Another BBC Wales attack on Cymraeg tonight?

Sometimes I wonder when BBC Wales presents one of its  investigations into then Welsh Language it does so with the intention of proving that it is not a hotbed of Welsh Nationalism.

I don't normally criticise something I haven't watched and the latest Week In Week Out, BBC One Wales, will be screened tonight .

But since the BBC has already treated this as NEWS I can comment on the coverage.

According to the website

New Welsh language laws could cost public bodies £200m, a BBC Wales investigation has discovered.Torfaen council's deputy leader, Anthony Hunt, said he was shocked to find the authority may have to spend £868,000 during a time of cuts.
Services and information from public bodies have to be provided bilingually.
The Welsh Government said the cost involved should not be disproportionate if councils had followed Welsh language schemes in recent years.
Local authorities are the first to have to conform to the new rules, which came into effect in April.
Regulations will eventually be rolled out to all public bodies and financial impact assessments submitted by them to the Welsh Government suggested the total cost could reach £200m.

BBC Wales' Week In Week Out discovered 278 appeals have been launched,

It then chooses Torfaen to present its 2"Facts",

Torfaen council's deputy leader, Anthony Hunt, said he was shocked to find the authority may have to spend £868,000 during a time of cuts.

Note "May" no real analysis is given

Mr Hunt said:

 "Councils run a plethora of different services and we've had to make really stringent cuts in some of those areas.
"You're talking of tens of millions of pounds over the last five or six years, just to keep going. If it was going to make a real difference to the language I can understand it, but my issue comes where it's maybe more tokenistic."
He said about 2% of people access the council's website in Welsh
 

Independent councillor Ron Burnett said:

"It's too much too late. Torfaen has never been a Welsh-speaking area, it's never going to be a Welsh-speaking area.
"I'm a proud Welshman and I know we have to protect our Welsh language and our heritage but at what cost? This is a time of austerity, can we afford it? I think not

No one on the newspage seems to questioning the figures apart from Conservative AM for South Wales West, Suzy Davies, who is the party's spokeswoman on the Welsh language, said she supported the new laws but was surprised by the costs involved.

"There is an interesting question here, though, for local authorities isn't there, about how they use their assembly members.
"Because those conversations with the Welsh language commissioner may well have been taking place but I didn't hear anything from the Welsh Local Government Association saying 'come on now, assembly members come and help us with this'," 

Even if the program is fair and balanced the BEEBs reporting even before the program is broadcast does not fill me with promise .

We need to ensure that support  for the Language is as effective as possible and it may be that incurring costs in this manner is not the best way .

But if we are to  have such a debate then we need realistic audits and maybe councils other public bodies should try and be a bit more positive in their implementation.

Y Ddraig Goch, Salitre and Estelada. Flags and National Identity.

Barcelona won the Copa Del Rey against Seville 2-0 yesterday it was even sweeter for Barca fans as they were allowed to unfurl Catalan flags at the match  after, the La Liga champions were granted a reprieve from a judge in Madrid (of all cities).

The cub had said the Spanish government’s ban on Catalonia’s separatist flags during the Copa del Rey final is “an attack on freedom of expression”.

Goverment Officials said the ban of the politically charged flags was approved as part of security measures being implemented for Sunday’s game at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, the home of Atlético Madrid.

In the end they were allowed  to do so 

 Barca fans had been planning on waving 10,000 Saltires instead of Estelada flags to show support for a referendum on independence.

The Official Flag of Catalonia is the Senyera 




But Barca fans prefer to wave the estelada. and it is this which Madrid authorities tried to ban

Three years ago  it was claimed that  football fans at Wales' clash with Azerbaijan were warned they could be evicted from the stadium if they continued to wave the St David's Cross or Owain Glyndwr banners.

Only the Red Dragon flag was allowed by stewards. Their action was apparently backed by Millennium Stadium officials who said displays of political support inside the ground were banned.Though it seems this restriction has now ended 

I prefer Y Ddraig Goch anyway  but its  time that the authorities realise you cannot force people to accept the symbols of Regions tather than Nationhood

We were almost forced to get this

Used from 1953 until 1959, depicting the Royal Badge of Wales after its augmentation of honour. It was rejected by the people of Wales and the flag reverted.

But it is a pity for many here  Y Ddraig Goch is little more than the way of showing support of a sports team and not a symbol of our Nation,

Is Kirsty a Puppet on a string?

God the Lib Dems have delusion grandeur.

The Party's attack dog Freedom Central have come up with  a headline to publicise their agreement to allow La Pasionaria to join Labour's Cabinet in the Welsh Assembly,

"Welsh Liberal Democrats endorse Progressive Agreement"

It would of  have been difficult once their sole AM Kirsty Wiliams had be announced as being appointed to the Cabinet job of Education Secretary to denounce it and leave La Pasionaria chastened on the back benches 


It is of course "Not a Coalition" so it laughable to see her seemingly to claim more credit than her party tried to project in the ill fated Westminster coalition which all but destroyed her party.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will now play our part in delivering real change in the way government works for the people of Wales.
“I will be in government as a Welsh Liberal Democrat, guided by our values and commitments.
“It is those values – of democracy, of commitment to education, of equality – that were at the heart of today’s conference. It was essential that the membership of the party got the opportunity to debate and vote on delivering our manifesto commitments.
“We have proved ourselves up to the challenge of finding common ground with others, and the confidence and ambition to work together for the good of Wales.
“I look forward to working with the First Minister, with cabinet colleagues, and with other progressives to reduce class sizes, deliver more nurses, be ambitious in our approach to housing, ending mental health discrimination, and supporting teachers and our young people to achieve the highest standards.
“I also aim to ensure that our universities and further education colleges are at the beating heart of innovation in our economy and core to the promotion of social mobility.”

As i have  often stated my admiration for La Pasionaria as one of the best the Assembly opposition members to highlight Carwyn's and his government failings but now she is part of that very government .

Can she and her party in Wales whilst praising education changes denounce the state of the Welsh NHS,

The Lib Dems and Labour should tell us whether  "Not a Coalition" tag means she has been given licences to speak outside the confines of Cabinet and is not tied to collective ministerial responsibility.

It would be sad that such a aggressive voice from the opposition benches will become little more than a Puppet in Carwyn's cabinet.

She is a formidable politician but then so whee some of Lib Dem colleagues who joined the Westminster coalition and where totally eclipsed by thier wiry Tory colleagues.

By the way  the cabinet members are to be now known as Secretaries  presumable to  allow those who have jobs outside the cabinet and are irked to see the plumb post of Education to one of their biggest critics some delusion of grandeur themselves

How many Welsh AMs or MPs "live" in their constituencies?

Imagine if it was a senior Plaid politician rather than former Wales Office minister David Hanson  who had called for a ban on people who live outside Wales being able to stand in the Assembly.

The Wasting Mule would be  seeking out "Spokesmen" to accuse Plaid of racism or pointing out that it would almost be impossible to legally enforce it.

Mr Hanson wants a clause inserted in the forthcoming Wales Bill to ensure that only people who live within the borders of Wales can stand as an AM.

He said: 

“I believe that we should be applying the same principles applied when people stand for council elections to the Welsh Assembly. This is an argument of localism.
“People who live in the area or region should be the only ones allowed to stand.” 

“For example, I have discovered that in this year’s Welsh Assembly election at least 21 candidates stood for election to either constituencies or regions who didn’t live in Wales. The most high profile of these candidates was Neil Hamilton...

“I strongly believe that only people living in the area should be able to stand for the Welsh Assembly. Living in a region or area is the link that enables you to understand the challenges and opportunities facing an area.
“That is why I will be calling on the Government to include an amendment to the Wales Bill that will bring elections to the Welsh Assembly into line with other elections and more importantly ensure that localism underpins the Welsh Assembly.

“If the Government refuse to add the amendment on their own accord I will table the amendment into the Bill.”

It is frankly ridiculous  that Carpet Baggers like  Ukip’s Neil  Mr Hamilton, whose home is a manor house in Hullavington, Wiltshire, is considering buying a mobile home so he can stay in different parts of his sprawling Mid and West Wales constituency. can show contempt for the electorate.

Except of course those who voted for him knew full well that he lived outside Wales.

Even if Mr Hansen was successful al Mr Hamilton has to do is rent accommodation in part of the constituency.

Is a bit Hypocritical anyway of Mr Hansen Party to bring this up when they have in the past parachuted candidates from outside Wales to save Welsh seats.

Does every Welsh Labour MP or AM actually live in their constituency and not ret or some property?

Former  Labour leader Michel Footss constituency Home was a small terraced house  in Blaneau Gwent

Michael Foots former constituency "home",

But he never "lived" there  he lived in leafy Hamstead . He stayed there  but you couldn't even call it a Holiday Home .

I wonder how many times after he retired he visited Blaneau Gwent and his old haunts if he had any?

Hamilton's case has highlighted the situation because the arrogant  bastard thinks that  he probably  doesn't even have to visit the people he represents now that he has been elected .

Its probably the most extreme example but he is in a long line of representatives  who speak about their constituency with pride even though thy wouldn't dream of actually "live" there if they were defeated or retired.

"Not A Coalition" La Pasionaria joins Welsh Cabinet

So Carwyn (Not a Coalition) has appointed  La Pasionaria (Kirsty Williams) to his Labour Governments Cabinet 

I have often expressed my admiration for Ms Williams integration of Labour Ministers in the Siamber (Hence the La Pasionaria tag) and it will be interesting to see her defending any perceived failings in Education over the next five years 

Some cynics may feel that rather than spending Five lonely years  on the opposition side seeing the likes of Neil Hamilton receiving more speaking time than she and her party will be seen as an irrelevance.


The salary will help and with the "Not a Coalition" tag she may have opportunities to speak outside the confines of Cabinet and is not tied to collective ministerial responsibility, the convention in governments using the Westminster System that members of the cabinet must publicly support all governmental decisions made in Cabinet, even if they do not privately agree with them. This support includes voting for the government in the legislature.

I can't see her Labour colleagues putting up with too much Freedom to disagree being granted  to La Pasionaria.

Its still subject to a Lib Dem special conference approval so it may be interesting to see how the Party reacts to the claim that Carwyn (Not a Coalition) will demand that Ms Williams implements "Welsh " Labour Manifesto.

The Lib Dem Manifesto promised..

..to cap class sizes in primary schools from 30 to just 25 pupils.
To achieve this they would invest in more teachers introducing a £42m grant to fund the changes.
They want to give teachers more power and freedom to decide what they want to teach, with an independent body of teachers setting the curriculum.
A “curriculum for life” teaching children to manage their finances, first aid, politics, coding, sex and relationships, consent and sexuality, would be introduced.

Labour promised 

 £100m extra to drive standards in schools, and to create 100,000 "all-age" apprenticeships.It also says the party would invest £2bn between now and 2023 in the 21st century schools building programme, which is already in operation. Legislating, "if necessary", to give communities better access to facilities before and after the a school day, as well as at weekends

• Pilot a new model of Community Learning Centres "providing extended services from 8am to 6pm with childcare, parenting support, family learning and community access to facilities built around the school day"

• Create a Music Endowment Fund to help youngsters access music services and instruments

• Pilot of "lunch and fun" clubs at schools

• A new funding body for higher and further education in Wales

• A target of one million people speaking the Welsh language by 2050

So in reality there not a huge difference  but Ms Williams may have a problem with reducing class sizes .

The real problem is that with the "Not a Coalition" claim., any success Ms Williams will appear to have has her Party will find it hard to claim credit .

Plaid win first round in Assembly manoeuvres.

It does look like the "stunt" of last week in which Plaid' Leanne Wood  tied with Carwyn Jones in the vote for First Minister seems to have paid off

Despite this seeming to throw the Cardiff Bay bubble in to a chaotic frenzy it is clear that t would not have been repeated with the Tories planning to abstain this time,

But Plaid had thrown down an early marker and made it plain . that Labour with no overall  majority cannot hope to run things with out some form of cooperation,

Rather than wait to for a crucial vote to wield some form of agreement out of Labour as the price for their support. Plaid seem to have "got their retaliation in first" to quote the Irish and Lions Rugby legend Willie John McBride. 

It will remain to be seen what the result be of of the agreement between Plaid and "Welsh" Labour with regards the Agreement between the two parties.

At the moment  all we really have is the joint statement

We are pleased to confirm that the Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru groups have contacted the Presiding Officer in order to recall the Assembly, and proceed with the nomination procedure for First Minister,” the statement said.
“This will allow the successful nomination of Carwyn Jones as First Minister, and the establishment of a Labour Minority Administration.
“This follows constructive and positive talks about the parties’ shared priorities for the coming Assembly, and future working arrangements.
“The basis of the agreement reached, a Compact to Move Wales Forward, is the establishment of three liaison committees – on Finance, Legislation and the Constitution.
“This will allow formalised joint working on future priorities. However, this does not constitute a coalition, or a formal confidence and supply arrangement and both parties reserve the right to respectfully agree to disagree.
“The two parties have also committed to working positively together in the next six weeks to secure a Remain vote in the European referendum.
“The First Minister will today set out the next Government’s intentions for the first 100 days, including a commitment to prioritise those areas that enjoy support from across most of the Assembly.
“This will include work on: childcare; the delivery of new all-age apprenticeships; work on a New Treatment Fund for the NHS and a plan to increase the numbers of GPs and primary healthcare workers in Wales.
“There will also be a commitment to establish National Infrastructure Commission and a Welsh development bank.

 “Both Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru have also agreed to work on bringing forward proposals to re-structure the scrutiny and committee process to better reflect the institution’s Parliamentary responsibilities.“We believe the Fifth Assembly can be more open, transparent and democratic and we’ll work together towards that aim.
“We believe this represents an approach that will enjoy the support of the majority of people in Wales.”

To what extent this has been agreed on paper is unclear  but Plaid seemed to have pushed some of their agenda on Labour.

It what may well be a long fight . Plaid clearly have won the first round.

We need an Election Commision with teeth.

One of the Liberal Democrat's MP for Ceredigion has received an open letter from one of his predecessors.

Mr Williams is now de facto leader of the "Welsh Liberal Democrats after the resignation of La Pasionaria.

Indeed he is the only person who can lead them as I believe the rules state that their  leader must be a MP, AM or MEP  and Mr Williams is with Kirsty resigning the only one left.

Anyway Mr Dafis letter is hard hitting complaining about misleading (to be generous) campaign literature .


Unfortunate  it only seems to be available via twitter and I have been not able to copy it successfully here. So you need to follow the link

If anyone can send me a copy or better link I would be grateful 
Anyway It raises the question . What action can be taken when a Party deliberately misleads  the electorate  or as in the case of the Tories "Battle Busses " seemingly fiddle their accounts so they are not seen to overspend on Constituencies.

Do we need to give a body like the "Election Commission  more powers 

At the moment 

The Commission produces guidance and gives advice on electoral administration to Returning Officers and electoral administrators in Great Britain.The Commission has set performance standards for Returning Officers and Referendum Counting Officers in Great Britain. These standards do not apply to local government elections in Scotland as they are a devolved matter.The Commission has a statutory duty to produce reports on the administration of certain elections (for example UK Parliamentary General Elections) and may be asked to report on other types of election (such as local government elections).

There does not seem any powers to order a rerun or fine parties that deliberately break the rules or even fine parties.

Of action is not taken then we will see a repeat of  misleading literature and creative accounting which ironicaly favours  those Parties with the most resources anyway .