Measles Outbreak: Not Parents Fault If They Were Misled.

A campaign by the South Wales Evening Post  or the Beans on Toast in the late 1990s has been cited as one possible cause for a measles outbreak in Wales.

The BBC’s Today programme's Hywel Griffith reported on the outbreak 

 "Health service officials claim that one of the main reasons Swansea is at the centre of the epidemic is because the local Evening Post ran a campaign raising concerns about the MMR vaccine in the late 90s." 

A report in the Journal of Epedemiology and Health from 2000  linked the paper's "MMR Parent's fight for facts" campaign, started in the late 1990s, with a drop in MMR vaccinations in the paper's circulation area.

Widespread concerns about MMR were aired across the media after Dr Andrew Wakefield published a now-discredited study in the Lancet 1998 linking MMR to autism.


Well over 2,000 people have been vaccinated at clinics set up to tackle the Swansea measles epidemic as fears were raised it could spread.

Queues of people turned up early at many of the special drop-in sessions for free MMR jabs.

The number of cases in the outbreak has risen to 693 but Dr Meirion Evans of Public Health Wales (PHW) said that numbers could "easily double".

He said 40,000 children in Wales remain unvaccinated.

It is all to easy to turn on the "Beans and Toast" but  although Wakefield was discredited 


His orginal accusations  , were published a controversial paper in the respected British medical journal The Lancet, supported by a press conference  February 1998 at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

This paper reported on twelve children with developmental disorders referred to the Royal Free Hospital. The parents or physicians of eight of these children were said to have linked the start of behavioral symptoms to MMR vaccination. The paper described a collection of bowel symptoms, endoscopy findings and biopsy findings that were said to be evidence of a possible novel syndrome that Wakefield would later call autistic enterocolitis, and recommended further study into the possible link between the condition and the MMR vaccine. The paper suggested that the connection between autism and the gastrointestinal pathologies was real, but said it did not prove an association between the MMR vaccine and autism..

Although we now know this to be untrue it is understandable that  the Public and indeed the  Media would be concerned and that this should continue with the the public to the present day.

Perhaps parents who were concerned and could not be reassured should have been offered single vaccination those this may have increased concern . Though I suspect cost may have been the major factor here.

Hopefully there may be a good thing to come out of this in that parents will now be more confident in seeing their children receive the MMR jab. 

But maybe rather than attributing blame  even to the Beans on Toast we should look to the future and concentrate in making sure that parents realise the MMR is safe and effective.

Burton (Pembrokeshire) Byelection

Hardly Earth Shattering  news but  the only recent Byelection in Wales  has been at troubled  Pembrokeshire county council: where  Rob Summons was elected Councillor for Burton Division on 11   after the resignation of Council stalwart is Cllr David Wildman, who was also the cabinet member for adult services and care, had been heavily involved in local politics for many years, but is set to move closer to family in Wiltshire, with his wife Margaret.

• Rob Summons (Independent Plus) 291 votes   (43.8%; -56.2)
• Robin Wilson (Conservative) 166 -  (25%; +25.0)
• Robin Howells (Labour) 162-  (24.4%; +24.4)
• Jon Harvey (Independent) 46 -  (6.9%; +6.9)

So although a comfortable win there for Independent Plus  who are the ruling group on the council  maybe a  pointer to people turning to main stream parties

Interestingly Rob Symonds  stood as an Independent Plus candidate ( at the behest of former Councillor Wildman) who are the ruling group . So how Independent are Independents if they stand for the ruling group?

How can you claim to be an Independent when even before you are elected you commit yourself to a group dynamics and the discipline in that group?

As well as the previous record of the ruling Group. Are you standing on the of the ruling group or not.

You are not really Independent if you do so.

Basically Independents are people who don't want to be associated with the baggage of the public negativity towards political parties whilst having all  the  advantages and power that members of a group leads to.

Holes appear in the Severn Barrage.

A BBC Wales investigation has revealed that serious questions about two of the founders of a project to build a barrage across the Severn estuary have been raised 

According to the report by  David Cornock and Illtud ab Alwyn:

The largest shareholder in Hafren Power has previously been declared bankrupt three times during a lengthy business career.Another businessman has been declared bankrupt twice but said it should not detract from the project's legitimacy.Backers claim the £25bn barrage could generate 5% of Britain's electricity.Hafren Power wants to build an 11 mile (17.7km) barrage between Lavernock Point near Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, and Brean near Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.Richard Bazley - the largest shareholder in Hafren Power - was declared bankrupt in 1977, 1994 and 2005.

Mr Bazley, described by Hafren Power as its founder and "the visionary" behind the barrage, describes himself as a "serial entrepreneur".
He declined to be interviewed but Hafren Power chief executive Tony Pryor denied Mr Bazley's background undermined the credibility of the project.
Another founder Idwal Stedman, who sits on Hafren Power's regional committee, has been declared bankrupt twice: in 1994 while working as an architect and in 2006 while working as an antiques dealer.

Although Hafren Power describes Mr Stedman as having run "a highly regarded architecture firm," he is currently barred from calling himself an architect.
He was struck off by the Architects Registration Board last year after complaints about unpaid bills.
The board removed him from the register for "conduct that is fundamentally incompatible with continuing to be an architect".

BBC Wales 11th April  2013

We are left wondering what the response will be from the main Champion for the project Neath PM  Peter Hain wil be?

Only last  a fortnight ago he was issuing  strong rallying call to Wales to “stand up and fight” for the  Severn Barrage.

Responding to The Port of Bristol is currently opposition to the scheme claiming it would have a detrimental effect on its commercial activities – upstream of any barrage – as well as harming the environment.


Mr Hain went on to say: 

“They would be better advised to engage with Hafren Power and find out a workable commercial solution to their concern.”
Of the Severn Barrage itself, Mr Hain said, this was the biggest construction project facing Wales, more transformative than anything seen during modern times.
He reminded his listeners that this was not just about Wales but about south-west England,
He said: “We aren’t blessed with massive infrastructure projects but this one is entirely private financed and could supply 5% of the UK’s electricity for more than 120 years, cleanly, securely and sustainably.”

Western Mail 22nd April 2013

We meed to know whether Mr Hain was aware of the past of some of his colleagues an if so why he feels that they are suitable to lead such a project.

He is usually  never shy of speaking out and now is not the time for him to find any modesty and remain quiet.

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Glenda and Leanne: Speak for Many.

One of the luxury I have in blogging on politics but having no political ambitions is that . I can say what I really think and not worry about whether it will be used by opponents and the media (often the same thing.).

I can announce on the fact that I celebrated Thatchers death, by setting off fireworks which may upset some but I can't be accused of Hypocrisy.

Yesterday recall of Parliament  which was little more than a Tories giving themselves a chance to eulogise the bloody woman at out expensive. at the Taxpayers expense was little more than you we can have expected .
It was left to Glenda Jackson  the MP for Hampstead and Kilburn who didn't have far to travel to Westminster to give voice to for many of us.


Amid howls of protest from Conservative backbenchers, Glenda Jackson said  give a version of Magret Thatcher that many outside the chamber would recognise.

‘By far the most dramatic and heinous demonstration of Thatcherism was not only in London but across the whole country in metropolitan areas, where every single shop doorway, every single night, became the bedroom, the living room, the bathroom for the homeless,’ she said, defying calls to pay tribute to the former leader.

The Hampstead and Kilburn MP said Thatcherism turned vices into virtues. 

‘Greed, selfishness, no care for the weaker. Sharp elbows and sharp knees, this was the way forward,’ she said.
‘People saw the price of everything and the value of nothing.’
And she said women who helped run the country during the war would not have recognised the idea of ‘womanliness’ embodied in Lady Thatcher.
‘The first prime minister of female gender, ok. But a woman? Not on my terms,’

Speaker Bercow said "Ms Jackson had the right to air her thoughts".To bloody right.

For leading politician who felt that they should be diplomatic. Iit may be have been hard to criticise a recently deceased political  bur credit must go to Leanne who managed to turn her statement on Thatchers Death in a positive way




It will be difficult in the next few weeks faced with the horrendous site of  the cost of a £10 Million State Funeral (isn't it anything else?).  for those of us who shared Glenda Jackson assessment of Thatchers Legacy to remain positive but Leanne Wood has given us something we should carry forward.

Anglesey Council Elections can any one predict the result?

A part for Byelections  election to the Isle of Anglesey County Council^[will be the only one  held at the same time as other United Kingdom local elections on May 2nd , 2013.the election having been postponed from 2012 by the Welsh Government, in order to allow an electoral review to take place.

Even seasoned students of voting patterns will have trouble predicting this one as there as will be 30 councillors elected (a reduction from the previous 40). in multi ward seats.

Aethwy (3), formed by the Communities of Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll, Menai Bridge and Penmynydd

Bro Aberffraw (2), formed by the Communities of Aberffraw, Bodorgan and Rhosyr

Bro Rhosyr (2), formed by the Communities of Llanidan, Llanfihangel Ysceifiog, Llanddaniel Fab and Llangristiolus

Caergybi (3), the electoral wards of Town, London Road, Morawelon, Porthyfelin, and Parc a'r Mynydd in the Community of Holyhead

Canolbarth Môn (Central Anglesey) (3), the Communities of Bryngwran, Bodffordd, Llangefni, and Trewalchmai, and the electoral wards of Llanddyfnan, Llangwyllog and Tregacan in the Community of Llanddyfnan.

Llifôn (2), the Communities of Llanfaelog, Llanfair-yn-Neubwll and Valley

Lligwy (3), the Communities of Moelfre, Llaneugrad, Llanfair-Mathafarn-Eithaf and Pentraeth; and the electoral ward of Llanfihangel Tre'r Beirdd in the Community of Llanddyfnan

Seiriol (3), formed by the Communities of Beaumaris, Cwm Cadnant, Llanddona, and Llangoed.

Talybolion (3), formed by the Communities of Bodedern, Cylch-y-garn, Llannerch-y-medd, Llanfachreth, Llanfaethlu, Mechell and Tref Alaw

Twrcelyn (3), the Communities of Amlwch, Llanbadrig, Llaneilian, and Rhosybol

Ynys Gybi (Holy Island) (3), the Communities of Trearddur and Rhoscolyn and the electoral wards of Maeshyfryd and Kingsland in the Community of Holyhead

The delay in caling the election and the creation of multi member seats means that there are a high number of candidates (107) with the political parties Plaid Labour Tories and Ukip  putting up a number of candidates against the traditional Independents who have dominated the Island.

Its probably indicative of their political position and their own lack of confidence that the LidDems can only put up a handful of candidates. 

Labour look likely to win on their Holyhead stronghold whilst Plaid could well be the largest party after May 2nd

A full list of the 107 candidates for the 30 can be seen here,

For supporters of STV these elections will provide insight on what the result would be if this election was held under that system.

The question however how long before this council will be in existence for?

With call for merging smaller councils into larger authorities , It may not be long before the Boundary Commission for Wales:are called back to the Island to redraw the wards once again.

Update 3:40 PM

Thanks  to the The Anglesey Telegraph  wh has provided a link to this forum which gives a detailed analysis of each ward and candidates. Here

No Hypocrisy . No praise for Thatcher here.

The legacy of Margret Thatcher unfortunately still  lives on 

• It lives on in the decimated  manufacturing industry in the UK . I remember Treforest Industrial Estate alive both day and night . Workers often had a row with their boss left the factory crossed the road and found another job. Today Production Operators  find that work comes on short contracts  through an agency in the few manufactures in their area.
• It lives on in the lack of social housing. The right to Buy scheme was a form of gerrymandering which was intended to create Tory Voters from former Social Housing tenants and resulted in increasing waiting lists.
• It lives on in areas like my own village of Beddau which saw the Cwm Colliery close and destroy the lives of many of my friends who worked there.
• It lives on in the memories of the Poll Tax the ideology of which has reemerged in the thinking behind the bedroom tax.
• It lives on in deregulated the Banks which eventually led to the collapse which we a living with now.
• It lives on in the sight of people living rough and begging on the streets.
• It lives on in the Anti EU rhetoric which made no friends in Europe even among those who may have sympathised and favoured reform . Which continues today.
• It lives on in the Gung Ho nature of British politics and the belief that problems can be called by military intervention
• It lives on in the attacks on the NHS and the Welfare State
• It lives on in Cameron and in Blair and Miliband.. and the result that in reality today UK politics is dominated by two right of centre parties Labour = Tories.

Last night some friends invited me round and we let of rockets in response to her death . As each one went off . We cried out

That's for the Miners

That's for the Pol Tax

And so

Some might say this was a callous response to someone death.

But Marget Thatcher hated nearly every thing I believed in  and she caused huge harm to the lives of the people in the area where I live.

Perhaps she was not an evil women but she was vindictive an callous. Like many I will not be an hypocrite and mourn her passing.

Pathetic Unionist try to link SNP with fascism.

There has been natural outrage in Scotland over the publication over an article in Scotland on Sunday on claims that Scottish Nationalism has a dark past

Accompanied with a photo shop of a photo shop of an iconic Scotsman Photo (copyrighted but you can see here




The article by Gavin Bowd  claims to reveals some uncomfortable truths in Fascist Scotland but in fact comes up only a few examples of linking fascism with Pre War Scottish Nationalism and  indeed most of the article despite the SoS attempts to create the link by the photoshop points the main support seems to come from the Tory hierarchy who had used the Scottish flag to link it to the British Empire .

For instance Bowd writes

It was not only the gilded youth of St Andrews that was attracted by Fascism. Fear and hatred of the “Judeo-Bolshevik” threat were rife in the Scottish elite, from landed gentry to business tycoons and military officers. In the 1920s, the Earl of Glasgow, inspired by Mussolini’s march on Rome, was prominent in the creation of the British Fascisti. The Earl of Erroll proudly sported a Fascist insignia on his sporran. The Duke of Buccleuch was an outspoken supporter of appeasement, while, as late as 1939, the Duke of Hamilton argued in The Times for Nazi Germany’s right to Lebensraum. It was therefore not as a victim of “tragic hallucinations” (according to Josef Goebbels) that on 10 May, 1941, Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess made an ill-fated flight to Eaglesham to discuss peace terms with the duke.

Gavin Bowd

 Scotland on Sunday 7 April 2013 

He concludes:

 Today, the ruling party of Scotland has nationalism as its creed and is suspiciously coy about its own history. Elsewhere in the nationalist family, the BNP, before it plunged into fratricidal warfare, trounced the Far Left in recent Scottish elections and, in 2010, received a respectable 1,000 votes in Alex Salmond’s stamping ground of Banff and Buchan. To this should be added growing sympathy for the agenda of Ukip. The Scottish electorate now appears more receptive to radical nationalism than Mosley’s blackshirts could ever dream of. With fears of globalisation and mass immigration on the rise, and the political “old gang” unpopular, there might still be living space in Scotland for the “Brown Beast”. In this way, we would be very much in line with our European cousins. Wha’s like us? Quite a few.

 Gavin Bowd

 Scotland on Sunday 7 April 2013 

So it is clear that this article intention is to Link the Ideology of a progressive Left of Centre party the SNP with a racist right wing British parties .

I've no doubt any competent  historian can dig up Scottish Nationalist before 1939 who might have spoken well of Mussolini or Hitler and expressed Antisemitism  but this is just a appalling attempt by the Unionist media to smear the Independence  campaign.

In Wales we are used to the accusations laid against pro war Plaid Leaders like Saunders Lewis  and Ambrose Bebb to link Plaid with a fascist past but it doesn't hold water here and it doesn't hold war in Scotland.