Thursday, July 24, 2008

Opportunity Missed.

Really miffed today. David Cameron visited the Royal Welsh Show, and I wasn't told about the visit until it was too late to change my plans. I really could have done with one or two action shots, which could have been so useful in my election campaign. I'd arranged deliveries to Cil Farm, in preparation for the coming weekend's wedding festivities. No option, but really really annoying just the same.

BBC are reporting that David backed Elin Jones' decision to establish a large scale cull of badgers in a Bovine Tb hot spot. I'm pleased that he did that. In my opinion Elin took a difficult and brave decision, which will have already caused her much angst. She showed herself to be twice the man that Hilary Benn is at Defra, who chickened out of taking the same decision in England. In fact, things have worked out rather well. I accept that the science concerning the best way to tackle the Bovine Tb issue isn't certain, but the destruction being visited on our dairy farms warrants at least a pilot scheme to see if a badger cull helps. And since the science isn't certain, it could be argued that just one pilot is enough. Wales leads the way.

I was interested to see a few MPs recently being given some publicity for saying that Elin Jones should back down from her proposal. The only thing that surprised me was that the number of MPs making the demand was so small. And no surprise that Alun Michael seemed to be the leader of this group of MPs either, since he shares a constituency with Lorraine Barrett, the Assembly Member most opposed to a badger cull. Its also clear that Alun still doesn't seem to have got to grips with what devolution means.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I stood against Elin in the last Assembly elections and despite numerous policy differences, this was one where we did agree.

The spread of Bovine TB has to be stopped and tough measures are called for.

Despite our different political outlooks, I must admit a grudging respect for Elin- an agri minister who understands the countryside and willing to make the tough decisions.

Only learnt of DC's visit yesterday myself and pretty gutted- especially as I had planned to go down to the Show but couldn't because of commitments on the Island! Typical!

Anonymous said...

Well done Glyn. I am pleased you recognise the need for a pilot cull of badgers in an attempt to stop the rampant spread of bovine TB. But don't forget that it effects all cattle herds not just dairy herds. TB is rampant in MId Wales also. Our own herd went down with TB for some 18 months. We do not but cattle in and if we did all cattle have to be tested for TB before being moved to another holding anyway. Our cattle are kept in high housing standards and are well cared for but you need to turn your cattle out during the summer and i believe that TB is passed when infected badgers urinate on the grass which the cattle then feed off. Something needs to be done. Thank goodness for the few people that are sticking up for the farmers.

Unknown said...

You could always have a photo-shoot with Ieuan Wyn, Glyn. I'm sure he would oblige. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Glyn, I think DC's visit to the Royal Welsh was news to a lot of people? But greatly appreciated by all the many that met him. I was speaking today to a OAP in Llanbister who spoke to DC and said how pleasant he was. I just hope that the Conservative Party are not treating you like a mushroom!Did any of the other Conservative AM's MP's etc know he was attending?

Anonymous said...

Yes, David Jones and Brynley Williams went round the ground with him.

Colin said...

They tried this in Ireland it didn't work. Two lost votes for the Conservatives at the next general election. I'm not Labour but Paul Flynn MP is worth a read on his blog about you disgusting farmers.

Glyn Davies said...

trefor - I know how you feel. A casual photograph leaning over a gate would be worth hundreds of votes.

anon - Its not matter of sticking up for anyone - just trying to find a solution to a serious animal health problem. I don't think non country people quite understand the impact on the livestock industry. or the people who depend on it for their livelihoods.

Alan - Not so sure about that. I called him 'Wobbly' again the other day, and he was very touchy about it the last time I did that.

Gary - I was told when it was too late to change my plans. If my son wasn't getting married on Saturday I'd have been able to attend. So I don't think I'm a mushroom.

Colin - many people feel as you do. All I can say is that I believe that if we carry on as we are, there will be a lot more badgers killed. Whenever politicians take difficult decisions, there is a sacrifice of votes. In any case its not really a party issue. The decision was taken by a Labour/Plaid Coalition, supported by the relevant spokemen from the Conservatives and the Lib Dems.

Anonymous said...

Surprised, but more alarmed than anything, that they did not see fit to enable you to have a photo op woth the next PM. Do they not realise nationally that you have a real chance of winning Montgomeryshire and so opportunities like this are invaluable? Doesn't bode well for the level of support you can expect centrally come the election. When are they going to wake up? Clearly they are very ill informed if they don't realise the extent of your chances. Was this a case of London being ignorant or was Cardiff also to blame? Great great shame. These are exactly the shots you need to counter the Idiot Lembit Opik, to show that you are a serious politician, whereas everyone knows Opik for the fool he is. When are the Tories going to start backing you in a real way?

Glyn Davies said...

anon - it was no-one's fault. If I'd known on Monday, I could have arranged to go to the Show on Thursday, rather than Tuesday. But I wasn't told until it was too late. No big deal. Just a missed opportunity.

Anonymous said...

Glyn just give him a bell and invite him to the constituency , if he is as nice and "real" as he makes out he will come

Anonymous said...

Glyn,

I was happy to see DC at the show - when it was announced that he was in the commetary box of the Shearing Hall, watching the Seniors final, I thought you were certainly there as his personal shearing expert!

It's nice to see someone from London visiting the show, and let's hope the next time he comes he will be PM!

Glyn Davies said...

VM and Rhys - I read in the Shropshire Star report of his visit (Front Page) that he was very opptimistic about Montgomeryshire - which is very encouraging from my point of view.