... representatives yet they will not represent the views of those they represent, by their intended actions during the visit by our Queen, the Head of State on Tuesday next. They are regional members for North Wales, South Wales West and South Wales Central respectively, they are all Plaid Cymru members for whom they sit at the Assembly. In each case, were they candidates fighting the traditional "First Past The Post" election in their home constituency they would have been beaten by the Labour Party.
Where will this scandalous trio be during the opening ceremony of the National Assembly, not certain for sure, Woods is reported in the South Wales Echo as packing food parcels for the needy, laudable you might think, but remember she is supposed to be representing the constituents of South Wales, she is not employed by the people to pack parcels.
There is another event in Cardiff that day during the evening, "Cardiff Bay Republican Day" taking place at Mischiefs Cafe Bar in James Street in Cardiff Bay, and the trio is reported to be attending to "give allegiance to Wales", silly the rest of us, we all thought that particular allegiance had been taken during the swearing in of Assembly Members.
There is rumour that Lyndsay Whittle, another regional member for Plaid, will be joining the disreputable trio at the Mischiefs Cafe Bar, as yet there is no sign of the event on the Cafe Bar's website, from Caerphilly the message is "well done Lyndsay, run with the rats of Cardiff Bay but remember, you would have lost to Labour in a real election".
... and from Plaid Cymru, the separatist party of Wales, not a murmur, so let us assume the trio, or could it be a quartet, have the tacit approval of the party hierarchy ...
... myself, I think this group of politicians are pathetic in the extreme, if they are off to the bar during the official opening, quaffing Dom Perignon at £119.95 a bottle, or even a Sauvignon at £24.99 a bottle (they have a very good Sancerre "Le Mont Flueuri" on the wine list), can we expect the cost of the day on members expenses, will they be caught on camera singing along in their cups for a photo shoot?
Whatever they do, they will not be at the Assembly representing the electorate of Wales (not sure about Lindsay since Duncan left a comment), but we must be grateful, if this were Bahrain or Persia this disgraceful group would probably be on trial for their dissent, here in Wales the dissenters are free to offend the majority and be paid annually £53,852 it is a shame they do not do their duty as the electorate wish them.
John,
ReplyDeleteThe Mischief's event takes place in the evening, well after business in the Senedd has concluded. And given that the AMs have work the following day, there won't be a a huge drinks bill. And surely an avid Assembly watcher like your good self would know that claiming bar bills falls well outside members' allowances? What they can and can't claim is available for all to see on the Assembly's website. The event is open door, which means you can come along and see for yourself what will go on.
Regarding their elected positions, having a go at AMs for the system that elects them is rather like having a go at car manufacturers because people are using their vehicles to break the speed limit. If you don't like the system, work to change it. You know you are not a lone voice. Apart from that, people know Bethan's (and Leanne's) position on the monarchy, and Plaid Cymru's views on independence, yet they still voted in sufficient numbers to return both of them.
I like your blog. It's spirited and challenging. It is the task of the nationalist to convince the sceptic of the case for independence, not shout out any dissenting view and claim history is against them, and you rightly take that attitude to task. Therefore, it is disappointing when you get your facts wrong.
Best,
Duncan.
... well Duncan I got that one wrong, the way it was reported it was as if if was happening at the same time, your correction/contribution is always welcome. I will strike through my errors as an act of genuine contrition.
ReplyDeleteIf the trio were to attend the Assembly event and explain to the Queen they would prefer to have welcomed her as a visitor to a republic, or something similar, that would be far more acceptable, good manners coupled with mature politics.
I just might have come along, despite not being a republican, unfortunately I work from midday until very late, could you let them know that we are desperate for exacting scrutiny at the Assembly from our representatives ..... good articulate analysis that can be understood by the electorate might just make politics better, engaging possibly.
Could not agree more with your post. Shame on them!
ReplyDeleteThank you Oscar ...
ReplyDeleteThanks for that, John. Much appreciated. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteHere's the other side of the argument...
ReplyDelete1.We are lucky to live in a democracy that we should all feel very proud of.
2. It will never be a perfect democracy - every one of us would change something for the better, and it HAS changed, over hundreds of years.
3. Most people support the monarchy.
4. A minority oppose the concept of a hereditary head of state as being undemocratic.
5. Whether we have a good queen or a bad king, the concept of not accepting the principle of hereditary right is unaffected.
6. If you oppose the concept, taking an oath of allegience to, or toasting,or honouring the Queen (as opposed to your country) sticks in the craw.
7. A republican therefore has a choice of going with the flow, being hypocritical and feeling uncomfortable - or making some sort of personal stand and attracting abuse.
If we ARE a democracy, royalists and republicans should surely each respect the others' belief and engage in a civilised and polite dialogue about the issue.
Or is that too boring?