A view from Rural Wales

Second Home Allowances for MPs.

2009-07-12T11:27:00.002+01:00

Interesting article in today's Mail on Sunday by Brendan Carlin. Headline reads 'Furious MPs vow: We will quit over new expenses blitz.' He reports that some MPs are 'seething with anger' that the head of the Parliamentary Fees Office has demanded confirmation in writing of the following before second home allowances will be paid;

a) The terms of the mortgage agreement.
b)That the payments are for interest only.
c)That the amount claimed is accurate.

What surprises me is that any payment can have been made in the past without these conditions being met. Not only is it right and proper that payments should end if these conditions are not met, but they should never have been made in the first place. I've always argued, without much support from anyone, that there is no difference between helping a politician meet the costs of providing secondary accommodation in London (or Cardiff) via reimbursing rent or mortgage interest. My argument collapses if the above basic conditions are not being enforced. The MoS report suggests that some MPs are contemplating resigning and forcing by-elections over the issue. I did just check it was not the April 1st edition. Sometimes I read stuff that is so preposterous that its just not believable.

Making a 'Noise' or a 'Difference'.

2009-07-11T12:14:00.004+01:00

Was subject to forensic refection on what sort of an MP I would make last night - and directly to my face. It began kindly enough, in that it seems I performed my duties during my 8 years as an Assembly Member with an "open mind" and "spoke up for the people". Things went downhill from there. At Westminster, it seems that I will inevitably be subject to pressure from the whips, will do just what I'm instructed to, and will have no influence at all. I've read other similar dismissive comments on the blogosphere. The basis on which these comments are made is that I've said that I cannot envisage a situation in which I would refuse to obey a 3-line whip. Needless to write, I disagree with these assessments of effectiveness. The upshot is that I've been instigated to write this post about how an MP can most effectively represent constituents.

I often read and hear the opinion expressed that voting against the party whip is a demonstration of an independent mind - 'putting principle before party' etc. You know the sort of stuff. Its certainly an effective way of becoming noticed and securing headlines. But it rarely has impact of any significance on Government policy. All it usually does is greatly reduce any influence on policy that the 'rebel' may have had. The only interest it serves is that of the rebels themselves. Personally, I reckon a much more effective way of making a difference is to argue and debate issues within a governing party before policy becomes established - the aim being to secure a 'free vote' or some form of 'policy flexibility', perhaps by building up a body of like minded opinion.

The issue that usually instigates this discussion is my attitude towards devolution, and my opinion that the National Assembly for Wales should be granted law making powers in those policy areas that are devolved. I shout my opinion from the hilltops, hoping for effect. Now, I don't expect our manifesto writers to respond by including a commitment to provide exactly what I want - which would be a pledge to hold an immediate referendum on the transfer of all these law making powers. Might be wrong of course. But I do hope that it will be written in a way which accepts my right to hold and advocate this opinion. By engaging in this debate now, I hope I can make a difference to our policy, which is more than I would ever achieve by voting against a manifesto commitment sometime in the future.

Another way of making a 'difference' rather than a 'noise' is to be in Parliament for important votes, rather than in the constituency chasing the camera. I still recall the huge fuss the two Powys MPs made last year about Post Office closures - and then learning that they both missed the crucial vote in the House of Commons. Iain Dale has posted on another example of this sort of behavior today.

My experience of politics is that too many MPs are too concerned about issuing press releases 'condemning' and 'welcoming' - though we all do this to some extent. None of us can afford to ignore the importance of a media profile. But what really matters for constituents is what difference can be made to promote their interests, rather than how much 'noise' can be made to promote the politician's interest - a point I made rather forcefully last night.

Leave it to Sir Christopher Kelly.

2009-07-09T23:17:00.003+01:00

Beb Brogan has written an interesting article in today's edition of the Telegraph, berating MPs for footdragging in response to the public row over expenses. I don't agree with him. He seems to want MPs to react in an unconsidered kneejerk way to the exposures made by the Telegraph over the last two months. I agree that there should be a reaction, but it should be on the basis of calm and careful consideration. It should not be simply a response designed to get a furious public off politician's backs. Sir Christopher Kelly has been charged with doing this, and bringing forward a report for MP's consideration - as soon as possible, which is likely to be the autumn. Everyone tells me he is a fair and meticulous man. Ben Brogan wants MPs to take instuctions from the Telegraph, and while many of these suggestions may be sensible, it should be left to Sir Christopher.

The National Assembly for Wales did try to do this in a sensible way, but it was overtaken by events that happened at Westminster when the Telegraph published details of individual expenses. Sir Roger Jones was asked to produce recommendations, in much the same way as Sir Christopher. It was delivered this week. But the report, in effect, ceased to be recommendations for AM's consideration, and became instructions not open to discussion. There was a 'show' of the Assembly Commission meeting to decide to accept the report, but the reality was that they were powerless to do anything but accept the whole package. Must admit I felt very uneasy about the way, 60 AMs who all had the 'ba**s' to stand for election, and won the support of the people were bull dosed by a group of people who have never faced the voters at all (except for Dafydd Wigley I suppose). Now I bet there's plenty of people who disagree with that line!!

Personally, I would be surprised if the same thing happens at Westminster. There was a bit of theatrical strutting about how the Assembly was leading the way, and that other Parliaments would automatically follow this lead. A touch of unwarrented self importance perhaps! The truth is that the Assembly's decisions made no impact outside Wales whatsoever. When Sir Christopher Kelly reports, no-one at Westminster will remember the Sir Roger Jones Report - that's if they ever knew about it in the first place.

Now this is what I'd really like to see. Sir Christopher's report being published at the same time as a General Election is called. Every single candidate would have to answer detailed questions from the voters about how they would behave, and what claims they would make. That really would be democracy in action. There would terrific public engagement, well attended public meetings, and a great turn out. A new Parliament elected in such an election would be far better placed to restore authority, respect and dignity to our house of Commons than anything that will be decided by the current discredited Parliament. And it might just happen. I'm sure Sir Christopher Kelly could arrange it.

New 'Ruling Group' on Powys Council.

2009-07-09T22:40:00.003+01:00

My favourite 'snout' Edna Mopbucket hasn't been on for a while now. She cleans and dusts around civic offices in Wales, and lets me know about any tit-bits she discovers. She was on tonight, informing me that the Liberal Democrat Group on Powys County Council has decided to enter into a 'working arrangement' with the Powys Independent Alliance, creating a permanent majority to run the Council. If this is true, 9AND Edna's usually right) it would be a totally new situation for Powys C. C.. But it all sounds a bit odd to me.

I can see the logic of creating a 'ruling' majority group - and a coalition between the Lib Dems and the Powys Independents has the numbers to create that. The next logical step would be to change the constitution from the current 'Board' system, where all groups are represented on the Executive Board to a 'Cabinet' system where only the ruling group is represented in the Cabinet. But Edna tells me that there is no intention of making this constitutional change. Most odd. They seem to be creating a majority coalition to take public responsibility for all decision taking, while not changing the disbursement of power at all. On the surface, this looks a good deal for the Conservatives and the Shires Independent Group. Perhaps light will be shed on what's happening in comments.

Pool Quay Argae again.

2009-07-09T21:46:00.003+01:00

I've blogged before on the rumpus surrounding the raising of the height of an argae (a flood defence embankment) at Pool Quay, near Welshpool in Montgomeryshire. Though the issue is too complex to make the news, in my opinion it is a story that warrents national attention. Local feelings are running very high. The current state of play is that the Assembly Minister (on the basis of an Inspector's Report) has decided that the argae can be raised to protect a listed building, Trewern Hall, even though it will increase (slightly!) the risk of flooding of perhaps 30 nearby properties. Understandably, these property owners are very upset. There's also the matter of full costs being awarded against the Environment Agency, which could land the taxpayer with a bill approaching a million pounds. I promised to keep you posted on developments.

I'm not expecting any final decisions, or action on the ground, until the three months within which the Environment Agency can appeal has passed. But there is the unfinished business of planning permission, which is still required. The Local Planning Authority, Powys County Council refused planning permission for what the Minister has now effectively approved, in 2005. I'm told that the appellant has today submitted another planning application, similar to that which was previously refused. I imagine that this may cause a bit of a problem for the planners. If an application, very similar to one previously refused were to be approved, there could well be a case for referral to the Ombudsman - with significant financial consequences. Perhaps there will be an effort made to refuse to register the application, unless sufficient changes are introduced to accommodate a claim that its a different application. I'll report on this next week. Just keeping you informed - and don't blame me for reporting this. That's like kicking the postman for delivering bad news!

UPDATE - I'm told by someone who knows this issue far better than I do that 'slight' is not the appropriate word. I was trying to remember what the Inspector said. George's comment is worth reading.

2009-07-09T21:31:00.001+01:00

Then there were five.

2009-07-07T21:45:00.003+01:00

The runners in the Montgomeryshire General Election Handicap are making themselves known. Last year's winner, Lembit Opik will again be representing the Lib Dem stable. I always dismiss rumours that it might be otherwise. This colourful, if erratic stayer should now settle to some serious training after a few wayward gallops, if reports are true that he has recently aquired another young, handsome, new stable mate. The Plaid stable will be represented by the only filly so far declared, Heledd Fychan - already making an impression in the warm-up area. For six months and more its been rumoured that a Mr Nick Colbourne has been entered from the Labour stable, but he's hardly been seen anywhere near the course so far. I will be carrying the Tory colours, and feel that all the preparation work is going well. And today, I met my good friend, D W L Rowlands on the street in Welshpool, and he told me that he has been entered from the Ukip stable.

David is a very old friend. He was my predecessor but one as Chairman of Montgomeryshire District Council in the early 80s, and when he stood for Parliament as an Independent in 1983, I agreed to sign his nomination papers, because he was a good man, as well as a good friend. So we have form and history between us. Over the last year or so David has not been well, but he looked full of beans today. He's just finished campaigning as the No 4 candidate on Ukip's slate in the recent Euro Election, and reckons he's ready to build on his party's terrific result in that election in Montgomeryshire - where Ukip pushed the Liberal Democrats down to a poor third. Its building up to be an enjoyable as well as an unpredictable race. There will be a fair few punters watching this one on race day.

Roses

2009-07-07T21:18:00.003+01:00

In general, I don't like roses. Its not that I don't recognise that they are pretty. Its just that they are so damn vicious. But we do grow a few that have something special to offer. This 'Rambling Rector' growing up a cherry is stunning, and worth its place in any garden that has the room. You can work out its scale by comparison with Ffion's John Deere, parked underneath. I suppose its about 20' - both high and wide. Its due severe pruning after its finished flowering, because the lower branches take lumps out of the mulcher driver.

We grow this rose because of its unusual colour. Its not quite the elusive 'blue' but getting that was when it first opens. Bluer than any other rose I've seen. As roses go, its well behaved and disease free. I like it. Which is more than you can say for some of the red ramblers we grow - bedecked with the brightest of lovely red blooms, and thorns like hooks that tear flesh to the bone. I'm not putting up photographs of these temptresses which would charge you such pain for the pleasure.

The Sir Roger Jones Report

2009-07-06T17:16:00.003+01:00

Today, Sir Roger Jones handed his report to the Assembly Commission. It concerns the allowances and expenses that his panel believes should be available to Assembly Members. In my opinion, most of the recommendations are sensible, a few less so but acceptable, with one or two which make no sense at all. But the necessity of restoring public faith in politics is so great, that I would vote in favour on the whole package, warts and all, if I were currently an AM myself. I've picked out what I see as the most significant recommendations;

1) AMs should have to produce receipt/documentary evidence to support every claim (Fundamentally important).

2) The salary link between MPs and AMs should be ended. (Sensible, and welcome in principle. But won't make much practical difference, because any body setting AM's salaries will have not much else to draw comparison with).

3) An external Independent Review Board should be established. (Cannot argue with this, bearing in mind how the public feels. But be little different from current Senior Salaries and Review Board).

4) Changes in pensions and payments to departing AMs are proposed. (Need more time to consider this).

5) From 2011, new members should only be allowed 'Resettlement' allowance if they are defeated - not if they retire. (This could well discourage sitting members in safe seats from standing down, and could lead to candidates standing who do not really want to win).

6) Claims for Mortgage Interest costs should be banned. (This is a kneejerk recommendation which will lead to increased costs if the Assembly takes on the role of landlord. It also challenges the family friendly principle - more a politician's base than a family home. But cannot be resisted. Don't agree with it though).

7) 35 AMs living closest to Cardiff should be able to claim for 20 overnights per annum, at £95 per night plus £20 for dinner. (Sensible - if they want to upgrade, they can pay the difference themselves).

8) The same 35 AMs should be able to claim £25 per night if staying with a friend instead. (Sensible).

9) The current £30.65 flat rate allowance for staying away from home should be abolished (Sensible).

10) The Assembly should provide 'suitable' accommodation, furnished to a 'modern' standard within 5 miles of the Senedd for the 25 AMs living furthest from Cardiff (This seems most unwise to me - and I expect it to prove very costly. But don't quite know what it means).

11) Lyn Neagle and Huw Lewis be considered as one person in respect of accommodation support (Sensible).

12 No claims for furniture or fittings (Sensible, since they are to be provided by the Assembly anyway!).

13 Assembly Members should be allowed to claim for utility bills, council tax, broadband, and TV licence to second homes. (Reasonable).

14) Any office rented from constituency parties, Trade Unions, etc. should be on the basis of a valuation agreed by an Assembly approved independent valuer (Sensible).

15) No family members to be employed (Regrettable, non family friendly measure - but sensible in the circumstances. Will lead to a poorer service from some AMs. Would have completely changed the way I worked, ending my effective 8.00 am - 11.00 pm office availability).

16) One week induction course. (Totally demeaning. Cannot think of anything worse. Enough to put me off altogether).

17) Training budget to be increased for AMs and staff. (Sensible)

I think I've picked out the most significant recommendations. Comments in italics are my initial reactions. Let me know what you think.

Reflections on the Lions tour.

2009-07-05T22:20:00.002+01:00

Commentators have been dumping much of the blame for the 2-1 series defeat to the Springboks on the selection errors for the first test. OK, I know there's nothing more nauseating than an 'I told you so' - but I did. The criticism is justified. The management team seem to have done a brilliant job maintaining morale and motivation, so let the praise be lavished. But lets not pretend that it wasn't wrong selections for the first test that blew it.

My team was based on the twin prop power of Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones. When Adam came on as a replacement in the first test, the game had gone. When he went off in the second test the game looked very winnable. While the two Welsh boys were on together, the Springboks were on the back foot. Nothing against Phil Vickery, and I'm really pleased that he did well yesterday. I also had Martyn Williams in for David Wallace. Not sure this would have made much of a difference, but Williams showed his class yesterday. I also had Fitzgerald in for Monya, who despite his power and potential, failed to ground chances in the first test that Bowe and Williams would have succeeded with as well as Fitzgerald. Pleased for Monya, who looks a real star for the future, that he scored a cracker yesterday to redeem himself.

My 'hindsight' team for the first test would have just one change from the team I wanted - Simon Shaw for Alun Wyn Jones. Shaw was rightly brought on to provide more ballast, but no-one could have predicted his massive contribution. The team I recommended be picked was, Byrne, Bowe, Fitzgerald, Roberts, O'Driscoll, Jones, Phillips, Jenkins, Mears, Adam Jones, O'Connell, Alun Wyn Jones, Croft, Heaslip and Williams. If they had listened, the Lions would have won the series.

They would still have won but for an almost unbelievable stroke of bad luck - losing both props and both centres to injury in the middle of the second half. The Lions had perhaps six irreplaceable players, and four of them went off injured at almost the same time. But it might not have mattered if the correct team had been selected for the first test. And I don't like this whinging that we would have won if Burger had seen the red card he deserved. That would have been a 'Pyrrhic' victory. I thought the eye gouging incident spoiled a great tour. Lots of mummies and daddies will be sending their kiddies out to play with a round rather than an oval ball as a consequence of the moronic comments of the Springbok coach. If the South Africans care anything for the world game they should sack the coach, and up Buger's ban to six months.

Overwhelmed by deceit.

2009-07-04T22:32:00.004+01:00

Been catching up on some of the week's newspapers tonight. I was in serious political mode. We are at the start of a long general election campaign, and inevitably this blog will become entangled in it's tentacles as it's writer strives to become MP for Montgomeryshire. I suppose its bound to become more partisan as well. Partisan is certainly how I feel as I begin this post.

The theme of political stories this week has been the telling of bare-faced untruths by Labour Ministers. I hope I'm not being unfair, but lets look at some of the evdence. The first untruth is the big one - Gordon Brown's campaign to portray the difference between the economic policies of his party and mine after the next election as "Labour Investment" versus "Tory Cuts". This is totally, unambiguously untrue, and nobody outside the small group of No 10 acolytes thinks otherwise. Mathew d'Ancona covers it well in tomorrow's Telegraph. The Chancellor's budget, delivered last April to approving nods and backslapping from Mr Brown informed us that all departmental spending would be cut by 7% between 2011 - 2014. If any services are to be protected this percentage will increase. I don't think Gordon Brown is a bad man. But he seems to have beome delusional, and will become a sad derided figure if he does not find a way of completely changing his line.

Then secondly we have the issue of rights and freedoms of gay people. Ben Bradshaw, Chris Bryant and Angela Eagle, three openly gay ministers are seeking to suggest that a future Conservative Government would reverse legislation that protects gay rights and freedoms. The suggestion is that some unnamed, unhuman creatures described as "Tory backbenchers" would force David Cameron into such a course of action. What disturbs me is that, just like Gordon Brown on public spending cuts, they know what they are saying is competely untrue. Fellow blogger, Iain Dale, who is also gay, has published two posts here and here which exposes the dishonesty better than I could ever do. There may well be individuals in my party who want to change legislation in this field, but I don't know them. And as for 'forcing' Prime Minister Cameron to take such a position! What planet are they on? Planet Disneyland.

And yesterday we read that Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, who had seemed a half decent minister at culture tells the world that Andrew Lansley has announced that a future Conservative Government is going to freeze pay for nurses and doctors. It seems that the Conservative health spokesman said something along the lines that the NHS could not afford 'inflationary' pay rises. Again, Mr Burnham, a UK Government Minister is setting out to deliberately deceive the public. He's left himself looking like just another dishonest politician.

I accept that in political knockabout there is always some finessing of words, and exaggeration to make a point. Its also common for an accusation to be made simply to try to force an answer. But what we are seeing now in planned, systemic dishonesty - even after flat denials to the 'charges' have been made . And the rottenness and putridness is worst and is fanned by the man at the top. The whole Government is becoming polluted. This is why I do not believe that Gordon Brown will lead Labour into the General Election. He has made himself an increasingly disrespected and unbelievable figure. There are too many decent people in the Labour Party who will not be prepared to allow this systemic dishonesty to eat away at the foundations of their party.

A flattering likeness?

2009-07-04T21:49:00.003+01:00

Called in at Glansevern Hall, near my village of Berriew yesterday to take in this new ceramic sculpture of Laura Ashley, who had such strong associations with Mid Wales. I've never quite had it, when it comes to art appreciation, which is probably why I find this a rather unflattering likeness. What do you think - those who remember her that is. I really would like to talk it through with the sculptor, Katie Scarlett Howard, who has a studio near Mold, in North Wales. Anyway, it's fitting that Laura Ashley should feature in the series of six sculptures based on the theme 'Woman of Substance', being positioned across Wales. This statue is located in an excellent location, in the courtyard at Glansevern, which welcomes many thousands of visitors every year. The full story of this weekend's unveiling in on the BBC here.

The Severnside Painting Group

2009-07-04T20:48:00.005+01:00

There are many talented amateur painters living in the hills of a Mid Wales. People who appreciate beauty are bound to find Montgomeryshire a special place. This weekend, members of the Severnside Painting Group put on a very good exhibition in the Old School in my village of Berriew. There were lots of village scenes, many of them the work of Ralph Thomas, who lives there. But Mrs D was particularly taken with these two, and I had the red spot stuck on them. First one is an oil or acrylic (I'm not sure) - 'The Flock' by Marjorie Williams. I liked it as well. It reminded me of the Christmas cards I used to receive from William Hague. It deserves a stronger frame though.

This is a water colour by Jane Sanders. Mrs D has something of an obsession with hares. We have wooden hares, concrete hares, metal hares, moongazing hares and paintings of hares. Must admit they are lovely creatures. Don't see many around today. When I was young they were almost as common as rabbits. Through my teens I shot dozens as they came over the horizon in moonlight. Hares were the reason I retired from shooting around forty years ago. I shot between two, which were playing joyfully under a beautiful lunar sky (hoping to save on a cartridge). Succeeded in wounding them both - and a wounded hare makes an awful screaming noise. Put me off shooting for life. Anyway, if you're free tomorrow, why not pop along to The Old School at Berriew. But you can't buy these two. They're gone.

US Woman jailed after being found with a dozen rabbits in her bedroom

2009-07-03T22:57:00.004+01:00

Though rabbits inflict damage upon our garden, I can see that they are cute little creatures - and I do accept that if they did not chew all the time their teeth would grow to be 90 feet long. So they have a case and I quite like them. But not as much as an obsessed US woman who has just been sentenced to 90 days in jail after being found with more than a dozen rabbits in her hotel bedroom. It seems that the trouble started three years ago when police found 150 rabbits in her house (plus dozens more rabbit corpses in her freezer). She was put on probation for 5 years, and banned from making any contact with a rabbit. But I'm not at all sure this is fair. My Uncle Wat, who was a renowned penillion singer from Llanfihangel and to whom I bear a striking likeness, kept hundreds of rabbits in cages in a huge rabbit-shed. He gave the job up because the rabbits kept on killing their young as soon as they were born - and there's never been a farrowing crate for rabbits invented. He grew trout in a giant lake which he made as well. A beauty of our world is that it really does take all sorts.

Attempt to con voters in Norwich

2009-07-03T22:24:00.003+01:00

Problem is that I reckon some of these tricks work. People are actually taken in. I hope all other parties will challenge these Lib Dem tactics by exposing them, and will not resort to copying. Politics is sufficiently devalued already.

Plague on all your houses.

2009-07-03T21:01:00.002+01:00

If I have an hour or two to spare and fancy a walk, I visit an area of Montgomeryshire and deliver what I call my 'team' leaflet. It includes all of our newly elected councillors and its made of stiff cardboard which can be pushed through letter boxes without putting my fingers at risk. This is a more important than you might think. I never worry about the Alsatians and Rottweilers who make their intentions very clear as soon as you open the garden wicket. Its the terriers which wait in silence and pounce when the fingers are within biting range.

Anyway, the leaflet has a tear off return slip which invites recipients to tell us of issues which concern them. Had one back today which simply said "Politician? Get Lost! and it was signed by 'Disgusted' of Welshpool. Stops me getting too confident I suppose. The thing that hurts is that it was sent by FREEPOST. We actually paid for it.

All this rumpus about expenses brings contempt upon the heads of candidates, as well as the current elected members. And that's despite what it costs us personally. In Montgomery recently, I met a lady whom I had called to see about an issue when I was an AM. She launched into me about how much I was 'rippping her off'. When I told her that for the last two years I'd been a candidate who has to meet all of my own costs, amounting to several thousand pounds a year, she hesitated...for about 10 seconds, and then launched into me for wanting to get into a position where I could rip her off.

Back to today's return communication. Bad news is that 'Disgusted' is unlikely to vote for me. Good news is that he or she is unlikely to vote for anyone else.

Channelling taxpayer's money into party funds.

2009-07-02T23:13:00.003+01:00

Story on BBC this morning and on Dragon's eye tonight involves the amount of money that Welsh MPs and AMs channel into party funds under the cloak of rents and repairs. Nothing wrong with paying rent for an office (in my opinion) - as long as its at a proper valuation. When I was an Assembly Member, I rented a room from the local Conservative Association. I asked an estate agent to advise what it should be. It was between £3k and £4k as I remember it. But I heard figures on Dragon's Eye that made my eyes water - at least what Lembit Opik pays the Liberal Democrat Association in Montgomeryshire. While total spending by the 10 Liberal Democrats in Wales was a total of £46k, over £30k of it was in Montgomeryshire. When this is added to the huge sums which LO spends on the Communications Allowance, which is in effect an MPs re-election pot, I'm surprised that there are not gold plated doorknobs on the Lib Dems office.

Blogging returns

2009-07-02T22:02:00.003+01:00

Sorry for the break in blogging. Several reasons, including our little granddaughter of 20 months, Ffion, who has been staying with us all week, while the parents spent a few days playing golf at La Manga, in Spain. She's demanding - in a lovely way. I ask myself how on earth Mrs D managed with four of them - and she was just 20 when it started. Added problem this week was that Ffion learned how to climb out of her cot.

And I've gone sick as well. Since my internal system was redesigned six years ago following a lower bowel re-section to remove a cancerous tumour, I occasionally suffer an infection which knocks me flat. Started yesterday, and I made it worse, much worse, by driving to Cardiff and back to do CF99. I don't like crying off late, but yesterday I really should have done. Anyway today, I've been laid low, apart from a visit to see my GP. Wonder if my sickness was obvious on the screen. Only physical sign was profuse sweating. Fell apart when I reached my car. Made it home though, totally knackered - and Ffion was still awake!

CF99 is based on two guests discussing issues of the week with Vaughan Roderick and Bethan Rees Roberts. Yesterday my fellow-guest was Plaid Cymru Minister, Elin Jones. Just before we went on air she shared a presentation box of Pemberton's chocolates around. That's what I call softening up with style. We discussed the second anniversary of the establishment of the Labour/Plaid Coaltion, and whether Charles will be the last Prince of Wales. When asked my view about how the Coalition has done over the last two years, I responded by declaring survival to have been a success. Its going to be a lot more difficult over the next two years as the budget falls. Interesting that Elin gave no commitment to holding a referendum on transfer of law making powers to the Assembly, the key promise in the Coalition's programme.

Didn't agree with Elin about the Prince of Wales though. She reckons Charles will be the last, while I don't. When people ask me 'Why', I feel like saying 'Why not'. Inevitably Lord Elis Thomas was included in the package, and he wanted done with the Prince of Wales position. He thought the role should be taken on by Rhodri Morgan. God forbid. More likely, he fancies the job for himself.

Patrols in Studland.

2009-06-30T23:30:00.002+01:00

Studland Bay is a beach near Swanage in Dorset, which is officially designated as a location where naturists can sunbathe without a stitch on. It seems there's been some trouble down there. A police spokesman is reported as saying "There will be a point of contact in incidents that may occur on beaches such as littering, unauthorised fires and barbecues, dog fouling, illegal parking, sexual misconduct or incidents which threaten to bring naturism into disrepute". Sounds like a roughish area to me.

Anyway, the Dorset Police has teamed up with the National Trust, which owns the beach, to train three community wardens to control the foreshore and sand dunes at Studland Beach. The only thing we're told that they will be wearing are bright yellow T-shirts. The patrols will take place throughout July and August. Emma Wright, the visitor and services manager with the National Trust said "We welcome having more eyes and ears on the ground". Not a bad summer job for three lads waiting to go to uni in the autumn.

Waste of Beachreading Time

2009-06-30T22:18:00.002+01:00

David Cameron seems to be raising the temperature of his language when commenting on the Prime Minister and his policies. Today's Telegraph front page has him accusing Mr Gordon Brown of "deceit, dishonesty and deception". He's also reported as warning that Britain faces "riots in the streets" if Gordon Brown's dishonesty over public spending enables Labour to win the next General Election. Personally, I see Gordon Brown as looking more unbelievable by the day - and today I reckon the Prime Minister lost it completely. Irvin Stelzer covers it well in tomorrow's edition.

Lets look at where we are. Our Government has spent so much more money than it has available, and our national debt has grown so large that the Governor of the Bank of England and respected bodies like the OECD are informing the Prime Minister publicly that we must have a plan for reducing debt if the UK is to remain solvent - something we have never heard before. The national debt is heading towards levels last seen immediately after the Second World War. Our economy is heading for meltdown - and our Prime Minister announces billions more public spending.

There are some consolations. Firstly, now that the headline spending figures have been reported (the objective), Government spokespersons are changing the story and telling us that its just moving current spending commitments around. Secondly, in the interviews I've seen these spokespersons have that look in their eyes which tell us that they do not themselves believe what they are saying. They look as if they are lying, and know they are lying. And thirdly Government Ministers are in too much of a state of confusion to do anything significant anyway. For example, yesterday Lord Mandelson said that the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review will not take place before next summer, while this morning Liam Byrne denied it, telling us that the Chancellor will inform us about this in due course. And on Newsnight tonight, a Government Minister said that the Conservatives can have access to information that George Osborne has been demanding. Bet you its not true, and will be denied tomorrow. And fourthly, if Gordon Brown carries on with this incredible fantasy, there will be no chance of him and his team being re-elected to continue destroying Britain. Just a few months more to go, but my heart bleeds for my country.

De Villiers is a disgrace to sport.

2009-06-28T23:46:00.003+01:00

I make no comment about Schalk Burger's attack on Luke Fitzgerald during the first minute of Saturday's test match between the Lions and the Springboks. I was not in a position to see it. But the linesman reckoned that Burger was guilty of 'gouging' the eyes of a defenceless fellow rugby player, and the referee sent him to the bin for 10 minutes. If he was indeed guilty of such a crime (and I use the word 'crime' deliberately) he should have been sent off and should be banned for six months minimum.

I know these things happen in the heat of the moment. I was far from an angel in my playing days, though I never 'gouged' anyone. But what was a shocking and unforgivable offence was for the South Africa coach to justify this spiteful and cowardly attack as "a part of sport". Its clear that De Villiers is not a fit person to be part of any sport. He should either apologise for his stupidity or be sacked.

Michael Griffiths CBE 1934 - 2009

2009-06-28T23:10:00.004+01:00

While I was presiding at the Annual General Meeting of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales on Saturday afternoon, my distinguished predecessor in the position of President, Mr Michael Griffiths CBE collapsed and died as walking on a hillside in Snowdonia. This sad occurrence is reported on the BBC here. Michael was 75 years old and as far as I knew in good health. He served on a wide range of public bodies, and was a wise man with good judgement. My strongest memory of him is a discussion he and I shared at a Royal Welsh Showin the early 1990s, about some of his ideas for promoting agri-environment schemes in Wales. At the time he was Chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales, and I was Chairman of the Development Board for Rural Wales. I was excited about his ideas, which eventually became reality in the form of a successful grant scheme named Tir Gofal.

He was content to describe himself as a 'crusty old Tory'. He was also a friend of mine, and a very good friend of Wales. Everyone involved with the CRRW are very sad to learn of his death at too young an age, but I can think of no more apt way for this great countryman of Wales to go than walking on a hillside in Snowdonia.

Being 'Right on Devolution'.

2009-06-27T23:07:00.002+01:00

Just browsing the net to catch up with today's news. A report that David Cameron has told the BBC that "The Tories were wrong on devolution" caught my attention. Although the Conservative leader is reported as referring to Scotland when making this comment, it gives me encouragement to hope that my opinion will win Cameron's support. I reckon that the Conservative Party should not just allow a referendum on moving to Part Four of the Government of Wales Act (grant full law making powers to the National Assembly for Wales) but should actually promote it. No need to point out that some of my Conservative colleagues will not be falling over themselves to agree with me! Not yet anyway! What the comments that David Cameron is reported to have said certainly do is tell me is that he's willing to be open minded about this issue. I'd like ten minutes on my own with him to make the case.

Regular readers will know that I think there's a real risk that any referendum on law making powers will be lost (despite what the polls say) - which is why I've long thought that Ieuan Wyn Jones will announce that the report of the Sir Emyr Jones Parry is not positive enough to go for it (no matter what the report actually says). But what about if a new Conservative Government decided to hold a referendum without being asked by the Assembly to do so. Not sure whether this can happen - but don't see why not. Anyway, lets imagine it can. On the one hand, the people of Wales might say yes, especially if I win Montgomeryshire and set about organising a strong 'Conservatives Say Yes' campaign. And if it were to lose, the other parties couldn't keep on sniping at us for not holding a referendum - which they will do ad nauseum if they thought there would be any reluctance on the part of David Cameron to agree to it. Seems to me there could be a fox to be shot here. Just speculating. But today's BBC report does make the future look a tad interesting.

Alsteomerias

2009-06-27T21:43:00.007+01:00

Summer arrives in our garden when the alstoemerias burst into flower. They are my favourite border plant, flowering from now until the frost, on and off. And the only work you have to do it take hold of the stems after the petals have dropped, and yank it out of the ground. New stems emerge very quickly, producing successive flushes. Some alstroemerias can grow a bit 'lanky' and topple over. We don't grow these (except a few for cutting). Its not possible to know final heights in the first year, because young plants tend to be quite sturdy, but much taller thereafter. Trial and error is recommended - and be ruthless. Just throw out the varieties that don't suit.

The above yellow and this red are the best alstroemerias we grow. The red is no more than 18 inches high and guaranteed to flower year after year, month after month. Because its so easy to grow and spread by transplanting a spadeful, there are clumps all over the place. Alstroemerias come in all sorts of colours, and the most colourful of all are the various shades of orange. I expect them to feature from time to time through the rest of the year, as I look to dazzle you with colour.

I added this photograph to emphasise the range of colours. We have grown a white named Apollo, but its a bit too 'floppy'. I'm hopeful that this one will become a replacement. Lovely throats.

Mrs D amongst the Trophies

2009-06-27T21:30:00.002+01:00

While I was away on 'Presidential' duties with the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales today, Mrs D was down at the Lakeside Golf Club winning all the prizes. It was Ladies Captain's Day and she won the main competition. Short game is deadly. Here we have the Elaine Willets Trophy. And to cap it all, she won the 'Nearest the Pin' Trophy as well. Mr and Mrs Toby look on, suitably impressed. If this carries on, we will have to acquire a trophy cabinet.