Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

I’ve been quite sad all day even though I’ve been really busy with visits and such. A constituent of mine who is only a year younger than me, died of an eating disorder today in Bridgend. I am frustrated that systems were not in place ten years ago, or now even, to address this situation effectively. I want to take this opportunity to send my regards to the family, and support them in any way possible during this difficult time.

I know that we have money in the new budget round for eating disorders and I am truly thankful for this development, but there is such a long way to go. Knowing that people are dying of this illness uneccesarily so is my motivation for progress.

A delegation of the cross party group are meeting with Edwina Hart on Monday, and the mother of my constituent has asked that we read an email that she has written concerning her daughter at the meeting- about her determination to ensure that she will not be a statistic. I hope that the cross party group can continue our hard work, and be motivated by the way in which the carers and families of those with an eating disorder are behind our efforts one hundred per cent.

I went to an event organised by the newly formed Women in Management Network last night at the National Assembly where the new permanent Secretary of the Welsh Assembly Government,Gillian Morgan and the Chief Executive of the National Assembly for Wales, Claire Clancy spoke about their experiences in management. Gillian Morgan is certainly a lively character, and engaged those present immediately with her witty comments about her rise to the top of her career- although I could not do justice relaying her stories here. Claire Clancy also spoke eloquently about her career, and how she rebelled against going to University- instead opting to enter the civil service straight after her formal education, and again, working her way up the greasy pole.

While both contributions were interesting, and while I was pleased to be sitting in a room full of women who had all probably experienced the sexism that is rife in our work places, and struggled for acceptance, I was a little disappointed that there was this air of denial in the gender issue playing a key role in the barriers that women still face- in work and in society generally. Gillian Morgan noted quite clearly that she had not experienced the so called ‘glass ceiling’, and that it was possible, with effort for every woman to push ahead undeterred with their aspirations. She also said that many women chose not to attend meetings or apply for non executive positions as they did not feel comfortable in doing so, but that women should just be bold enough to do so. But is it as easy as that?

I agree with her sentiment,  but there has to be a sea change in the system for women to be able to feel that they are able to enter surroundings that are alien to them, and which men still dominate. Also, in relation to childcare, the panelists stated that this should be seen more as a family issue, and not an issue for women. While I understand what they mean in terms of ensuring that childcare is shared between both parents or other family members, it is true to say that women are still those who are juggling childcare and work in the main, and that barriers to flexible working deter them from progressing their career. We need to be upfront about that, and de -stigmatise the stereotypes of women and childcare.

I was disappointed by the lack of discussion on how women access management, and what the Welsh Assembly Government and the Assembly’s Commission are doing to work positively to ensure that women are holding key positions. There was also a void of discussion on equal pay, and the ongoing battle for progress on this issue withing Local Authorities in Wales. I don’t want this blog to appear that I am criticising the network, as I believe that it is superb in providing a support base for women, and for them to share experiences and to gain mentoring skills, but I think that introducing more debates for future events could shape the way that the network develops. It can be pro active in challenging some of the systems that are in place, that so obviously deter women from entering.

I’m back from London safe and sound you’d be pleased to know. It shows the strength of blogs in that a colleague didn’t know where I was yesterday and instead of contacting me directly, she said that she ‘just checked my blog, and found out that way.’  So blogging is a superb way of communicating with people without having to talk to people directly- great! I’m sure that will do a world of good for my social skills;-)

So to the E-Democracy conference. Well, it wasn’t what I thought it would be, lets put it that way. The opening speech by Helen Boaden of the BBC was exceptionally useful in highlighting how the BBC is now using new technologies to communicate with people and to encourage grassroots news, but the conference in general fell flat after that I’m afraid to say. It seemed to concentrate a little too much on e-consultations and what methods are being used in such processes, but not its effect, or how politicians are using it. For example, questions were posed to panels of lecturers and consultancy firms- if the politicians do not take e-consultation responses as seriously as formal, written or oral evidence, then why should they invest vital resources to develop it?

I gave my contribution to the day by singing the praises of our e-petitions system and the Welsh blogosphere, but unfortunately the attendance at the workshop on Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales was disappointing- this despite the fact that the devolved nations are clearly leading the way in this field. Its annoying when you go to some London based events when most people do not even consider, or know that we even exist, and put us in the ‘UK’ governance box without a second thought. This does not assist in creating an effective analysis of what is out there, and what is working in the realm of e-democracy.

There’s still a long way to go on this issue. Given that there were only 3 politicians present, it seemed a little like we were preaching to the converted yesterday. Unless politicians see the benefits of, and embrace e-democracy for all that it offers, and not just as an add on to other initiatives, then we will be in the same place next year. See more here from Iain Dale on the final panel discussion of the day. I am too angry to say much. The politicians on the panel clearly saw no use for e-democracy, and especially not blogging. Supposedly they are all men in grey suits. Discuss…

An interesting point that was made in all the talk about the US elections and how Obama used the Internet so successfully was that yes, the US parties are great at gathering people to support them online during elections, but after the furore of the election, they are not so good at sustaining interest, or developing e-democracy all year round. What do you think?

Anyway, must rush. Plenary is starting.

I am on the train to London, as I’m taking part in the e-democracy conference that I’ve blogged about yesterday. Its very cold, but a chance for me to reflect and relax. I’m reading Total Politics,specifically an article on young people in politics- but there is no mention of any of the devolved administrations, and the contributions that people like myself make to broaden the base of our democracy. Perhaps this was intended, but I think that it would be a stronger article had the author chosen to discuss how young people are accessing their AMs or MSPs, and how they view this system compared to Westminster. But what do I know?!

On the issue of young people, I’ve also scanned the article on Lisa Stevens in the Western Mail who has become Labour’s number 2 on the Euro election list. Another young woman seeking to get involved in politics, which is no bad thing. Did the powers that be in Labour see the success of the young guns in Plaid and feel left out, I wonder;-)
I wish her the best of luck anyway, despite calling herself a person of the ‘Tony Blair generation’. Please, don’t push me over the edge!!

I read with interest on the blogs that one of the reasons why the SNP may have lost Glenrothes was their idea to raise the legal age limit of buying alcohol to 21. This may be a factor indeed, and an idea that I disagree with.

My American friends tell me of their frustration with this policy, and facing three years of University life where drinking on any level is illegal is truly unfair. Let’s have some more faith in our young people please! Yes, they may drink a little more than is required on occassions, but that applies to people of all ages, surely? If we continue this nonsense where there are more complications about what young people can do at a certain age, ie vote at 18, drive at 17, join the army at 16 etc then it will only make young people more despondant.

Right, well, there’s my rant for this evening. Hopefully I will have a chance to blog tomorrow on some of the highlights of the conference. Naturally there will be discussions on blogging, where I will get to meet the celebs of the blogosphere…!

I think the Western Mail went a little over board with the ‘crisis talks’ headline over the weekend that described the alleged fraught relationship between Plaid and Labour in government at the moment. Naturally, with two different parties working together in government, there will be tensions from time to time. In this case, most of the tensions that we have are with Labour MPs. Suprprise surprise!  We seem to work on a consensus relatively smoothly until the likes of Hain and Murphy put their oar in and tell us off like naughty children in the playground.

I’ve said on this blog before that I am concerned that the way in which the Housing LCO has been treated by the Welsh Affairs Select Committee does not bode well for the Welsh Language LCO. I say this as I would be lying if I said otherwise! We know that there are those in Labour who are anti legislation in the realm of the Welsh language, yet when it comes to equal rights in other areas they are first in line to promote it. I understand that the Welsh Language LCO has nearly been finalised, but like other LCOs,  Alun Ffred and his colleagues in the Bay are keeping it broad in nature, as we believe that this is what is required of us at the LCO stage.  Some Labour MPs may disagree of course.

Anyway, I will say with my hand on my heart that if we are deterred from fulfilling the policies in One Wales that we have promised to fulfil then we will be forced to consider our future in the coalition. For now, I don’t see that this is the case, and that work is progressing within the coalition.

 Of course Plaid members want to be reassured that we are working in their interest, and we have opportunities in conference and at National Council to discuss issues arising from our programme of government, but I do not see that we should panic. We are not fools. We won’t be taken up to the next Assembly election on some sort of false hope that our commitments can be somehow carried over to the next Assembly term or ignored even. After all, there is no guarantee what will happen in the next election. For those in the Labour party who like that idea, well you are wrong to think that Plaid will sit down and accept that some of our main policies and core beliefs will be put to one side.

Of course, it is frustrating sometimes to work in coalition as some Labour Ministers are more ready to work with us than others, and sometimes there are power struggles (especially when the press is involved) but there are no major problems. I think the more pressing issue is finding out who will take over from Rhodri Morgan, and preparing a smooth takeover ( if the new leader does not ditch One Wales and go for a Lib Lab deal that is) as at the moment there seems to be a lack of energy in Labour for the position of leader.

You’d think with Obama mania etc there would be some in the Labour party passionate enough to get their campaigning socks on again… or maybe they are just expecting Rhodri Morgan to carry on. I don’t know for sure, but what I do hope is that Rhodri Morgan is thinking about his legacy, and how history remember him. Leading a referendum on a parliament for Wales would definitely mark his leadership. Constant squabbling between the Bay and Westminster will not, that’s for sure.

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.