Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

I am taking part in this E-democracy conference on Tuesday in London for those of you who could be interested in attending. It looks like a good programme for the day, and very diverse. I’m taking part in a workshop in the afternoon, giving my contribution as to how the petitions system is working at the National Assembly for Wales- most notably the e-petitions system. We have had 30 e-petitions since April this year, and the forum system has been refined and developed. Its proven to be popular, and the e-petitions system has sparked counter petitions.

I sincerely believe that it has improved dialogue with the general public, especially given that there is a potential for the petitioners to give evidence to our committee, and for us to take their views on board. The petitions committee, for example has kick started work for other committees to look in to on issues such as presumed consent, the banning of plastic bags, the development of the railway station in Carno, Llanbedr airfield, and so on. You can see the current e petitions here. You are now required to register to sign a petition, and you can discuss various petitions on the forum. For more details go here.

I can’t pretend not to be annoyed that the SNP did not win the by election yesterday.The way that Labour have been so full of themselves today is sickening.Its unbelievable that they are celebrating a much reduced majority. Well done to the SNP for such an increase in their vote. A sure sign of the success of the SNP in government

I can’t believe that the media are intent on using the argument that Brown’s role in the economic crisis is helping him and his party now- come on, he played a massive role as Chancellor in putting us in the position we are in. What will it take for people to realise that they are just as bad as Cameron and co?

In the USA the people have spoken, and have voted for change. What’s happening here? Some voters somehow believe Labour’s scaremongering that the devolved nations would not have the skills to cope with a financial crisis should we be independent. This is utter nonsense! Look at the USA, its hardly a small nation, but it too is facing its biggest challenge yet in this economic crisis.

Nevertheless,this result is more worrying for the Tories than it is the SNP. I think that the right are at a loss as to what to do and where to turn to. Nobody seems to have much sympathy for their politics at the moment.

Cameron has no clear answers about how to help those who are hurting the most.All I’ve heard from them is the complete opposite-the idea of cutting flexible working and support for the poorest.(not that London Labour’s green paper on welfare reform is any better, by suggesting a cut in benefits for lone parents of children over 7 years)

I get angry when people expect us to be thankful for what Gordon Brown is currently doing, when it is so obviously not enough, and when he has helped shape the situation that we are now all in.

Wait until there are more job cuts. Let’s see if he will call a General Election then, or will Brown go back to his old dithering self?…

I’ve just received a summary excerpt from the Tories review on Welsh Devolution, ‘Devolution in Wales: The Way Ahead ‘ by Lord Roberts of Conwy. The long and short of it is that if there is a referendum before the next General election, the Tories here in the Assembly will be ‘free to express their diverse view and vote according to their consciences’- a free vote then essentially, which flies in the face of their policy to support a referendum- no grey areas.

However, if there isn’t a referendum before the election, the report indicates that the Tories will stall the process by introducing some kind of review in to Welsh devolution across the board, and how it will effect Scotland and England. The wording of the summary goes like this, ‘ we should initiate a root and branch examination of the system of governance in Wales and its effectiveness as it has developed since 1997.’  Sounds to me like they don’t want to commit, and anyway, won’t the All Wales Convention have reported by then? Why do we need more reviews? I don’t know at the moment how long they want this review to be, but it doesn’t look promising, does it? So much for the Tories being clear in their support for a stronger National Assembly! Bourne’s London bosses are obviously tightening their reigns on the AMs.

The summary ends stating ‘if when that examination is completed it is recommended that further primary legislative powers be transferred……’it will be for the Assembly to initiate the referendum process and for the Conservative government at Westminster to consider the proposal on its merits’. Make of that what you will. 

I’m sure the Tories in Wales will argue differently and say that this review will be cross cutting and holistic etc etc, but considering that the Tories in the Assembly have been so vehement in their support for more powers for the Assembly ( do we need to mention the All Wales Accord?!) it seems odd that their urgency for action is not reflected in this report, which is already long overdue. 

Considering that Tory MPs are intent on blocking progressive laws from Wales such as housing and the right to buy, I’m not confident that they will deliver. If I’m proved wrong, then so be it.

Kirsty Williams AM today tells the Western Mail that AMs are in a bubble in Cardiff Bay. All I’ll say is that you can be in the bubble if you choose to be, or you can quite easily not be in it as well.

 I don’t think its fair to say that people’s opinions are not represented in what we say in the chamber. I try and base all of my arguments and questions on issues that constituents or groups in my area have raised with me, and stay in touch with them about progress on those issues. As elected representatives, we obviously also have some flexibility in raising matters that we are passionate about as individuals, or as members of a particular party, but that doesn’t mean to say that the Senedd is like some kind of club. We ‘hear the same people’ all the time as we have debates, committee sessions and so on which involve AMs from different parties ( and there are only 60 of us fair play!)  This is surely a healthy sign that democracy is working? Perhaps the lib dems think that they too are gimmicks?

Its true that AMs need to get out more and talk to people in their areas about what is affecting them, but there is a balancing act between sitting on LCO committees, speaking in debates at the Senedd, and getting our hands dirty in our regions or constituencies. It is far too easy for AMs to fall in to the trap of not consulting constituents effectively, or getting too laid back in their positions, but that will always happen in the world of politics unfortunately. I just hope that the public can see that most of us are working really hard, are energetic, and genuinely interested in the work that we do. I for one am privileged, and won’t take anything for granted!

I think I have worked sufficiently hard enough today to justify blogging from the chamber at this point in time. Criticise me if you must, I have a thick skin!  Ieuan Wyn Jones is now making a statement on the Welsh economy. I have raised with him the issue of the closure of Ferraris in Porthcawl, Bridgend and the Mumbles, and while this is under Elin Jones AM’s remit, I hope that he can be of assistance in ensuring that those who have been made redundant are supported into other employment streams. I also raised the issue of Ford, where on the same day as the positive 70 million investment in Bridgend, the company announced that it was laying off staff over Christmas- that they would receive full basic pay, but not their shift allowance. We have to be more pro active in working with companies who are in financial difficulties, and who are looking for new ways to save money. This is again evident from the statement from Corus today that some staff there won’t be receiving their pay rises or their bonuses. Many workers felt that they were ‘held to ransom’ in supporting this decision by Multiserv. I hope that this does not become a trend of such companies in the current economic climate.

Today has also been busy for me as I have been involved in the Healthy Living Week events at the National Assembly- speaking at the launch, and ensuring that the cross party group on eating disorders had a prominent presence. It was a good day all in all, and it raised awareness of the need for people to keep fit and healthy.

I am now going to the Gofal Cymru launch of their annual review. I am a little late due to plenary going over time, but I’m sure they won’t mind. I’ve done quite a lot of work with Gofal Cymru in my area, and I hope that I can support them in the work they do.

I bought the paper today hoping that a story in there would inspire me to write a blog, but I ended up flicking through it quickly due to the Obama mania which has hit town! Now of course I don’t want people to think that I’m not pleased that so many people are interested in an election, ( of any kind!) but there’s a limit to one’s tolerance of articles in one paper on one issue. This is especially the case given that one of the articles sheds some light on Obama’s dubious policies on limiting the rights of trade unions to organise.

The few other articles of note were obviously on the Ross/ Brand saga, which has spiralled out of control. What they said was unacceptable, don’t get me wrong, but I am sure that there are more pressing issues for journos to be getting their teeth in to- especially the ones from the BBC. Don’t waste people’s money any more than you need to by reporting on your colleagues’ downfall, I say. We all know that you are all jealous of their extravagant pay packets!

I’m no fan of Russel Brand personally, but this incident is hardly going to jeopardise his career is it? I remember when the video of Kate Moss taking drugs did the rounds- the media said her career was dead. Some companies pulled her from high profile contracts for a while, but now she is stronger and more popular than ever. The BBC’s loss will be the gain of many a competitive TV station for Brand, and Ross. There’s no denying that the BBC will tighten its control on the content of its shows. The first in line for some telling off in my opinion should be Chris Moyles. I can’t stand his sexist jokes, or the fact that he crossed the picket line when BBC staff were on strike a while ago. Too many egos…

And of course, the paper would be empty of worth without a story on our Sarah Palin. Today’s news notes how Palin was humiliated by a Canadian comedian who rang her pretending to be the French President, Sarkozy. I’m actually surprised that she didn’t ‘get it’ from the outset. It was clear that the accent was over emphasised. Oh, poor Sarah. When will the mocking stop? When she tries for president next time around? Perish the thought!

So I am off to prepare for my busy week ahead although I’m certain I will not escape Obama mania for a long time yet.