Sharp End

As we count down to next month’s referendum on changing the Assembly’s powers, we wanted to get a bit of context about the powers that Cardiff Bay already has and how they might change if there’s a yes vote on March 3rd. Of course, Wales isn’t the only devolved part of the UK so I’ve [...]

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Polls, politicians and iPads.

Thanks to Plaid Cymru for reminding us that there’s just one hundred days until the Assembly Election. The party marked this milestone with two unveilings, both  aimed at positioning Plaid as a modern, technology-savvy party. The first was a shiny new website, the second a pledge that a future government involving Plaid would make Information [...]

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Sharp End and politics round-up

It’s a Sharp End day today so a lot of my time and attention is being taken up with that, but there are a couple of strands to pick up on briefly. Electrification of the London to Swansea rail line. * The Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has been at Swansea railway station today [...]

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Organ donation powers bid row escalates

The row over the Assembly Government’s bid for powers over organ donation has taken another twist today. Following what happened yesterday, the Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan, was interviewed about the row at length on Radio Wales this morning. During that interview, Ms Gillan, was asked about her own backing of legislation on [...]

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War of words over organ donation powers bid

I haven’t heard such angry words exchanged between the governments in London and Cardiff, although I’m sure they use much stronger language in private. The words used in Cardiff Bay: ‘Disrespect’, ‘lack of courtesy’, ‘they’re trying to stop Wales discussing this.’ The words from Westminster: ‘Utter rubbish’, ‘reprehensible’, ‘playing politics.’ Let me try to piece [...]

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Assembly powers bid over organ donation

There may or not be a new way of making laws for the Assembly following the referendum in March, but the current system is still on course to deliver a major change. As you know, the Assembly must request permission from Parliament to make laws under the much-criticised LCO (Legislative Competence Order) system. Well today, [...]

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High Speed Rail II

Further to my earlier post, here are two statements issued by the Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan following the Transport Secretary’s announcement of the go ahead for a high speed rail line between London and Birmingham. On the possibility of her resigning that I mentioned in the earlier post, her spokesman has reiterated [...]

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High stakes over High Speed Rail

It’s worth keeping an eye on an announcement expected later by the UK Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond about plans for a new high speed rail line from London to Birmingham. Although the project is one that would create a new line in England, today’s announcement is likely to affect Welsh politics in two ways. Firstly, [...]

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Welsh powers referendum set to get the Royal thumbs-up

This year’s final historic moment for Welsh politics (famous last words) is due to take place later this week. The Queen is due to hold a meeting of the Privy Council on Wednesday in which she’s expected to approve the order needed to hold next year’s referendum on strengthening the powers of the Assembly. The [...]

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Welsh Questions 8th December 2010

Women in Wales will be hit harder by the UK Government’s planned public spending cuts than men, according to the Shadow Welsh Secretary Peter Hain. During Welsh Questions in the Commons, he made that point and asked the Welsh Secretary “as the first woman Secretary of State” if she was proud of the Westminster coalition’s [...]

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