Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

I’m currenlty watching Question Time from DC.I think the problem with the show is that it is so close to the US election now, that its become more about point scoring between the Obama and McCain camp.

I’m not really inspired by either team, although Obama is the more inspiring speaker without a doubt. I say I’m not that enthused as I watched a previous debate between the candidates- the youtube debate, and there really wasn’t much difference between Obama and McCain on foreign policy- specifically Afghanistan. I am paraphrasing, but I was shoked that Obama said something like ‘ yes we will hunt out and kill Osama Bin Laden’. This didn’t sound to me like the ‘change’ that we are all desperate to see from America- certainly note the change in aggressive rhetoric that we are so used to from successive US governments.

Can we expect a less interventionist USA with Obama as president? People may like to think that that may be the case, but I’m not so sure.If he is to heal his country’s relation with Europe, then he will certainly have to consider being much more diplomatic on the foreign policy front, but only time, and experience, will tell.

From what I read in the press,the candidates are close in the polls, despite the Democrats efforts to branch out to traditional ‘red states’. Will it be a close McCain win after all? Have Americans been honest in the polls, and will race be a big factor when people actually vote on election day?

One thing that can be said positively about the election is that it has been full of energy and excitement from day one. The role of Sarah Palin as running mate for McCain has certainly livened up the Republican camp, yet sadly sexism is still rife.

Young people are interested and passionate about the election, and people are lining up in droves to vote early. I dream of the day that happens here…

I won’t be going to the parties here for the US election, but ill be watching the coverage on TV without a doubt.Even though this is going to be corny, its true to say what happens in the US will inevitably affect us.

I read this article by Simon Jenkins  a while ago, and thought that others should read it too, especially in the context of the recent ‘Brown Bounce’.  I gasped at the rise in popularity of Brown in the polls today. The lead that the Tories had over Labour has now fallen from 19 to 8 points in the last two months.

 This surge in support for Brown is being associated with the way Brown has dealt with the economic crisis that his party effectively helped to shape. Yes, we all know that the Tories played their part during the Thatcher era, but when I hear Labour politicians trying to blame this situation solely on the Tories, then one does get very annoyed. After all, where is their humility? Labour in London has encouraged people to borrow larger sums of money for mortgages that they can ill afford, has facilitated the desperation of the ‘ipod generation’  (that’s ‘insecure, pressured, overtaxed and debt-ridden’ for those who didn’t know) and the culture of debt that they will be consigned to for years to come. I don’t even want to mention the way in which Labour under Blair saw fit to reward Bankers for their risk taking, only for the government to announce so boldly of late that they will in fact limit excessive bonuses in the Banking sector. Why did it take so long?

Its hard to imagine why Brown has been rewarded for such past actions. Perhaps apologising for their part in this mess would go a little way in ensuring that people have faith in politicians, but we all know their track record on saying ’sorry’- it doesn’t come easy!

The news that there will be more job losses, mass unemployment is very worrying indeed, but then there are individuals in the Labour party and in the Conservative party- namely Mandelson and Osbourne, who are so far removed from reality that its laughable. They are socialising with the rich and the famous while others can hardly dream of such things. Yes, a degree of humility would not go amiss.

And please don’t come back to me with the one about it being a ‘global’ recession. We all know the part that the Labour government has played in creating this mess. Its their duty to get people out of it, and rewarding them or praising them for it should not even come in to the equation.

I’m going away for a few days so I probably won’t be blogging. See you then

Dwi’n mynd i ffwrdd am gwpwl o ddyddie felly fyddai ddim yn blogio, dwi’m yn meddwl ta beth. Welai chi.

Just got back from the Eating Disorders Carers conference. I did the opening address to the conference, followed by an inspiring speech by Dr David Samuel on his experiences with an eating disorder. I’m a little disappointed we didn’t get media interest, purely because of the money invested in eating disorders of late, and the launch of Beat Cymru today. Oh well, can’t win them all!

Over lunch I managed to speak one to one with some of the carers, and I seriously cannot imagine what they are going through. Some told me of their experiences of their partners trying to commit suicide as they got so depressed with their illnesses, and how helpless they felt as confidentiality matters meant they could not find out about discussions between their loved ones and their Doctors.

Others told me that those they care for self harm on a regular basis, and that Doctors who treat them have little if no understanding or empathy with them. One carer went as far as to say that anorexia and bullimia was deemed ‘ a dirty illness” due to the stigma around the fact that many believe it to be self induced, that it was the sufferers ‘fault’- regardless of the fact that it is clearly a mental illness.

Nevertheless one of the most shocking stories I heard today was from a mother who told me that her daughter is currently receiving specialist treatment in South Africa, as she cannot affordd the fees in this country. She’s out there on her own without her family. I can’t even start to explain how angry I am that they felt that they had to take that decision.

The message from the day is, yes the new money and the launch of Beat Cymru is fantastic, but there is so much yet to be done to beat eating disorders in Wales. If I have anything to do with it, ill make sure we try our best!

Just a quick post today. Not sure if anyone finds what I say that I do from day to day interesting- hence why I asked the question of the panellists at the blogging event- but, I shall persevere none the less. I visited the Bobath Centre that treats children with cerebral palsy today. It was very interesting, as I love to get out and about to see what such organisations do on the ground. They are having difficulties guaranteeing long term funding from Local Health Boards, and the Welsh Assembly Government if I am frank, so there is much more campaign work to be done. However, I believe that they have secured a meeting with Edwina Hart next month, so hopefully she can tell them of her intentions. They perform such a vital, specialist role that this should be taken in to consideration when the government are formulating budgets. I’ll try my best to support them in every way possible.

I’m rushing off in a minute to finish filming for the Week in Week Out edition next week on Prince Charles that I’ve told you about previously on this blog. I hope we get as much coverage as the one that’s on discussing ecoli this week. That has definitely made the headlines.
Tomorrow I’m doing the opening speech of the fourth All Wales conference for parents and carers of eating disorders at the Marriot St Pierre Golf and Country Club in Chepstow. I am really privileged to have been asked to speak at the event, and I look forward to meeting those who attend the event, and to spread the word about the cross party group on eating disorders. B-eat Cymru will also be launched tomorrow- an exciting development for Wales and for those involved in this sector….

And so I get the information from the UK Labour party twitter feed that Alun Cairns has been reinstated as Tory candidate for the Vale. That’s what all the whispering around the Assembly was about today then. Wow. Must also be the reason why Alun Cairns has suddenly found his confidence again and is heckling for the Union(not for Wales, that’s for certain!) during debates in the chamber. This is in stark contrast to when the news broke of his comments on the radio towards Italians. His voice box was confiscated by David Cameron for a good few weeks.

I’m not surprised by this news. The Labour party say in their press release that his reinstatement is a reflection of the same old Tories. Far be it for me to criticise, but I don’t think they should take the moral highground on comments made by politicians without considering the comments of their own current MPs..Touhig’s sexism certainly won’t win them any friends.

Well, Alun Cairns will get on with his campaign no doubt. I hope he has learnt from his mistake because what he said on air was unnacceptable and I don’t think anyone should be apologists for him at all. His attitude showed complacency, and a false sense of security.

Politicians are not invincible, we should all know that by now. A second chance for Cairns then. The joys of Welsh politics indeed!

I’ve just been watching Gok Whan’s new show on channel 4- ‘Miss Naked Beauty’. Its an attempt to encourage feminism by stealth according to the makers, in an age when most young women consider feminism to be a dirty word.

The aim of the show is to strip women bare (quite literally it seems) and make them believe in themselves for who they are, not for how they look. Now this is where the idea for the programme falls apart- the fact that they are making such a point of the womens appearances is a reflection of the superficial portrayal of women that we see in the press everyday. How is this show going to make women feel more confident in their everyday lives? I am not convinced it even goes part of the way to address these issues.

From what I’ve seen of the first show, it also seems very patronizing (and most of us women experience this from our colleagues every day!) You have the sob stories a la the X factor- the woman who used to be ten sizes bigger than she is now, the single mother, the larger woman..its all so predictable and boring. It does not enthuse me to want to watch at all, and just reminds me of how the media in the Uk are desperately emulating the dross that’s on US television shows.

I don’t know what the eternal answer is to encourage a surge in feminist thinking in Wales or in Britain at large, but I know that programmes like this are not the answer. I want to watch programmes where I am inspired by women in what they do in their everyday lives- in their campaigning,their experiences, in their work- not about what they look like, or how the women involved can’t possibly imagine leaving the house without make-up- perish the thought!

Perhaps we should all read a bit more of Germaine Greer’s work, and we’d all be raving feminists without the need to even switch the telly on.. Now that’s a scary thought…

Well I am at the infamous blogging event at the Assembly tonight. Its quite a good turn out, and I am attempting to live blog some of the highlights in between doing some youtube clips and taking pictures.
Peter Black has said I should live blog the gaffes only, and with Burnham on the panel that shouldn’t be a problem!

Peter Black is the first speaker, noting that he likes to blog to engage in debate with other bloggers and so that the press do not take his press releases out of context. He doesn’t understand why politicians do not blog ( perhaps the personal criticisms have something to do with it Peter…)

Some heavy stuff now, it is a growing part of our democracy says Peter. Adam Price is an example of this in promoting the One Wales agreement before it was formed. ( Good to see Peter giving due regard to Plaid for a change!) Peter has ‘dabbled ‘ with youtube videos… I hope that’s all he’s dabbled with!

Eleanor is now taking the floor- saying she agreed to take part under influence and drink! Blogs are used by ‘headbangers’ as stated by John Marek… ‘ There is no substitute for personal contact’ ( wwww errr Eleanor!) She is not a geek, she has a life says Eleanor-which begs the question as to how she has time to be here now!!

Blogging creates lazy journalism says Eleanor, and questions whether it encourages democratic input. It is a ‘vicory of quantity over quality, and takes over from getting on with the doing’ Eleanor says now…bloggers can edit comments, what’s democratic and open about that? She wants us to get out and about, press the flesh….hmmm, thanks Eleanor.

Betsan next. Vaughan Roderick is blogging and hasn’t time to be here. She is firmly in the ‘to blog’ camp. Her blog has never cost the government billions of pounds for one. It is a ‘bbc guidline encrusted blog’ according to Betsan, but the BBC are very nervous about them.

Its about breaking a story before the next bulletin, a graffiti scroll along the side of a government press release. It is a way to illicit a response, and valuable for the comments.its enriching, and has closed the gap between the print and broadcasting media in Wales, says Betsan.

Who is Miss Wagstaff, is she here? Will she appear in photos of this event tomorrow? Betsan reads them with a glass of wine in her hand ( gosh, that’s commitment) ‘ assembly bubble wrapped saddos’ may be the only ones to watch the video from this, but Betsan relishes this opportunity.

Annabelle Harle from the Electoral Reform Society has now taken to the floor. I think they are sitting on the fence. ( I’m trying to keep up but my blackberry typing is not great so stay with me..)

Blogging is a turn off if it is done behind closed curtains. There are too many sordid and unreputable comments left on blogs, says Annabelle.She is now referring to Innocent smoothies- you go to their website, you can buy a tree on the website and you feel good. Its knowing how to offer people something positive to walk away with. If it can restore democracy then it is worth the try.

Matt Wardman is here talking now. He is speaking about the fact that blogging is a new project, and would like to protest against the way bloggers are bandied together as one.He is against anon blog comments, but notes that editorials in newspapers are anonomous too.

Matt Wardman is now giving concrete examples of what blogging is acheiving- the EU project called myproject.eu cost a large amount of money- bloggers waded in and said it would be a waste of time to do so. They made a difference in stopping this wasteful EU scheme says Matt. He would ask ‘how to blog and what to do with it’ and not whether one should blog or not. He Is praising slugger o toole and the contribution that this has made to political debate in Northern Ireland.

Victoria Winkler- bevan foundation is now speaking. She is in both camps. She set up a blog to encourage debate as the Foundation is finding it hard to get stories in the print media. Victoria wants her blog to be more chatty, but they don’t do personal attacks and they are not party political.

She didn’t blog for a few weeks over the summer and when she came back she wondered whether she should continue. Is it just the political anoraks? Victoria was also disapointed about the level of debate and comments. If she criticised the WAG’s economic policy, then this would be seen as a direct attack on Ieuan Wyn Jones. She does not like anon comments, but is she singing from the hilltops or shouting in the wind? is her finishing comment….

Now we have comments or statements from the floor… I am not going to live blog this sorry. I am sure Peter Black will have plenty to say tomorrow on the blogs, as too will Betsan and Matt Wardman. Where is Miss Wagstaff with the starting question by the way???

Last Friday I visited the Careers Wales office in Neath Port Talbot. According to the Manager I’m the first AM to have visited them at the Port Talbot office, so they will be putting a picture of me with the staff up as pride of place on the office wall. I was very touched by that! The visit had been scheduled for a while, but given the stark economic difficulties that we are facing in Wales, I took the opportunity to probe them about the effect of local rises in unemployment on their work.

They informed me about the way in which they go about assisting those who have been made redundant in finding new positions elsewhere. They also do a lot of pro active work, in that if they know a company or business is going to fold, or move jobs elsewhere, they will work with staff in advance to find them other positions in similar work. This all sounds very straightforward, but often the work cannot be found, and staff also take out their animosity to the news that they are to be made redundant on the Careers Wales officers tasked with helping them for the future. I experienced this somewhat when I held talks with Remploy workers last year, who were not pleased to be told that they should find positions in places such as local supermarkets by their bosses, or that they should accept that they may have to downgrade their skills.

Nonetheless, it was interesting to find out about the work that Careers Wales carries out, especially the development of their work with schools. In my day, we went to see a Careers adviser ( and ours was not the best, truth be told) and that was it- that was our one and only avenue of assistance. Now they have mentoring schemes in schools with local businesses and leaders in their respective fields, and also a chance to practise their skills in a job interview situation. They are also piloting an e- based system whereby staff at IBM are mentoring some of the brightest young people in our Welsh schools.

Careers Wales also help those people who have fallen out of the educational system altogether, and I met with some young people who were being helped to get their lives back on track by the youth adviser in Port Talbot. Admirable work, and work that I hope to keep an eye on during my ‘career’  as an AM!