Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

I went to the Hay Festival twice this year, which is twice more than I’ve been in about 4 years. The last time I was there, my father was reading, and I saw a few famous bods like Bill Clinton and Salman Rushdie in the VIP dinner area. What a claim to fame!

I thoroughly enjoyed this year, and I shouldn’t really complain that the weather was so hot that I nearly fainted in the Barclays tent as it was so stuffy..but I will anyway! It was boiling!

I went to see Timothy Garton Ash talk about Eastern Europe and whether there would be any imminent Velvet Revolutions in some of the former Soviet block countries. It was an engaging talk, but lacked real depth. He seemed to want to ignite more discussion over whether there would be a revolution in Britain as a result of the expenses saga than anything else, while I was eagerly awaiting his analysis of the twitter revolution that took place/ nearly happened (depending on what you read and where) in Moldova recently.

I also went to the conversation between Niall Fergusson and Eric Hobsbawm on the Versailles treaty and then David Frost entertained us by night, which was a really enjoyable hour. Truth be told, I’m a night person, and I could have sat there listening to his tales of interviewing Nixon, how to get politicians to answer questions, and views on Tony Blair for a while longer. It inspired me enough to see the film Frost/ Nixon, at least.

And yesterday, I took my little sister who is 9 years old to see Jacqueline Wilson. To be honest, I was quite a fan of her books myself when I was growing up, so I didn’t really mind sitting amongst hundreds of  10 year olds who gripped their books so tightly to their chest, ready for the signing after the show. It was actually quite heartening to see so many young people turning up for literary events and getting excited about it. At one point I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing as we sat down to wait for Jacqueline Wilson to come on stage. One little girl behind me said to her friend, and I kid you not-

‘ Call me old fashioned, but I prefer reading a book than reading on the internet. I much prefer to have something in my hand that I can keep.’ The other girl agreed. Brilliant stuff!

Well, I learnt that Jacqueline Wilson was the inspiration behind the 70s Jackie magazine, that she hated maths in school, and was called Jackie four eyes by none other than her teacher. It was a great event, and we all made a scrum for the shop afterwards to purchase her colourful books!

I would liked to have seen a few more events during the week- especially to see Giles Foden, Monica Ali and Rose Tremain, but I think I will have to make a point of staying there next year, and devote the week to it.  Anyone who hasn’t ever been, you must go. It is a great International event, and it happens in Wales, what more could you want?

Received this press notice earlier from the Plaid team. I missed the twitterview between Jill Evans MEP and Politics Cymru as I was at the Eisteddfod cutting cake for the Lottery’s 15th birthday celebrations. Well apparently we are the first political party to use such a tool in this election. For those who took part, what was it like? Should we do it again? Let me know…Did it influence you to vote Plaid in the European elections? I hope so!

Press notice

Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales
Plaid in Twitterview first

When: 2pm, Tuesday 26 May.

Twitterview between Cardiff Journalism School Student – Politics Cymru http://politicscymru.blogspot.com/ and Jill Evans MEP

How to view twitterview
If you’re already on Twitter, just follow @politics_cymru and @europlaid

if not, you can go to http://twitter.com/politics_cymru and http://twitter.com/EuroPlaid

Plaid Cymru will be the first party in Europe to use new technology to reach out to voters in the forthcoming European election with a unique ‘Twitterview’ which takes place at 2pm on Tuesday 26 May.

Lead candidate Jill Evans MEP will answer voters’ questions live on line via the party’s Twitter channel. The party’s European manifesto features a pledge to seek European investment to increase broadband internet access in Wales.

Speaking ahead of the live twitterview, Jill Evans said:

“We want to make this European campaign as open and accessible as possible and this is one great way of doing that.

“Plaid Cymru is committed to increasing the availability of broadband high speed internet across Wales, helping develop our economy and people’s access to information and services.

“I’m really looking forward to this twitterview which as far as we know is a first for a political party in Wales.”

Dyma digwyddiad fach dwi’n trefnu ar yr 2ail o Fehefin yn y Senedd. Croeso i bawb/ Here are details of a small event I’m organising in the Senedd on the 2nd of June. All are welcome.

On the 2nd of June, I have arranged for Dr Jishu from Bangladesh, of the charity Bangla Cymru to give a brief power point presentation on his work at 12pm in the Media briefing room. He is visiting Wales and the Senedd for the first time, and your support would therefore be welcomed at the event.

Here is a short explanation of the work of Bangla Cymru-

Bangladesh, according to United Nations statistics is Asia’s poorest country, and more children are born with cleft lip / palate here than in any other part of the world. It’s estimated that five thousand children are born with this condition in Bangladesh annually but only half of them are treated because of lack of funds and medical provision. So many of these are living lives of shame, isolation and scorn mainly due to ignorance and superstition. The operation we offer changes their lives dramatically, not only visually, but also emotionally, socially and economically.

The aim of BanglaCymru is to offer treatment for children, to raise awareness about the condition and what can be done to correct it and to offer help in the form of advice, information and treatment in their own locality, especially for those who cannot afford to travel. Our ultimate hope is to create our own self-sufficient and autonomous medical team and establish ‘cleft’ medical centres in outlying areas of Bangladesh.

For more information go to www.banglacymru.org.uk

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Ar yr 2il o Fehefin, rwyf wedi trefnu i Dr Jishu, sy’n dod o Bangladesh, o’r elusen Bangla Cymru i rhoi cyflwyniad byr am ei waith yn rhan o’r elusen yn ystafell briffio’r wasg am 12 o’r gloch. Dyma’r tro cyntaf i Dr Jishu ymweld a Chymru a’r Senedd, felly byddai cael eich cefnogaeth yn hwb mawr.

Dyma esboniad byr o waith Dr Jishu yn rhan o Bangla Cymru-

Bangladesh, yn ôl ystadegau’r Cenhedloedd Unedig yw gwlad dlotaf Asia, ac mae mwy o blant yn cael eu geni gyda thaflod a gwefus hollt yma nag unrhyw ran arall o’r byd. Amcangyfrir bod tua pum mil o blant yn cael eu geni gyda’r cyflwr hwn yn flynyddol ym Mangladesh ond dim ond eu hanner sy’n cael eu trin oherwydd diffyg cyllid a darpariaethau meddygol. Mae cymaint o’r rhain yn byw bywyd o gywilydd, gwawd ac unigedd a hynny’n rhannol oherwydd anwybodaeth ac ofergoeliaeth. Mae’r driniaeth yn newid eu bywydau’n ddramatig, nid yn unig o ran pryd a gwedd ond hefyd yn emosiynol, yn gymdeithasol ac yn economaidd.

Nod BanglaCymru yw cynnig llawdriniaeth i’r trueiniaid hyn, i godi ymwybyddiaeth o’r cyflwr a’r hyn y gellid ei wneud i’w gywiro ac i gynnig cymorth, cyngor a thriniaeth iddynt yn eu milltir sgwar, yn enwedig i’r rhai na all fforddio teithio. Ein gobaith hefyd yn y pen draw yw creu tim meddygol hunangynhaliol, ymreolaethol a sefydlu canolfannau ‘hollt’ mewn ardaloedd pellennig ym Mangladesh.

Am fwy o wybodaeth, ewch i’r wefan www.banglacymru.org.uk

 I have just had the press release below through from the organisation Republic. Its very worrying indeed, and poses yet again more questions about the current state of our democracy- an unelected representative of an archaic institution inviting a blatatly racist party to an event which probably costs a fortune to organise ( scrutiny please!)

 Nick Griffin is attending according to the Mail online, and there is also a story in the London Evening Standard.

I don’t often quote from the Mail, but I think this one is quite pertinent in this instance-

‘The invite will be an acute embarrassment to the Queen, whose aides invited the London Assembly to the annual function en masse’.

Giving more legitimacy to the BNP is not what is needed at this juncture. The BNP are a racist party, and have no place in British democracy.

And by the by, are the BNP aware of the Royal family’s ancestry?

Press Release 20th May 2009 ROYAL BNP BLUNDER SLAMMED BY REPUBLIC
—————————————————————————-

Republic has today attacked the Queen’s decision to invite senior members of the far-right British National Party to a Buckingham Palace garden party.

Spokesperson Graham Smith said:

“This is a catastrophic blunder by the Queen.”

“British democracy is facing its biggest crisis for generations and the Queen decides to welcome extremists to Buckingham Palace.”

“This gaffe will ensure the BNP will get acres of free publicity. It beggars belief that this could happen so close to an election.”

“We’re often told that the Queen doesn’t put a foot wrong, but by inviting the far-right to the Palace she’s really let the country down.”

“This divisive move will cause huge offence and will force many to
question the future of the monarchy.”

—————————————————————————-

WHAT IS REPUBLIC?

Republic is a membership-based pressure group calling for the democratic replacement of the monarchy by an elected head of state.
Republic lobbies politicians and opinion-formers, undertakes original research on the monarchy, comments on Royal stories in the media and provides information on republicanism.
Republic is a non-party-political organisation with members from all the main parliamentary parties. Its distinguished supporters include 20 MPs, as well as leading figures from politics, law and the arts. A full list of Republic’s supporters can be found at http://www.republic.org.uk/supporters.

I have to say that I am undecided as to whether the Speaker should stand down in Westminster as a result of the expenses fiasco. I listened to the Radio Wales phone in today, and I understand the blogger Iain Dale’s reasoning for supporting the call for the Speaker to stand down- that this should happen as soon as possible so that reforms can take place immediately, with a new Speaker leading the way. A Speaker that has not been party to the current mess regarding expenses. After all, the Speaker Michael Martin is responsible for the office that ensures the ’smooth’ running of the House of Commons- specifically the fees office where civil servants have famously ok’ed some of those unacceptable claims from MPs ( I will never talk about moats and swimming pools in the same way again)  Nonetheless, I hesitate in chiming in agreement  at this stage that it is the Speaker who should go, as I think that this problem goes far deeper than the role of the Speaker alone.  

I do not want to see Michael Martin being used as a scape goat. Once he has gone, will everything change?  At the end of the day, responsibility for expenses a) lies with individual MPs- they should be answerable for their own expenses claims, and to justify them regardless of the ’system’ and b) party leaders should act as just that in providing advice to fellow MPs on the system as it stands.

Many critics have stated how well David Cameron has dealt with the expenses issue, of apologising promptly and condemning those MPs in his party that have clearly been excessive. Yet I don’t believe that he should be excused from culpability entirely. Surely it is the role of party leaders to keep track of  MPs expenses from their respective parties, and guide MPs ( especially newer MPs) as to what they should do, what they should or should not claim? Should party leaders be able to somehow keep this issue at arms length, as if it is out of their control? 

It is for this reason that I waver over whether the Speaker should go. This situation was not created by one person, from one political party. Everyone involved has to take collective action to change the system, and  there should be a recognition that there are MPs out there who have not been part of all of this, and have acted appropriately from the outset.  

As I write, Michael Martin has not resigned, has not announced a date to resign despite apologising to the house. MPs are furious today that a motion proposing a no confidence motion was not considered, and that the Speaker did not understand the proceedings himself as to the hearing of the motion in question!

Michael Martin remains in the Chair for now, but I doubt that the likes of Nick Clegg will let this issue rest. After all, many people see Michael Martin as part of the old fashioned club of MPs, who last week wanted action taken on the leak of the expenses to the Daily Telegraph. But again, a change in culture will take more than removing one person from one position. A total reform of Westminster is what’s needed, surely?  

I bet Gordon Brown regrets not biting the bullet and calling that general election when he may have come out of it a bit battered and bruised, as opposed to possibly facing a disastrous result in a future General election. I am sure that the current opinion polls are reason enough for David Cameron to be calling for an immediate general election- possibly bypassing the discussion over the Speakers resignation to make headway elsewhere…

Now its over to you to convince me he should go!

update 19/05/09 – the Speaker has announced his intention to stand down. Events have moved faster than expected. Lets hope this leads to wholescale reform now.

SEARCHLIGHT CYMRU – press release – press release

Remembering the Fallen – the Fight Against Fascism Goes On

embargo: for immediate release

At 11am this morning, Swansea played its part in both remembering those who gave their lives fighting fascism 70 years ago, and reminding us that in terms of the challenge of the BNP , the fight goes on.

Representatives all all four main political parties took a break from campaigning for the European elections and joined together, in a united front against the threat of fascist politics in Wales. In doing so, they also remembered those who had made the ultimate sacrifice in defeating fascism 70 years ago, both in Spain and the 2nd World War.

Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black, Plaid Cymru AM Bethan Jenkins, Labour European Candidate Derek Vaughan and Conservative European candidate David Chipp placed a wreath at the city’s war memorial on the sea front, read out 100 names of local fallen from the two conflicts and all spoke passionately about the importance of staying united, against the threat of fascist politics to the communities of Wales.

The Searchlight Representative at the event was Ian Titherington.

He stated, “Searchlight are delighted at the united stance our main political parties have taken against fascism. The BNP have no hope of winning a seat in Wales next month, but they will no doubt attempt to build foundations for future elections. Evey step of the way, they will be challenged, until their message of fascist extremism is truly exposed.”

The event coincided with other identical commemorations across Wales in Cardiff and Flint, where the main political parties again united in the anti-fascist cause.

Ian Titherington concluded, “The BNP are now very skilled at hiding their true identity and no doubt, many voters will fall for their con trick next month. However, the political challenges in 21st Century Wales can never be solved by race hate and prejudice-the lessons of 70 years ago are proof enough of that.”

END Sunday 17th May

Contact: Ian Titherington

Notes

The photopgarph was taken this morning (17th May) at Swansea’s main war memorial and in order (from left to right), the people in the photograph are:-

Bethan Jenkins AM
Peter Black AM
Derek Vaughan
David Chipp

I have no intention in getting involved in a blogger boxing match between Marcus Warner and Guerilla Welsh Fare, but I thought I would just add my thoughts on the whole ‘red line’ issue on student finance- i.e the questions I asked of both the Tories and the Lib dems yesterday as to whether they would make re-introducing the fee grant for Welsh domiciled students a red line issue for any future coalition discussion after 2011. Paul Davies AM couldn’t be pinned down and said that it was a commitment before 2011, and despite my colleague Leanne Wood AM trying to intervene on another Tory speaker to clarify the point, it proved impossible to do. So no luck there.  Are the Tories therefore only able to guarantee this stance until Cameron (more than likely ) takes office in Westminster, when he will then insist on a policy change from his AMs that conforms with his present thinking in support of top-up fees?

On the Lib dem front, Peter Black admitted in the debate, as Guerilla Welsh Fare rightly points out, that it would of course be a red line issue  for them as a party in any future coalition discussion after 2011. This is interesting (or perhaps I am over analysing!) for the fact that when the imminent Labour Leadership contest takes place, there is speculation out there that at least one of the candidates who may or may not stand could be interested in pursuing the Lib- Lab option, and pulling out of One Wales. To be pedantic, this said newly elected Leader could enter coalition talks there and then- before 2011- therefore Peter Black’s statement in plenary yesterday that the fee grant is a red line AFTER 2011 will not apply. They could potentially enter a coalition free from the prospect of having a prickly discussion about the fee grant ( though this would seem highly unlikely, and a tad deceptive to me given the vote yesterday..)

Nonetheless, if such options are not available to the Lib dems and One Wales is here to stay, then I sincerely believe that potential coalition negotiations between Labour and the Lib dems, if there are to be any, could well be strained in the knowledge that this issue has now become a red line, a no go area- no compromise.

What interests me is how often we will be having such discussions from now until the next Assembly elections- what are the red lines for all political parties? How are strategies played out in relation to this? Will it have a lasting impact on the election, and more importantly, the result?

 Its a very interesting area, and one I think political commentators should keep a keen eye on….

Here’s what I would have said had I been given the opportunity to speak this afternoon. I was the third Plaid speaker down to speak after Nerys Evans, Gareth Jones. There wasn’t enough time according to the Deputy Presiding Officer. I have to say I am a litte angry given that there is a difference of opinion in the Plaid Cymru group, and it would have made for a more varied debate to have heard opinions from across the spectrum.

…………………………………

Much of what I have to say this afternoon has already been expressed on previous occasions, but I would like to take this opportunity to reassert my unwavering belief in the principle of universal, free education for all.

As you all know this issue is very close to my heart – indeed one of the primary reasons why I stand here in this chamber as an elected representative is due to my involvement in the student movement, which included the campaign against the introduction of top-up fees.

Encouraging more people to attend university, particularly people from less well-off backgrounds has been a challenge for governments for decades, and it is my firm belief that straddling students with more debt will make it less likely that people will go to university. Indeed in a sample survey of sixth formers that I carried out recently, eighty per cent said that they didn’t feel they could afford university education with increased fees.

The link between the fear of debt and university attendance is well documented.

This week, we are celebrating ten years of devolution. A decade of Wales being able to do things differently, albeit within certain confines. Ten years where unique Welsh policies have been made in Wales, by the people of Wales, for the people of Wales.

And one of the single greatest achievements of devolution in its first ten years, in my opinion, has been our refusal to burden our students with top-up fees.

A magnificent achievement, and a reflection of our distinct political priorities here in Wales. Do we now really want to turn our back on that progress? Do we really just want to become a mini version of Westminster, falling in line with the marketisation agenda of Brown?

I would like to say to the Tories here today – David Cameron has reversed your policy on fees a long time ago. Before making his first major policy statement on education since becoming leader, he told sixth formers he supported tuition fees – reversing the party’s position at the last general election. During recent debates on this issue, it’s fair to say that Conservative AMs have been inconsistent in their current policy on fees. Are they hoping to make political capital from this at this stage?

I have always believed and continue to believe in the principle of universal public services, including a free education system where everyone can fulfil their potential regardless of their background. Wasn’t it only a few weeks ago when the First Minister was arguing with Nick Bourne about the retention of free prescriptions for all, and against means testing? Why does this argument fall on deaf ears in relation to students in Wales?

It frustrates me that our government here in Wales still relies upon a defunct system of funding, lacking in borrowing and tax-varying powers. I would like to think that if we were in a different funding context, our government would not be in this position, and would not have to take a decision to saddle more students with debt. It is a scandal that at this time, in this economic climate the Westminster Government is forcing upon us budget cuts that make this Assembly’s ability to deliver for the people extremely difficult.

I recognise that being in government means making difficult decisions. Although I can see where the Government is coming from in this decision to an extent, I can’t support the ending of the tuition fee grant. While I understand that the majority of my fellow Plaid members will accept the constraints, and the need to compromise that comes with being a party in government, I am grateful that the group understands my position and have accepted that two of us will be voting differently on this occasion. There are aspects of the policy that I do support such as the partial debt right off and the bursaries for students. I hope these are successfully delivered.

Colleagues, I hope that as this institution evolves, and as our nation and people grow in confidence, that one day we will inherit a different financial context, one that will allow us to implement the ideals of universalism to the full, and one that will provide an environment conducive to free, life-long education for all.

It’s been a glorious, sunny day today and I’m glad on a day like this that I could be out and about, and not stuck indoors! In the morning I visited the Tenovus mobile Cancer support unit that was situated for the day in Bridgend Sainsbury’s car park. It is the first holistic mobile unit in the UK that can deliver chemotherapy,  as well as provide practical and emotional support for cancer patients and their carers. There will be specialist Cancer Support Teams and nurses from Velindre Hospital delivering treatment and information on support services- what benefits patients can claim, and so on. It travels to locations throughout Wales, and they have seen 12 patients a day so far in Bridgend, Merthyr and Cwmbran.  You can find out more by going to www.tenovus.org.uk

I also carried out street surgeries in Port Talbot today. I do this every Monday and Friday in different areas to try and get a picture of what is happening locally, and whether people have any concerns about policies or strategies on a Council, Assembly or Westminster level. The talk of the town was, unsurprisingly, MP expenses. Some people who came to the doorstep were furious with some of the claims that had been made. There’s no denying that people are disillusioned with politics as a result of the list of expenses leaked to the Daily Telegraph, and that things have to change fast if we want to restore faith in the political process.

The sooner the system is changed the better, but it doesn’t excuse actions like ‘flipping’ whereby some MPs have been changing the status of their second homes for various reasons, nor does it excuse buying products which are blatantly not for personal usage! I am quite sure that they were aware of what they were doing at the time of purchase…

 Some politicians  have been pushing their luck with claims and have unfortunately been clouding the perception of those MPs who have had decent claims. We all know that the Assembly has commissioned an Independent review on the matter, but perhaps this would be a good issue to trial citizen assemblies in Wales? It seems that people have a strong opinion on how the system should work, so why not provide them with that bottom up opportunity to say how it could be done differently, and better?

I’m off to my Orchestra rehearsal soon. Concert tomorrow night in St David’s Church Neath, 7pm if you fancy it.

All the news broadcasters in Wales are doing their bit to celebrate or mark 10 years of devolution. The Senedd is buzzing with cameras and journalists. Now tell me why this doesn’t really happen more often? Perhaps politicians would have a better reputation if there was more coverage of work that we do every day that goes under the radar of no fault of our own, and more recently due to EU election rules – precisely regarding campaigns I have been  involved in – on IVF funding and the discrimination of those with HIV in Wales, where I could not do interviews for news…anyway, I digress….

The Assembly is celebrating next week on the 12th of May - the 10th anniversary of the first meeting. To show allegiance to the Assembly Commission, I think I’ll blog about my feelings on devolution in full at that point. Although I will share with you now the full version of that which was printed in the Western Mail yesterday by Martin Shipton on what various AMs opinions are on the achievements of the Assembly since its inception. The articleis a little misleading however- I don’t recall the email from Martin indicating that it was a poll of AMs in any way shape or form.  Nevertheless, here is what I said:

Achievements of devolution

The 10th anniversary of the establishment of our very own National Assembly – our first national legislature since the 15th century – is an opportunity to take stock but it also a cause for us to draw strength as we look forward.

Among the achievements of devolution I am most proud of, is the Assembly’s creation of the office of the Children’s Commissioner – the first nation in these islands to provide children and young people a champion and an advocate, and a move that has since been replicated elsewhere.

The real test for devolution has of course come in recent months as the crisis in the financial markets hits every community in Wales and the decisive action of Welsh ministers to help Welsh families has been in stark contrast to the approach of the Westminster Government. Jocelyn Davies’ launch of a mortgage rescue scheme to help people faced with losing their homes is an example of a pragmatic and effective policy to make a real difference to people’s lives.

And thirdly, I am proud of how our National Assembly has created a new kind of politics in Wales – democracy has been brought closer to the people, and our democracy is transparent and accessible in nature. One example of this principle working in practice is the establishment of the Assembly’s Petitions Committee – an immediate point of access for the public to raise issues of concern and a mechanism that can trigger new legislation based on the priorities of the people.

We must also not underestimate the significance of the advent of devolution itself. The very fact that we have our own National Assembly symbolises our maturity as a nation and the process of building a modern, just and inclusive country.

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Obviously it is important for us to mark 10 years of devolution, but really, the most effective action is for us to continue to perform our roles as any other day and look forward to the creation of a full legislative parliament for Wales.

On another note, I’m hoping to go to this event tonight if the debates in the chamber have finished in time, that is. Looks interesting - 

Public Lecture: Obama, the first 100 days Mark Rosenshield, Welsh Affairs Officer, US Embassy Political Section Wednesday 6 May 2009, 6pm.Rosenshield will talk about the impact the new administration is having and how this is affecting the US’s relationship with the rest of the world.