Welsh Referendum Result & Welsh Lib Dem Conference

Blogging will be light this weekend as I'm off to Cardiff for the Welsh Liberal Democrat conference.

We're currently waiting for the Welsh Referendum powers result which we should know by the early afternoon. A comfortable 'Yes' result is to be expected but the big question mark is turnout. Will we get a good % voting or an apathetic figure of below 50%? We will soon find out.

Welsh Liberal Democrat conference this year is set to be the biggest and best ever. We've got more pre-registrations than ever before and we have Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg addressing our Friday night rally with Vince Cable addressing us on the Saturday. Because they are now senior Ministers, we now have heightened security measures for the weeked for the first time. It'll be a long way from those cold conferences in Coleg Powys in Llandrindod Wells when I first became active in the party almost a decade ago!

I'm looking forward to listening to Alliance Party leader and Northern Ireland's Justice Minister David Ford chairing a section of conference on policing and to our leader Kirsty Williams' keynote speech on Saturday lunchtime.

I've got a busy weekend myself. I'll be chairing conference on Saturday morning live on S4C and will be leading the financial appeal immediately following that. The conference dinner is always a highlight and likewise the socialising in the bar afterwards! There'll be plenty to talk about with friends old and new - the referendum result breakdown in the 22 different constituencies, Lib Dem challenges running up to May 5th and just general, good old-fashioned gossip!

So, it'll be a busy weekend and the laptop is staying at home so don't be overly concerned to find a rare silence from me and my blogging!

See you on the other side...

A Song for Wales on Referendum Day - Now Go Do Your Duty and Vote Yes for Wales

Today's the day.

The Welsh go to the polls today in the referendum on Welsh powers. Wales needs a strong and firm 'Yes' vote to show the rest of the UK that we are an increasingly self-confident nation and people who are willing and ready to take our own destiny in our own hands.

To celebrate my patriotic Welshness on this important day in our history and in the development of our country, I have chosen some Welsh songs that proudly remind me that I was born a lucky man - I was born a Welshman.

To begin with, our Tiger Bay temptress Shirley Bassey. "I Am What I Am" - Welsh! Then her duet with Bryn Terfel - "We'll Keep A Welcome in the Hillside".



There's the spine-tingling 'Men of Harlech' as was performed in the film blockbuster Zulu.



There is nothing better than a Welsh Male Voice Choir in full flow. Here we have our national anthem 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau', the beautifully melancholic 'Myfanwy', the beloved 'Calon Lan' and the world renowned 'Cwm Rhondda' (Bread of Heaven).



All of this, because, as Cerys Matthews from Catatonia sang: "Every Day When I Wake Up, I Thank The Lord I'm Welsh".

Cymru Am Byth

The Welsh Referendum (Part 2) - The Campaign Trail

This is the second article that I was asked to contribute for Liberal Democrat Voice on the issue of the Welsh powers referendum this coming Thursday and which was published on the site here yesterday.

I'm pleased to do so to highlight the Welsh liberal context on LDV to my fellow liberal cousins across the UK and beyond!

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I explained in my previous LDV post a few weeks ago, why the Welsh Liberal Democrats are campaigning for a 'Yes' vote in the up-and-coming referendum on March 3rd.

Well, how it's all going? Well, not too badly as it happens.

Whilst in the 1997 devolution referendum,  support came from the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Labour and Plaid Cymru (the Conservatives opposed it), now, all four are officially supportive of a 'Yes' vote. Across Wales, we have been helping with street stalls and delivering leaflets for the 'Yes' campaign.

Helping the 'Yes for Wales' campaign in Cardigan with
members of Labour, Plaid Cymru and independents.

Here in Cardigan I've been helping with street stalls alongside Labour and Plaid Cymru colleagues (there aren't any active Tories in Cardigan able or willing to join us!) - it's certainly an odd sensation to be on the same side of the argument as some of our erstwhile rivals!

I've also been out delivering literature through letterboxes in town and this work has been repeated the length and breadth of the county and throughout Wales by my Welsh Liberal Democrat colleagues. Here in Ceredigion, our MP Mark Williams and Welsh Assembly candidate Elizabeth Evans have led from the front in dedicating time to this important campaign.

A systematic decision - not a political one

What does frustrate me however is that many within Labour and Plaid Cymru are using its disagreements with the Westminster coalition to further their calls for a 'Yes' vote on March 3rd.

What we must convey to the public is the argument that the current system of devolution is cumbersome, ineffective and a waste of resources. £2m could be saved in bureaucracy alone in giving Wales the direct tools to do the job in the 20 current devolved areas. This could mean more money for our schools or hospitals. A 'Yes' vote gives our Assembly members the tools to do the job for which they were elected.

Labour and Plaid however have been keen to exploit the difficult decision having to be made at Westminster by arguing that cuts being imposed centrally means it's of greater importance for Wales to have greater powers in Cardiff Bay.

At the same time, many of the proponents for a 'No' vote are arguing that grave deficiencies within the education and health service here in Wales demonstrates that giving further powers to the Welsh Assembly is a step in the wrong direction.

Both of these arguments should be set aside as cheap political points-scoring.

Because on March 3rd, we vote for the system. We vote for the politicians and their distinct policies on May 5th.

The debate needs to be clear and concise and needs to differentiate between the two.

The polls are looking promising for the ‘Yes’ camp but we can’t be complacent and what is worrying us all is the turnout figure. We don’t just want a majority victory but we need, and Wales needs a decisive victory on a good turnout of at least 50% to show that we mean business here in Wales.

I'm proud that under Kirsty Williams' leadership, the Welsh Liberal Democrats are leading the debate in a positive and proactive way and I look forward to what will hopefully be a positive result for Wales this coming Friday.

A Day in the (Cardigan) Life of Cllr Mark Cole

Today has been a really good day. One of those 'this is why I do this job' kind of days. There are days when it feels as if I'm banging my head against a brick wall - any elected representative will tell you that they all have them. If they don't, they're lying!

Well today has been one of those that re-inforces in me, the reason why I stood for Council 7 years ago, stood for re-election 3 years and will stand again for re-election again next year.

Yes for Wales

I'd planned to spend today delivering my quota of 'Yes for Wales' A5 flyers around my ward as promised. The referendum is in 14 days and postal ballots fall through letterboxes imminently so time was of the essence. As is my way with these things, having checked the weather forecast last night and found that today was due to be dry if cloudy whilst Friday was due to be wet, I decided that today would be the day when I would blitz my Cardigan Rhyd-Y-Fuwch council ward with this positive message. I therefore went to bed last night running through my head the best way of tackling the delivery of 500+ flyers that I was required to do. I've always done this. If I have a delivery to do, be it for a Focus or my Xmas flyer for example, I'll always plan the night before what I'll do and how depending on how much time I have and what other diary commitments I have to work around.

Well today, the only commitment I had in my diary was a mid-morning meeting at the CAB so I planned around that and took it from there. It does help that my ward is one of the smallest and most concentrated in Ceredigion. It has only around 650 houses in it and the majority are in Cardigan town centre itself. With this in mind, I felt that I could probably deliver the vast majority of it comfortably by 4pm.

7 hours of sunshine, smiles and delivering for Wales

I left the house this morning at 10.30am and set-off down my planned route of Aberystwyth Road, taking in Feidrhenffordd. I then cut inside and delivered Rhos-Y-Dre before delivering half of Maesyrhaf, zig-zagging across the road to deliver all of Napier Gardens and then Napier St. Whilst on Napier St, I bumped into Gary who won the Overall Champion Award in last year's Cardigan Town in Bloom. He totally deserved his achievement last year and he still couldn't believe it - so unassuming was he of his ability to turn a small area into a wonderful visual experience. As a Scot, he also had to bemoan his country's performance last Saturday - his Welsh partner however, rightly had no qualms at the result! It was already turning out to be a much more pleasant and sunnier day than I'd expected and I reached the CAB shortly afterwards at 11.30am. There I had, as Chair of the Trustee Board, a 45 minute meeting with our excellent Bureau Manager Buddig and we went over some paperwork dealing with the on-going merger process with Aberystwyth CAB to form a Ceredigion-wide service. There were a few items that I had to follow-up and promised to do so for her this evening.



Setting off, I delivered Williams Terrace where I bumped into Ben who is a real Cardigan character and who always keeps a watchful eye out for our Bureau for which we are grateful. He was on good form and asked about my nephew who was involved in a road accident on leaving school 2 weeks ago (and is thankfully fine). How had Ben become aware of this I don't know but such is the Cardigan way, word spreads around quickly enough! I then delivered Feidrfair and half of William St before stopping for lunch at 12.30pm at Cardi Cafe which has not long been taken over by budding young chef Matthew. I've often stopped there for a break, to have a snack and read the paper and that was just what was required today. An excellent large breakfast (don't tell Alyson!) whilst reading the weekly news in the Cambrian News and Carmarthen Journal was just what the doctor ordered and feeling refreshed, I set off at 1.30pm for an afternoon of delivery.

I began by finishing the second half of William St and bumped into Denise who had a concern about improvement works that the Council have been undertaking in the street and in Feidrfair. The improvement works, which have previously taken in North Road, have done a great deal of good in improving the look of the town but in this case, she had a legitimate grievance about the lack of pointing and of some works that had not been done. I promised to contact the Council for her this evening and to raise her concerns with the planning department who authorised the works.



Always Smiling

I then moved up town to deliver North Road when I heard a passing car beep its horn. It was Dai, the secretary of Cardigan Football Club giving a wave, and I waved back. I then completed the second half of Maesyrhaf before moving in to Bro Teifi estate and Heol Hafod. Whilst in Heol Hafod, I bumped into Dennis who was doing some gardening. I hadn't spoken to him in some time and before I knew it, I'd been on his door-step for some 30 minutes - the two of us putting the world to rights on local issues and on wider issues more generally. He spoke very kindly of me and said that we needed more people like me around - a very touching thing for him to say. Muriel was passing by at this time and I said a quick hello to her as she was leaving her house. On finishing Heol Hafod, I moved into the Bro Teifi estate proper and called in to see Ken who I've been helping recently with some casework. He's been having communication problems with the new housing association Tai Ceredigion and I chased them up for him. The good news was that his kitchen will now be re-fitted in its entirety with the work commencing in 11 days time. On leaving, he asked if I could drop a birthday card for him at his former neighbour's new house at the top end of the estate which of course was a pleasure to do on his behalf. I then called in with Chloe who I've also been helping of late with her housing problems and was pleased to hear that positive progress was being made with her case.

I then called into the Bro Teifi sheltered accommodation complex to deliver the 'Yes for Wales' flyers there too and to see the improvement works that have been on-going there in recent weeks. I must admit I was bowled over by the changes made. I had presumed that Tai Ceredigion were just going to give the communal room and warden's office a make-over but they have in fact knocked through walls and have extended the popular warden Louise's office to double its size which was much needed as it was previously little more than a box room. The communal room looked much lighter and more pleasant and they've done a good job fair play. Louise the warden is very well liked by the residents and quite rightly too - she's got a great personality and is a great help to the residents. She's also very kind and helpful to me as the local Councillor and today told me that children from the primary school (of which I'm a Governor) will be visiting the complex on St David's Day (March 1st) to sing Welsh songs for the residents and that I'd be more than welcoming to attend - it's now in the diary! On my walk around the building, I called in with Nikki who I've known for many years as she used to work on our family farm and was a popular addition to the team because of her spinning demonstrations. She's not long moved to Bro Teifi where her mother also lives and it was good to have a chat with her and I muchly appreciated the glass of squash that quenched my thirst in what was a surprisngly warm and spring-like afternoon.

On leaving the estate, I bumped into Michael who informed me that the broken street light which he had notified me of and which I reported to the Council last month had now been fixed - good news. He then told me of another street light which was now needing attention and he said that he'd call me this evening with the specific number for that lamp post so I can report it also. I then went to Brynhafod where I unintentionally bumped into Graham, one of my helpful Lib Dem deliverers who was visiting his mother. We had a chat and I informed him that the next delivery is ready for him so he'll collect his bundle from my house over the next few days - a happy coincidence! I was then called over by Dai who is one of the members of our successful Neighbourhood Watch scheme who wanted to check the date of our next meeting.

By this time it was 5.20pm and the sun was just setting. I finished my round for the day in Maeshenffordd where a resident was just getting out of a Robin's Taxi having done her shopping in Tesco. Her name escapes me but I know her face (I'm getting old) and she called me over and said how nice it was to see me and she asked after me and commended me for my work. Again, a nice gesture which wasn't necessary but which was nevertheless greatly appreciated. I finished by leafletting at 5.40pm (much later than expected!) having delivered over 500 flyers during the previous 7 or so hours.

I walked the short 10 or so minute walk back home here to Aneddfa and on seeing another Robin's Taxi drive past, saw another hand wave in my direction and so I again, happily waved back (I know the Robin's Taxis guys well enough!).

Proud to be a Councillor
It really has been a lovely day. With no evening meetings to worry about (the one I had, had been postponed yesterday), I was in no rush and could amble around at my pace, delivering the flyers through letterboxes whilst chatting to anyone who may be walking by or who may be at their door as I approached. It also gave me the opportunity to catch up with some casework cases and it was pleasing to note positive progress in a number of these.

(I should not that where I mentioned casework cases above, I have changed their names in italic to protect their identies as such specific casework is of course confidential).

It was also a beautiful day - much warmer and sunnier than I'd expected. It put a real spring (pun intended) in my step as it really felt, for the first time, as if winter may finally be on the way out. Finally, having the gestures of goodwill made me feel that my work over the years as a Councillor is appreciated by those I try my best to help and represent. That's what matters. If the goodwill wasn't there, I wouldn't be either.

Call me Mark
Over the past 7 years, I have come to know so many people in Cardigan and in my ward in particular and being a farmer's boy, I like talking to people on first name terms. I'm Mark and that's how I like to be referred too. If a resident prefers to call me Mr Cole or Cllr Cole then that's fine but given the choice I'll always say that it's Mark that is on my birth certificate. Probably 90% of those that I come across call me Mark and this more than anything pleases me greatly. I hope it shows that I'm seen as being an approachable, helpful and positive individual who can always be relied on to have a smile on his face.

It's a real pleasure and an honour to serve as a Councillor in Cardigan and it's days like today that re-emphasises the fact that deciding to put my name forward for election back in 2004 at the then age of 21 was one of the best decision I have ever made.

The Welsh Referendum (Part 1) - What's it all about?

This is an article that I was asked to contribute for Liberal Democrat Voice and which was published on the site here yesterday.

It's the first time that I've been asked to write specifically for LDV and I'll be following it up with a second post on this referendum in a few weeks time.

I'm pleased to do so to highlight the Welsh liberal context on LDV to my fellow liberal cousins across the UK and beyond!

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There's much talk about the House of Lords on-going 'go-slow' with the legislation for the AV referendum. The latest obstacle thrown up being the 40% voting turnout threshold. Meanwhile, the 'Yes 2 AV' campaign continues with its ground campaign in readiness for the expected d-day of May 5th.

But here in Wales of course, we have another referendum on our mind - the referendum on further powers to the Welsh Assemby in Cardiff Bay.

Referendum Day - March 3rd!

The referendum was promised by the 'One Wales' Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition government within the 4 year life-scale of the current government. With only two months of that government to run to we finally get to have our say on the future of Welsh legislative powers. The 'Yes for Wales' campaign was officially launched in January as I blogged about here at the time.

At present the Welsh Assembly is able to pass primary legislation (called Assembly Measures) in the 20 Policy Fields for which it is responsible such as health, education and agricultural matters. However, it must first have the power to do so conferred upon it by the Westminster Parliament. Once the power to legislate in certain matters has been conferred, the Assembly has that power permanently.

The LCO (Legislative Competence Orders) process which currently exists to deal with this situation and which Labour brought into being with the 2006 Government of Wales Act, is protracted, bureaucratic and long-winded.

As an example, it has taken three years for the Assembly to get powers transferred from Westminster to reform the organ donation system to give a lifeline to people waiting for a new kidney. Even though the policy is widely supported in Wales the Assembly is still waiting for permission to act.

Why's it taken so long? Because this is the current drawn-out mechanism that it and other measures have had to go through...

• Internal discussion on the terms of a draft Order with the Wales Office and Whitehall

• Draft LCO published

• Pre-legislative scrutiny by committee at the Assembly

• Pre-legislative scrutiny at Westminster, usually by the Welsh Affairs Committee in the Houses of Commons and the Constitution Committee in the Lords. Each committee prepares a report and can propose amendments to the draft LCO, as can the Secretary of State if s/he wishes

• The Welsh Government considers the various responses, and prepares a formal LCO

• The proposed LCO is considered by the Welsh Assembly

• If approved by the Assembly, it is then considered at Westminster. It may be considered again by the Commons Welsh Affairs Committee, and will also be scrutinised by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments

• Both Houses of Parliament approve the LCO, or not. If approved, it then receives Royal approval.

Fallen asleep yet? Because it's this kind of 'cap in hand' government that this referendum hopes to do away with.

As First Minister Carwyn Jones said on Tuesday last week:

"The Assembly's present lawmaking system is like Warren Gatland having to send a letter to Martin Johnson asking if he can put Shane Williams in the Welsh team, and then having to send 14 individual letters for the other players as well".

So why do the Welsh Lib Dems Say 'Yes'?

The Welsh Liberal Democrats, ably led by Kirsty Williams, are supporting and campaigning for a positive result because it has been the long and proud tradition of Welsh radical liberals since the age of Lloyd George to support a full devolutionary settlement for Wales.

As a UK-wide party, we believe in federalism - a strong Wales playing its full role in a strong and united British framework. This doesn't mean independence for Wales - it if did, I wouldn't be supporting it and neither would Kirsty Williams and the Welsh Liberal Democrats! It means greater autonomy for Wales to deal with its day-to-day issues in the same way as we would wish local councils to deal with matters that are relevant to our communities at the ground level.

So we're busy campaigning for a 'Yes' vote in two referendums this spring! I will report back on the progress of this particular campaign in a few weeks time.

Ceredigion Launches It's 'Yes to Wales' Campaign

I was very pleased to have been present at the launch of Ceredigion's 'Yes to Wales' campaign in Aberystwyth last night.

In a launch of what will be an energetic campaign, it was great to see a full hall of some 175 or so, ready for the battle ahead.

An All-Party Effort
It was important for the campaign to see figures from the 4 main Welsh political parties at the launch. The evening was presided over in a measured way by the calm hand of former Labour MP, the highly respected cross-bencher Lord Elystan Morgan. We then heard from Ceredigion's Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams, Plaid Cymru's Ceredigion AM Elin Jones, and former Conservative AM Lisa Francis.

An All-Community Effort
But it wasn't just a political affair. This March 3rd referendum on securing a much more straightforward and sensible devolution settlement for Wales will be won by the residents of Ceredigion and of the other counties of Wales and not by the politicians that lead them.

So it was great to see businessmen and teachers also speak in favour of a 'Yes' vote. The audience also contributed and showed commitment to the cause as well.

But now we need to lead by example. It's now a matter of going out on the door-steps and delivering leaflets through doors and setting-up street stalls throughout the county. We need to explain why a 'Yes' vote will benefit the residents of Ceredigion.

The work begins here.

Working with the (Plaid Cymru) Enemy

Some jest there with the title - I couldn't resist!

But with the festive season of 'goodwill to all men' upon us, it's been good to see a little less of the partisan politics in the County Council Chamber this week.

A Plaid Cymru/Welsh Lib Dem Join Motion
Today, I was very pleased to formally second a motion on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats (our Council Group photo to the right), put forward by the leader of the opposition Plaid Cymru group on the Council, Cllr Ellen ap Gwynne, in support of the extra powers referendum to the Welsh Assembly that will take place here in Wales, next March.

The motion was carried comfortably with only 4 members against - Ceredigion County Council therefore now formally endorses a 'Yes' vote in the referendum next May. 

This was a pleasant situation because it came this morning in our annual 'Christmas Council' meeting which was followed by our annual Xmas Dinner (paid individually by members I may add!). The County Council meetings are normally held in the Council Chamber in Aberaeron but the Xmas meeting is always held in the Chairman's parish so today we were hosted by the village of Ferwig in Cllr Haydn Lewis' 'Penparc' Ward.

The agenda was surprisingly light and there was very much a 'seasonal' feeling to the meeting, with jokes and pleasantries exchanged before, during and after.

Partisan Politics
This is welcome, because whilst in the 6 years that I've been a member our Council meetings on the whole have been held with a good deal of decorum, there have been many a spat and tantrum thrown in the Chamber down the years from both sides of the aisle. It's the way of politics of course although I would like to think that in the round, ours in Ceredigion is more reasoned as is the case with the 'newer' politics of the Welsh Assembly than the 'older' politics of the adversarial style in Westminster.

Certainly, from what I've heard from friends and colleagues across the country, Ceredigion's compares favourably when it comes to how we undertake business. In most Councils, the largest 2 parties of 20th century politics, Labour and Conservative, hold sway. The historical animous between the two - the old dogma of left vs right - is still very much alive and kicking in Town Halls across the land and the vitriol is very rarely far from the surface.

But here in Ceredigion we really are quite unique. There is only 1 member out of 42 that has been elected from either of these two heavyweights of 20th century politics - Labour's Hag Harries in Lampeter. There are no official Conservative Councillors on Ceredigion County Council.

That isn't to say that there's never any animous between the majority of Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrats Councillors of course - we have our moments! But on the whole, it seems to me that ours is a slightly older, rural and not urban kind of politics. Whilst we don't always see eye-to-eye politically in the Chamber, the personal relationships between members is good. I can personally state that I have very good relations with very many members of the Plaid Cymru group. Indeeed, only last Tuesday, their Group Deputy Leader Cllr Paul James happily gave me a lift from Aberaeron to Aberystwyth after we'd both spent the morning sitting on two licensing panels with each other.

I could quite easily find myself going for a pint with many of my opposite numbers. Not all maybe, but a good number all the same.

Positive, Not Negative
It's certainly better this way. Of coure we'll argue and disagree from time-to-time, but when there is common ground, it's better for us all and more importantly for the residents who we have been elected to represent, to come together and to work together for the greater good.

We did that today, and as members of Ceredigion County Council, on this day at least, we should be justly proud.