A New Era.....

I was present at the Conservative AGM on Anglesey last thursday. I was a little late due to another engagement and literally ran through the door to be confronted by a room bursting at the seams! Much to amusement of others I had to pick my way to the front and sit in a seat reserved for me by the Chairman. Upon sitting down, we were informed that 8 people had put their names forward to be officers without title. This was 2 more than the constitution allowed! So naturally a motion was put forward to expand the number of officers allowed!

Now we have an officers committee of 11- young and not so young, I wish to add!

What did strike me was the prevailing sense of optimism in the room. Nobody should be left in any doubt- Ynys Mon Conservatives are ready for an electoral fight!

Press Release on Post Offices

Trefor Jones: Protect our Post Offices!

Trefor Jones has condemned Government plans to press ahead with Post Office closures that will have a disastrous effect in many communities on Anglesey and throughout North Wales.

Trefor Jones says:
“Rural communities throughout Anglesey have been battered relentlessly by the Government in the past few years. Petrol prices are higher than they have ever been before; schools are under the threat of closure and agriculture is suffering a downturn, thanks most recently to Foot and Mouth. Government plans to close some of these post offices will have a devastating effect on their communities.

The Conservative Party Early Day Motion to suspend the Post Office Closure programme was narrowly defeated by 20 votes. 17 Labour MP’s who had signed a similar EDM changed their minds and sided with the Government in this vote.

Trefor Jones goes on to say:
“I pay tribute to those MP’s from other parties who joined the Conservatives in voting for this motion but it‘s time that those Labour MP’s who voted against to start sticking up for their rural communities. Losing a Post Office in a village has a devastating effect on the lives of older people who depend on it, not only to collect their pension but to shop as well. The effect on the culture and Welsh language would also be catastrophic.”

The Conservative Party have developed a number of policies that would help to strengthen Post Offices including campaigning for the Post Office Card Account and using post offices for Government GP services.

Trefor Jones said:
I am absolutely committed to campaigning to ensure that communities in Anglesey are not deprived of the vital services that the Post Office provides.”

Press Release on protecting Communities and the Welsh Language

Trefor Jones has welcomed last week’s Welsh Conservative Party’s call for the introduction of community and Welsh language impact assessments before a decision is taken to close schools in Wales.

This policy was announced by Assembly leader Nick Bourne AM in his speech at the Welsh Conservative Party Conference in Llandudno last weekend.

The strategy recognises that closing a school, especially in a rural community, has implications on the whole community

Trefor Jones said:

“With all the rumours about school closures on Anglesey in the last few months, I welcome this positive announcement. The wider implications of closing a school in a community must be taken into account. Carrying out community and language impact assessments at the time of a proposed closure would mean this would be considered before any action was taken.”

The strategy is another important step the Conservatives would take to protect communities and the Welsh language.

Trefor Jones goes on to say:

I take the protection and future of communities and the Welsh Language in Ynys Mon very seriously. A school does not only educate the children inside but plays an essential role in the wider community. This Welsh Conservative policy would help to protect these cherished institutions.”

Ends

Promises kept?

So the debate has finished and the case for a referendum on the European Constitution has been rejected by the Labour and Liberal Party (well most of them!). There is no doubt that there are strong views on either side. I want to leave what my feelings are about a referendum (although I am strongly in favour of a referendum as what was promised in our manifesto at the last General Election).

Faith in politics is at an all time low. The amount of people who trust politicians has been dwindling for years. There is a prevailing feeling that politicians don't listen. There is also an accusation that politicians break their promises.

As far as today is concerned, I have a tremendous amount of sympathy with the above comments. Labour and the Lib Dems actually promised a referendum in their manifestos at the last General Election. Nobody made them do this and when it comes to the crunch, what happens? They turn their backs on that promise. Why? Because they didn't think they could win a referendum.

What's worse is that they have tried to hide their deceit behind convoluted reasons as to why it isn't a constitution. The truth is that the majority of European leaders agree that its a constitution, influential select committee's think its a constitution, many members of the Labour Party think its a constitution. Gordon Brown you are trying to hoodwink the people you say that you respect.

And as for the Lib Dems. They sowed the roots of their problems today months ago. An argument that their should be a referendum on whether we should be in Europe at all was merely a ruse to deflect attention that they were abstaining from the vote and turning their back on the manifesto commitment that they made. By attempting to force a three line whip on your party members and make them break their manifesto promise, you have been foolish Mr Clegg.

The big loser today...... faith in politicians?

A new job for Lord Roberts

And he thought that he was about to retire!!

Lord Roberts has been a tremendous servant to Wales for many years. I watched a programme on S4C about him a few years ago that outlined all the various jobs that he had done. Up until that point, I hadn't really appreciated the many different things that he had done.

However, he has another job now! The story of the Welsh Conservative approach to Devolution has been going on for a while now. All the interviews that I did for the media over the weekend were dominated about how Welsh the party is and what is our approach to devolution. Well, we shall have our answer soon!!

A review into devolution is the right decision and I believe that asking someone of Lord Roberts' stature to do it is also right. He will be able to take all views into account and come up with a recommendation.

I must admit that I share Glyn Davies' bemusement at the reaction of Alun Ffred to this announcement, as shown here courtesy of the bbc website:

"Their party leader has decided to distance himself and his party from Mr Bourne's stance.
"This is a huge embarrassment for Nick Bourne, who's been slapped down for voicing a view without the permission of his bosses in London."

I've done a few media things with Alun Ffred over the past year and despite our differences in policy have always regarded him for his positive attitude to debate. His words here lack common sense and here are my reasons.

The Conservative Party should have a definitive line on devolution- however that line must be the right one. I believe that it was the right idea for David Cameron to put this out to debate within the wider party. This will ensure that everybody who wants to contribute, can contribute. Party democracy at its best.

As for Alun Ffred's ludicrous comments on Nick Bourne. Nick and the Assembly group have a perfect right to express their views and have done that. This is a view that is shared by me and many of the Party (see Glyn Davies' blog). However, there are some members who might not share that view and their views deserve to be heard as well. Democracy in action.

We will have a coherent view on devolution before long whereas the Plaid/Labour government in the Assembly will no doubt continue to argue about when a referendum should be held. The constant prevarication that Labour/Plaid having on devolution is hanging like a dark cloud over the coalition and is dominating so many of the issues that are actually important to the people of Wales. If anybody needs to sort themselves out, its them!

Conference Speech on Culture, Welsh Language and Sport

As promised, here is my speech from conference. Its as it was left on thursday evening when I was reasonably happy with. There are parts that were altered a little for saturday but the main text is basically the same.

I made a concious decision this year to give most of the speech through the medium of Welsh. This was a deliberate decision. There is no doubt that the party have been developing a Welsh identity for a few years and many of us are proud of that. It was because of this that I was really pleased to see that Paul Davies who was giving the main speech in the slot that I was also a part of give his speech almost entirely in Welsh. He has taken up the baton of Lisa Francis and is doing an excellent job. I was proud to share the platform with him.

Anyway here is the speech, warts and all. Please excuse any typos and misspellings etc. as they were eradicated on another computer on friday evening and on paper on the saturday morning!!

P’nawn da gynhadledd, Good Afternoon Conference. It gives me great pleasure to Chair this debate on culture and its affect on making families stronger and society more responsible. The fact that it is St David’s Day makes it even more special.

Before I start, I just want to say that it is a fantastic development to see that translation facilities available this year. If anybody wants proof that the Welsh Conservative Party has changed then you have it now. Please, also take this as warning that I will be changing into Welsh during the speech so headphones at the ready!

I need not introduce the man that will be addressing you before long- Paul Davies has been on the scene for a long time, yet still manages to keep his youthful looks!! Like me, he is from good Ceredigion farming stock and his Conservative values are unquestioned. Needless to say that his work since becoming an Assembly member and Opposition Spokesman on Culture, the Welsh Language and Sport has been first-class.

But before him, you’ve got me! I am now going to talk in Welsh so if those of you who need translation, can you prepare yourselves now.

Hoffwn gymryd ychydig eiliadau i gyflwyno un o ardaloedd prydferthaf Cymru: Ynys Mon. Mae Ynys Mon yn don o ddiwylliant. Dyma cynefin Kyffin Williams sydd wedi gwneud gymaint dros arlunio yng Nghymru. Mae ganddoch sioeau diwylliannol yn digwydd yn gyson, megis Sioe Môn a Gwyl Cefni. Mae Canolfan yr Ucheldre ac Oriel Ynys Môn yn sicrhau bod gan pawb mynediad i ddiwylliant Os yn chwilio am adeiladau hanesyddol mae ganddom ni rhain hefyd: O Gastell Biwmaris i Felin Llynnon. Mae’n galonogol i weld bod 60% o’r bobl yn defnyddio’r Gymraeg yn ddyddiol.

Nawr, cyn bod neb yn amau, dydw i ddim wedi cael fy nhalu gan y Bwrdd Twristiaeth am y disgrifiad yma!

Rwyf yn rhoi’r esiamplau yma i chi oherwydd mae’n fy arwain i at y pwyntiau hoffwn i wneud heddiw.

Mae’r cysylltiad rhwng diwylliant a thwristiaeth yn allweddol. Cymrwch Caergybi er esiampl. Mae Caergybi yn dref sydd wedi dioddef yn fawr dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Mae’n wir bod gwaith da wedi cael ei wneud ond mae angen gwneud mwy. Mae cyfleoedd arbennig gennym i hyrwyddo twristiaeth diwylliannol ac i helpu trefi fel Caergybi ar draws Ynys Mon a Gogledd Cymru. Ond, yn anffodus unwaith eto, mae agwedd y Llywodraeth Clymbleidiol yn y Cynulliad at brosiectau tebyg yng Ngogledd Cymru yn llugoer.

Gallai cynnig un ffordd o hybu twristiaeth diwyllianol yng Ngogledd Cymru. Dwi’n sicr bod nifer ohonoch wedi bod ar fordeithiau gwahanol boed yn y Caribi neu yng Ngogledd Ewrop ond faint ohonch sydd wedi cysidro mynd ar fordaith o gwmpas Cymru? Mae cwmni ‘Cruise Wales’ yn cynnig y teithiau yma ac maent yn defnyddio Caergybi fel un o’r Porthladdoedd. Beth am edrych i ddatblygu porthladd Caergybi a’i wneud yn borthladd ar gyfer mwy o fordeithiau. Cam bositif a allai helpu un o adrannau mwyaf yr economi yn Ynys Mon ac yng Ngogledd Cymru- twristiaeth. Byddai cynllun fel yma yn naturiol yn rhoi hwb i ddiwylliant ardal sydd angen hwb.
Ond, y gwir yw ers i Llafur a Plaid Cymru ymuno gyda’u gilydd lawr yng Nghaerdydd, yr unig peth maent a diddordeb ynddo yw plesio De Cymru.
Mae’n amlwg nad yw’r Cynulliad yn gwneud digon i hyrwyddo diwylliant yng Ngogledd Cymru. Edrychwn am eiliad ar achos Lerpwl- Prifddinas Diwylliant Ewrop a chartref tim pêl-droed gorau’r byd- na, nid Everton!!

Fel yr ydym yn gwybod, mae Lerpwl â chysylltiadau hanesyddol cryf gyda Gogledd Cymru. Meddyliwn nôl i’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol a’u gynhaliwyd ym Mhenbedw yn 1917- Eisteddfod Hedd Wyn, Bardd y Gadair Du. Wrth gwrs mae cymdeithas Cymraeg gryf yno hyd heddiw. Roeddwn i yn un o’r nifer a oedd wedi siomi na chafodd Lerpwl y cyfle i lwyfanu’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol blwyddyn diwethaf. Nid hyn sydd yn fy mhoeni.

Mae agwedd Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn fy mhoeni i. Mae fy nghwestiynau i Rhodri Glyn Thomas yn rhai syml:
1. A ydym ni’n gwneud digon i denu busnes ar draws y ffin?
2. A ydym yn gwneud digon i hybu ein cysylltiadau gyda Lerpwl, yn enwedig yn y flwyddyn diwyllianol pwysig yma.

Yr ateb unwaith eto yw na. Y gwir yw ein bod ni’n colli allan ym maes diwylliant. Yn hytrach na gwneud y gorau i Gogledd Cymru mae Llafur a Plaid Cymru yn glynu wrth eu syniadau dogmatig i gadw gwasanaethau yng Nghymru. Mae nhw’n barod yn niweidio ein gwasanaethau iechyd, yn enwedig, ym maes niwroleg ac nawr maent yn yn gwneud yr un peth ym maes diwylliant.

Hoffwn droi at faes sydd yn bwysig iawn i mi: yr iaith Gymraeg. Fel yr wyf eisioes wedi dweud mae 60% o bobl Ynys Mon yn gallu’r Gymraeg- mae hyn yn destun balchder. Am flynyddoedd mae Plaid Cymru wedi hawlio’r Iaith fel eu polisi nhw a neb arall. Wel, dyna ni jôc. Y Ceidwadwyr sefydlodd S4C. Y Ceidwadwyr a Syr Wyn Roberts oedd yn gyfrifol am Ddeddf Iaith 1993. Beth mae Plaid Cymru’n gyfrifol am? Un o’r pethau maent yn gyfrifol am yw chwalu gobeithion nifer am y papur newydd Cymraeg gyntaf. Yn y fan yma hoffwn dalu teyrnged i Paul Davies, Nick Bourne a’r tîm yn y Cynulliad sydd wedi ymladd yn erbyn penderfyniad y Llywodraeth.

A gair bach i Rhodri Glyn Thomas, rwyt ti wedi cefnu ar yr addewid gwnaethoch chi a’r Blaid Lafur yng Nghytundeb Cymru’n Un i gefnogi sefydliad Papur Newydd Cymraeg. Mae’n amser i Blaid Cymru i ddysgu eu bod nhw mewn Llywodraeth ac hynny gyda’r Blaid Lafur. Os yr ydych am wneud addewid, Plaid Cymru, yn gyntaf gwnewch yn siwr eich bod yn gallu fforddio fe ac yn ail gwireddwch fe! Pwy fyddai’n meddwl fod angen pryderu am yr iaith o dan Lywodraeth Plaid Cymru!!

I will now revert to English for the rest of my speech.We are facing numerous challenges in the field of culture, the welsh language and sport over the next couple of years.

The London Olympics provide a unique opprtunity for the people of Britain to particpate in the festival for sport. However, we must ensure that we are not short-changed in Wales. If Wales does suffer a funding cut from the lottery then many local important, life-changing community projects will be lost. Already there is talk that we will be suffering a cut in lottery funding of £45 million. Projects such as days out for young people who spend their lives caring for relatives could be lost.

This is unacceptable and what is the Government doing about it, well all Rhodri Glyn Thomas is doing is complaining- I’ve got a message for you Rhodri Glyn Thomas- Stop complaining and start doing your job. You’re the Minister, start fighting Wales’ corner. And I will extend the message to all Labour and Plaid Cymru Member’s of Parliament. Start doing your job and fight to ensure that Wales gets what it deserves. And Albert Owen, if you’re not doing your best, then I will want to know why.

We are lucky to be living in a nation of rich culture and sport. From the Wales Millenium Centre, the National Library and many Castles, we are blessed with a unique heritage. We have a tremendous tradition of sporting achievement and I’m sure that you all hope, like me that we smash the Irish next week! We have produced some of the best musical talent in the world. Established stars such as Bryn Terfel and Tom Jones and rising stars with the world at their feet. One person I would like to mention here is Duffy. I wander how many of you have heard of her. She is a phenomenal singing talent who’s already reached the top of the charts. If you’ve not heard her, make sure you do- she’ll knock your socks off!

The Conservative Party has done more for culture in Wales than any other party. I am proud to stand up for our record with the Welsh Language created by so many good people including Syr Wyn Roberts and many more. We have a past to be proud for. The future looks good as well. The Conservative Party are ready for Government.

Diolch yn fawr.

Off to Llandudno

Well its bag packed and up to Llandudno tomorrow for the conference. Going to Conference is still a bit of a new experience for me- I went to a couple 4/5 years ago but had a sabbatical in between. I broke my duck last year and it was a real eye-opener. The conferences a few years ago were characterised with hope- hope that we could make a recovery and win the next election. Last year's conference was chararcterised by a sense of expectation. We all sensed the the mood of the public was changing and we were relevant again.

This year, the battle goes on. There are some real highlights this year, not least DC coming to give his address. I've only seen DC give a speech once live- yes last year's conference and it was an excellent speech. I'm sure the standard will be maintained this year.

Once again, I've been lucky enough to have been invited to speak on culture. I'll publish my speech early next week. I'll just give you a few snippets now!

1. There is so much more that the Assembly Gov't can do to promote cultural tourism.
2. We need clarification on how much lottery funding Wales stands to lose from the Olympics.
3. The opportunities to promote tourism on places such as Anglesey by tapping into the cruise industry.

I'll leave it there for now so I'll have a few new pieces to share on the stage!