Up and down
So neurosurgery in Swansea lives to fight another day. Shambo doesn't.
On the latter Jane Davidson has decided that "In the light of the veterinary, medical and legal assessments, I am minded to conclude that they should not, and that the normal policy for controlling bovine TB should be upheld in this case."
Mick Bates beat the First Minister to it by revealing Shambo's demise in his question - jumping the gun you might say. Sorry Shambo but at least there's one story we can put to bed.
On the future of neurosurgery in Swansea Edwina Hart will make a statement tomorrow but expect news along the lines of neurosurgery centres both in Cardiff and Morriston Hospital Swansea somehow remaining open.
As someone said yesterday 'They're going to have to close hospitals sooner or later".
Not this bit, not now.
An interesting salvo from Andy Richards, the leader of the T & G Wales section of Unite (the merged Amicus and TGWU) He's accused Labour MPs of interfering with the party's "democratic constitutional processes" over the attempts to build a red/green coalition.
Mr Richards says he's "aware of activities within sections of the parliamentary group ... which are singularly unhelpful at this time". Devolving powers to the Assembly, he says, will "inevitably mean a reduction in the number of Welsh MPs but if that is the will of the nation then self-interest must give way to democracy. MPs cannot preach on the one hand to workers, such as those at TRW, Visteon and elsewhere, that they must accept reductions in jobs for the good of the company and then expect us to support a 'stay as we are' attitude in parliament."
Good Evening Wales are already hunting for a response.
By the way at this morning's briefings Jane Hutt said she expected the meeting between the group of MPs - who were Don Touhig, Nia Griffith, Ian Lucas and Nick Ainger - and the executive of Labour'r group of AMs to be 'lively' and a vehicle for discussion. A huge 4x4 complete with bull-bar came to mind.
And as for Plaid Cymru - if Rhodri has a tingle, what does Ieuan Wyn Jones have? He thought for a moment or two. "A quiet confidence". Does that count as a twinkle?
I'm Betsan Powys, 91Èȱ¬ Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on .
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I might have some sympathy with UNITE (And I am a UNITE Member) if they had made some effort to consult with the membership as to wether or not their members wished to support this coalition.
I had the pleasure of listening to Wayne Davids disection of this evil agreement at the Caerphilly management committee on Friday - The MPs argument has very little to do with his own job preservation, and far more to do with the damage this agreement will do to Wales.
It was noticable that the 4 page synopsis submitted by Cardiff Bay to manipulate Labour Members into supporting Morgan did not carry any of dangers that the full 40 plus pages agreement reveals.
Thanks to the 91Èȱ¬ the more computer literate could read the full agreement - It is a charter for Welsh Independance - For example a seperate legal system - A new Welsh Language Act forcing all businesses in Wales to use Welsh - And with the Nationalists screaming that the English do not give us enough money Assembly funds being spent on Welsh tuition in Patagonia.
I could go on.
Don't expect me, or many others to back this agreement.
Has Gareth Williams ever considered learning to spell?
Nice to hear from the reactionaries and their nose for evil.
As for 'Welsh independAnce', would that be with clogs?
These are matters for Rhodri Morgan and the AMs elected to govern Wales. The MPS are isolated, backward looking and disloyal. We will see what influence they have when the votes are counted on Friday.
These are matters for Rhodri Morgan and the AMs elected to govern Wales. The MPS are isolated, backward looking and disloyal. We will see what influence they have when the votes are counted on Friday.
It appears that the Treforest branch of the Labour Party is calling for 'One Member One Vote on Friday', now who is the MP for that area , well the one and only Dr. Howells who as we all know is very anti devolution. The AM is of course Jane Davidson, I would love to see the e-mails that have passed between that pair !
Will this pact mean anything if it only gets passed on Friday with block union backing ?
Mmmm, members of UNITE that point blank refuse to UNITE, time for a name change methinks!!!
My prediction is that these disloyal and reactionary Welsh MPs will not prevail. The Labour conference will vote Yes and so will Plaid.
....and the best that the Nats can come up with is two postings that mock Gareth's typo. in the word "Independence", in his otherwise well written and cogent posting.
No rebuttal or sound argument against, just mockery.
Has this blog degenerated into a proof-reading contest?
If so? I claim first prize as the second line of Gareth's worthy posting also contains the incorrectly spelt (or should it be spelled?) word "wether". It should be 'whether'. So there!
Didn't spot that one, eh! Boys?
Your populist pal.
johnny.
Note to English learners:
Either form is correct, 'spelt' being the British version and obviously my preference.
Petty party politics and politicians looking over their shoulders for the local vote are going to destroy our NHS and education systems. The Neurosugery decision is a disgrace - decided in the light of a local campaign and disregarding patient needs and a considered researched report to the previous government.
So much for a NATIONAL health service. We are turning into a banana republic and laughing stock. I for one am tired of seeing Swansea AMs and Ministers making decisions in their locality's parochial interest that ignore the needs of North Walians, just to score petty points off Cardiff.