Plaid-led Assembly Commission?

I would've thought that one Assembly Member of sixty, defecting from one political party to another would be newsworthy from a collective, objective, and transparent National Assembly for Wales. Obviously not!

Expenses revisited: An eye for an eye

Assembly insiders are all the rage these days...The chairman of a panel that recommended big cuts in AM allowances ran up expenses of nearly £80,000 while chairing the Welsh Development Agency.

Sir Roger Jones chaired the WDA, whose role was to create jobs by attracting inward investment, from January 2002 until it was merged with the Assembly Government at the end of March 2006.

Details of Sir Roger’s expenses while he was at the WDA show that his claims totalled £78,800 during his time chairing the board.

More than £30,000 was spent on overseas air and rail travel, more than £14,000 on hotel accommodation, more than £11,000 on hospitality both in the UK and overseas, and £6,000 on taxi fares.

An Assembly insider said: “This is extremely embarrassing for Sir Roger and comes just days after it was revealed he claimed thousands of pounds in pay and expenses while undertaking a review on the same subject.

“Sir Roger has spent tens of thousands of pounds since 2001 on hospitality, travel and subsistence while chair of the WDA, you have to question whether this was money well spent. The annual figures from the WDA accounts show that in several years he was claiming a bigger annual salary than an AM, for what was a part-time role.

“His previous comments on AMs behaving like children in a sweet shop seem particularly hypocritical now.”

Some AMs [mainly Labour] are unhappy, if that's the most polite of descriptions, and you don't need to hang around Cardiff Bay's No. 1 restaurant to find that one out. Whether you agree or not, one commenter seems to give us food for thought.

Yes, this does seem a great deal of money, but what we must remember is that this amount covers a four year period. So please don't throw out the baby with the bath water use some common sense. Think of his job, and the amount it cost each year, then make your decision on whether he is overpaid or not.

Bonus* Bonanza Balls up

Just when politicians are having to bite the bullet over expenses, it seems that the tide has not turned in other parts of the Assembly. It appears that others are slow to catch on when it comes to the general mood of the public.

The Welsh assembly official overseeing substantial cuts in AMs' expenses received at least £15,000 extra pay in the last year, it has emerged.

Chief executive Claire Clancy's salary rose from a salary range of up to £125,000 to at least £140,000.

The assembly said it reflected a bonus from a previous year and, as Ms Clancy and the directors had given up their bonuses, her pay would fall next year.

The pay of another senior official also rose by at least £15,000 in 2008-09.

Assembly members agreed last month to make substantial cuts in their expenses, including scrapping interest payments on mortgages for second homes and linking their salaries to changes in average earnings.

According to the assembly's annual report, in the last financial year Ms Clancy's salary was between £140,000 and £145,000, compared to £120,000 to £125,000 in 2007-08.

An assembly spokesman said the higher figure included a deferred final bonus payment from the previous year, under different rules.

The spokesman said:

Because the bonuses have now stopped, the figures published in the accounts for the current financial year (2009/10) will show...the chief executive's actual income dropping during 2009-10 compared to 2008-09, from the salary range £140,000-145,000 to £135,000-140,000.

The report says the second highest-ranking official, chief operating officer Dianne Bevan, enjoyed a salary rise of between £5,000 and £15,000.

She was paid within a scale of £115,000 to £120,000 in 2008-09 compared to £105,000 to £110,000 in the previous year.

Her salary next year is likely to stay the same under the new rules.

* not technically a bonus, but a welcome 'bonus' all the same.

Gun to the head blows "bits and pieces"

Following on from Monday, the Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas has said the Assembly Commission had agreed to all the report's proposals.

The commission, which includes representatives from all four parties, took the decision on behalf of AMs.

Sir Roger Jones's report, Getting it Right for Wales, followed a 10-month investigation of the pay and expenses of AMs.

The report's implementation will mean

• After the next assembly election in 2011, AMs will no longer be able to claim mortgage interest on second homes.
• Some 25 of them will, however, be able to rent accommodation within five miles of the assembly in Cardiff Bay, half the number of AMs currently entitled to a second home allowance.
• AMs will not be able to employ family members in future but any existing arrangements will continue.
• The current link between AMs' pay and MPs' salaries will also be broken.
• AMs' salaries will be increased in line with inflation next year and in future be linked to changes in average earnings in Wales.
• The current "daily allowance" of £30.65 for members on assembly business to spend on meals will also be scrapped "as soon as possible".
  

Lord Elis-Thomas said work would begin "immediately" on implementing the changes.

That these changes have been endorsed during the year in which we mark the tenth anniversary of devolution is a testament to the assembly's maturity and is a signal that the assembly is committed to operating in ways that are right for Wales.

[The report] addresses the contentious issues of remuneration and financial support - issues which have been such a stumbling block to people truly engaging in the democratic process.

But of equal importance, it places a strong emphasis on ensuring the capacity of the assembly and Members to undertake our work - to represent the interests of Wales and its people, make laws for Wales and hold the Welsh government to account.

Earlier, Conservative AM and commission member William Graham told the BBC Wales am.pm that the plans "were agreed with ease" at a meeting on Tuesday evening.

Labour commissioner Lorraine Barrett said there were "bits and pieces" in the report that not all AMs would like, but "you can't unpick it".

All or Nothing

Lord Elis-Thomas told BBC Wales' The Politics Show that the Welsh Assembly had purchased computer software from the Scottish Parliament which enables expenses to be published online.

He said the expenses for the last financial year would be published at 0900 BST on Monday and that later this year all claims would be published on a monthly basis.

When asked about what information had been redacted, Lord Elis-Thomas said that individual receipts wouldn't be available online on Monday.

The new log of AMs' expenses can be viewed at http://www.assemblywales.org/allowances from 0900 BST on Monday.

The full list of what AMs have claimed

Dead tree press can't see the wood for the trees

At this time of the year we're in need of a good story that not only demonstrates the inconsistency of those running the WAG machine, but also an example of the civil service not getting their own way and promoting one of their own numbers from within.

This story also makes a refreshing change from the media ignoring what other AMs have claimed in expenses. Instead, they choose to turn the rack on the Conservative leader Nick Bourne over a piddling iPod in a desperate attempt to make the story run and run until his resignation as group leader. Hoping then to happily turn the story into a column stocking filler by running another series of leadership election stories that saves them from having to examine and attack the policies and politics of the Welsh Assembly Government.

More effort should be placed on looking into the National Assembly rules and regulations on expenses that allows what may seem by the general public to be inappropriate claims being made by elected politicians. We need to remember that no politician has broken the rules of the Assembly as laid down by Assembly Commission staff.

Have the Western Mail also gone soft on the Assembly Government since coalition? Fear appears to have set in when it comes to taking on the Labour establishment and particularly since forming a coalition with Plaid Cymru. This needs to change.

The Western Mail's latest column filler - iPodGate - should go a long way to guarantee Nick Bourne's short term survival as leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly. Welsh politics and political parties are not led by small Welsh media outlets, and no one is going to have the stomach to oust a leader just because a campaign is being run by a Welsh newspaper.

The Welsh Conservative party and group in the Assembly shouldn't follow the Western Mail's lead. It wouldn't be good for party politics in Wales whatever party you support.

Anyway. Enough of my rant before Christmas and back to the other Welsh politics story in the Western Mail that isn't classed as 'iPodGate' or 'a soapbox for Adam Price MP'.

This story of Christmas cheer can be read in the next blog.

Welsh Political Awards and National Assembly bias

Strange that there are 3 non-government Assembly Members among the winners of ITV's Welsh Political Awards, and the website of the National Assembly for Wales only manages to announce Dafydd Elis-Thomas as a winner.

Just who clears press releases from the National Assembly these days? Seems clear to me who runs the show at the Senedd.

Promoting from within since devolution

Assistant to the Chief Executive and Clerk

The salary range is £25,000 to £32,100 (Band D)
*Please note that recruitment will be at the minimum of the range.

Primarily to support the Chief Executive in her functions and to act as first point of contact in relation to all aspects of her duties, working with Directorates to organise briefing and resolve issues as appropriate, to manage the interface with Assembly Members, external stakeholders and staff. To provide secretariat support to the Assembly Commission on all aspects of its work, and to manage the work and diary of the Deputy Presiding Officer as required.

The successful applicant will be a part of the Corporate Unit and work most closely with:
The Chief Executive, Head of Corporate Unit and Deputy Presiding Officer.
Members of the Presiding Office Team
Directors, Service Heads and managers from across the organisation
Please quote reference number AC/028/08
Closing date: November 14 2008

So sure that this job will go to an insider that I will give up blogging if it doesn't.

The Welsh Assembly Goverment and National Assembly, promoting from within since the dawn of devolution.

[Pippa Wagstaff is currently on a blogging break]

WAG and the Assembly Commission catching up with the times...eventually

There have been developments within the Assembly corridors in relation questions on blogging and social networking. Assembly Member and Welsh blogfather, Peter Black, has been asking the First Minister certain questions relating to 'principles for participation online'

Peter Black AM has received the following response from the First Minister:

Following the discussion on this blog and others following Miss Wagstaff's exclusion from Facebook at the beginning of August I have now had a reply to my question to the First Minister as to whether the UK Civil Service guidelines entitled 'principles for participation on-line' apply to employees of the Welsh Assembly Government.

In a letter to me Rhodri Morgan explains: 'All civil servants are subject to the requirements of the Civil Service Code. Separate Codes exist in Wales, Scotland and England reflecting the differing legal position of civil servants in relation to their respective ministerial accountability. A Welsh Assembly Government Civil Service Code was introduced in July 2007 reflecting the legal position of civil servants in relation to Welsh Ministers. The provisions within the Assembly Government Code are the same as those that apply to Whitehall Departments and other devolved administrations.The 'principles for participation on-line' are published by the Cabinet Office as guidance for all civil servants with reference to how they relate to the Civil Service Code. Work is underway to supplement the Assembly Government ICT Usage Policy with a social network and blogging policy to ensure that the principles are reflected in the new policy.'In other words, watch this space. I think some more questions need to be tabled on timescales.

In a more recent post, Peter Black reports that he has received more information on the matter, which demonstrates that the Assembly Government has finally woken up to the internet, but is still drowsy:

I reported a week ago that the Welsh Assembly Government are putting together a social network and blogging policy for its employees to reflect the UK Civil Service guidelines entitled 'principles for participation on-line'. I now have more information.

In an answer to a written question Rhodri Morgan tells me that 'the Social Networking and Blogging Policy is currently under development, the first draft is expected to be complete by 18 September 2008. Following completion of the draft, the policy will be put to consultation with Legal Services, Human Resources and Trade Union Side. The agreed period for consultations of this nature is eight weeks. Provided that further amendments are not required, the policy should be communicated to staff at the beginning of December.'

The Assembly Commission is also developing its own policy

.

This has no impact on me as I am not a servant of the State, but I did make me review my previous posts. Looking back over the last several months, it does bring some former discussions back to life...

.

Why was Christopher Glamorganshire sacked from the staff of the Welsh Assembly Government if no blogging policy was in existence?

I've recently reviewed the online media and there's still no mention of a tribunal, and little relevance in the argument of not abiding to the civil service code on either the UK government website or that of the Assembly Government.

.

I shouldn't admit to reading blogs while on holiday. Will have to write further on this when I return to blogging in the next two weeks.

AM's Expenses: Take a pew

Eight AMs claimed the maximum possible amount of £12,500 for second home expenses in the last financial year.

The detailed expenses breakdown were released to BBC Wales in response to a Freedom of Information request. Atleast one AM will be able to 'take a seat' while she curses the day such requests have to be answered.

Civil Service v Politicians: That old question of pay

Not wishing to rake over the coals of old posts, I wasn't planning on mentioning pay rises ever again [as if!]. Some topics are too tempting, so it's with no great pleasure from me and no great surprise from you, that the civil service in Wales is up in arms when it comes to the inflation busting pay-rise of Assembly Members due to an increase in workload.

We all heard Dafydd Elis-Thomas' rallying call of, "the price to pay for effective democracy", although it did manage to fall on some deaf ears at the time.

The Civil Service and their counterpart officials in the Assembly Commission, do not think that it feels like democracy when politicians receive an inflation busting pay rise while some staff receive a pay cut in real terms.

According the the PCS Union, one of the comments made on the BBC website at the time said:

It is typical of today's politicians. They tell the country that the taxpayer can't afford to fund pay increases for the people who work in this country. Yet when it comes to their own already inflated salaries; the more the better. [ouch!]

Pulling no punches, the Cardiff based South Wales Echo simply titled their story of the AM pay rise as 'Hypocrites'.

A similar situation arises when it comes to the bonuses paid to Senior Civil Servants [yes, as discussed in previous posts, they do receive bonuses on top of their salary] within the Assembly. The PCS Union has discovered through a 'Freedom of Information' request, that senior civil servants working within the Assembly have shared between themselves bonuses totalling £686,871.75 [shock!]

These bonuses and ministerial rises are set against a backdrop of pay inequalities across the Assembly and uncertainties regarding the continuing payment of the non-consolidated award to former ASPB staff [Quango staff to you and I]. Clearly the First Minister's pledge that no member of staff will be disadvantaged by the mergers is progressively being seen as empty rhetoric [ASPB/Quango staff from the major Welsh public bodies were merged with the Assembly in April 2006].

Staff and the PCS Union are currently concerned that these issues are having very serious consequences for morale in the Assembly workplace, and will considerably undermine the continuing efforts to integrate Assembly and former ASPB staff.

[Source: PCS]

The knock-on effect of recruitment

As previously mentioned, it seems that once again a ripple emerges and internal candidates rush forth for the glory of [self] promotion...

Assembly Commission Jobs
The National Assembly for Wales has the following opportunities. All these posts are permanent and pensionable, and are based in Cardiff Bay. Part time working or job share arrangements will be considered.

Permanent positions
Senior Research Officer (Band E)
Research Officer - Finance and Statistics (Band C)
Head of Assembly Estates and ICT (Band G)
Head of Assembly Resources (Band G)

The final two should make a few people blush.

Diplomatic gesture to the Presiding Officer

The Israeli ambassador has confirmed that he received a warm reception in Wales, despite a call by Presiding Officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas for AMs to boycott a meeting with him.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas said he objected to Israel's "failure to meet its international obligations" towards the Palestinians.

The ambassador Ron Prosor [honorary Welshman] said the boycott call did not make sense but his welcome had been "wonderful".

The ambassador met party leaders in Cardiff Bay and is attending a private meeting with around 15 assembly members organised by Wales' only Muslim AM Mohammad Asghar.

Ambassador Prosor said he had enjoyed "a wonderful reception from the people of Wales and also from people here at the national assembly".

I have to say that when I talk to people and I listen to them it's really an amazing thing to be here in Cardiff and I'm happy to be here... The good lord [Dafydd Elis-Thomas], although a lord, not everything that he said is very noble. Especially at the national assembly, here in Wales, I'm sure that people are not following his call and I'm being treated very very nicely. We conduct an open debate and I don't mind criticism of the only democracy in the Middle East.

He insisted that Lord Elis-Thomas's protest did not makes sense for "someone who is in a national assembly, in a parliament, which comes from 'parler' - from talking to each other".

Assembly Commission: What price... democracy?

The Assembly elections in May 2007, not only brought in many changes for the Assembly as an institution, and for its politicians, but also for its staff i.e. the Assembly Parliamentary Service (APS). The election heralded a new beginning for the staff as the split between 'The Executive' and 'The legislature' meant that former APS staff would no longer be civil servants.

The election ended their civil servant status, however, there was a popular option advised by the PCS Union - having the right to revert to their civil servant status and 'move over' to the staff of the Welsh Assembly Government [The Executive] during this period. That deadline arrived this month!!!

The Union were hopeful that the working lives of staff [approximately 300] would be positive, with the possibility of more flexible working patterns and conditions being negotiated once the commission had autonomy to make changes to existing staff terms.

Management have encouraged staff to remain with the Assembly Commission, but with possible limited career opportunities the decision remained at th eforeground to staff thoughts.

In reality, staff have been trickling back to the civil service [Welsh Assembly Government] since May 2007, which has given rise to many 'easy' promotions for existing staff that remained with the commission. This is why there's been a steady flow of new vacancies at the commission. Problem sorted!

Why not join? There could be an interesting opportunity for you.

A turning point in the blogosphere...

I have to agree with Ordovicius in that it's good to see Deputy Minister Leighton Andrews AM having something to blog about for a change...

I see Leighton Andrews is continuing his one-blog protest against the Assembly Commission. Well, at least it has given him something to blog about for a change.

Keep it up Leighton, but please feel free to compulsory blog about Cardiff City FC on Sunday morning - there's only so much others can do on your behalf ;)

Senedd Circular: Sex and the City – Access all areas

This article appears in The Wardman Wire:

This week, Miss Wagstaff has been unwell and unable to write a column. Before you’re able to type her email address and send in a ‘Get Well Soon’ card with concern, she has managed to raise a smile at the thought of certain progression in the Senedd.

It seems that not content with Doctor Who being filmed at the Senedd, the Assembly Commission has allowed a popular television programme, Caerdydd [Cardiff] to film there. This has produced unexpected [expected by viewers] results*. At this rate, Pippa is blushing and quaking at the knees at the thought of what may be broadcasted on Senedd tv.

* In the scene, a young employee of an unnamed political party - who had just been asked to stand as an assembly candidate - is seen enticing her older lover into a toilet and baby-making-changing room in the Senedd.

There then follows an explicit encounter between the two.

"However the National Assembly was told that this scene was a conversation scene and was not aware of its full content," said a spokesperson.

"The company was allowed to film in good faith."

Miss Wagstaff had wondered what the Assembly Security Guards could have been up to at this point. Were they guarding the entrance? Were they guarding the rear? Whatever they were doing, they certainly weren’t keeping an eye on the film crew, actors, and the situation that arose. Her memory was jogged.

From Dr Who, to turning blue - Live debate from the chamber is coming soon to a box near you.

Senedd Circular: Does there happen to be an election in May?

This article appears in The Wardman Wire:

This week, Miss Wagstaff has learnt that while the Assembly is away, the politicians will play. It may still be Assembly Recess (until 8 April 2008), but the build-up to local elections in May have got Labour and Plaid Cymru in a constant state of flux.

Going off tangent for a minute, the website of the National Assembly for Wales states that ‘recess’ is between 17th March to 7th April 2008, inferring that Members are back at work from Tuesday, 8th April 2008. A different set of recess dates was announced earlier in this third term. Shock, horror! Surely this gives AMs an extra day off when they should be back on Monday, 7th April to conduct constituency work [Mondays and Fridays have been allocated for AMs to conduct work in their constituencies]. Just a small matter, but important all the same. Perhaps someone can enlighten me as to why they don’t like this particular Monday.

Back to this week’s column, which is primarily concerned with political parties kicking off with the run up to the local government elections in May. Surprise, surprise, we’ll see the gloves coming off – some being eagerly ripped off - as apparently local government politics is different from National politics. Let me explain… Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru may be partners in the Assembly, however, Plaid have a way around insulting Labour without it interfering with the coalition. ‘Labour in London’ or ‘Unionist Labour’ is seen as a good description for the ‘old enemy’, and the blame is placed on their weary shoulders when things go wrong, without damaging the friendly image of the handholding red/green coalition in the Bay.

Miss Wagstaff has a solution to Plaid’s problems of potentially upsetting their partner at government and unwelcome mistress at the upcoming local election. Perhaps Welsh Labour in local government will also see themselves tagged by Plaid in a particular way. Not beating around the bush - and it’s not going to cost them much – I offer ‘Local Labour’ or ‘Locality Labour’. I’ll get on to the Patient Office before anyone has any similar ideas. £1 for every mention could make me a very rich woman indeed.

Senedd Snippets:

• Labour suffering from underexposure.
• Labour’s campaign calls for last orders.
• Plaid Conference at New port of call.
• Hardly Queensberry Rules.

Labour suffering from under exposure

The contest to be the leader of the biggest gang in the building [Welsh Labour] is not exactly boiling over with excitement in the Welsh media. The Western Mail reports that the likely leading contenders for Rhodri Morgan’s Triple Crown [Leader of Welsh Labour, First Minister, and only Privy Counsellor in the Cabinet] are being left trailing by Plaid Cymru in the TV exposure stakes.

The Plaid Cymru party machine has recently released statistical details of TV appearances made by the seven Labour and three Plaid Cabinet members since last May’s election. Unsurprisingly, the First Minister has appeared most frequently – 211 times in total, however, the next three leading positions were taken by Plaid Ministers – Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones (188), Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones (73) and Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas (59). This reflects the Deputy First Minister’s more prominent position in Welsh politics and the new-found attention brought upon his two acolytes having been in the public eye due to the respective fallout from their roles, namely blue-tongue, foot-and-mouth, and the financial difficulties of the Wales Millennium Centre, and Welsh Language newspaper.

Labour’s Cabinet Ministers come in behind: Leadership hopefuls Counsel General and Leader of the House Carwyn Jones (24), and Finance Minister Andrew Davies (16), which doesn’t look good. Not that this bears any reflection on the future leadership contest and there’s one consolation in that the general public won’t be voting. Rhodri’s successor as Welsh Labour leader will be chosen by a party ballot. Whoever wins the contest will automatically lead the Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition, and gain their place as First Minister. Don’t hold your breath though, or even attempt to count the number of future appearances yourself, as our beloved leader isn’t standing down until next year. No doubt their visibility will increase in the run-up to that date.

Labour’s campaign calls for last orders

You may have got the impression by now that there’s an election on the horizon, and to no surprise, you’d be right, with 1260 seats up for the taking in Wales' 22 unitary authorities on 1st May. Labour has launched the beginning of its campaign for the local government elections with a pledge to fight antisocial behaviour throughout Wales, and believes that this early promise to the electorate that future Labour-run councils will be prepared to shut down shops and pubs that persistently sold alcohol to under-18s, will aid those major towns and cities to tackle low-level crime. Labour believes that can oust the Liberal Democrats from Bridgend, Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham councils. Hold on one second. Hasn’t Labour been in power in the Assembly since 1999 in one shape or form? Hasn’t Labour been in a major position to influence councils in Wales? And hasn’t antisocial behaviour been a problem since 1999?

Meanwhile the Liberal Democrats propose to “end the Labour era”, who’s own launch was in Newport to the rallying cry (which just happens to sound like a supermarket slogan) of Lib-Dem led authorities being "safer, greener" and "better value". Ah well. It’s an election campaign - fair enough. Needs must and all that, and Labour need to desperately hang on to those seats they’ve already got, and the Lib-Dems need to convince the public of their record. Labour will be fighting hard in Newport after the number of Lib-Dem votes at the last Assembly election. Losing Newport would be embarrassing for the party, which leads me nicely into my next story…

Plaid Conference at New port of call

In the run up to Plaid Cymru’s Summer Conference the party launched the first of its policies for the May council elections. Collectively they are known as Innov8 (you see what they’ve done there with the letters and number), and the party intends to focus on new policies in the fields of public health and the environment. As the party puts it, “We are determined not to fall into the trap that other governing parties have suffered, by becoming more concerned about preserving power rather than delivering change.”

In one sentence this means ‘introducing bike sharing schemes in urban areas’ and ‘publicly owned land to be converted to community gardens and allotments’. The remaining Innov8 ideas will be launched over the coming weeks. Let’s hope they get better. Enough said.

Something seems to have stirred inside the Plaid party machine this year by their decision to hold their conference in Newport. The originality of this lies with Plaid wanting (and needing) to broaden their appeal. As Plaid Leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones puts it, “Plaid has gone to Newport to show that it is a party for the whole of Wales”. Meaning that if the North West and West Wales is the heartland and home of Plaid, then Newport must be the opposite. Charming thought if you’re from that area.

Ieuan, a man once described by a colleague and friend [Adam Price MP] as a ‘good country solicitor’ placed himself as preacher, preaching to the converted, but it remains to be seen as to whether they now believe.

He had a lot to defend: the party moving into coalition; Plaid’s performance while in government for the first time; the delivery of Welsh Assembly Government [One Wales] policies - “Wherever you look, in health, education, housing, the environment, childcare, the economy, transport, agriculture, culture, the Welsh language – the fact that Plaid is part of the Government in the Assembly makes a difference and helps improve the quality of life of the people in Wales”. There may have been moves in the right direction in terms of rural affairs, but it must have been hard for the party to stomach his defence of other areas such as transport, heritage, and the referendum to name but a few. Apparently, both he and Rhodri Morgan still intend to honour the agreement and have a referendum before 2011, but now with the added explanation of, “That’s provided, of course, that we’re satisfied that we can win it”.

Ieuan will have to hope that loyal voters understand his new catchphrase, “as a party of government, Plaid now had to make some tough decisions”. Or as a mother might put it – having to say NO to your children for the first time in your relationship.

Good luck to him rallying current supporters and saying the right things to the swinging voters watching the highlights on the Welsh news (Plaid currently has 173 councillors). He’s going to need it. If all else fails the party could predictably copy Labour and warn of a Tory government in Westminster. Looks like they have.

Hardly Queensberry Rules

Whoever said, “All is fair in love and war”, did they forget to include politics?

Plaid Cymru and Labour have this week found themselves embroiled in a row over which party can lay claim to one of Welsh history’s most potent political movements – The Chartist Rising in Newport.

Meanwhile, in the Rhondda, a Plaid Cymru council candidate has been accused by her local Labour MP, Chris Bryant of hating the community she comes from. Bryant’s allegation is based on his reading of an article written by Treorchy Plaid candidate Sera Evans, when she was an Oxford University student six-and-a-half years ago.

Mr Bryant said, “I am amazed that someone who clearly hates the Rhondda so much wants to stand for the council in the Rhondda. Ms Evans defends herself well in the Western Mail, but also leaves the door open for Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood to retaliate further, “I’m not surprised that Chris Bryant is unable to identify with Sera’s account of her experiences in the Rhondda. Maybe he should share his recollections of his private education and his journey to Oxford where he became an active member of the university’s Conservative Association.” OUCH! Play fair ladies and gentlemen.

And finally…

The NHS has always been one to stir-up passion in Wales. Last week the Assembly Government rejected the idea of following England to offer staff working in Welsh hospitals extra legal protection from violence and abuse. The decision not to get Wales covered seems like a bit of a public and staff relations cock-up, as it cannot be right that NHS workers in Wales have any less protection than those in England, just because there may be a ‘Welsh’ option on the agenda. This appears to represent devolution at its worst.

In a week that has brought in the start of free parking at Welsh hospitals, it does seem to have taken the public’s mind off the once controversial story [on 1st April] of three new NHS Trusts becoming operational after the merger of seven Trusts, and the newly proposed health map of Wales.

Makes you want to take a deep breath in the world of NHS management and wait for the world to stop spinning.

Senedd Circular: Easter Recess Catch-up

This article appears in The Wardman Wire:

This week, Pippa Wagstaff writes her first column for the Wardman Wire about events at the National Assembly for Wales (the Senedd) in Cardiff. It has been held over from last week. Usually the column will appear on Thursdays.

Cranking the Starting Handle

The Assembly is currently in the middle of its Easter Recess, so I’ve taken the opportunity to bring us up-to-date on what’s hot on the political agenda at the run up to the Assembly’s return to Cardiff Bay.

You can take it as read that there are more important things to life. In my life, at least, there’s family and a new career opportunity that’s taking up so much of my time at the moment. I’ve recently taken a short break away from blogging – part work, part pleasure, part nightmare! Now I’ve found my way back to Cardiff, and eventually back to what lurks down the bay – Welsh politics, or beneath, in the darker areas - the politics of coalition.

I don’t sleep deeply these days, and this can be partly blamed (in equal proportions) on having ‘a little one’ and having ‘a big one’. The little one is self-explanatory. The big one being ‘Miss Wagstaff Presents’, which has always concerned itself with the Government of Wales being more of a ‘first-to-do’ or ‘freebie’ government, that has become affectionately known as a gimmick government. Whether the cause is good or bad, it’s a government that concerns itself with headlines rather than getting down to the bread and butter issues of devolution. Whether it’s the first to appoint a Children’s Commissioner; an Older People’s Commissioner; the introduction of free NHS prescriptions; or even its recent attempt – capturing the attention of the UK public (and probably for the first time) – in starting the ball rolling for free parking at hospitals. You can always rely on the Welsh Government to grab some attention seeking headlines in the name of progress. More will be made of this in future columns.

Senedd Snippets:

• Assembly Members trying to buy their way into heaven
• Senedd proved to be a success
• Possible referendum rift between the cohabiting coalition partners
• History in the making and laws for the taking
• Plaid/Labour coalition – keep your enemies close

Buying a stairway to heaven

There’s rarely an appropriate time to make such an announcement as ‘a more than significant pay rise’, and now is certainly not the best time when we’re all meant to be tightening our belts. This is one to split the opinion of all parties within the Assembly. To the outcry of public sector workers everywhere, Welsh Assembly Members were handed an extra 8.3% in their pay packets (backdated to May 2007). Meant to be endorsed by the Assembly Commission and its membership from all political parties, Plaid Cymru broke ranks, and six members immediately refused to accept the pay rise, which was seen by some as an opportunistic way to buy your way into the hearts of the Welsh public. Their leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones, took this further by stating that he will give most of his rise (that above inflation) to charity in the first year. However, Lord Elis-Thomas, the Assembly’s Presiding Officer and chief diplomat in the making, graciously accepted the pay rise as being a “changing differential in pay”. Whether or nor it is seen as a “slap in the face” to public sector workers, the pay rise is here to stay, and this can be seen as easy political manoeuvring for capital of a different kind. When does a person stop giving the excess to charity? Miss Wagstaff will have to remind certain AMs to set up a standing order in future.

Senedd proved to be a success!

No, not this belated column, or my fellow contributor to Miss Wagstaff Presents, ‘Senedd Whip’, but the leaky Senedd building (well, it is Wales) and its construction, that has been proved to be a Welsh success story according to the Auditor General for Wales.

A report recently published concludes that the landmark debating chamber in Cardiff Bay was delivered “on time and on budget”, which is more than can be said in recent reports of financial flaws and inconsistencies in the way last year's Welsh assembly election was run, which have been identified by the Electoral Commission. Its report shows not all of the £4.5m spent on the election was properly accounted for.

We can’t win them all, so better luck next time.

Cohabiting Coalition Cleavage: Referendum Rift

This was always going to be a major issue between coalition partners in government and a bone for other parties in Wales to chew on. Labour has been accused of working to ensure there is not enough time to secure a referendum on a Welsh Parliament before the next Assembly election in 2011. This month we have been told that the All-Wales Convention, which will judge public support for law-making powers, will not report until late 2009. The powers that this Referendum will give the Assembly are already available through Legislative Competence Orders (a request from the Welsh Assembly Government to legislate in a particular area), and will continue to be available even if a referendum is held and lost. The referendum is far more important to Plaid in being seen as the ‘next stage’ towards independence. Once they clear this hurdle, they can then harp on about a totally independent Wales with the right to its own destiny. However, hurdles are a plenty on this further road to devolution. Being part of the ‘One Wales Agreement’ that binds the coalition government in Cardiff, this could possibly be the section that kills the coalition in the end. A yes vote in a referendum will merely make the whole law-making process simpler.

Those in the red-green coalition are all positive about the prospect of pulling this one off; the rift appears to be in Westminster. However, it has to be said, that this way is the only one, where Labour and Plaid can manage to argue party politics these days and still remain willing partners in Cardiff – hunky-dory in Cardiff Bay and a bit of a kerfuffle in Westminster. Even former Secretary and yes-vote supreme, Peter Hain MP, is getting in on the act: “I set up the Yes For Wales campaign in 1997, but I do not believe the time is right for a further referendum in this Assembly term”. This is much to the annoyance of unofficial Plaid leader and part-time philosopher, Adam Price MP, “Some people in the Labour Party thought Christmas had come early when we agreed to join them in a red/green coalition. But we were very clear-minded and hard-edged in our thinking. If anyone thinks the Labour Party can walk away from an agreement it has signed up to, they are not living in the real political world.”

Someone is going to be disappointed, but not today.

History in the making. Laws for the taking

The word historical is a common one that is widely used in the stages of Welsh devolution. For the first time since May 2007, MPs have debated a Legislative Competence Order, which quietly slipped into the history books. The National Assembly for Wales Legislative Competence (Education and Training) Order 2008 was cleared by Committee and the House of Commons, and is on its way for final approval by Privy Council.

It’s been a long time coming, but the Assembly should be able to legislate in this area before Summer Recess - but don’t hold your breath. Some Welsh politicians were optimistic about the number of Assembly Measures that will be able to be passed in an Assembly term; those original figures now look as believable as a children’s fairy story. The process is time consuming and inefficient when it comes to getting the job done. Many fear that this will play into the hands of the Nationalists who will cry out, “the current devolution settlement isn’t working”. Unionists, on the other hand, need to get the process changed and not wait for the inevitable backlash.

Plaid/Labour coalition. Keep your enemies close

Assembly Government insiders have been suggesting that members of First Minister Rhodri Morgan’s team are trying to undermine Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones.

One allegation is that the Plaid Cymru leader’s diary is being overloaded with engagements, so he is left with no time to think - “There are days when he is working from 8am until 10pm. It seems there could be a subtle game going on, with an attempt to make sure Ieuan gets bogged down in a top-heavy schedule of engagements while having little time to reflect.”

Welsh politicos with long-term memories should remember the fuss that was made when the Deputy First Minister was appointed as he then went on to appoint one of his own political support staff to the civil servant position of Diary Secretary. Sounds like she was also kept too busy to notice what was going on, as surely most political types would’ve seen this coming a long time ago.

And finally…

I’ll have to end it there for a first column article, and as I haven’t even mentioned the upcoming local government election that is on our doorstep, it would be wise of me to make a customer service announcement at this point.

If this doesn’t demonstrate to future would-be councillors the harsh reality of politics, then nothing will… One of Welsh Labour’s rising stars has failed to secure selection as a candidate for his council seat – despite being on a shortlist of one.

Heads down and let’s brace ourselves in anticipation for the build up to May.

Comment of the Week

Reviewing the Welsh blogs, I came across this little gem, by a reader named Rhys. The comment refers to the recent announcement on the subject of a payrise for AMs, which includes extra money for Whips and Committee Chairs.

The real scandal is that Carl Sargeant [as Labour Chief Whip] will still be getting paid £26,000 'on top' of his £50,000, just to remind his fellow champagne socialists how to vote as Labour Whip... Seriously, how can it cost the Welsh taxpayer £26 grand to tell Huw Lewis that he should vote with his government?

Couldn't a post-it note do it more effectively, leaving the remaining £25,999.20 to be put to something worthwhile, like say persuading a dentist not to abandon the NHS?

Well, I thought it was amusing [ever so slightly], athough I do think that a post-it note would also be needed for the desk of Lynne Neagle, so make that £25,998.40 - all the others seem to be in the palm of Rhodri's hand.

Democracy improves by 8.3%

No doubt blogs in Wales will be shrieking about the proposals by the Assembly Commission to give AMs a pay rise well above inflation. The standard criticisms will be aired: 'public service workers are getting a much smaller increase' and 'why are AMs getting so much when they have so little authority?'

It is worth stopping to listen to Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the Presiding Officer of the Assembly. Defending the pay rise proposals he said: "This is the cost of Welsh democracy. We need informed, businesslike, democratic scrutiny." While it is true that we need informed, businesslike and democratic scrutiny, how will this be achieved by stuffing the mouths of AMs with more gold?

To have informed and businesslike scrutiny we do need to attract decent people to the Senedd with a decent wage. If democratic and informed scrutiny is required then why not spend the money recruiting a few extra AMs to increase capacity? Starting to sound a bit familiar? Well, yes, it's exactly what the Richard Commission recommended years ago.

New Labour has never been particularly warm to the concept of devolution. Tony Blair didn't go along with the Richard Commission's findings and it is unlikely Gordon Brown will agree. Welsh MPs in Westminster weren't particularly happy with proposals to increase the number of AMs either. Perhaps Welsh MPs are more concerned about their jobs than the good of Welsh democracy, which is a running theme at the moment...

Update 16:07: Six Plaid AMs to refuse pay rise