Contributions made by Plaid MPs in Parliament this week:
* On Tuesday, 21st October, Elfyn Llwyd hosted an adjournment debate about ex-servicemen in prison, using figures gained from parliamentary questions tabled during the Summer recess. The debate was well received by veterans’ organisations and was covered in the Daily Telegraph. The aim of the debate was to raise concern regarding the large number of ex-servicemen in prison and their treatment following tours of duty in war zones.
* Elfyn’s campaign received a positive response from the Minister for Prisons and also from the Prime Minister when he raised the same issue at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 22nd October.
* During Welsh Questions, which was also held on Wednesday, Elfyn raised the issue of Welsh council savings currently being held in Icelandic banks.
* In Monday’s statement from the Prime Minister on the European Union summit last week, Elfyn asked whether he had been successful in convincing all EU countries to continue their support for tough climate change targets, as supported by Plaid Cymru.
* Als on Monday, in questions for the Department of Work and Pensions, Elfyn drew attention to economic problems in Meirionydd Nant Conwy.
* During Welsh Questions on Wednesday, Hywel Williams asked the Welsh ministers whether, as part of the debate on cross-border services, he would be holding an investigation into the use of health services by people moving to North Wales after retirement.
* In Transport questions on Tuesday, Adam raised the issue of minimum wage standards for seafarers.
* On Wednesday, Adam responded to the statement made by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, calling for better and responsible lines of credit to small businesses from bank.
Showing posts with label Elfyn Llwyd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elfyn Llwyd. Show all posts
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Children Are Unbeatable!...Almost
One of the disappointments of the parliamentary system is that often the most important or contentious topics aren't raised because of 'procedure'.
Yesterday, for example, Elfyn Llwyd had put down an amendment to the Children and Young Persons Bill that would remove from law section 58 of the Children's Act 2004, the excuse of 'reasonable punishment', or 'reasonable chastisement' as a reason for hitting children.
Human rights are the same for adults as for children, so why is it that our law, criticised internationally by the European Committee of Social Rights and, only last week, by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, gives adults the right to hit children - within some vague woolly worded explanation.
There are 19 countries in Europe that have banned this, the National Assembly voted to ban this in a vote in 2004 (if only we had these powers in Wales, eh?!) and all four of the UK Children's Commissioners back the removal of this clause.
Yet yesterday, Labour talked it out by giving just four hours for amendments to the whole bill, getting as far as the second set of six groups of amendments.
That's when you feel that democracy doesn't work the way it should do.
Yesterday, for example, Elfyn Llwyd had put down an amendment to the Children and Young Persons Bill that would remove from law section 58 of the Children's Act 2004, the excuse of 'reasonable punishment', or 'reasonable chastisement' as a reason for hitting children.
Human rights are the same for adults as for children, so why is it that our law, criticised internationally by the European Committee of Social Rights and, only last week, by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, gives adults the right to hit children - within some vague woolly worded explanation.
There are 19 countries in Europe that have banned this, the National Assembly voted to ban this in a vote in 2004 (if only we had these powers in Wales, eh?!) and all four of the UK Children's Commissioners back the removal of this clause.
Yet yesterday, Labour talked it out by giving just four hours for amendments to the whole bill, getting as far as the second set of six groups of amendments.
That's when you feel that democracy doesn't work the way it should do.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A Welsh Oath of Allegiance?
As part of the opening question in today's Welsh Assembly plenary session, Leanne Wood raised the question of the Oath of Allegiance to the monarchy.
She drew attention to a current EDM at Westminster calling on the government to allow MP's to swear loyalty to their constituents and the nation rather than the monarch.
It seems only fair to me that, in our modern democratic culture, those who believe that their loyalty lies with their constituents should be allowed to pledge their oath to those people rather than to a member of the royal family.
A different oath is already available in Northern Ireland.
During discussion on the Government of Wales Act 2006, Plaid MP Elfyn Llwyd called for a secular oath that would allow Assembly Members to swear allegiance to the people of Wales. Labour in Westminster, however, refused to allow AMs that option.
She drew attention to a current EDM at Westminster calling on the government to allow MP's to swear loyalty to their constituents and the nation rather than the monarch.
It seems only fair to me that, in our modern democratic culture, those who believe that their loyalty lies with their constituents should be allowed to pledge their oath to those people rather than to a member of the royal family.
A different oath is already available in Northern Ireland.
During discussion on the Government of Wales Act 2006, Plaid MP Elfyn Llwyd called for a secular oath that would allow Assembly Members to swear allegiance to the people of Wales. Labour in Westminster, however, refused to allow AMs that option.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Conference
Conferences have the potential both to complicate and confuse or to inspire and enthuse.
Judging from the reactions on various Plaid blogs when I got back into the office today (see Borthlas, Guerrilla Welsh-Fare, Bethan Jenkins and Pendroni), I'm clearly not alone in being happy with the events of the weekend in Aberystwyth.
The mood throughout the weekend was upbeat, helped by the confidence inspired by our party leadership and our Assembly ministers that the party is in good hands and that Wales is a better place for us being in government.
The Westminster group more than played their part, with motions on an array of subjects from supporting carers to helping local business, and from Welsh language juries to reducing the voting age, and keynote speeches from Elfyn Llwyd and Adam Price (more of which here). I'll be discussing the aims and effects of these motions in the coming days.
One of my high points, though, was getting to have a proper chat with new SNP MP, John Mason, whom I'm sure will do an excellent job when he gets to work full-time in Westminster in a few weeks time.
Judging from the reactions on various Plaid blogs when I got back into the office today (see Borthlas, Guerrilla Welsh-Fare, Bethan Jenkins and Pendroni), I'm clearly not alone in being happy with the events of the weekend in Aberystwyth.
The mood throughout the weekend was upbeat, helped by the confidence inspired by our party leadership and our Assembly ministers that the party is in good hands and that Wales is a better place for us being in government.
The Westminster group more than played their part, with motions on an array of subjects from supporting carers to helping local business, and from Welsh language juries to reducing the voting age, and keynote speeches from Elfyn Llwyd and Adam Price (more of which here). I'll be discussing the aims and effects of these motions in the coming days.
One of my high points, though, was getting to have a proper chat with new SNP MP, John Mason, whom I'm sure will do an excellent job when he gets to work full-time in Westminster in a few weeks time.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Dafydd Iwan wins Plaid Presidency vote
Dafydd Iwan has been re-elected as Plaid Cymru President after a Summer campaign fought against Elfyn Llwyd, in a "close contest".
As many people will know, I voted for Elfyn, but, like almost everyone in Plaid to whom I spoke during the Summer, I would be happy with either man in that role.
Certainly, with Elfyn still at the leadership table through his position as Leader of the Parliamentary Group, his experience and skills will not be lost at the top of the party.
I do feel that a competition for the post was very important, providing legitimacy and a mandate from the party membership for the winner, as well as allowing a debate about the future direction of Plaid.
I attended the hustings in Cardiff which was a lively discussion of how Plaid has developed over the past few years, the role of the President inside the party and what sustainable changes could be made during the next electoral cycle.
Having won the election, I look forward to Dafydd Iwan pushing forward some of the points that were raised by the membership. Again, something else for our minds to focus on at Conference this week!
As many people will know, I voted for Elfyn, but, like almost everyone in Plaid to whom I spoke during the Summer, I would be happy with either man in that role.
Certainly, with Elfyn still at the leadership table through his position as Leader of the Parliamentary Group, his experience and skills will not be lost at the top of the party.
I do feel that a competition for the post was very important, providing legitimacy and a mandate from the party membership for the winner, as well as allowing a debate about the future direction of Plaid.
I attended the hustings in Cardiff which was a lively discussion of how Plaid has developed over the past few years, the role of the President inside the party and what sustainable changes could be made during the next electoral cycle.
Having won the election, I look forward to Dafydd Iwan pushing forward some of the points that were raised by the membership. Again, something else for our minds to focus on at Conference this week!
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