to the Unionist Labour Party. So is there another Party in NI. that they could embrace.
The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) does lean to the left and I’m sure most Plaid supporters would agree with much of their social Policy but its very Unionism and it ties to Loyalist Paramilitaries probably exclude them. Bur what would the reaction be if they applied to join the European Free Alliance (EFA)?
Or if somehow there was a non-sectarian left leaning Ulster National Party advocating Independence of both the UK and the Irish Republic. The EFA would surely have to consider this. After all the fact that Ireland is an Island does not necessitate it should be united.
This of course is probably just fantasy but we should consider it in order to understand our own position
Monday, 28 June 2010
A Modragon for Merthyr.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has claimed that unemployed people living on sink estates, could be relocated to areas with job vacancies as part of a Government plan to break up Britain's 'poverty ghettos'. Duncan Smith said the move was designed to help those 'trapped' on council estates in unemployment blackspots.
Duncan Smith of course uses the term “Council Estate” rather than social housing ignoring the fact that many of these are now run by housing associations. because this has a more negative association.
This Idea has come from a member of a government whose plans to cap housing benefit will be to effectively evict families from more affluent areas where this is work , forcing them to find a home in the very “council estates “ where the housing allowances generally fall under the cap and there are no local jobs.
Before Duncan Smith’s statement. I had a theory that the Con-Lib plan was a form of gerrymandering forcing the unemployed to live in areas of high unemployment and low rent. Where the people either didn't vote for in elections for any Party; But definitely do not vote Tory or Lib Dem. Duncan Smith, however seems to be contradicting this suspicion.
Or is he? I suspect that what he is advocating will be the cherry picking of the most able of the unemployed who are victims of a form of “Post Code Lottery”. when applying for jobs. Where H.R.people discriminate against people from the so called "sink estates", or transport to work is often detrimental.because of poor public transport.
What we need to combat unemployment in such areas, is an effective strategy in these areas based on the cooperative model of Mondragon in the Basque country. Such a venture I believe would be particularly successful in Wales . Ideally such ventures should grow organically, but we can't afford such a luxury because action is needed now and the venture needs to grow fast. So we need government innovation and intervention to do carry this out. We could start such a cooperative in Merthyr Tydfil where I believe the remoteness from the paces of actual employment is part of the cause of areas of high unemployment there.We need to see how to take jobs to the people not people to the jobs naked capitalism cannot and will not do this.
Will any Party have the courage to propose this in their Manifesto for the next Welsh Assembly?
Duncan Smith of course uses the term “Council Estate” rather than social housing ignoring the fact that many of these are now run by housing associations. because this has a more negative association.
This Idea has come from a member of a government whose plans to cap housing benefit will be to effectively evict families from more affluent areas where this is work , forcing them to find a home in the very “council estates “ where the housing allowances generally fall under the cap and there are no local jobs.
Before Duncan Smith’s statement. I had a theory that the Con-Lib plan was a form of gerrymandering forcing the unemployed to live in areas of high unemployment and low rent. Where the people either didn't vote for in elections for any Party; But definitely do not vote Tory or Lib Dem. Duncan Smith, however seems to be contradicting this suspicion.
Or is he? I suspect that what he is advocating will be the cherry picking of the most able of the unemployed who are victims of a form of “Post Code Lottery”. when applying for jobs. Where H.R.people discriminate against people from the so called "sink estates", or transport to work is often detrimental.because of poor public transport.
What we need to combat unemployment in such areas, is an effective strategy in these areas based on the cooperative model of Mondragon in the Basque country. Such a venture I believe would be particularly successful in Wales . Ideally such ventures should grow organically, but we can't afford such a luxury because action is needed now and the venture needs to grow fast. So we need government innovation and intervention to do carry this out. We could start such a cooperative in Merthyr Tydfil where I believe the remoteness from the paces of actual employment is part of the cause of areas of high unemployment there.We need to see how to take jobs to the people not people to the jobs naked capitalism cannot and will not do this.
Will any Party have the courage to propose this in their Manifesto for the next Welsh Assembly?
Saturday, 26 June 2010
I am really sorry but I can't support Armed Forces Day.
.
My late Father spent most of the Second World War in the Orkney Isles. Where his experience could be summed up by a soldier at the time
This bloody town's a bloody cuss
No bloody trains, no bloody bus
And no one thinks of bloody us
In bloody Orkney.
The bloody folk are bloody mad
The bloody roads are bloody bad
Good night the bright is bloody sad
In bloody Orkney.
However he was to take part in D-Day, where he lasted only three days before being seriously injured by shrapnel from a mine. and after major surgery he was given a plate in his head which was to be part of him until the end.
This injury affected him all his life, He suffered fro Blackouts and was a contribution to his death nearly 10 years ago.
He hardly ever talked about his experience and it was only later in life that he applied for his War Medals for which he received three and when I see the be-medaled members of the Royal Family I wonder.
He also received an inadequate war pension which ironically was far less than if he been a member of the German armed forces.
I doubt very much that he would have approved of Armed Forces day, he rarely wore a red poppy on Armistice Day and I think that he would have wondered why another day should be set aside.
I think I know! Despite the increased politicisation of Remembrance Sunday where it appears for weeks before it is compulsory to wear red poppy on the BBC. The last government needed such a day in order to justify their involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq and the coalition will follow suite.
What would the BBC reaction to someone who insisted on wearing a White Poppy (which you can get from the Peace Pledge Union) here. Or how would all the Media react to MP or Am wearing the White Poppy in the Commons or Assembly chamber?
Incidentally I stopped wearing the White Poppy believing that we should have separate day for remembering all victims of war: But now because of Armed Forces Day I will reconsider my position.
It is thought that 1968 is only year since the Second World War when no British soldier was killed in action.
I believe that far too many of our armed Forces have died because successive governments have involved themselves in conflicts in order to maintain the illusion that Britain is still a Major power.
We are being spun in order that concern for the safety for soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq manifest as support for government policy.
There also those in the Military complex of senior armed forces personnel and contractors who have a vested in interest in a large military force.
If you wish to take part in today’s events, do so with Pride, but remember many of us who disapprove of Armed Forces Day also have the interest of the ordinary Soldier. Sailor, and Airmen at heart.
My late Father spent most of the Second World War in the Orkney Isles. Where his experience could be summed up by a soldier at the time
This bloody town's a bloody cuss
No bloody trains, no bloody bus
And no one thinks of bloody us
In bloody Orkney.
The bloody folk are bloody mad
The bloody roads are bloody bad
Good night the bright is bloody sad
In bloody Orkney.
However he was to take part in D-Day, where he lasted only three days before being seriously injured by shrapnel from a mine. and after major surgery he was given a plate in his head which was to be part of him until the end.
This injury affected him all his life, He suffered fro Blackouts and was a contribution to his death nearly 10 years ago.
He hardly ever talked about his experience and it was only later in life that he applied for his War Medals for which he received three and when I see the be-medaled members of the Royal Family I wonder.
He also received an inadequate war pension which ironically was far less than if he been a member of the German armed forces.
I doubt very much that he would have approved of Armed Forces day, he rarely wore a red poppy on Armistice Day and I think that he would have wondered why another day should be set aside.
I think I know! Despite the increased politicisation of Remembrance Sunday where it appears for weeks before it is compulsory to wear red poppy on the BBC. The last government needed such a day in order to justify their involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq and the coalition will follow suite.
What would the BBC reaction to someone who insisted on wearing a White Poppy (which you can get from the Peace Pledge Union) here. Or how would all the Media react to MP or Am wearing the White Poppy in the Commons or Assembly chamber?
Incidentally I stopped wearing the White Poppy believing that we should have separate day for remembering all victims of war: But now because of Armed Forces Day I will reconsider my position.
It is thought that 1968 is only year since the Second World War when no British soldier was killed in action.
I believe that far too many of our armed Forces have died because successive governments have involved themselves in conflicts in order to maintain the illusion that Britain is still a Major power.
We are being spun in order that concern for the safety for soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq manifest as support for government policy.
There also those in the Military complex of senior armed forces personnel and contractors who have a vested in interest in a large military force.
If you wish to take part in today’s events, do so with Pride, but remember many of us who disapprove of Armed Forces Day also have the interest of the ordinary Soldier. Sailor, and Airmen at heart.
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Three Common Misconceptions.
There are a number of misconceptions in popular culture these include.
1. The Song, "If you want to know the time, ask a policeman” refers to the politeness and helpfulness of the British Police.
2.The term The Iron Duke refers to the Duke of Wellington’s steadfast leadership.
It actually this refers to his time as Prime Minster (1828-30) where as an opponent of parliamentary reform, he was given the epithet the "Iron Duke" because of the iron shutters he had fixed to his windows to stop the pro-reform mob from breaking them.
3.The Liberal Democrats are a Centre-Left Party.
They are not even a Centre Party or a Centre-Right Party. They are a Populist Party seeking to evaluate to public attitudes and responding with their policy.
This explains why they initially opposed the Afghan War then remained silent during the campaign (afraid of being condemned as unpatriotic by the tabloids. Then when the war became unpopular again reinstating their opposition.
This populism explains their strength in local government where local leader oppose any potential unpopular measure (usually by checking the editorials in the local newspaper).
Now they have real responsibility however they will have to explain why they are supporting measures such as increasing Vat. Listening to Nick Clegg squirming on this morning’s Today programme gives me the impression that they will not be up to it
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
The Lib-Dems Bomb blows up in their faces.
Peter Black tries to brazen it out arguing.
“However, it is clear that we had no choice on both counts. Events in Europe meant that we had to act to protect Britain's creditworthiness. The state of the nation's finances and those subsequent events meant that the situation had changed between those elections pronouncements and entering government. The VAT rise was one of the few options available to us to balance the books”.
But Peter, the situation we are in was quite clear during the election. The idea that the Lib-Dems didn’t realise this is ridiculous. For you to argue that the Lib-Dems should be “much more circumspect in future election campaigns”. Is either an admission of dishonesty, or naivety, either of which shows that you and your Party are not worthy of our support.
But subordinate central carries out the Party’s reaction to an absurd level. Stating that.
“Over 50,000 workers will pay no income tax and thousands to get more of their money back”.
La pasionara (or Kirsty Williams) as she is known grabs at a single straw with this press release:. But she completely ignores the fact that this budget will see many of this 50,0000 losing their jobs. And the general consensus expressed by commentators on the budget, is that the poorest amongst us will be worst off.
And we have yet to see the full extent of the cuts in the Public sector, for which we in Wales are over reliant on due to previous government’s policies which saw the decimation of our Industrial and Manufacturing Industries.
The whole employment situation up to now been masked by the fact that so many people are now employed on short term contracts that they do not show up as redundancies.
Council jobs in particular are almost certainly will be cut and these will be amongst the poorer paid.
I predicted in my last Blog that the lib-Dems would cheery pick –popular government policies but I didn’t foresee how barren the tree actually was.
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Rebellion By Rotation?
There are two interesting posts on subordinate central one is a copy of Nick Clegg’s e-mail party members on “why today’s budget is so important and so necessary.” The other is a report that Roger (Who) Williams, the “leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in Westminster” (What) “has put his neck on the line” by saying that he would not support an increase in VAT in Today’s Budget
Both posts are passed off without comment but perhaps gives us an indication of what the tactics of the Lib-Dems will be over the next 5 years of this govrnment’s term of office.
I predict that come the next General Election every Lib-Dem will have rebelled at some time or other on more that one major issues. Though at no time will any rebellion seriously endanger the coalition government.
Those familiar with Lib-Dem election campaigning, will I suspect agree with me in suspecting that every candidate at the next General Election will have some criticism of government policy but this will solely placed on the shoulders of the Conservatives. Those Lib-Dem's standing for the Assembly will be very critical of government policy that could be seen as Tory inspired. Whilst claiming they are behaving responsibly and making sacrifices for our benefit. In other words they will cherry pick any policy they can claim that is "Lib-Dem led which appears to be popular with the electorate.
How genuine these rebellions will be I don’t know, and whether this will be by an organised rota would probably be unlikely. However amongst 55 Westminster Lib-Dem MPs (less if you only include backbenchers) for them to come to some form of understanding with the whips who will know the full extent of any potential rebellion, and it would not be to difficult for about 5 at a time to rebel without doing any damage and so give the impression that they really are on our side.
We will see the start of this” Rebellion By Rotation” this in the response and vote on the Budget.
Both posts are passed off without comment but perhaps gives us an indication of what the tactics of the Lib-Dems will be over the next 5 years of this govrnment’s term of office.
I predict that come the next General Election every Lib-Dem will have rebelled at some time or other on more that one major issues. Though at no time will any rebellion seriously endanger the coalition government.
Those familiar with Lib-Dem election campaigning, will I suspect agree with me in suspecting that every candidate at the next General Election will have some criticism of government policy but this will solely placed on the shoulders of the Conservatives. Those Lib-Dem's standing for the Assembly will be very critical of government policy that could be seen as Tory inspired. Whilst claiming they are behaving responsibly and making sacrifices for our benefit. In other words they will cherry pick any policy they can claim that is "Lib-Dem led which appears to be popular with the electorate.
How genuine these rebellions will be I don’t know, and whether this will be by an organised rota would probably be unlikely. However amongst 55 Westminster Lib-Dem MPs (less if you only include backbenchers) for them to come to some form of understanding with the whips who will know the full extent of any potential rebellion, and it would not be to difficult for about 5 at a time to rebel without doing any damage and so give the impression that they really are on our side.
We will see the start of this” Rebellion By Rotation” this in the response and vote on the Budget.
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