Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

I hope you like the vlog below regarding open casting. The camera got a bit shaky on occasions, sorry-it was cold out there!…

I didn’t manage to get to the vigil in Cardiff today for the people of Gaza, unfortunately. The situation there is atrocious. What exactly has Tony Blair been doing in his role as peace envoy to the Middle East? Its quite unnerving that Barak Obama is keeping silent on this matter also. He won’t be able to wangle his way out of having an opinion in a few weeks time.

Israel is still refusing to declare a ceasefire despite growing International pressure ( although this isn’t coming from George Bush- surprise surprise) Palestinian president Mahumad Abbas is lobbying the UN for a resolution to impose a ceasefire to be followed by a ‘durable truce’, and media reports state that the Arab league will convene an emergency meeting if their wish for a ceasefire and for Palestinian and Israeli compliance to such a ceasefire is not met. Meanwhile, Gordon Brown has announced that he will invest £6.9m in aid, yet an article in  The Times questions whether the aid will reach the victims of the Israeli attacks on Gaza, stating that ‘it remained unclear today as to how it would be distributed, with Gaza still largely sealed off under the near-continuous Israeli bombardment and aid organisations reporting that working within the territory was almost impossible.’

I believe that this attack on Gaza will serve to strengthen Hamas and its popularity, and will work against Israeli intentions to minimise the influence of Hamas. Tim Butcher in a Telegraph article admits as much, addding that violence initiated by Hamas would rise, by stating ‘notwithstanding the growing number of Palestinian civilians killed in the operation, my first response on Saturday when I heard about the attacks was that the consequence would be to increase, not reduce, the number of Israelis killed by rockets’.

 He also believes that the peace process now lies in ruins, and has had a detrimental affect on the region at large- with Syria and Israel calling off peace talks in the height of the fighting in Gaza. Any predictions about the future, and what lies ahead are hard to make considering the crisis that we see before us. Yet what I do know is that Palestinian peoples should have the right to self-determination, the right to national independence and sovereignty, and the right to return to the homes from which they have been displaced and uprooted. It is for the International community, alongside Israel and Palestine to facilitate an agreement that will bring about peace and stability for all. 

I don’t usually buy the Sunday Times, but today I was tipped off that there was a story in the paper about top-up fees, so naturally I took an instant interest in the need to get a copy. Yes, I could have just read it online I hear you shout, but when I have some time to myself I like to sit down with a paper and a cup of tea while reading the Sunday papers. I eventually got my copy of The Times, even if it meant visiting 3 shops in Merthyr, all of which had either no newspapers at the start of the day, or had sold out their entire stock.

Reading the article was more depressing than having a whistle stop tour of Merthyr corner shops on a cold winter’s day;-) A report commissioned by the Westminster government, led by Sir John Chisholm recommends that ‘the current cap of £3,145 a year must be lifted if British institutions are to offer teaching standards to match their American counterparts’. The report indicates that some subjects such as medicine could cost up to £20,000, while courses such as English and History could rise to £6,000 a year. The report seems to suggest that monies from the government could be diverted from research to developing teaching at Universities, and that new finances from increased fees could be redirected towards grants or fees for those from lower income families, and to increase interest in certain subjects such as science.

This is all in preparation for a review of student finance by the UK government which is set to start in 2009, of course. There was no government reaction to the ideas in the report in this particular article, but a quote from the Sunday Telegraph shows that there is no commitment from the government to implement the report’s recommendations as yet, stating “This is a contribution to the debate. The report is the view of the author.”  They are probably sitting on the fence until they can quieten the rebel backbenchers.

It all makes for quite worrying reading. At a time when there are growing economic uncertainties and spiralling personal debt, how can it be acceptable for government’s to be saddling young people with more and more debt? Jane Hutt, the Education Minister at the National Assembly insists that her decision to change the system in Wales is not influenced by what will happen in light of Westminster’s review, but if Wales introduces top-up fees for Welsh domiciled students, and the UK government lifts the cap, then I believe that it will be inevitable that the WAG will be forced to raise fees down the line so as to seek to keep up with the funding differentials between Welsh and English HEI’s. Should we really be bending over backwards to conform to the Westminster driven education market in Higher education?

The consultation on student finance in Wales comes to an end mid February. Announcing the consultation in December was not what I would have done in Jane Hutt’s position. She knows full well that most students will not be back at University until the end of January, which will leave little time for a full, robust response from those whose opinions matter the most. In the meantime, I shall keep a keen eye on developments on a Westminster level, and its inevitable affect on Wales.

I thought you might appreciate this picture that I took yesterday of the view of Aberdare from the top of Heolgerrig mountain in Merthyr. It was a glorious day, and despite being dismayed at the amount of fly tipping that was on the road as I walked up the mountain, the views were spectacular. It shows that there’s real beauty in the valleys, despite the negativity!

I’ve been taking it easy for the last few days. I hope you’ve all enjoyed the festivities.

There has been devastating news today regarding the Israeli air attack on the Gaza strip. The fatalities are now said to be over 200 people. The attack was aimed at Hamas, although Times online reports that one attack hit the Hamas controlled police station, but that a school close to the police station was also affected. With Hamas threatening revenge, it does not look like an end to violence will be forthcoming.

In other news that I discovered via my twitter feeds, it seems that the Tories are criticising Labour for wasting public money on buying pot plants and furniture for the DWP and the Department for Transport. Seems a bit rich for them to continue taking the moral high ground on this issue after the stories on allowances of late, doesn’t it? But I do think that Welsh Ramblings’ prediction that ‘i-pod gate’ would fall off the political agenda when the likes of Vaughan Roderick went on holiday has come true to a large extent. Well, apart from David Williamson’s article today on the music us AMs listen to, with the reasoning for writing it being the link to Nick Bourne’s i-pod scandal…..

The other article of note in today’s Western Mail is the one following on from the interview in the paper’s Boxing Day edition with Rhodri Morgan- with specific reference to the referendum on a parliament for Wales. Morgan notes that ‘some people want to start the crash-bang-wallop already’- aka speerheading a campaign on a yes vote while the All Wales Convention is underway(probably aimed at people like myself) But as I stated in the article, all I want is for us to be able to do is to prepare for setting up a yes campaign so that we can ‘hit the ground running’ when it has reported.

I do sense an air of cynicism and caution from some of the older politicians when discussing the referendum- perhaps this is partly due to their experiences of failed referendums and negative campaigning, I do not know. But I sincerely believe that if we are not more positive about the fact that the Convention will come out showing support for a referendum, if we do not show leadership, show that a yes vote is possible, then of course, who can blame the Welsh public for voting no?

We are elected to lead, not to sit back and wait for people to go blindly to the ballot boxes. Of course I agree that Plaid would not want to set Wales back and dive head first into a situation where we will not progress the National question for 25 years, but if we do not want this to happen then we must work together to ensure that the people of Wales understand the issues, realise why it is important that we develop our democratic processes, and how it can affect their everyday lives. It is not some abstract concept, it is about making decisions in Wales for the people of Wales. In my opinion, there is nothing odd or complex about self determination.

That’s it for now. I’d vowed not to blog until the New Year. Look, I’ve already broken one resolution already….

Just to let you know that I’m taking a break from all things that involve computers more or less over Christmas- Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, blogging- you name it, I am having a detox from the social networking World and from my communication via the Internet. It can get a bit obsessive, so I thought I’d spend this time over Christmas with family, and return to the blogosphere fresh and rearing to go. I have plenty of work to plan over the break, so I won’t be wanting for anything to do in case your wondering.

 I wonder whether Nick Bourne will be in position as leader of the Tories in Wales by the time I start blogging again? And answer me this, if Bourne has stated that he needs his ipod to learn Welsh, then what’s Alun Cairns excuse? Does he want to use it to learn Italian?! It seems that there’s some unhappy AMs in Bourne’s group, but will they be bold enough to ask him to stand down? Perhaps they can leave the senior Tory staff to do that work, who knows;-)

I don’t want to go in for many predictions yet as to what will happen in Welsh politics next year, or in general. The Andrew Marr show this morning seemed more interested in which politician would compete on Strictly Come Dancing next year than the effect of the economic crisis on Britain. I can’t think of anything worse than watching Mandelson snake his way around a dance floor in a revealing sequin costume. Thankfully I don’t watch the show….

So, I hope you all enjoy the festivities. Don’t worry about over indulging over Christmas. If you can’t enjoy at this time of the year, then when can you? Will Carwyn Jones get any interesting books in his stocking this year, do you think? A guide to political leadership, perhaps?…. Or will that be Huw Lewis’s choice of reading while he schemes up more ways of undermining Plaid in Government ( if you don’t think he is, then just read the Merthyr Express this week) Will Kirsty be vying for a Lib-Lab pact now that she has taken over the leadership role in Wales? Will Plaid campaign to retain its strong stance on top-up fees?(!) These are all discussions for a new day and a New Year.

I’ve had a good year all in all. I’ve worked really hard on various campaigns, and have done my utmost to establish myself in the Assembly. There’s always more to be done, always ways of improving and of developing. I’m hopeful that I can be more effective a representative in 2009, try and liven up the plenary debates a bit, represent my region, and ensure that I have something resembling a work/life balance ( which is easier said than done believe you me…)

All the best, and have a peaceful Christmas. Thank you to all who have supported me throughout this year. I really appreciate it.

Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

x

Gosh, the AMs expenses story has dominated the headlines, hasn’t it? I was travelling to a meeting today, and Nick Bourne AM was on the radio trying to defend his ipod claim for about half an hour on a Radio Wales chat show. Not an easy task when everyone seems to be out to get you!

 I’m not going to even start commenting on what individual AMs have claimed, because there’s plenty of journalists and bloggers out there who will do that for you. What I will say is that I hope that the independent review of AMs allowances will stop this furore from happening ever again in relation to expenses.

Yes, AMs should use their judgement when purchasing items from their office allowances, but the rules in the future will have to state much more clearly what AMs can and cannot claim. I wasn’t told what I should claim and shouldn’t claim when I was first elected. I was advised by a few colleagues, but that was all.  I used my discretion, and more or less thought ‘What would the public be happy with AMs claiming, within reason?’

 Obviously there are people out there who have no time at all for what we do- fair enough, but others are much more sympathetic, and realise that like any other employer, we have to spend some money making sure our offices are safe, and provide for its upkeep. There is nothing wrong in doing this, but the problems arise when the press delve in to the realm of the issue of items claimed that have tenuous links to our work as AMs.

Personally, I think that things such as televisions or essential office items should be bought in stock by the Assembly Commission so that they are retained even when an AM loses his or her seat, or stands down. I am using televisions as an example as most AMs ( apart from me it seems!) have them in their office at the Assembly so that staff can watch what we say in plenary to take note of for writing a press release,  or for picking up on statements from Ministers. We don’t need to be able to keep these televisions after we leave the Assembly in my opinion, and it would stop AMs from claiming extortionate items.

I also think that we should be moving to release the claims on a much more regular basis as they do in Scotland. I am convinced that this will keep AMs on their toes, and that it will make us more open as an institution. I can see why people are angry at some of the items that have been claimed through the public purse, but I also believe that in this instance, the allowances issue has been used against Nick Bourne to reflect a deeper dissatisfaction in his group with his role as leader. I believe that if his group are unhappy with his leadership of the Tories in Wales, then they should not use this issue to seek his downfall- at least have the dignity to do it on a matter of principle or policy.

I am willing to defend my claims. Glyn Davies, the former Tory AM seems to be getting a little touchy about AMs failing to come out publicly and defend themselves. At the end of the day, AMs are not doing anything that is outside the guidelines at the moment. I am sure the rules will change, and I too see a need for them to change- and that AMs who have been criticised in the press will learn from this experience.

I helped make this video when I was working for Jill before I was elected. Just been given the link to it in the last few days, and want to know what you think. I want to do something similar for my work- its finding the resources to do it that’s the problem…

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Nes i helpu i wneud y fideo ma pan oeddwn i’n gweithio i Jill cyn i mi gael fy ethol. Dwi newydd derbyn y linc, a moyn gwbod be chi’n meddwl o’r fideo. Dwi am wneud rhywbeth tebyg yn fy ngwaith i fel AC, ond ffeindio’r adnoddau yw’r broblem….

I enjoyed the Bevan Foundation event today at Merthyr College. I arrived for Ruth Marks, the Older People’s Commissioner’s speech, and enjoyed the digital stories created by the over 50′s forum in Caerphilly. They are basically a series of photos in a video, with a voice over of a story or an issue that is of importance to the older person in question. I’ve suggested that they tailor the digital stories in a way that they can potentially introduce them as petitions to our petitions committee at the National Assembly for Wales. I’ll take up the issue with other members of the committee in the New Year. It seems a good way of making the system more interactive, and of creating a real and effective role for those groups who are developing digital stories.

 I thought of the petitions committee as a vehicle, as next week I am recording a short youtube clip of the committee’s decision on a petition from Ysgol Hen Felin which was asking for more community facilities for disabled children. I’ll send the clip to the school on behalf of the committee- to be sent instead of us writing a formal letter. I hope we can do more of this type of work via the petitions committee in the future.

There was also a video made by Mencap’s Partners in Politics scheme on display today, and representatives from Merthyr’s Youth Forum talked about the work of engaging young people in decision making processes in the area. I understand that some students were filming the whole day’s events, and will be creating a video of the highlights of the day- one of them may be the comments made from the floor by the Blaenau Gwent councillor who is part of the No campaign on future powers for the National Assembly, when he criticised the Welsh language and the way that it is being forced upon us… Surely it is a human right? It wasn’t the most productive of comments on a day when we were discussing social inclusion and equality of opportunity.

The panel discussion that I took part in was very interesting- questions ranged from child poverty to paying for care for the elderly, to lifelong learning, to barriers to access to the political system. I’ll look forward to looking at the video of the event, and of taking part in other such events in the New Year.

So I did try and call for an urgent question on this issue, but this is the response that I’ve just had via email- just so that people can see. It doesn’t stop me from meeting the company and the Trade Unions myself obviously, I just wanted to raise it so that there would be a response on record, and so that the workers could see that we were discussing it at a National level. Oh well!

Dear Bethan,

The Presiding Officer has considered you request to ask the following Urgent Question in plenary:

Will the Minister make a statement on the closure of the BorgWarner factory at Kenfig Industrial Estate, leading to a loss of 110 jobs?

The Presiding Officer has decided not to allow the Urgent Question.

Regards

Swyddfa Gyflwyno/Table Office

Well, I didn’t end up going to the awards evening last night as I was reacting to the unfortunate news that the Borg Warner factory in Margam is set to close before 2010. I was tabling an urgent plenary question, and contacting Ieuan Wyn Jones’s office to see what contact he has had with the company.

From what I understand, the company has not yet got in touch with the Minister’s office, but Ieuan will now be holding a meeting with them, and with trade unions to talk about the closure. I hope to do the same thing, and to look at how I can help. The government at Westminster has the financial levers for the manufacturing industry, of course, so it is vital that the Welsh Assembly Government voices its concerns, and presses for a comprehensive package of fiscal measures for the manufacturing industry in Wales. If money can be found for the banks, then effort to save industry, and to halt mass unemployment is essential.

Today Paul Murphy will be making a speech at the National Assembly for Wales. I’m sure there will be a few questions from AMs about the progress of the housing LCO. Perhaps I will probe him on his attitude towards a referendum. hmmm

I forgot to say congratulations to Kirsty Williams AM for becoming leader of the Lib dems in Wales when I blogged yesterday. Taking party politics aside, its great to see a woman as a leader of a political party in Wales, and I wish her all the best in her new role.

Tomorrow I am speaking at this event in Merthyr organised by the Bevan Foundation, titled ‘Devolution- Power to the People?’ I think this is the first time for me to take part in an event in my home town, so I’m looking forward to it immensely. The Children’s Commissioner and the Commissioner for Older People will also be taking part. I’ll blog to let you know how it went.