Flowers in a desert.

The last two days have comprised probably the most boring weekend of the year in British politics. Absolutely nothing of interest has happened. The newspapers should not have been printed. Forests should have been saved. So I'm going to blog about crocosmias. At present they are setting our 'hot border' on fire. I've chosen the best four to titillate your senses.

This vivid yellow is perhaps just a touch too spready, so it needs to be divided and controlled every 2/3 years, or it takes over. It good and reliable though - and a must for any border aspiring to be colourful.

This crocosmia is named Emily Mackenzie. Beautiful flowers but have a maddening habit of facing downwards. Emily is a gorgeous girl, but a bit shy about showing her face - but far too too lovely not to cultivate.


My favourite yellow. She looks so lovely in those dark clothes. Don't know her name but I just couldn't live without her


This one is called Dusky Maiden. Short and beautiful. Every garden should grow it.

Tomorrow, surely some thing interesting will happen in the world of British politics. Perhaps Gordon will sack Darling, or Rhodri Morgan will resign, or Mike German will announce that he intends to remain Lib Dem leader in Wales until 2012. driving Peter Black's blog into a tailspin. I hope I'm not forced into blogging about rudbeckias.

Practising in case.

I imagine that an MP's weekend is a frenzy of opportunities to meet constituents. So I had a trial run yesterday. Started at a coffee morning to raise funds and awareness of Alzheimer's disease. I went because of my growing interest in neurological diseases. Next up was the Montgomery Canal Festival. The Canal has been an interest for the last 25 years. I went along in the company of the Mayor of Welshpool, and joined the group at the official opening. When the Mayor did her bit, she insisted that I be given the 'mike' to make another speech. I was a bit embarrassed but high profile slots like that are not to be refused. I talked about how important the restoration of the full 'Monty' is to the economy of Rural Wales. Well, I was the Conservative 'canal man' when I was an AM, so I did have some status. And then it was a 10 mile dash to Llanfair Caereinion Show - an occasion that I always enjoy. The thing about Llanfair Show is that the same people go every year. Its like a big party of family and friends. Left with several planning and housing issues to discuss with county councillors on behalf of show visitors.

The finest animals at the show are the shire horses. Not many shows still have classes for these magnificent beasts. They are worth the entry fee on their own.
My first competitive forays into local shows, many years ago now, were in the dahlia classes. I still find myself drawn to judge the classes today, often disagreeing with the judges. This particular vase of 3 medium decs was grown by my Uncle Cliff, who lives near Pontrobert, and it was judged 'Best in Show.
A rare sight these days is an old fashioned Thrashing Box. This one is owned by Jim Pickstock, and he demonstrates how it used to work at Llanfair every year. These huge machines were owner by a contractor, who towed it around farms to thrash the grain from the straw during the winter. It was the dirtiest, dustiest job of the year, and visited lung disease on many farmers. It probably killed many of them prematurely. I used to collapse after about 8 hours and go to bed with the shakes. Hard to believe that we didn't wear masks. They came in later.
There's always a wonderful display of old tractors at Llanfair Show. There were many much older than this grand old Fordson. I've included it because it was the first tractor that I ever drove myself. I was probably about 8 years old. Lots of young people were killed on these things, before safety cabs were made compulsory. Most farming families lost friends and family in tragic accidents - usually when they turned over on top of the driver on sloping ground. Safely just wasn't taken seriously enough.

And finally I just about made it to the Glansevern Hall Food Festival, near my village of Berriew. Well over 3,000 people attended yesterday, the first day of this two day event. One of the chefs on display this year was Neil Roberts, who is the current Wales Chef of the Year. Neil and Jackie run the excellent Waggon and Horses in Newtown. Coincidentally, we had been there for supper the night before. This blog has recommended the Waggon before. Its outstandingly good.

What's Darling up to?

I'm sure every Chancellor of the Exchequer must get well 'pissed off' on occasion. Normally, I'd have used asterisks ('p***ed off') but it seems that this has become an accepted parliamentary expression. Its very unusual for a Chancellor to use such an expression in a planned interview. Just don't be fooled that in some way, it was a 'slip of the tongue' from an angry man. Alistair Darling used the term in a calculated way, in order to convey an impression that he is an angry man. So its worth noting what else he's been saying, that he was so keen to bring to our attention.

First thing to note was what looks like disloyalty to Gordon Brown (from a man who has always been famously loyal). Darling claims that the UK is facing her worst economic crisis for 60 years. This is probably cobblers, (most of the figures are not even as bad as 1991) but what's interesting is that its a completely different message from that which has been spouted, ad nauseum, by Gordon Brown. He must have known it would make the Government look hopelessly divided at the highest level. Perhaps this was actually Brown's way of changing tack. And what was the bit about fellow Cabinet members wanting to take his job, and "actively trying to do it". Does he mean Brown, or Balls, or who? Blatant and calculated disloyalty it looks like. But this could be the sort of 'cover' to make Darling's supposed anger seem genuine.

I suppose the new strategy could all be a crude attempt at trying to paint so bleak a picture, that the reality will allow the Government to claim its competence in easing the worst effects of external pressures. It won't work, of course. But after reading the devastating critique of its unpopularity by Anthony King in yesterday's Telegraph, you can't blame Darling for trying. The big question for me is whether Gordon Brown was in on the Darling interview - or am I being too cynical.

Xmas Shopping

Every year as Xmas approaches, I suffer periods of severe anxiety. And its the same old problem every year. What do I buy for Mrs D. So its a big thank you to Professor Michael Dickinson, an American Scientist who has invented a fly swatter (complete with instructions) and swatting technique that will lead to assured success. No more spreading their dirty dung-laden bodies into ugly smears on the window pane, or knocking of delicate china to the floor during a demented assault with the rolled up Daily Telegraph, which reported this item on the front page of today's edition.

From December 25th onwards I expect to see Mrs D creeping around the house, using a new swatter with a degree of camouflage designed into it. She will wait patiently for the fly to land, and then approach it from behind - because it does not have a 360-degree field of vision. (Funnily I always thought it did) She will then assess which way the fly is facing, because that is the direction it will take as it seeks to make its escape. She will aim at a spot slightly in front of the fly (rather as some golfers do when aiming for the hole). And Bingo, dead fly, undamaged newspaper, clean window panes and an appreciated Xmas present. Sure beats the Barbados holiday I bought as a surprise last year.

New NICE rules.

Listened to an extended interview with Andrew Dillon, Chief Executive on the National Institute of Clinical Excellence on the radio as driving home from Cardiff today. It was refreshingly honest, and very interesting. A big part of the discussion concerned this decision by NICE which was to change its recommendation on the treatment of wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Previously NICE had recommended that this new effective treatment, Lucentis, which costs about £10,000 per eye, should only be available on the NHS if the patient has already lost sight in one eye. Recently, NICE decided that the treatment should be prescribed for the first eye as well. Mr Dillon apologised, genuinely and profusely to all those who have lost their sight while NICE spent too long coming to its decision. I should add that this situation applies to England only. The position is different in Wales and Scotland.

The aspect of the issue that particularly interests me is the role played by the the manufactures of Lucentis, Novartis. The reason that NICE has been able to change its recommendation is that Novartis has agreed to pick up part of the cost, thus making Lucentis sufficiently cost-effective to meet the NICE criteria. Novartis has agreed to supply free any injections needed after the first 10, if they prove to be necessary. This seems to me to be a fundamental change in NHS policy. This is providing NHS treatment to patients where the private sector is paying for part of the treatment. The decision on AMD is wonderful news to sufferers from AMD, but it could also be important news for others who want to supplement drugs available within the NHS by treatments supplied by the private sector. Personally, I thought that movement in this direction is inevitable.

The price of pleasure.

I always knew there was something not right about heated car seats. Such pleasure always comes with a price. Its like a Starbuck's Granola Bar - orgasmically lovely but it makes you fat. Anyway, Andreas Jung of the University of Gleissen has led a team of scientists who have found that the rise in temperature of the scrotum in contact with the heated seat renders the super comfortable make infertile. According to the research, reported on the front page of today's Telegraph, the average temperature of the male scrotum is just 36.7C on unheated seats, while the scrotum temperature rises to 37.3C when the heat button is activated. Remember all that fuss when the Chinese banned families from having more than one baby, and when the Indian Government was giving free radios away to childless couples. Now that Andreas Jung has produced his report, all they have to do is make heated car seats compulsory.

Who's Laughing Now?

Been away for 36 hours, and catching up on some of the rubbish that the Western Mail is publishing - at least that's what David Cornock of the BBC thinks of Martin Shipton's article suggesting that Peter Hain might fancy a move to the National Assembly. When I postulated this very idea a few full moons ago, David and others mocked me unmercifully. I remember hearing a clip of Bob Monkhouse saying something like "When I said that I wanted to be a comedian when I grow up, they all laughed. Well, no-ones laughing now". At least Peter seems to believe in devolution, which is more than the last First Minister that the Labour Party parachuted in nine years ago.

Of course its not that easy for Peter to move to the Assembly in time to throw his hat into the Labour leadership race, which we're expecting next summer. Only way I can see how that can happen is if Mrs Gwenda Thomas takes a liking to the idea of Baroness Gwenda Thomas. Must admit that the ermine would suit Gwenda rather well. But I just can't see it - and neither can she..

I don't think that any of the runners in the Labour leadership stakes that are limbering up in the Senedd paddock at present actually deserve it. We're not that far from the starting pistol, and none of them are setting out a stall worth tying an emaciated donkey to. As an aside to this, I do think that Eluned Morgan will take over Rhodri's Assembly seat in Cardiff West in 2011 though. It must be absolute purgatory to serve more than two terms in Brussels.

Politics of the jerking knee

I agree with Gordon Brown, if his distaste for a windfall tax on energy companies is genuine. There seems to be some momentum building up behind this proposal. But poor old Gordon has fallen into such a weakened state and is so not in control of his Government that he might have to back down. At present, he's just bobbing around aimlessly like a storm petrel relaxing on the open seas.

This windfall tax does not look like a very sensible idea to me. In fact, it looks like a thoroughly stupid idea, conceived during an orgasm of spite and a belief that its consequences will not be understood by the voters - or more precisely has the capacity to be presented by Labour in a way which will be misunderstood by voters, to the electoral benefit of the Labour Party. Kneejerk politics at its worst.

What's wrong with a windfall tax on energy companies - to punish them for putting up prices by so much you might ask, or more accurately, those who read leftie blogs might ask. Well firstly, its destructive of private sector investment whenever Government introduces retrospective taxes. How on earth will Gordon Brown convince energy companies to take on the risk involved in building nuclear power stations after he's just pulled such a stunt and a substantial rug from under their feet. Putin's behaviour over the last few weeks has made the nuclear route inevitable, and urgent.

And secondly, its naive in the extreme to believe that any windfall tax is not eventually going to find its way back into even higher energy bills. And thirdly it will hit share prices, and associated investments and pensions by delivering a huge knock to confidence. Now this might not seem to matter to some people, but its what the British economy is built on - and the walls are shaking already.

Now none of this is to suggest that there is not a big responsibility on energy companies to help their less well off customers and invest more in energy saving. I have no objection to use of the tax system to 'persuade' private companies to change behavior, but it doesn't work if its perceived as just an excuse for another tax hike.

Why cows face north

First reaction to this was "What a load of bull". I've spent enough time with cows to have a fair idea what they think. I just do not believe the conclusions of the team of scientists from Diusburg-Essen University which find that cows face north because they have inbuilt compasses to align them with Earth's magnetic field. Its reported that that these scientists have been studying Google Earth, found this tendency for cows to face north, and could think of no other plausible reason to explain the phenomenon. All they had to do was ask Peter, Paul and Mary (Does anyone else remember them). The answer is 'Blowing in the wind', which in Britain is predominantly from the South. As John, who used to work for me so sagely observed "Them'll usual turn their ar*** to the driving rain".

Back to an uneasy future.

When I spent a year (1994/95) studying International Law at Aberystwyth, I remember a lecturer asking students whether International Law was anything more than a case of 'who carries the biggest stick'. At the time, I thought he believed that it was indeed much more. He believed that we had moved into a new world, where international boundaries would be respected. Must admit that I wasn't so sure - never been an idealist. After today's announcement by Dmitry Medvedev, President of Russia, that it was recognising the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, there's a case for arguing that 'big stick diplomacy' is back. This looks a fairly straight forward case of the Russian Bear baring its teeth and swallowing a big chunk of its neighbouring independent state, Georgia. I've just watched Newsnight and been struck by the brazen 'doublespeak' of the Russian spokesman, and the apparent impotency of the Western powers. Its the most blatant example of international two fingers that we've seen for a very long time.

Coincidentally, the other big item on Newsnight was the Democrat's Convention in Denver. Not many weeks ago, Obama looked unstoppable - but not now. And the reason that McCain is right back in the game is international affairs. The Americans are famously insular to what's happening overseas, and if it stays that way, the problems with the economy would probably turn many Republicans towards Obama. But the Russians have changed the rules of engagement - and McCain is a war hero. He's been there. And he was right on 'the surge' in Iraq, when most people disagreed. Obama has the glamour, but McCain has the respect. It looks as if Dimitry Medvedev did one hell of a favour for John McCain today

Olympian Excess

We British always go over the top. I know all other countries probably do the same thing (except perhaps Australia where they must be pig sick to trail in behind the Poms). See, I've even caught the 'we are world beaters' disease myself. All that's actually happened is that our Olympic team has performed brilliantly, and has lifted our spirits by winning more medals than we expected. But its still only a game. The Chinese might have been happy to blow however many renmimbi make up £100 billion plus, and indulge a bit of camera trickery, to win the world's applause (and this might turn out to be worthwhile if they get a taste for international admiration). But its still only a game. I never did agree with Bill Shankley (or was it Bob Paisley) who when asked whether football was 'a matter of life and death', responded with "Its much more important than that". I don't have a problem with competitors getting emotional about victory and defeat. It still hurts when I think of my good mate, Mungo Munro taking me 10-9 in the fifth set to win the first Montgomeryshire Open Squash Final - and that was 20 years ago! It hurts - but it was still only a game.

One benefit of all this fuss, and the inevitable efforts to grab some 'glory by association' is that funds for the National Lottery may be diverted back to what Sir John Major intended when this great Government-sponsored gambling game was set up. Today's Telegraph reports that Jeremy Hunt, shadow culture spokesman is saying that a Conservative Government would stop lottery funds being diverted into projects which should properly be funded by the Treasury. Hooray to that.

Despite this 'grumpy old man' post I have to admit that if I'd still been an Assembly Member, I'd have been inside the Sennedd today to welcome the Welsh medallists - especially the wonderful Nicole Cooke, whose career this blog has been stalking for years. OK, just to get up close and meet them. Privileged access to the Grand Slam Team was the biggest perk of my 8 years as an Assembly Member. But even that was only a game.

Dear Ruby Wax.

Dear Ruby,

Please help me. I'm so worried about Gordon. When I dumped Tony, after he started wearing make-up to bed,and a cardboard halo about the house, Gordon seemed so 'manly' with his talk of 'tough love' and 'clunking fists'. When I wrote to you last month about the way our relationship was deteriorating, you advised me to "Dump him". Well Ruby, its not as easy as you think. I'm a very 'needy' person, and need someone to move on to - and whenever anyone shows the slightest interest in me, Gordon gets his mates in to warn him off. He can come over quite frightening, especially since he's had his teeth whitened and started smiling all the time.

And Ruby, its getting worse. If I suggest a cuddle or an intimate supper he just recites "I've got to get on with the job, get on with the job, get on with the job". Its weird. He doesn't seem to realise that I'm one of the jobs he should be 'getting on with'. Last month one of Tony's friends offered us two weeks holiday on his luxury yacht. Chance to get to know each other again I thought. Gord went ballistic. "Miliband's behind this. I'm not falling for that old chestnut." he shouted, and immediately booked us into a Norfolk B and B. As soon as we left with our bags, we were told that this Miliband fellow was seen laughing like a drain as he took his own good lady off to the sun. And when I semi-complained that we deserved a bit more time together, he said "Its fortunate that I've been able to find some special time for you. That was very good of me. Now, I must get on with the job". That's what he says to these damn 'journos' that he hates so much. Surely I deserve better than that.

And now I have this ridiculous keep fit regime of his to contend with. He thinks it worked for Tony. I've tried to tell him that Tony never actually played for Newcastle United, and that playing tennis with Lord Cashpoint was more about fixing free holidays for Cherie than keeping fit. But No. Its press-ups at midnight and the treadmill at dawn. He keeps muttering something about "winning the marathon and no pipsqueak sprinter like Miliband is going to stop me". This morning, he's been practising waving a big flag shouting "This is the way to do it Boris". I think the poor sap's losing it.

Ruby, I've only been with him for just over a year and I loved him dearly for the first six months. I don't want to seem like a tart, so I'm trying to stay loyal. But I really think it could have gone too far. What should I do,

Yours in despair, Poppy Britannica.


Dear Poppy,

Dump him.

Yours with certainty, Ruby.

Pokers Galore

I've posted before about the glorious variety in which kniphofias come. Today I've included photographs of four that are out in all their pomp at the moment. The first is Percy's Pride, a poker which I use for drift planting along the 'hot' border. This is one of the easiest and most reliable of all.
I don't know the name of this variety, except that its a Bressingham Seedling. The photograph does not do justice. Its only about two feet tall and has grassy foliage. Its probably my favourite poker, because of its almost luminous colouring
This one is called Nancy's Red, and is another small kniphofia. Its wonderfully reliable and long flowering, which is why its so popular. Terrific for a small garden. This wet summer has been terrific for the rudbeckias, which provide a nice backdrop here.
Had to include this one. Its called Toffee Nosed, and is Mrs D's favourite. Its a touch too weak for my taste, and takes a bit of looking after. I see its quite often offered at garden nurseries. Grow it by all means, but don't expect too much vigour.

The Pope is a Catholic.

I depend on the Sunday Telegraph to tell me what's happening in the world of politics. It must be difficult to find something newsworthy to write in the middle of August, but the paper must have been really stuck for a lead story today. The front page headline screams out "Leading Tories call for tax cuts". At the very least I thought this must mean members of the Shadow Cabinet. But No. It referred to two Tories, both of whom are highly intellectual 'thinkers' within the Party, Lord Forsyth of Drumlean and John Redwood MP. Both are reported to be calling for a bold commitment to cut public expenditure and taxation in order to stimulate the economy. I tend to share this instinct myself, but prefer to say that we should do so only after a period in Government when we can assess the impact of such a policy. The reason I describe this as a non story is that I thought we all already knew what the headline was purporting to be telling us.

Mrs Thatcher's continuing service to her people.

I assume that Carol Thatcher had secured her mother's agreement before she 'went public' on the Great Lady's struggle with dementia in her new book - extracts of which were featured in today's Mail on Sunday. I cannot imagine it being otherwise. So I have to declare my high admiration for what mother and daughter have done. Before many more years pass, there will be a million people in Britain suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. One of the great problems facing our nation is just how we are going to cope with this. At present, care of the elderly, particularly those with dementia does not have as high a priority with government as it should. Allowing the name of Margaret Thatcher to become associated with this disease will hugely raise its profile. I recall her great friend, Ronald Reagan, one of the greatest US Presidents ever, announcing that he was an Alzheimer's sufferer - and the way that the resulting publicity encouraged a greater openness in discussion about a disease that had been shut away in the back cupboard.

I remember being in a similar position myself, though at a level of significance rather lower than that of Mrs Thatcher, when I was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer. It was another of those diseases that people thought should not be discussed in polite society. This reluctance to discuss bowel problems still costs a huge number of lives. Unlike Alzheimer's, early diagnosis often enables complete recovery. I decided to go public about it. I worked with the BBC on a short report which was broadcast on the eve of my operation, which involved what's termed a lower bowel resection. It was rather unusual for such a programme to be broadcast before the surgery. I've never been able to watch it myself, but I'm told it was quite powerful stuff - mainly because of the timing. I did receive several hundreds of cards from people thanking me for putting Bowel Cancer on the map - bringing it out of the closet you might say. I don't think my family liked the publicity at all.

But back to Carol Thatcher's revelations. Many of us will be shocked that someone so seemingly indestructible can be so afflicted. It demonstrates that dementia can strike down anyone. Tonight we are all a little more aware of the problems that arise when it happens. Let us hope that the advance of the disease is slow. Yet again, in an entirely new and unexpected way, Mrs Margaret Thatcher has been of service to the British people.

The Local Show

The 60th Berriew Show was held on the Rectory Field today. It was the best Berriew Show ever. And there was no better exhibit in the flower and vegetable tent than this 'Collection of Vegetables' from Sid Cooper of Cwminkin, Montgomery. Sid Cooper has been coming to Berriew for many years. He's one of the best growers in Wales. Many years ago I was on the Show Committee, and for many years was an enthusiastic competitor. I did win the 'Best in the Show' award on two occasions with my onions, but I never did win the 'Collection of Vegetables' class. Sid Cooper would take some beating.
There was an excellent entry of sheep today. This photograph is of what could be the best example of a Kerry Hill sheep in the world. The Kerry Hill originated in Montgomeryshire, and became popular across Britain and overseas. Mr Powell has been the dominant Kerry Hill breeder for as long as I can remember. Its an honour for the local show that he exhibits here. I've never bred these big sheep myself - a bit too 'soft' for my land.
And no show is complete without the brass band. There was so much else as well. There was a terrific competition in the cakes section. I bought a Farmhouse Cake and a Lemon Drizzle Cake entered by Helen Roberts, who was a bit miffed that her Lemon Drizzle wasn't in the prizes. I've tried a slice already and can vouch for the quality. Helen's mother Ros, was this year's President, and her Nan still takes the entries, and won the apples competition. Local Shows are like that. Just wonderful.
And neither is a show complete without the Punch and Judy Show. I did want a photograph of Punch smacking the Crocodile on the head with his stick. I'm not sure whether I was too late, or whether this particular part of the show has been banned as unsuitable for children. The Show finished up with an impressive fireworks display, the first time this has happened for many years - as a special celebration of the 60th birthday. When I was a kid, Berriew Show fireworks were an annual excitement which drew huge crowds.

Making Marriage Pay

Posting on the benefits to society of the institution of marriage is a risky business for a politician. It invites criticism and accusations of wanting 'the state' to make inappropriate moral judgement, and interfere excessively in how people live their lives. I'm sorry about this, but when 'the state' has to pick up the tab for the consequences of family dysfunction, 'the state' has no choice but to search for policies which limit the damage. Anyway, I'm so often accused of being a wimpy 'pinko' that I don't mind being branded as of the reactionary right for once.

My support for the introduction of a married couple's allowance has nothing to do with morality, or an opinion that marriage is a 'higher' form of cohabitation. People can live their lives through multiple short term relationships if they want. Makes no difference to me - unless there are children. And then its only on average. In fact, this post is about parenthood, and averages.

Its no good a political party promising to try to mend a 'broken society' without proposals to deliver it. A married couple's tax allowance (or something similar) would be just such a policy. I know that there are many examples of spectacularly performing children brought up be single parents. I know some of them well. And I know it makes no sense for two people who cannot live together in any sort of harmony, to fight on. But look at what happens 'on average'. We know that children with two parents, on average, perform much better than if there is just one parent. And we know that children with two parents, on average, are less likely to fall into a life of dissolution and crime. And we know that on average, two parents are far more likely to stay together if they are married.

So I was really pleased to read the front page of today's Telegraph, which reports that George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, is committing himself to building on previous announcements on this subject made by David Cameron. I just cannot see how any Government can claim to be serious about 'mending our broken society' without travelling down this road. Its simple logic.

And personally, I'm also looking forward to a debate about how we can adjust our taxation system to promote and help those involved in the service of providing care to family members who can no longer care for themselves. This is one of the greatest problems facing future governments, and has not received anything like the attention it deserves. A debate for another day perhaps.

Joys of a Stoma.

Regular readers will know that I am the owner of a colostomy, following a surgical re-design of my internal drainage system a few years ago. In the early days, one of the downsides of this was that the inadvertant breaking of wind was a fairly regular occurrence. Since I switched to a colonic irrigation system, this rather embarrassing characteristic has largely disappeared - but not totally. I've mentioned before that when in Church or in the presence of Royalty, I keep a firm hand on the stoma as an insurance policy. It was David Melding AM, a man of great historical knowledge who reminded me some years ago that the Earl of Oxford felt it necessary to leave the country for 10 years after breaking wind in front of Queen Elizabeth 1.

I was out leafleting earlier tonight. As I approached Sarah's house, she saw me coming and opened the door in a most welcoming way, with her three young children in close attendance. My stoma spoke. Neither Sarah nor I said anything. But her 4 year old son looked me in the eye, and said "You farted". About 5 seconds of silence ensued, before Sarah and I collapsed in laughter. 5 years ago I would have been mortified. That's progress I suppose, of a sort.

Round 25

Just home from leafleting and looked through the Western Mail online. And there it was. The latest round in the undignified spat twixt Alun Michael MP, former First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales and Lord Elis Thomas, Presiding Officer of said institution. Demeaning and damaging. Do you remember that recording of Joyce Grenfell, trying to keep control of schoolboys misbehaving? Personally, I support the idea of sixguns at dawn to sort it out.

At least no-one else has been silly enough to join in. All this petty squabbling only reinforces my long standing opinion that the current system of transferring powers from the Westminster Parliament to the National Assembly is a 'constitutional crisis waiting to happen'.

The basic problem is that things are unclear. I'm not at all sure of the appropriate level of scrutiny that should be undertaken by the Welsh Affairs Committee. When a Legislative Competence Order is being considered, it is not a new law, which would warrant the most detailed consideration. What it is is the power to pass a law, in a specific area of policy. This inevitably raises new questions. MPs will want to know what AMs intend to do with their new power. They may even want to think about what laws AMs could in theory pass, at some stage in the distant future. From one angle its possible to think that MPs are becoming too involved in detail. But from another angle, its possible to think that MPs should consider every possible use to which the new power could be put. There seems enough material here for Alun and Dafydd to carry on poking sticks at each other for many years to come.

Human Pytotechnics

I once knew a man who did this as a party trick. It always did look rather risky to me.