Annwyl Shane

In the middle of last week, our eldest boy who is 6 asked if he could write a letter. We of course went along with this and queried who he was writing to. He said with some surprise, " Shane Williams of course!"

Through discussions with his mates in school, he was well aware that it was the aforementioned rugby legend's last game for the Ospreys, and so he felt it only right and proper to thank him for being brilliant and to wish him well for his final regional game. He subsequently wrote to Shane 'bach' (as we call him in the house - I was a blind-side, after all) in his best Welsh; this being the first letter he had ever written.

Around about the same time last week, a fellow twitterer/blogger who I know asked me why I had a link, describing myself as an individual with 'an iffy knee & a curry fixation'. He appreciated the latter (I grew up in Swansea) but thought that the former was some sort of sophisticated hint of masonic links - as if. The truth was that I had crippled myself playing rugby after one unfortunate but horrific tackle and that in truth, I was lucky to walk again without a permanent limp.

Bizarrely, on the same day my wife attended an awards ceremony in Cardiff, where she met many outstanding sportspeople from across Wales. At the event, she met a very famous former rugby player and after he had mentioned that he had retired injured, she suggested that the WRU had looked after him. He replied, " Good God no, the WRU only look after themselves."

This is the dilemma we face as parents, because we want our 3 boys to try as many sports as as they can and have the opportunity to play the ones they really enjoy. Rugby union is inevitably going to be an option for all three, but I have very mixed feelings after what I went through. I was an average player in a very good club who when crippled at 23 years of age, went from training 6 days a week in my spare time to wondering what the hell I was going to do with my life. I actually spent another 5 years having operations and setbacks, before accepting that not only could I not play again, but that I should never run again if I wanted to put off a complete knee replacement.

When I was playing, it has to be said that the support given to players with severe injuries was non-existent, unless you were high enough up the tree to be considered worth the expense. I am not at all clear if that position has changed but with the professionalism of the sport and the great success of the current Welsh side, one would hope that the WRU realise that parents want to know that if something severe does happen, that they will be there to support and advise.

Getting back to the mercurial Shane 'bach' Williams, I have run out of superlatives to describe this man, not only as a supreme rugby player but also as an ambassador for the sport and Wales in general. When we suggested to our eldest that his letter could have made all the difference in Shane getting that last minute try to seal the league victory, the look on his face was of pure happiness. That sort of inspiration is absolutely priceless for the WRU, in the ever more competitive world for the spare time of our sporting youth. I hope that the likes of Shane Williams are used to inspire in the future. However, I also hope that the WRU take seriously the concerns of many parents, who would love to see their children play the wonderful team game that is rugby union, in the knowledge that there is support there if there is an unfortunate accident.

Andy Richards Struggles with the Facts

Yet again, the most influential trade unionist in Wales has attacked Plaid Cymru in the media tonight. This time however, he has not only made a groundless smear but has actually stated something that is completely untrue. He stated on tonight's ITV Wales programme the Sharp End that Plaid Cymru had encouraged trade unionists to disaffiliate from a fund that campaigns against fellow trade unionists being persecuted in Latin America. Oh no we haven't!

There are two funds that trade union members can sign up to, a general political fund (GPF) and affiliated political fund (APF). The GPF is raised by all unions and is used for campaigns close to trade union hearts that are not linked to direct party support. The APF directly funds the Labour party. Plaid have most certainly encouraged trade union members from affiliating to the Labour party, particularly when they spend so much time stabbing trade unions in the back. However, we have NEVER encouraged trade unionists from opting out of the GPF. We actually encourage it.

This is what Andy Richards got wrong tonight, as he directly accused Plaid of discouraging supporting the GPF. I am sick and tired of Labour supporters cynically misleading the trade union movement about Plaid, to cover the failings of their own party. He has done so because he has received criticism from within the movement about his attacks on Plaid and particularly Leanne Wood, and so is trying to further mislead on a new issue.

I hope that someone in the Welsh media picks up on this very cynical untruth and challenges Andy Richards. However, if he gets away with it once more, I am happy to debate with Andy Richards apparent problems he has with Plaid on any public platform. Let's see if the big guy is prepared to back his opinions with some factual debate.

In Response to Andy Richards

Picket Line & Picket Fence

Can Ed Tell the Difference?

A few people may have noticed some quite vociferous attacks on Plaid Cymru in recent days, particularly from the UNITE Cymru leader Andy Richards. The main target of his attacks have been the new Plaid leader Leanne Wood AM.

Andy Richards has this week said the following: -

"There is only one party for the working people of Wales, the party that the trade unions founded to give a voice to working people - the Labour Party. This is why it is called the Labour Party,"

He also described Leanne's talk of working together to combat the Tory attacks on Wales and its timing as, "as cynical as it is shameless."

So why is such a prominent trade unionist so scornful of Plaid Cymru? Is it for instance that: -

• We have introduced regional pay when in Government?
• We have blackmailed Council workers in Wales with the sack to force through lower terms & conditions?
• Our leaders have refused to support the trade union pension dispute?
• We scam trade union funds without the knowledge or consent of many of their members?
• We support the continued pay freeze for public sector workers?
• We presided over an out of control financial sector that contributed to a worldwide depression?
• We refused to relax the most restrictive anti-trade union legislation after being in Government for 12 years?

Such "cynical and shameless" actions would deserve the scorn and distrust of the trade unions, as no party could possibly claim to be the party of the workers after such actions/inaction. Yet, the Labour party are guilty of all these. 'Giving a voice to working people", Andy?

So why then does Andy Richards act in such a way, when Plaid's actions and instincts are so often much closer to the priorities of his union members than his own party? The sober truth is that Andy is wholly incapable of differentiating between the party of which he is a member and the union which employs him. Effectively, he sees them as one in the same organisation. I have known him for a few years and have had amicable conversations with him at anti-fascist rallies and other events. He is a passionate trade unionist, but it's Labour or nothing for him-even if it means a Labour leader like Ed Miliband.

This points to why a Labour loyalist and trade unionist has reacted with such venom towards Leanne Wood - he's scared of her and what she stands for. If he stood on a picket line with Leanne Wood, Ed Miliband and Carywn Jones, he knows who he would feel more comradely with, and it scares the hell out of him.

I have known Leanne Wood since I joined the party 17 years ago and there is no Labour AM or MP in Wales that comes close to her consistent support of the trade union movement. Of course, it is not Leanne's intention to mimic the Labour party, as she has far greater ambitions for Wales than that.

The Labour party are likely to continue with their attacks on Plaid and Leanne over the coming weeks, yet how will the public and media react to this? Already, the Western Mail have smelt a rat and are questioning Labours true motives, but wait until the new grouping of Labour Councils start flexing their muscles. The financial realities will already have sunk in and the realisation that the cuts they suggested would not come under their reign, are inevitable. Then, there is the next round of strikes to defend the public sector, when yet again Ed Miliband will get back firmly on his (picket) fence, stabbing in the back the very unions who elected him-again.

Without the cash and activists of the affiliated trade unions, the Labour party in Wales would collapse - which is why they are so paranoid about Leanne Wood and Plaid Cymru. It's not about protecting workers rights as they consistently fail to do that now at both UK and Welsh Council level. It's about power and the levers of power that allow them to continue to rule over Wales; their last remaining British homeland. I can assure Labour that Plaid is not about to take on trade union leaders in Wales and strorm their battlements. However, I can also assure them that we will continue to support just causes on behalf of their members and fight for their right of a job, decent pensions and pay.

Any trade union leader who puts the interests of their members first and foremost does not need to worry about Plaid Cymru, so maybe the UNITE members of Wales need to ask who Andy Richards is putting first, the party he is a member of or the union who employs him? I think he answered that question quite adequately for himself, this week.

Wales Remains a Fascist Free Zone

I think he's sulking - the poor dab

In yesterday's elections, the British National Party and National Front between them only managed to put up 5 candidates across Wales, with one former BNP member standing as an independent and pulling out. The four individuals remaining were roundly rejected by their electorate, ensuring that Wales has still at no time elected anyone from a fascist party. The great news is that in England and Scotland, ALL candidates from fascist parties also lost. I would like to personally like to put on record my continued admiration for Hopenothate, and all the amazing work they do to combat racism and fascism across the UK and beyond. Please try the link below and subscribe. They really are worth supporting and I am proud to work with them.

http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/subscribe/


Below are their respective results : -

Ward	Candidate	Party	Vote	%	Place
BLAENAU GWENT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
Abertillery Borough	Brian Urch	BNP	151	5.3	7 of 7
BRIDGEND COUNTY
Llangewydd & Brynhyfryd	Adam Lloyd	NF	46	7.7	3 of 3
FLINTSHIRE
Mancot	John Andrew Walker	IND	0	0	0 of 0
SWANSEA
Bonymaen	Sion Owens	NF	92	3.1	5 of 5
WREXHAM
Coedpoeth	Mike Whitby	BNP	110	5.1	7 of 8

Congratulations to the New Intake

Enjoy tonight, for tomorrow the work starts

I publish this blog as the polls close and am not going to go into too much detail about the results, other than to say that Labour will be smiling and the Lib Dems wondering if going into Government was really a price worth paying. For Plaid it will be mixed I suspect and for the Tories, well they never go much below what they hold now in Wales. As for the rest of the UK, I wish the SNP well and wish a plague of locusts into the pants of all the fascist candidates, from all the small groupings they hang around in. As far as London goes, I would have voted Green if I was there but hope that Ken can surprise the lovable but dangerous Boris and sneak it. It would help though, if Ken was not so frankly, obnoxious.

Let's get onto the main theme of the blog, the next 5 years. Welsh Local Authorities have never faced a period of power that they face now; a combination of extreme austerity combined with forced service regionalisation that will stretch the most talented of Councillors. I genuinely wish all well in their endeavours, as I understand more than many the difficulties they face over the coming months and years. I have been at the coal face when unions, Councillors and officers have had to make horrible decisions, in order to have enough cash left to pay the bills.

The newly elected Councillors are going to have to build bridges quickly with opponents in order to make things work. Any naked tribalism will only squeeze budgets more, damaging further our most vital public services and the staff who take so much pride in delivering them.

So to all the newly elected Councillors of Wales I say, llongyfarchiadau. Now drop your weapons of electoral war and get on with the job. You owe it to the voters who chose you and to the hard pressed workers who you employ.

A Public Sector Worker Voting in Wales?

By the time that this blog post is published, the polling stations will be open for the 2012 Local Government elections. Whatever your political persuasion, please make every effort to vote today. In recent weeks, members of affiliated trade unions have been bombarded with information about how they should vote, whether the individuals are tied to Labour or not. Some of the propaganda I have received has been frankly embarrassingly biased, so I thought I would give a few brief bullet points for any public sector workers out there, who are still undecided.

Before voting, ask yourself the following questions:-

• Will your choice oppose regional pay at all levels and have a consistent record of doing so?
• If you work for a Council, have they managed Job Evaluation with sensitivity?
• As a Council worker, has the party running your Council threatened you with the sack, unless you sign up to lower terms and conditions?
• Does your party of choice oppose the Westminster Government's public sector pension cuts-at Westminster?
• Does your party support the PCS trade union at Westminster, in their campaign to protect their member's jobs?
• Does your party have a leader who is not only a member of a public sector union, but who also has a consistent record of standing up for public services and trade union rights, and who marched in Wales last November in support of public sector pensions?
• Does your party leader oppose the continuation of the public sector pay freeze?

For the Labour party, the answer to ALL  of these questions is NO.
For the Conservative party, the answer to 2 of these questions is YES.
For the Liberal Democrats, the answer to 2 of these questions is YES.

For Plaid Cymru, the answer to ALL of these questions in YES.


Surprised? Well, on these particular questions, the worst offender is actually the Labour party. Despite their claims about being the party of the workers, only Labour Councils in Wales have threatened their staff with the sack, unless they sign up to lower terms and conditions, Labour at UK level are the only party to force regional pay on public sector staff and when it comes to making a hash of job evaluation, look no further than Labour's Bridgend Council. Then there's Labour leader Ed Miliband, who condemned the strike in defence of public sector pensions and who supports the continuation of the public sector pay freeze (mind you, the unions still give him millions-bless).

I am not going to claim on this blog that Plaid are without fault in all its dealing with the public sector, or that Labour does not have many elected representatives passionate about supporting public services and the staff delivering them. However, I do claim that in Wales, Plaid has a better record since the last Council elections in treating public sector staff in Wales at all levels with respect.

The next Council elections are in 5 years, a period in which our public services are likely to change beyond recognition. When you put your mark on your ballot paper today and if you work in the public sector, choose very carefully as your future may depend on it.

Dear Ed,

I am a Local Government worker with 22 years experience under my belt. I have been an active trade unionist for all that time including holding senior posts in my Unison branch and am currently a steward. I have also been an active anti-fascist campaigner for many years. Needless to say, I have never voted Conservative at any level of Government. I noted with interest your visit to Wales yesterday as part of the Local election campaign and no doubt, it was your intention to encourage individuals such as myself to vote Labour on May 3rd.

I will not be doing so.

Speaking from the perspective of a Local Government trade union steward, I have to say Ed that I feel utterly betrayed by your inability to support the public sector unions last November. Our pensions are vital to us and in contrast to recent media publicity, they are now sustainable after recent changes. This is particularly disappointing as the very trade unions that you relied upon to get elected as Labour leader are the ones who really needed your support-and you were not there. I am not a union member who is affiliated to your party (at least not to my knowledge), but you have since and are continuing to take millions from these unions. The youtube link below says it all: -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PZtVm8wtyFI#!

I went on strike and on the march in Cardiff on November 30th last year, to protest at my pension being threatened. The only political leader to attend is shown in the photo below. Labour's Welsh leader at least sent a message of support but was too busy to attend as he had a Labour party meeting elsewhere. The new Plaid leader was also on the march and Plaid AMs and staff refused to cross the PCS picket line.

Plaid's former Leader last November, showing his support

As a public sector worker, I also face the prospect of regional pay and wonder how many of my fellow workers realise that it was actually the Labour party who first introduced regional pay for Court's staff, when they were last in power. In other words, on the major issues that affect Local Government in Wales and are not devolved, Labour has a record of acting against public sector workers and stabbing their unions in the back.

Plaid's new Leader - no fence sitting from Leanne Wood

Local Government workers have recently been through a very painful job evaluation and single status process; a difficult but necessary measure to meet equality legislation. Again Labour have stood out in their handling of this process, for all the wrong reasons. Only 2 Welsh Councils have blackmailed their workers with a threat of the sack unless they sign up to unaccepted changes to their terms and conditions of employment, and both of them were Labour controlled (Neath Port Talbot & RCT). Even Tory controlled Councils did not stoop so low. Then, Bridgend Council are generally recognised by the trade unions to have made a complete and utter hash of job evaluation, putting many pow paid workers through hell. Again, they are Labour controlled.

In conclusion Ed, you have asked me to send a message to David Cameron at next week's Council elections. On this I agree, but from my perspective that message is just as relevant to yourself.

I will be voting for Plaid Cymru.