For several weeks I have been raising the issue of dangerous pay day loans in the Assembly. Today an independent report backed up my fears. In these difficult economic times an increasing number of us are trying to find new ways to make ends meet. With more traditional avenues of credit being difficult to come by, more and more people in Wales are forced to turn to “pay-day” or short-term lenders. These opportunistic loan companies have become a common sight on the TV, in newspapers and even on our high streets. They unscrupulously prey on vulnerable people who need supporting through a difficult time. Some of them tell their story here.
Their latest move is to promote heavily smartphone apps which make no mention of the rates of interest paid as you download them.
After only a few minutes I was able to obtain quotes from two of well known lenders; Wonga and QuickQuid, at rates of 4,214% and 1,734% APR respectively. This means, without taking into account fees and charges, if I had taken up Wonga on their offer and taken a £100 loan, in one month I would have had to repay £351.17 in interest alone. It is clear from these figures alone that these interest rates have spiralled out of control.
In addition, the lack of checks carried out by these companies has led to many people falling victim to identity theft. There have been multiple cases where constituents have spoke to their AM’s after pay-day loan companies have contacted them demanding huge payments, even though the individual has had no contact with any such company.
At the moment there is no legislation to place a cap on these outrageous interest rates and to govern the way the companies operate and promote themselves. I am particularly concerned that the increasing omnipresence of such advertising, apps and sponsorship (Wonga sponsored the Liberal Democrats) normalises such irresponsible borrowing and lending.
Westminster has clearly failed to govern these immoral practices. With many of these lenders based outside of Wales we must pressurise the Con-Dem government to act swiftly to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our community are protected from these wholly unfair lenders.
Though Westminster should regulate the market, we can do something in the Assembly and Wales to better publicise these exploitation. I have asked the First Minster twice to lead the debate in Wales and for better life skills education in our schools on APR, which research shows many people do not understand.
We must also support feasible alternatives in Wales such as credit unions and Moneyline Cymru, which offers support to many social housing tenants. I am very proud of Wales’ 22 credit unions, which currently offers support to 42,000 people. Plaid Cymru is the only party with its own credit union. However, we must do more to ensure these ridiculous interest rates are capped and the people who are in need of help are not exploited, but treated fairly.
For further information about credit unions, contact the credit unions in Wales Helpline on 0800 4960865 or email creditunions@wales.gsi.gov.uk.
Wednesday 7 December 2011
Thursday 1 December 2011
Datganiad o fwriad i sefyll fel arweinydd Plaid Cymru
Rwy’n cyhoeddi heddiw fy mod am gynnig fy hunan fel ymgeisydd i fod yn arweinydd Plaid Cymru.
Rwy’n gwneud hynny gan gredu y gallaf gynnig rhywbeth gwahanol a ffres i’r Blaid a chan anelu i ennill y ras, wrth obeithio hefyd bod yn rhan o adfywio’r Blaid a gwleidyddiaeth Cymru.
Credaf fod gan Blaid Cymru y polisïau cywir yn y bôn. Ni yw’r blaid sydd yn symud Cymru ymlaen. Ein syniadau ni sydd yn blodeuo ac yn egino mwya amlwg yn yr ardd wleidyddol. Hebom ni, er enghraifft, ni fyddai cwestiwn sylfaenol cyllido Cymru wedi gweld golau dydd.
Ac eto, nid ydym yn gweld y llwyddiant y byddwch chi’n ei ddisgwyl wrth weld cyrhaeddiad ein syniadau a’n polisïau.
Rydym wedi caniatáu i bleidiau eraill ddwyn ein dillad ni a’u gwisgo yn fwy ffasiynol.
O dro i dro, rydym yn debycach i glwb sydd ond yn siarad ymysg ein gilydd. Weithiau yn llythrennol mewn iaith nad yw’r rhan fwyaf o bobl Cymru yn ei deal; weithiau mewn ffordd astrus, megis am annibyniaeth, nad yw’r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn ei chlywed.
Efallai fod gan Siambr y Cynulliad waliau gwydr, ond yn rhy aml rydym yn fodlon fel plaid i’r etholwyr yn ein gweld, heb sylweddoli nad ydynt yn gwrando arnom.
Byddaf am fynd a’r Blaid mas i’r genedl gyfan o flwch y Cynulliad a hawlio yn ôl y tir gwleidyddol o roi Cymru’n gyntaf.
Felly rwy am gynnig arweinyddiaeth o’r Cynulliad, ond nid yn unig yn y Cynulliad.
A pha fath ar arweinyddiaeth?
Credaf fod gwerth yn yr hen ddywediad o “primus inter pares”. Mae gan Blaid Cymru dalent ar draws y cenedlaethau ac ar sawl lefel llywodraeth. Nid yw pawb yn gymwys i sefyll ac rwy am arwain mewn ffordd gydweithredol, gan annog y blaid i ddisgwyl i mi fel arweinydd i ddod a’r gorau allan o’r blaid gyfan.
Cafodd Plaid Cymru ei eni i fod mewn llywodraeth. Does dim pwrpas credu mewn hunanlywodraeth neu annibyniaeth os na chredwch mewn arwain eich gwlad.
Fel arweinydd byddwn am i’r Blaid weithio ar strategaeth dros 10 mlynedd a thros ddau etholiad i fynd a ni i mewn i lywodraeth.
A rhaid bod mewn llywodraeth hefyd am bwrpas. A phwrpas Plaid Cymru i mi yw adeiladu cenedl fwy gwar a chyfiawn. Mae uno ein gofal am ein planed gyda’n dyhead am ddatblygu ein cenedl yn hanfodol. Dyma pam mae sicrhau rheolaeth a meddiant dros ein hadnoddau naturiol, megis dŵr ac ynni adnewyddol mor bwysig i mi.
Credaf ei bod hi’n bryd clywed neges Plaid Cymru mewn ffyrdd newydd a chydag acen newydd. Gwleidyddiaeth y dosbarth gwaith Saesneg oedd fy magwraeth i. Erbyn hyn, mae fy annel ar adeiladu cenedl. Rydym wedi gweld canrif o oruchafiaeth Llafur yn arwain at ddiwylliant o ddibyniaeth yn ein gwlad; diwylliant o anobaith a diffyg menter. Dyna etifeddiaeth y mae’n ddyletswydd ar Blaid Cymru a’i harweinydd newydd i chwalu.
Rwy’n gwneud hynny gan gredu y gallaf gynnig rhywbeth gwahanol a ffres i’r Blaid a chan anelu i ennill y ras, wrth obeithio hefyd bod yn rhan o adfywio’r Blaid a gwleidyddiaeth Cymru.
Credaf fod gan Blaid Cymru y polisïau cywir yn y bôn. Ni yw’r blaid sydd yn symud Cymru ymlaen. Ein syniadau ni sydd yn blodeuo ac yn egino mwya amlwg yn yr ardd wleidyddol. Hebom ni, er enghraifft, ni fyddai cwestiwn sylfaenol cyllido Cymru wedi gweld golau dydd.
Ac eto, nid ydym yn gweld y llwyddiant y byddwch chi’n ei ddisgwyl wrth weld cyrhaeddiad ein syniadau a’n polisïau.
Rydym wedi caniatáu i bleidiau eraill ddwyn ein dillad ni a’u gwisgo yn fwy ffasiynol.
O dro i dro, rydym yn debycach i glwb sydd ond yn siarad ymysg ein gilydd. Weithiau yn llythrennol mewn iaith nad yw’r rhan fwyaf o bobl Cymru yn ei deal; weithiau mewn ffordd astrus, megis am annibyniaeth, nad yw’r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn ei chlywed.
Efallai fod gan Siambr y Cynulliad waliau gwydr, ond yn rhy aml rydym yn fodlon fel plaid i’r etholwyr yn ein gweld, heb sylweddoli nad ydynt yn gwrando arnom.
Byddaf am fynd a’r Blaid mas i’r genedl gyfan o flwch y Cynulliad a hawlio yn ôl y tir gwleidyddol o roi Cymru’n gyntaf.
Felly rwy am gynnig arweinyddiaeth o’r Cynulliad, ond nid yn unig yn y Cynulliad.
A pha fath ar arweinyddiaeth?
Credaf fod gwerth yn yr hen ddywediad o “primus inter pares”. Mae gan Blaid Cymru dalent ar draws y cenedlaethau ac ar sawl lefel llywodraeth. Nid yw pawb yn gymwys i sefyll ac rwy am arwain mewn ffordd gydweithredol, gan annog y blaid i ddisgwyl i mi fel arweinydd i ddod a’r gorau allan o’r blaid gyfan.
Cafodd Plaid Cymru ei eni i fod mewn llywodraeth. Does dim pwrpas credu mewn hunanlywodraeth neu annibyniaeth os na chredwch mewn arwain eich gwlad.
Fel arweinydd byddwn am i’r Blaid weithio ar strategaeth dros 10 mlynedd a thros ddau etholiad i fynd a ni i mewn i lywodraeth.
A rhaid bod mewn llywodraeth hefyd am bwrpas. A phwrpas Plaid Cymru i mi yw adeiladu cenedl fwy gwar a chyfiawn. Mae uno ein gofal am ein planed gyda’n dyhead am ddatblygu ein cenedl yn hanfodol. Dyma pam mae sicrhau rheolaeth a meddiant dros ein hadnoddau naturiol, megis dŵr ac ynni adnewyddol mor bwysig i mi.
Credaf ei bod hi’n bryd clywed neges Plaid Cymru mewn ffyrdd newydd a chydag acen newydd. Gwleidyddiaeth y dosbarth gwaith Saesneg oedd fy magwraeth i. Erbyn hyn, mae fy annel ar adeiladu cenedl. Rydym wedi gweld canrif o oruchafiaeth Llafur yn arwain at ddiwylliant o ddibyniaeth yn ein gwlad; diwylliant o anobaith a diffyg menter. Dyna etifeddiaeth y mae’n ddyletswydd ar Blaid Cymru a’i harweinydd newydd i chwalu.
Statement of intention to stand as Plaid Cymru leader
I have said I would consult with party members, friends and family over the past few months on standing for Leader of Plaid Cymru.
I believe on the basis of those conversations that I can offer something positive and exciting for the future of Plaid Cymru. I believe the best way to explain and set out the ideas and vision I have for the party is by entering the race to become party Leader. I do this with the intention of winning, but also knowing that such debates and contests reinvigorate parties and politics in themselves.
I believe Plaid’s current policies are broadly right. We are widely seen as the party that brings forward the ideas that shape Welsh politics and whose ambition and urgency moves the political process along. Without Plaid we would not have seen the referendum, or the Holtham Commission setting the groundwork for the Silk Commission. Plaid has set the pace since the election on demanding a Plan B for the Welsh economy and our views on capital spending – and our Build for Wales idea – are now mainstream.
Yet, we don’t get the credit for this, and we lost our second party status in the last election.
Clearly, our message is not getting through. Sometimes it is confused: I support independence as the constitutional aim for Plaid Cymru and our nation. But independence in not the answer to today’s immediate problems and focusing on arguing about it only encourages the voters to assume we are not addressing their daily difficulties.
Sometimes we have allowed other parties to steal and wear the clothes we first designed and fashioned.
More than anything, however, we have become a party of the Assembly, rather than the national party of Wales. One of my key tasks as Leader will be to take the leadership out to the nation as a whole as much as possible and recapture the high ground of putting Wales first. Lately, other parties have claimed those heights, but the reality is that both Labour and the Tories have increasingly bowed to their Westminster party demands; revealing their claims to be empty positioning.
So leadership from the Assembly but for the nation as a whole.
But what sort of leadership? I believe there is great value in being the first among equals. Plaid Cymru has a tremendous team of talent across the generations. Not all can stand for this particular post at this time. I will work in collaboration with all parts of the party to lead from the front, yes, but to bring people with me at the same time. I will urge the party to look at the widest range of talent and not focus its hopes and ambitions on one individual but rather expect that individual to bring out the best in the party as a whole.
I believe Plaid Cymru was born for government. We exist to bring about ever increasing self-government. We must shoulder the responsibility that comes with that. In the last decade or so we have helped create a Welsh state. But our ambition cannot end there. We have seen in the last few months that allowing one party to drift along in government is not healthy for the Welsh economy. Progressive politics in Wales will not be delivered by Labour. An athlete never gives of his or her best if they train or run on their own. Wales needs and deserves another radical, progressive party breathing down the neck of Labour and challenging its supremacy. As Leader I would want Plaid to plan for a two elections, ten year strategy and maintain the conditioning and fitness building that a party needs for that long haul.
But Plaid doesn’t just exist for the sake of Wales’ constitutional future. We exist to fight for and deliver fairness in social and economic policy. I believe in a mixed economy - I think Plaid Cymru should be concerned that the private sector is not as strong or successful as it could be. But Plaid Cymru should never be laissez faire about the impact of global capital on our communities. Regulating business for environmental and social benefit is a core value of the party I want to lead. The prize for Plaid is to marry our national ambition with a proper concern for the long term future of our planet. We live in a comparably well off society. But we don’t do enough to exploit our natural resources for the benefit of our people and our planet. Fighting for regulation, control and ownership of our wind, water, wave and solar resources will be a key aim of Plaid under my leadership.
Finally, I believe Plaid’s message needs to be heard afresh, in a different accent and in a different way. I am the product of a one parent family from Aberdar; I was raised in an English only home at a time when Welsh was seen as a curious remnant of the past . My politics were forged in class consciousness - my shoulders may even still bear some of the chips. My destination, however, was the politics of nation-building, as time after time I saw Labour sell out Wales for the hope of power in London.
100 years of Labour domination in Wales has only made us more dependent; less resilient; less resourceful. That culture of dependency is the last great barrier between Wales today and a better future for our nation. In all its myriad ways, shattering that is now Plaid’s historic task.
I believe on the basis of those conversations that I can offer something positive and exciting for the future of Plaid Cymru. I believe the best way to explain and set out the ideas and vision I have for the party is by entering the race to become party Leader. I do this with the intention of winning, but also knowing that such debates and contests reinvigorate parties and politics in themselves.
I believe Plaid’s current policies are broadly right. We are widely seen as the party that brings forward the ideas that shape Welsh politics and whose ambition and urgency moves the political process along. Without Plaid we would not have seen the referendum, or the Holtham Commission setting the groundwork for the Silk Commission. Plaid has set the pace since the election on demanding a Plan B for the Welsh economy and our views on capital spending – and our Build for Wales idea – are now mainstream.
Yet, we don’t get the credit for this, and we lost our second party status in the last election.
Clearly, our message is not getting through. Sometimes it is confused: I support independence as the constitutional aim for Plaid Cymru and our nation. But independence in not the answer to today’s immediate problems and focusing on arguing about it only encourages the voters to assume we are not addressing their daily difficulties.
Sometimes we have allowed other parties to steal and wear the clothes we first designed and fashioned.
More than anything, however, we have become a party of the Assembly, rather than the national party of Wales. One of my key tasks as Leader will be to take the leadership out to the nation as a whole as much as possible and recapture the high ground of putting Wales first. Lately, other parties have claimed those heights, but the reality is that both Labour and the Tories have increasingly bowed to their Westminster party demands; revealing their claims to be empty positioning.
So leadership from the Assembly but for the nation as a whole.
But what sort of leadership? I believe there is great value in being the first among equals. Plaid Cymru has a tremendous team of talent across the generations. Not all can stand for this particular post at this time. I will work in collaboration with all parts of the party to lead from the front, yes, but to bring people with me at the same time. I will urge the party to look at the widest range of talent and not focus its hopes and ambitions on one individual but rather expect that individual to bring out the best in the party as a whole.
I believe Plaid Cymru was born for government. We exist to bring about ever increasing self-government. We must shoulder the responsibility that comes with that. In the last decade or so we have helped create a Welsh state. But our ambition cannot end there. We have seen in the last few months that allowing one party to drift along in government is not healthy for the Welsh economy. Progressive politics in Wales will not be delivered by Labour. An athlete never gives of his or her best if they train or run on their own. Wales needs and deserves another radical, progressive party breathing down the neck of Labour and challenging its supremacy. As Leader I would want Plaid to plan for a two elections, ten year strategy and maintain the conditioning and fitness building that a party needs for that long haul.
But Plaid doesn’t just exist for the sake of Wales’ constitutional future. We exist to fight for and deliver fairness in social and economic policy. I believe in a mixed economy - I think Plaid Cymru should be concerned that the private sector is not as strong or successful as it could be. But Plaid Cymru should never be laissez faire about the impact of global capital on our communities. Regulating business for environmental and social benefit is a core value of the party I want to lead. The prize for Plaid is to marry our national ambition with a proper concern for the long term future of our planet. We live in a comparably well off society. But we don’t do enough to exploit our natural resources for the benefit of our people and our planet. Fighting for regulation, control and ownership of our wind, water, wave and solar resources will be a key aim of Plaid under my leadership.
Finally, I believe Plaid’s message needs to be heard afresh, in a different accent and in a different way. I am the product of a one parent family from Aberdar; I was raised in an English only home at a time when Welsh was seen as a curious remnant of the past . My politics were forged in class consciousness - my shoulders may even still bear some of the chips. My destination, however, was the politics of nation-building, as time after time I saw Labour sell out Wales for the hope of power in London.
100 years of Labour domination in Wales has only made us more dependent; less resilient; less resourceful. That culture of dependency is the last great barrier between Wales today and a better future for our nation. In all its myriad ways, shattering that is now Plaid’s historic task.
Thursday 20 October 2011
Speech on broadcasting and media, National Assembly, 19 October 2011
Simon Thomas: I will just follow Jenny Rathbone by saying that, 30 years ago, I did not have a television. I was brought up without a television, so maybe I should sit down now and not play any part in this debate. However, I am now a media junkie, so I need to have my say. This might be because I was brought up without a television—who knows?
It is a very timely and opportune debate and it is a great pity that we have not seen a great deal more proactive action by the Government in leading this debate in Wales. One of the clear things that has emerged over the last 18 months—as we have seen what has happened to S4C and the cuts being made to the BBC—is the lack of real debate in Wales and a lack of democratic accountability and scrutiny of what is going on. Not in an ideal world, but in a properly functioning democracy, you would expect these proposals to be put forward in a Green Paper or a White Paper in order for us to have our say. For example, the ideas that Peter Black put forward in his amendment are not to be sniffed at, although I do not think that we will be supporting the amendment. They are a stab at attempting to say what the structure should be. That should really be the basis for a properly published governance relationship set out between the BBC and S4C, so that we could look at it in the round and come to a decision on it. This is why Ian Hargreaves, who led the previous Government‘s successful foray into reviewing the creative industries, said that it is time for this Government to get playing. This Government should be leading the debate on new media and the current media in Wales.
If I remember rightly, a debate on S4C has been tabled by the Government for 4 November, but it is the opposition parties that have tabled the debates that have led to some level of scrutiny of these proposals so far in Wales. I do not think that that is good enough. We need to see much more proactive action from the Government. Each time we hear the next step—such as S4C appointing a chief executive, who will not take up the post until next April, or new governance arrangements from the BBC, although we know that it is the UK governors who really control the money within the BBC—it raises even more questions about the long-term survival of S4C and that of the BBC as an institution. Although Murdoch has gone away, the forces that he represents are still present. I am quite happy to say, as a Welsh
19/10/2011
78
nationalist, that I love the BBC and I would be happy for Wales to be independent, but to keep a UK BBC. I would be very happy with that, as long as we have democratic accountability to the Assembly as the elected Chamber with regard to the BBC in Wales. That is the next realistic step that we need to see.
When the 20 per cent cut to the BBC was first mooted last May, the First Minister said that such a cut would be unacceptable. However, since this became reality in October, he has said virtually nothing about it and no debate or questions have been tabled on it and neither has there been a statement from the First Minister. It seems that things are just slipping out of the purview of the Government and we need to have better perception on these matters.
I would like to emphasise two points in this debate. First, Ken Skates made a very good point about how print media got itself in its current mess. I do not share his optimism that the print media can get out of it. I think that new media is the way to go. I do not think that that is against journalism. I have noticed that I no longer buy a daily paper, but I buy more magazines, news reviews and other forms of print journalism. I value print journalism as much as I ever did—and I think that many of us do—but it is being delivered in a different way. The daily grind of daily newspapers is no longer the future. That is why the previous Government did not establish a printed version of a Welsh-language newspaper, but an online Welsh-language newspaper. It is important to bear that in mind. That is why we need broadband availability throughout Wales and a dotCymru/dotWales internet presence as a national internet presence to support the sort of journalism that could be delivered by broadband.
Secondly, Ieuan Wyn Jones raised an important point about radio. I wish to add to that by saying that we need local radio to reflect its local audiences and communities. A new bid has been submitted for Radio Ceredigion, and it is vital that Ofcom and the Government work together so that Radio Ceredigion accurately reflects the linguistic make-up of the audience that it serves, which is a 50/50 Welsh/English split.
These things are vital for local democracy and a thriving Welsh democracy. As Assembly Members, we often complain that no-one pays attention to what we do here unless we tweet it directly from the Chamber. That is no substitute for proper journalism and a properly regulated press and broadcast media in Wales. I hope that things will change shortly.
It is a very timely and opportune debate and it is a great pity that we have not seen a great deal more proactive action by the Government in leading this debate in Wales. One of the clear things that has emerged over the last 18 months—as we have seen what has happened to S4C and the cuts being made to the BBC—is the lack of real debate in Wales and a lack of democratic accountability and scrutiny of what is going on. Not in an ideal world, but in a properly functioning democracy, you would expect these proposals to be put forward in a Green Paper or a White Paper in order for us to have our say. For example, the ideas that Peter Black put forward in his amendment are not to be sniffed at, although I do not think that we will be supporting the amendment. They are a stab at attempting to say what the structure should be. That should really be the basis for a properly published governance relationship set out between the BBC and S4C, so that we could look at it in the round and come to a decision on it. This is why Ian Hargreaves, who led the previous Government‘s successful foray into reviewing the creative industries, said that it is time for this Government to get playing. This Government should be leading the debate on new media and the current media in Wales.
If I remember rightly, a debate on S4C has been tabled by the Government for 4 November, but it is the opposition parties that have tabled the debates that have led to some level of scrutiny of these proposals so far in Wales. I do not think that that is good enough. We need to see much more proactive action from the Government. Each time we hear the next step—such as S4C appointing a chief executive, who will not take up the post until next April, or new governance arrangements from the BBC, although we know that it is the UK governors who really control the money within the BBC—it raises even more questions about the long-term survival of S4C and that of the BBC as an institution. Although Murdoch has gone away, the forces that he represents are still present. I am quite happy to say, as a Welsh
19/10/2011
78
nationalist, that I love the BBC and I would be happy for Wales to be independent, but to keep a UK BBC. I would be very happy with that, as long as we have democratic accountability to the Assembly as the elected Chamber with regard to the BBC in Wales. That is the next realistic step that we need to see.
When the 20 per cent cut to the BBC was first mooted last May, the First Minister said that such a cut would be unacceptable. However, since this became reality in October, he has said virtually nothing about it and no debate or questions have been tabled on it and neither has there been a statement from the First Minister. It seems that things are just slipping out of the purview of the Government and we need to have better perception on these matters.
I would like to emphasise two points in this debate. First, Ken Skates made a very good point about how print media got itself in its current mess. I do not share his optimism that the print media can get out of it. I think that new media is the way to go. I do not think that that is against journalism. I have noticed that I no longer buy a daily paper, but I buy more magazines, news reviews and other forms of print journalism. I value print journalism as much as I ever did—and I think that many of us do—but it is being delivered in a different way. The daily grind of daily newspapers is no longer the future. That is why the previous Government did not establish a printed version of a Welsh-language newspaper, but an online Welsh-language newspaper. It is important to bear that in mind. That is why we need broadband availability throughout Wales and a dotCymru/dotWales internet presence as a national internet presence to support the sort of journalism that could be delivered by broadband.
Secondly, Ieuan Wyn Jones raised an important point about radio. I wish to add to that by saying that we need local radio to reflect its local audiences and communities. A new bid has been submitted for Radio Ceredigion, and it is vital that Ofcom and the Government work together so that Radio Ceredigion accurately reflects the linguistic make-up of the audience that it serves, which is a 50/50 Welsh/English split.
These things are vital for local democracy and a thriving Welsh democracy. As Assembly Members, we often complain that no-one pays attention to what we do here unless we tweet it directly from the Chamber. That is no substitute for proper journalism and a properly regulated press and broadcast media in Wales. I hope that things will change shortly.
Friday 7 October 2011
Plaid AM calls for poorest people to get cheapest fuel
Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas has highlighted the need for action from the Welsh government to tackle fuel poverty.
During a meeting of the North Wales Fuel Poverty Forum in Welshpool, Mr Thomas said the Welsh government needs to engage with Westminster on the Energy Bill and the Green Deal that aims to ensure energy efficiency standards for homes and businesses.
The Mid and West AM also called on energy companies to ensure the cheapest tariffs are available to the most vulnerable in Welsh society.
Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas said: “We need action from the Welsh government to tackle fuel poverty. One in four households is deemed fuel poor. Nobody in Wales should have to choose between putting a meal on the table and keeping warm. The Welsh Government needs to engage with Westminster on the Energy Bill and the Green Deal to ensure that these measures boost the Welsh economy. How will the schemes set up by the Westminster Coalition Government run in Wales?
“The poorest in Welsh society are missing out on the cheapest tariffs because they lack internet access. People living in rural areas and pensioners find it difficult to get the cheapest tariffs. As the latest report by OFCOM shows broadband take-up in Wales still remains below the UK average. Broadband take-up is lowest among over-55s and poorer households. Those with a lack of financial services, debit cards and banks accounts miss out on some of the best deals.
"Companies need to work with providers of alternative finance for example credit unions and dedicate their vast profits to help the most vulnerable. Why did gas go up by 51% and electric by 28% when wholesale prices shot up on 2008 but only come down 6% and 9% respectively when prices fell later? Who is benefitting from these massive profits? If utilities don’t take action the Conservative – Liberal Democrat government should consider a windfall tax on the largest energy companies’ profits.”
According to Consumer Focus Wales around 232,000 Welsh households, or one in four Welsh households, were fuel poor in 2008. Most of these households are classed as vulnerable. Recent energy price increases will push at least another 90,000 households in Wales into fuel poverty. The Welsh government’s own statistics predicts half a million households in Wales are vulnerable to falling into fuel poverty should their incomes fall or energy prices increase (Minutes, Cross Party Group on Fuel Poverty 13.07.11).
The Fuel Poverty Coalition has also called on the Welsh government to implement a six point action plan ahead of this winter.
During a meeting of the North Wales Fuel Poverty Forum in Welshpool, Mr Thomas said the Welsh government needs to engage with Westminster on the Energy Bill and the Green Deal that aims to ensure energy efficiency standards for homes and businesses.
The Mid and West AM also called on energy companies to ensure the cheapest tariffs are available to the most vulnerable in Welsh society.
Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas said: “We need action from the Welsh government to tackle fuel poverty. One in four households is deemed fuel poor. Nobody in Wales should have to choose between putting a meal on the table and keeping warm. The Welsh Government needs to engage with Westminster on the Energy Bill and the Green Deal to ensure that these measures boost the Welsh economy. How will the schemes set up by the Westminster Coalition Government run in Wales?
“The poorest in Welsh society are missing out on the cheapest tariffs because they lack internet access. People living in rural areas and pensioners find it difficult to get the cheapest tariffs. As the latest report by OFCOM shows broadband take-up in Wales still remains below the UK average. Broadband take-up is lowest among over-55s and poorer households. Those with a lack of financial services, debit cards and banks accounts miss out on some of the best deals.
"Companies need to work with providers of alternative finance for example credit unions and dedicate their vast profits to help the most vulnerable. Why did gas go up by 51% and electric by 28% when wholesale prices shot up on 2008 but only come down 6% and 9% respectively when prices fell later? Who is benefitting from these massive profits? If utilities don’t take action the Conservative – Liberal Democrat government should consider a windfall tax on the largest energy companies’ profits.”
According to Consumer Focus Wales around 232,000 Welsh households, or one in four Welsh households, were fuel poor in 2008. Most of these households are classed as vulnerable. Recent energy price increases will push at least another 90,000 households in Wales into fuel poverty. The Welsh government’s own statistics predicts half a million households in Wales are vulnerable to falling into fuel poverty should their incomes fall or energy prices increase (Minutes, Cross Party Group on Fuel Poverty 13.07.11).
The Fuel Poverty Coalition has also called on the Welsh government to implement a six point action plan ahead of this winter.
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Labour sits back and lets housing standards slip
Labour government send £73m of housing revenue to UK treasury
The new Labour government has been slammed by Plaid Cymru for sitting back and letting housing standards slip while handing £73m, which could otherwise be spent on housing, over to the UK treasury.
Responding to a statement by the Minister for housing, Leanne Wood – who speaks for Plaid Cymru on housing, said:
“In his statement, the Minister appears to simply accept that only 39% of local authorities are expected to meet Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS). The WHQS were put in place in order to ensure that people living in social housing could expect a basic standard and it is unacceptable that so much housing will not meet the basic standards as set out by government. Local authorities are under severe financial pressure due to the huge cuts from the Tories and Lib Dems at Westminster which begs the question: why is the Minister is handing over £73m to the UK treasury which could otherwise be spent on improving housing stock?”
Plaid Cymru AM for the mid and west region, Simon Thomas, added:
“The Welsh housing Minister’s statement is frankly astounding. In one statement he accepts widespread failure to achieve housing standards and tells the Assembly that he will be handing over £73m to the UK treasury via the Housing Revenue Subsidy Account without putting up a fight. This is the party that claims to stand up for Wales, but the reality is that the new Labour government sits back and accepts whatever the ConDems throw at it.”
The new Labour government has been slammed by Plaid Cymru for sitting back and letting housing standards slip while handing £73m, which could otherwise be spent on housing, over to the UK treasury.
Responding to a statement by the Minister for housing, Leanne Wood – who speaks for Plaid Cymru on housing, said:
“In his statement, the Minister appears to simply accept that only 39% of local authorities are expected to meet Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS). The WHQS were put in place in order to ensure that people living in social housing could expect a basic standard and it is unacceptable that so much housing will not meet the basic standards as set out by government. Local authorities are under severe financial pressure due to the huge cuts from the Tories and Lib Dems at Westminster which begs the question: why is the Minister is handing over £73m to the UK treasury which could otherwise be spent on improving housing stock?”
Plaid Cymru AM for the mid and west region, Simon Thomas, added:
“The Welsh housing Minister’s statement is frankly astounding. In one statement he accepts widespread failure to achieve housing standards and tells the Assembly that he will be handing over £73m to the UK treasury via the Housing Revenue Subsidy Account without putting up a fight. This is the party that claims to stand up for Wales, but the reality is that the new Labour government sits back and accepts whatever the ConDems throw at it.”
Thursday 23 June 2011
Westminster statement exposes Conservative spin on wind energy
Plaid Cymru’s Assembly Member for the Mid and West region criticised the hypocrisy of Conservative AMs and MPs over their stance on wind energy. Simon Thomas AM was speaking after the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change released a statement outlining that irrespective of any Welsh planning guidance, it would be Westminster that determined the future of large scale wind farms in the region.
Simon Thomas AM said that while Conservatives have sought to portray the Assembly as being the body responsible for this development, and specifically its TAN 8 policy, it is now clear that all responsibility for this matter is reserved for Westminster.
Mr Thomas said the statement left no doubt that while Welsh Government policy will be considered it will not be a reason for approving or rejecting any application. The determining factor will be entirely down to the wishes of the Conservative and Lib Dems in Westminster. Simon Thomas AM said:
“What this statement from the Department of Energy and Climate Change makes clear is that it is the Westminster government, the Tories and Lib Dems, which is responsible for large scale wind farm developments in mid Wales. The UK government has, through this announcement; left no doubt that Welsh policy will have no bearing on the approval or rejection of wind farm developments.
“The UK government has totally exposed the hypocrisy of Conservative AMs and MPs who will now have to explain to their constituents why they have deliberately misled campaigners on this issue.
“Having been contacted by large numbers of people in the region I am very aware of the strength of feeling surrounding this issue. I am equally aware of the strength of disappointment that will felt that the local Conservative AM and MP have tried to dupe campaigners.
“The right course of action now would be for the Conservatives to accept their responsibility and engage with the community. If they do not wish to do that they should devolve the powers to Wales where we can take decisions over our own energy needs with community views at the heart of the process.”
END
The appropriate section is on page 7-8 of the attached statement and states:
“Policy set out in existing planning guidance in England, and where a proposal is located in Wales in planning policy and advice issued by the Welsh Assembly Government relevant to renewables, will provide important information to applicants of nationally significant energy infrastructure projects (energy NSIPs). The IPC should have regard to these policies and expect applicants to have taken them into account when working up their proposals.
Applicants should explain in their applications to the IPC how their proposals fit with the guidance and support its targets or, alternatively, why they depart from them. Whether an application conforms to the guidance or the targets will not, in itself, be a reason for approving or rejecting the application.”
Simon Thomas AM said that while Conservatives have sought to portray the Assembly as being the body responsible for this development, and specifically its TAN 8 policy, it is now clear that all responsibility for this matter is reserved for Westminster.
Mr Thomas said the statement left no doubt that while Welsh Government policy will be considered it will not be a reason for approving or rejecting any application. The determining factor will be entirely down to the wishes of the Conservative and Lib Dems in Westminster. Simon Thomas AM said:
“What this statement from the Department of Energy and Climate Change makes clear is that it is the Westminster government, the Tories and Lib Dems, which is responsible for large scale wind farm developments in mid Wales. The UK government has, through this announcement; left no doubt that Welsh policy will have no bearing on the approval or rejection of wind farm developments.
“The UK government has totally exposed the hypocrisy of Conservative AMs and MPs who will now have to explain to their constituents why they have deliberately misled campaigners on this issue.
“Having been contacted by large numbers of people in the region I am very aware of the strength of feeling surrounding this issue. I am equally aware of the strength of disappointment that will felt that the local Conservative AM and MP have tried to dupe campaigners.
“The right course of action now would be for the Conservatives to accept their responsibility and engage with the community. If they do not wish to do that they should devolve the powers to Wales where we can take decisions over our own energy needs with community views at the heart of the process.”
END
The appropriate section is on page 7-8 of the attached statement and states:
“Policy set out in existing planning guidance in England, and where a proposal is located in Wales in planning policy and advice issued by the Welsh Assembly Government relevant to renewables, will provide important information to applicants of nationally significant energy infrastructure projects (energy NSIPs). The IPC should have regard to these policies and expect applicants to have taken them into account when working up their proposals.
Applicants should explain in their applications to the IPC how their proposals fit with the guidance and support its targets or, alternatively, why they depart from them. Whether an application conforms to the guidance or the targets will not, in itself, be a reason for approving or rejecting the application.”
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Plaid supports plans for part-time student help
Plaid Cymru has supported Welsh government plans to reform the way part-time higher education is funded.
Plaid Education spokesperson Simon Thomas urged the government to ensure that part-time students are treated in an equal way to their full-time counterparts.
Speaking after the Senedd debate, Simon Thomas AM said:
“Part-time students often face different challenges to their full-time counterparts – but we must recognise their right to pursue higher education and should be encouraged to do so. For that reason, Plaid Cymru believes that part-time students and full-time students should be treated the same by government.
“Plaid Cymru is determined to maintain a situation in Wales where people of all backgrounds get the same educational opportunities and that the Welsh government prioritises supporting their ambitions. We are happy to support plans that meet that aim and we will further the interests of Wales’ students at every opportunity.
“I’m please that the government has accepted Plaid’s amendment to ensure part and full-time students are treated as equals.”
Plaid Education spokesperson Simon Thomas urged the government to ensure that part-time students are treated in an equal way to their full-time counterparts.
Speaking after the Senedd debate, Simon Thomas AM said:
“Part-time students often face different challenges to their full-time counterparts – but we must recognise their right to pursue higher education and should be encouraged to do so. For that reason, Plaid Cymru believes that part-time students and full-time students should be treated the same by government.
“Plaid Cymru is determined to maintain a situation in Wales where people of all backgrounds get the same educational opportunities and that the Welsh government prioritises supporting their ambitions. We are happy to support plans that meet that aim and we will further the interests of Wales’ students at every opportunity.
“I’m please that the government has accepted Plaid’s amendment to ensure part and full-time students are treated as equals.”
Wednesday 8 June 2011
Carwyn Jones inaction consigning Wales to an afterthought of UK politics
Plaid Cymru has called on the Welsh government to implement a more radical program of government or risk consigning Wales to the side-lines of the UK political debate. Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, a former Welsh Heritage Minister, said that whilst Scotland and Northern Ireland were putting pressure on the Westminster government, Welsh action has been depressingly absent.
Speaking ahead of the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) taking place tomorrow (Wednesday June 7th) Mr Thomas said as an alternative to the current approach a Plaid Cymru government would seek, amongst other things, the devolution of policing, corporation tax, natural resources, broadcasting and criminal justice.
Plaid Cymru’s Mid and West AM, Simon Thomas, challenged Carwyn Jones to live up to his promise to protect Wales by not allowing decisions about cuts to broadcasting and policing to remain in the hands of the Tories in Westminster. The Labour leader has been urged to join the First Minister’s of Scotland and Northern Ireland, who will be calling for key concessions from the UK government, instead of remaining silent.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM said:
“Since the election the Westminster government has been coming under increasing pressure from Scotland and Northern Ireland but unfortunately the message that Labour promised to send on behalf of Wales must have got lost along the way.
“What Labour has so far achieved is to make Wales seem insignificant to the UK debate. Plaid Cymru want to offer an alternative to that approach. Instead of allowing Wales to be marginalised we should be making it clear to the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition in Westminster, that we are not simply prepared to accept the cuts that they are offering.”
“We saw a stark contrast at the recent devolved government press conference in Edinburgh between the dynamic approach of leaders in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and that of Carwyn Jones. It is an approach that sadly risks leaving Wales irrelevant and lagging behind.”
Simon Thomas AM added:
“The current message that Carwyn Jones and Labour is sending Westminster doesn’t make much sense. They want a meeting to discuss broadcasting but don’t want the powers to determine what to do about it in future. They are opposed to police cuts but don’t want to take the responsibility for criminal justice here, rather they would prefer to see the Tories in Westminster have that control. They want to have devolution of energy projects but not for the biggest or most controversial proposals.
“In the face of Westminster cuts mixed messages and half way house solutions are not good enough. The alternative to Labour’s approach is to be bold, be ambitious and be committed to ensuring Wales doesn’t lag behind but instead sets the agenda.”
ENDS / DIWEDD
Speaking ahead of the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) taking place tomorrow (Wednesday June 7th) Mr Thomas said as an alternative to the current approach a Plaid Cymru government would seek, amongst other things, the devolution of policing, corporation tax, natural resources, broadcasting and criminal justice.
Plaid Cymru’s Mid and West AM, Simon Thomas, challenged Carwyn Jones to live up to his promise to protect Wales by not allowing decisions about cuts to broadcasting and policing to remain in the hands of the Tories in Westminster. The Labour leader has been urged to join the First Minister’s of Scotland and Northern Ireland, who will be calling for key concessions from the UK government, instead of remaining silent.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM said:
“Since the election the Westminster government has been coming under increasing pressure from Scotland and Northern Ireland but unfortunately the message that Labour promised to send on behalf of Wales must have got lost along the way.
“What Labour has so far achieved is to make Wales seem insignificant to the UK debate. Plaid Cymru want to offer an alternative to that approach. Instead of allowing Wales to be marginalised we should be making it clear to the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition in Westminster, that we are not simply prepared to accept the cuts that they are offering.”
“We saw a stark contrast at the recent devolved government press conference in Edinburgh between the dynamic approach of leaders in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and that of Carwyn Jones. It is an approach that sadly risks leaving Wales irrelevant and lagging behind.”
Simon Thomas AM added:
“The current message that Carwyn Jones and Labour is sending Westminster doesn’t make much sense. They want a meeting to discuss broadcasting but don’t want the powers to determine what to do about it in future. They are opposed to police cuts but don’t want to take the responsibility for criminal justice here, rather they would prefer to see the Tories in Westminster have that control. They want to have devolution of energy projects but not for the biggest or most controversial proposals.
“In the face of Westminster cuts mixed messages and half way house solutions are not good enough. The alternative to Labour’s approach is to be bold, be ambitious and be committed to ensuring Wales doesn’t lag behind but instead sets the agenda.”
ENDS / DIWEDD
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Down with this sort of thing
Today I saw one of the biggest protests I have ever seen at the Senedd. At least 1,000 residents of mid Wales descended on Cardiff Bay to voice their opposition to, well, to several things. Firstly to the proposed siting of pylons and sub-stations in Montgomeryshire and secondly, perhaps, to the very idea of windfarms at all in mid Wales. Behind it all, however, was a real sense of being ignored by a Welsh metropolitan elite.
There’s no doubt that the grid proposals have stirred up a hornets’ nest in the area and some politicians have seen the opportunity to jump on board with their own agendas. I listened during the election campaign to two Tory candidates swear blind that they were opposed to ALL onshore windfarms in Wales. Whilst at the same time their government in Westminster, which actually approves all energy developments over 50MW in Wales, hands out grants and incentivises the market to encourage such developments.
I am always reluctant to jump on any passing bandwagon. I’d like to think out of a sense of principle, but it’s fair to say out of experience as well. Bandwagons rarely stop where you want to get off.
So today’s event was a difficult gig for a Plaid politician who believes passionately that Wales’ wealth – both environmental and economic – lies in her hills; whether as potential windfarm sites; as water regulating and providing sponges, or for sustainable agriculture.
I felt able to address the crowd however, despite the overwhelming Conservative presence (whipped up to narrow partisanship by one Tory AM), because of three key principles:
Firstly, Plaid Cymru has long acknowledged that TAN 8 – the Welsh Government’s guidance to renewable energy development in Wales – had got things wrong by concentrating onshore wind in particular in relatively narrow corridors, located some distance from the major conurbations where the energy was needed. In this year’s manifesto for the Assembly elections we put planning for energy developments and the centre of our call for a completely refreshed and renewed planning system in Wales.
Secondly, I wanted to listen and represent the views of the numerous protesters as their regional AM. This is one area where being a regional AM perhaps gives an advantage over our constituency colleagues. The event itself had the feeling of being an aftershock from the Lib Dems losing Maldwyn to the Tories - partly on the back of vigorous Tory campaigning on this issue and the usual fence-sitting by the Lib Dem candidate - but at the protest were residents from Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire also.
Thirdly, it was an opportunity to emphasise once again that these planning decisions are taken by others, and mostly outside Wales. The major pylon and windfarm developments are retained by Westminster government and Plaid is committed to getting these powers devolved.
It was sad to see so many placards denigrating “the Assembly”, when the decisions affecting these communities are actually made by the Welsh Government (in setting policy), Westminster government (in approving infrastructure plans – currently farmed out, partially at least, to the IPC) and their own local council (Powys on the location of the electricity sub-stations). I urged the crowd to take their fight and views to these bodies also, and judging by their response, they will!
I believe the protesters achieved something today however. They have almost certainly ensured that those proposing these plans will need to rethink about the location of sub-stations and the balance between carrying power cables by pylons and burying them in some locations. Some were there to stop all windfarm developments in mid Wales. As we both fight climate change and seek to make Wales more sustainable economically, a landscape and seascape that excludes all renewable energy projects is a vision I do not share.
Thursday 19 May 2011
Anghymwys i fod yn Aelod?
Bu bron i’r Cynulliad bleidleisio ddoe ar dad-anghymwyso (os dyna’r gair) dau Aelod Cynulliad newydd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, John Dixon ac Aled Roberts. O edrych yn ol ar y 24 awr diwetha, da o beth oedd hi fod oedi wedi digwydd cyn ystyried y fath gynnig.
Nid oedd yr un o’r ddau yn gymwys i fod yn ymgeisydd ac felly mae’u ethol yn annilys. Ni allent fod yn Aelodau Cynulliad oni bai i rwybeth newid.
Rhaid pwysleisio nad yw’n ddirgelwch i ymgeiswyr etholiadol – ar bob lefel – bod angen cwrdd a gofynion i fod yn ymgeisydd dilys. Ar hyd a lled Cymru mae nifer o bobl a hoffai fod yn gynghorwyr neu Aelodau Cynulliad neu Seneddol na fedrant oherwydd eu swyddi.
Roedd hyn yn wir amdana’i. Roedd rhaid i mi ymddiswyddo o’m swydd gyda Llywodraeth y Cynulliad, nid pan ddeuthum yn ymgeisydd swyddogol, ond siwrne yr oedd fy enw yn adnabyddus fel ymgeisydd posib. Roedd hynny nol ar ddiwedd Medi 2010 a bum yn ddiwaith ers hynny er mwyn cael bod yn ymgeisydd a dod yn AC. Mae nifer eraill wedi arberthu mewn ffordd debyg i’r achos y maen nhw’n credu ynddo a heb gael y diweddglo boddhaol a gefais i.
Ac mae pawb sy'n dilyn gwleidyddiaeth yn gwybod am y swyddi sydd yn eich gwneud yn anghymwys i fod yn AS, oherwydd drwy ddal swydd felly, megis "Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds", mae dyn yn ymddiswyddo o Dy'r Cyffredin.
Nid “mater technegol dibwys” felly yw ymddygiad a sefyllfa y ddau Lib Dem hyn, ond sefyllfa gyfarwydd iawn i bob ymgeisydd, er bod y cyrff y buon nhw’n aelodau ohonyn nhw heb ymddangos ar y wyneb fel rhai a oedd yn eich diarddel i fod yn ymgeisydd.
Cyn yr etholiad cyhoeddodd y Cynulliad ganllaw defnyddiol a amlinellai’r sefyllfa yn gwbl glir yma
Yn fwy na hyn, bu’r union ddeddfwriaeth a osododd y gwaharddiadau hyn drwy’r Cynulliad, Ty’r Cyffredin a Thy’r Arglwyddi yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf. Ble oedd yr aelodau Dem Rhydd yn y llefydd hyn dros yr amser hynny? Mae ganddynt Arglwydd wedi’u trosglwyddo’n syth o’r Cynulliad, a fu’n gwneud ei job o archwilio deddfwriaeth? Roedd sylwadau hysterig yr arglwydd Roberts ar Taro Post heddi yn chwerthinllyd o ystyried ei fod yn o’n deddfwriaethwyr ni. Fuodd yn cysgu pan aeth y Gorchymyn drwy Dy’r Arglwyddi?
Roedd gan blaid y Dem Rhydd bob cyfle i wybod am y ddeddfwriaeth hon.
Yn ogystal – ac ar gais uniongyrchol y Comisiynydd Safonau – bu pob plaid yn gosod yn eu maniffesto datganiad yn ymrwymo’u haelodau i ddilyn cod ymddygiad y Cynulliad yn ol y gair a’r ysbryd.
Dywedodd Winston Roderick heddiw fod yr etholiad yn annilys a’r ddau yn anghymwys i fod yn ACau.
Mae’n edrych yn bur debyg imi na fedrant fod yn Aelodau, ac nid wyf yn siwr o’r sefyllfa gyfreithiol pe bai’r Cynulliad yn pasio cynnig yn caniatau iddynt ddod yn aelodau. Rwy’n ofni y byddai hynny’n agored i arolwg barwnol yn y dyfodol.
Felly, rwy wedi galw heddiw am gyngor cyfreithiol llawn i’r Cynulliad cyn i ni ystyried unrhyw fath o gynnig i ganiatau i’r ddau hyn gymryd eu seddi.
Beth bynnag a ddigwydd, ni welaf yr angen am etholiad arall. Pe bai AC rhanbarthol yn marw yn y tresi neu ddod yn anghymwys oherwydd troseddu, yr un nesa o’r un blaid ar y rhestr sy’n cymryd ei lle. Dyna fyddai’r sefylla yn y cyd-destun hwn, rwy’n siwr.
Un peth i gloi, ble mae'r Comisiwn Etholiadol yn hyn i gyd? Tawelwch llethol yw'r unig ymateb ganddo hyd yma. Ar ol etholiad gwael gyda'r ffrwgwd am gyfri yn y gogledd, byddai dyn yn dychmygu fod y Comisiwn a rhywbeth i'w ddweud am fethiant arall yn y sustem etholiadol.
Nid oedd yr un o’r ddau yn gymwys i fod yn ymgeisydd ac felly mae’u ethol yn annilys. Ni allent fod yn Aelodau Cynulliad oni bai i rwybeth newid.
Rhaid pwysleisio nad yw’n ddirgelwch i ymgeiswyr etholiadol – ar bob lefel – bod angen cwrdd a gofynion i fod yn ymgeisydd dilys. Ar hyd a lled Cymru mae nifer o bobl a hoffai fod yn gynghorwyr neu Aelodau Cynulliad neu Seneddol na fedrant oherwydd eu swyddi.
Roedd hyn yn wir amdana’i. Roedd rhaid i mi ymddiswyddo o’m swydd gyda Llywodraeth y Cynulliad, nid pan ddeuthum yn ymgeisydd swyddogol, ond siwrne yr oedd fy enw yn adnabyddus fel ymgeisydd posib. Roedd hynny nol ar ddiwedd Medi 2010 a bum yn ddiwaith ers hynny er mwyn cael bod yn ymgeisydd a dod yn AC. Mae nifer eraill wedi arberthu mewn ffordd debyg i’r achos y maen nhw’n credu ynddo a heb gael y diweddglo boddhaol a gefais i.
Ac mae pawb sy'n dilyn gwleidyddiaeth yn gwybod am y swyddi sydd yn eich gwneud yn anghymwys i fod yn AS, oherwydd drwy ddal swydd felly, megis "Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds", mae dyn yn ymddiswyddo o Dy'r Cyffredin.
Nid “mater technegol dibwys” felly yw ymddygiad a sefyllfa y ddau Lib Dem hyn, ond sefyllfa gyfarwydd iawn i bob ymgeisydd, er bod y cyrff y buon nhw’n aelodau ohonyn nhw heb ymddangos ar y wyneb fel rhai a oedd yn eich diarddel i fod yn ymgeisydd.
Cyn yr etholiad cyhoeddodd y Cynulliad ganllaw defnyddiol a amlinellai’r sefyllfa yn gwbl glir yma
Yn fwy na hyn, bu’r union ddeddfwriaeth a osododd y gwaharddiadau hyn drwy’r Cynulliad, Ty’r Cyffredin a Thy’r Arglwyddi yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf. Ble oedd yr aelodau Dem Rhydd yn y llefydd hyn dros yr amser hynny? Mae ganddynt Arglwydd wedi’u trosglwyddo’n syth o’r Cynulliad, a fu’n gwneud ei job o archwilio deddfwriaeth? Roedd sylwadau hysterig yr arglwydd Roberts ar Taro Post heddi yn chwerthinllyd o ystyried ei fod yn o’n deddfwriaethwyr ni. Fuodd yn cysgu pan aeth y Gorchymyn drwy Dy’r Arglwyddi?
Roedd gan blaid y Dem Rhydd bob cyfle i wybod am y ddeddfwriaeth hon.
Yn ogystal – ac ar gais uniongyrchol y Comisiynydd Safonau – bu pob plaid yn gosod yn eu maniffesto datganiad yn ymrwymo’u haelodau i ddilyn cod ymddygiad y Cynulliad yn ol y gair a’r ysbryd.
Dywedodd Winston Roderick heddiw fod yr etholiad yn annilys a’r ddau yn anghymwys i fod yn ACau.
Mae’n edrych yn bur debyg imi na fedrant fod yn Aelodau, ac nid wyf yn siwr o’r sefyllfa gyfreithiol pe bai’r Cynulliad yn pasio cynnig yn caniatau iddynt ddod yn aelodau. Rwy’n ofni y byddai hynny’n agored i arolwg barwnol yn y dyfodol.
Felly, rwy wedi galw heddiw am gyngor cyfreithiol llawn i’r Cynulliad cyn i ni ystyried unrhyw fath o gynnig i ganiatau i’r ddau hyn gymryd eu seddi.
Beth bynnag a ddigwydd, ni welaf yr angen am etholiad arall. Pe bai AC rhanbarthol yn marw yn y tresi neu ddod yn anghymwys oherwydd troseddu, yr un nesa o’r un blaid ar y rhestr sy’n cymryd ei lle. Dyna fyddai’r sefylla yn y cyd-destun hwn, rwy’n siwr.
Un peth i gloi, ble mae'r Comisiwn Etholiadol yn hyn i gyd? Tawelwch llethol yw'r unig ymateb ganddo hyd yma. Ar ol etholiad gwael gyda'r ffrwgwd am gyfri yn y gogledd, byddai dyn yn dychmygu fod y Comisiwn a rhywbeth i'w ddweud am fethiant arall yn y sustem etholiadol.
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Plaid Cymru reiterates commitment to all Wales government
Plaid Cymru today pledged to continue to ensure that all areas of Wales have a clear voice in the National Assembly.
Following Labour's decision not to allocate a Cabinet minister to Rural Affairs, Plaid's former Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones reiterated her party's commitment to represent all areas of Wales. She said that Plaid in opposition would act constructively to ensure that Labour does not get away with ignoring rural areas, particularly in the west and the north.
The party called for early co-operation between the minority Labour government and opposition parties in order to get its programme of government through the Assembly.
Plaid's Mid and West Wales AM Simon Thomas said that talks on finance should begin as soon as possible if opposition support is to be secured.
Simon Thomas AM said:
"Plaid is committed to constructive opposition here in the National Assembly. After Labour failed to gain a majority, they will have to demonstrate their commitment to co-operation in order to get their plans through the Senedd. It would demonstrate a positive intent by the government if they initiated talks, particularly regarding finance as soon as possible."
Elin Jones AM said:
"The early indications from Labour are that they do not view rural areas as a priority while Plaid is as committed as ever to ensuring proper representation for all areas of Wales.
"In opposition, we in Plaid Cymru will work hard to ensure that Labour, without a working majority, cannot carry out plans that do not serve the best interests of the whole of Wales.
“Plaid demonstrated that this was one of our core values in Government – and as a responsible and constructive opposition party here, we will continue to be led by those values."
Plaid Cymru yn ailadrodd eu hymrwymiad i Lywodraeth Cymru
Mae Plaid Cymru heddiw yn ymrwymo i sicrhau bod gan holl ardaloedd Cymru lais clir yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol.
Yn dilyn penderfyniad y Blaid Lafur i beidio dyrannu aelod o’r Cabinet i Faterion Gwledig, mae cyn-Weinidog Materion Gwledig Elin Jones wedi ailadrodd ymrwymiad ei phlaid i gynrychioli holl ardaloedd Cymru. Dywedodd bydd Plaid Cymru fel gwrthblaid yn ymddwyn yn adeiladol er mwyn sicrhau na fydd y blaid Lafur yn llwyddo i anwybyddu ardaloedd gwledig, yn benodol y gorllewin a’r gogledd.
Mae Plaid Cymru wedi galw am gydweithrediad buan rhwng Llywodraeth leiafrifol y Blaid Lafur a’r pleidiau gwrthbleidiol er mwyn sicrhau gweithredu eu rhaglen Lywodraethol yn y Cynulliad.
Dywedodd Simon Thomas, Aelod Cynulliad Plaid Cymru dros y Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru bydd angen i drafodaethau ynglŷn â chyllid gychwyn cyn gynted â phosib er mwyn sicrhau cefnogaeth gan y gwrthbleidiau.
Dywed Simon Thomas AC:
“Mae Plaid Cymru yn ymrwymedig i wrthbleidio yn adeiladol yma yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Ar ôl i’r Blaid Lafur fethu sicrhau mwyafrif, bydd angen iddynt arddangos eu hymrwymiad i gydweithio er mwyn sicrhau bydd eu cynlluniau yn llwyddo yn y Senedd. Bydd cynnal trafodaethau buan, yn enwedig ynglŷn â chyllid, yn arddangos bwriad cadarnhaol ar ran y Llywodraeth.”
Dywed Elin Jones AC:
“Mae arwyddion buan gan y Blaid Lafur yn dangos na fydd ardaloedd gwledig yn cael eu trin fel blaenoriaeth tra bod Plaid Cymru yr un mor ymrwymedig ag arfer i sicrhau cynrychiolaeth deg i holl ardaloedd Cymru.
“Fel gwrthblaid, bydd Plaid Cymru yn gweithio yn galed er mwyn sicrhau bydd y Blaid Lafur methu llwyddo gydag unrhyw gynlluniau sydd ddim yn gwasanaethu pennaf les yn holl ardaloedd Cymru.
“Mae Plaid Cymru wedi arddangos mai dyma oedd un o brif werthoedd y Blaid yn y Llywodraeth, felly fel gwrthblaid gyfrifol ac adeiladol yma, byddwn yn parhau i ddilyn yr un gwerthoedd”
Following Labour's decision not to allocate a Cabinet minister to Rural Affairs, Plaid's former Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones reiterated her party's commitment to represent all areas of Wales. She said that Plaid in opposition would act constructively to ensure that Labour does not get away with ignoring rural areas, particularly in the west and the north.
The party called for early co-operation between the minority Labour government and opposition parties in order to get its programme of government through the Assembly.
Plaid's Mid and West Wales AM Simon Thomas said that talks on finance should begin as soon as possible if opposition support is to be secured.
Simon Thomas AM said:
"Plaid is committed to constructive opposition here in the National Assembly. After Labour failed to gain a majority, they will have to demonstrate their commitment to co-operation in order to get their plans through the Senedd. It would demonstrate a positive intent by the government if they initiated talks, particularly regarding finance as soon as possible."
Elin Jones AM said:
"The early indications from Labour are that they do not view rural areas as a priority while Plaid is as committed as ever to ensuring proper representation for all areas of Wales.
"In opposition, we in Plaid Cymru will work hard to ensure that Labour, without a working majority, cannot carry out plans that do not serve the best interests of the whole of Wales.
“Plaid demonstrated that this was one of our core values in Government – and as a responsible and constructive opposition party here, we will continue to be led by those values."
Plaid Cymru yn ailadrodd eu hymrwymiad i Lywodraeth Cymru
Mae Plaid Cymru heddiw yn ymrwymo i sicrhau bod gan holl ardaloedd Cymru lais clir yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol.
Yn dilyn penderfyniad y Blaid Lafur i beidio dyrannu aelod o’r Cabinet i Faterion Gwledig, mae cyn-Weinidog Materion Gwledig Elin Jones wedi ailadrodd ymrwymiad ei phlaid i gynrychioli holl ardaloedd Cymru. Dywedodd bydd Plaid Cymru fel gwrthblaid yn ymddwyn yn adeiladol er mwyn sicrhau na fydd y blaid Lafur yn llwyddo i anwybyddu ardaloedd gwledig, yn benodol y gorllewin a’r gogledd.
Mae Plaid Cymru wedi galw am gydweithrediad buan rhwng Llywodraeth leiafrifol y Blaid Lafur a’r pleidiau gwrthbleidiol er mwyn sicrhau gweithredu eu rhaglen Lywodraethol yn y Cynulliad.
Dywedodd Simon Thomas, Aelod Cynulliad Plaid Cymru dros y Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru bydd angen i drafodaethau ynglŷn â chyllid gychwyn cyn gynted â phosib er mwyn sicrhau cefnogaeth gan y gwrthbleidiau.
Dywed Simon Thomas AC:
“Mae Plaid Cymru yn ymrwymedig i wrthbleidio yn adeiladol yma yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Ar ôl i’r Blaid Lafur fethu sicrhau mwyafrif, bydd angen iddynt arddangos eu hymrwymiad i gydweithio er mwyn sicrhau bydd eu cynlluniau yn llwyddo yn y Senedd. Bydd cynnal trafodaethau buan, yn enwedig ynglŷn â chyllid, yn arddangos bwriad cadarnhaol ar ran y Llywodraeth.”
Dywed Elin Jones AC:
“Mae arwyddion buan gan y Blaid Lafur yn dangos na fydd ardaloedd gwledig yn cael eu trin fel blaenoriaeth tra bod Plaid Cymru yr un mor ymrwymedig ag arfer i sicrhau cynrychiolaeth deg i holl ardaloedd Cymru.
“Fel gwrthblaid, bydd Plaid Cymru yn gweithio yn galed er mwyn sicrhau bydd y Blaid Lafur methu llwyddo gydag unrhyw gynlluniau sydd ddim yn gwasanaethu pennaf les yn holl ardaloedd Cymru.
“Mae Plaid Cymru wedi arddangos mai dyma oedd un o brif werthoedd y Blaid yn y Llywodraeth, felly fel gwrthblaid gyfrifol ac adeiladol yma, byddwn yn parhau i ddilyn yr un gwerthoedd”
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Saturday 26 March 2011
Speech to Plaid's Spring Conference/Araith i Gynhadledd Wanwyn y Blaid
Cynhadledd
Nearly four years ago, this party decided to become a party of government.
We went into a coalition agreement with our eyes open; having agreed a deal - the One Wales agreement – not only between the political elites but directly between the memberships of both parties.
Just think just how different that democratic process was to the stitch up in Westminster that gave us the present ConDem regime.
Now, our deal has served Wales well.
When the international bankers blew the last wads of our cash on their junky gambling habit, we were ready in government to help the most vulnerable.
When unemployment threatened many of our industrial workers, we stepped in with programmes such as ProAct that saved thousands of jobs.
And most importantly, for the long term, we insisted and secured a guarantee not only of a referendum on legislative powers for our Assembly, but also a guarantee that Labour would campaign actively for those powers – in this period of office.
As Peter Hain said – all this was done at Plaid’s insistence.
Plaid’s insistence that our nation was ready for full powers
Plaid’s insistence that we invest in our health service
Plaid’s insistence that we save 3% on our carbon emissions
Plaid’s insistence that we build the case that comprehensively showed that Barnett formula shortchanged Wales.
Peter Hain’s soundbites never hurt us, but they do sometimes work for us –
“at Plaid’s insistence” is the best shorthand way of describing how the One Wales government has been a success.
Ond rhaid edrych nid yn unig ar lwyddiant Cymru'n Un ond hefyd ar beth fydde'r dewis arall.
Nid son am yr enfys ydw' i - er bod wastad enfys hyd yn oed yn y tywydd mwya stormus – ond son ydwy i am beth fydde record Llafur ar eu pennau eu hunain.
Yn 2007, roedd Llafur am dorri buddsoddiad yn ein hysbytai. Roedd Bronglais yn y Canolbarth a Gorllewin o dan fythygiad. Yr wythnos hon, gwelson ni fuddsoddiad o £38 miliwn yn ysbyty Bronglais. Eto oherwydd bod Plaid yn mynnu.
Yn 2007 roedd Llafur am i ymlwybro ymlaen gyda'r sustem LCO am ddegawd o leia.
Yn 2007, roedd Llafur yn erbyn Deddf Iaith o gwbl; o blaid codi ffioedd dysgu i'r entrychion, a – cofiwch chi – yn mynnu fod y fformiwla Barnett yn gweithio er lles Cymru.
Do, pan aeth Plaid i mewn i lywodraeth fe newidion ni bolisiau trychinebus, fe sefydlon ni lywodraeth Cymru gyfan go iawn a dwgyd Llafur ymaith o'u hobsesiwn gydag ardaloedd a sectorau cul.
Rydym yn gadael llywodraeth fel plaid sydd wedi aeddfedu, tipyn bach fel y caws ffermdy Cymreig gore!
Ac rwy'n credu ein bod wedi defnyddio ein hamser mewn llywodraeth i dyfu a dwfnhau ein gwreiddiau a'n cred mewn cyfiawnder cymdeithasol yn ogystal.
Mae Plaid mewn llywodraeth wedi cadw at ein hegwyddorion ac yn wir wedi'u cryfhau. Mor wahanol i'r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol a werthodd eu hetifeddiaeth am bris lledr car gweinidogol.
Pan ddaeth y dirwasgiad – oherwydd gweithredoedd y bancwyr o dan anogaeth Llafur a'r Toriaid – fe weithion ni i glymu cymunedau at eu gilydd, nid eu chwalu.
Dangoson ni gyda'n ymrwymiad i ostwng allyriadau carbon 3 y cant ein bod am i'r genedl gyfrannu i'r frwydr yn erbyn newid hinsawdd a gosod ein hawl i ddefnyddio ein hadnoddau naturiol i adeiladu cenedl gryfach a mwy gwydn.
A chymeron ni bob cyfle i adeiladu ein llwyodraeth genedlaethol.
Wyddoch chi'r peth mwya comig am yr ymgyrch refferendwm? - Wel, y syniad y bydde pleidlais Ie yn ein gosod ar ben y llethr llithrig i annibyniaeth.
Gyfeillion, buon ni ar y tyle hwnnw ers y blaidlais yn 97. Siwrne safodd pobl Cymru lan a datgan ein bod yn genedl – ac bod rhaid ini llywodraethu fel cenedl – fel drodd rhod hanes a chychwynson ni ar y daith tuag at annibyniaeth.
Cadarnhad, ac nid y cychwyn, oedd y blaidlais Ie.
Ond os buon ni'n aeddfed mewn llywodraeth mae'n rhaid ini fod yn aeddfed yn hyn o beth hefyd. Fydden ni ddim yn cyrraedd pen y daeth yn gloiach drwy weiddi fel plant bach drwg “yn ni wedi cyrraedd 'to?”
Ein dyletswydd yn awr yw mynd yn ol i lywodraeth, gan ein bod yn gwybod nad oes gan Lafur ddim i'w gynnig.
Ie, mae'n wir fod Carwyn wedi dysgu siarad fel cenedlaetholwr. Ar ol blynydde o sefyll yn y cornel yn fud, mae Llafur am “sefyll cornel Cymru”. Ond mae'r Blaid wedi hen fynd heibio dim ond sefyll dros Gymru – mae hynny'n ail natur i ni – rydym ni am i Gymru sefyll ar ei thraed ei hunan.
Ond o dan arweinyddiaeth Carwyn – neu ife Hain neu Ed sy'n arwain? - maen nhw'n ysu am rematch o'r 80au, gan gynnig dim byd adeiladol nac uchelgeisiol i Gymru.
Ond dyw cynnig addewid o bethe gwell o dan lywodraeth ffantasiol Ed Milliband ddim yn ddigon da. Dyw Cymru ddim yn gallu aros am hynny.
Mae Cyllideb “twf” honedig Obsorne yn golygu 30,000 o bobl ddiwaith ychwanegol. Mae'n rhaid gweithredu yn awr.
Llywodraeth Brown a Hain a ddywedodd ei bod hi'n gysurus gyda thwf pobl “cyfoethog cythreulig”; a wrthododd drethiannau gwyrdd a chyfiawn; a fynnodd ryfel anghyfiawn yn Irac ac a welodd y bwlch rhwng y tlawd a'r cyfoethog dyfu yn ddibaid.
Pan wrthwynebodd Aelodau Seneddol Plaid Cymru y codiant yn TAW, fe wnaeth Llafur ei lyncu.
Mae gan Lafur ddau arweinydd yng Nghymru a dwy wyneb yn San Steffan.
A beth am y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol? Roedd Clegg yn iawn, wyddoch chi. Mae torri gwariant cyhoeddus yn rhy fuan ac yn rhy ddwfn wedi tanseilio'r economi a chreu diweithdra.
Roedd gan y Toriaid gynlluniau cudd i godi TAW – gan gostio pob teulu yn y wlad bron £400 ychwanegol bob blwyddyn.
Do, roedd Clegg yn iawn, ymhob dim, ond un peth. Y penderfyniad erchyll, anfaddeuol i roi'i blaid fel tarian ddynol o gwmpas y llywodraeth Doriaidd mwya ideolegol, .mwya asgell dde a mwya di-hid am Gymru am genhedlaeth.
You can tell how important Wales is to the Lib Dems and this Westminster government by the simple fact that since the election, Welsh Lib Dem MPs have not held one single press conference to explain themselves or their selling out. Welsh Lib Dem MPs are content to let two Tories do their talking for them.
In June, two beavers will be reintroduced in mid and west Wales. The first time we will have seen beavers for 800 years. At this rate, they won’t even need to breed to outnumber Lib Dem AMs and on this record, Lib Dems won’t deserve our trust for another 800 years either.
I say to Lib Dem voters. If you feel betrayed by the decision of Clegg to sell out to the heirs of Blair and Thatcher, there is a home for you in Plaid Cymru. A party that puts the people of Wales first and fights for civil liberties and the realisation of the individual's ambition. We won't let you down.
May is a Welsh election. We are electing the next Welsh government.
Plaid knows there is a huge job to do still. We need to improve our young people’s skills and education. We need a school year and a school curriculum that, building on the Foundation Stage, gives our young people the skills and knowledge they need for the economy of the future.
We need to encourage enterprise and job creation and investment, particuarly in green jobs and renewable technologies. While Westminster faffs about with a green bank sometimes in 2015, we have firm, realistic proposals now for a company that can invest in the infrastructure of our nation.
So we can build for Wales, and invest in our schools, hospitals and public transport. And we can do similar things in renewable energy also. Wales has fantastic wind, tidal, water and even solar energy sources that this nation should own, exploit and use for the benefit of our communities.
Ieuan as Leader and Minister has swept aside the old ways of doing things within Welsh government. Now we see clearly that ambition will be supported and recognised and job creation will be about getting the right skilled people to the right place to attract the right companies to invest.
By building a better, linked up Wales, we are making broadband and the knowledge economy open to all. Labour and the Tories are fighting the economic battles of the last century – chasing the chimera of inward investment that up sticks and leaves when the going gets touch. Plaid will build investment here in Wales; for Welsh companies and creating up to 50,000 jobs.
The lesson of the last four years is this:
Plaid in government does make a difference
Labour are retreating to their old, narrow and unimaginative ways
The Tories and their friends the Lib Dems have no ambition for Wales and no way to grow our nation.
This party has known for more than 80 years that the best government for Wales is one with Plaid Cymru written through it like the writing in a stick of Pwllheli rock.
And we intend to stick around in government for a better Wales.
Nearly four years ago, this party decided to become a party of government.
We went into a coalition agreement with our eyes open; having agreed a deal - the One Wales agreement – not only between the political elites but directly between the memberships of both parties.
Just think just how different that democratic process was to the stitch up in Westminster that gave us the present ConDem regime.
Now, our deal has served Wales well.
When the international bankers blew the last wads of our cash on their junky gambling habit, we were ready in government to help the most vulnerable.
When unemployment threatened many of our industrial workers, we stepped in with programmes such as ProAct that saved thousands of jobs.
And most importantly, for the long term, we insisted and secured a guarantee not only of a referendum on legislative powers for our Assembly, but also a guarantee that Labour would campaign actively for those powers – in this period of office.
As Peter Hain said – all this was done at Plaid’s insistence.
Plaid’s insistence that our nation was ready for full powers
Plaid’s insistence that we invest in our health service
Plaid’s insistence that we save 3% on our carbon emissions
Plaid’s insistence that we build the case that comprehensively showed that Barnett formula shortchanged Wales.
Peter Hain’s soundbites never hurt us, but they do sometimes work for us –
“at Plaid’s insistence” is the best shorthand way of describing how the One Wales government has been a success.
Ond rhaid edrych nid yn unig ar lwyddiant Cymru'n Un ond hefyd ar beth fydde'r dewis arall.
Nid son am yr enfys ydw' i - er bod wastad enfys hyd yn oed yn y tywydd mwya stormus – ond son ydwy i am beth fydde record Llafur ar eu pennau eu hunain.
Yn 2007, roedd Llafur am dorri buddsoddiad yn ein hysbytai. Roedd Bronglais yn y Canolbarth a Gorllewin o dan fythygiad. Yr wythnos hon, gwelson ni fuddsoddiad o £38 miliwn yn ysbyty Bronglais. Eto oherwydd bod Plaid yn mynnu.
Yn 2007 roedd Llafur am i ymlwybro ymlaen gyda'r sustem LCO am ddegawd o leia.
Yn 2007, roedd Llafur yn erbyn Deddf Iaith o gwbl; o blaid codi ffioedd dysgu i'r entrychion, a – cofiwch chi – yn mynnu fod y fformiwla Barnett yn gweithio er lles Cymru.
Do, pan aeth Plaid i mewn i lywodraeth fe newidion ni bolisiau trychinebus, fe sefydlon ni lywodraeth Cymru gyfan go iawn a dwgyd Llafur ymaith o'u hobsesiwn gydag ardaloedd a sectorau cul.
Rydym yn gadael llywodraeth fel plaid sydd wedi aeddfedu, tipyn bach fel y caws ffermdy Cymreig gore!
Ac rwy'n credu ein bod wedi defnyddio ein hamser mewn llywodraeth i dyfu a dwfnhau ein gwreiddiau a'n cred mewn cyfiawnder cymdeithasol yn ogystal.
Mae Plaid mewn llywodraeth wedi cadw at ein hegwyddorion ac yn wir wedi'u cryfhau. Mor wahanol i'r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol a werthodd eu hetifeddiaeth am bris lledr car gweinidogol.
Pan ddaeth y dirwasgiad – oherwydd gweithredoedd y bancwyr o dan anogaeth Llafur a'r Toriaid – fe weithion ni i glymu cymunedau at eu gilydd, nid eu chwalu.
Dangoson ni gyda'n ymrwymiad i ostwng allyriadau carbon 3 y cant ein bod am i'r genedl gyfrannu i'r frwydr yn erbyn newid hinsawdd a gosod ein hawl i ddefnyddio ein hadnoddau naturiol i adeiladu cenedl gryfach a mwy gwydn.
A chymeron ni bob cyfle i adeiladu ein llwyodraeth genedlaethol.
Wyddoch chi'r peth mwya comig am yr ymgyrch refferendwm? - Wel, y syniad y bydde pleidlais Ie yn ein gosod ar ben y llethr llithrig i annibyniaeth.
Gyfeillion, buon ni ar y tyle hwnnw ers y blaidlais yn 97. Siwrne safodd pobl Cymru lan a datgan ein bod yn genedl – ac bod rhaid ini llywodraethu fel cenedl – fel drodd rhod hanes a chychwynson ni ar y daith tuag at annibyniaeth.
Cadarnhad, ac nid y cychwyn, oedd y blaidlais Ie.
Ond os buon ni'n aeddfed mewn llywodraeth mae'n rhaid ini fod yn aeddfed yn hyn o beth hefyd. Fydden ni ddim yn cyrraedd pen y daeth yn gloiach drwy weiddi fel plant bach drwg “yn ni wedi cyrraedd 'to?”
Ein dyletswydd yn awr yw mynd yn ol i lywodraeth, gan ein bod yn gwybod nad oes gan Lafur ddim i'w gynnig.
Ie, mae'n wir fod Carwyn wedi dysgu siarad fel cenedlaetholwr. Ar ol blynydde o sefyll yn y cornel yn fud, mae Llafur am “sefyll cornel Cymru”. Ond mae'r Blaid wedi hen fynd heibio dim ond sefyll dros Gymru – mae hynny'n ail natur i ni – rydym ni am i Gymru sefyll ar ei thraed ei hunan.
Ond o dan arweinyddiaeth Carwyn – neu ife Hain neu Ed sy'n arwain? - maen nhw'n ysu am rematch o'r 80au, gan gynnig dim byd adeiladol nac uchelgeisiol i Gymru.
Ond dyw cynnig addewid o bethe gwell o dan lywodraeth ffantasiol Ed Milliband ddim yn ddigon da. Dyw Cymru ddim yn gallu aros am hynny.
Mae Cyllideb “twf” honedig Obsorne yn golygu 30,000 o bobl ddiwaith ychwanegol. Mae'n rhaid gweithredu yn awr.
Llywodraeth Brown a Hain a ddywedodd ei bod hi'n gysurus gyda thwf pobl “cyfoethog cythreulig”; a wrthododd drethiannau gwyrdd a chyfiawn; a fynnodd ryfel anghyfiawn yn Irac ac a welodd y bwlch rhwng y tlawd a'r cyfoethog dyfu yn ddibaid.
Pan wrthwynebodd Aelodau Seneddol Plaid Cymru y codiant yn TAW, fe wnaeth Llafur ei lyncu.
Mae gan Lafur ddau arweinydd yng Nghymru a dwy wyneb yn San Steffan.
A beth am y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol? Roedd Clegg yn iawn, wyddoch chi. Mae torri gwariant cyhoeddus yn rhy fuan ac yn rhy ddwfn wedi tanseilio'r economi a chreu diweithdra.
Roedd gan y Toriaid gynlluniau cudd i godi TAW – gan gostio pob teulu yn y wlad bron £400 ychwanegol bob blwyddyn.
Do, roedd Clegg yn iawn, ymhob dim, ond un peth. Y penderfyniad erchyll, anfaddeuol i roi'i blaid fel tarian ddynol o gwmpas y llywodraeth Doriaidd mwya ideolegol, .mwya asgell dde a mwya di-hid am Gymru am genhedlaeth.
You can tell how important Wales is to the Lib Dems and this Westminster government by the simple fact that since the election, Welsh Lib Dem MPs have not held one single press conference to explain themselves or their selling out. Welsh Lib Dem MPs are content to let two Tories do their talking for them.
In June, two beavers will be reintroduced in mid and west Wales. The first time we will have seen beavers for 800 years. At this rate, they won’t even need to breed to outnumber Lib Dem AMs and on this record, Lib Dems won’t deserve our trust for another 800 years either.
I say to Lib Dem voters. If you feel betrayed by the decision of Clegg to sell out to the heirs of Blair and Thatcher, there is a home for you in Plaid Cymru. A party that puts the people of Wales first and fights for civil liberties and the realisation of the individual's ambition. We won't let you down.
May is a Welsh election. We are electing the next Welsh government.
Plaid knows there is a huge job to do still. We need to improve our young people’s skills and education. We need a school year and a school curriculum that, building on the Foundation Stage, gives our young people the skills and knowledge they need for the economy of the future.
We need to encourage enterprise and job creation and investment, particuarly in green jobs and renewable technologies. While Westminster faffs about with a green bank sometimes in 2015, we have firm, realistic proposals now for a company that can invest in the infrastructure of our nation.
So we can build for Wales, and invest in our schools, hospitals and public transport. And we can do similar things in renewable energy also. Wales has fantastic wind, tidal, water and even solar energy sources that this nation should own, exploit and use for the benefit of our communities.
Ieuan as Leader and Minister has swept aside the old ways of doing things within Welsh government. Now we see clearly that ambition will be supported and recognised and job creation will be about getting the right skilled people to the right place to attract the right companies to invest.
By building a better, linked up Wales, we are making broadband and the knowledge economy open to all. Labour and the Tories are fighting the economic battles of the last century – chasing the chimera of inward investment that up sticks and leaves when the going gets touch. Plaid will build investment here in Wales; for Welsh companies and creating up to 50,000 jobs.
The lesson of the last four years is this:
Plaid in government does make a difference
Labour are retreating to their old, narrow and unimaginative ways
The Tories and their friends the Lib Dems have no ambition for Wales and no way to grow our nation.
This party has known for more than 80 years that the best government for Wales is one with Plaid Cymru written through it like the writing in a stick of Pwllheli rock.
And we intend to stick around in government for a better Wales.
Monday 21 March 2011
Funding for FE education/Cyllido addysg bellach
Mae'n dda gen'i ddweud imi heddiw gefnogi ymgyrch undeb yr ATL ar gyfer cyllido teg i addysg bellach yng Nghymru. Bu'r undeb yn ddigon doeth i gydnabod fod y diffyg cyllido yn y fformiwla sydd yn dosbarthu arian i Gymru (Barnett) oedd wrth wraidd y diffyg, ond mae'i gofynion eraill yn deg hefyd.
I am pleased to say I today signed up to the ATL Union's funding pledge. The union were sensible enough to acknowledge the real funding gap is that in the Barnett formula which currently allocates resources to the Welsh government, but their other demands are fair as well.
Funding pledge
I am pleased to say I today signed up to the ATL Union's funding pledge. The union were sensible enough to acknowledge the real funding gap is that in the Barnett formula which currently allocates resources to the Welsh government, but their other demands are fair as well.
Funding pledge
Friday 18 March 2011
Libya – a new Iraq or a lesson learned?
Eight years ago today I sat in the House of Commons for what became the most important debate I ever participated in. And the most difficult. It was the first time the House had been asked to approve military action on a substantive motion – rather than a pathetic adjournment of the House. This was as far as New Labour’s commitment to an ethical foreign policy went however, for the debate and decision that day was to go to war in Iraq.
Tony Blair gave an immensely impressive performance, there’s no doubt about that, but we also now know how shallow, misleading and duplicitous it was.
I had questions for him, but he brushed me off:
The Prime Minister : I shall certainly do so. The UN resolution that should provide for the proper governance of Iraq should also protect totally the territorial integrity of Iraq. And this point is also important: that the oil revenues, which people falsely claim that we want to seize, should be put in a trust fund for the Iraqi people administered through the UN.
Mr. Simon Thomas (Ceredigion): Will the Prime Minister give way?
The Prime Minister: In a moment.
18 Mar 2003 : Column 772
Let the future Government of Iraq be given the chance to begin the process of uniting the nation's disparate groups, on a democratic basis—
Despite the stated aim of going to war to secure a democratic future for Iraq I was unconvinced both of the legal basis and the long term effectiveness of such action.
I was right and Blair was wrong and looking at the list of those who spoke that day I see many who have since recanted.
By 10.30pm we had voted, and it is worth noting the full text of the motion that the House of Commons approved that day – but which I and Plaid Cymru voted against:
That this House notes its decisions of 25th November 2002 and 26th February 2003 to endorse UN Security Council Resolution 1441; recognises that Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and long range missiles, and its continuing non-compliance with Security Council Resolutions, pose a threat to international peace and security; notes that in the 130 days since Resolution 1441 was adopted Iraq has not co-operated actively, unconditionally and immediately with the weapons inspectors, and has rejected the final opportunity to comply and is in further material breach of its obligations under successive mandatory UN Security Council Resolutions; regrets that despite sustained diplomatic effort by Her Majesty's Government it has not proved possible to secure a second Resolution in the UN because one Permanent Member of the Security Council made plain in public its intention to use its veto whatever the circumstances; notes the opinion of the Attorney General that, Iraq having failed to comply and Iraq being at the time of Resolution 1441 and continuing to be in material breach, the authority to use force under Resolution 678 has revived and so continues today; believes that the United Kingdom must uphold the authority of the United Nations as set out in Resolution 1441 and many Resolutions preceding it, and therefore supports the decision of Her Majesty's Government that the United Kingdom should use all means necessary to ensure the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction; offers wholehearted support to the men and women of Her Majesty's Armed Forces now on duty in the Middle East; in the event of military operations requires that, on an urgent basis, the United Kingdom should seek a new Security Council Resolution that would affirm Iraq's territorial integrity, ensure rapid delivery of humanitarian relief, allow for the earliest possible lifting of UN sanctions, an international reconstruction programme, and the use of all oil revenues for the benefit of the Iraqi people and endorse an appropriate post-conflict administration for Iraq, leading to a representative government which upholds human rights and the rule of law for all Iraqis; and also welcomes the imminent publication of the Quartet's roadmap as a significant step to bringing a just and lasting peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians and for the wider Middle East region, and endorses the role of Her Majesty's Government in actively working for peace between Israel and Palestine.
We know now that the reference to the Attorney General’s views was misleading to say the least, but what is particularly disheartening about this motion is the sop to Labour backbenchers regarding Israel and Palestine.
For the last eight years the situation in Palestine has worsened, not improved, and the Quartet’s efforts have been pitiful. Indeed when the Quartet appointed Tony Blair on his retirement as PM as their representative, then their efforts amounted to an insult to legitimate Palestinian grievances under successive UN resolutions.
After that vote, I and my Plaid Cymru colleagues continued to oppose the war in Iraq and campaign hard against it. Many will recall Adam Price’s superb efforts to impeach Blair for lying to Parliament. I pressed the case for legality in international affairs and UN leadership in ways varying from visiting Palestine to promoting the memory and example of Henry Richard
Which brings us now to Libya. Let’s acknowledge first that the Tories have learned the lesson of Iraq. Yesterday’s UN resolution was firm and unambiguous. I don’t have any doubts about the Attorney General’s views. It does not mandate occupation, but it does mandate military action to secure humanitarian aims. In this regard it seems to me to be in accordance with the St Petersburg principles – and the developments of them - which lie at the heart of Plaid Cymru’s approach to international affairs.
St Petersburg Declaration
I don’t deny that the action on Libya is ripe with hypocrisy. Cynics will talk of oil, Darfur, Rwanda, East Timor…and they are right. My own current example is that of the King of Bahrain, invited to “the wedding” (you know which one I mean) even as the UN human rights chief condemns his government for "blatant violation of international law".
But if I have learned anything in years of politics and trying to get things done, it is not to allow unreasonable perfection to drive out the good.
The UN resolution on Libya has led to a ceasefire (of sorts); the UK Parliament will vote on it on Monday; Gaddafi is using tremendous violence against protesters and promised “no mercy”. I believe what is being proposed so far is commensurate with the UN resolution. I support it, and I hope my Plaid Cymru colleagues – those anyway who do not have pacifist beliefs – will do so also.
Tony Blair gave an immensely impressive performance, there’s no doubt about that, but we also now know how shallow, misleading and duplicitous it was.
I had questions for him, but he brushed me off:
The Prime Minister : I shall certainly do so. The UN resolution that should provide for the proper governance of Iraq should also protect totally the territorial integrity of Iraq. And this point is also important: that the oil revenues, which people falsely claim that we want to seize, should be put in a trust fund for the Iraqi people administered through the UN.
Mr. Simon Thomas (Ceredigion): Will the Prime Minister give way?
The Prime Minister: In a moment.
18 Mar 2003 : Column 772
Let the future Government of Iraq be given the chance to begin the process of uniting the nation's disparate groups, on a democratic basis—
Despite the stated aim of going to war to secure a democratic future for Iraq I was unconvinced both of the legal basis and the long term effectiveness of such action.
I was right and Blair was wrong and looking at the list of those who spoke that day I see many who have since recanted.
By 10.30pm we had voted, and it is worth noting the full text of the motion that the House of Commons approved that day – but which I and Plaid Cymru voted against:
That this House notes its decisions of 25th November 2002 and 26th February 2003 to endorse UN Security Council Resolution 1441; recognises that Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and long range missiles, and its continuing non-compliance with Security Council Resolutions, pose a threat to international peace and security; notes that in the 130 days since Resolution 1441 was adopted Iraq has not co-operated actively, unconditionally and immediately with the weapons inspectors, and has rejected the final opportunity to comply and is in further material breach of its obligations under successive mandatory UN Security Council Resolutions; regrets that despite sustained diplomatic effort by Her Majesty's Government it has not proved possible to secure a second Resolution in the UN because one Permanent Member of the Security Council made plain in public its intention to use its veto whatever the circumstances; notes the opinion of the Attorney General that, Iraq having failed to comply and Iraq being at the time of Resolution 1441 and continuing to be in material breach, the authority to use force under Resolution 678 has revived and so continues today; believes that the United Kingdom must uphold the authority of the United Nations as set out in Resolution 1441 and many Resolutions preceding it, and therefore supports the decision of Her Majesty's Government that the United Kingdom should use all means necessary to ensure the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction; offers wholehearted support to the men and women of Her Majesty's Armed Forces now on duty in the Middle East; in the event of military operations requires that, on an urgent basis, the United Kingdom should seek a new Security Council Resolution that would affirm Iraq's territorial integrity, ensure rapid delivery of humanitarian relief, allow for the earliest possible lifting of UN sanctions, an international reconstruction programme, and the use of all oil revenues for the benefit of the Iraqi people and endorse an appropriate post-conflict administration for Iraq, leading to a representative government which upholds human rights and the rule of law for all Iraqis; and also welcomes the imminent publication of the Quartet's roadmap as a significant step to bringing a just and lasting peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians and for the wider Middle East region, and endorses the role of Her Majesty's Government in actively working for peace between Israel and Palestine.
We know now that the reference to the Attorney General’s views was misleading to say the least, but what is particularly disheartening about this motion is the sop to Labour backbenchers regarding Israel and Palestine.
For the last eight years the situation in Palestine has worsened, not improved, and the Quartet’s efforts have been pitiful. Indeed when the Quartet appointed Tony Blair on his retirement as PM as their representative, then their efforts amounted to an insult to legitimate Palestinian grievances under successive UN resolutions.
After that vote, I and my Plaid Cymru colleagues continued to oppose the war in Iraq and campaign hard against it. Many will recall Adam Price’s superb efforts to impeach Blair for lying to Parliament. I pressed the case for legality in international affairs and UN leadership in ways varying from visiting Palestine to promoting the memory and example of Henry Richard
Which brings us now to Libya. Let’s acknowledge first that the Tories have learned the lesson of Iraq. Yesterday’s UN resolution was firm and unambiguous. I don’t have any doubts about the Attorney General’s views. It does not mandate occupation, but it does mandate military action to secure humanitarian aims. In this regard it seems to me to be in accordance with the St Petersburg principles – and the developments of them - which lie at the heart of Plaid Cymru’s approach to international affairs.
St Petersburg Declaration
I don’t deny that the action on Libya is ripe with hypocrisy. Cynics will talk of oil, Darfur, Rwanda, East Timor…and they are right. My own current example is that of the King of Bahrain, invited to “the wedding” (you know which one I mean) even as the UN human rights chief condemns his government for "blatant violation of international law".
But if I have learned anything in years of politics and trying to get things done, it is not to allow unreasonable perfection to drive out the good.
The UN resolution on Libya has led to a ceasefire (of sorts); the UK Parliament will vote on it on Monday; Gaddafi is using tremendous violence against protesters and promised “no mercy”. I believe what is being proposed so far is commensurate with the UN resolution. I support it, and I hope my Plaid Cymru colleagues – those anyway who do not have pacifist beliefs – will do so also.
Thursday 17 March 2011
I stand for children/Rwy'n sefyll dros blant
I have had a great number of emails asking me to support the NSPCC's Assembly campaign and I am delighted to do so. I am a long standing supporter of the NSPCC and took forward their campaigns as an MP. I am still listed as a supporter here:
http://www.childrenareunbeatable.org.uk/pages/supporters.html
Rwyf wedi derbyn nifer fawr o ebyst yn gofyn imi gefnogi ymgyrch y NSPCC ar gyfer etholiadau’r Cynulliad ac mae’n dda gennyf ei wneud. Rwyf wedi cefnogi’r NSPCC ers tro gan fynd a nifer o’i ymgyrchoedd ymlaen pan oeddwn yn AS. Rwy’n dal wedi cofrestru fel cefnogwr yma:
http://www.childrenareunbeatable.org.uk/pages/supporters.html
This press release sets out the current campaign.
Simon Thomas pledges support for NSPCC Cymru/Wales Assembly election campaign to protect children
Simon Thomas, prospective assembly candidate for Mid and West Wales, has pledged to support the NSPCC Cymru/Wales ‘I stand for children’ campaign which aims to make child protection a priority for the next Assembly Government.
Simon Thomas said: “As a candidate in Mid and West Wales, I’m supporting NSPCC Cymru/Wales’ new campaign to ensure protecting children is a political priority: I Stand for Children.”
The NSPCC’s campaign is calling on candidates to commit to three child protection measures:
• Ensuring that funding of frontline children’s social services is protected
• Tackling child neglect
• Ensuring that children are effectively protected from abuse in all sports settings in Wales
NSPCC head of service for Wales, Des Mannion, said: “We need to make sure that the next elected Assembly Government keeps child protection high on its list of priorities. By signing up to our campaign, candidates in this next election can help.
“The public can also help by visiting our campaign website and letting their candidates know what they want done."
More information about the NSPCC Cymru/Wales ‘I stand for children’ campaign can be found at www.istandforchildren.com/wales or www.istandforchildren.com/cymru
Mae Simon Thomas, darpar ymgeisydd y Cynulliad dros ardal y Canolbarth a'r Gorllewin, yn cefnogi ymgyrch NSPCC Cymru ‘Rwy’n sefyll dros blant’ sy’n ceisio sicrhau bod amddiffyn plant yn flaenoriaeth i Lywodraeth nesaf y Cynulliad.
Dywedodd Simon Thomas: “Fel ymgeisydd yn ardal y Canolbarth a'r Gorllewin, rwy’n cefnogi ymgyrch newydd NSPCC Cymru i sicrhau bod amddiffyn plant yn cael blaenoriaeth wleidyddol: Rwy’n Sefyll dros Blant.”
Mae ymgyrch yr NSPCC yn galw ar ymgeiswyr i ymrwymo i dri mesur amddiffyn plant:
• Sicrhau bod cyllid ar gyfer gwasanaethau cymdeithasol plant rheng flaen yn cael ei ddiogelu
• Mynd i'r afael ag esgeuluso plant
• Sicrhau bod plant yn cael eu hamddiffyn yn effeithiol rhag cam-drin ym mhob lleoliad chwaraeon yng Nghymru
Dywedodd Des Mannion, Pennaeth Gwasanaethau NSPCC yng Nghymru: “Mae angen i ni wneud yn siŵr bod Llywodraeth etholedig nesaf y Cynulliad yn sicrhau bod amddiffyn plant yn aros yn uchel ar ei rhestr blaenoriaethau. Gall ymgeiswyr yn yr etholiad nesaf hwn ymuno â’r ymgyrch er mwyn helpu i gyflawni hyn.
“Gall y cyhoedd helpu hefyd drwy ymweld â gwefan ein hymgyrch a dweud wrth eu hymgeiswyr beth yr hoffent ei weld yn digwydd.”
Ceir rhagor o wybodaeth am ymgyrch ‘Rwy’n sefyll dros blant’ NSPCC Cymru yn www.istandforchildren.com/cymru neu www.istandforchildren.com/wales
http://www.childrenareunbeatable.org.uk/pages/supporters.html
Rwyf wedi derbyn nifer fawr o ebyst yn gofyn imi gefnogi ymgyrch y NSPCC ar gyfer etholiadau’r Cynulliad ac mae’n dda gennyf ei wneud. Rwyf wedi cefnogi’r NSPCC ers tro gan fynd a nifer o’i ymgyrchoedd ymlaen pan oeddwn yn AS. Rwy’n dal wedi cofrestru fel cefnogwr yma:
http://www.childrenareunbeatable.org.uk/pages/supporters.html
This press release sets out the current campaign.
Simon Thomas pledges support for NSPCC Cymru/Wales Assembly election campaign to protect children
Simon Thomas, prospective assembly candidate for Mid and West Wales, has pledged to support the NSPCC Cymru/Wales ‘I stand for children’ campaign which aims to make child protection a priority for the next Assembly Government.
Simon Thomas said: “As a candidate in Mid and West Wales, I’m supporting NSPCC Cymru/Wales’ new campaign to ensure protecting children is a political priority: I Stand for Children.”
The NSPCC’s campaign is calling on candidates to commit to three child protection measures:
• Ensuring that funding of frontline children’s social services is protected
• Tackling child neglect
• Ensuring that children are effectively protected from abuse in all sports settings in Wales
NSPCC head of service for Wales, Des Mannion, said: “We need to make sure that the next elected Assembly Government keeps child protection high on its list of priorities. By signing up to our campaign, candidates in this next election can help.
“The public can also help by visiting our campaign website and letting their candidates know what they want done."
More information about the NSPCC Cymru/Wales ‘I stand for children’ campaign can be found at www.istandforchildren.com/wales or www.istandforchildren.com/cymru
Mae Simon Thomas, darpar ymgeisydd y Cynulliad dros ardal y Canolbarth a'r Gorllewin, yn cefnogi ymgyrch NSPCC Cymru ‘Rwy’n sefyll dros blant’ sy’n ceisio sicrhau bod amddiffyn plant yn flaenoriaeth i Lywodraeth nesaf y Cynulliad.
Dywedodd Simon Thomas: “Fel ymgeisydd yn ardal y Canolbarth a'r Gorllewin, rwy’n cefnogi ymgyrch newydd NSPCC Cymru i sicrhau bod amddiffyn plant yn cael blaenoriaeth wleidyddol: Rwy’n Sefyll dros Blant.”
Mae ymgyrch yr NSPCC yn galw ar ymgeiswyr i ymrwymo i dri mesur amddiffyn plant:
• Sicrhau bod cyllid ar gyfer gwasanaethau cymdeithasol plant rheng flaen yn cael ei ddiogelu
• Mynd i'r afael ag esgeuluso plant
• Sicrhau bod plant yn cael eu hamddiffyn yn effeithiol rhag cam-drin ym mhob lleoliad chwaraeon yng Nghymru
Dywedodd Des Mannion, Pennaeth Gwasanaethau NSPCC yng Nghymru: “Mae angen i ni wneud yn siŵr bod Llywodraeth etholedig nesaf y Cynulliad yn sicrhau bod amddiffyn plant yn aros yn uchel ar ei rhestr blaenoriaethau. Gall ymgeiswyr yn yr etholiad nesaf hwn ymuno â’r ymgyrch er mwyn helpu i gyflawni hyn.
“Gall y cyhoedd helpu hefyd drwy ymweld â gwefan ein hymgyrch a dweud wrth eu hymgeiswyr beth yr hoffent ei weld yn digwydd.”
Ceir rhagor o wybodaeth am ymgyrch ‘Rwy’n sefyll dros blant’ NSPCC Cymru yn www.istandforchildren.com/cymru neu www.istandforchildren.com/wales
Gwreiddiau/Roots
Fy hen ewythyr (chwith) ar ei ddiwrnod cyntaf i lawr y pwll yn 14 oed. Doeddwn i ddim yn ei adnabod ond rwy'n cofio ei frawd Ken yn dda. Bydd fy mab i'n 14 eleni.
My great uncle (left) on his first day down the pit at 14. I didn't know him but I remember his brother Ken very well. My own son is 14 this year.
My great uncle (left) on his first day down the pit at 14. I didn't know him but I remember his brother Ken very well. My own son is 14 this year.
Gareth Potter a Sherman Cymru: Gadael yr ugeinfed ganrif Neuadd Fawr, Aberystwyth
Gadael yr ugeinfed ganrif
Er nad oedd hwn yn fawr o berfformiad theatrig, rwy heb fwynhau noson o “theatr” Gymraeg ers tro. Efallai oherwydd fod y rhan fwya o'r perfformiad fel rhyw adlais lled gyfarwydd o fydysawd cyfochrog. Gŵr o'r Cymoedd; canol 40au; dysgu Cymraeg (er yn Rhydfelen); wastad ar y tu fas mewn cymdeithas Saesneg geidwadol; dianc drwy gynnwrf cerddoriaeth a'r sin Gymraeg; mynd o 'steddfod i 'steffod yn datblygu persona a chymeriad; gallu canu. Pob dim, ond yr ola, yn debyb i ryw fi “arall”. Roedd bron pob digwyddiad yn gyfarwydd, er bod Gareth Potter yn cofio llawer mwy na fi o'r amseroedd hynny.
Ffurf y noson oedd darlith hunan-gofiannol, gyda sleidiau a cherddoriaeth amlgyfryngol, ar ddull boblogaidd “An evening with....” Gwendid y perfformiad oedd bod y sgript yn amrywio o ymgeisio i fod yn theatrig i ddisgrifiadau mwy moel, yn enwedig tua'r diwedd wrth ruthro drwy'r 90au.
Roedd GP yn gymeriad hoffus, serch hynny - ar lwyfan beth bynnag - ac yn fodlon syrthio ar ei fai er nad oedd llawer o ddadansoddi neu hunan-ymwybyddiaeth. Cyfres o storiau a hanesion a gafwyd, a rheina yn ddigon difyr. Cafodd gymeradwyaeth gan gynulleidfa deilwng, er bod ei hanner hi braidd yn cofio'r cyfnod dan sylw – roedd clwstwr o bobl yn eu pedwardegau yno a llu o fyfyrwyr/disgyblion ysgol a bron neb arall.
Heddiw, es ati i chwilio am record cynta GP, Byw ar y radio gan Clustiau Cwn. Rwy'n siwr ei fod gyda fi ar un pryd. Rwy'n dal i feddwl fod ganddo un o'r riffs gore i record Cymraeg. Methais a'i ganfod, ond detho'i hyd i Cam o'r Tywyllwch, y record a oedd yn cynnwys yn ôl GP y genhedlaeth a ddaeth wedyn i greu'r Gymru newydd a gwyrdroi siom '79.
Ar ol hir chwilio, cefais o hyd i glip o’r gân, mae’n dechrau tua pum munud i mewn:
Yr unig ymgais gan GP at ddadansoddi oedd cyfeiriad ffwrdd a hi tuag at ddangos nad oedd y Gymraeg yn “eiddo yn unig i Welshies y gorllewin”. Ond gyda’i gân ef a Mark Lugg Rhyw ddydd yn cael ei defnyddio i hyrwyddo Cymdeithas yr Iaith; a’r cyfeiriad at alw bradwyr (gair mwyaf treuliedig a di-werth y mudiad iaith) ar y rheina a ddechreuodd ganu’n Saesneg yn nyddiadau cwl Cymru (megis Catatonia, Gorkis a’r Super Furries), roedd y rhan hon o’r sioe yn haeddu mwy o feddwl a dehongliad.
Rwy’n clywed fod y Dr Hywel Ffiaidd yn ailffurfio ar gyfer Eisteddfod Wrecsam; mae caset ganddo gyda fi rhywle hefyd. Pa frwydrau eraill o'r 80au fydd rhaid i ni ymladd o dan lywodraeth Doriadd ddi-hid am Gymru cyn gosod y genedl nôl ar ei thraed? O leia i'r genhedlaeth hon, llwyddiant refferendwm a dim siom a methiant sydd yn fan cychwyn i'w hymdrechion.
Diolch i Gareth Potter a Sherman Cymru am ein hatgoffa mewn ffordd hwyliog a byrlymus o rai o ymdrechion diwylliannol y 80au a’r 90au i ail-saernio Cymru.
Er nad oedd hwn yn fawr o berfformiad theatrig, rwy heb fwynhau noson o “theatr” Gymraeg ers tro. Efallai oherwydd fod y rhan fwya o'r perfformiad fel rhyw adlais lled gyfarwydd o fydysawd cyfochrog. Gŵr o'r Cymoedd; canol 40au; dysgu Cymraeg (er yn Rhydfelen); wastad ar y tu fas mewn cymdeithas Saesneg geidwadol; dianc drwy gynnwrf cerddoriaeth a'r sin Gymraeg; mynd o 'steddfod i 'steffod yn datblygu persona a chymeriad; gallu canu. Pob dim, ond yr ola, yn debyb i ryw fi “arall”. Roedd bron pob digwyddiad yn gyfarwydd, er bod Gareth Potter yn cofio llawer mwy na fi o'r amseroedd hynny.
Ffurf y noson oedd darlith hunan-gofiannol, gyda sleidiau a cherddoriaeth amlgyfryngol, ar ddull boblogaidd “An evening with....” Gwendid y perfformiad oedd bod y sgript yn amrywio o ymgeisio i fod yn theatrig i ddisgrifiadau mwy moel, yn enwedig tua'r diwedd wrth ruthro drwy'r 90au.
Roedd GP yn gymeriad hoffus, serch hynny - ar lwyfan beth bynnag - ac yn fodlon syrthio ar ei fai er nad oedd llawer o ddadansoddi neu hunan-ymwybyddiaeth. Cyfres o storiau a hanesion a gafwyd, a rheina yn ddigon difyr. Cafodd gymeradwyaeth gan gynulleidfa deilwng, er bod ei hanner hi braidd yn cofio'r cyfnod dan sylw – roedd clwstwr o bobl yn eu pedwardegau yno a llu o fyfyrwyr/disgyblion ysgol a bron neb arall.
Heddiw, es ati i chwilio am record cynta GP, Byw ar y radio gan Clustiau Cwn. Rwy'n siwr ei fod gyda fi ar un pryd. Rwy'n dal i feddwl fod ganddo un o'r riffs gore i record Cymraeg. Methais a'i ganfod, ond detho'i hyd i Cam o'r Tywyllwch, y record a oedd yn cynnwys yn ôl GP y genhedlaeth a ddaeth wedyn i greu'r Gymru newydd a gwyrdroi siom '79.
Ar ol hir chwilio, cefais o hyd i glip o’r gân, mae’n dechrau tua pum munud i mewn:
Yr unig ymgais gan GP at ddadansoddi oedd cyfeiriad ffwrdd a hi tuag at ddangos nad oedd y Gymraeg yn “eiddo yn unig i Welshies y gorllewin”. Ond gyda’i gân ef a Mark Lugg Rhyw ddydd yn cael ei defnyddio i hyrwyddo Cymdeithas yr Iaith; a’r cyfeiriad at alw bradwyr (gair mwyaf treuliedig a di-werth y mudiad iaith) ar y rheina a ddechreuodd ganu’n Saesneg yn nyddiadau cwl Cymru (megis Catatonia, Gorkis a’r Super Furries), roedd y rhan hon o’r sioe yn haeddu mwy o feddwl a dehongliad.
Rwy’n clywed fod y Dr Hywel Ffiaidd yn ailffurfio ar gyfer Eisteddfod Wrecsam; mae caset ganddo gyda fi rhywle hefyd. Pa frwydrau eraill o'r 80au fydd rhaid i ni ymladd o dan lywodraeth Doriadd ddi-hid am Gymru cyn gosod y genedl nôl ar ei thraed? O leia i'r genhedlaeth hon, llwyddiant refferendwm a dim siom a methiant sydd yn fan cychwyn i'w hymdrechion.
Diolch i Gareth Potter a Sherman Cymru am ein hatgoffa mewn ffordd hwyliog a byrlymus o rai o ymdrechion diwylliannol y 80au a’r 90au i ail-saernio Cymru.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
