Tuesday, 6 July 2010
New Blog!
Hi everyone! I have launched a new blog http://aberllwchwr.blogspot.com/ to replace this one for the time being. I'll be setting the world to right from the perspective of the South West. Some comments may be more general than others but my aim is to talk about everyday issues that directly affect people around me.
Monday, 24 May 2010
And the pigs and the men looked just the same... What Edwin Starr and Orwell tell us about the Lib Dems
" The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again: but already it was impossible to say which was which." (George Orwell, final paragraph of Animal Farm)
What are the Lib Dems for?
Let’s be charitable (oh, go on!), most people who voted Lib Dem thought that they would get a more honest approach to policy that is usual in the UK bipartisan system. Some people in Wales voted for Lib Dem policies appeared to be left-leaning. Bearing those things in mind – the public perception of honesty and a left-leaning social policy, are we seeing the birth of a progressive force in UK politics to reward all that hope?
Let’s take honesty first.
On Trident, Tuition Fees, even their totemic policy of Electoral Reform, they have rolled over and all that for the sake of sharing 20 jobs in Government among fifty odd MPs. They’ve contradicted themselves on the imposition of a Secretary of State for Wales by supporting the appointment of Cheryl Gillan. Their policy of reducing tax on the first £10,000 earned will be adopted but over five years – if the government lasts that long.
And what of the Welsh leadership of the Lib Dems? During the election campaign, I took part in a question and answer session at Coleg Sir Gar in Llanelli. The Lib Dem candidate, as ever was missing but had sent his boss, Kirsty Williams. Time and again, she claimed that obtaining fair funding for Wales was a key concern of hers and her party and that a fair share of the cake could only be obtained by the Lib Dems.
So, how can her position possibly be squared with this week’s announcement by the ConDem coalition that Wales will receive no more funding at all? The cuts will bite as deeply as the Tories insist and with no fair funding to mitigate the worst effects. Some would say that when your party’s leadership in London ignores your position so blatantly, there is only one honourable thing to do…
But irrespective of the fate of individual politicians, are we seeing a new progressive politics? Many of the policies that the Lib Dems have dumped, were precisely those that appeared to define them as left of centre. Most tellingly of all, the first decision of the ConDem coalition was to cut a further £6 billion from public spending, on top of those cuts already announced by Labour.
This tells us where the balance of power lies in the ConDem coalition. The Lib Dems had been certain that deep cuts would threaten economic recovery– something that we in Wales, with our small private sector and our dependence on public sector jobs - understand very well indeed. Leading economists such as Joseph Stiglitz, David Blanchflower and even Thatcher’s economic guru, Patrick Minford agree that the only sustainable way to deal with a deficit is to ensure economic growth. The Lib Dems used to understand that too. But Vince Cable, the new Business Minister now jokes about his own duplicity to the staff of the department he had sought to abolish (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8680746.stm). So now we know that the Lib Dems have thrown away their moral compass and that for crumbs from the Tory table.
The General Election forced the hands of the Lib Dem leadership to make a defining choice. Their choice was to move the centre of UK politics to the right. Only two weeks into this coalition, nobody can spot the difference between Liberals and Tories.
Libs? Huh? What are they good for? Absolutely nothing.
What are the Lib Dems for?
Let’s be charitable (oh, go on!), most people who voted Lib Dem thought that they would get a more honest approach to policy that is usual in the UK bipartisan system. Some people in Wales voted for Lib Dem policies appeared to be left-leaning. Bearing those things in mind – the public perception of honesty and a left-leaning social policy, are we seeing the birth of a progressive force in UK politics to reward all that hope?
Let’s take honesty first.
On Trident, Tuition Fees, even their totemic policy of Electoral Reform, they have rolled over and all that for the sake of sharing 20 jobs in Government among fifty odd MPs. They’ve contradicted themselves on the imposition of a Secretary of State for Wales by supporting the appointment of Cheryl Gillan. Their policy of reducing tax on the first £10,000 earned will be adopted but over five years – if the government lasts that long.
And what of the Welsh leadership of the Lib Dems? During the election campaign, I took part in a question and answer session at Coleg Sir Gar in Llanelli. The Lib Dem candidate, as ever was missing but had sent his boss, Kirsty Williams. Time and again, she claimed that obtaining fair funding for Wales was a key concern of hers and her party and that a fair share of the cake could only be obtained by the Lib Dems.
So, how can her position possibly be squared with this week’s announcement by the ConDem coalition that Wales will receive no more funding at all? The cuts will bite as deeply as the Tories insist and with no fair funding to mitigate the worst effects. Some would say that when your party’s leadership in London ignores your position so blatantly, there is only one honourable thing to do…
But irrespective of the fate of individual politicians, are we seeing a new progressive politics? Many of the policies that the Lib Dems have dumped, were precisely those that appeared to define them as left of centre. Most tellingly of all, the first decision of the ConDem coalition was to cut a further £6 billion from public spending, on top of those cuts already announced by Labour.
This tells us where the balance of power lies in the ConDem coalition. The Lib Dems had been certain that deep cuts would threaten economic recovery– something that we in Wales, with our small private sector and our dependence on public sector jobs - understand very well indeed. Leading economists such as Joseph Stiglitz, David Blanchflower and even Thatcher’s economic guru, Patrick Minford agree that the only sustainable way to deal with a deficit is to ensure economic growth. The Lib Dems used to understand that too. But Vince Cable, the new Business Minister now jokes about his own duplicity to the staff of the department he had sought to abolish (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8680746.stm). So now we know that the Lib Dems have thrown away their moral compass and that for crumbs from the Tory table.
The General Election forced the hands of the Lib Dem leadership to make a defining choice. Their choice was to move the centre of UK politics to the right. Only two weeks into this coalition, nobody can spot the difference between Liberals and Tories.
Libs? Huh? What are they good for? Absolutely nothing.
Friday, 14 May 2010
Ymlaen Llanelli!
Nia Griffith, Labour 15,916
Myfanwy Davies, Plaid Cymru 11,215
Christopher Salmon, Conservative 5,381
Myrddin Edwards, Liberal Democrat 3,902
Andrew Marshall, UK Independence Party 1,047
Having had a full week to catch up on my sleep, I thought I'd better share some thoughts on the Llanelli election result with you.
I am delighted to say that the result represents a 4% swing to Plaid from Labour. We achieved the highest ever vote for Plaid in any general election and our share of the vote increased by just under 3.5%. Well done all!
These successes are particularly striking given the exceptionally difficult nature of the election for Plaid across Wales and in Llanelli. Turnout was unusually high at nearly 70%, likely to be due in part to the televised debates that of course excluded Plaid. It is also probable that turnout among traditional Labour supporters was higher due to last-minute scaremongering from Labour politicians including Llanelli’s incumbent MP to vote Labour to keep the Tories out. False assertions that Plaid would form a coalition with the Tories undoubtedly cowed some voters into remaining with Labour.
Plaid’s canvassing returns were unusually strong during the last weeks of the campaign suggesting that a majority of people in Llanelli want to vote Plaid. It seems that this time they felt, faced with the increasing threat of a Conservative administration, that voting Labour was a necessary evil.
It is sad to reflect that despite these convenient local appeals to keep the Tories out, this week Labour then chose to pass on the keys to number 10 to the Tories rather than pursue talks with Plaid and the SNP to spare our communities the worst of the cuts. Locally, leaflets accusing Plaid of wanting to support slash and burn cuts in a Conservative budget will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of voters who have been abandoned to those same cuts by a Labour party keen to pursue its own electoral advantage in opposition.
Of course, we would have liked to have done better and it would have been an honour for me to stand up for Llanelli during what are going to be very tough years but I am very pleased with the result. It shows us gaining ground in the most difficult possible of circumstances. The result provides us with a solid base for the growth of Plaid in Llanelli. The campaign has also allowed us to develop an excellent base of talented and committed activists to help us fight the elections of 2011 and 2012.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me over the past two-and-a-half years of the campaign. I am immensely proud of the work that has been achieved, by members and supporters many of whom were new to politics who wanted to stand together for a better Llanelli. Thanks also to everyone who has sent me messages since the election and yes, I want to continue to be useful in any way I can to help Llanelli and communities like ours across Wales to stand up for ourselves and for each other.
If this election teaches us anything, it is that nobody else will do that for us.
Ymlaen Llanelli!!
Myfanwy Davies, Plaid Cymru 11,215
Christopher Salmon, Conservative 5,381
Myrddin Edwards, Liberal Democrat 3,902
Andrew Marshall, UK Independence Party 1,047
Having had a full week to catch up on my sleep, I thought I'd better share some thoughts on the Llanelli election result with you.
I am delighted to say that the result represents a 4% swing to Plaid from Labour. We achieved the highest ever vote for Plaid in any general election and our share of the vote increased by just under 3.5%. Well done all!
These successes are particularly striking given the exceptionally difficult nature of the election for Plaid across Wales and in Llanelli. Turnout was unusually high at nearly 70%, likely to be due in part to the televised debates that of course excluded Plaid. It is also probable that turnout among traditional Labour supporters was higher due to last-minute scaremongering from Labour politicians including Llanelli’s incumbent MP to vote Labour to keep the Tories out. False assertions that Plaid would form a coalition with the Tories undoubtedly cowed some voters into remaining with Labour.
Plaid’s canvassing returns were unusually strong during the last weeks of the campaign suggesting that a majority of people in Llanelli want to vote Plaid. It seems that this time they felt, faced with the increasing threat of a Conservative administration, that voting Labour was a necessary evil.
It is sad to reflect that despite these convenient local appeals to keep the Tories out, this week Labour then chose to pass on the keys to number 10 to the Tories rather than pursue talks with Plaid and the SNP to spare our communities the worst of the cuts. Locally, leaflets accusing Plaid of wanting to support slash and burn cuts in a Conservative budget will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of voters who have been abandoned to those same cuts by a Labour party keen to pursue its own electoral advantage in opposition.
Of course, we would have liked to have done better and it would have been an honour for me to stand up for Llanelli during what are going to be very tough years but I am very pleased with the result. It shows us gaining ground in the most difficult possible of circumstances. The result provides us with a solid base for the growth of Plaid in Llanelli. The campaign has also allowed us to develop an excellent base of talented and committed activists to help us fight the elections of 2011 and 2012.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me over the past two-and-a-half years of the campaign. I am immensely proud of the work that has been achieved, by members and supporters many of whom were new to politics who wanted to stand together for a better Llanelli. Thanks also to everyone who has sent me messages since the election and yes, I want to continue to be useful in any way I can to help Llanelli and communities like ours across Wales to stand up for ourselves and for each other.
If this election teaches us anything, it is that nobody else will do that for us.
Ymlaen Llanelli!!
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Dafydd Wigley: Myfanwy can win back Llanelli’s missing millions
Plaid Honorary President Dafydd Wigley was in Llanelli yesterday to set out how electing Dr. Myfanwy Davies as the town’s MP, Llanelli’s communities would have the best chance of gaining the millions owed to them by the London Government.
For many years Plaid has been campaigning for Wales to receive its fair share of support from Westminster. During the past year two independent Inquiries have found that Wales is severly underfunded. Over 10 years, Llanelli’s communities should be £240 million richer.
With most polls now predicting a hung Parliament, and Plaid and the SNP expected to gain their largest ever number of seats, the group would be in a key position to negotiate on a fair deal for Llanelli.
Mr Wigley met local councillors and community leaders at La Caprice café bar and spoke to traders in Llanelli market about steps to draw people into the town centre.
Mr Wigley said:
"With all the polls pointing to a hung parliament, this election brings back memories for me. I was much younger and less hard-headed than Myfanwy, when we last had a hung parliament and I was part of Plaid’s negotiating team”.
“Back then, we won compensation from the Government for miners who had become disabled because of dust in their lungs”.
“This time, with a much larger group and with tough, experienced negotiators like Myfanwy, we will be asking for fair funding for Wales at the price of our support to the next Government on issues like the budget.”
“It is high time Llanelli got a fair deal from London and high time to send an MP to London who will put Llanelli’s needs first.”
Myfanwy added:
“On the same day that the Labour party brought back Tony Blair, that most discredited of British politicians to boost their flagging fortunes, I’ve been very pleased to welcome Dafydd Wigley to Llanelli”.
“If there is anyone who can show how Welsh communities can benefit from a Plaid MP, it is Dafydd”.
“Now we are looking forward to a hung parliament, I want to be able to fight for the support Llanelli needs and that has been denied us for so many years”.
“Whatever they may say this close to an election, both major parties plan cuts. Just by getting fair funding, we could protect our schools, hospitals and care homes and help our local economy grow”.
For many years Plaid has been campaigning for Wales to receive its fair share of support from Westminster. During the past year two independent Inquiries have found that Wales is severly underfunded. Over 10 years, Llanelli’s communities should be £240 million richer.
With most polls now predicting a hung Parliament, and Plaid and the SNP expected to gain their largest ever number of seats, the group would be in a key position to negotiate on a fair deal for Llanelli.
Mr Wigley met local councillors and community leaders at La Caprice café bar and spoke to traders in Llanelli market about steps to draw people into the town centre.
Mr Wigley said:
"With all the polls pointing to a hung parliament, this election brings back memories for me. I was much younger and less hard-headed than Myfanwy, when we last had a hung parliament and I was part of Plaid’s negotiating team”.
“Back then, we won compensation from the Government for miners who had become disabled because of dust in their lungs”.
“This time, with a much larger group and with tough, experienced negotiators like Myfanwy, we will be asking for fair funding for Wales at the price of our support to the next Government on issues like the budget.”
“It is high time Llanelli got a fair deal from London and high time to send an MP to London who will put Llanelli’s needs first.”
Myfanwy added:
“On the same day that the Labour party brought back Tony Blair, that most discredited of British politicians to boost their flagging fortunes, I’ve been very pleased to welcome Dafydd Wigley to Llanelli”.
“If there is anyone who can show how Welsh communities can benefit from a Plaid MP, it is Dafydd”.
“Now we are looking forward to a hung parliament, I want to be able to fight for the support Llanelli needs and that has been denied us for so many years”.
“Whatever they may say this close to an election, both major parties plan cuts. Just by getting fair funding, we could protect our schools, hospitals and care homes and help our local economy grow”.
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Myfanwy and Helen Mary welcome u-turn on support for older and disabled people after pressure from Plaid
Dr. Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Llanelli and local Plaid AM, Helen Mary Jones, have welcomed a u-turn from Labour over support for older disabled people. Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance previously been under threat to pay for Government schemes in England.
The Government has now promised that they will no longer be looking to change them in the next Parliament.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary had supported local disabilities and pensions campaigners in fighting the threat and had worked closely with Plaid colleagues in Westminster to oppose these changes which would have seen thousands of elderly and vulnerable people in Llanelli between £65 and £75 per week worse off on average.
Dr. Davies said:
“This U-turn doesn’t come a moment too soon– although some might question its timing just before a general election”.
Across Llanelli, 4,000 people depend on Attendance allowance while 8,000 people depend on Disability Living Allowance.
“These people are all either disabled or over the age of 65, the groups least likely to be able to live on their own and look after themselves.
“The proposals that Labour made last summer put enormous pressure on our most vulnerable people. It is wrong that so many of them and their families have had to live with the uncertainty about how they would manage to live independently if this support was taken away”.
“It was unacceptable that the Government suggested these cruel cuts in the first place”.
“They are not doing our most vulnerable people a favour by removing the threat that they themselves made.”
Helen Mary added:
“We have fought these changes since they were first suggested and we have been supporting local disability rights and pensioners groups in putting pressure on the Government to change its mind”.
“It is clear that the combined pressure has helped the Government towards this last minute conversion”.
“We should not have needed to defend support for the most vulnerable but, time and again, we have had to do so. Decisions on support for our most vulnerable need to be made by the Assembly in Cardiff so that we can avoid the distress caused to so many older and disabled people by these cruel cuts initially planned by Labour.”
The Government has now promised that they will no longer be looking to change them in the next Parliament.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary had supported local disabilities and pensions campaigners in fighting the threat and had worked closely with Plaid colleagues in Westminster to oppose these changes which would have seen thousands of elderly and vulnerable people in Llanelli between £65 and £75 per week worse off on average.
Dr. Davies said:
“This U-turn doesn’t come a moment too soon– although some might question its timing just before a general election”.
Across Llanelli, 4,000 people depend on Attendance allowance while 8,000 people depend on Disability Living Allowance.
“These people are all either disabled or over the age of 65, the groups least likely to be able to live on their own and look after themselves.
“The proposals that Labour made last summer put enormous pressure on our most vulnerable people. It is wrong that so many of them and their families have had to live with the uncertainty about how they would manage to live independently if this support was taken away”.
“It was unacceptable that the Government suggested these cruel cuts in the first place”.
“They are not doing our most vulnerable people a favour by removing the threat that they themselves made.”
Helen Mary added:
“We have fought these changes since they were first suggested and we have been supporting local disability rights and pensioners groups in putting pressure on the Government to change its mind”.
“It is clear that the combined pressure has helped the Government towards this last minute conversion”.
“We should not have needed to defend support for the most vulnerable but, time and again, we have had to do so. Decisions on support for our most vulnerable need to be made by the Assembly in Cardiff so that we can avoid the distress caused to so many older and disabled people by these cruel cuts initially planned by Labour.”
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Myfanwy and Helen Mary back local businesses saying ‘Fuel duty hike must be postponed’
Plaid Cymru’s Myfanwy Davies and Helen Mary Jones have today (23/03) called for a freeze on fuel duty ahead of the Budget on Wednesday.
Fuel duty is set to rise by 2.55 pence per litre from April 2010 (1% above the rate of inflation) which will cost the average family an extra £200 a year and cause further problems to small businesses already struggling with higher fuel duties. Plaid has insisted that this duty hike should be postponed.
Campaign organisations such as the Road Haulage Association have come out in support of Plaid’s calls for a fair fuel duty regulator. Under such a plan, an unexpected spike in petrol prices would lead to a freeze on fuel duty.
MPs from Plaid and the SNP have tabled a an official statement urging a freeze on fuel duty and repeating calls for the establishment of a fuel duty regulator.
Arwyn Price of Gwynne Price Coaches in Trimsaran said:
“This has been our family business since 1956 and times have seldom been harder. I received the new diesel prices this morning, and even with a bulk discount, we will be paying nearly 10% more that in July last year and that is before the tax increase.
The Government is already raising fuel costs above the rate of inflation. When fuel cost goes up as it has, the least they can do is freeze the tax increase. If they don’t re-think in tomorrow’s budget, we are going to find things even more difficult”.
Myfanwy said:
“It is our communities - in and around - Llanelli that will feel the pinch of this fuel hike. Hard-working families are struggling to run a car, but these sky high fuel taxes also impact on prices in stores as costs rise to deliver food and other products to the shops. Our local businesses such as Gwynne Price Coaches and our many taxi companies make an enormous contribution to our local economy and will find it even more difficult to make ends meet”.
“After a year that has seen rocketing fuel prices, it is utterly irresponsible to ad to the burden facing local businesses and working families. Once again, the Labour Government is completely out of touch with communities like ours”.
Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones added:
“This is just punishing ordinary people for a banking system failure that the London government helped to create. Our London-based friends simply don’t seem to understand the impact that rising fuel prices are having on ordinary people and communities.”
Plaid’s Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd MP added:
“Rising fuel duty prices are already crippling industry – but it is also an unfair burden on struggling families, small businesses, rural areas in particular, and also sectors such as the emergency services will be hit especially hard by this.
“We will continue to fight this fuel hike and urge the introduction of a fuel duty regulator at the Budget to ensure price stability as well as lower fuel taxes.”
Fuel duty is set to rise by 2.55 pence per litre from April 2010 (1% above the rate of inflation) which will cost the average family an extra £200 a year and cause further problems to small businesses already struggling with higher fuel duties. Plaid has insisted that this duty hike should be postponed.
Campaign organisations such as the Road Haulage Association have come out in support of Plaid’s calls for a fair fuel duty regulator. Under such a plan, an unexpected spike in petrol prices would lead to a freeze on fuel duty.
MPs from Plaid and the SNP have tabled a an official statement urging a freeze on fuel duty and repeating calls for the establishment of a fuel duty regulator.
Arwyn Price of Gwynne Price Coaches in Trimsaran said:
“This has been our family business since 1956 and times have seldom been harder. I received the new diesel prices this morning, and even with a bulk discount, we will be paying nearly 10% more that in July last year and that is before the tax increase.
The Government is already raising fuel costs above the rate of inflation. When fuel cost goes up as it has, the least they can do is freeze the tax increase. If they don’t re-think in tomorrow’s budget, we are going to find things even more difficult”.
Myfanwy said:
“It is our communities - in and around - Llanelli that will feel the pinch of this fuel hike. Hard-working families are struggling to run a car, but these sky high fuel taxes also impact on prices in stores as costs rise to deliver food and other products to the shops. Our local businesses such as Gwynne Price Coaches and our many taxi companies make an enormous contribution to our local economy and will find it even more difficult to make ends meet”.
“After a year that has seen rocketing fuel prices, it is utterly irresponsible to ad to the burden facing local businesses and working families. Once again, the Labour Government is completely out of touch with communities like ours”.
Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones added:
“This is just punishing ordinary people for a banking system failure that the London government helped to create. Our London-based friends simply don’t seem to understand the impact that rising fuel prices are having on ordinary people and communities.”
Plaid’s Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd MP added:
“Rising fuel duty prices are already crippling industry – but it is also an unfair burden on struggling families, small businesses, rural areas in particular, and also sectors such as the emergency services will be hit especially hard by this.
“We will continue to fight this fuel hike and urge the introduction of a fuel duty regulator at the Budget to ensure price stability as well as lower fuel taxes.”
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Myfanwy and Helen Mary take fight to save Llanelli Bingo Club to London
Plaid’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Llanelli, Myfanwy Davies and local AM Helen Mary Jones are backing Bingo players at Llanelli’s Argos Bingo club as they ask the Chancellor to take the last chance to scrap a tax hike from 15 to 20% on Bingo that may put the club’s future at risk.
Tomorrow (18/03), Myfanwy will join Bingo players from Llanelli as they present over 500 signed letters from local people in Llanelli to Treasury officials in Westminster. The letters, prepared by Myfanwy and Helen Mary, ask the chancellor to use the Spring Budget on March 24th, to scrap the tax hike.
Llanelli’s Bingo players plan to dress as daffodils and giant bingo balls and will protest against the tax hike in Parliament Square from 2.15 tomorrow afternoon. They plan to present the letters to the Treasury later in the afternoon.
Myfanwy said: “The last thing Llanelli needs is to loose the Argos Club. It is a place to meet and to socialise, particularly for older people, and it provides jobs in the town centre. Like many town centre businesses, the Argos Club has seen fewer customers coming through the doors and at a time like this, it deserves Government help - not this unfair tax-hike.
I hope the Chancellor will take this last chance to show that he understands communities like ours.”
Helen Mary said: “This is an unjust tax on people’s enjoyment. It is in hard times that you can tell what a Government’s priorities are. The Labour Government and it’s local MP, who voted to keep the tax increase last summer, have very different priorities from ours. But we hope that the letters will demonstrate to the Chancellor the depth of feeling against the tax”.
Nigel Griffiths, Manager of the Argos Bingo Club said: “We hope very much that the Government will think again about raising the tax. After all, if it drives us all out of business, it will not be able to collect the tax in any case”.
Tomorrow (18/03), Myfanwy will join Bingo players from Llanelli as they present over 500 signed letters from local people in Llanelli to Treasury officials in Westminster. The letters, prepared by Myfanwy and Helen Mary, ask the chancellor to use the Spring Budget on March 24th, to scrap the tax hike.
Llanelli’s Bingo players plan to dress as daffodils and giant bingo balls and will protest against the tax hike in Parliament Square from 2.15 tomorrow afternoon. They plan to present the letters to the Treasury later in the afternoon.
Myfanwy said: “The last thing Llanelli needs is to loose the Argos Club. It is a place to meet and to socialise, particularly for older people, and it provides jobs in the town centre. Like many town centre businesses, the Argos Club has seen fewer customers coming through the doors and at a time like this, it deserves Government help - not this unfair tax-hike.
I hope the Chancellor will take this last chance to show that he understands communities like ours.”
Helen Mary said: “This is an unjust tax on people’s enjoyment. It is in hard times that you can tell what a Government’s priorities are. The Labour Government and it’s local MP, who voted to keep the tax increase last summer, have very different priorities from ours. But we hope that the letters will demonstrate to the Chancellor the depth of feeling against the tax”.
Nigel Griffiths, Manager of the Argos Bingo Club said: “We hope very much that the Government will think again about raising the tax. After all, if it drives us all out of business, it will not be able to collect the tax in any case”.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Myfanwy and Helen Mary back Llanelli Bingo players in fight against unfair tax
Plaid’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Llanelli, Myfanwy Davies and local AM Helen Mary Jones are backing Bingo players at Llanelli’s Argos Bingo club as they ask the Chancellor to reconsider a tax hike on Bingo that may put the club’s future in jeopardy. Myfanwy visited Argos Bingo Club on Monday March 1st to hand over letters to the Chancellor for bingo players to sign and return to them.
Last Summer the Labour Government announced it would drastically increase taxes on Bingo while taxes on all other forms of gambling would remain the same. Llanelli’s Bingo players travelled down to Westminster to protest against this unfair treatment. Myfanwy and Plaid MPs met with the protesters and offered their support. In contrast to Llanelli’s Labour MP, who voted for the tax increase, Plaid MPs have consistently voted against this unfair tax.
Nonetheless, tax on bingo is still increasing from 15-20% and will severely effect clubs such as the Argos in Llanelli. The last chance for the Government to review the decision will be at the Spring Budget and so Myfanwy and Helen Mary want to be sure that the Chancellor understands the depth of opposition to the changes in Llanelli before he makes those decisions.
Myfanwy said: “The last thing Llanelli needs is to loose the Argos Club. It is a place to meet and to socialise, particularly for older people, and it provides jobs in the town centre. Like many town centre businesses, the Argos Club has seen fewer customers coming through the doors and at a time like this, it deserves Government help - not this unfair tax-hike.
Why should casinos in London still be taxed at the original rate and the future of our Bingo club be put at risk? I hope the Chancellor will take this last chance to show that he understands communities like ours.”
Helen Mary said: “This is an unjust tax on people’s enjoyment. It is in hard times that you can tell what a Government’s priorities are. The Labour Government and it’s local MP, who voted to keep the tax increase last summer, have very different priorities from ours. But we hope that the letters will demonstrate to the Chancellor the depth of feeling against the tax and that he will reconsider adding this additional burden to one of our landmark town-centre businesses”.
Nigel Griffiths, Manager of the Argos Bingo Club said: “These have been very difficult times. Particularly during January, we were seeing very few of our usual customers. We hope very much that the Government will think again about raising the tax. After all, if it drives us all out of business, it will not be able to collect the tax in any case”.
Copies of the letter have been left at the Argos Club and will be presented to Elfyn Llwyd, the leader of the Plaid Parliamentary Group, when he visits Llanelli next Monday (15th)
Last Summer the Labour Government announced it would drastically increase taxes on Bingo while taxes on all other forms of gambling would remain the same. Llanelli’s Bingo players travelled down to Westminster to protest against this unfair treatment. Myfanwy and Plaid MPs met with the protesters and offered their support. In contrast to Llanelli’s Labour MP, who voted for the tax increase, Plaid MPs have consistently voted against this unfair tax.
Nonetheless, tax on bingo is still increasing from 15-20% and will severely effect clubs such as the Argos in Llanelli. The last chance for the Government to review the decision will be at the Spring Budget and so Myfanwy and Helen Mary want to be sure that the Chancellor understands the depth of opposition to the changes in Llanelli before he makes those decisions.
Myfanwy said: “The last thing Llanelli needs is to loose the Argos Club. It is a place to meet and to socialise, particularly for older people, and it provides jobs in the town centre. Like many town centre businesses, the Argos Club has seen fewer customers coming through the doors and at a time like this, it deserves Government help - not this unfair tax-hike.
Why should casinos in London still be taxed at the original rate and the future of our Bingo club be put at risk? I hope the Chancellor will take this last chance to show that he understands communities like ours.”
Helen Mary said: “This is an unjust tax on people’s enjoyment. It is in hard times that you can tell what a Government’s priorities are. The Labour Government and it’s local MP, who voted to keep the tax increase last summer, have very different priorities from ours. But we hope that the letters will demonstrate to the Chancellor the depth of feeling against the tax and that he will reconsider adding this additional burden to one of our landmark town-centre businesses”.
Nigel Griffiths, Manager of the Argos Bingo Club said: “These have been very difficult times. Particularly during January, we were seeing very few of our usual customers. We hope very much that the Government will think again about raising the tax. After all, if it drives us all out of business, it will not be able to collect the tax in any case”.
Copies of the letter have been left at the Argos Club and will be presented to Elfyn Llwyd, the leader of the Plaid Parliamentary Group, when he visits Llanelli next Monday (15th)
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Myfanwy and Helen Mary raise concerns about addiction support for former soldiers
Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Llanelli and local Plaid AM, Helen Mary Jones, have raised concerns about support for service men and women in dealing with a drug and alcohol problems once they leave the Army.
Last week in the House of Commons (22/02), the Armed Forces Minister, announced that in 2008 and 2009 over a thousand soldiers had been discharged as a result of positive drug tests.Today (04/03), following a request from Myfanwy, Elfyn Llwyd, the leader of the Plaid Parliamentary group submitted questions to the Minister asking what assistance was offered to these soldiers with a known drug habit once they had been discharged and what other help was available to them to help them adapt to civilian life.
Myfanwy said: “We are very worried about these figures because high levels of addiction are reported among former soldiers. It appears that for some, addiction problems may start when they are still in the Army and faced with the strain of a difficult and dangerous job with much less time between tours of duty that was recently the case.
The Army has a responsibility towards its soldiers while they are serving, but they also need support as they adapt to the difficulties of civilian life. How much more difficult must this transition be for a former soldier when he or she has a drugs problem? I am very pleased that my colleague Elfyn Llwyd was able to ask the Minister these important questions. Ex-soldiers and their families deserve our support.”
Helen Mary said: “Plaid in Westminster has worked very hard to get support for our former soldiers. These figures mean that we need to be pressing for the Army to take more responsibility for providing help with drug problems to former soldiers in civilian life”.
Elfyn Llwyd, said: “It is all very well for the Minister to say that the Army does not tolerate drug use but we need to know what assistance is offered to the soldiers who test positive for drugs when they are discharged. I believe that drug abuse is a growing problem within the Forces and particularly among former soldiers. I’m afraid this problem may continue to grow and so I look forward to hearing what the Minister intends to do to deal with this very serious problem.”
Last week in the House of Commons (22/02), the Armed Forces Minister, announced that in 2008 and 2009 over a thousand soldiers had been discharged as a result of positive drug tests.Today (04/03), following a request from Myfanwy, Elfyn Llwyd, the leader of the Plaid Parliamentary group submitted questions to the Minister asking what assistance was offered to these soldiers with a known drug habit once they had been discharged and what other help was available to them to help them adapt to civilian life.
Myfanwy said: “We are very worried about these figures because high levels of addiction are reported among former soldiers. It appears that for some, addiction problems may start when they are still in the Army and faced with the strain of a difficult and dangerous job with much less time between tours of duty that was recently the case.
The Army has a responsibility towards its soldiers while they are serving, but they also need support as they adapt to the difficulties of civilian life. How much more difficult must this transition be for a former soldier when he or she has a drugs problem? I am very pleased that my colleague Elfyn Llwyd was able to ask the Minister these important questions. Ex-soldiers and their families deserve our support.”
Helen Mary said: “Plaid in Westminster has worked very hard to get support for our former soldiers. These figures mean that we need to be pressing for the Army to take more responsibility for providing help with drug problems to former soldiers in civilian life”.
Elfyn Llwyd, said: “It is all very well for the Minister to say that the Army does not tolerate drug use but we need to know what assistance is offered to the soldiers who test positive for drugs when they are discharged. I believe that drug abuse is a growing problem within the Forces and particularly among former soldiers. I’m afraid this problem may continue to grow and so I look forward to hearing what the Minister intends to do to deal with this very serious problem.”
Monday, 22 February 2010
Myfanwy and Helen Mary push for long-term solutions to flooding in Westminster and Cardiff
Plaid’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Llanelli, Myfanwy Davies and local AM Helen Mary Jones have been pushing for long term solutions to flooding problems in Llanelli. Residents often suffer flooding because the sewage system does not have the capacity to drain extra rain water during severe weather.
At a meeting on the 17th of November, Helen Mary and Myfanwy met with Senior Operational Managers from Welsh Water and were told that at that time, the company had plans to invest up to £6 million pounds in building new storm water drains in Llanelli. The new plans would increase drainage during and after heavy rain. Later that month, on the 26th of November, Ofwat published price limits that would appear to have had some impact on these plans and on the 14th January, Dwr Cymru publicly released a figure of £2.7 million for investment in the storm water drainage programme in Llanelli.
Welsh Water is a not-for-profit company and as such all its profits are used to maintain infrastructure and prevent floods. While cost-savings can be made through efficiencies, there are serious concerns about the effect of the regulator’s decision on these crucial plans for Llanelli.
Myfanwy contacted Elfyn Llwyd MP, leader of the Plaid Cymru Parliamentary Group to ask him to raise the issue with the Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain. Mr Llwyd asked the Secretary of State if he agreed that Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water should be allowed to invest in infrastructure such as the flood prevention work that had been planned for Llanelli but that appears to have been adversely effected by Ofwat’s decision on what represents value for money.
Llanelli’s Labour MP Nia Griffiths who was present at the time, did not make any comment on the discussion.
Myfanwy said: “I am very pleased that Mr. Llwyd was able to respond so quickly to our concerns. Flooding is a terrible event and is happening more and more often across Llanelli.
I fully welcome Welsh Water’s current plans for investment in Llanelli. Nearly £3 million of investment in our storm drains will make a difference and I hope that sum can be increased. There are concerns about the possible effect of Ofwat’s decision on the larger programme of investment that was previously described to Helen Mary and myself. We are very happy to discuss the exact figures with managers at Welsh Water/Dwr Cymru who are surprisingly reticent about that discussion now. We are of course, sensitive to their need to avoid conflict with Ofwat.
Our aim here, is to make sure that Llanelli gets the investment it needs and it can’t be right that Welsh Water is being judged in the same way as a company run by shareholders because as a not-for-profit company, it has to use income from customers to maintain and improve drains such as those we need so badly in Llanelli.
It looks very much as if we are being denied work to prevent floods based on a regulator that is judging a different kind of company.
Working with Helen Mary and the Plaid Parliamentary group I hope we can sort out this mess to prevent flooding here and across Wales”
Helen Mary said: “The first step has now been taken towards allowing Welsh Water to invest in Llanelli as was described to Myfanwy and myself before Christmas. I sat on the committee that established Welsh Water as a not-for-profit company and so I am delighted that we are finally making progress towards letting it invest properly in Wales and managing it according to what it is meant to do – which is to develop and maintain good services in the long-term”.
Elfyn Llwyd said: “Flooding is a major concern in Llanelli and I know that Myfanwy has been supporting local residents in dealing with issues such as insurance and flood protection and has also been involved in more long term local solutions. When Myfanwy contacted me to discuss what appear to be significantly reduced plans by Welsh Water to deal with storm water drainage, it was clear that we would need to act in Parliament to make sure that scheme and many like it across Wales are funded.
Given the seriousness of flooding in Llanelli and the obvious need to look at how Welsh Water is regulated, I am surprised that Llanelli’s MP did not raise this issue herself.”
At a meeting on the 17th of November, Helen Mary and Myfanwy met with Senior Operational Managers from Welsh Water and were told that at that time, the company had plans to invest up to £6 million pounds in building new storm water drains in Llanelli. The new plans would increase drainage during and after heavy rain. Later that month, on the 26th of November, Ofwat published price limits that would appear to have had some impact on these plans and on the 14th January, Dwr Cymru publicly released a figure of £2.7 million for investment in the storm water drainage programme in Llanelli.
Welsh Water is a not-for-profit company and as such all its profits are used to maintain infrastructure and prevent floods. While cost-savings can be made through efficiencies, there are serious concerns about the effect of the regulator’s decision on these crucial plans for Llanelli.
Myfanwy contacted Elfyn Llwyd MP, leader of the Plaid Cymru Parliamentary Group to ask him to raise the issue with the Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain. Mr Llwyd asked the Secretary of State if he agreed that Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water should be allowed to invest in infrastructure such as the flood prevention work that had been planned for Llanelli but that appears to have been adversely effected by Ofwat’s decision on what represents value for money.
Llanelli’s Labour MP Nia Griffiths who was present at the time, did not make any comment on the discussion.
Myfanwy said: “I am very pleased that Mr. Llwyd was able to respond so quickly to our concerns. Flooding is a terrible event and is happening more and more often across Llanelli.
I fully welcome Welsh Water’s current plans for investment in Llanelli. Nearly £3 million of investment in our storm drains will make a difference and I hope that sum can be increased. There are concerns about the possible effect of Ofwat’s decision on the larger programme of investment that was previously described to Helen Mary and myself. We are very happy to discuss the exact figures with managers at Welsh Water/Dwr Cymru who are surprisingly reticent about that discussion now. We are of course, sensitive to their need to avoid conflict with Ofwat.
Our aim here, is to make sure that Llanelli gets the investment it needs and it can’t be right that Welsh Water is being judged in the same way as a company run by shareholders because as a not-for-profit company, it has to use income from customers to maintain and improve drains such as those we need so badly in Llanelli.
It looks very much as if we are being denied work to prevent floods based on a regulator that is judging a different kind of company.
Working with Helen Mary and the Plaid Parliamentary group I hope we can sort out this mess to prevent flooding here and across Wales”
Helen Mary said: “The first step has now been taken towards allowing Welsh Water to invest in Llanelli as was described to Myfanwy and myself before Christmas. I sat on the committee that established Welsh Water as a not-for-profit company and so I am delighted that we are finally making progress towards letting it invest properly in Wales and managing it according to what it is meant to do – which is to develop and maintain good services in the long-term”.
Elfyn Llwyd said: “Flooding is a major concern in Llanelli and I know that Myfanwy has been supporting local residents in dealing with issues such as insurance and flood protection and has also been involved in more long term local solutions. When Myfanwy contacted me to discuss what appear to be significantly reduced plans by Welsh Water to deal with storm water drainage, it was clear that we would need to act in Parliament to make sure that scheme and many like it across Wales are funded.
Given the seriousness of flooding in Llanelli and the obvious need to look at how Welsh Water is regulated, I am surprised that Llanelli’s MP did not raise this issue herself.”
Monday, 25 January 2010
Plaid : Raise alcohol price to save the traditional pub
Minimum pricing on alcohol should be introduced to save local traditional pubs says Plaid AM Helen Mary Jones and Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Parliamentary Candidate for LLanelli.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary want to see the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol to help traditional pubs in their battle against cheap supermarket offers. As well as helping the troubled pub industry, they believe that raising the price of cheap alcohol would help deter youngsters from binge drinking and reduce crime levels.
Many local landlords have been raising their concerns with Helen Mary and Myfanwy, and the difficulties they’re facing as they fight to compete with the low alcohol prices in supermarkets.
Both Helen Mary and Myfanwy have welcomed recommendations in a recent report by the House of Commons Health Committee to introduce a minimum price for alcohol. Other recommendations included restrictions on advertising visible to children and a ban on alcohol ads on social networking websites.
Plaid’s Helen Mary and Myfanwy will be sending out a questionnaire in the next few weeks to all the pubs within the Llanelli constituency, asking if they’d like to see the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol.
Plaid‘s Helen Mary Jones said:
"There is very strong evidence from the British Medical Association, amongst others, that introducing a minimum price on alcohol can make a real difference in tackling the binge drinking culture.
The current culture of low prices in supermarkets is also very bad for our community pubs who can’t compete on prices, and who often find themselves in a situation where customers will have had a lot to drink before they arrive at the pub, and then responsible landlords might even be in a position of feeling that they can’t serve them.
We’re going to be surveying all pubs in the Llanelli area to find out their views on a minimum price for alcohol, and other steps that they’d like to see Government in Cardiff or London taking to support their businesses.
The community pub has an important role to play and we’ve lost too many of them in recent years. I want to see what we can do to support the community pubs that we have left here in the Llanelli area, and to help ensure that they have a prosperous future.”
Myfanwy added:
"We are seeing worryingly high levels of alcoholism in Llanelli as people tend to drink more on their own at home and tend to buy much stronger drinks than they would have in the past. It is so easy to buy very cheap vodka and other spirits from supermarkets and the low cost encourages people to drink much more as they 'frontload' or drink before going out for the evening.
Neighbourhood pubs can play a very important role in helping people drink responsibly because they are about more than just drinking. They are places to meet and for older people in particular they offer company and social support.
We know that our neighbourhood pubs are facing a very difficult time and we want to be able to offer them practical help.”
Myfanwy and Helen Mary want to see the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol to help traditional pubs in their battle against cheap supermarket offers. As well as helping the troubled pub industry, they believe that raising the price of cheap alcohol would help deter youngsters from binge drinking and reduce crime levels.
Many local landlords have been raising their concerns with Helen Mary and Myfanwy, and the difficulties they’re facing as they fight to compete with the low alcohol prices in supermarkets.
Both Helen Mary and Myfanwy have welcomed recommendations in a recent report by the House of Commons Health Committee to introduce a minimum price for alcohol. Other recommendations included restrictions on advertising visible to children and a ban on alcohol ads on social networking websites.
Plaid’s Helen Mary and Myfanwy will be sending out a questionnaire in the next few weeks to all the pubs within the Llanelli constituency, asking if they’d like to see the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol.
Plaid‘s Helen Mary Jones said:
"There is very strong evidence from the British Medical Association, amongst others, that introducing a minimum price on alcohol can make a real difference in tackling the binge drinking culture.
The current culture of low prices in supermarkets is also very bad for our community pubs who can’t compete on prices, and who often find themselves in a situation where customers will have had a lot to drink before they arrive at the pub, and then responsible landlords might even be in a position of feeling that they can’t serve them.
We’re going to be surveying all pubs in the Llanelli area to find out their views on a minimum price for alcohol, and other steps that they’d like to see Government in Cardiff or London taking to support their businesses.
The community pub has an important role to play and we’ve lost too many of them in recent years. I want to see what we can do to support the community pubs that we have left here in the Llanelli area, and to help ensure that they have a prosperous future.”
Myfanwy added:
"We are seeing worryingly high levels of alcoholism in Llanelli as people tend to drink more on their own at home and tend to buy much stronger drinks than they would have in the past. It is so easy to buy very cheap vodka and other spirits from supermarkets and the low cost encourages people to drink much more as they 'frontload' or drink before going out for the evening.
Neighbourhood pubs can play a very important role in helping people drink responsibly because they are about more than just drinking. They are places to meet and for older people in particular they offer company and social support.
We know that our neighbourhood pubs are facing a very difficult time and we want to be able to offer them practical help.”
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Pensioners in Llanelli would benefit from Plaid’s proposals for a “Living Pension”
Over 17,000 pensioners in Llanelli would benefit from Plaid Cymru’s General Election promise to increase the state benison by 30% says local AM Helen Mary Jones and Plaid's Parliamentary Candidate Myfanwy Davies.
Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones outlined his party’s proposal in the forthcoming General Election for a “Living Pension” during a keynote speech in the Cynon Valley last Monday. Their pledge comes as figures show that £5.4 billion of benefits for older people are left unclaimed in the UK each year, because pensioners find the process of applying for Pension credits complicated and intrusive.
Plaid is campaigning for a Living Pension, which would mean that all pensioners get the increased pension - which next year would amount to £202 per week for a couple. The commitment would be phased in gradually, starting with the oldest and most vulnerable pensioners over 80 years old.
Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones said:
"With a shocking 74% rise in cold weather deaths in Wales last year, pensioners poverty and protecting key public services must take priority over bankers’ bonuses, nuclear weapons and ID cards.
The Tories want unfair taxes, New Labour want to keep the bankers’ bonus culture and the Lib Dems’ credibility went out of the window when Clegg admitted they had been making promises they could not afford all along.
"Our policy is affordable as the policy would be phased in gradually, with the oldest and most vulnerable pensioners benefiting firstly. We in Plaid Cymru know that many pensioners in poverty do not apply for a pension credit, and we also know that many pensioners face huge personal care bills.”
Myfanwy Davies added:
"Our Living Pension scheme will ensure a decent income for pensioners starting with the oldest. It is the right thing to do but it is also a practical step to help the most vulnerable people in our communities and to direct much-needed spending to the small local businesses where older people tend to shop.
Labour and the Tories are falling over themselves to cut vital public spending while we are still in recession. That is the economics of the madhouse. Public spending is the only thing keeping the economy afloat as things stand and we must stand by the most vulnerable in our communities when times are hard."
Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones outlined his party’s proposal in the forthcoming General Election for a “Living Pension” during a keynote speech in the Cynon Valley last Monday. Their pledge comes as figures show that £5.4 billion of benefits for older people are left unclaimed in the UK each year, because pensioners find the process of applying for Pension credits complicated and intrusive.
Plaid is campaigning for a Living Pension, which would mean that all pensioners get the increased pension - which next year would amount to £202 per week for a couple. The commitment would be phased in gradually, starting with the oldest and most vulnerable pensioners over 80 years old.
Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones said:
"With a shocking 74% rise in cold weather deaths in Wales last year, pensioners poverty and protecting key public services must take priority over bankers’ bonuses, nuclear weapons and ID cards.
The Tories want unfair taxes, New Labour want to keep the bankers’ bonus culture and the Lib Dems’ credibility went out of the window when Clegg admitted they had been making promises they could not afford all along.
"Our policy is affordable as the policy would be phased in gradually, with the oldest and most vulnerable pensioners benefiting firstly. We in Plaid Cymru know that many pensioners in poverty do not apply for a pension credit, and we also know that many pensioners face huge personal care bills.”
Myfanwy Davies added:
"Our Living Pension scheme will ensure a decent income for pensioners starting with the oldest. It is the right thing to do but it is also a practical step to help the most vulnerable people in our communities and to direct much-needed spending to the small local businesses where older people tend to shop.
Labour and the Tories are falling over themselves to cut vital public spending while we are still in recession. That is the economics of the madhouse. Public spending is the only thing keeping the economy afloat as things stand and we must stand by the most vulnerable in our communities when times are hard."
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Plaid slams Lib-Dem policy that would cut Llanelli’s Westminster seat
Local AM Helen Mary Jones and Plaid’s Parliamentary Candidate for Llanelli Myfanwy Davies have attacked the Liberal Democrat’s plans to stop Llanelli from being represented in Westminster.
The Lib Dems' amendment to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, due to be debated next week in the House of Commons, has given a revealing indication of the Lib Dem’s distorted priorities.
Ms Jones said that MPs' powers should be transferred to Wales before their number is cut.
The Lib Dems’ plans would threaten Welsh representation in Westminster, and would leave Llanelli without a voice in London.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
"These plans show how the Lib Dems are trying to weaken Welsh voices at Westminster. Their proposals show that there would only be 4 MP’s to represent the West Wales, meaning that Llanelli would lose out. People need to understand that Llanelli has it own needs, and therefore needs it own voice.
“We need an MP to represent Llanelli in Westminster – a Plaid MP who will stand up and more importantly, stay loyal to the local community.”
Myfanwy Davies added:
“If the number of Welsh MPs are reduced now, who will be standing up for Welsh interests in London when key decisions are taken, and more importantly who will be standing up for Llanelli?
Once the National Assembly has fuller control over Welsh affairs, then there will be a better case to look at the number of MPs we have. Until then, cutting the number of Welsh MPs will only weaken our voice at that level, especially in somewhere like Llanelli.
Llanelli is a strong and close-knit community. I know that people would be up in arms about this. Llanelli's voice clearly isn't understood by Lib Dems."
The Lib Dems' amendment to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, due to be debated next week in the House of Commons, has given a revealing indication of the Lib Dem’s distorted priorities.
Ms Jones said that MPs' powers should be transferred to Wales before their number is cut.
The Lib Dems’ plans would threaten Welsh representation in Westminster, and would leave Llanelli without a voice in London.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
"These plans show how the Lib Dems are trying to weaken Welsh voices at Westminster. Their proposals show that there would only be 4 MP’s to represent the West Wales, meaning that Llanelli would lose out. People need to understand that Llanelli has it own needs, and therefore needs it own voice.
“We need an MP to represent Llanelli in Westminster – a Plaid MP who will stand up and more importantly, stay loyal to the local community.”
Myfanwy Davies added:
“If the number of Welsh MPs are reduced now, who will be standing up for Welsh interests in London when key decisions are taken, and more importantly who will be standing up for Llanelli?
Once the National Assembly has fuller control over Welsh affairs, then there will be a better case to look at the number of MPs we have. Until then, cutting the number of Welsh MPs will only weaken our voice at that level, especially in somewhere like Llanelli.
Llanelli is a strong and close-knit community. I know that people would be up in arms about this. Llanelli's voice clearly isn't understood by Lib Dems."
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Battle to stop homes closing steps up a gear
Angry relatives of vulnerable residents have vowed to step up their campaign to fight care home closure plans in Llanelli. If the County Council plans to shut both Caemaen and St Paul 's Residential Care Homes go ahead, over 50 elderly vulnerable people will face eviction from their homes, and even more jobs will be lost in the area.
Carmarthenshire County Council announced draft plans to shut four Care Homes in Carmarthenshire back in November, as part of their ten year plan to finance new home care services in the area.
In the latest public meeting held on Friday, angry campaigners once again raised their concerns, and it was agreed that advocates for the Residents will be arranged. The Caemaen and St Paul ’s Groups also agreed to merge into one Action Committee in order to focus more effectively.
Myfanwy and Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones have supported campaigners in drafting letters which will be be sent to various Councillors from members of the Groups in the next few days. Helen Mary will also be meeting with the Health Minister Edwina Hart and the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas this week to discuss the issue.
Many of the resident's relatives are very worried about the serious effects a move could have on the health of their loved ones. This is referred to as ‘Transfer Trauma’ and it is estimated that at least 30% of people moved from one home to another die within one year.
Deryk Cundy, whose father is cared for at Caemaen Residential Care Home said:
"We are determined to fight these outrageous plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls. This is yet another example of our vulnerable elderly suffering as a result of the Council's efforts to save money. How would you feel if you were to be evicted for paying your rent?
Already the Council are changing the functionality of Llys Y Bryn, behind the Councillor's backs, by replacing Residential Care Places with 12 Convalescence Beds and moving 7 Respite Beds that were there to St Pauls. This is in effect reducing the Residential Care places by another 19 places - theft by stealth. The Council are trying to sell off the "family silver" - the Care Homes that we are going to need in the future.
Even according to the Council figures, in 6 years we will have another 10% of the elderly needing Care places - in Llanelli that means an extra 103 places - if we close our Care Homes in Llanelli alone we will be short of 162 places in 2016 with potentially disastrous results for our whole community.
I believe that everyone should have the right to high levels of care and safety, now and in the future, for me, you, your families and your friends. The people we are trying to protect here are the vulnerable, dependant people who cannot look after themselves.
We have some superb Local Authority Homes with caring staff providing the care that is rare in today's world. Care that we can rely on to provide the safe environment that the elderly in our community need and have every right to expect. Why should we let this be stolen from us ?"
Local AM Helen Mary Jones said:
"The council needs to look at a more creative way of saving money rather than reducing the service that the elderly and vulnerable depend on. Llanelli needs to be a place where people are not frightened to get old, knowing that they will be welcomed and cared for in the future. I’ll be meeting the Health Minister as well as the Deputy Minister for Social Services this week to discuss what support the Welsh Assembly Government could offer with regards to the issue.”
Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Parliamentary Candidate for Llanelli added:
“Moving older people from their homes is distressing and some may not survive a
move. Our older people will not be sacrificed to the Council's half baked ideas about privatisation and the Council don't even know the cost of the new programmes."
Carmarthenshire County Council announced draft plans to shut four Care Homes in Carmarthenshire back in November, as part of their ten year plan to finance new home care services in the area.
In the latest public meeting held on Friday, angry campaigners once again raised their concerns, and it was agreed that advocates for the Residents will be arranged. The Caemaen and St Paul ’s Groups also agreed to merge into one Action Committee in order to focus more effectively.
Myfanwy and Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones have supported campaigners in drafting letters which will be be sent to various Councillors from members of the Groups in the next few days. Helen Mary will also be meeting with the Health Minister Edwina Hart and the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas this week to discuss the issue.
Many of the resident's relatives are very worried about the serious effects a move could have on the health of their loved ones. This is referred to as ‘Transfer Trauma’ and it is estimated that at least 30% of people moved from one home to another die within one year.
Deryk Cundy, whose father is cared for at Caemaen Residential Care Home said:
"We are determined to fight these outrageous plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls. This is yet another example of our vulnerable elderly suffering as a result of the Council's efforts to save money. How would you feel if you were to be evicted for paying your rent?
Already the Council are changing the functionality of Llys Y Bryn, behind the Councillor's backs, by replacing Residential Care Places with 12 Convalescence Beds and moving 7 Respite Beds that were there to St Pauls. This is in effect reducing the Residential Care places by another 19 places - theft by stealth. The Council are trying to sell off the "family silver" - the Care Homes that we are going to need in the future.
Even according to the Council figures, in 6 years we will have another 10% of the elderly needing Care places - in Llanelli that means an extra 103 places - if we close our Care Homes in Llanelli alone we will be short of 162 places in 2016 with potentially disastrous results for our whole community.
I believe that everyone should have the right to high levels of care and safety, now and in the future, for me, you, your families and your friends. The people we are trying to protect here are the vulnerable, dependant people who cannot look after themselves.
We have some superb Local Authority Homes with caring staff providing the care that is rare in today's world. Care that we can rely on to provide the safe environment that the elderly in our community need and have every right to expect. Why should we let this be stolen from us ?"
Local AM Helen Mary Jones said:
"The council needs to look at a more creative way of saving money rather than reducing the service that the elderly and vulnerable depend on. Llanelli needs to be a place where people are not frightened to get old, knowing that they will be welcomed and cared for in the future. I’ll be meeting the Health Minister as well as the Deputy Minister for Social Services this week to discuss what support the Welsh Assembly Government could offer with regards to the issue.”
Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Parliamentary Candidate for Llanelli added:
“Moving older people from their homes is distressing and some may not survive a
move. Our older people will not be sacrificed to the Council's half baked ideas about privatisation and the Council don't even know the cost of the new programmes."
Plaid fury at council plans to cut services for disabled young people
Local AM Helen Mary Jones and Plaid’s Parliamentary candidate for Llanelli Myfanwy Davies have expressed their anger over Carmarthen Council’s proposals to make massive cutbacks to the budgets for learning disabilities and services relating to special schools, as part of their big plans to make millions of savings over the next three years.
The plans to cut £460,000 per year from services to disabled young people are part of a series of proposals being looked at by the County council as part of their response to the huge cuts imposed by the London Government to the bank bail out.
Helen Mary and Myfanwy are very concerned about the impact such cuts could have on those with learning disabilities in Llanelli.
Plaid ‘s Helen Mary Jones said:
"These plans to make cuts to the learning disabilities budget are totally unacceptable. The council needs to undertake a Comprehensive Spending Review, so that they can then identify what services can be done without.
Services are already stretched, and it’s unfair that it’s our vulnerable people in Llanelli that have to suffer. As a result of cuts to the budget of Wales by the London Labour government, those services crucial to children and older people are already feeling the strain . Myfanwy and I are committed to protecting our essential services such as schools and hospitals.”
Plaid’s Parliamentary Candidate Myfanwy Davies added:
“These are servies that are absouloutely necessary to people in Llanelli. people with learning disabilities and their families just can’t be asked to do without proper support and education. Of course the county council has to make cuts, but we will not stand by while they cut services to the most vulnerable and continue to spend our money on non- essentials to include sponsporships, marketing and hospitality.
These cuts show all too plainly that the Council in Carmarthen is completely out of touch with our needs in Llanelli.”
The plans to cut £460,000 per year from services to disabled young people are part of a series of proposals being looked at by the County council as part of their response to the huge cuts imposed by the London Government to the bank bail out.
Helen Mary and Myfanwy are very concerned about the impact such cuts could have on those with learning disabilities in Llanelli.
Plaid ‘s Helen Mary Jones said:
"These plans to make cuts to the learning disabilities budget are totally unacceptable. The council needs to undertake a Comprehensive Spending Review, so that they can then identify what services can be done without.
Services are already stretched, and it’s unfair that it’s our vulnerable people in Llanelli that have to suffer. As a result of cuts to the budget of Wales by the London Labour government, those services crucial to children and older people are already feeling the strain . Myfanwy and I are committed to protecting our essential services such as schools and hospitals.”
Plaid’s Parliamentary Candidate Myfanwy Davies added:
“These are servies that are absouloutely necessary to people in Llanelli. people with learning disabilities and their families just can’t be asked to do without proper support and education. Of course the county council has to make cuts, but we will not stand by while they cut services to the most vulnerable and continue to spend our money on non- essentials to include sponsporships, marketing and hospitality.
These cuts show all too plainly that the Council in Carmarthen is completely out of touch with our needs in Llanelli.”
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