Senedd Watch - November 2012

It's been an busy month in Cardiff Bay by usual standards, so my apologies for this post's length. Plaid Cymru criticised Labour MPs from Wales for voting with some Westminster Conservatives against a rise in the European Union's budget – which could translate into cuts in structural and Common Agricultural Policy funds for Wales. On November 21st, the Assembly approved a Plaid Cymru-sponsored motion calling for the Welsh Government to “make representations”...

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Creating a Welsh legal jurisdiction

Following this week's Supreme Court judgement, the legal authority of the Welsh Assembly is solidified. However, is a Welsh legal jurisdiction - or subsequently, reserved powers - required to cement it once and for all? (Pic : BBC Wales) Earlier this year, First Minister Carwyn Jones and the Counsel General, Theodore Huckle QC,...

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Silk Commission - Part One : Finance & Devolution

On Monday, the Silk Commission published the conclusion of the first part of its remit, covering the devolution of fiscal powers. The full report and executive summary are available here. There were a total of 33 recommendations, and I've summarised them below. I strongly recommend you read the executive summary at the...

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Giving children the right to play

The Welsh Government has become one of the first in the world to legislate for play. (Pic : Tripadvisor.com) I know today's top story will be the release of the first part of the Silk Commission, and I'm giving it the once over for later this week. Let's just say my initial reaction isn't positive.It makes quite a contrast...

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Police & Crime Commissioners - A Guide

Three posts in a row. I'm spoiling you.  After the excitement of last week's US Presidential elections, I bet you can't wait to have your say on Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) for Wales' four police forces tomorrow.PCCs : What are they? The UK Government passed the Police Reform and Responsibility Act in 2011,...

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Shiny happy Plaidie people

"Positivitee" "Gret beleef" "Mental strengx" "Leetle beet short" Yeah, I've heard that quite often down the years. (Pic : Sky Sports) Yesterday, Leanne Wood made three big announcements on the future direction of Plaid Cymru. Two of them mirror what she said during her leadership campaign about generating new ideas and...

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Housing London

Harlow, Essex  - one of many  "new towns" built to cope with London's population growth. Due to decades of short-sightedness by Westminster,  it looks like Wales is about to become home to evacuees in a new wave of "expulsions". (Pic : Wikipedia) In the last few weeks, it's been revealed that London's local...

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Can you keep them in the dark for life?

A few weeks ago, Mothers Union launched a campaign called Bye Buy Childhood. A special event was hosted at the Senedd, sponsored by Janice Gregory AM (Lab, Ogmore). The campaign involves sending postcards to the UK's television regulator, Ofcom, to complain about bad language, sexualisation of children and poor regulation...

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