LCO Process Doesn't Work

Former Plaid AM Cynog Dafis says the Assembly's LCO system is not working and the devolution system is breaking down. He says "We were led to believe that the Assembly’s requests for legislative powers would only be turned down in circumstances that were very exceptional." That is turning out not to be the case. The affordable housing LCO is used as an example by Elfyn Llwyd who argues that some MPs on the Welsh Affairs Select Committee see their role as a de facto second chamber for the Assembly, holding a gun to the Assembly's head.

The Assembly debate on the Affordable Housing LCO which took place on January 20th can be read in full here I chaired the committee which scrutinised the LCO. My contribution supports the views of Elfyn and Cynog. We have to get rid of this system, soon.

Leanne Wood: I would like to start my contribution to this debate by thanking all of the organisations and individuals who took the time to give evidence, both written and oral, to our committee. This evidence proved invaluable and provided the basis for the committee’s conclusions and recommendations, which we published in our report last April. The majority of the committee agreed with the principle of the Order, although one member—and I am sure that it will not be too difficult for you to work out who after the last contribution—was opposed to the Assembly being given the powers to suspend the right to buy.

I would like to take Members back to the beginning of this process. The reason that the Government wanted these powers was to deal with the chronic housing shortage that we have in Wales, a shortage that is at risk of worsening under the current economic crisis. This Government is committed to tackling this housing shortage and has stated that affordable housing is a key political priority. We all recognise the need for more social housing. Our social housing stock has been decimated since the Tories introduced the right to buy in the 1980s. I accept Mark Isherwood’s argument to some extent, because some witnesses did say that the proposed Order had a limited potential to impact on the current shortage of affordable housing. However, this Order will enable the Government to protect the new homes that will be built over the course of this Assembly term.

The committee concluded that redrafting the proposed Order more broadly would have provided the Assembly Government with maximum flexibility in the area of affordable housing. For example, following the completion of work on its new housing-related strategies, a broader LCO would have provided the Assembly with greater scope to legislate by tackling affordable housing issues. In our view, drafting the proposed Order more broadly would have negated the need to seek further legislative powers from the UK Parliament in the future. Having to seek further powers in this way could restrict the Welsh Assembly Government’s ability to act quickly in tackling affordable housing issues as they arise and to provide solutions that meet the needs of our communities.

Plaid Cymru, the Labour Party and the Welsh Liberal Democrats all included commitments in their 2007 manifestos to suspend the right to buy in areas of high housing pressure, and after almost two years of trying to negotiate this costly and cumbersome system, which is outlined in the Government of Wales Act 2006, the Deputy Minister for Housing has finally managed to obtain the powers that she asked for. Of course, what has been finally agreed is a compromise, and I am not happy that the Secretary of State has any kind of veto on any laws that should be determined by this National Assembly. Powers devolved to this Assembly should be used by the Assembly in whatever way it chooses.

I do not accept the arguments made by Members of Parliament for their intervention on this matter. I accept that the Tories may have ideological problems, after all the right to buy was one of their flagship policies. However, I do not accept that the Labour MPs had the same ideological objections, particularly when some of those Labour MPs opposed the right-to-buy legislation when it was being introduced in the 1980s. Therefore, their manoeuvrings must have been for other reasons, and my conclusion is that those reasons are anti-devolutionist. As far as I am concerned, this unhelpful intervention from the MPs provides further evidence that this LCO system does not work and is not sustainable in the long term.

There has been widespread agreement on the need to address the right to buy, yet it has taken two years for us to get to this stage. It has been difficult, despite the fact that there is a Labour-Plaid coalition Government here and a Labour Government in London. My major concern with this system is that the Tories opposed us having any powers on this issue at all, so imagine the difficulties that we would face with getting these powers with a Tory Government in Westminster.

This process has shown clearly why we need a proper Parliament, so that this costly process can be avoided in the future, and so that the Assembly can legislate freely without MPs being able to decide what we can and cannot do with powers that have been devolved to Wales.

In conclusion, I thank the Deputy Minister for the way in which she has co-operated openly with the committee, and for giving due consideration to our report. It is disappointing for us as a committee that it has not been possible to either broaden the scope of the Order, as recommended by the committee, or to introduce greater flexibility in the scope of law-making powers for the National Assembly, but I am grateful to committee members for all their hard work.

Biofuels ruled out in Wales

This week the Assembly received a statement on the Welsh Government's Bio-energy Action Plan.

Leanne Wood:
There are potentially several difficulties with bio-energy. When energy crops are grown, processed and transported, greenhouse gases can be released, and that is a particular concern if crops have to be imported. I note from your statement that you recognise the need to proceed with caution in terms of growing energy crops, and real care needs to be taken before decisions are made to change land use from food crops production to energy production. We have received warnings from elsewhere in the world that incentives in certain countries to change land use in favour of energy crops has caused the price of many basic foodstuffs to rise quite considerably, and that has a knock-on effect in terms of population and poverty. There are also concerns about the potential effect on wildlife populations, particularly if land used for energy crops is not managed in the appropriate way. Therefore, I ask that the consultation on this takes account of the delicate balance that we need to strike when working with nature. If properly regulated and planned, a Welsh bio-energy sector could help to meet our climate change targets, but we need to tread carefully to ensure that what is a positive in one area does not result in greater negatives elsewhere.

Jane Davidson:
I can tell you categorically that the Welsh Assembly Government has no intention of supporting the production of biofuels from energy crops grown in Wales due to concerns about the potential for biofuel crops to displace food crops, and due to the energy requirements for the production of biofuels. We will be looking at all opportunities for growing different kinds of energy crops. Some of those are in the grass sector and some are woody, as you know. Work is going on with the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at present looking at the most effective outcomes. We are hugely mindful of this issue in terms of the relationship between energy crops for transport and food crops.

Open Letter to the BBC about the Gaza humanitarian appeal

A week after we debated the Gaza crisis in the Senedd, I accompanied Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Bethan Jenkins and Mike German as we delivered an Open Letter to the BBC at Broadcasting House in Cardiff. We are adding our voice to calls for the BBC to revisit its decision not to screen an appeal for humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. You can watch the appeal and donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee at the Plaid website.

I asked AMs of all parties to sign the cross-party letter, and the following members signed up:
Jenny Randerson, Helen Mary Jones, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Nick Ramsay, Nerys Evans, Bethan Jenkins, Mick Bates, Dai Lloyd, Kirsty Williams, Peter Black, Mohammed Asghar, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Mike German, Gareth Jones, Janet Ryder, Val Lloyd, Chris Franks, Darren Millar, Trish Law, John Griffiths, Christine Chapman, Irene James, Lorraine Barrett, Paul Davies and Mark Isherwood.

The letter is as follows:

27.01.2009

Llythyr Agored oddi wrth Aelodau Cynulliad at y BBC
Open Letter from Assembly Members to the BBC

I bwy bynnag a fynno wybod:

Rydym ni, sydd wedi llofnodi isod, yn Aelodau etholedig o Gynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru. Ysgrifennwn i ddatgan ein pryder a’n siom gyda phenderfyniad y BBC i wrthod darlledu apêl am gymorth dyngarol ar gyfer Gaza.

Nodwn rôl y BBC yn y gorffennol wrth ddarlledu apeliadau am gymorth dyngarol ar gyfer argyfyngau megis yn Darfur ac yn y Congo. Mae elusennau sy’n ymateb i argyfyngau yn dibynnu’n helaeth ar sylw ar y teledu i hybu eu hapeliadau ac mae sarhad y BBC ar y Pwyllgor Argyfyngau yn lleihau effaith yr apêl am gymorth meddygol yn sylweddol.

Ni chredwn y byddai ddarlledu apêl cyfangwbl ddyngarol ac amhleidiol yn cyfaddawdu didueddrwydd y BBC mewn unrhyw fodd . Yn wyneb hyn gofynnwn i’r BBC ail-ystyried ei safbwynt ar frys.

To whom it may concern:

We, the undersigned, are elected members of the National Assembly for Wales. We are writing to express our concern and disappointment with the BBC over the corporation’s refusal to broadcast an appeal for humanitarian aid in Gaza.

We note the BBC’s role in the past in screening appeals for humanitarian aid in other crises such as in Darfur and the Congo. Charities responding to crises rely heavily on television airtime to boost their appeals, and the BBC’s snub to the Disasters Emergency Committee considerably lessens the impact of their appeal for medical assistance.

We do not believe that the BBC’s neutrality would be compromised in any way by the broadcasting of a strictly humanitarian and non-partisan appeal. In light of this we are asking the BBC to urgently reconsider its position.

Plaid on the Severn Barrage

This week ministers in London and Cardiff made an announcement on the latest developments in the quest for renewable energy from the Severn Estuary. A shortlist of 5 proposals now goes out for consultation, with additional funding made available for the further development of untested technologies. The Assembly's Environment Minister updated the Assembly yesterday. This was my contribution to the debate and the minister's response:

Leanne Wood:

Minister, no-one would dispute the need to harness the vast energy in the Severn estuary, but the challenge is how to optimise the renewable energy and the carbon emissions cut as quickly as possible with minimal environmental damage. I welcome your statement that funding is to be available for further development of the untried and untested technologies, and I welcome the news that consideration will be given to combining some of the shortlisted schemes. However, I hope that some of the five unsuccessful or undeveloped technologies may feature as part of a combination of schemes. For example, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is particularly keen to see the tidal reef scheme, as you will be aware, and it says that that would have the least environmental impact. Could a tidal reef be combined with a smaller barrage and a series of lagoons?

One factor that should also be taken into consideration is the need to compare damage in terms of carbon dioxide emissions that the various schemes would cause during the construction phase. Most Members will be aware that scientists increasingly assess that we have less than 100 months to bring carbon dioxide levels down to 350 parts per million in the atmosphere, or face uncontrollable and irreversible climate change. There is much unity among scientists that carbon dioxide cutbacks must begin immediately.

Yesterday, I attended the stakeholder event in Bristol where we were told that the Cardiff/Weston barrage proposal would not be constructed before 2020. Do you have information about how much carbon would be emitted through the construction process at the large barrage over the next decade, and possibly longer? The next decade is crucial for drastically reducing our carbon emissions. There have already been too many years of talk on this matter, so, within the next decade, we need to take some serious and drastic action.

Can the smaller options be constructed more quickly and with fewer carbon emissions? Can we have a number of these options in combination with each other, to maximise the renewable energy output with minimal damage to the natural environment?

Jane Davidson:

There are a number of parameters that are being explored through the next phase of this study. You said that things needed to happen as quickly as possible, but if they happen quickly and are not the most effective schemes, they will not give us the greatest benefits. We are actually running an agenda through to 2050, not to 2020. It was clearly explained in the session yesterday—I am delighted that you were there, as an Assembly Member—that it is unlikely that the biggest scheme, the Cardiff/Weston barrage, would be completed before 2022, but that the reef proposal, for example, could take even longer than that, because of the innovative nature of the proposal. Therefore, we must evaluate, all the way through this, the marriage between the renewable potential and the environment consequences. That is the fundamental element that needs to be evaluated.

You asked specifically about the carbon dioxide emission reductions in terms of the Cardiff/Weston barrage. It is estimated that the barrage would save 7.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year and that the construction impact would be compensated for in eight months of operation.

For more see John Dixon's blog.

Image taken from the BBC.

The BBC and Gaza

The BBC's decision not to screen an appeal for humanitarian aid in Gaza is apalling. Protests have taken place at BBC studios throughout the UK. In Scotland protestors have occupied their BBC building. Bethan Jenkins has put down a Statement of Opinion at the National Assembly, which people can lobby their AMs to sign. I have joined the thousands and also complained to the BBC. Send your comments to the BBC here or email helenboaden.complaints@bbc.co.uk

You can donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee here

Renewable energy in Wales

During questions to the First Minister on Tuesday I asked whether Wales should have it's own sector in manufacturing turbine blades for wind power. There is a need for green jobs in Wales to boost the economy, and Denmark and Germany employ thousands of people in those sectors. If we are to accomodate huge wind developments such as Gwynt y Môr then we should benefit as much as possible in terms of jobs. I also mentioned solar panel manufacturing. The Assembly Government has invested money to bring various companies to Wales in the past, and I will be pressing for similar investments to be made in the environmental sector so that we can forge a Green New Deal for Wales.

Leanne Wood: The One Wales Government has a commendable renewable energy strategy, which relies heavily on wind power. The Government has taken a strong lead on the promotion of wind power in Wales, but our industry is nowhere near as developed as that in countries such as Denmark and Germany. To my knowledge, there are no commercial wind turbine blade manufacturers in Wales, which means that they must be imported. What is the Welsh Assembly Government doing to encourage and support the growth of wind turbine manufacturing in Wales, and do you think that the expansion of turbine and, indeed, solar panel manufacturing could be a part of a green new deal that could help with the economic crisis?

The First Minister: You are right about wanting to encourage the supply chain for renewable energy in the UK, and we would give a particularly high rating to any such companies that wanted to invest in Wales, because you are right, certainly with regard to wind turbines. I do not know of a turbine manufacturer that makes the blades. However, we would expect quite a lot of work from the Gwynt y Môr plant, assuming that it is not judicially reviewed successfully in the remaining part of the window. There will be considerable knock-on effects in Wales from that investment, assuming that it proceeds.

Treorci Recycling Centre closure

What sort of message is Rhondda Cynon Taf council sending out by its decision to close the Treorci Community Recycling Centre?

As Plaid Cymru’s Assembly spokesperson on Sustainability, I’m appalled that residents have been left in limbo with some facing a 10- mile trip if they want to recycle bulky waste. I mentioned the closure in the Assembly yesterday.

There has been a lack of consultation with local members and the public and the timing of the decision on December 23 is suspicious.

Plaid members staged a demonstration against a decision to shut a facility before a replacement has been provided, whatever the site’s capacity shortcomings. The scheme for a replacement is on hold because of a funding shortfall and there is no indication when a new site will be opened.

It all goes to make the closure decision baffling and it is unacceptable to ask residents to drive 10 miles and may lead on to more fly-tipping.

Senedd Gaza debate and demonstration tomorrow

The Assembly will debate the situation in the Gaza Strip tomorrow at 2:30pm. My colleague Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM has tabled a motion and will be leading the debate. Bethan Jenkins AM has tabled a Statement of Opinion, which we are hoping people will ask their Ams to sign:

End Israeli attacks on Gaza
The National Assembly for Wales calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to make an urgent public statement condemning the Israeli government's attacks on Gaza, and calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to echo demands made by the International community for an immediate ceasefire.


Before the debate, a rally will be held at 1pm on the steps of the Senedd, expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza. Everyone is welcome to attend.

MPs Expenses

Getting nowhere with this, MPs are now going to vote on Thursday to prevent the publication of their expenses. They've tried without success, to include the Assembly in the law-change.

The same government that introduced the Freedom of Information Act, supposedly in the interests of openness and transparency are now legislating to exempt MPs from it.

Its no surprise to hear that people are not happy. They Work For You are running a campaign, and a new page has been set up on facebook. My Society have some more ideas for people who want to express their feelings to their own MP.

Thanks to FreeDigitalPhotos.net for the photo.

Join the Plot

MP's voted this week for the expansion of Heathrow. Despite some a backbench rebellion, profit was once again put before our environment. The new runway will be an environmental disaster and will make Heathrow the largest source of CO2 emissions in the UK. The strength of opposition to the expansion from rebel MPs, local communities and by the protest camps has made this issue a difficult one for Brown's government.

Greenpeace believes the fight isn't over yet. They say that BAA will face many hurdles before they get their tarmac laid. Greenpeace have bought a plot of land with a view to stopping the runway's construction. They've been joined on the deeds to this land by comedian Alistair McGowan, actress Emma Thompson and the Tory Zac Goldsmith. Greenpeace are asking everyone else to 'join the plot' and sign up and stand beside them in hopefully stopping the runway from going ahead.

Sign up here.

Open Letter to the Trustees of the Assembly Member's Pension Fund

Dear Trustees,

Re: Assembly Members Pension Scheme

I am writing to you to raise my concerns about the nature of some of the companies that the Assembly Members Pension Scheme invests in. I have grave concerns regarding the ethics of some of the companies, in particular the following:

 BHP Billiton is the world’s largest mining company. There have been allegations that this company have had involvement in the Iraqi food for oil programme as well as causing environmental destruction in Papua New Guinea.

 Monsanto’s involvement in genetically modified food is well documented.

 Arch Coal is the second largest US coal producer. They stand accused of having reduced the height of the Appalachian Mountains by 800ft, destroying vegetation, causing flooding and contaminating water supplies.

 Royal Dutch Shell has caused an estimated £10 billion worth of environmental destruction in the Niger Delta.

 British American Tobacco whose activities in Africa last year prompted the BBC to produce a documentary showing how they target children through music competitions and the sale of cigarettes, breaking their own code of conduct and company standards.

 Reliance Industries Ltd. which is helping to accelerate climate change by building multi-billion dollar dams in the Himalayas, threatening the livelihood and very identity of those living in these Himalaya valleys.

Clearly the reported actions of some of the companies’ run counter to the stated policies of this National Assembly.

The National Assembly has a statutory obligation to promote sustainability. The smoking ban was introduced in Wales early because the Assembly sees smoking as a serious public health issue. Our position of opposition to GM crops is well known.

According to the Statement of Investment Principles for the National Assembly for Wales Members Pension Scheme…

“The trustees have a fiduciary duty to invest the assets of the fund for the benefit of the fund members and that the trustees’ main duty is to act in the financial interests of the scheme’s beneficiaries”, and ”In order to carry out this responsibility the trustees have appointed an investment manager who has complete discretion over the investments made”.

It goes on to say “However, non-financial considerations, such as ethical policies, may be taken into account when comparing investments with the same potential return”.

I therefore ask that as trustees you conduct an urgent review of the companies invested in with a view to recommending a more ethical portfolio of investments for the scheme.


Yours Sincerely,



Leanne Wood AM / AC

Defend Yahya Al-Faifi

Please support the campaign to defend Yahya Al-Faifi.

Yahya Al-Faifi is a trade unionist from Saudi Arabia, where trade unions are illegal. Yahya was persecuted in his homeland for organising trade unions and was forced to flee to Britain in 2004 with some of his family.

Yahya is based in South Wales and has continued his union work with the Communicatioms Workers Union. He has spoken at the Cardiff and Swansea Trades Councils among others to highlight the oppression trade unionists face in Saudi Arabia.

He now faces deportation from the UK. The Home Office has refused the application for refugee status for Yahya, his wife and his children. This is in spite of the fact that political dissidents are regularly jailed, beaten and killed in Saudi Arabia. Yahya has had to leave behind a settled life in Saudi Arabia working for BAE Systems, for the uncertain life of an asylum seeker in the UK. He urgently needs the support of all trade unionists and socialists to stay here.

Please contact your MP and AM and ask them to put pressure on the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith MP.

Email or write to Jacqui Smith and register your support for Yahya Al-Faifi and his family to stay in the UK: jacqui.smith@homeoffice.gov.uk

or
Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP,
Secretary of State for the Home Department,
3rd Floor, Peel Buildings,
2 Marsham Street,
London,
SW1P 4DF

Email the campaign here: defendyahyaalfaifi@googlemail.com

Message from Mark Perryman

"They stole my land, burnt my olive trees, destroyed my house, took my water, imprisoned my father, killed my mother, starved us all, humiliated us all. But I am to blame : I shot a rocket back. So they stole more of my land, burnt my olive trees, destroyed my house, took my water, bombed my country..."

Featuring words partly inspired by one of the hundreds of hand-written anonymous placards carried at the 3rd Jan demonstration in London the Palestine 09 design expresses vividly the cycle of despair that has turned the tiny Gaza strip into a war zone of Israeli reprisals using its overwhelming military might. JUST £16.99! Helping to raise funds for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Available from www.philosophyfootball.com

Rhondda Fach Without Water

The Rhondda Fach has been without water overnight. Dwr Cymru say that the problem is due to burst pipes leading to the Maerdy treatment works. There was no warning, so people were unable to prepare. The shops have sold out of bottled water, but water deliveries are being made and priority is being given to older and vulnerable people. Those needing bolttled water or information as to what is happening to their water should ring 0800 052 0130.

Update- Gaza Protests in Wales

As I write this I have recieved a growing amount of e-mails and letters from my constituents who are outraged at Israel's ongoing offensive against the Palestinian people. I have written to the Foreign Secretary David Miliband, and am also signing a Statement of Opinion at the Assembly that has been put down by Bethan Jenkins AM. Hopefully this will register the Welsh Government's calls for an end to the violence in the Gaza Strip.

In the next week we can make our opposition to Israel's attacks clear by attending the following demonstrations in Wales:

Cardiff
Every Tuesday 12 - 1 p.mVigil
Nye Bevan statue, Queen St, Cardiff

Cardiff
Protest March
Friday 9 January
Assemble 2 p.m. outside Cardiff City Hall, Cathays Park

Cardiff
Two Gaza Emergency Appeal Fundraising events:
I.Wednesday 7 January
Benefit gig for Gaza in aid of Middle East Childrens Alliance
with Frankie Armstrong - Cath Little - Bob Evans & Mary Ann Roberts -Imran Khan - Shanee Taylor - Guto Dafis - Stefano GiaconneCôr Cochion (Cardiff Reds Choir) and poems by Patrick Jones- stories by Amanda Rackstraw Tickets: £5 or donation, Available at the door: 7:30-11 pm in Dempseys, Castle St. Cardiff - tickets £5 or donation

Coaches from Cardiff to Saturday's Demonstration in London
EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION - Please Forward to as many People as Soon as Possible!Saturday 10 January, Central London
Coaches leave at 8 am, Museum Steps Cardiff and 8.30 am Bus Station, Newport
Contact cardiff_troopsout@hotmail.com to book a seat asap!
Tickets - £16 waged / £10 unwaged asap


In the north:

Wrexham
Vigil and protest against the Israeli invasion of Gaza
Saturday 10 January
Midday, Queens Square, Wrexham
Bring placards and banners to show your feelings




"Israel is committing a shocking series of atrocities by using modern weaponry against a defenceless population - attacking a population that has been enduring a severe blockade for many months."

The UN Human Rights Council

A few hundred people turned up on a freezing cold New Years Eve in Cardiff to protest against Isreal's atrocities in Gaza. Plaid Cymru's Jill Evans MEP spoke on behald of CND Cymru and Plaid Cymru. There are plans for more demonstrations. One has been called for tomorrow in London and is supported by more than 30 organisations including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign , Stop the War and CND For regular updates, you can join this or this group on Facebook.

There have been demonstrations throughout the week including this one against biased media coverage at the BBC Wales studios reported here and here.

One of the BBC protestors said:

"While we hear about rockets being fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, we rarely hear that this is Palestinian land stolen by Israel. Since Saturday, Israel has killed more than 350 civilians in response to the repeatedly reported 4 deaths amongst the Israelis. The hugely disproportionate response by the Israel is not highlighted."

This article in the Times gives a good perspective on the media reporting of the situation.

"...while the horrific scenes in Gaza and Israel play themselves out on our television screens, a war of words is being fought that is clouding our understanding of the realities on the ground... The Bush-Blair response to the Hamas victory in 2006 is the key to today's horror. Instead of accepting the democratically elected Government, they funded an attempt to remove it by force; training and arming groups of Fatah fighters to unseat Hamas militarily and impose a new, unelected government on the Palestinians. Further, 45 Hamas MPs are still being held in Israeli jails."

I agree with Tony Benn, who says "The Israeli Government, armed and supported by President Bush, with its savage attack on the people of Gaza now represents the greatest threat to security in the Middle East and the world peace movement is mobilizing on a massive scale to defeat this aggression. I appeal to everyone who can possibly do so to attend the many demonstrations that are being held here so that the British government is left in no doubt as to the strength of opposition there is to this war."

If you can't attend any of the demonstrations, you could write to your MP, urging them to insist on an immediate end to Israel's bombardment and blockade of Gaza and to call for an urgent debate in the house of commons on Israel's actions.