Me, me, and Life on Mars

• Posted by Tom Bodden at 1:39 PM | add or read comments (0)

I have been ‘tagged’ by Clwyd West MP and well-regarded blogger David Jones to share my earliest ‘political memories’.
These are most surely clouded by the passing time.
Some are in black and white, while others are tinged with sepia tone.
Overall they bear a striking resemblance to Life on Mars.

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• Tags:
• david jones mp
• meme
• politics

"Say what you think of the NHS" - Edwina

• Posted by Tom Bodden at 9:04 AM | add or read comments (1)

It is disturbing to think that senior clinicians in the NHS in Wales are afraid or unable to speak out publicly about their concerns because of so-called 'gagging orders'.
Welsh health minister Edwina Hart thinks so too as she embarks on a series of wide-ranging reviews into the state of our NHS, declaring she wants to rid the NHS of a 'culture of fear'.

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• edwina hart
• gagging orders
• nhs

Hot (air) and bothered

• Posted by Tom Bodden at 11:22 AM | add or read comments (2)

Some staff at the National Assembly are grumbling privately over the removal of paper towels from the toilets in Crickhowell House in Cardiff Bay.
Instead, all are now expected to use electric hand dryers to try to save the planet.
Labour AM Lorraine Barrett, now the 'Assembly Commissioner for the Sustainable Assembly', is championing the drive to cut 1.3m paper towels, reduce transport emissions and landfill waste.
She says in a notice in conveniences: "If we want to be exemplars in sustainability then we must be prepared to put our money where our mouths are.
"It may take a little extra time to dry our hands with the blower but what is an extra 30 seconds when time is running out for the environment?"
Wise words.

• Tags:
• assembly
• hot air
• toilets

Who's in charge?

• Posted by Tom Bodden at 8:40 AM | add or read comments (3)

LORD Dafydd Elis-Thomas believes that the 10th anniversary of the devolution referendum is the right time to clear up confusion over who does what in Cardiff Bay.
The presiding officer argued for the ruling executive of the Assembly to be known simply as the 'Welsh Government'.

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• Tags:
• assembly
• government
• lord dafydd elis-thomas am

Blair Jail Threat

• Posted by Tom Bodden at 5:49 PM | add or read comments (1)

Did he really mean it?
Plaid strategist Adam Price warned that when the Welsh Assembly ruled over criminal justice, it could pass a law so that if Tony Blair came to Wales, he could be thrown in jail.
Well there is still a law allowing Welshmen to be shot by crossbow inside Chester's city walls after dark, isn't there?

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• Tags:
• adam price
• plaid
• tony blair

Plaid by Sea

• Posted by Tom Bodden at 4:25 PM | add or read comments (0)

Plaid Cymru is back by the seaside at Llandudno for its annual conference.
Where else would they wish to spend a few days and part of the weekend, after all, than the Queen of Welsh Resorts?
Rugby fans among the delegates, however, would be wise to ignore the official conference programme which invites them to view the Wales v Australia world cup match from Cardiff on a big screen at 3pm.
The match kicks off at 2pm. (H/T Tiger Tales)

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• Tags:
• conference
• llandudno
• plaid

Wails, two nations, and the inflatable blond

• Posted by Tom Bodden at 8:42 AM | add or read comments (0)

The inflatable blond was dancing a crazy, fixed gazed jig about the heads of the excitable throng.
“Oo-ess-ay, oo-ess-ay, oo-ess-ay,” they cried as the big screens showed England labouring to overcome the United States in rugby’s world cup.
In another corner of the Walkabout bar in Cardiff’s St Mary’s Street, an English-born football fan was trying to follow his team’s fortunes against Israel, against the back drop of pre-match noise and enhanced rugby commentary.
“What is it with the Welsh?” he lamented.

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• Tags:
• football
• rugby

Where's Rhodri...?

• Posted by Tom Bodden at 6:50 PM | add or read comments (2)

Plaid Cymru were accused of cutting Labour coalition leader Rhodri Morgan out of its party publicity pictures with the Wales rugby team.
A press release circulated by Plaid showed its leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, deputy first minister, unfurling the Welsh flag on the steps of the Senedd with the rugby squad before they flew off to the World Cup in France.
But First Minister Rhodri Morgan holding the other end of the flag (is that his hand, left?) is strangely cropped out of the photograph.

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• Tags:
• coalition
• ieuan wyn jones
• rhodri morgan

Paid Packets

• Posted by Tom Bodden at 10:58 AM | add or read comments (1)

Research on another matter unearthed some interesting figures on the increases in AMs’ pay since the Welsh Assembly was created in 1999.
The basic AM’s salary - which all 60 receive - increased from £34,438 in 1999 to £46,496 this year, a rise of £12,058 or 35%.
For ministers the rise since 1999 was from £67,798 to £86,435, some £18,637 more, or 27%.
The First Minister’s salary has increased from £98,746 to £123,492, some £24,746, or about 25%.
Now deputy ministers have joined the pay roll in Cardiff on £71,617, a £19,000 or so increase compared to the rate paid to the deputy presiding officer in 1999.
There is more information to be found here.

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• AMs
• assembly
• pay