Assisted Suicide ……

…… A poll has found that two-thirds of people in Scotland support changing the law to allow assisted suicide. Legislation by Margo MacDonald, an independent MSP, is to be lodged in the Scottish Parliament next month, and is supported by 21 MSPs. The proposed legislation would allow people with degenerative conditions, terminal illnesses and dependent trauma victims to seek the help of a doctor to end their lives without fear that loved ones who assist them would be prosecuted. If the poll had been a "Referendum", what would be an acceptable yes vote to carry the motion ……  50% + 1 of the vote possibly, or would we want a much higher vote as a reflection of the importance of the vote, would we want two-thirds of the turnout, or possibly two-thirds of the electorate. Are there occasions when expedience should be relegated when having a national conversation on important matters. … …

There is a problem of democracy ……

…… at Cardiff Bay, the politicians and aligned interest groups would like a little slack, they would prefer democracy to be a little less democratic, they would like the future of Wales to be decided on a nod, not a nod from the majority of the electorate, but a nod from …… their own ………………… To counter the lack of democracy a few like minded Welsh democrats, who believe in the will of the people, have constructed a petition to return due democratic process to the people by demanding active participation in the approval of "very important legislation", the legislation that when encompassed in Welsh legislation, will take the people of Wales to unexpected destinations with little option of a return journey. To begin the process of returning democracy to the people a petition has been presented to the "petitions committee" for inclusion in its current list of petitions.  Not published by the Assembly as yet, the petition reads ……

We call upon the National Assembly for Wales, to urge the Welsh government to petition the British government, to modify the law relating to constitutional referendum in Wales, so that the current simple majority is replaced by a sixty percent of the electorate majority as a requirement to succeed. Additional information as part of the petition ...… This petition is in response to the previous referendum held on 18 September 1997, where a simple majority succeeded. The turnout for this referendum was only 50.1% of the electorate. Of this the Yes vote received 50.3%. Of this the No vote received 49.7%. If this result were applied to a referendum that substantially changed the relationship of Wales with the remaining United Kingdom, 6721 voters could take Wales into independence. It is not enough that politicians say it would not happen, the people of Wales needs such assurance written into the British Constitution.

Today I received the first correspondence which reads ……

Thank you for your e-petition regarding the above [Sixty Percent Majority Needed to Modify the Law Relating to Constitutional Referendum]. The Petitions team are currently looking into the issues raised by your petition, and will be in touch shortly to confirm whether it is admissible.

I think people are more important than politics, I believe we have plenty of time to understand what is proposed by politicians', It is time to stop the headlong rush into the abyss that Cardiff Bay is so intent upon. … … … On a more personal matter, I would like to thank those that sent kind words this past two weeks. …

Becalmed by the death of a family member.

...

He said, "I'm stronger ……

…… than Scargill, in terms of the impact of the Royal Mail going on strike".  Thus spake Billy Hayes of the Communication Workers Union, 120,000 postal worker members. The implications of his words, to the economy at large, is immense; he is saying "do as I say". To put this in context, his reference to Scargill is probably a reflection of the ill fated miners strike, when Scargill was one of the few people involved who didn't take a personal loss, likewise Hayes will continue to be paid when Royal Mail is reduced to a shell, whilst other organisations take over its operations.  Would any business be confident having Hayes as part of its business plan?  As it stands today, every business in the UK that deals with Royal Mail, is carrying on its shoulders Hayes who cares not one jot about the future. Unfortunately, by throwing down a challenge to Government, as Hayes has, he has probably destroyed the very institution he has been employed to protect. He said ……

We don't apologise for having influence and power

I wonder how a previous Prime Minister would have reacted to this dinosaur of the 21st century, an anachronism he and his are. Recommendation, democracy will demand the demise of Royal Mail as one hundred thousand workers cannot be allowed to intimidate the country as a whole.  … …

Old misery says ……

…… "Hang them .. ", or words to that effect. He is nurturing a concept that a "Hung Parliament" would be good …… for whom I ask myself. Not the United Kingdom I believe, in fact Alwyn is quite specific, it would be ……

good for Wales, good for Cornwall and good for Scotland

No mention of the other 50+ million people who share the United Kingdom, in fact if you combine the Welsh / Scottish / Cornish nationalists there are maybe 3 million supporters who are saying to 58 million citizens, you will do as we wish. It is noticeable the Nationalists who support the premise that a minority applying pressure to gain advantages for its political agenda is not saying publically what is it they would demand, is it democratic that the 58 million should know what would be in store for their future ……… if there was a ………

"Hung Parliament"

In fact should the supporters of the three parties be asking what they could expect, it might come as quite a surprise, a surprise that might come back and bite you ……… …

Is there a difference ……

…… between the people of Wales and the people of the South East, it came up at Betsan's blog.

I don't think so …… …… for those who avoid Betsan's I wrote:

The geography is certainly different, the people are no different. A regional comparison will throw up differences between Wales and the South East, as would a comparison between the North East and South East. However, compare the unemployed of Neath with the unemployed of Gravesend and there is little measurable difference, compare the general practitioners of Sunderland with Swansea with Margate and a very similar level of prosperity will be observed. What health issues differences are discernible between the Rhondda and a similar coal mining area of the North East or Scottish for that matter, few differences though similar mortality for similar industrial reasons. So you see, I find the same people wherever I look in the UK, in the context of society I am not sure what "exactly like the South-East" means. Rather than look for differences I prefer to search for similarities. In Wales much is made of differences by the Nationalist camp, similarities are politically important to the United Kingdom.

… …

John Osmond, Plaid wannabe ……

…… and director of the IWA, argues in the Western Mail that the best outcome of the next general election would be a hung parliament. Best for whom is the question, not for the voters of the United Kingdom, this buffoon imagines Plaid would be able to gain a soupçon of government at the expense of the voting majority. His bumbling thought process produces the following nonsensical statement ……

My main hope, therefore, is that neither the Tories nor Labour will win the forthcoming Westminster election, whenever it comes. Instead we need a hung Parliament, in which one or other of them will need to negotiate with the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish Nationalists and Plaid Cymru to produce a modest, practical programme for government.

…… a plausible but misleading and fallacious argument, if Plaid or the SNP are making you an offer, count your fingers before they rush off. These are the people who would tear apart the United Kingdom so that it could impose the worn-out model of socialism rejected by the rest of the world. A note to those yet to catch swine flue, it is uncomfortable but with a modicum of care, not as bad as you might have expected, walking a dog whilst having the affliction is purgatory.

Emyr Jones Parry, ……

…… Chair of the All Wales Convention, is on record saying "none of the parties are able, or willing to say, what they might do with the new powers" The parties obviously do not have a vision for the future or the vision is so atrocious it must be kept hidden from view. They want you to vote for Government by Smoke and Mirrors. The voters would like to know ………………. the truth. … …

Why would a politician ask ……

…… a question of the electorate knowing they would have insufficient information upon which to base a valid answer. It can only be a cynical attempt to attach apparent electorate approval to an unpopular decision making process. Caerphilly borough council residents are being asked "how they would cut costs as tough times ahead are expected".   The man asking the question is Councillor Colin Mann (Deputy Leader) Plaid Cymru.  To put the question in perspective this local politician participates in 11 committees from Appointments to Pensions, participates on 12 external bodies including Gwent Police Authority and the Local Government Association, the full list link.

Does he need help?  Only from within the borough council itself, for it is only within the council that cost cutting decisions be made with any degree of certainty. When Plaid Cymru receive any suggestions from the public, the public hand a get out of gaol card to those who should be held to account for their decision making, good or bad or indifferent.  The buck stops with the elected council members no-matter what flavour of politics, even our very own Ron Davies fluttering behind an independent banner. Where is the council leader Lindsay Whittle in all this, in hiding probably, bad press wouldn't look good at the next general election. How many other Plaid controlled councils are subjecting the electorate to political cynicism? If Councillor Mann is looking for inspiration he might try The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, particularly the Business section where it publishes all department purchases over £500, nothing like a little publicity to sharpen the mind. … …

David Cameron and a memorable few ……

…… words. 6387 in total …… … (speech in full)

Afghanistan, there's a job to do. Family, community, country, it's what we are. Big Government, needs to be reduced in size. The debt crisis, get it down without hurting the poor. Pensioners, pensions brought in line with earnings. Growth, support business, support potential. Financial reform, Bank of England return as regulator. Broken society, can you fix it, yes we can. Poverty, the only way out of it is through well paid jobs. Family, the loving home, where responsibility begins. Welfare, if you need help it will always be there. NHS, will always be free at the point of use. Crime, protect people properly. Terrorism, a heinous crime. Schools, give the money to the head teacher. Country, an emotional connection to a way of life. Politics, its your community, you have the power. EU, should be decentralised, transparent, and accountable.

Conclusion, it's all about you ……… … …