NHS goes to the dogs - or not.

I have just read in today´s Telegraph that an NHS Trust in England has decided to use its radiology department to X-ray cats and dogs with broken bones etc.. According to the report everyone seems to be outraged by this. It sounds a splendid idea to me. Its a given that no risks whatsoever can be taken with patients health - and it is equally given that dogs will always come second. But if we can harness the love that dogowners feel for their loved ones to expand NHS provision and help pay off debts - why not. If some of the efficiency with which the private sector deals with animal injuries rubs off on the NHS, we will all benefit.

Rubbish in Vienna

Just arrived in Vienna to learn what Austria is doing with its rubbish. Some of the UK media are dismissing the move towards recycling, and the inevitable political opportunists are making hay with their populist rants. But recycling is for real - and it is time we began to take it seriously in Wales. The time is coming when we will not be allowed to just bury it, for future generations to deal with. I have been as hypocritical as anyone - but my recycling boxes are arriving next week. What happens in Vienna is that everyone has several seperate bins which are collected for free and what is left goes to incineration - and costs them big-time. Any Conservative who does not accept this move to recycling is cutting the turf from under our Dave´s feet. All this green stuff is making me one of his biggest fans.
The two Austians that I have read most about are Adolf Hitler and former EU agriculture commissioner, Franz Fischler, both of whom tried in their different ways to change the way we Europeans live. The first was a ´Socialist´, the second a ´Conservative´. I just mention this in passing.
I am meeting Jan Krainer. the Social Democrat spokesman on the ´environmet´ later today. It should be interesting because the political parties in Austria are trying to put together a coalition government following last weeks election. The Conservatives are trying to do a deal which will allow them to govern. Since I´m rather keen to tempt Plaid Cymru and the Lib-Dems into bed with we Tories next May, so that we can lead a coalition government, I am hoping to pick up a few tips on how to win them over.

Cameron talks big on Climate Change

David Cameron is really pushing the boat out on climate change. He was building up expectations again today on the BBC's Politics Show. His credibility now depends on delivery of real results - and these are not going to be popular or easy.
But I will back him when the going gets rough as it is bound to do. The Conservative Party is now committed to a 'green tax switch'. We are now committed to annual carbon emmissions targets. This is radical stuff.
While David Cameron can afford not to speak in specifics for another year or so, we have to have real policy committments in the Conservative Manifesto for the Assembly election. And because there is a real chance that we could be leading a coalition arrangement in the Assembly after next May, out committments had better be deliverable. David Melding is writing our Manifesto and he will have to give substance to what Cameron is saying about carbon emmissions, if we are to benefit from the 'Cameron Effect' in Wales.
It is a real advance to see climate change at the heart of debate. But it is now time to move on from 'talking' to 'doing'.

Dafydd El - What to do with him.

Watched today's Politics Show. Dafydd El is becoming a one-man soap opera. My deepest concern is that I usually agree with him. But I do think he is a touch hard on his Deputy. It all very well for Dafydd. He's contesting a 'safe' seat while John has got to beat the Labour machine and the odds to win Wrexham again next May.
The reason I usually agree with the PO is because both of us put the future of the Asssembly before most other political considerations. In the interview with Adrian Masters, Dafydd was utterly scathing of the way opposition parties behaved over this year's Assembly Government Draft Budget. "Trying to be the Government for 10 minutes" was his disparaging assessment. I don't completely agree with this judgement because the Government did not discuss through the 'usual channels' in the way I would expect a minority government to do - but I have to admit that it looked like a bit of a game to me. I do not know what the public made of it. Perhaps my view is coloured by being asked to deputise for Dafydd during the debate when he took his 'comfort break'. But I did think the whole charade brought the Assembly into public ridicule and did huge damage to the develpment of sensible urban/rural debate. It was very depressing to hear so much anti farming rhetoric coming from the governing party - and even more depressing to hear Carwyn Jones joining in.
We adopted a different approach in the Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee. Opposition AMs made it clear that they did not agree with the Minister and forced him to outline his reasoning - in public in front of the people most affected. The Minister made his case in a reasoned way - and we told him that we did not agree with him. But I do not want to bring the Government down and so I accept that the Government must have its budget - even if I don't like it. The voters will judge.
But back to Dafydd Elis Thomas and what we should do with him. Some AMs are telling me that it is time he went. Well I do not agree. He stands head and shoulders above anyone else. He is off the wall sometimes but he has courage, vision and resolution to make sense of the ridiculously complicated Government of Wales Bill. Having listened to the sort of rubbish being spouted by Peter Hain and Rhodri Morgan recently, we need Dafydd El. But no-one pretends that he is easy to deal with.

UK farmers depend on Fischer-Boel.

I have not met Mariann Fischer-Boel, the EU Commissioner for agriculture, but I really like the sound of her - straight talking and cares about farming, which is more than you can say for the UK Government. It is also a lot more than you can say for several Labour AMs - so much so that Carwyn Jones has to put on anti farming clothes to stand any chance of taking over from Rhodri Morgan as leader of the Labour Party in Wales.
Fischer-Boel is blunt in her low opinion of the UK Government. Only Westminster made a total horlicks of the new Single Payment Scheme - and they have already promised more of the same next year. There is hardly a farmer in England who would not prefer to be working with the Assembly. It is only the UK Government who want to renege on the EU Budget agreement for 2007/13, which the UK itself brokered - and they started reneging almost before the ink was dry. The only reason the UK signed in the first place was to get Blair out of a gigantic hole. It is only the UK Government who want to let farming take its chance in a world where almost every other country carries on with subsidy.
I am pleased that the DG Agriculture's head man on CAP reform has accepted my invitation to speak to the Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee's next meeting. It will be nice to here some answers direct from the Commission rather than hearing only the Assembly Government's rewriting of them.

Waterfront - 24 hours on

My Blogger Dashboard wasn't working last night so I could not comment on Waterfront in the immediate - but I do not want to allow Gareth Hughes' stunning performance to pass uncommented on. He was so bold. He took risks. He expressed controversial opinions. Much more of this and he will be putting bloggers out of business. I blog, in part, because the media in general just recycle spin doctor's press releases. I want to know what is actually happening.
Gareth said that John Marek will have to resign. I am not so sure. Anyone else but the be-sandaled bridgemaster and I would agree. He always seems to have a few extra points in his hand. But keep it up Gareth.

WLGA Conference - Blog 2

I was on a panel with Prof. Gareth Edward Jones, Cllr. Richard Parry Hughes, Cllr. Michael Jones, Tamsin Dunwoody and Mick Bates talking about rural issues with Rhun ap Iorwerth chairing. Incredibly Tamsin was being 'supported' by Rory O'Sullivan, one of the most senior civil servants in Cardiff plus another 'minder' from Cathay's Park. It wouldn't have surprised me if she had a few motorcycle outriders and a cavalcade to escort her through the streets of Llandudno. What a waste of resource. Didn't Rory have something better to do? No wonder our taxes are so high. Daft thing is, Tamsin can look after herself perfectly well. But that's government for you.

WLGA Conference.

I was speaking at the WLGA Conference at Llandudno today. I missed the debate in the morning about 'Deepening Devolution' which featured Peter Hain, Dafydd El, Nick Bourne and Lembit Opik. It seems that someone asked Nick if he thought Plaid Cymru would serve in a Tory led coalition after the Assembly Election next May. I'm told there was much laughter - but I don't know if Peter Hain joined in and I don't know what Nick said. I would have said "Of course they will." Plaid politicians like Rhodri Glyn and Janet Ryder are busily going around telling all and sundry that they won't - but I just don't believe it. Do they really expect us to believe that they would prop up Rhodri Morgan's crew in power - rather than work with the changed, modern, devolutionary Welsh Conservatives. People I talk to are really starting to believe that a Tory led 'Rainbow Coalition' in on the cards. I am committed to it. Surely, we can't let Labour rule for ever.
Dafydd El apparantly explained the formal position. It seems that the leader of the biggest party, probably Rhodri Morgan tries to form a government first. If he fails, the leader of the second party, probably Nick Bourne has a go. Then the leader of the third party, probably Ieuan and so on until you come to, "God forbid John Marek". That brought the house down.

Well done Scarlets.

There's no stopping the Scarlets. Discussed tonight's Heiniken Cup game with the old Irish second row, Jim Lennon who is now a TD (Irish MP) last weekend at the British Irish Intra-Parliamentary in Belfast - and neither of us felt able to call this one. Scarlets have been really great this season. Stephen Jones, the new Welsh skipper must be on a high, Regan King is on fire and Mark Jones is unstoppable. But to wallop Toulouse was a bit special in anybody's language!! From reading the Beeb report, it sounds as if Easterby and his back row colleagues were given a tough workout. I really fancy Wales to turn over the Aussies next weekend.

Out on a Patrol Launch.

After today's EPC Committee meeting in Colwyn Bay, Brynle and I took a trip, courtesy of the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee on the fisheries patrol launch moored at Conwy Marina. It was blowing a gale and I felt a bit queezy just climbing on board. This one patrol launch covers the 6 mile wide stretch from Cardigan to Barrow. This is not adaquate coverage for such a great area. It seems that the main problem now is that the 'registered' commercial fishermen are becoming 'hobby' fishermen - and coming home with a boatful of bass at the weekend, entirely legally and unregulated. The trip brought home to me what a horlicks we make of managing our seas - no disrespect to our hosts for the day who impressed both of us. Britain needs a Marine Bill - and soon. Both Brynle and I survived.

Blogging arm of the law carries on blogging.

Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee met in Colwyn Bay today. I am keen that the Committee is seen as representing every part of Wales. Who should pop in to observe proceedings but Chief Constable of North Wales, Richard Brunstrum. Perhaps he was expecting trouble from some of the farmers who had come to watch the debate on Tir Mynydd, the grant scheme which is being cut by 40% by the Minister. Anyway, the farmers were as good as gold and he didn't have anyone to arrest. Perhaps he was looking for 'blogging' material to annoy his Police Authority members. Well done to his bosses for telling him to 'carry on blogging' - especially because he can't eat a flapjack without causing controversy. If only all bosses took the same enlightened approach. Media bosses, please note.

Final whistle in Aberystwyth - or maybe not

The Premiership 'bug' of outsiders coming in and buying up football clubs has spread to mid Wales. I am sorry to hear that the 'final whistle' has been blown on Iain Skewis' running of the Welsh International Soccer Tournament at Aberystwyth after 22 years - though I am told it was more of a 'knife in the back'than a straightforward buy-out. Iain thought of it, started it and he has been its inspiration. It has been a highlight of the last week in July and has brought a lot of money and tourism into the Town as well as putting mid Wales on the map. Key to the tournament is use of the University's facilities - and these have been sold to another party.
I remember the Ian Rush Soccor Tournament, as it was then called, being launched - and I also remember presenting a cup to a little 12 year old named Michael Owen when he captained the winning team. The photo of Michael and myself is on the front of one of the tournament brochures from the 90s that I still have. I hope the new owners are as successful as Iain was.

Hain creates division

So Peter Hain told the Welsh Select Committee today (yesterday now) that he thinks that 'regional' AMs should receive less additional costs allowance and employ fewer staff than 'constituecy' AMs. I hope this does not come to pass and I do not for one minute think Peter Hain does either. So why is he saying it. I will try to work it out.
I hear it on good authority that Labour in the Assembly want 'regional' AMs to become secondary to 'constituency' AMs. They want them to have to notify the superier 'constituency' AMs of every approach they receive from constituents. I also hear, on equally good authority, that they want a 'code of conduct' restricting 'regional' AMs included in the Standing Orders that a cross party group are currently drawing up. I will not vote for this and nor will enough other AMs to carry it into force. Consequently, the National Assembly will fail to draw up their own standing orders - which will make it look seriously foolish. It also means that Peter Hain would have to draw up the Standing Orders himself - and I can't imagine that he would want that. So he's putting the 'frighteners' on to try to force opposition AMs to come to an agreement. I am afraid it won't work. Not enough of us are willing to be blackmailed.
I do think Peter Hain is right when he says AMs should work harder though. There is no excuse for not holding Plenary sessions on three days per week and sometimes in the mornings as well. Restricting this week's Draft Budget Debate to less than 2 hours was a scandal. And there should be much more time when opposition parties choose the business so that we can dispense with the farcial Business Statement nonsense we currently have every Tuesday - and less votes when we all agree that 'motherhood and apple pie' are good.

Assembly is a soap opera

Several new 'bloggers' have started posting from the National Assembly. Why? I started because I thought it would be a bit of fun. But its more than that. We bloggers are filling a gap which is to connect with those who see life as a 'soap opera'. For them, the Assembly must be a 'soap opera' as well. Serious types will frown on this but the reality is that the National Assembly of Wales is a collection of 60 individuals - complete with their jealousies and their ambitions. Relationships develop and break apart just like characters in Pobl y Cwm.
In Wales we have no sketch writers and no gossip columns. Gareth Hughes does a bit on Waterfront. But it is not enough. What we really need is Westgate back in the Western Mail and a 'bloggers corner' on BBC Online.
I make mistakes on my blog and sometimes post things I wouldn't post if I left it for a few hours - but then no-one would be interested. It has to be what I thought at the time - not what I thought, doctored for public consumption after careful consideration. I have only had to apologise to one AM so far - for an over graphic comparison with a wild animal.
I have been forced to write this drival because nothing noteworthy happened in the Assembly Chamber today. However, Carl Sergeant did stand up and support Mark Isherwood (a first in almost 4 years) but he soon recovered with a description that not even I'll risk as a post in a response email to me when I congratulated him on finally recognisuing Mark's true towering talent. And the Presiding Officer induced widespread, though uncertain laughter when he said everyone who wanted a new Chief Executive should have one. His Deputy thinks he should only have one if he's discussed it with everyone first.
EPC Comittee in Colwyn Bay tomorrow and then I'm out in the Irish Sea in a fishing boat in the afternoon. After seeing what happened to Robin Knox Johnson, I hope the weather calms down. Weather permitting I will post again tomorrow.

Trish Law shows her mettle.

Draft budget day in the Assembly - overshadowed by another skirmish between Dafydd El and John Marek. John wanted to speak in the debate - so was not willing to stand in for Dafydd when he had to leave the chamber to answer the call of nature. Who steps in but yours truly. Another 15 minutes of glory in the PO's chair. In dreamworld again - imagining myself to be Owain Glyndwr, King of Wales. Lorraine Barrett asked why John was being paid 67 grand if he wasn't willing to take the chair in Dafydd's absence. The Meirionydd Machiavelli said that he would "have more to say when he had reflected on the matter". Oh Dear! More trouble in store.
Sue Essex spoke well, as always, but it made no difference. The Draft Budget was going down - no matter what. Dai Lloyd and Peter Black made thoughtful speeches. Lyn Neagle said opposition attempts to improve the budget were a "Grubby Grab-a-Granny stunt". And then Lorraine said we were a Rag, Tag and Bobtail outfit from Cloud Cookoo Land". Obvious that Labour are trying out a new speech writer. What next? Jeff Cuthbert cracking a gag!!
It turned out to be a pro v anti farming debate. Labour have decided that there are a lot more votes in bashing farmers than backing them. Even Carwyn joined in. What will his 'buddies' in the farming unions think of that I ask myself.
The real invective of Labour was aimed at John Marek and Trish Law. Amongst the exchange of artillery I learned that there are only 29 farmers in Blaenau Gwent. But Trish was up to them. A bit of the late Peter's spirit has rubbed off on her. Since Brian Walters, the 'beenaboutabit' ex Evening Post man joined her team, she has shown a bit of Ebbw Vale steel. She is going to do Labour again in May.
Brynle was fighting the corner for the Tir Mynydd farmers,which includes my own farming business. If I lose all my farm support I can always take Carl Sergeant's advice and touch John Marek for a proportion of his DPO allowance - although he probably needs every penny to underpin his half million loan to Wrexham. A good spunky debate though.

NICE discredited again

Good news reported in today's Telegraph about access to Bowel Cancer drugs. The decision earlier this year by NICE, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (or Control of Expenditure) not to give approval for prescription within the NHS the drugs Avastin and Erbitux for treatment of bowel cancer was a deeply disappointing decision. It follows that I welcome the intervention of the High Court which has upheld the rights of sufferers to have access.
A course of Erbitux costs£11,000 for a 16 week course and in many cases extends life by several months. the drugs are still available within the NHS in Wales, where they have been judged to be cost effective - but will remain so for a few weeks only.

Blogging from Belfast

In Belfast for the 33rd Plenary Session of the British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body. My first meeting of this odd creature, whose purpose seems to be the creation of a forum where politicians from the North and South can talk to each other. In theory this is a good idea - but the politicians from Northern Island don't turn up.
I enjoyed meeting up with Peter Brooke who started the whole peace process off in the early 90s, when none of us even knew it was happening. Today's reletive peace in Northern Island is Tony Blair's biggest success. His particular brand of charm and use of slippery language has worked wonders. He would have been remembered for this if he not invaded Iraq after lying to the British people about the threat.
Can also report that the spat between Peter Hain and Elfyn Llwyd is still festering. When Peter had finished his speech and Question Time, Elfyn was the only delegate not to applaud - not even the merest gesture.
I have to say that despite the bitter rivalries of Irish politics, the degree of politeness exercised in debate made the National Assembly look like a kid's playground.

Anyone for Brest

Just arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast for a meeting of the British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body. Had a lousy journey. Got to Birmingham International Airport early but the queue for security so long it stretched out all around the entire concourse. When I finally reached the Alton Towers type arrangement in the security hall I heard some Irish fellow shouting out "anyone for breast". Well, we all get to feel a bit like that sometimes - but it takes the brass neck of an Irishman to walk around an airport shouting out loud for it. Turned out he was doing a last call for the French town of Brest.
Then there was the demand that I took off my belt to go through the X-Ray unit. Good job Brynle wasn't with me or the public might have been treated to the sight of his entire fusilage. Anyway, finally made it and am now going to the 'Waterfront' for official welcoming dinner. I just can't get away from the programme.

Fishy Supermarket War in Powys

Sunday morning call to alert me to a strange tale of two supermarket planning applications in Powys with a decidedly fishy smell. One application is by Ross Developments in Welshpool and involves the relocation of the Town's livestock market to a site outside the town centre. Permission for the livestock market has already been granted. My mole tells me that the Planning Department are doing everything they can to frustrate the application, which has been in for several months. Last week, so I am told, the gloves came off and the planners admitted that they see Welshpool as being within the catchment of the nearby town of Newtown - so it does not need a new supermarket at all. It will have to make do with its Morrisons which does not even stock Welsh butter (see below).
Now you might ask about what this has to do with a fishy smell. Well, the Local Planning Authority, otherwise known as Powys County Coucil, happens to be the owner of the site in Newtown which it hopes to sell to Tesco for a figure in excess of £7 million. The Newtown site is a long way from the retail centre - while Welshpool is on the edge of it. Traffic problems are much more of a problem at the Newtown site than Welshpool. And with no supermarket on the Welshpool site, there will be no money for the desperately needed new livestock market to go ahead. It looks like a lose-lose situation to me.
The smell is so fishy that I hope that Carwyn Jones, the 'Planning' Minister in the National Assembly will 'call-in' the Newtown development. It is always best to check a fishy smell to make sure that there is nothing putrid causing it.

BBC and S4C in love again

Have just read the joint press release issued by the BBC and S4C earlier this week. It looks as if the 2 media giants (well one and a half then) have found a new understanding. For years there has been a fair bit of tension between the two. And I had always thought John Walter to be such a prickly character. Just goes to show how wrong one can be!! It seems that the two sides are going to try holding 'friendly' discussions about programming. This week we had Ian Paisley and Martin Maginnis talking, we had Rhodri Glyn Thomas making a shameless pitch for a Labour-Plaid love-in after the next Assembly election and now this. It really was cuddle-up week.
Now that S4C have another £3 million from the Beeb, perhaps they can commission another gardening programme to replace the much missed 'Garddio' which has been inexplicably dumped on the compost heap.
This looks a positive development. I just hope it doesn't freeze out the private sector producers in any way. Better have a word with Dafydd Hughes from the independent producers to see what he thinks.