Survived gale force winds.

Was a speaker at the British Wind Energy Association Conference in Cardiff this morning. Good turnout. A well informed audience. Fellow Panellists were Rhodri Glyn Thomas for Plaid Cymru, Alun Davies for Labour and Mick Bates for the Lib Dems. Notionally, I was speaking for the Conservatives, but I felt more a representative for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales. Here's some of the issues raised.

In my five minute opening slot, I launched into the TAN 8 document, published by the Assembly Government in 2005 - describing it as an assault on local democracy, as counter productive in that it antagonises local planning authorities, as enshrining the principle of 'cumulative impact' in the planning process, as being far to focused on a single form of renewable energy, and being totally unachievable in Mid Wales because there will be no capacity to transfer the power generated to the National Grid until 2016. To me its clear that TAN 8 has been a disaster, and needs to be redrafted. Must admit I was expecting some stick, but I didn't get any - and over coffee I was surprised to hear quite a lot of support.

Rhodri Glyn must have been living on another planet for the last year or so. He seemed to think the choice facing us is nuclear power or onshore wind farms. Such idealism is entirely appropriate for a man of the cloth who believes that faith and prayer can deliver the impossible. Mick Bates took the same line. Alun Davies agreed with my view that the issue has already been decided, and the UK Government is now totally committed to building more nuclear power generation. Interestingly, Ieuan Wyn Jones, leader of Rhodri's party agrees with Alun and me on this. Didn't seem to bother Rhodri at all when this was pointed out.

Mick made one of those arm waving speeches of his that I find a bit difficult to follow. He was boasting about how proud he is of the stance Liberal Democrats take in support of wind farms (in response to a question about off shore wind). Couldn't help it. Had to point out that in Montgomeryshire, the MP he shares an office with publicly disagrees with almost every word he said today. Someone else pointed out that his Assembly colleague, Peter Black vehemently opposed the off shore proposal near Porthcawl some years ago as well. I won't embarrass Mick by repeating what he said - except to report that it was not very complimentary about either of his supposed colleagues. De-mob happy I reckon. But fair play to Mick. On this issue he's been consistent for a while now.

It looked a good professional conference. Would like to have stayed longer, but wanted to be back in Newtown by 2.00 for a Montg. Wildlife Trust meeting.

Into the Lion's Den

Off to Cardiff early tomorrow morning. I'm speaking at a conference arranged by the British Wind Energy Association. Regular readers of this blog will know that I'm sceptical about whether on shore wind farms justify the damage that they inflict on the landscape. I do not expect that anyone else in the entire room, and I'm told to expect 250, will agree with me about this. So what am I doing there you might ask.

I'm going because no-one else was going to fly the Conservative banner. Everyone else was otherwise committed. I can see that it might be outside what might be considered the 'comfort zone' but it seems to me that this conference is exactly the sort of forum we should be engaging with. I suspect it will be the first time that the President of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales will have entered this particular Lion's Den though. I'll report back on how it went tomorrow night - assuming nothing untoward happens to me. Perhaps I should wear a sticker stating that 'My name's Daniel'
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Should Swine Flu lead to panic.

I still believe that Avian Influenza H5N1 is a much more worrying virus than the swine flu that is currently causing such a media frenzy - and consternation verging on panic in the population. First, the bird flu. We know that its a killer, particularly of young people. Half of those who are affected die of it. But we also know its not a great problem because the virus does not transfer from birds to humans easily, and will not become a problem unless it mutates, probably on contact with another flu virus that spreads easily from birds to humans, and amongst humans. We know that a bird flu pandemic is unlikely, but potentially devastating beyond imagination if it were to come to pass.

Swine flu is completely different. It spreads easily, and seems not to be any worse than traditional forms of flu. It makes those unfortunate to go down with it feel lousy for a few days, just like any other flu virus. And then it passes. We're told that its likely to lead to more deaths from flu next winter than we might normally expect. No-one can put a precise figure on this, but the last serious flu outbreak (was it 2000?) lead to around 20,000 deaths of people in the UK suffering from flu over the winter compared with a more normal figure of fewer than 10,000 deaths. People already frail or sick are particularly vulnerable. And a few otherwise healthy people may die as well.

Despite the above, the Government is right to take the threat of swine flu seriously. But I have found it difficult to make much sense of what our Government has been saying about it. To begin with Ministers talked about trying to prevent the virus entering the UK, without actually doing anything to implement such a policy. And when the virus entered the UK, Ministers talked about controlling its spread - without actually doing anything to implement this policy either. And when it did spread, Ministers talked about the drugs it was making available to fight this terrible threat to our lives. Now its clear that the disease is spreading without Ministers having any idea or capacity to control it - or even have much real knowledge of how many people have been affected. The new message seems to be not to worry about it too much - and not even visit the doctor. Unless of course the person going down with the virus is elderly, or vulnerable for some other reason.

But the nation seems to be in full panic mode. The tragic death of an otherwise healthy little girl yesterday is being interpreted by some commentators as evidence that the virus may be mutating and becoming more dangerous. It seems to me far too early to make this conclusion. In fact, I can see no reason at all to panic about swine flu - yet.

Too Many Politicians.

Today there's been much coverage of information released after a FoI request about the number of politicians which are paid within the structure of British democracy. It seems that the political payroll is now over 29,000, up from 3,000 just 30 years ago. The main reasons for this are devolution and the decision to pay councillors. unsurprisingly, the cost of our democracy has gone through the roof as well. Question is what's to be done about it, and if anything should be done. Let's look at the possibilities, within the range of what seems achievable.

I don't think there will be much change at the European Parliament level. However, I do think there will be a reduction in the number of MPs - probably by around 10%. Personally, I think it should be reduced further. Its difficult to be precise about how many members of the National Assembly for Wales there should be. Daresay some think we should scrap the lot, but I don't think that's on the table at all. When it was established in 1999, the current number of 60 AMs was probably about right. But 60 would not be enough if full law making powers were to be devolved, as envisaged in Part Four of the 2006 Government of Wales Act. 80 AMs would probably be needed. Since power is being devolved bit by bit via the ridiculously complex process of Legislative Competence Orders, its not at all clear when the number of AMs should be reviewed. And finally, there is an irresistible case for reducing the number of councillors. When they were not being paid, it didn't matter what how many there were. But now, we should have no more than are needed to do the job. In Powys, where I live, I expect the current 73 councillors to be reduced to below 60 - and soon. There will be howls of rage, but this is difficult to argue against.

Tell me what you think. I'm sure there is plenty of contrary opinion out there.

'Parent's Choice' in Powys.

How the most vulnerable people in our society are cared for is a measure of how civilised we are. Today, the issue on my mind is the education of children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties in Powys. And there's an important philosophical principle involved. Is it better to include these children in mainstream schools, or allow them to be educated together in the same school? I use the word 'allowed' deliberately because the parents of 109 children have chosen to send their children to Ysgol Cedewain in Newtown, Montgomeryshire. This morning, I talked through some of these issues with Mr Peter Tudor, the Headteacher.

Personally, I reckon that 'parent choice' should be a decisive issue - which brings us back to the 109 parents that choose Ysgol Cedewain. Don't know what is the official policy of the Powys Council, but there's a feeling that its 'inclusion', which seems to be the opposite of 'parent choice'. And then we have the issue of funding. Officials of Eduction Authorities can give 'encouragement' to the favoured option by skewing the funding, making budget balance difficult to achieve, and damaging public confidence in long term security. I'm sure that these same debates are taking place in every Council area in the UK. All I'm sure of is that I need a lot more information before I can express any opinion on the budget provision for Ysgol Cedewain, and that it seems to be a first class school which is hugely popular with parents.

Yorkshire comes to Montgomeryshire.

This afternoon I called by Milwyn, Jenkins and Jenkins, solicitors of Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire. I wanted this photograph for my blog. I accept that its not a story that's going to make the 'nationals', but its very significant for Llanidloes. First, some context. For 37 years, Milwyn, Jenkins and Jenkins have acted as an agency for the Nationwide Building Society. So it came as a mighty blow to the firm, and the town when Nationwide announced at the beginning of the year that it was pulling out. Bad news for the staff - and for the town which has been on a bit of a downer since the major employer (which I remember as BSK) shut up shop a few years ago. Another service gone in what looked like a cycle of decline. But Angela Davies-Jones (bottom right in the navy suit) and her team were not taking this blow lying down.

When Angela contacted me a while back, her file on this issue was already two inches thick. After making a few phone calls, I concluded that there wasn't much hope of changing the Nationwide decision. When I rang back to report bleak news, she was already in pursuit of other options, and two weeks ago a deal was struck with the third biggest Building Society in the UK, the Yorkshire. The plan is that the new office will open on August 24th. Now that's what I call a result.

My comment for the press release was "I am very pleased that Milwyn Jenkins and Jenkins have managed to secure such an outstandingly good mutual Building Society and to maintain what is such an important service for the local community". Its good news because it retains the jobs which were under threat and even creates one more. And it sends out the message that the Yorkshire Building Society thinks Llanidloes is a town which is open for business.

Day at the Races

This weekend, we went to the trotting races for the first time. The event was held at Red House, Caersws, and run under the auspices of the Mid Wales and Borders Racing Association. It was a great day out. There were several bookies in attendance to relieve us of our cash. We finished up only about a tenner down on the day, and if I hadn't cocked up laying bets on the last race, we would have broken even.

The whole event was filmed to go out on S4/C on 20th, with the unique Dai Llanilar presenting. I did a piece to camera, so might feature. So did Sian Lloyd, who lives only a short gallop from the trotting track. Money was being raised for the local Air Ambulance, which requires £5 million per annum to keep airbourne, and is funded entirely by public donation. It flies hundreds of rescue missions every year and has saved the lives of many people. I know two personally.

First time I've seen Micky Evans since he's taken on the reins at Caersws F C again. I told him that he must be mad to go back into managing a Welsh Premier team - at his age! He just laughed and I could see him thinking 'not as mad as you, standing for Parliament - at your age'! Unfortunately, I could see his point. He's Caersws to the core, and I hope he turns things around this coming season. Its a club with so much history. First time I met Micky Evans, he was this 13 year old wonderkid, playing for Caersws Youths. I was Berriew Youths 'enforcer' and deputed to rattle him up a bit. Never got anywhere near him. He was a star even then. Anyway, I can strongly recommend a day out at the trotting races.

Can 'Assisted Suicide' ever be right?

Were I to have been a member of the House of Lords, I would not have supported Lord Falconer's attempt to relax the law on assisted suicide last week. And that was before I read Baroness Campbell's powerful article in today's telegraph. Read it, and then decide. You might find that those problems that were getting you down are not quite as bad as you thought.

Its easy to agree with Lord Falconer that people who help others carry through their wishes to end life should not be guilty of breaking the law, and running the risk of a long stretch in jail. At least its easy if you relate the argument to an individual, like Debbie Purdy, an MS sufferer who campaigns for the right to assisted suicide. Why should she have to suffer a painful death if she doesn't want to, and if she needs assistance from people who love her to travel to an establishment that will end her life, why should they risk jail simply for helping her? The problem is that changing the law for Debbie, (and others in the same situation) would have immeasurably wider effects on society in general. Lets set aside the religeous aspect of this. Many elderly people already feel that they are a burden on their families, and know that by continueing to live, they will become an ever greater burden, and use up all that money they had dreamt of passing on to the next generations. No-one can calculate what extra pressure legalising assisted suicide would put upon these people. And its no point saying that safeguards would be incorporated into any new law. There was much talk of safeguards when abortion was legalised - and now over 200,000 babies are aborted in the UK every year.

That's the thing about being an MP that frightens me most. Its the issues about which there is no straight forward. But you should read what Baroness Campbell has to say before deciding. Her speech last week was thought to be very influential in persuading their Lordships not to change the law.

Second Home Allowances for MPs.

Interesting article in today's Mail on Sunday by Brendan Carlin. Headline reads 'Furious MPs vow: We will quit over new expenses blitz.' He reports that some MPs are 'seething with anger' that the head of the Parliamentary Fees Office has demanded confirmation in writing of the following before second home allowances will be paid;

a) The terms of the mortgage agreement.
b)That the payments are for interest only.
c)That the amount claimed is accurate.

What surprises me is that any payment can have been made in the past without these conditions being met. Not only is it right and proper that payments should end if these conditions are not met, but they should never have been made in the first place. I've always argued, without much support from anyone, that there is no difference between helping a politician meet the costs of providing secondary accommodation in London (or Cardiff) via reimbursing rent or mortgage interest. My argument collapses if the above basic conditions are not being enforced. The MoS report suggests that some MPs are contemplating resigning and forcing by-elections over the issue. I did just check it was not the April 1st edition. Sometimes I read stuff that is so preposterous that its just not believable.

Making a 'Noise' or a 'Difference'.

Was subject to forensic refection on what sort of an MP I would make last night - and directly to my face. It began kindly enough, in that it seems I performed my duties during my 8 years as an Assembly Member with an "open mind" and "spoke up for the people". Things went downhill from there. At Westminster, it seems that I will inevitably be subject to pressure from the whips, will do just what I'm instructed to, and will have no influence at all. I've read other similar dismissive comments on the blogosphere. The basis on which these comments are made is that I've said that I cannot envisage a situation in which I would refuse to obey a 3-line whip. Needless to write, I disagree with these assessments of effectiveness. The upshot is that I've been instigated to write this post about how an MP can most effectively represent constituents.

I often read and hear the opinion expressed that voting against the party whip is a demonstration of an independent mind - 'putting principle before party' etc. You know the sort of stuff. Its certainly an effective way of becoming noticed and securing headlines. But it rarely has impact of any significance on Government policy. All it usually does is greatly reduce any influence on policy that the 'rebel' may have had. The only interest it serves is that of the rebels themselves. Personally, I reckon a much more effective way of making a difference is to argue and debate issues within a governing party before policy becomes established - the aim being to secure a 'free vote' or some form of 'policy flexibility', perhaps by building up a body of like minded opinion.

The issue that usually instigates this discussion is my attitude towards devolution, and my opinion that the National Assembly for Wales should be granted law making powers in those policy areas that are devolved. I shout my opinion from the hilltops, hoping for effect. Now, I don't expect our manifesto writers to respond by including a commitment to provide exactly what I want - which would be a pledge to hold an immediate referendum on the transfer of all these law making powers. Might be wrong of course. But I do hope that it will be written in a way which accepts my right to hold and advocate this opinion. By engaging in this debate now, I hope I can make a difference to our policy, which is more than I would ever achieve by voting against a manifesto commitment sometime in the future.

Another way of making a 'difference' rather than a 'noise' is to be in Parliament for important votes, rather than in the constituency chasing the camera. I still recall the huge fuss the two Powys MPs made last year about Post Office closures - and then learning that they both missed the crucial vote in the House of Commons. Iain Dale has posted on another example of this sort of behavior today.

My experience of politics is that too many MPs are too concerned about issuing press releases 'condemning' and 'welcoming' - though we all do this to some extent. None of us can afford to ignore the importance of a media profile. But what really matters for constituents is what difference can be made to promote their interests, rather than how much 'noise' can be made to promote the politician's interest - a point I made rather forcefully last night.

Leave it to Sir Christopher Kelly.

Beb Brogan has written an interesting article in today's edition of the Telegraph, berating MPs for footdragging in response to the public row over expenses. I don't agree with him. He seems to want MPs to react in an unconsidered kneejerk way to the exposures made by the Telegraph over the last two months. I agree that there should be a reaction, but it should be on the basis of calm and careful consideration. It should not be simply a response designed to get a furious public off politician's backs. Sir Christopher Kelly has been charged with doing this, and bringing forward a report for MP's consideration - as soon as possible, which is likely to be the autumn. Everyone tells me he is a fair and meticulous man. Ben Brogan wants MPs to take instuctions from the Telegraph, and while many of these suggestions may be sensible, it should be left to Sir Christopher.

The National Assembly for Wales did try to do this in a sensible way, but it was overtaken by events that happened at Westminster when the Telegraph published details of individual expenses. Sir Roger Jones was asked to produce recommendations, in much the same way as Sir Christopher. It was delivered this week. But the report, in effect, ceased to be recommendations for AM's consideration, and became instructions not open to discussion. There was a 'show' of the Assembly Commission meeting to decide to accept the report, but the reality was that they were powerless to do anything but accept the whole package. Must admit I felt very uneasy about the way, 60 AMs who all had the 'ba**s' to stand for election, and won the support of the people were bull dosed by a group of people who have never faced the voters at all (except for Dafydd Wigley I suppose). Now I bet there's plenty of people who disagree with that line!!

Personally, I would be surprised if the same thing happens at Westminster. There was a bit of theatrical strutting about how the Assembly was leading the way, and that other Parliaments would automatically follow this lead. A touch of unwarrented self importance perhaps! The truth is that the Assembly's decisions made no impact outside Wales whatsoever. When Sir Christopher Kelly reports, no-one at Westminster will remember the Sir Roger Jones Report - that's if they ever knew about it in the first place.

Now this is what I'd really like to see. Sir Christopher's report being published at the same time as a General Election is called. Every single candidate would have to answer detailed questions from the voters about how they would behave, and what claims they would make. That really would be democracy in action. There would terrific public engagement, well attended public meetings, and a great turn out. A new Parliament elected in such an election would be far better placed to restore authority, respect and dignity to our house of Commons than anything that will be decided by the current discredited Parliament. And it might just happen. I'm sure Sir Christopher Kelly could arrange it.

New 'Ruling Group' on Powys Council.

My favourite 'snout' Edna Mopbucket hasn't been on for a while now. She cleans and dusts around civic offices in Wales, and lets me know about any tit-bits she discovers. She was on tonight, informing me that the Liberal Democrat Group on Powys County Council has decided to enter into a 'working arrangement' with the Powys Independent Alliance, creating a permanent majority to run the Council. If this is true, 9AND Edna's usually right) it would be a totally new situation for Powys C. C.. But it all sounds a bit odd to me.

I can see the logic of creating a 'ruling' majority group - and a coalition between the Lib Dems and the Powys Independents has the numbers to create that. The next logical step would be to change the constitution from the current 'Board' system, where all groups are represented on the Executive Board to a 'Cabinet' system where only the ruling group is represented in the Cabinet. But Edna tells me that there is no intention of making this constitutional change. Most odd. They seem to be creating a majority coalition to take public responsibility for all decision taking, while not changing the disbursement of power at all. On the surface, this looks a good deal for the Conservatives and the Shires Independent Group. Perhaps light will be shed on what's happening in comments.

Pool Quay Argae again.

I've blogged before on the rumpus surrounding the raising of the height of an argae (a flood defence embankment) at Pool Quay, near Welshpool in Montgomeryshire. Though the issue is too complex to make the news, in my opinion it is a story that warrents national attention. Local feelings are running very high. The current state of play is that the Assembly Minister (on the basis of an Inspector's Report) has decided that the argae can be raised to protect a listed building, Trewern Hall, even though it will increase (slightly!) the risk of flooding of perhaps 30 nearby properties. Understandably, these property owners are very upset. There's also the matter of full costs being awarded against the Environment Agency, which could land the taxpayer with a bill approaching a million pounds. I promised to keep you posted on developments.

I'm not expecting any final decisions, or action on the ground, until the three months within which the Environment Agency can appeal has passed. But there is the unfinished business of planning permission, which is still required. The Local Planning Authority, Powys County Council refused planning permission for what the Minister has now effectively approved, in 2005. I'm told that the appellant has today submitted another planning application, similar to that which was previously refused. I imagine that this may cause a bit of a problem for the planners. If an application, very similar to one previously refused were to be approved, there could well be a case for referral to the Ombudsman - with significant financial consequences. Perhaps there will be an effort made to refuse to register the application, unless sufficient changes are introduced to accommodate a claim that its a different application. I'll report on this next week. Just keeping you informed - and don't blame me for reporting this. That's like kicking the postman for delivering bad news!

UPDATE - I'm told by someone who knows this issue far better than I do that 'slight' is not the appropriate word. I was trying to remember what the Inspector said. George's comment is worth reading.

Then there were five.

The runners in the Montgomeryshire General Election Handicap are making themselves known. Last year's winner, Lembit Opik will again be representing the Lib Dem stable. I always dismiss rumours that it might be otherwise. This colourful, if erratic stayer should now settle to some serious training after a few wayward gallops, if reports are true that he has recently aquired another young, handsome, new stable mate. The Plaid stable will be represented by the only filly so far declared, Heledd Fychan - already making an impression in the warm-up area. For six months and more its been rumoured that a Mr Nick Colbourne has been entered from the Labour stable, but he's hardly been seen anywhere near the course so far. I will be carrying the Tory colours, and feel that all the preparation work is going well. And today, I met my good friend, D W L Rowlands on the street in Welshpool, and he told me that he has been entered from the Ukip stable.

David is a very old friend. He was my predecessor but one as Chairman of Montgomeryshire District Council in the early 80s, and when he stood for Parliament as an Independent in 1983, I agreed to sign his nomination papers, because he was a good man, as well as a good friend. So we have form and history between us. Over the last year or so David has not been well, but he looked full of beans today. He's just finished campaigning as the No 4 candidate on Ukip's slate in the recent Euro Election, and reckons he's ready to build on his party's terrific result in that election in Montgomeryshire - where Ukip pushed the Liberal Democrats down to a poor third. Its building up to be an enjoyable as well as an unpredictable race. There will be a fair few punters watching this one on race day.

Roses

In general, I don't like roses. Its not that I don't recognise that they are pretty. Its just that they are so damn vicious. But we do grow a few that have something special to offer. This 'Rambling Rector' growing up a cherry is stunning, and worth its place in any garden that has the room. You can work out its scale by comparison with Ffion's John Deere, parked underneath. I suppose its about 20' - both high and wide. Its due severe pruning after its finished flowering, because the lower branches take lumps out of the mulcher driver.

We grow this rose because of its unusual colour. Its not quite the elusive 'blue' but getting that was when it first opens. Bluer than any other rose I've seen. As roses go, its well behaved and disease free. I like it. Which is more than you can say for some of the red ramblers we grow - bedecked with the brightest of lovely red blooms, and thorns like hooks that tear flesh to the bone. I'm not putting up photographs of these temptresses which would charge you such pain for the pleasure.