Sunday, December 31, 2006
Tories 'party of working people'
The Tories will become the party that represents working people rather than the rich and powerful, David Cameron has said in his New Year message.
The Tory leader also promises that next year his party will set out its alternative policies in more detail.
This is obviously a challenge that needs to be taken on, though the difficulties of achieving it can't really i think be overstated. Lets focus on the BBC headline:
Tories 'party of working people'
How many people actually remember "tory" was originally a term of abuse, precisely by comparing us to that long extinct political party of the church, aristocracy and landowning classes? The link between the Conservative Party and the upper-classes is simply so ingrained that I don't think the stigma will ever be shaken off.. (certainly not by a well-to-do Eton graduate *cough*)
The best that can be done is to make the association a matter of indifference. This could concievably be achieved through a coherent direction and proper policies. Of these, Cameron is promising revelation in the near future. We eagerly await.
Happy New Year to all!
Golly gosh, one must hurry, unless i leave now i'll miss papa take part in his polo match...
Death of a Tyrant
Firstly I'd like to echo most of Paul's sentiments. It is truly a testament to the strength of Western values that we are eager for them to be applied correctly even to someone like Saddam Hussein. This is a man that - including the completely unnecessary war against Iran which we started without reason in the 1980s- is responsible for the death of well over a million people. Of course in any criminal trial we should seek complete fairness and impartiality in court proceedings, and hope for complete accountability.. but to be frank.. I struggle mightily to care at all about the discrepancies of this particular trial when the nature of his crimes are so henious. As for the death penalty, while like most I oppose it, im comfortable with knowing that, since Iraq is a sovereign nation, its really none of my or my government's business.
This is where I think it becomes ridiculous, when legitimate concerns over justice and legality from some turn into the rather hysterical complaints of others. The man spent over a year in a court process with the ability to appear in person, openly voice his views and protest his innocence. To the vast majority of his victims Saddam didn't even have the decency to charge them with anything.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Future, Justice and Legality
I awoke at dawn to find that Saddam had been executed. What we can certainly say that the recent events in Iraq and the execution of Saddam are unique. Loathed for his atrocities, his death has created mixed reaction. The invasion sparked outrage amongst many. The legality of everything from the war to the trial to the execution has been questioned by the public and pressure groups and the Iraq war has certainly not has the same effect as the Falklands did for Magaret Thatcher.Today one of the most brutal dictators ever seen has been sent to the grave however was this justice? Did Saddam die a martyr? Did he have a fair trial? Was Saddam the victor in the end? Did his actions during the trial show strength or weakness?
Well its too late now, other states opposed his execution yet it went ahead - Iraq may have democracy but in reality have things improved? Only time will tell. Could the allied forces have dealt with the invasion better? Personally I do not have a view, the war and trial has now become tiresome.
For now we have lost one of the worlds most despised persons and for those who suffered under his regime, the tyrant has had his just desserts. I hope his death can help bring peace to the middle east in the coming years.
For more comments visit ..
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Xmas & Mid & West Wales Blogs!
Firstly I would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year. As you all know we are entering an election period in Wales. So I thought I'd kick things off with some Mid & West Wales Blogs!Our regional list candidates Nick Bourne, Lisa Francis and Glyn Davies all have quite interesting and regularly updated blogs to fill you in on their lives as Assembly Members.
http://blog.nickbourne.org.uk/
http://glyndaviesam.blogspot.com/
http://lisafrancisam.blogspot.com
All these blogs provide interesting reading, and if you like a bit of cheer, Lisa's in certainly in the festive spirit and provides a lot of cultural ideas.
All the best!
Coming soon... Mid & West Wales First Past The Post Candidate Campaign Info!
Friday, December 22, 2006
Happy Holidays to all
my most insincere apologies (i think i've had too much christmas pudding)
see everyone in january!
Vote Thatcher
Come on guys, lets put her in the lead -
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/6161847.stm?dynamic_vote=ON#vote_6161847
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/6161847.stm?dynamic_vote=ON#vote_6161847
Monday, December 18, 2006
Are you thinking what we're thinking? Forced smile?
Well what a week eh?! Firstly Blair becomes the first serving Prime Minister to be interviewed in a criminal investigation, the rule of law is once again diminished by the serving Labour Government to preserve UK-Saudi relations and in the name of middle east peace, apparently saving thousands of jobs and UK investment - and now a leaked email admitting Labour are a sinking ship with few options! Our former election slogan would probably be more appreciated now!
Even Rhodri is distancing himself from the sinking ship that is New Labour, however the old dragon won't be smiling for long. No its not the Tory Bogey Man, but a modern compassionate Welsh Conservative Party who are out fighting to put an end to this shambolic governance.
Lempit's Secret!! - On an even more amusing note - poor old Sian Lloyd - dumped by Liberal Democrat MP Lempit Opik for a cheeky girl who probably doesnt know anything about Wales never mind Montgomeryshire or where it is! If this was a Conservative MP there would be outcry - could this have an impact on Lempits popularity - we shall wait and see..
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Dodgy Dealings
Having been quite a strong opposition in relation to the failings of the proposed budget, it appears that the Welsh nationalists once again put their self interest and image before that of the people of Wales. Having been quite untited in opposition, Ieuan Wyn Jones' back room deal with Rhodri Morgan suggests that the assembly campaign will be one of interest. To me it seems that Plaid may here be trying to win over discontented Labour voters who would not vote for the remainder of the opposition. Labour and particularly Rhodri realise that their days are numbered and this could be a tactic to prevent a possible coalition government after the May elections. Attemp to destabalise opposition parties all you want Rhodri, you may have won this battle, but you won't win the war!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Why I love David Cameron
Well, after reading my esteemed colleague's post on why he does not like David Cameron at the end of his first year in charge I thought to myself 'Where would the Conservatives be without him?' The answer's easy; nowhere. I would like to hear anyone's explanation of why we are leading every poll if the answer is not Mr. Cameron. People's concerns over a lack of policies are understandable, but they will come. The most important issue that had to be sorted out was the general public's perception of the Conservatives. Mr. Cameron has, on the whole, achieved this within a single year!!
It is quite simple, without Cameron leading us into the next election, with every Tory behind him, we will lose. It is most certainly not a time for Conservative Party members to be complaining about him.
It is quite simple, without Cameron leading us into the next election, with every Tory behind him, we will lose. It is most certainly not a time for Conservative Party members to be complaining about him.
My concerns with David Cameron
Since it is the one year anniversary of Dave Cameron's election, I thought I'd take some time to clarify my thoughts on our Leader.
My complaint with him has never been that he has the 'wrong' ideas. Indeed, Cameron has the right kind of idea in revitalising the Tory party's image, turning it away from its more reactionary elements. We are not going to win being old fashioned, prejudiced, "lets fry criminals" types. This is all true, and seems perfectly clear to nearly everyone. The trouble is rather that I'm concerned over whether his emphasis on image is coming at the detrement of the development of policy, which at present is somewhat lacking. I hope this will change in the future.
Also it would in my opinion be fair to say that those of us in the youth wing - bright, fresh, full of ideas and ready for the fight - are getting more frustrated than others at the apparent absense of policy.
I believe we should really start to progress toward making our country better, freeing people to live their lives and increasing the happiness of one and all.
My complaint with him has never been that he has the 'wrong' ideas. Indeed, Cameron has the right kind of idea in revitalising the Tory party's image, turning it away from its more reactionary elements. We are not going to win being old fashioned, prejudiced, "lets fry criminals" types. This is all true, and seems perfectly clear to nearly everyone. The trouble is rather that I'm concerned over whether his emphasis on image is coming at the detrement of the development of policy, which at present is somewhat lacking. I hope this will change in the future.
Also it would in my opinion be fair to say that those of us in the youth wing - bright, fresh, full of ideas and ready for the fight - are getting more frustrated than others at the apparent absense of policy.
I believe we should really start to progress toward making our country better, freeing people to live their lives and increasing the happiness of one and all.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Flooding Again!
Extremely poor weather conditions have once again had a severe impact upon the transport networks in Mid & West Wales today with extreme flooding affecting roads and railways. This has left the majority of the line from Newtown to Aberystwyth and the Cambrian Coast closed as well as parts of the Conwy Valley Line and roads between Machynlleth to Dolgellau!
Fortunately for those reliant on such transport as Arriva Trains Wales an excellent back up system exists in the form of Lloyds Coaches of Machynlleth. Owner Wyn Lloyd should be praised for his efforts in times of Arriva's crisis by providing a high quality and friendly coach service between stations. The coast at Aberystwyth is also suffering as the walls have literally been battered by the sea and a clean up operation is under way.
From this two key issues stand out, firstly do defences against extreme weather need improving as year on year the area suffers the same issues and the existing system is clearly not adequate to deal with it. Secondly the replacement service by Wyn Lloyd's coach company provided a luxury comfortable service (even though it took slightly longer) - once again highlighting the state of the network in Wales but also on the road transport side is that the rail replacement coaches are much better than the tempos and commanders on the Trawscambria service. There is still a long way to go before Wales has a first class transport network.
