Did anyone notice?

His Lordship has been attempting to deflect attention away from the negative press on withdrawing the Assembly's first landmark decision on the Welsh language, by regurgitating his annual attempt at dissing the Conservative party when it comes to devolution.

Did anyone notice his constitutional mistake? Answers on a postcard, or simply in the comments section.

Meanwhile a Labour-Plaid Cymru led national discussion - A last public question time session on more possible powers for the Welsh assembly will be held later at the National Eisteddfod in Bala, Gwynedd.

The meeting will be the final public event held by the All Wales Convention to gauge views on whether there is an appetite for more powers.

The session follows 23 events across Wales attended by almost 2,000 people since they began a year ago.

A report on the consultation process will be presented to ministers.

We can't wait for the 'report'.

Appealing to the masses

Just as one leader is about to make himself more appealing with the aid of voluntary work, another aims to make an appeal to the masses via a more direct appeal straight to the heart of party sympathisers (and mainly Welsh speaking).

N.B. No Labour AM has formally declared they intend to stand for the party's leadership. But Carwyn Jones, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Huw Lewis and Gower AM and Health Minister Edwina Hart are all thought to be preparing campaigns.

Stay tuned but don't hold your breath over Summer.

Welsh Assembly Government Recruitment

Having worked in Human Resources, I always take a keen interest in what still goes on in the world of recruitment. Given that this is a blog about Welsh politics, thought I'd show you what a generic Welsh Assembly Government recruitment advertisement looks like.

Different people.
Same values.

Aiming to be the best public sector organisation in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government lives by its values of delivering results, valuing people and achieving excellence by mainstreaming equality and embracing difference through a diverse workforce. We are particularly committed to improving representation of women, people from ethnic minorities and disabled people at every level of the organisation and would welcome applications from all sections of the community so that we can be more representative of the people whom we serve.

When vacancies arise they will be posted on our website www.wales.gov.uk/recruitment or visit your local job centre. Alternatively contact the Recruitment Team on 02920 821580.

We welcome applications from under-represented groups.

In reality, most of the vacancies that arise cover the lower end of the job market, are Welsh-speaking, or are technical in nature, which is a far cry from reaching out to all sections of the community.

The opening paragraph also raises eyebrows to a higher-level than usual. Does anyone remember the following posts?

1. Inequality at the Assembly
2. Pay and pension can be a lottery
3. Merthyr Tydfil Office: First Anniversary Propaganda
4. Assembly Senior Civil Servant Accused
5. AMs Question Internal Inquiry by the Civil Service
6. Assembly Government: A bad week in the life of those in charge
7. Fresh Review by Assembly's Top Civil Servant
8. Assembly civil servant resigns, but what about the inquiry?
9. A mild form of state control
10. No Dignity at Work: procedures were reasonable under the circumstance

One Wales is a dream and not a reality

While clearing up newspapers that have been piling up for weeks, I came across a letter in the South Wales Echo by a Mr. D Hughes, London.

He writes with regard to a recent regular visit to Wales and his surprise at the naming of the coalition government, 'One Wales'. Thought readers may like to read his take on it all.

I have been visiting family here in Wales for the past month, due to a family illness and was surprised that the AMs down the Bay are calling the coalition government the One Wales.

How can this be when we have a nation divided by lack of public transport, language and regional finances?

Rugby is only played along the M4 corridor and our three major football teams play in the English system.

Rugby unites us when we are doing well, even if we are coached by a New Zealander and an Englishman.

I found to my dismay that it is not possible to visit the National Library in a day by public transport, even though it is only 120 miles away from Cardiff!

What is the Transport Minister in the Assembly being paid to do?

I have never come across so many people who are anti-English, blaming anyone but themselves when anything goes wrong.

Thankfully the English are not so petty with their feelings towards the Welsh.

In this the 21st Century, it's time we learnt to stand by ourselves proving we can govern ourselves efficiently and not blame everyone else for our shortcomings.

Before anyone who replies gets on the language bandwagon, I can speak and write Welsh fluently, and have done so since the age of 15.

Although this is only one man's opinion, some elements do ring true with the general public and thought it worth a mention.

Gareth Jones AM: Lost in Translation

I've always loved a little humour during the day and couldn't help smiling when I turned on to AM.PM Tuesday afternoon and watched the plenary session. Gareth Jones AM was raising a question on flu jabs.

Gareth has always been concerned about the use of the Welsh language in debates and since returning to the Assembly has recently complained about the quality of translation provided during plenary and committee meetings.

During Tuesday's debate in the chamber, Mr Jones was talking (in Welsh) about flu jabs for our senior citizens (including himself), however, a translator for the Assembly's Translation & Interpretation Service gave the English translation as "flea jabs".

The pressure was obviously too much for him not to say it.