Comments on: Equality should be enshrined in principle and practice http://waleshome.org/2009/12/equality-should-be-enshrined-in-principle-and-practice/ Independent analysis from and about Wales Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Dave Collins http://waleshome.org/2009/12/equality-should-be-enshrined-in-principle-and-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-3300 Dave Collins Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:26:11 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5549#comment-3300 Do they propose to apply the 'devolution discount' to London too? After all it has it's own Mayor and Assembly who control or influence a range of policy areas - including the Metropolitan Police. Surely the Tories cannot be proposing to apply their 'devolution dividend only in those devolved parts of the UK mainly represented by non - Tory MPs? To do so would be blatant gerrymandering! Do they propose to apply the ‘devolution discount’ to London too? After all it has it’s own Mayor and Assembly who control or influence a range of policy areas – including the Metropolitan Police. Surely the Tories cannot be proposing to apply their ‘devolution dividend only in those devolved parts of the UK mainly represented by non – Tory MPs? To do so would be blatant gerrymandering!

]]> By: Jeff Jones http://waleshome.org/2009/12/equality-should-be-enshrined-in-principle-and-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-3280 Jeff Jones Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:57:55 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5549#comment-3280 The Barnett consequentials mean that there will be a reduction in the Assembly budget because both the Tories and Labour have to reduce the £175 billion UK budget deficit after the election. Those cuts will have nothing to do with whether Wales votes 'yes' to further law making powers in a referendum. Today the Scotsman argues that the £12 billion in cuts proposed by Gordon Brown will lead to a reduction in the Scottish government's budget of £1.2 billion. Rather than whistling in the dark and hoping that somehow Wales will be except from this, sensible AMs should be debating where the changes in the Assembly's expenditure patterns should be made. Wales will be hit hard whoever is in power in Westminster because of the size of the public sector. The leaked Treasury paper on how other countries have overcome fiscal deficits already gives some indication of the thinking of Treasury civil servants. According to the FT, they want it tackled in a single stroke 'with a comprehensive reform package concentrated on cutting spending,not raising taxes.' Except in the area of benefits, where the spending cuts will fall in Wales will be the responsibilty of the Assembly. The Treasury study showed that many countries used the financial crisis to introduce much needed reform in the public sector which eventually led to improved service delivery. To achieve this of course you need public officials who are prepared to be innovative and politicians with the courage to support innovation and take on vested interests. Just sticking to the One Wales agreement is not what is required as the Assembly starts to prepare for the first of a series of difficult budgets in 2010/11. The Barnett consequentials mean that there will be a reduction in the Assembly budget because both the Tories and Labour have to reduce the £175 billion UK budget deficit after the election. Those cuts will have nothing to do with whether Wales votes ‘yes’ to further law making powers in a referendum. Today the Scotsman argues that the £12 billion in cuts proposed by Gordon Brown will lead to a reduction in the Scottish government’s budget of £1.2 billion. Rather than whistling in the dark and hoping that somehow Wales will be except from this, sensible AMs should be debating where the changes in the Assembly’s expenditure patterns should be made. Wales will be hit hard whoever is in power in Westminster because of the size of the public sector. The leaked Treasury paper on how other countries have overcome fiscal deficits already gives some indication of the thinking of Treasury civil servants. According to the FT, they want it tackled in a single stroke ‘with a comprehensive reform package concentrated on cutting spending,not raising taxes.’ Except in the area of benefits, where the spending cuts will fall in Wales will be the responsibilty of the Assembly. The Treasury study showed that many countries used the financial crisis to introduce much needed reform in the public sector which eventually led to improved service delivery. To achieve this of course you need public officials who are prepared to be innovative and politicians with the courage to support innovation and take on vested interests. Just sticking to the One Wales agreement is not what is required as the Assembly starts to prepare for the first of a series of difficult budgets in 2010/11.

]]> By: Daran Hill http://waleshome.org/2009/12/equality-should-be-enshrined-in-principle-and-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-3234 Daran Hill Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:59:41 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5549#comment-3234 ValleysMam, I'd dispute there doesn't seem to be much going on with them - there has been a lot of action lately around positioning for a referendum. The main problem they have though is who actually speaks for them. When it was just the Assembly group, there was more clarity. With MPs come more exposure but which is the authentic voice? Unless clear lines are established and people are told to stop throwing verbal hand grenades around, then this problem will continue and deepen. As I say, "Sort it out, Nick and Cheryl, because if you don’t then this sort of myth-making will be a real problem for you for the next six months." ValleysMam, I’d dispute there doesn’t seem to be much going on with them – there has been a lot of action lately around positioning for a referendum.

The main problem they have though is who actually speaks for them. When it was just the Assembly group, there was more clarity. With MPs come more exposure but which is the authentic voice? Unless clear lines are established and people are told to stop throwing verbal hand grenades around, then this problem will continue and deepen.

As I say, “Sort it out, Nick and Cheryl, because if you don’t then this sort of myth-making will be a real problem for you for the next six months.”

]]> By: valleysmam http://waleshome.org/2009/12/equality-should-be-enshrined-in-principle-and-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-3233 valleysmam Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:27:15 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5549#comment-3233 I challenged Glyn on David Davies on another post - his answer is interesting "You have to judge to what extent any political representative speaks for the party, or just for themselves. I have not heard anyone else make similar statements. I accept that I'm but a candidate, but no-one asked me for my opinion. I would not have suggested that granting law making powers to the National Assembly in currently devolved areas would have any effect whatsoever on Wales' financial settlement, and I would be surprised if David Cameron, Cheryl Gillan or Nick Bourne would differ from that opinion. What I notice is that those who wish to paint the Conservatives in certain colours tend to ask the opinions of those who will oblige. I judge accordingly." So he is certainly dismissing David Davies. I think A Change of Personnel makes some salient points and may be puts forward some interesting thoughts; Glyn as ever is pragmatic. It may be wise of the Welsh Tories to be a bit more visible and lay out a stall of policies and intentions in Wales. This last year since Nick Bourne's accident abroad, and the portfolio incident, there doesn't seem to be much going on with them. I challenged Glyn on David Davies on another post – his answer is interesting “You have to judge to what extent any political representative speaks for the party, or just for themselves. I have not heard anyone else make similar statements. I accept that I’m but a candidate, but no-one asked me for my opinion. I would not have suggested that granting law making powers to the National Assembly in currently devolved areas would have any effect whatsoever on Wales’ financial settlement, and I would be surprised if David Cameron, Cheryl Gillan or Nick Bourne would differ from that opinion. What I notice is that those who wish to paint the Conservatives in certain colours tend to ask the opinions of those who will oblige. I judge accordingly.” So he is certainly dismissing David Davies.

I think A Change of Personnel makes some salient points and may be puts forward some interesting thoughts; Glyn as ever is pragmatic.

It may be wise of the Welsh Tories to be a bit more visible and lay out a stall of policies and intentions in Wales. This last year since Nick Bourne’s accident abroad, and the portfolio incident, there doesn’t seem to be much going on with them.

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