tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120688032011-06-08T07:13:56.953+01:00Francesnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1611100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1136895181142958662006-01-10T11:55:00.000Z2006-01-10T12:13:01.163Z

Jenny Willott changed her mind quite quickly about Charles Kennedy. First of all on Friday she was backing him, then her name was on the list of 25 calling for Chatshow Charlie to quit. The BBC's Wales at Westminster Weblog also picked up on this. There was a story in yesterday's Echo on the same subject, but I can't find it online. I'll have another look in a bit.Lembit, one would imagine, is

Garynoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1136723795766563502006-01-08T11:54:00.000Z2006-01-08T12:44:24.683Z

It's unlikely that Sophia Gardens will be housing the temporary ice rink for the Cardiff Devils.An executive meeting of Cardiff County Council has recommended that it be built at the International Sports Village.I say unlikely, because the executive decision still has to be approved by the planning committee on January 18th, although it would be very strange if the committee went against the

Garynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1134427230816539702005-12-12T22:33:00.000Z2005-12-12T22:40:30.853Z

Another press release from Plaid Cymru, more of a release of a letter, actually. Been sat on it for a few days but was reminded listening to Primetime (yes, Primetime, the Saga radio station for the over fifties) where it came up on the national news. Also on the BBC, Muslim pupils given food apology.Hugh KnightChief Schools OfficerRoom 317cCounty HallCARDIFFDear Mr KnightRE: SERVING OF NON-HALAL

Francesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1132776860729204382005-12-12T11:00:00.000Z2005-12-12T11:01:58.803Z

Some time ago I got the Lib Dem 'Delivering our promises to the people of Cardiff' leaflet - 'Liberal Democrats on Cardiff Council report back'. And now we report back.It hasn't been scanned in yet because it's of a very inconvenient format. It begins with a nice group portrait of the Lib Dem Council group following the 2004 elections, including the Cathays councillor who later defected to Plaid

Francesnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1134296152344171482005-12-11T09:51:00.000Z2005-12-11T10:41:13.156Z

The Devolution Bill:End of the devolution question? (8th Dec, WM) Another new dawn for devolution by Peter Hain (8th Dec, WM) 'Like other parties we want to keep a few surprises' (9th Dec, WM) Tories relax on devolution but what of the bill? (10th Dec, WM)And more specifically the dual candidacy issue:Labour's 'cynical election ploy' under attack (9th Dec, WM) Assembly could lose best politicians

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1133478198662497802005-12-01T22:45:00.000Z2005-12-01T23:03:23.693Z

Pledge on Cardiff congestion charging (SWE, 1st Dec) and 'Cardiff streets will be a lot safer' (SWE, 1st Dec) for a bit of anti-car news.Leanne Wood stirs it up a bit #2348: AM's jibe at fury over assembly daubers (SWE, 1st Dec).Hold on to your chromosomes... Nuclear fall-out as Wales and Blair disagree (WM, 26th Nov).Pension crisis? What pension crisis? Pension crises worse in Wales (WM, 1st Dec

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1133294062871381702005-11-29T19:22:00.000Z2005-11-29T23:17:52.186Z

Have received a press release from Plaid, the meat of which is concerned about an Eid party organised by Labour a mere month after the event. I noted at the time that Cardiff did not seem to have an Eid event, they just have a late one. So, that press release:Eid festival: Labour accused of insensitive bid for votesPlaid Cymru Muslim councillor lambasts hypocritical Rhodri MorganPlaid Cymru has

Francesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1132699374685105942005-11-22T22:09:00.000Z2005-11-22T22:42:54.710Z

The report also identified long term landfill issues in Cardiff. The Lamby Way site has approximately 3-4 years capacity left if waste continues to be generated at current levels. Commercial waste generates significant income for the Council, but as this increases, the lifespan of the site is reduced.Alternative facilities are likely to take a minimum of 5 years to establish resulting in a

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1132485559450053662005-11-20T09:51:00.000Z2005-11-25T21:43:54.386Z

On Thursday there was a meeting in the Temple of Peace organised by the Campaign Against Climate Change.It got off to a bit of a late start waiting for speakers to arrive, of an optimistic 100 seats about a quarter were filled. Chair, Robin Attfield, was from United Nations Association Wales and introduced the speakers, the first, David, I managed to miss but I understand spoke primarily about

Francesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1132400868972936492005-11-19T11:38:00.000Z2005-11-19T11:49:21.976Z

Dear Jenny,House of Lords reform is coming up over the next year - would you consider signing the EDM and using your influence for electing the Second chamber?The Minister for Constitutional Affairs Harriet Harman and the Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer have both publicly confirmed their intention to hold the promised free vote on the composition of the House of Lords by the end of the current

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1131973109785047292005-11-14T12:52:00.000Z2005-11-14T12:58:29.833Z

Jenny Willott was of course amongst the full set of Lib Dems who voted against the government on the proposal to detain terrorist suspects for up to 90 days without charge.So much has been bandied about in the media as to what the 'public' thinks with so few actual reliable surveys that I would urge everyone to get in touch with Ms Willott to either thank her or persuade her otherwise on jenny(at

Francesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1131284104694756442005-11-06T13:22:00.000Z2005-11-06T13:35:04.716Z

Most of Ms Willott's action in the Commons has been on council tax and immigration and asylum issues, both written and spoken. There are also two on the Licensing act, a chance for the disapproving to stick the knife in a bit further when plans they oppose don't work out. A full list of her parliament appearances is available via They Work For You.On the council tax issue she has also authored an

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1131278883118070782005-11-06T11:27:00.000Z2005-11-06T12:08:03.616Z

The Cardiff's Ecological Footprint Summary Report (linked to the front page where there is a big banner, because the frames don't allow individual page linking) can be downloaded as a PDF if you are so inclined and if you can take your eyes off the mesmerising and very ugly floating menus.Elsewhere, in the Council section I am trying to look up details of meetings I can attend as an observer. The

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1130873021655229862005-11-01T19:19:00.000Z2005-11-01T19:23:41.656Z

Quite the party week this week: a Happy Diwali for today, followed in quick succession by a happy Bestu Varush tomorrow and Eid ul Fitr on Friday with bonfire night on Saturday and Halloween just gone.Except of course in Cardiff all you'll get is Sparks in the Park. Celebrating the 400th anniversary of Parliament almost getting blown up. Or is it celebrating the foiling of the plan to blow up

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1130872411954154312005-11-01T19:11:00.000Z2005-11-01T19:13:31.976Z

Super speedy update with the latest Lib Dem Focus on Plasnewydd... scans available here. If anyone has an other copies of politics leaflets or copies of Focus send em in.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1129460152784509742005-10-16T11:41:00.000+01:002005-10-16T11:55:52.796+01:00

Willott gets an honourable mention in Charles Kennedy's conference speech:In Jenny Willott, Julia Goldsworthy and Jo Swinson we have the youngest MPs in Wales, England and Scotland - all women elected to parliament as Liberal DemocratsShe also gets a very honourable mention in the Guardian, mentioned as one of eight new MPs worth watching in a long and very interesting article, Class of 2005.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1129459183548227182005-10-16T10:39:00.000+01:002005-10-16T11:39:43.970+01:00

Lots of new and pictures over at Save Bute Park and Hit it for Six, the planning officer has recommended against the new developments in Sophia Gardens. There was a rally there yesterday and there are plenty of nice pictures at the two blogs.The opposition comes in the form of the Cardiff Devils website, the Elite League message boards and an online petition.There is a lot about this debate that

Francesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1129318066637652902005-10-14T19:56:00.000+01:002005-10-14T20:27:46.676+01:00

Bit late in to the news with this one... on Saturday 22nd Oct there's going to be a big demo, 12 o'clock at City Hall. The focus is stop the deportations and repeal section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act.Check Cardiff Social Forum's fora and the Cardiff Alternative News newsletter for all the latest. The Refugee Council has an overview of asylum legislation and loads more goodies.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1128973996210640832005-10-10T20:25:00.000+01:002005-10-10T20:53:16.223+01:00

There was a quiet and civilised gathering at the Glamorgan Cricket club in the park this afternoon. Planning people were looking around the site and locals, councillors, hockey fans and general other people had assembled to make their views known talk amongst themselves. There was probably over 100 people there.More: Save Bute Park and the new Hit it for Six. Are there any pro-site sites about?

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1127313678109006962005-09-21T15:38:00.000+01:002005-09-21T15:41:18.120+01:00

Is now at 99 Woodville Road in Cathays, in case you were wondering what had happened to the old Lib Dem office on City Road. According to the blurb on her website it's a bit bigger than the previous office, and is still being shared with AM Jenny Randerson.The phone number for the office of your local MP is now 02920 668 558.

Garynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1126433067008641222005-09-11T10:23:00.000+01:002005-09-11T11:04:27.040+01:00

A few bits of old news to catch up with...David Davies has been in a spot of trouble recently: MP accused over gypsy grant attack (7 Sept) and an almost identical Tory MP's jibes at lottery grant (8 Sept) made more interesting by interventions from the Cardiff Anarchist Network and South Wales AM Leanne Wood, MPs anarchist alert, (11 Sept, Wales on Sunday).Outcry at Assembly furniture fix

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1124628622912617312005-08-21T13:42:00.000+01:002005-08-29T12:16:04.216+01:00

Thursday, half a dozen men with Tesco clipboards and papers stood in and around the old Roberts Emporium on Salisbury Road, Roath Cathays.

Sophiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895085218149444899noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1124491873066569362005-08-19T22:45:00.000+01:002005-08-19T23:51:13.076+01:00

Most Welsh MPs elected by less than a third of votes cast, Western Mail. NOT a single MP in Wales received more than 50% support from the electorate in the General Election and just one received the backing of more than 40% of the constituents.Jenny Willott was elected on just under 50% of votes cast on a turnout of just under 60%.The research reveals that in Wales 26 of the 40 MPs were elected

Francesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1124042923339541432005-08-14T19:06:00.000+01:002005-08-14T19:11:05.786+01:00

Whoops. Politicians under fire for missing rally, icWales.LIBERAL Democrats have come under fire for not attending an anti-racism rally.About 150 people went to the demonstration outside Cardiff’s City Hall - but a leaked e-mail from a Lib Dem party worker revealed Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott and Jenny Randerson AM were advised by police “not to go due to security reasons”.Except the police

Francesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1123782418461198972005-08-11T18:41:00.000+01:002005-08-11T18:46:58.466+01:00

I notice just recently that JW's people have been setting up lots of alternative domains - the top three searches are for her .com, her .co.uk and her .org.uk. Nothing much has really changed on the site.There's new relevant stuff, all very exciting, over at The Political Weblog Project.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1122806007694518652005-07-31T11:22:00.000+01:002005-07-31T11:33:27.713+01:00

The South Wales Echo has a jokey sort of article about the publication of the register of interests, AMs do do well from freebees.I actually managed to find the report of the Wales.gov.uk website, a bit of an achievement I feel, so am linking straight to the PDF.Of our AMs no-one has anything very exciting to report though it does present a nice little opportunity to look behind the scenes at

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1122805299629442132005-07-31T10:22:00.000+01:002005-07-31T11:21:39.650+01:00

Fury at 'compulsory Welsh' plan in the Western Mail documents upset over the plans for a new Welsh Language Act that would have financial services and insurance companies operate bilingually.The Western Mail have a pre-report about Saturday's Rally after mosque attack. Councillor Mohammed Sarul Islam, who is chairing the rally, said, "At times like this we all need to remain united in rallying

Francesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1122548568649657162005-07-28T11:58:00.000+01:002005-07-28T12:02:51.130+01:00

Thought you might like a few photos of City Road's Centenary Festival, held on the 11th July.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1122296780836125872005-07-25T13:41:00.000+01:002005-07-25T14:06:20.843+01:00

The Cardiff Alternative News reports that a Cardiff mosque has been sent threatening letters and broken in to over the weekend following recent events in London. The details are as follows:Solidarity Rally & Demonstration Outside City Hall at 2 pm Saturday 30 July Supported by Unite Against Fascism, All Wales Ethnic Minority Association, Cardiff TUC, Plaid Cymru - Party of Wales, Respect - The

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1122152931654821842005-07-23T22:00:00.000+01:002005-07-23T22:08:51.660+01:00

The BBC iCan site has been revamped and turned in to Action Network, with a better interface and a more commanding name. I would really recommend people signing up, particularly if they are running or want to run a group, a campaign, an organisation or the whatever. It's really important that everyone be able to find people, help out, get involved, communicate and collaborate. So get out there

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1122114769539834042005-07-23T10:34:00.000+01:002005-07-23T11:32:49.546+01:00

The big news is from last week, that Willott is on the work and pensions committee, but it is the reporting of the news that will bring on the glowing pride:A number of highly thought of rising stars - such as Labour's Natascha Engel, the Conservatives' Justine Greening and the Lib Dems' Jenny Willott - are also taking seats on the work and pensions committee, while former Times columnist Michael

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1122111133273429662005-07-23T10:22:00.000+01:002005-07-23T10:32:13.273+01:00

Jenny Randerson has been plugging away over that Welsh Development Agency issue: 'Sleight of hand' covered budget cuts, Western Mail.Andrew Davies came under attack from the Liberal Democrats' economic development spokeswoman Jenny Randerson after a bundle of documents were disclosed to her following a request under the Freedom of Information Act. The material appeared to cast doubt on the

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1122110541998034592005-07-23T09:55:00.000+01:002005-07-23T10:22:22.006+01:00

The big Assembly news of the moment: AMs' expenses system 'abused' follows Probe to be launched in to AMs' expenses follows AM's expenses questioned after leaked memo, all Western Mail. This story has also spawned Hain warns of tougher rules for Welsh AMs and AMs work harder than MPs - Marek, Western Mail. Peter Black has a few poits to make about Hain's remarks in Labour power-grab.More on the

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1120746878161426372005-07-07T15:33:00.000+01:002005-07-07T15:36:14.723+01:00

Train station is closed due to terrorist threat, according to several people I've spoken to trying to get/changes tickets.Hope nobody's planning on travelling by train in the next few days...Also, security stepped up in Wales

Garynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1120382432118969182005-07-03T09:34:00.000+01:002005-07-03T10:20:32.133+01:00

South Wales Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood has been criticising the Prince of Wales and the amount of money he gets from taxpayers - Charles isn't committed to Wales, says AM along with news of Prince's private income rises by 11% to more than £13m, from the Western Mail.Jenny Randerson railed against the Welsh Development Agency a while ago and now Davies orders inquiry in to WDA's activities,

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1119520119415214292005-06-23T10:41:00.000+01:002005-06-23T10:48:39.420+01:00

A debate on Prescriptions, from They Work For You.Does the Minister accept that while cross-border differences in prescription charges are a big positive benefit for Wales, other variations are a big negative—for example, the massive increase in ambulance response times, with some areas achieving only 40 per cent. of their target emergency call-out times? Will the Minister commit to discussing

Francesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1119519510777611702005-06-23T09:56:00.000+01:002005-06-23T10:38:30.783+01:00

More top-up fees: Politicians celebrate top-up exemption deal and New deal for Welsh students over top-up fees, both Western Mail.And a bit on electoral systems: Assembley poll 'abuse' must end, says Hain...WELSH Secretary Peter Hain today demanded the end of the "widespread abuse" of the National Assembly electoral system under which "losers become winners".And this unbelievably ludicrous story

Francesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1119434368416784412005-06-22T09:22:00.000+01:002005-06-22T10:59:28.423+01:00

A two increasingly major themes:Devolution / future of the Assembly: Hain welcomes 'made in Wales' laws and Morgan defends referendum plan...That poll would be triggered by a two-thirds vote in the Assembly and a simple majority vote at Westminster.Europe: Morgan faces EU cash crisis...Opposition leaders yesterday warned that Mr Morgan may face a vote of no confidence if he fails to secure a

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1119365653971932582005-06-21T15:50:00.000+01:002005-06-21T23:41:33.136+01:00

The Welsh Assembly has, from my reading of it, just voted to charge top-up fees to English students wanting to study in Wales (capped at £3,000 pa) and kept the charges for Welsh students exactly as they are. Welsh students wanting to study any course not available in Wales will get help towards the cost of fees.On the surface of it this appears to allay the fears of Welsh Vice-Chancellors that

Garynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1118910922611109172005-06-16T09:24:00.000+01:002005-06-16T09:35:22.616+01:00

Yesterday's white paper (plus see Jenny Willott post below) are covered in Wales' future mapped out by Hain, Western Mail. It met with the obvious anger from everyone else:The Welsh Secretary called it a "a practical, common-sense route map to better governance," but outraged Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd accused Mr Hain of creating a "constitutional mish-mash" to appease Welsh

Francesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1118909880089089332005-06-16T09:16:00.000+01:002005-06-16T09:18:00.093+01:00

JW speaks. Yesterday in a Welsh Governance debate. Full transcript from They Work For You.How does the Secretary of State plan to consult as broadly as possible across Wales on the proposals? By consulting as many people as possible, he might get a better idea of current support for giving the Assembly greater powers, because there is some dispute about that in the House.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1118743012069073622005-06-14T10:41:00.000+01:002005-06-14T10:56:52.073+01:00

There is a Cardiff pledge up at PledgeBank, "I will clean-up the banks of the River Taff between Western Ave and Cardiff Castle but only if 5 other local people will too." by Paul Stacey.It sounds a super-good idea and a chance to test out the power of PledgeBank in Cardiff. I will be signing the pledge and spreading it about. Take a look and sign up yourself or let other people know about

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1118687834418059422005-06-13T19:11:00.000+01:002005-06-13T19:37:14.426+01:00

A super speedy 'In the news'...Law-making powers for Assembly 'vetoed by Blair and Prescott' from the Western Mail.New coalition warning for Rhodri, also Western Mail:In an extraordinary attack, rebel AM Peter Law claimed Mr Morgan was on the brink of being pushed from office in a power-sharing putsch of opposition leaders who had already 'divvied up' the ministerial jobs.Jenny Randerson is

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1118228163864458682005-06-08T11:14:00.000+01:002005-06-08T11:56:03.870+01:00

AMs urged to fight ID cards, Western Mail. One of our AMs Leanne Wood voted despite being on maternity leave and is quoted in the article:She said, “We in Wales should save ourselves from this expensive waste ofmoney. It is right that our doctors, teachers and other public servants shouldnot be burdened by this extra bureaucracy.“People just won’t put up with this, and it’ll become Labour’s

Francesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1118225510196340742005-06-08T11:00:00.000+01:002005-06-08T11:11:50.200+01:00

Two on Saturday, neither of which I will be able to attend. Anyone who does might want to think about posting a comment to earn themselves much thanks.Saturday 11th June - Amnesty International have a stall in the Hayes in town where they will be selling Amnesty stuff and taking photos for their Million Faces petition.Saturday 11th June - Wales Motiv8 4 G8, 11 - 4 in the Temple of Peace, Cathays.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1118155981363092192005-06-07T15:51:00.000+01:002005-06-07T15:53:01.366+01:00

I spied Jenny Willott with her arms full of papers and folders outside the Lib Dem office on City Road about 5 yesterday afternoon.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1118056888605672962005-06-06T11:58:00.000+01:002005-06-07T16:06:51.266+01:00

Jenny Randerson has been stirring it up in Storm rages over WDA junkets (Wales on Sunday). The article details the 'jollies' enjoyed by clients of the Welsh Development Agency.There are more regeneration plans outlined in £700m revamp for bus station? (South Wales Echo).Ahead of all the G8 fun and shenanigans Brown dismisses Lady Kinnock's warning (Western Mail) has Glenys Kinnock, Wales MEP and

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117800184319488662005-06-03T12:52:00.000+01:002005-06-03T13:03:04.323+01:00

The Mackintosh Residents Association took to the streets this morning, well to a zebra crossing. It was a very civilised rainy protest, 10 or so people with nice placards taking many opportunities to walk across the zebra crossing when a car came, and standing sedately on the sidelines waving banners at passing motorists the rest of the time. They attracted a bit of an audience, as well as a

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117799559907357732005-06-03T12:47:00.000+01:002005-06-03T12:52:39.906+01:00

It now seems official, Britain's Euro treaty referendum to be put on hold, Western Mail.On the second page of the article there is some comment from politicians, including Wales MEP Jill Evans.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117798959810560942005-06-03T12:30:00.000+01:002005-06-03T12:42:39.813+01:00

Yesterday I went to the launch of STAR Radio, a new project by one of the UWIC Howard Gardens tutors. STAR stands for Splott, Tremorfa, Adamsdown and Roath. Over the summer the station is building up projects to be broadcast for a week in October. They are looking for all sorts of contributors with all sorts of projects. Visit the website, www.starradio.org.uk, to find out more. It would be great

Sophiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895085218149444899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117726599138230122005-06-02T16:31:00.000+01:002005-06-02T16:36:39.140+01:00

One new event, and news of an old event.On Friday 3rd June at 9 in the morning the Mackintosh Residents Association is having some sort of event / protest on the zebra crossing on Mackintosh Place. They are unhappy about people driving at speeds up to 70mph down the road and want humps put in.And Matt Strong has written about last week's POWER Inquiry.And in other news, Cardiff North MP Julie

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117725999735243392005-06-02T16:21:00.000+01:002005-06-02T16:29:47.296+01:00

The Western Mail has a story about the state of Wales's Equality Policy Unit, Assembly commitment to race equality 'downgraded':THE Assembly Government has been accused of downgrading its commitment toracial equality following the lengthy absence from work of a senior civilservant.Naz Malik, director of Awema, the All Wales Ethnic MinorityAssociation, said he was seriously concerned that the

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117636796716768012005-06-01T15:11:00.000+01:002005-06-01T15:39:56.720+01:00

The Welsh language society Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg have been stickering and postering up and down City Road in Roath asking Where's the Welsh? Unable to take any pictures of the bus stops and other bits, but hopefully soon.They are based in Aberystwyth and campaign for the future of the Welsh language. Their big thing at the moment is a new Welsh Language Act that covers all the omissions of

Francesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117634273602611542005-06-01T14:49:00.000+01:002005-06-01T14:57:53.603+01:00

Oxfam and Make Poverty History have stall in town, on the Hayes, next Saturday. And on Monday 6th is their meeting from 8pm at the Glamorgan Staff Club on Westgate Street. They will be discussing their Motiv8 the G8 campaign amongst other things. Try getting in touch with BHacking(at)oxfam.org.uk if you want more info.Cherrybomb the G8 is on the 14th June at the Toucan in town, more details later.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117633262559749812005-06-01T14:30:00.000+01:002005-06-01T14:41:02.563+01:00

France's Non scuppers hope of vital aid for Wales from the Western Mail discusses the money from Europe that Wales could miss out on because June's EU summit will be taken up with worries about the referendum results rather than setting budgets.The article features Jill Evans and Eluned Morgan, two of Wales' four MEPs, talking about the whole Europe issue.Today the Netherlands go to the polls on

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117490971379539642005-05-30T23:06:00.000+01:002005-05-30T23:09:31.383+01:00

Did you know that Cardiff City Council are planning to build an Ice Hockey Stadium in the middle of Bute Park? Neither did I until I found this blog - makes for interesting reading and teaches me not to skim read the Echo (although I still maintain there's no other way to read it).

Garynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117380507198319962005-05-29T16:19:00.000+01:002005-05-29T16:28:27.203+01:00

Students' Union Presidents across Wales and a couple of AMs have called for NUS Wales President James Knight to resign following the top-ups fees debate. He's accused, variously, of being less than enthusiastic in the top-up fees motion; encouraging AMs to vote against the anti-top up fees motion; furthering his career within the Labour party; not following NUS Wales policy; losing the confidence

Garynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117189999228746742005-05-27T11:14:00.000+01:002005-05-27T11:33:19.233+01:00

Top-up fees fallout continues as the Rees report was published yesterday: Top-up fees report branded 'sideshow' and 'There just aren't many £20,000 a year jobs', the latter article largely featuring Bethan Jenkins, Aberystwyth Guild of Students President and our own Jenny Randerson... Cardiff Central Liberal Democrat AM Jenny Randerson, whose constituency has one of the highest proportions of

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117187997894659562005-05-27T10:48:00.000+01:002005-05-27T10:59:57.896+01:00

Jenny Willott made her maiden speech in the Commons yesterday. It is available through They Work For You and this here link will take you straight to it. It came as part of the adjournment 'debate' and seems to have been a good chance for many people to get their maiden speeches out the way, if you scroll up and down the page there are plenty of others to compare and contrast.It is a fairly

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117186952510695422005-05-27T10:37:00.000+01:002005-05-27T10:42:32.513+01:00

Came through the door a few days ago, just a rough bit of A3 that I had difficulty scanning! Looks more or less as below.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117099497639939192005-05-26T09:53:00.000+01:002005-05-26T10:24:57.643+01:00

NO2ID.net is a great website that has all the facts and figures on ID cards. How much they will cost you, what they won't help solve, and the untold harm that will be done to society and civil liberties. Have a good read and then sign the petition.There is an urgency about this, the government are trying to rush the bill through the Commons, the second reading of the bill is in early June. So we

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1117019405988598942005-05-25T11:54:00.000+01:002005-05-25T12:10:05.993+01:00

Yesterday's top-up fees vote has exposed Labour's tenuous grip on power in the Assembly... Top-up fees defeat weakens Rhodri as Opposition unites to reject top-up fees. Welcome to the frustrating world of minority government:The embarrassing defeat - the first since Blaenau Gwent AM Peter Law left Labour to stand for Parliament as an independent - leaves Mr Morgan's authority seriously weakened,

Sophiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895085218149444899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116937603982536482005-05-24T13:15:00.000+01:002005-05-24T13:26:43.986+01:00

More on the HE funding debate to be held today, with the report published on Thursday. Top-up fees vote 'daft' has heavy criticism of the Tories and Top-up opinions is a letter from the student union / guild Presidents of Aberystwyth, Cardiff and Swansea, the last on the page.'New Labour's weasel project' is also a letter, from Cardiff Central's old friend Raja Gul Raiz of Respect, in which he

Francesnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116678077577679242005-05-23T11:15:00.000+01:002005-05-23T11:17:12.326+01:00

MEPs defy Blair on working hours, Western Mail. Welsh Labour MEPs have voted in favour of ending the UK's 48 hour working week opt-out, despite the official line being that we should remain able to opt-out. In a stunning show of common sense and loyalty to the people rather than the party Eluned Morgan says..."I came into politics to defend the most vulnerable people in society. That's what the

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116840366067854472005-05-23T10:03:00.000+01:002005-05-23T11:39:19.210+01:00

The usual suspects are on hand to give the government a bit of a kicking over 'gimmicksville' ideas in Retirement age hike gets a cool reception, from the Western Mail. There's also an opinion piece about Plaid Cymru, Wales and Plaid Cymru face clear choices, which is very interesting. And a good piece about Soaring property crisis threat to key workers, looking at a major omission from Mrs

Francesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116759061835883472005-05-22T11:33:00.000+01:002005-05-22T11:51:01.840+01:00

Returning visitors may have noticed the blog slowly evolving in to a post-election broader look at political happenings in Cardiff Central, Cardiff in general, Wales, the UK and Europe.All representatives who cover Cardiff Central have been added to the links though some are without a link as they have nothing even remotely resembling a decent website. I think I can feel a few letters coming

Francesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116757988149014292005-05-22T11:21:00.000+01:002005-05-22T11:33:08.153+01:00

A meeting that has slipped through the net but has been blogged by Newport East Watch, Call this democracy? looked at electoral reform and there is a good discussion on the blog.A little bird has emailed me to say that there will soon be movement in Cardiff for Make My Vote Count: the campaign for voter choice and a more representative parliament. There is currently no contact listed for Cardiff

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116677762942210522005-05-21T13:02:00.000+01:002005-05-21T13:16:02.946+01:00

Jenny Randerson, Cardiff Central Lib Dem AM, is to become Lib Dem spokesperson for Health, Lib Dems reshuffle Assembly team, icWales.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116670163799588342005-05-21T11:02:00.000+01:002005-05-21T13:01:51.926+01:00

The Western Mail latters page has another letter about student votes from a more sympathetic angle.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116588269149050482005-05-20T12:04:00.000+01:002005-05-20T12:24:29.153+01:00

Higher education funding in Wales was in for a bumpy week next week with the publication of the Rees report, and now even more so...Student funding to be debated just days before report, Tories urged to drop oppostion to top-up fees and Tories should wait for a better informed debate, all Western Mail. Academic sparks top-up fees row, from the BBC:"To then have a debate on it two days before the

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116498381155914532005-05-19T11:19:00.000+01:002005-05-19T11:26:21.160+01:00

POWER, an independent inquiry into Britain's democracy, will be visiting Cardiff on Thursday 26th May, one week today. It starts at 1.30pm at St David's Hotel, down in the Bay. There is a page and full timetable available, which includes contact details for the organisers. I won't be able to go as I'm in an exam but it looks super good. I'll ask again after but if anyone is going might they fancy

Francesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116494606672654852005-05-19T10:20:00.000+01:002005-05-19T10:23:26.673+01:00

Health issues are back at the top of the agenda for the Assembly, today sees Minister's 10-year plan for the NHS, from the BBC.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116494403109685942005-05-19T09:32:00.000+01:002005-05-19T10:20:03.120+01:00

Plaid and the Lib Dems are lining up to criticise Peter Hain, Hain pressed on AMs' powers (Western Mail).Jenny Willott even gets in there:Liberal Democrat Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott said she feared Labour had got cold feet on devolution. She said, "The idea of fast-tracking policy is concerning. We shall have to wait to see exactly what the Government's plans are, but we must make sure

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116422506735140532005-05-18T13:54:00.000+01:002005-05-18T14:21:46.740+01:00

A round up of Queen's speech plans from icWales: Pensioners' champion hailed as major step forward Anti-smoking lobby presses for total ban or allowing Assembly to set limits Childcare and maternity leave boost for families Blair faces crackdown opposition in Labour bid to restore culture of respect in society is something we'll be hearing a lot more about. In the article Elfyn Llwyd and

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116420875722031632005-05-18T13:33:00.000+01:002005-05-18T13:54:35.726+01:00

icWales has Lack of significant new powers for AMs 'a betrayal': LABOUR has been accused of "betrayal" after it emerged the National Assembly will not get significant new powers from Westminster in the long-awaited devolution White Paper unless a case can be made for a second referendum. Wales Office Minister Nick Ainger has suggested the White Paper will outline plans for fast-track Welsh

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116340279435001492005-05-17T15:19:00.000+01:002005-05-17T15:31:19.440+01:00

'Fasten your seatbelts for revamped Welsh Assembly' says Peter Hain, via icWales. The government's legislative programme will see a Commissioner for Older People created and more powers over transport devolved to the Assembly, as well as giving Cardiff Bay the power to ban smoking in public places. But changes to the Assembly itself are likely to prove more controversial. The government

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1116066671151522162005-05-14T11:30:00.000+01:002005-05-14T11:31:11.156+01:00

From The Guardian Rave notices for the new intake of MPs looks at 2005's new bunch and includes a little quote from Jenny Willott.A letter to the Western Mail and another to either the Mail or the Echo probably need some sort of answer from someone a little calmer...Vote against students...SIR - Under the law governing elections certain categories of citizen, such as the insane and prisoners are

Francesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115891083719332852005-05-12T10:05:00.000+01:002005-05-12T10:44:43.826+01:00

Please bear with me for a little naval gazing, posted here for everyone's benefit so we can learn a little and hopefully get some feedback.30 days since the blog began. We have had 1,055 unique visitors totalling 2,756 hits between them. 284 of those visitors have returned, some every day. The busiest day was 6th May with 89 unique visitors. Attendance is now dropping off considerably.There have

Francesnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115744086530672812005-05-10T17:46:00.000+01:002005-05-10T17:54:46.603+01:00

Two very similar articles on Jenny Willott's experiences of Parliament, Nerve-wracking time for Jenny (South Wales Echo) and Nerve-jangling first day on the job for Jenny (icWales) as well as New MPs given Westminster tours (BBC) look at the rigamarole involved in beginning a Parliamentary career, all nice insights in to the running of the House, including these important features, highlighted by

Francesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115632135966477082005-05-09T10:14:00.000+01:002005-05-09T10:48:56.046+01:00

The horribly talented and active people at mySociety have now produced I Voted For You Because... where you can go and tell your newly elected representative what you do or do not expect them to be up to for the next 4/5 years.If your mountains of campaign material didn't go straight in to the recycling send them to the good people trying to collect and preserve 2005 Election Leaflets. They even

Francesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115558521354636962005-05-08T14:14:00.000+01:002005-05-08T14:22:01.423+01:00

I won't quit, vows Blair as Cabinet rift opens in the Observer today has Jon Owen Jones as one of a number of defeated MPs blaming Blair for the hits they took:Jon Owen Jones, who lost his Cardiff Central seat to the Liberal Democrats, said it was because of issues such as Iraq and tuition fees. Asked if there was anything that could have saved him, he said: 'If he had decided to stand down that

Francesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115486824342146242005-05-07T18:21:00.000+01:002005-05-07T18:27:04.480+01:00

How polite...

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115466146654671702005-05-07T12:24:00.000+01:002005-05-07T12:42:26.726+01:00

Obviously there's quite a lot about Cardiff Central about at the moment, so this is something of a selection.From the Western Mail, The signs in the changing landscape:The Liberal Democrat success in Cardiff Central and Ceredigion show both the old and the new in Welsh politics. In Cardiff, Jenny Willott had taken Labour's Jon Owen Jones to the wire in 2001 before succeeding with a handsome 5,593

Francesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115380666841123562005-05-06T12:33:00.000+01:002005-05-06T12:57:46.970+01:00

Here are the full results for Cardiff Central, pulled shamelessly from the BBC.Jenny Willott - 17,991 - 49.8% (+13.1%) Jon Owen Jones - 12,398 - 34.3% (-4.3%) Gotz Mohindra - 3,339 - 9.2% (-6.7%) Richard Grigg - 1,271 - 3.5% (-1.3%) Raja Gul Raiz - 386 - 1.1% (+1.1%) Frank Hughes - 383 - 1.1% (+0.5%) Anne Savoury - 168 - 0.5% (+0.5%) Captain Beany - 159 - 0.4% (+0.4%) Catherine Taylor Dawson - 37

Francesnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115309760280956632005-05-05T17:12:00.000+01:002005-05-05T17:16:00.350+01:00

Voted? Happy, unhappy? Confident, optimistic?Leave some comments with analysis, experiences and prediction.Have a good polling day. Tomorrow the post-poll analysis starts!

Francesnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115309512327800612005-05-05T16:56:00.000+01:002005-05-05T17:11:52.420+01:00

The Independent's Reasons to be cheerful: Kennedy bullish on poll's eve has lots about Brent East, a bit about electoral reform and much Kennedy, also this:The Liberal Democrats are optimistic of snatching Cardiff Central and Birmingham Yardley from Labour.The election hour by hour (Guardian) is a useful breakdown of what might happen when and if it's important, including:Other dramatic results

Francesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115308570884186402005-05-05T16:52:00.000+01:002005-05-05T16:56:10.890+01:00

This is the leaflet referred to below, handed out in front of the students union. A5 glossy card. And this is the new life one of those leaflets found, reincarnated as a paper aeroplane...

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115299437136290762005-05-05T14:18:00.000+01:002005-05-05T14:23:57.203+01:00

Out and about in Roath...

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115293143467889442005-05-05T12:36:00.000+01:002005-05-05T12:39:03.563+01:00

Out and about in Cathays this morning...

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115286318921068702005-05-05T10:41:00.000+01:002005-05-05T10:45:19.013+01:00

Just in case you had forgotten what day it was here's a handy reminder from the Lib Dems on a photocopied A4 sheet...

Francesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115240214133463962005-05-04T21:44:00.000+01:002005-05-04T21:56:54.206+01:00

Visit They Work For You ( or go straight to the Jon Owen Jones page). You can browse all the votes by MPs, their speeches and get great info on their performance.If you're bothered by all the spin go to Channel 4's Unspun pages. Factcheck especially is good for assessing everyone's claims.The BBC has a great manifesto comparison tool. Choose parties and contrast their key manifesto pledges. There

Francesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115238519007841092005-05-04T21:23:00.000+01:002005-05-04T21:28:39.070+01:00

A rough A5 photocopy popped through the door today. It mentions 'Cardiff Central' but not the name of the candidate, Raja Gul Raiz.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115237728490030932005-05-04T20:48:00.000+01:002005-05-04T21:15:28.716+01:00

Something of a bumper crop today...Welsh leaders in final push for votes (icWales) and Welsh parties woo voters (ePolitix) cover much the same ground, mostly an overview of the campaign and the seats still to play for.Twas the night before polling... (Western Mail) looks a bit more at the activities of the leaders, with more Labour scaremongering about the possibility of a Tory government come

Francesnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115235946395149712005-05-04T20:41:00.000+01:002005-05-04T20:45:46.400+01:00

The Press Association website has a list of estimated declaring times. The Cardiff ones are all due at 2 in the morning.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115157430871463692005-05-03T22:48:00.000+01:002005-05-03T22:57:10.873+01:00

A double dose of JW today! First a letter that came through the door, about 6ish. Hand addressed and individual in a little blue envelope. It is an A5 faux-handwritten written letter. And then a leaflet that was being handed out at Cardiff University Students Union this afternoon. Rough A4 folded in half. Any comments?

Francesnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115148874525083392005-05-03T17:59:00.000+01:002005-05-03T20:37:06.266+01:00

Look at what I found at the union... some Lib Dems! Check out all the photos at Cardiff Central Watch Photos.I also had a chat with some of the volunteers. I asked why they chose to get involved with the Liberal Democrats... "Because I think it's the fairest alternative for the country. The ideas that the Liberal Democrats have about liberalism, it's their own brand of social democracy, I think

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115122456307669472005-05-03T13:07:00.000+01:002005-05-03T13:14:16.306+01:00

Six new photos are up from out and about in Cardiff Central, check out the Cardiff Central Watch Flickr pages. My personal favourites are the Anti-Tory spoof posters and Jenny Willott's anti-anti-corporate gesture. For reasons of humour and ingenuity only, of course. Plus you get a Plaid car thrown in for free. Check them out.

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115112308559085332005-05-03T10:18:00.000+01:002005-05-03T10:27:59.963+01:00

Talk of margins and swings in The marginal election battle from the BBC, with only a slight mention of Cardiff Central, but an interesting read nonetheless.If you think all this talk of marginals being targetted is silly go to Make My Vote Count and get involved.Peter Law becomes bookies favourite in Blaenau Gwent from the Western Mail speculates on the apparant abandonment of Labour incumbents:

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115072771816143622005-05-02T23:19:00.000+01:002005-05-02T23:26:11.816+01:00

Roll up, roll up, get your Gair Rhydd politics pages as PDFs now...http://www.jacuzzipixie.com/ccwatch/03gr785.pdfhttp://www.jacuzzipixie.com/ccwatch/05gr785.pdfAnd because the front page is so beautiful, here it is...

Francesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12068803.post-1115051146452403932005-05-02T17:19:00.000+01:002005-05-02T17:25:46.453+01:00

A roundup on the BBC site of the more unusual policies from some of the smaller (one-man) parties. Cardiff's Captain Beany is discussed as well as the Vote For Yourself Rainbow Dream Ticket Party.Personally I'm quite impressed by some of the policies of some of the smaller parties. Hanging graffiti artists and giant pics of Johnny Vegas in Heathrow to deter foreigners would get my vote every time.

Garynoreply@blogger.com0