Clearly Nick Clegg won the debate in Manchester. He looked at the camera, which Brown and Cameron didn't too often, and was able to aim a good few digs at the two "old parties".
The exposure for the Liberal Democrats was great for them but will it gain them any more seats? Only time will tell.
Clegg will face a more difficult second debate because he won't be able to continue using the "old parties" line. He also cleverly ignored Gordon Brown's efforts to get him to gang up on David Cameron.
David Cameron for someone who normally looks so assured was clearly nervous and tried to avoid being drawn into a policy debate with Gordon Brown, who took too long to make his point. He proved he's not great behind the camera although did put some pressure on the Tories after a uncertain start on immigration - Labour has been in government since 1997 but is now only just getting to grips with it.
David Cameron and Gordon Brown weren't pressed hard about why we need a Trident system in a post-Cold War world and spend an absolute fortune on it when things are so tough.
There wasn't much in this debate for us in Wales or those in Scotland - questions about the NHS or education service didn't mean a row of beans to us in Wales because those functions are devolved to the Welsh Assembly. Both countries were really ignored and that is not good enough.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Monday, 12 April 2010
Legal Aid for Scandal MPs: A Disgrace
It is rarely - if ever - Dyn ar y Stryd agrees with a statement by Conservative leader David Cameron.
But his description of the decision to give Labour MPs David Chaytor, Elliot Morley and Jim Devine legal aid to fight false accounting charges as a complete outrage was spot on.
Cameron was speaking for just about every right thinking person in the UK.
However, since his public outburst it has been brought to my attention that it was the last Tory Government under John Major which abolished defendants' contributions to legal aid in the first place.
It was apparently costing about twice as much to administer as they were collecting from defendants.
But what is clear is that relatively rich people such as these three MPs should not be able to claim legal aid.
If this case had happened at the end of June they would have undoubtedly had to pay themselves as the Labour Government has introduced means-testing on Crown Court cases.
But his description of the decision to give Labour MPs David Chaytor, Elliot Morley and Jim Devine legal aid to fight false accounting charges as a complete outrage was spot on.
Cameron was speaking for just about every right thinking person in the UK.
However, since his public outburst it has been brought to my attention that it was the last Tory Government under John Major which abolished defendants' contributions to legal aid in the first place.
It was apparently costing about twice as much to administer as they were collecting from defendants.
But what is clear is that relatively rich people such as these three MPs should not be able to claim legal aid.
If this case had happened at the end of June they would have undoubtedly had to pay themselves as the Labour Government has introduced means-testing on Crown Court cases.
Monday, 29 March 2010
"Left wing" John Marek Joins The Tories
The former Wrexham Labour MP and AM John Marek has joined the Conservatives, yes the Conservatives. Please note: This is not an early April Fool.
Marek, you might recall, left the Labour Party saying it had moved too far to the right and then was involved in setting up the left-leaning Forward Wales with former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies.
Now he has switched again and joined the Conservatives. When he finds what there real agenda is then he'll probably look for another party to join.
Marek is now very much a political has-been and joins Alison Halford and Mohammad Asghar in recently signing up to the Conservatives. What a threesome!
Marek, you might recall, left the Labour Party saying it had moved too far to the right and then was involved in setting up the left-leaning Forward Wales with former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies.
Now he has switched again and joined the Conservatives. When he finds what there real agenda is then he'll probably look for another party to join.
Marek is now very much a political has-been and joins Alison Halford and Mohammad Asghar in recently signing up to the Conservatives. What a threesome!
Monday, 15 March 2010
Why is Unite still funding the Labour Party?
Unite, if it is to remain credible to its members, needs to consider its huge funding of the Labour Party whose Ministers seem happy to kick it where it hurts most.
Yesterday, Lord Adonis, the Secretary of State for Transport described the seven days of walkouts planned this month by thousands of members of Unite who work as British Airways cabin crew as "deplorable” and “totally unjustified".
If I was funding the Labour Party I'd be asking questions about why should I continue and consider whether there are other political parties whose policies and support would better represent my members?
Clearly, Lord Adonis is trying to sound tough ahead of a General Election but siding with an employer - British Airways - that unilaterally cuts people's pay and conditions is a disgrace.
It does not take a genius to work out that BA boss Willie Walsh is determined to destroy the union - yet they continue to support a party where one of the Ministers seems happy to support that action.
Isn't it time many trade unions, and not just Unite, look around and see whether there are alternative parties worth supporting?
NB Gordon Brown steps into the row with similar condemnation of only one side in the BA - Unite. Please see headline!
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Nick Ramsay: A Hypocrite
Nick Ramsay, the Tory MP for Monmouth, is showing some brass neck.
He is reported as having complained when the Assembly Commission replaced his old office TV with a flat screen LG as part of the digital switchover. He's apparently trying to get the Commission to take it back.
Trouble is Nick Ramsay was the AM who claimed nearly £1,000 on expenses to buy a surroundg sound TV and DVD system for his Cardiff Bay flat. It is after all a long way from Monmouth to Cardiff - a distance travelled no doubt by many of his constituents everyday.
Perhaps he really out to ask the Commission to take back his flash TV.
Link to the Western Mail story
He is reported as having complained when the Assembly Commission replaced his old office TV with a flat screen LG as part of the digital switchover. He's apparently trying to get the Commission to take it back.
Trouble is Nick Ramsay was the AM who claimed nearly £1,000 on expenses to buy a surroundg sound TV and DVD system for his Cardiff Bay flat. It is after all a long way from Monmouth to Cardiff - a distance travelled no doubt by many of his constituents everyday.
Perhaps he really out to ask the Commission to take back his flash TV.
Link to the Western Mail story
Monday, 1 March 2010
Same Old Tories: Still Avoiding Tax
Despite all David Cameron's spin, the Conservatives really haven't changed.
Major Conservative donor and deputy party chairman Lord Ashcroft today admitted that he is "non-domiciled" in relation to tax.
That will no come as a surprise after years of questions from opposition politicians about his tax status.
But it is still a disgrace. Lord Ashcroft said that he expected "to be sitting in the House of Lords for many years", suggesting he would change his tax status if the law changed. How generous of him after years of ducking and diving to avoid tax on earnings and capital gains from overseas.
Quite how Lord Ashcroft could be recommended for a peerage without being resident in Britain for tax purposes only the Tories know. But I guess he was only recommended for it because of its financial backing for the Tories.
He and fellow Conservatives, including David Cameron, refused to say what his tax status was, declaring it was a private matter. However, Information Commissioner Christopher Graham has called for the full details of Lord Ashcroft's status to be made public.
Lord Ashcroft, who has given a reported £4m to Conservatives in recent years, because there is a general election just weeks away. Perhaps he ought to pay the tax on overseas earnings since the time be became a peer.
Major Conservative donor and deputy party chairman Lord Ashcroft today admitted that he is "non-domiciled" in relation to tax.
That will no come as a surprise after years of questions from opposition politicians about his tax status.
But it is still a disgrace. Lord Ashcroft said that he expected "to be sitting in the House of Lords for many years", suggesting he would change his tax status if the law changed. How generous of him after years of ducking and diving to avoid tax on earnings and capital gains from overseas.
Quite how Lord Ashcroft could be recommended for a peerage without being resident in Britain for tax purposes only the Tories know. But I guess he was only recommended for it because of its financial backing for the Tories.
He and fellow Conservatives, including David Cameron, refused to say what his tax status was, declaring it was a private matter. However, Information Commissioner Christopher Graham has called for the full details of Lord Ashcroft's status to be made public.
Lord Ashcroft, who has given a reported £4m to Conservatives in recent years, because there is a general election just weeks away. Perhaps he ought to pay the tax on overseas earnings since the time be became a peer.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Cardiff City Shoot Themselves In The Foot - Again
If you want to know how to alienate people take a look at financially troubled Cardiff City Football Club.
Earlier this month manager Dave Jones banned the South Wales Echo because he didn't like a report written by one of its journalists - even though apparently there was nothing inaccurate about it.
And then yesterday chairman Peter Ridsdale, who could do with a few friends, banned the Echo from a Press conference because of the paper's coverage of the financial problems.
That really sums up Cardiff City. They can't take handle any negative publicity - even when it is accurate. The Echo would be failing in its duty to readers if it did not report on the club's financial troubles.
Cardiff City has had terrible PR for years - with both fans and the media. And even following the employment of a former News of the World journalist at a reported six figure salary - despite the club's financial crisis - it doesn't get any better. Pathetic really.
And petty sums up the decision by Cardiff City to remove books written by high profile and vocal City supporter Annis Abraham from the club's shops because he called for a vote of no confidence in Peter Ridsdale. Now, whatever you think of that call, the response by the club is truly small-minded.
Both matters will only serve to heighten criticism. What has the Echo got to lose if their reporters are banned from Press conferences - banned from the ground next perhaps? That shouldn't stop them but encourage them to dig up more material on the club. They may as well fire all barrels at Peter Ridsdale and the team at Cardiff City now.
And Annis Abraham will now doubt be at the forefront of future demonstrations against Peter Ridsdale. He's also got nothing to lose.
Someone really needs a few lessons at media relations and relations with your fans because at present the club reallys hasn't got a clue.
Earlier this month manager Dave Jones banned the South Wales Echo because he didn't like a report written by one of its journalists - even though apparently there was nothing inaccurate about it.
And then yesterday chairman Peter Ridsdale, who could do with a few friends, banned the Echo from a Press conference because of the paper's coverage of the financial problems.
That really sums up Cardiff City. They can't take handle any negative publicity - even when it is accurate. The Echo would be failing in its duty to readers if it did not report on the club's financial troubles.
Cardiff City has had terrible PR for years - with both fans and the media. And even following the employment of a former News of the World journalist at a reported six figure salary - despite the club's financial crisis - it doesn't get any better. Pathetic really.
And petty sums up the decision by Cardiff City to remove books written by high profile and vocal City supporter Annis Abraham from the club's shops because he called for a vote of no confidence in Peter Ridsdale. Now, whatever you think of that call, the response by the club is truly small-minded.
Both matters will only serve to heighten criticism. What has the Echo got to lose if their reporters are banned from Press conferences - banned from the ground next perhaps? That shouldn't stop them but encourage them to dig up more material on the club. They may as well fire all barrels at Peter Ridsdale and the team at Cardiff City now.
And Annis Abraham will now doubt be at the forefront of future demonstrations against Peter Ridsdale. He's also got nothing to lose.
Someone really needs a few lessons at media relations and relations with your fans because at present the club reallys hasn't got a clue.
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