Wales must follow Scotland into the single market.

It is  indicative of the whole farce of the UK Government handling of the whole Brexit farce that  the first concrete proposals have come not from them  nor the official opposition in   Westminster but from the SNP Government in Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon has published detailed proposals to keep Scotland in the European single market, stating they are a "serious and genuine attempt" to "unify the country around a clear plan".

The options outlined in the paper - Scotland's Place in Europe - represent a "significant compromise" on the part of the Scottish Government, the First Minister said.

"I hope and expect that the UK Government in considering these proposals will demonstrate the same flexibility and willingness to compromise," "We are determined to maintain Scotland's current position in the European single market," sThe Scottish Government has firstly proposed the UK as a whole should stay in the single market by remaining "a party to the European Economic Area agreement" and staying in the customs union.

A so-called "soft-Brexit" deal is "entirely democratically justifiable", Ms Sturgeon said, although she conceded it seems an "unlikely outcome".

The paper also outlines ways in which Scotland could stay in the single market - through the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEA) - even if the rest of the UK chooses to leave.

Ms Sturgeon insisted this option did not prioritise membership of the single market over continued free trade across the UK, but would "safeguard both" and would not require a hard border.

Although the Blog Left Foot forward argue that

Whatever the SNP’s views might be, this would inevitably lead to a harder border between Scotland and the rest of the UK to prevent those allowed in Scotland under free movement entering the UK.
The borders with Scotland would represent the point at which different standards for goods would be felt and seen. Ministers at Holyrood also propose that the Scottish government be given the power to negotiate international agreements.

If this was to be the case then  surely it would also apply to a hard border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. Which we  are currently told will not happen.

And what of Wales 

We voted  for Brexit but does that hands are tied?

A majority of people in Wales say keeping free access to the Single European Market is more important to them than restricting the right of people from EU countries to work in the UK,  according to research conducted for WalesOnline by Beaufort Research shows a distinct preference for the kind of “soft Brexit” 

The Wasting Mule when reporting this claims that it is what is preferred by First Minister Carwyn Jones but rejected by some Conservative Ministers and the likes of Ukip.

But in September  Labour AMs joined with the Conservatives in rejecting a Plaid Cymru motion in favour of Single Market membership, and supported an alternative Tory amendment which advocated only access instead.

The final motion supported by the Labour group also called for clarity on the Labour Government’s position on freedom of movement after the First Minister dropped his previous support for the policy.

So while Scotland makes a play for its place in Europe and the rest of the World in which it could end up in the single market and see English and Welsh Jobs moving there, We have a government  who will not consider a Welsh approach to Brexit .

Yes we voted for it  but does that mean we accept the Tories and Westminster approach and a hard Brexit.

Scotland has show us an alternative route will Carwyn at least consider if we could follow?

Indeed if ever there was a case to show that the Welsh Assembly is relevant then it is now.

How long will it be before Dafydd El criticises his new friends?

So what exactly is former  Plaid Cymru leader Lord Elis-Thomas  position?

He has confirmed that he will be supporting the Welsh Government during this Assembly term – effectively handing Labour an overall majority. But as yet hasn't crossed the floor and joined the  Labour Party

He resigned from Plaid in October and now sits as an Independent AM representing Dwyfor Meirionnydd. At the time of his resignation, he told us that instead of adopting 

a “narrow oppositionist stance”, Plaid should have negotiated a coalition with Labour after May’s Assembly election.

He said,

He said at the time

“In fact, I think Plaid made a mistake in 2011 when it fought an election opposing Labour after being in coalition in the One Wales Government for four years. They should have carried on working with Labour. I am in politics to achieve things for my constituents and for Wales. I believe that could best be achieved by working collaboratively with Labour.”

But he said there was no question of his joining the Labour Party: 

“If they want my vote, they will have to ask me for it, as Labour did in Westminster when I was an MP from the 1970s. Labour has not asked me to join – I don’t think they would want me to. And I wouldn’t if they asked me.”

Now he has told BBC Wales:

 “Following my recent discussions with the First Minister I can confirm my positive intention to support the current Welsh Government for the duration of the fifth Assembly. This provides the stable majority a government needs to continue to develop devolution opportunities and negotiate a continuing relationship with mainland Europe, both key issues for the area I am proud to represent.”

Welsh Government sources insisted no offer of a Cabinet post or anything similar has been made to him.

So it appears that  Dafydd El will not at the moment  be joining "not a coalition" maybe Labour realise that his maverick tendencies  could lead to him criticising some  policies of Labour from the government benches.

He is unlikely to follow the sole Lib Dm AM in "not a coalition" the former La Pasionaria who appears to have been tamed  by her appointment to the Education Portfolio.

A spokesman for the First Minister said:

 “We said from outset of this Assembly that no one party has all the answers and we would seek to work with people across the chamber to deliver for Wales. This is all the more important given the deep divisions within the country following the vote to leave the EU. We will continue to seek to work together with others to deliver for the businesses and communities of Wales.”

I wonder if now they have a working majority vis Dafydd El's backing they will be so ready to work with other? Or is is their definition of this "So long as you vote for us",

In a statement made on Monday, a Plaid Cymru spokesperson said:

“Tomorrow, the finalised version of the budget agreed by Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government will be published.
“Constructive working has produced the best budget seen in Wales for many years. Lord Elis-Thomas chose not to participate in that work.
“We have kept the Compact with the Welsh Government under constant review and are scheduled to discuss it at our next group meeting in the New Year. We look forward to the fruits of the Compact being published in tomorrow’s finalised budget.”

I wonder if Labour have any Plans to change this and if they do will Dafydd El agree to back it.

Will Dafydd El intention to  "support the current Welsh Government for the duration of the fifth Assembly" be total 

Will he simply vote with the Government no matter What

After all not every Labour AM agrees with government policy the argument over the M4 relief road shows this . But they either have cush ministerial jobs or simply obey the whip.

Can we really see Dafydd El constantly voting with Labour on every issue.

I wonder how long it will be that he is openly critical f the Welsh Government ?

I wonder what the Odds are?

 

Republicanism is clearly not part of "British" Values.

As you may well know I am a Republican and a Welsh Republican at that .

If I was ever to be elected to the Welsh Assembly  or Westminster Parliament , I would be obliged  not  make this  Oath before I took my seat .

I... swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

At least because of "British Values? i can abstain from  adding the God bit. and 

I... do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law.

If I refused to swear  allegiance to Mrs Windsor and her heirs I would be prevented from taking my seat . Even if I had been elected on a Republican Platform

The Oath also applies to Members of the Scottish Parliament.

There is no requirement for members of the Northern Ireland Assembly to take an oath of allegiance, or any other oath, nor is there any form of voluntary oath prescribed for those who may wish to swear one. However, members are required to sign the Assembly's roll of membership, designate their identity as "Nationalist", "Unionist" or "Other", and take a Pledge of Office. Ministers can be removed from office if the responsibilities of the pledge are not met. Members pledge:

1. to discharge in good faith all the duties of office;
2. commitment to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means;
3. to serve all the people of Northern Ireland equally, and to act in accordance with the general obligations on government to promote equality and prevent discrimination;
   1. to promote the interests of the whole community represented in the Northern Ireland Assembly towards the goal of a shared future;
   2. to participate fully in the Executive Committee, the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council;
   3. to observe the joint nature of the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister;
   4. to uphold the rule of law based as it is on the fundamental principles of fairness, impartiality and democratic accountability, including support for policing and the courts;
4. to participate with colleagues in the preparation of a programme for government;
5. to operate within the framework of that programme when agreed within the Executive Committee and endorsed by the Assembly;
6. to support, and to act in accordance with, all decisions of the Executive Committee and Assembly;
7. to comply with the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

Are these "British " values that the government want us to share or "Irish" Values  or what ever

Still it seems the Tories may have a new set for us 

Writing in the Sunday Times, Javid explained why those who work in the public services should take such an oath. He said:

Writing in the Sunday Times, Javid explained why those who work in the public services should take such an oath. He said: “If we are going to challenge such attitudes, civic and political leaders have to lead by example. We can’t expect new arrivals to embrace British values if those of us who are already here don’t do so ourselves, and such an oath would go a long way to making that happen.

He said that he was talking about “integration, not assimilation” and that he wasn’t “demanding that everyone drinks tea, watches cricket or bobs up and down at the Last Night of the Proms.”

“I’m talking about tolerating the views of others, even if you disagree with them. About believing in freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from abuse. I’m talking about a belief in equality, democracy and the democratic process. And about respect for the law, even if you think the law is an ass. Because if you do disagree, you can change it. That’s what freedom and democracy is all about.

So where if this Speech for Republicans?

I would be allowed to be a Welsh Nationalist  and express the cause for an Independent Wales

But whether a Unionist or Nationalist If I was elected and lied under oath  I would still not be able to criticise Mrs Windsor in the chamber in Westminster or Cardiff

Where is the  belief in equality, democracy and the democratic process for Republicans outside Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Oath is clearly not of British Values but Universal   but one we could all make.

In the very Chambers of our Democracy he surely  legitimate belief that we should be  excluded or prevented from expressing Republican beliefs shows what a load of tosh were being fed.

How much of this is as a result of Brexit and what appears to be nostalgia for the Empire  is open to question

Tories want to devolve some Tax powers This is why,

Why are the Tories so determined to devolve some Tax powers to Wales .

They are not particularly  fond of devolution and even the latest Bill would it is claimed would see Westminster "clawing back" powers from the Assembly.,


But the Tories are determined to give us Tax varying powers so determined  n fact that they don't seem to want to put it to a referendum.

Could the reason for this enthusiasm  have anything to do with the sort of headlines that appeared in the Unionist Press.with regards the recent Scottish budget.






As I have argued before the Tories see the Tax varying powers as a Trojan Horse in which they can attack any attempt to change Taxes in Wales and present themselves as allow tax party,

They would hope that we would get the same sought of headlines as the above inaccurate as Wings over Scotland proves.

Can we expect such headlines in Wales after some Tax powers are devolved.

Well for a start the Unionist press hardly acknowledges  the Welsh Assembly and we don't see "Welsh Editions" of the London Unionist Press so it may not be so hard to attack.

There also the probability that the Welsh Government will not use these new Tax powers 

When the Scottish Parliament was created 17 years ago it was given the power to put up or cut income tax by 3p in the pound. That power has never been used.

It  is part of the current devolved settlement that Westminster cuts under the Tories ( previously aided by we must forget the Lib Dems).

That does not stop the Tory opposition in Scotland and Wales constantly calling for more spending whilst at the same time cutting the budget.

I have said that the Welsh Assembly should be prepared to veto the latest Wales Bill , unless it is amended drastically.

But although we should be wary of Tax powers we should not be afraid.

After all for those of us who seek independence , the argument include doing things differently from England and that means a much more progressive Tax system that is fair and helps us to raise the income that we desperately need , to take us from being one of the poorest parts of Europe to one that resembles our Scandinavian friends. 

Labour pay a youth football team to deliver leaflets.

It used to be that the only literature you received from Political parties was during actual elections .

But now we get regular campaign issues often disguised as a newspaper  and candidates canvasing years let alone months before an election

This of course takes some manpower and is not a One Man and his dog operation.

But it seems that Labour have a solution.

It seems that a branch of the Labour Party have paid a youth football team to deliver thousands of Christmas cards which contained a political newsletter to people's homes.

According to the Wasting Mule,

The move has upset some residents in the Llynfi Valley who vented their anger towards the players of Maesteg Park FC's youth side, who are aged 16 and 17, on the doorstep and on social media.

The previously rock solid Labour area has been left in turmoil following the resignation of a number of party members and councillors in protest after two longstanding Labour borough and town councillors - Ross Thomas and Keith Edwards - were deemed ineligible to stand for the party again.

It led to Nine Labour members - including serving councillors and a town mayor dramatically resigning  from the party in protest at the actions of senior figures in Welsh Labour.

The group dramatically walked out of a meeting of the Llynfi Valley Labour branch in the town council offices in Maesteg .last month

The Maesteg councillors said their de-facto deselections stemmed from their refusal two years ago to obey the Labour whip and approve what would become a failed merger attempt between Bridgend County Borough and the Vale of Glamorgan councils.

They refused to back the merger claiming it could lead to a loss of vital European funding for the area.

But in  the Llynfi Labour group's Christmas newsletter bizarrely  challenges their assertion that they had been deselected, claiming "there have been no deselections within Labour in the Llynfi Valley - only resignations" as councillors Thomas and Edwards had chosen not to appeal after failing an interview.

I don't know whether a shortage of members prompted the local  party  which has 11 teams and 150 players, to distribute 2,400 Christmas cards and newsletters on Labour's behalf to homes in the area in return for a small donation to the team.

How Much is a small donation ? Should it appear as electoral expenses ? 

 Probably not but with year round campaigning maybe we should reconsider what constitutes Election Literature that must be declared as election literature and what is not.

Andrew Jones, secretary of Maesteg Park FC, hey agreed to do it as the current local councillors, including Ross Thomas and those who have remained with Labour, had previously helped the team to overcome difficulties and ensure its survival.

But he stressed the team has no political affiliations and had no part in the contents of the newsletter.

He said a couple of residents had expressed their disquiet at the delivery of the newsletter by the players.

But he added:

 "There was nothing major, nothing nasty. Just silly remarks. Apparently a couple of people said, 'Don't deliver this **** to my door', and that was fed back to me."

Maesteg councillor Mal Reeves, a member of the Llynfi Valley Labour group, said voluntary groups have delivered their literature for years.

He said:

 "I am amazed at the attitude of ex Labour councillors and members to the delivery of councillors' Christmas cards and newsletters.
"Labour Party literature has been delivered by various Llynfi Valley voluntary groups for several years without a murmur from these ex Labour members!
"This has been something that we as Labour councillors have been pleased to be in a position of assisting local voluntary groups in their fundraising efforts .This crude attempt on social media at intimidating local groups from being involved in this activity and the abuse that they had on the doorstep is totally unacceptable. This is more about these former Labour members not wanting the truth out there than who deliver what and where. "

I first thought this story was amusing but its actually disturbing. 

I wonder how wide spread this is throughout Wales  and does it need investigating by the Electoral Commission ?

There no suggestion here  but it could lead  to an understanding of a group of councillors  backing financial and other support to a Club on a implicit or probably tacit understanding  that the Club would provide foot soldiers for such leaflet drops.

How many of Maesteg Park FC are Labour supporters but some may well support another party or be politically neutral .

Were the 16- 17 year old given a choice to deliver the leaflets . I hope at that age some at would be starting to have political opinions of they own.

Did any say that they didn't support Labour and refuse to take part.

I really would like 16-17 year old to take part in politics , but I don;t think this is the way to do it.

Welsh Office changes logo Churchill delighted.

It has always been a question of the role of the Secretary of State for Wales whether he (or she) represents Wales in the Government or the Government in Wales.

It seems that this has been resolved.

The Wales Office has had a rebrand with the seal featuring the Welsh dragon vanishing.

The department now styles itself on social media as “UK Government Wales”.

The Old Logo clearly has an identity with the dragon  being  removed along with the Welsh motto “Y Ddraig goch ddyry cychwyn” 

It is an old badge even more the Welsh Office was established 

The badge established in 1953  is blazoned: Within a circular riband Argent fimbriated Or bearing the motto Y DDRAIG GOCH DDYRY CYCHWYN ["the red dragon inspires action"], in

Churchill, the then prime minister, despised the badge's design, as is revealed in the following Cabinet minute from 1953:

“

P.M. [Churchill]Odious design expressing nothing. but spite, malice, ill-will and monstrosity.Words (Red Dragon takes the lead) are untrue and unduly flattering to Bevan.
Ll.G. [Gwilym Lloyd George]Wd. rather be on R[oyal] Arms. This (dating from Henry VII) will be somethg.We get no recognition in Union – badge or flags.[

So even though it is a colonial badge it at leasr fives some reconisation,

The new Logo does not

It seems current Secretary of State Alun Cairns thinks so 

Stressing the goal was to improve clarity, :.”

A Wales Office spokesperson said:

 "The reason for the change in branding is that in Wales, too many people still don't know precisely which government is responsible for what, and can be confused when receiving communications from a number of different departments...so we believe it is important that we demonstrate a unified UK government voice so people are aware of what services that the UK government provides in Wales, and what it is accountable for."

The Scottish Office has its own logo for now which use the royal arms of Scotland

Will there be any attempts to replace the above I wonder for clarity's sake?

Of course all are colonial symbols , but it looks like a deliberate attempt to stress who is actually in charge .

I agree with  former Shadow Welsh Secretary Paul Flynn  who said the Wales Office was a “zombie” department which had outlived its purpose.

He said:

 “It’s lost its function and it exists mainly now to give the Conservatives a voice... A voice that democracy has never given them in Wales.”
The Newport West MP continued: “We ought to give it a decent burial and I’d be happy to go along and deliver a eulogy to it and fill the hole up with a large slab to make sure that resurrection isn’t possible...

....“Institutions do continue, you know, beyond their lifetime’s span.”

There should be Office of Devolved powers whose purpose is to deal with the devolved powers and not to dictate to them.

Come you masters of war

There may have been controversy over  the awarding of the Nobel Prize for Literature to Bob Dt his words have always been relevant and the events in Syria and Aleppo  to remind me of one of his most poignant songs.

The stories coming from that city are horrific and I don't think there is any need for propaganda attacking  either side  to tell us what the the civilians are experiencing.

The battle has caused catastrophic destruction to the Old City of Aleppo, a UNESCO World Heritage site.^[ With over four years of fighting, it represents one of the longest sieges in modern warfare and one of the bloodiest battles of the Syrian Civil War, which left an estimated 31,000 people dead,almost a tenth of the overall war casualties.

Clearly most of the commendation is on the Government forces and its Russian backers, but the rebel forces are also a murderous bunch and for us to back the other side because we oppose Putin rather than Bashar Hafez al-Assad's Government itself leads us into a Proxy war  In which we we sit in relative peace while millions suffer 

What the world should be asking is, Where are all the munitions raining daily on Aleppo and those in the hands of the insurgents throughout not only Syria coming from?

Clearly not only Russia ,and we must remember that as Saudi Arabia supplied by the UK are bombing civilians in the Yemen

Human rights groups repeatedly blamed the Saudi-led military coalition for killing civilians and destroying health centers and other infrastructure with airstrikes

We need a UN led ban on the Arms Trade or at the least complete monitoring. Those companies dealing in these weapons should be exposed.

I would not be surprised if some were proved to have supplied both sides

Bob Dylan summed it up 

Just the first verses are enough

Come you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

We should condemn the events in Aleppo but remind ourselves it is only the civilians are innocent . Neither of the belligerents deserve our backing .

Since the events of the Iraq war in 2003 almost of the whole Middle East  has been embroiled in some form of Civil War, and we have sen little sign of the establishment of a Democratic government and peace anywhere.

Meanwhile the Master's of War make huge profits and we do nothing to stop it.