Hat tip to Ordovicius for this story.
It seems the Welsh Conservatives have not heard of the furore over Westminster MPs not really caring about their expenses.
Showing posts with label Wales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wales. Show all posts
11/30/2007
When the word "racist" is used too often
Is it really racist to call someone English ? Apparently it is if you are Welsh.
It is odd, because I have been told in the past that it would be racist to refer to a Welsh person as "a stupid Welshman" during a football match, but now you can also be called a racist for calling a Welsh person English too ?
It seems crazy in the extreme and a massive amount of overkill for what appears to have been a misunderstanding (isn't that the word we are using about the British teacher in Sudan ?) . There is a difference between being ignorant and being racist. In this case it appears the convicted man was not singling her out because she was English, or even calling her English as an insult. Instead he called her English because that was a way to describe her given her accent. If he had called a stupid cow instead of English, he could not have been accused of being racist, although arguably it would have been much more offensive.
Of course, racist behaviour has to be tackled head on and should not be tolerated, but if we cannot use terms like "English" in the UK to describe someone, we really have got problems.
It is odd, because I have been told in the past that it would be racist to refer to a Welsh person as "a stupid Welshman" during a football match, but now you can also be called a racist for calling a Welsh person English too ?
It seems crazy in the extreme and a massive amount of overkill for what appears to have been a misunderstanding (isn't that the word we are using about the British teacher in Sudan ?) . There is a difference between being ignorant and being racist. In this case it appears the convicted man was not singling her out because she was English, or even calling her English as an insult. Instead he called her English because that was a way to describe her given her accent. If he had called a stupid cow instead of English, he could not have been accused of being racist, although arguably it would have been much more offensive.
Of course, racist behaviour has to be tackled head on and should not be tolerated, but if we cannot use terms like "English" in the UK to describe someone, we really have got problems.
9/16/2007
Having your Welsh cake and eating the English one too
Aren't Plaid Cymru lucky. They have a hand in running their own Parliament in Wales, something we English are denied the opportunity to do here AND they now want to be coalition partners to Labour so they can run England too.
I don't blame them, after all, the rules allow it and it is totally constitutional. It's just that as an Englishman, living in England, it does not seem very fair.
I don't blame them, after all, the rules allow it and it is totally constitutional. It's just that as an Englishman, living in England, it does not seem very fair.
9/09/2007
Two to challenge Mike German as head of Welsh Lib Dems in Welsh Assembly
It is being reported that Eleanor Burnham is likely to join Peter Black in challenging Mike German as leader of the Welsh Lib Dems. in the National Assembly of Wales.
I don't know Mike German, I've never met him and can not therefore speak about his personal qualities. However, on TV I have always found him likeable but also a little too comfortable and a bit too agreeable. For me he seems to lack a an edge that I want to see from a leader. Perhaps this is just the view of someone living in Norfolk and if I loved in Wales I would see it differently ?
The Assembly elections this year showed that the Lib Dems need a new direction and a new drive if they are to move forward and having as wide a choice as possible will really give the party in Wales a proper choice of style and direction.
8/12/2007
Labour run scared of Welsh vandals
The Labour Party is always urging people to take a stand against vandals, to stand up and be counted and ensure that ordinary decent folk are heard. So in this vein, Welsh Labour have declined to have a stand at the National Eisteddfod this year because they say that last year their stall was damaged by Welsh Nationalist vandals. Yes, that's Labour leading by example. The first sight of problems and they run for the hills (or valleys).
It's nice to see that Labour's call to be "Tough on crime. Tough on the causes of crime" and their use of ASBO's is really working in Wales.
It's nice to see that Labour's call to be "Tough on crime. Tough on the causes of crime" and their use of ASBO's is really working in Wales.
8/07/2007
Delusions of Grandeur ?
Labour made bold claims in the press about their latest defector from the Tories, a chap named David Anstee.
Labour claimed that Mr Anstee was “a member of a powerful Welsh Conservative Policy Group which wrote the party's 2007 Assembly election manifesto”.
The Conservative replied by stating that “There was a small policy group of about five people in charge of writing the manifesto and he was not involved in that."
The Conservative spokesman believed Mr Anstee had attended a policy forum in Wales, but he added that that was an event similar to a mini party conference and was open to any party member.
Poor Mr Anstee. I wonder if he went home after that conference and told his mum how important he was and how he had written the manifesto all by himself. Delusions of Grandeur ? Discuss ...
Labour claimed that Mr Anstee was “a member of a powerful Welsh Conservative Policy Group which wrote the party's 2007 Assembly election manifesto”.
The Conservative replied by stating that “There was a small policy group of about five people in charge of writing the manifesto and he was not involved in that."
The Conservative spokesman believed Mr Anstee had attended a policy forum in Wales, but he added that that was an event similar to a mini party conference and was open to any party member.
Poor Mr Anstee. I wonder if he went home after that conference and told his mum how important he was and how he had written the manifesto all by himself. Delusions of Grandeur ? Discuss ...
6/28/2007
6/17/2007
Are Plaid a grown up party yet ?
The problem Plaid Cymru finds itself in when it comes to the Welsh Assembly is a difficult one for any political party, but for one who has no real experience or expectation of power outside of a small handful of councils, it is causing a real headache.
The options for Plaid are a Rainbow coalition with the Tories and Lib Dems, a coalition they would lead or a coalition with Labour where Labour would lead. And there in lies the problem. To lead or to follow.
Ordovicius' excellent blog asks whether Plaid have lost the plot. There are clearly some in Plaid, and Peter Black feels that they are in the minority, who see Plaid Cymru as an alternative or even an accompaniment to Labour. They see Plaid Cymru as a left wing party, full stop.
What it also shows is that there are some in Plaid who lack the moral will, lack conviction and lack the guts to go for it and lead Wales. Instead, they want to sit back on ride on Labour's coat tails.
But Ordovicius makes another good point in highlighting that while Plaid have continued discussions, messing both Labour and the Rainbow Coalition around, they might just find that everyone will be sick of them and nobody will deal with them.
It is time for Plaid to grow up and show whether they are up to the job.
The options for Plaid are a Rainbow coalition with the Tories and Lib Dems, a coalition they would lead or a coalition with Labour where Labour would lead. And there in lies the problem. To lead or to follow.
Ordovicius' excellent blog asks whether Plaid have lost the plot. There are clearly some in Plaid, and Peter Black feels that they are in the minority, who see Plaid Cymru as an alternative or even an accompaniment to Labour. They see Plaid Cymru as a left wing party, full stop.
What it also shows is that there are some in Plaid who lack the moral will, lack conviction and lack the guts to go for it and lead Wales. Instead, they want to sit back on ride on Labour's coat tails.
But Ordovicius makes another good point in highlighting that while Plaid have continued discussions, messing both Labour and the Rainbow Coalition around, they might just find that everyone will be sick of them and nobody will deal with them.
It is time for Plaid to grow up and show whether they are up to the job.
6/05/2007
Sorry Plaid Cymru, it's actually called having good manners
With the opening of the Welsh Assembly's third session today, we read that two Plaid Cymru AM's have boycotted the Queen's visit. Leanne Wood and Bethan Jenkins will visit a homelessness project in Swansea instead.
"As a Welsh person, I do not see how the monarchy is relevant to my everyday life, and to my generation," said Ms Jenkins,
And as an elected Assembly Member, I assumed that you understand the respoinsibilities of the office you hold and the manners to show courtesy in a dignified way for the head of state.
It's all about showing that you are fit for office, and being fit to govern. Silly schoolgirl acts like refusing to go somewhere because they aren't "relevant" is more akin to something a sixth former would do.
My simple message - Grow up and show respect for your office. You may not like the monarchy, but the Queen has little choice in the matter and she fulfills her role with dignity and honour. If you want a Republic, then campaign for one, but don't disrespect the Queen for doing her job !
"As a Welsh person, I do not see how the monarchy is relevant to my everyday life, and to my generation," said Ms Jenkins,
And as an elected Assembly Member, I assumed that you understand the respoinsibilities of the office you hold and the manners to show courtesy in a dignified way for the head of state.
It's all about showing that you are fit for office, and being fit to govern. Silly schoolgirl acts like refusing to go somewhere because they aren't "relevant" is more akin to something a sixth former would do.
My simple message - Grow up and show respect for your office. You may not like the monarchy, but the Queen has little choice in the matter and she fulfills her role with dignity and honour. If you want a Republic, then campaign for one, but don't disrespect the Queen for doing her job !
2/12/2007
Ron Davies explains himself - Sort of ?
Ron Davis has explained his decision to stand as an Independent in the forthcoming Welsh Assembly elections is because he does not feel that the PR system used for the elections is fair.
Somehow Mr Davies feels it is unfair that his party cannot receive more than their fair share of seats in the assembly ? It's an odd sort of politician that moans that PR won't allow him to be over represented.
Read the story yourself HERE and try to work it out for yourself.
Somehow Mr Davies feels it is unfair that his party cannot receive more than their fair share of seats in the assembly ? It's an odd sort of politician that moans that PR won't allow him to be over represented.
Read the story yourself HERE and try to work it out for yourself.
2/05/2007
Has Ron Davies left another political party ?
Ron Davies, the man who did so much to drive forward devolution for Wales when he was a Labour MP is going to stand as an independent in the forthcoming Welsh Assembly elections, according to the BBC.
However, just 9 months ago, Forward Wales, the party he joined after leaving Labour, claimed the Ron Davies was going to play a significant part in their assembly election campaign. No he is standing as an independent. Does Ron know what he is doing ?
I am personally of the opinion that Ron Davies has a lot to offer the politics of Wales, however, I think he is a flawed individual. I guess by standing in the seat he previously represented as an MP and AM it will show if he really is deserving of a place in the Welsh Assembly. Still, it makes the seat far more interesting than it might have been before and is another headache for Labour.
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