Ie Dros Gymru

Keir has awoken from his long Christmas slumber. So hello to you all and Happy New Year.

Pleasantries out of the way, now to address the first issue of 2011.

A few days back, Keir attended the launch for the "Yes For Wales" campaign in Cardiff. Both contributors here at Keir Hardie Blogs are wholeheartedly behind the campaign for a "Yes" vote in March's referendum and here's very brief summary of why.

Wales has grown in many ways since devolution was voted in so narrowly in 1997. Culturally, economically, politically...even linguistically. However, arguably the moment when the maturity of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) became clear to all was on November 30th, 2010. It was on this day when Wales took the most talked about issue at the time and, hand-in-hand with the progressive political make-up of WAG, showed that there was an alternative to the devastating Tory cuts. Leighton Andrews, the WAG Education Minister, announced that Welsh domiciled students will see no increase to their tuition fees, just days before the UK Government in Westminster gave it's blessing to Universities to raise fees to as high as £9,000 per year. Until this moment, Keir was in the "Yes" camp, but not vehemently. But after this display of political direction, that vehemence was attained.

The timing of this referendum is perfect for Wales and for "Yes" enthusiasts. Attitudes to devolution have changed massively since the narrow victory in the 1997 referendum. A survey conducted in 2003 showed that whilst only 22.4% of people saw the Assembly as having the most influence over how Wales is run, 56% thought it ought to have the most influence. In the same survey, 43% of people said the Assembly's power over Health had seen services improve whilst only 9% said they thought services had reduced in quality and 31.4% said Education had improved compared to 6.7% saying the opposite.

However, most telling, in Keir's point of view, was the impact on the identity and culture in Wales that the survey showed devolution has had. Attendance at Welsh schools is up, the take-up of Welsh GCSE and A Level is up, the number of Welsh speakers is up. And this identity growth is also reflected in the survey. In 1997, 17.2% of people said they felt "Welsh, not British," and 25.7% of people said they felt "more Welsh than British". By 2003, those figures had increased to 22.7% and 28.1% respectively. When broken down into age groups, these attitudes are even more promising. The percentage of 18-24 year olds who said they felt "Welsh, not British", was higher than the national average, at 27.4%. Also higher than the national average was the 36.9% people in that age group that said they felt "more Welsh than British". Keir would hazard a guess that now, in 2010, those percentages are even higher. The fact that the younger you go down the scale, the "more Welsh" people feel shows the impact that devolution has had on identities.

For these reasons, and others not outlined here (mainly because of laziness) Keir will be voting "Yes." And for these reasons, Keir is confident of a win for the "Yes" campaign far greater than that famous win in 1997.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau Is Not Dear To Cheryl

Says it all

Keir watched from the gallery yesterday as Welsh MPs Huw Irranca-Davies and Chris Bryant became noticeably agitated by the statement made to the House by Transport Secretary Phil Hammond.

Further to Keir's last post about the issue of rail electrification, it seems the Government is indeed intent on leaving Wales with a 20th century rail infrastructure as the rest of the UK moves into the 21st. Despite gleefully confirming a wad of investment for England's rail lines, Hammond stalled on committing to electrification from London through to Swansea, all but affirming rumours that the improvements will stop before the border.

Hammond tried to fob the issue off onto the Welsh Assembly Government but, as the First Minister pointed out, this is not a devolved issue.

Now, Hammond is just doing his job. But one person who isn't is Cheryl Gillan. The Welsh Secretary, surely the first Minister who will lose their job in some way or another, has evidently been putting no pressure on her Government on this issue. Gillan is facing increased pressure to resign from her constituents who, as if to highlight the difference between Wales and the place where she resides and represents, are outraged at plans to run the new HS2 rail line through the affluent English constituency. According to Irranca-Davies, Mrs. Gillan has now said she will resign should the HS2 development go ahead; surely she should be making such principled stands on behalf of Wales as well? She isn't. Instead she is making non-committal remarks about how she remains "fully supportive of electrification" and that she "hoped to work with WAG" on the issue.

And the Government's suggestion that there needed to be a stronger business case for electrification to extend to Wales was shown to be nonsense by Rhondda MP Bryant. South Wales and the Valleys needs this development to increase its ability to grow. But it seems the Government is playing stick and stick with Wales; forcing thousands of redundancies from the public sector whilst killing plans like this that would have stimulated private sector growth.

Keir's got a suggestion for a carrot the Government could use though: sack this useless Welsh Secretary and appoint someone to the role who can effectively represent the interests of Wales in this Cabinet of millionaires.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

Wales ConDemned. Again.

"Just get on the Megabus, Katherine"

Was meant to post this about a week ago; forgive Keir's tardiness.

Keir, along with other alert Welsh folk, anticipated the Conservative Government leaving Wales behind as the axe was wielded across the UK.

And last week we were given further evidence to support that.

Friend of the blog Huw Irranca-Davies MP took yet another concern of the Welsh people to Westminster, asking for clarification from the Government to quash rumours that the planned rail electrification between London and South Wales was going to be halted before it even reached the toll booths of Pont Hafren. The electrification of the rail line would provide jobs and a faster, greener, more reliable service at no extra cost to fare-payers. A Labour initiative from last year, it would keep Wales in line with the rest of the country in terms of infrastructure development. Yet now, as ever, the Conservatives seem to want to leave Wales behind.

And this would not merely be a short delay; according to one expert, if it doesn't happen now, it won't happen for a very long time. But then, he is using big theories like "economies of scale" that we can't expect our novice Chancellor to understand. In the same article, we are warned that failure to expand the electrification to Swansea as planned would be an economic "disaster" for South Wales.

Keir can't help but wonder whether it may help to have a Welsh voice on the Cabinet Committee for, hmmm I dunno, Economic Affairs?

Anyway, Keir would like to echo the words of the Ogmore MP:

"I would urge the Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan, to stand up for Wales and ensure that we are not left behind."

Maybe we can also call on the Government patsies to help the cause? LibDem Norman Baker wanted to take electrification even further than South Wales when he spoke on the issue last year, declaring, "The Liberal Democrats want virtually the entire network electrified by 2040."

A LibDem promise. Fear the worst.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

Cuts, Cabinet Committees and Carwyn

Okay, so 'Stiflegate' didn't really stick as a label for the issue. But whatever. In case you forgot, this was the name Keir gave to the situation facing Wales given that the new "Welsh" Secretary was only allowed a seat on one Cabinet Committee.

It was Huw Irranca-Davies MP who raised the issue in the Chamber with Mrs. Gillan after Keir sent his open letter to her. The response was typically guarded, defensive and unhelpful; typically Tory.

He didn't let it rest however, raising the issue again at the Welsh Grand Committee.

And the pressure is still on Mrs. Gillan from all over the constitutional framework. First Minister Carwyn Jones is now in on the act. Wales is suffering the consequences of the recent Comprehensive Spending Review because of a lack of "...clout around the Cabinet table," he said. Well, even more simply, it's because of a lack of presence around the Cabinet table.

She doesn't seem to be doing anything about this collective pressure though. Instead, Gillan, seemingly triumphant, declared this week that Wales would only be suffering from a 7.5% budget cut; 2% less than the UK average. Excellent. So Wales is the Koi-Takasu in this Hiroshima of spending cuts.

Every cloud, ay. (Pun intended)

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

Labour Must Begin The Fightback In Wales

As we watch painfully whilst our MPs in Westminster sit on the wrong side of the chamber it is easy to think that our party is unable to act. As Osborne, Cameron and the patsies swing their axe through the public finances, our MPs watch in helpless disgust and it is hard to imagine how we can begin our fightback when we look at this scene.

But there is hope. Take a short trip from Westminster, through the West Country and toward the longest river in the country. It will cost you at least £5.50, but as the Severn Bridge becomes Pont Hafren you enter a land where Labour can be reinvigorated again. Travel from the dry, cold ash of Westminster into Wales and you will discover the warm, glowing embers of our party. Far from dead, in Wales we must begin to launch our fightback.

Carwyn Jones, the recently(ish) elected First Minister, is more than prepared to take up the fight to the Conservative government in Westminster. A new, fresh face after the incredible service of Rhodri Morgan, Jones is clearly not fearful of taking Westminster on as his recent reaction to the proposal to close the passport office in Newport shows.

And just this week Welsh Labour chose its new General Secretary. In David Hagendyk, the party in Wales has appointed a young, progressive General Secretary who cares deeply about Wales, her communities and the party's role within them.

And despite the party's dire failure to elect any Welsh MPs to the Shadow Cabinet in Westminster, the Labour benches are littered with Welsh MPs ready and able to take on the Conservative government for every penny they intend to divert from Wales.

Peter Hain will doubtless continue to be a strong voice at the front bench against the English Welsh Secretary.

Huw Irranca-Davies wasted absolutely no time getting stuck into the terrible decision to appoint an English MP as Welsh Secretary. And not only that, but a succinct attack on the lack of air time the said "Welsh" Secretary will get in the Cabinet Committee meetings of this government. He also holds quite an important position considering the potential areas of economic development in Wales. As a Shadow Energy and Climate Minister, it will be part of his job to ensure the government delivers new green industries into Wales. It's not like the Tories will necessarily know where exactly he means though; so Huw may need to provide the likes of Jeremy Hunt with directions. Irranca-Davies is also of a rare breed: a politician with a decent website.

Then there are committed community MPs such as new boy Nick Smith in Blaenau Gwent. Keir was in the area not so long ago to watch David Miliband give the annual speech in his name. Upon speaking to some of the locals, it was clear that Mr. Smith is highly respected in the area and his involvement in the community shows Labour is far from powerless on those streets where Bevan once walked. His participation in the successful "Turn On The Lights" campaign is one example of such action.

Newport East MP Jessica Morden is another seemingly intent on making sure the new government do not leave Wales in the wilderness.

The list goes on: from seasoned veterans like Alun Michael to the newly elected Susan Jones. We've even got the youngest councillor in Wales, with 19-year-old Luke Bouchard recently elected in Treherbert following a 10% swing from Plaid.

And, in true Welsh tradition, a poet! Chris Bryant's poem however, has a very serious point that should not be missed.

Far from navel-gazing, the party in Wales is looking outward and trying to find ways to bring our communities together and engage more people than just the same, committed members who turn out for us in whatever the volatile Welsh elements throw in front of them. Keir has wind of an event in Cardiff as soon as this weekend where members will be discussing how they engage with the people in our communities.

As Keir has commented countless times before, Wales is directly in the firing line of this government. We all know what they are doing is wrong, but we must be clear about one thing. As Mr. Miliband noted in the aforementioned speech, this government is "weak in principle, but sure of purpose."

"Weak in principle, but sure of purpose"

Combined with this, and another thing Keir has pointed out before, is the fact that the public, for now, are going along with these cuts. Some initial signs are good. Polling for next year's Assembly elections shows Labour up 10 percentage points from 2007 and hitting 40%, with Plaid next on 23%. UK polling is also showing Labour creeping up on the Conservatives and even taking the lead with some pollsters.

But we need more. To fight back, Labour cannot look inward, it must use what power it has and it must get back into the communities throughout this country to reignite the flames from the embers left over after May's election and build more of that power.

And that must start in Wales.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

Gillan Perks Up

It is at least slightly promising to hear Cheryl Gillan attempting to defend Wales' interests.

The closure of the passport office in Newport would mean hundreds of people going into unemployment as well as the inconvenience and unfairness caused by Wales not having an office.

Let's hope newly re-appointed Shadow Welsh Secretary Peter Hain also puts his bit in. Keir can't help but think Huw Irranca-Davies would have been a much better candidate to oppose Mrs. Gillan over the dispatch box but such is life.

It was somewhat shocking that not one Welsh MP got voted into the Shadow Cabinet. Frankly, the system is bonkers. We all just spent 4 months deciding who we want to lead our party; I'm sure part of the new leader's job should be to appoint the best team he can. Seems as though the party is just using elections to make us seem more democratic. If it's ineffectual, then what's the point? I feel the same about House of Lords reform.

Anyway, Gillan has a huge amount of responsibility to stop these sorts of closures. 300 more unemployed in an area with 9.7% unemployment will not be great to say the least. This will continue. The Tories don't care about Wales, as we can tell from how they treated Welsh voices at party conference. Gillan needs to ensure that lack of care does not manifest itself to the tune of job cuts throughout the country.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

"Welsh" Conservatives Debate Plight Of Wales...Apparently

Keir has already highlighted how Wales is going to be hit a lot harder than most parts of the country by the new Conservative government's cuts.

Since Keir's post, other commentators have agreed. Economists have also added their weight to the argument.

Because of this, there is no more important time for Wales to be represented properly at the front line of politics.

So, the Coalition government appointed Cheryl Gillan as Welsh Secretary. Regular readers will know Keir's thoughts on that. Not the best start.

Hell, but even Mrs. Gillan was bright enough to agree with Keir's analysis.

So now we enter Conference season. A great time for the Welsh Conservatives to meet, discuss Wales and try to push for greater emphasis on protecting Wales from the cuts. An ideal moment for Mrs. Gillan to hear from the Welsh Conservatives who care about the direction in which Wales will be sent. A chance for her to let senior Welsh Tories contribute to a sensible debate where Wales could be shielded from the potential disastrous effects of the coalition.

Oh, wait.... instead, they do this. Failed East of England PPC Iain Dale, chairs the meeting with the English-constituency-MP-cum-Welsh-Secretary and the English leader of the Welsh Conservatives.

Labour's next Shadow Welsh Secretary has one hell of a job because these lot don't have a clue. And we need people like Huw Irranca-Davies on the front bench, fighting this motley crew who will do nothing to stop the axe from coming crashing down on Wales.

The spirit of Glyndwr is going to be needed in the House of Commons.

Wonder if Iain Dale even knows who that is?

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

Gillan Cracks

Keir cares not for the means, so long as the ends are achieved. With that in mind, there is some slight relief to be felt after Cheryl Gillan's recent admission that Wales will be disproportionately hit by the Conservative governments fetish for public sector cuts. Not relief at the fact that Wales will be hardest hit, of course; just relief that she's admitting it.

As you should know, ahem, Keir was banging on about this months ago. Indeed, it was the whole reason for the open letter that Keir sent to Mrs. Gillan and all Welsh officials earlier this year. Maybe Huw Irranca-Davies' persistence and his whole-hearted championing of the issue has helped to make her realise she has a responsibility to serve the people of Wales.

Either way, at least it's got through.

However, it still comes back to the Cabinet Committee problem. In her statement, the Secretary of State says,

"...therefore in budget discussions we are looking at the impact on the Welsh budget".

Well, where better to discuss this than the Economic Affairs Cabinet Committee? But, of course, this is one of the Committees that Mrs. Gillan doesn't have membership on; it's the one that irked Keir the most. This was precisely why it was so important that she sits on that Committee. Precisely the reason Keir took time out of his otherwise busy day to write a polite letter; precisely the reason Huw Irranca-Davies took his question to the House. If she had realised this prior to Huw asking his question, maybe she wouldn't have snapped back like a Buckinghamshire terrier and would have, instead, given a reasoned answer.

At least this gives fellow Welsh MPs more scope to put pressure on Mrs. Gillan to ensure she gives Wales a voice in this new government. The fight can go on.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

Keir Is Alive And Well In The Valleys

Today, in the heart of the Valleys where Keir once agitated and organised, David Miliband gave a speech honouring the lessons we can learn from Keir's life and actions as well as speaking of his future hope for our movement, party and country.

The best thing to do is post the link, so the whole speech is here.

From a podium fronted with a yellowed, framed picture of Keir in the Cynon Valley, Miliband spoke to a crowd of ex-pitmen from Penrhiwceiber, unemployed people in their 20's from Aberaron, workers from Mountain Ash and pensioners from Cwmbach. This is a part of the country embedded in so-called "old" Labour values. A part of the country battered and slashed by successive Conservative governments and a part of the country staring directly at the oncoming threat of austere measures that could threaten to destroy them once more. It is also a part of the country that doesn't care much for the collective sympathy of others; a part of the country where people stick together through all of the above and stand sternly in the path of the blue axe.

Furthermore, it is a part of the country where the people have no passive deference to those at the top. There is not much hero worship in this part of the country; maybe except for rugby legends. The only other heroes are the people from their own communities; like the ones who lived and nearly died down the pits. The ones like Keir who dragged life with them, kicking and screaming, when the elite cared not to provide any opportunities to them: the ones who made things for themselves. Politicians certainly are not easily worthy of such hero treatment. Pomp, glitz and spin don't sit with the people in this part of the country and there is no respect for reputation alone. Facebook, Twitter and hashtags don't impress these people. What they want from their politicians is action.

So, when the gathered crowd stood to applaud the speech, as well as the substantial Q & A session, given by David Miliband, you felt it was a big deal. For anyone who thought Miliband could not capture the values and beliefs of the left, centre-left and soft-left of the party, seeing the reaction of this audience proved absolutely otherwise.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

Update on Gillan-gate

Just a quick update on the Cheryl Gillan issue.

After her answer to Huw Irranca-Davies' question, one might have thought that the issue would be dropped. Not so. Keir has never known a Welshman to drop a cause like that so easily. In fact, Keir's sure this one will drag on. "It would not be right to leave this one rest on just one bold attempt," were the encouraging words from the Ogmore MP. He e-mailed Keir to give his thoughts and pointed out how rattled Mrs. Gillan got after being asked the question. "The lady's not for turning", were his apt words. Keir thinks that Mrs. Gillan couldn't care less about the committees she sits on or, for that matter, about Wales.

Irranca-Davies went on to raise the issue again at the seemingly farcical Welsh Grand Committee meeting a few days ago. Reading Betsan's blog is what I'd recommend to get an idea of the somewhat bizarre and shambolic way the new government is running the Welsh Office.

And, finally, the Welsh media have taken up the issue it seems. The Western Mail featured this article last week.

So no developments, but an update nonetheless.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

More Gillan

After completely failing to answer Huw Irranca Davies's question on Cabinet Committees (not, it seemed, even understanding what the question was) Governor General Cheryl Gillan has been in the news a little more recently. A front page on todays Western Mail no less!

But first: whilst SoS, Peter Hain had Leighton Andrews' former bag carrier David Taylor as his SpAd. Since Gillan has taken over the Welsh Office, she is yet to replace Taylor. She was expected to replace him with Welsh Conservative Press Officer Richard Hazlewood, who has lots of experience in Wales and Welsh Politics. However, rumour has it, that instead, she is going to install her researcher, Oxford Graduate Sam Gibbs (who has no experience in Wales, or of Wales). So the person directly assisting the SoS in organising the Referendum, and representing Wales in government, has as much experience as she does. Very little. Fantastic.

And the Western Mail. Put simply:

High Flying Civil Servant (who happens to be Welsh) queries why the GG insists in staying in the swanky St Davids Hotel in Cardiff Bay (very nice, but very expensive, Keir can attest) rather than at the flat the Welsh Office [perhaps] have (Billy Hague used to stay there: Keir is not sure if they still own it) or in a cheaper hotel, when she is in Wales, seeing as "...we are all in it together." It must be remembered that this is the same woman who now, it seems, rather hypocritically earned the praise of the TaxPayers Alliance by forcing civil servants out of first class.

High Flying Civil Servant (who happens to be Welsh) is moved to the Ministry of Justice.

So does she not want a Welsh civil servant working for her? Does she not want a civil servant who is anything but a yes[wo]man working for her? Welcome to the new politics. Of course, this wouldn't happen if we had a SoS who was, you know, Welsh, and from a Welsh constituency.

To The Dispatch Box

After Keir's small campaign to raise the issue of Cheryl Gillan's lack of memberships on Cabinet Committees, some progress has been made.

As was previously mentioned, Huw Irranca-Davies MP submitted a question for Wales Orals on June 23rd. Keir is pleased to confirm that the question was selected and now the issue, with the help of Mr. Irranca-Davies, is on the Westminster agenda.

Keir knows you will all stay glued to your BBC Parliament screen or Democracy Live stream next Wednesday to see how Mrs. Gillan responds to the question. Keir is instead hoping to be in the public gallery, so will of course report on proceedings.

We have had some positive and supportive responses from Welsh Labour MPs and, as they outnumber Welsh MPs of other parties, the pressure in the house should be in our favour. Also, those Plaid MPs that sit should support our cause. Prepare to seethe, however, as the Tory MPs deny any negative ramifications caused by the Welsh Secretary having barely any memberships to committees. And it won't stop there: LibDem MPs appear to be following the Government line.

In the grand scheme of things, and in the context of it being our parliament with all of it's slow and cumbersome procedures, it is hard to set a tangible and realistic target. One realistic, yet still very optimistic, aim would be for Mrs. Gillan to agree to a meeting with one or more Welsh MPs who take issue with her lack of membership. At least then the MPs who support the cause will be able to produce a more detailed case. Personally, I can't see Mrs. Gillan doing anything but follow the line. The last thing the new, unstable Conservative government needs is a minor wrangle from a Cabinet Minister.

Still, we can but wait and see. Keir very much appreciates what Mr. Irranca-Davies is doing on behalf of the Welsh people.

Terrible Twosome

Notwithstanding his keen reply to our letter about Cheryl Gillan's complete unsuitability to be Secretary of State for Wales, David Davies MP (Con, Monmouth) has been elected unopposed as Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee. Although it had never been held by anyone other than a Labour MP, the parties had agreed, why, Keir cannot imagine, that the WASC Chair would be held by a Tory.

Keir can only scream. David Davies rivals Cheryl Gillan for complete unsuitability to anything that impacts on Wales.

This is the same David Davies who opposed devolution and campaigned against it in 1997, opposes extension of powers to the Senedd, and last year attended 5 out of 44 meetings of the committee, about 11%. The man the BBC refers to as the '...Tory tornado' will certainly have to improve his attendance, as new rules state that any member with less than 60% attendance can be voted off by his colleagues.

Incidentally, this is also the same David Davies who referred to torture recently as a "bonus" and campaigns for Britain to leave the EU, worrying when Keir considers how important the EU is to the recovery of Wales not only from this recession but the gutting of its economy in the 1970s and 80s.

What sort of a message does it send to Wales as a whole, combining Gillan, (whose only qualification is that she spent the first 11 years of her life in Wales) with Davies? (who is anti-devolution and seemingly, has so interest in the select committee he is now chair of) What sort of issues will be on the agenda with someone who categorically disagrees over Wales's right for even limited self governance?

But it's OK, because

Mr Davies had said he really wanted the job and would get the committee to look at issues which he thought were important to Wales.

How self obsessed is this man? Shouldn't he be looking at issues which ARE important to Wales?

Progress...

A promising development in the Cheryl Gillan situation. It shall hereby be referred to as "Stiflegate".

Huw Irranca-Davies MP, one of Keir's earlier respondents, has been the only MP to take action on this issue in any constructive way. After thanking the man he now calls "Huw" for his initial response, Keir was delighted to hear back from the Ogmore MP as he said,

"Ok. Let's get the ball properly rolling. I have submitted a question for Wales Orals on 23rd June:

'How many Cabinet Committees will she be attending in her role as Secretary of State for Wales?"

This is great news indeed. Keir agrees with Huw as he continued,

"That simple and innocuous question should provide the catalyst for some good exchanges on the inadequate representation of Wales at Cabinet level."

He also said that he has, "...a good feeling in [his] bones" that this question will be selected for the debate.

This is indeed a success. As Huw said, this question should provoke debate in the house and will force Mrs. Gillan to give a response on the issue. She can surely not disagree with what we are saying, so it will be very interesting to hear her views. What is also important is the timing of the question. As Keir suggested to Huw, the issue needs to be raised soon before the new government has settled into its ways and the bums on seats on Committees are comfortable.

It is indeed heartening that for every Gwenda Thomas, there is a Huw Irranca-Davies. Keir will of course inform of any further developments.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

Cheryl Gillan Letter Responses

Keir has received a few responses from the officials that were sent the open letter. Considering the letter was sent on a Bank Holiday weekend, it is understandable, if slightly frustrating, that there hasn’t been a flood of e-mails just yet but here are the responses so far:

Peter Black AM (Liberal Democrats) sent a somewhat suspicious response. His first response stated;

“Thanks for your e-mail. I have noted your concern. I do not accept that Wales has been marginalised under this coalition government as you imply.”

However, after Keir sent a response expressing disagreement but appreciation for the quick response which also, incidentally, came on Bank Holiday Monday, Mr. Black surprisingly responded again, saying;

“I will obviously keep an open mind and maintain a dialogue with my party on this issue.”

Maybe it is reading in a bit deep, but it did seem a bit bizarre that he replied to a simple reply indicating our appreciation that he responded in the first place. Some might say it has the sound of a caged man. Or some may just say he is merely highlighting the democratic and open nature of Liberal Democrat policy-making procedures. Keir will leave you to judge for yourself.

David Davies, MP for Montmouthshire, said,

“I don’t think membership of cabinet committees can be determined by who represents which area of the UK, otherwise who is in there specifically representing the English[?]”

A fair point, Keir conceded. But the issue that the English don’t have a representative is totally separate. Keir also added that if Ministers are given Cabinet posts to represent the devolved areas, then surely government acknowledges that representation in Cabinet and, thus, on Committees is necessary? It was also pointed out to Mr. Davies that Cheryl Gillan has very little experience of Home Affairs yet has 5 years experience as the Opposition spokesperson for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. So what is her one membership, on the Home Affairs Committee, based on? Mr Davies simply responded;

“Well I haven’t got the time to look this up but I could have sworn she had something to do with prisons at some point. I am relying on memory.”

It may sound like Mr. Davies is dodging the issue, but Keir appreciates that he is a busy man and the fact that he sent 3 quick responses to our persistent e-mails in the space of around 20 minutes is commendable enough. Especially given that Keir is not a constituent of Mr. Davies. Keir welcomes debate and disagreement and Mr. Davies’ frankness made him go up a bit further in the estimation.

On a more positive note, John Griffiths AM (Labour) responded well to the letter. Mr. Griffiths simply said;

“Well done on your initiative on this. Labour AMs and MPs amongst others have been and will be making appropriate points on this as you suggest.

Best wishes

John”

Well you can’t ask more than that, can you? And Keir does like a “Best Wishes” as opposed to a “Regards”.

David Jones, Conservative MP for Clwyd West, seemed in lazy mood when he responded to Keir, simply saying,

“I am sure Mrs Gillan will send a response to you direct”

Cheers.

A slightly bizarre e-mail from David Hanson MP. Verbatim, it read,

“when i was parliamentary under secretary for wales 1999-2001 i sat on 23!”

Ummm...great. This doesn’t really help Keir or the Welsh people though. But thanks. I guess.

Gwenda Thomas, a Labour, AM fobbed Keir and the people of Wales off onto her “Researcher/PA”, who responded by saying,

“Gwenda Thomas AM thanks you for your email and notes the contents.”

Can’t help but think, “well fuck off then”. Keir wonders, if he was a raw 16-year old trying to get involved in politics, whether he’d become disenchanted with everything after getting this sort of response. Thanks for engaging Gwenda, thanks. I’m sure you’re much busier than David Davies.

Tory MP Guto Bebb simply said,

“We are very keen to ensure that there is a strong Welsh voice in parliament and your comments have been noted.”

Great. Thanks. 

Huw Irranca-Davies, MP for Ogmore, sent a slightly more encouraging response to Keir’s letter. He said,

“I share your concern that Wales is now in danger of being sidelined and even ignored by the new coalition government. The appointment of a Secretary of State who does not represent a seat in Wales, the bypassing of the First Minister when Cameron announced there will be no referendum on further devolution of powers this autumn, and the proposal to cull the numbers of MPs from Wales are all unmistakeable signs of the new direction of travel. Labour MPs from Wales will of course be speaking up for Wales, because I worry that the new government in Westminster will not.”

Hear, hear, Mr. Irranca-Davies.

So, quite a feeble response so far sadly. Without a cross-party consensus among Welsh MPs, the resistance from the few who voice dissent will be futile.

This sort of issue needs a much more organised revolt. A letter to MPs, evidently, will not achieve enough. Keir feels the campaign methods and Labour Party structural changes being proposed by some of the leadership contenders will allow for grassroots rebellion to be a lot stronger. So, come October, when we have a new leader and if the response to this issue isn’t good enough, Keir assures his no-doubt wide readership that he will be agitating on the ground, just like he did at the start of the twentieth century.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

An Open Letter From Keir To Cheryl Gillan

This blog has decided to try and contact the new Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan, in an entirely non-partisan way, to question her about the legitimacy of her not being granted membership to Cabinet Committees that make important decisions that relate to the people of Wales.

Though, somewhat cynically, not expecting a response, the least we can do is try.

Here is a transcript of the message:

Secretary of State,

I am writing to request that you make the case to your Prime Minister to have you given membership to more of the Cabinet Committees that deal with issues relevant to Wales.

I feel that having a representative for Wales on only one Cabinet Committee is a tragic under-representation of a significant part of the United Kingdom that is in particular need of economic and social assistance at this point in time.

As your Party Manifesto showed, Wales has only a 4% share of the entire United Kingdom economy. This, coupled with the fact that 30% of the Welsh working population is employed in the public sector, means that Wales is in a potentially dangerous position in light of the recent political and economic announcements.

I found it shocking that you were not given membership to two of the other Committees in particular: the Economic Affairs Committee and the European Affairs Committee. The reason for my shock is that these Cabinet Committees will make decisions in policy areas that are extremely important to Wales. Firstly, as I previously mentioned, Wales’ share of the UK economy means that Wales needs particular attention when considering Economic Affairs. Only one region, the North East of England, has a lower share of the UK economy than Wales so I think it is extremely important that you, as Secretary of State for Wales, should have membership on the Economic Affairs Committee. Just to highlight the regional disparity, the South East of England has a 14% share of the UK economy, London has a 21% share and the North West of England has a 10% share. In addition, the amount of people employed in the public sector in Wales is around 5% higher than the national average, meaning the public sector cuts are likely to be more damaging to Wales than they will be to the country as a whole. This, too, makes me believe that your place on this Committee should be essential.

The reasons that I think you should be granted membership to the European Affairs Committee are also, I feel, quite clear. Wales has benefitted tremendously from links to the European Union in recent years. Swansea, as I am sure you are well aware, has seen a significant rebirth of late and that has been largely down to EU funding. The development at Cardiff Bay, similarly, has been helped by EU money. Also, Wales has received around £1.3billion in recent years from the EU in order to boost the economic growth and prosperity in West Wales and the Valleys in order to try to close the gaps in regional prosperity. For our tourist industry, the EU has helped raise the quality of over 40 beaches so that they meet Blue Flag standards and has given business grants to Stena Line Ports so that it can develop ports in Wales to boost tourism and also trade in general.

I sincerely hope that you can give me a response to these issues and, at least, give me your thoughts on the arguments that I have raised. I feel these are incredibly important issues for the people of Wales and, as the representative for Wales in the Cabinet; you should have a key role to play.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Keir will seek the support of prominent bloggers to highlight this issue and will, of course, report back on any developments, whilst not expecting any at all.

Keir Is One Welsh Step Ahead

Thanks to Left Foot Forward and WalesOnline for confirming what this small-town blog said a week earlier. We're not ones to brag, but what the hell. Everyone else does. We can guarantee that if it had been Iain Dale making an accurate observation of this sort, there'd be a party for all fellow Toryphiles which would have been hosted at an English country house covered in pictures of the new Tory hero David Laws.

Sadly, he rarely gets a chance to call upon such accurate observations of the political scene.

Bragging over, back to the Westminster stifling of Wales.

News of the Cabinet Committee membership was revealed a couple of days back and I have been trying to figure out a way of describing the farce without coming over all rage-fuelled Welsh-barbarian. So, anger slightly diluted, here goes.

The fact that Cheryl Gillan, MP for Chesham and Amersham and Secretary of State for Wales (yes, really), has only been granted membership to one Cabinet Committee is an act of pure ignorance and insult. The new Conservative government (yes, it is) rode the crest of a "new politics" wave, yet has simultaneously reduced the representation of Wales and females in their new Cabinet Committees. Scottish Secretary Danny Alexander has 8 memberships. Fair? Free? Respectful? They were the buzz-words of the new government.

Let us also consider the fact that some of the Committees that Gillan hasn't been given membership on are very relevant to Wales. Her one membership was for the Home Affairs Committee. Fair enough. But why isn't she on the Economic Affairs Committee? Danny Alexander is. As has been pointed out in previous posts, Wales has the second-lowest percentage share of the UK economy (4%; the North East is lowest with 3%) and needs urgent economic growth considering that the public sector cuts will hit Wales disproportionately harder than most areas. I would therefore consider a Welsh voice on the Cabinet Committee for Economic Affairs to be pretty important for the people of Wales.

She is also not on the European Affairs Committee. Again, Danny Alexander got a seat on this Committee. And it is wholly relevant to Wales. Swansea has recently had help from EU funding which has basically seen the city reborn. The amazing development at Cardiff Bay was helped not too modestly by EU funds. The EU has helped raise the standards of over 40 beaches in Wales so that they meet its Blue Flag standard. We've received £1.3 billion from the EU to help the development of the Valleys in order to decrease regional gaps in prosperity. And all of this is before we take into consideration the trade benefits that Wales receives as a result of "European Affairs". Why does Wales therefore not have a seat on this Committee? Can we rely on a Eurosceptic government to take into account Wales when considering European Affairs if there is nobody present to represent her?

She will also not be on the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Committee, though she will kindly be sent minutes. Wow. As this Committee would, I assume, deal with a lot of matters regarding devolution, I reckon her presence might be relevant.

It has been 25 years or so since the wicked witch ransacked Wales, but the new Conservative regime clearly has the same lack of desire to see Wales and its people prosper. Welsh MPs must take up the fight in parliament.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.

Wales' Most Wanted

So PM Dave took his first trip to the glorious land where the ancient Britons once dwelled. Having left the homeland recently, I have had the opportunity to “look in” from the outside. Maybe it is sentimentality or my daily craving for my own country, but I fear for Wales under this Tory administration.

I vividly remember the stories from childhood about what Thatcher and her disciples did to our beautiful land and its stoic men and women. Tales of hospital closures, school degradation, stealing milk from young schoolchildren and political war with our working men became like religious tales of Good v Evil. Thatcher was the devil.

Also vivid in my recollection is my horror and anger at turning to page 22 (page 122 on pdf) of my “Invitation to Join the Government of Britain”. In a map of the UK, regions are sized according to their share of the national economy. I could not believe the nerve that the Tories had to point out that Wales and the North East had a 3% and 4% share of the UK economy respectively. It is their fault that these areas have not flourished! And whereas Labour had some policies in their manifesto to provide new industries to create jobs in Wales and the North East, the Tories seem to offer no solution to the problem that they caused when they ruined the lives and prospects of thousands of Welsh families. Indeed, the only promises they make will create huge problems for Wales.

We know that the Tories are going to decimate our public services, but this is even more of a problem in Wales where some 30% of the population are employed in the public sector. The percentage of people employed in public administration, education and health in Wales is roughly 5% higher than the national average (thanks Online Percentage Calculator). This clearly means that Wales will be disproportionately impacted, negatively, by the Tory cuts. I therefore can’t understand the logic of the Tory map showing Wales’ relative lack of productivity and economic prosperity when their policies are just going to drive the country to further ruin. Maybe they were showing off? “Look what we can dooooo with power!”

Will “Thatcher v The Miners” be emulated by “Thatcher’s Bastard Children v Public Sector Unions”? Well, with a strong representative for Wales, maybe we will be okay?

Enter Stage Right: Cheryl Gillan. Our new Secretary of State for Wales is an MP representing a part of the country where all bodily fluids run the colour blue. Born in Cardiff, she left Wales aged 11 and has not represented a single Welsh person’s interest in Parliament since; deciding instead to represent a constituency that would have benefitted immensely from the Welsh work ethic during the Industrial Revolution. So that’s a great start.

LetUsFaceTheFuture.