In his second blog for Caerphilly Observer, Caerphilly’s Labour MP Wayne David explains why a Yes vote is needed in Thursday’s referendum.
My, my, what a reaction. When I wrote my first blog the week before last, little did I think there would be such an intemperate response from the nationalist fraternity of Caerphilly.
They are clearly a sensitive bunch when it comes to Ron Davies. The only thing I will say in addition is that clearly ‘the truth hurts’.
A few constituents expressed a thirst for more information about the policies I favour. I would suggest they have a glance at my website and they will find a host of press releases and articles on dozens of subjects.
Today, I’m going to say a few words about the Referendum in Wales on March 3. I am strongly in favour a ‘Yes’ vote, not because I see it as a step to an independent Wales but because I believe it will mean a logical extension of the Assembly’s powers. I believe that the case for devolution has always rested on the desirability of decision-making being as close to the people as practicable. Britain, traditionally, has been a very centralised State; the devolution of power to the nations of the UK has now changed that, and a good thing too.
The election of a Conservative-led Government in Westminster has meant that there is now a clear political division between the politics of the Labour-led Government in Cardiff Bay and the Government in Westminster. In all likelihood, Labour will emerge from May’s election either as a majority Government or as the largest partner in a coalition, and it is therefore important for that Government to have enhanced powers to protect the people of Wales, as far as it can, from the reactionary Tory-led Government in Westminster. Obviously, it will always be impossible for Wales to insulate itself against a hostile Government in London but a strong ‘Yes’ vote will do two things.
Firstly, it will send a clear message to the Tories and their Lib Dem cronies in Westminster that Wales rejects their slash and burn policies. And secondly, it will give the Assembly the ability to make laws itself without having to secure the agreement of Westminster. With Labour now in opposition in Westminster, the Assembly will no longer receive a ‘fair wind’ for its proposed laws.
So, my message is clear – on March vote 3 ‘Yes’ and tell the Tories where to get off!
Wayne David
Labour MP for Caerphilly
Have to agree with all that, but surely better law making powers are more important than telling the Tories to naff off? (Sorry, can't help nit-picking!)
Wayne David still has to mud throw in his blog, for gods sake Wayne grow up, you are acting like a little schoolboy not the MP for Caerphilly. Ron Davies did more for the assembly than your sidekick Cuthbert (who only ever seems to be seen in photoshoots) ever did. Stop mud slinging and start to do the work that the good folk of Caerphilly elected you for, and stop using the slogan "Vote Labour and keep the Tories out",You have been using this slogan in every election since I was 16yrs old, I am now 66yrs old which sort of proves that Labour can't think of new ideas.
The Tories are no friends of Wales. A 66 year-old man should have seen enough evidence of it, but the Tories' disregard for Wales goes back a lot further than that. It's not just a 'slogan', the fact is that most Welsh people are well aware that the Labour Party has fought. and succeeded, agains the many Tory Policies that would have been bad for us.The Welsh support for Labour continues, despite the attempts by others to distract it, and the people know that Labour values are their values.
The normal spin from Derek Havard, I did not say I support the tories or agree with their policies, I am aware of the damage done to Wales by the Tories just as I am also aware of the damage done to Wales by Labour, also to the damage caused to the uk by the Blair & Brown administrations, the mismanagement of the UK by Labour, the near bankrupsy of the Uk, homes being repossesed, the list is endless yet the Labour party still expect support. Believe it or not, there is an alternative to Labour in Wales, why does Labour still think they have the god given right to rule Wales.
So Mark Newman thinks that Wayne David should not be allowed to point to the flaws of the Plaid Cymru candidate for Caerphilly does he? If anybody needs to grow up its him and his nationalist friends. I have never come across such an insecure bunch in all my life. The vast majoirty of Wayne Davids blog was concerned with promoting a yes vote for on March 3rd and not with Ron Davies. It is rich coming from Mr Newman that Labour are too engaged in mud slinging in that he spent the vast majority of his posts attacking our Labour representatives in Caerphilly and rubbishing the record of the last Labour government. I must agree with Wayne David when he says the truth realy hurts for Plaid in Caerphilly. Its Plaid Cymru who should grow up!!
Mr Newman says that there is an alternative to supporting Labour in Wales and of course he means Plaid Cymru, but if you take the drive to Independence out of their basket it becomes very clear that all their policies are copied from the Labour Agenda of the past 100 years.A measure of 'Home Rule' was achieved when Devolution happened and that's as far as most of us in Wales want to go. So have the bottle to tell the Voters if what you really want is complete separation from the UK. Dafydd Ellis Thomas has now made it clear that that is what he wants.Does he speak for his Party?.Mr Newman says he opposes the Tories – well let us hear how. No 'mud-slinging', just Policies.
I find it funny that in one post Mark Newman can have a go at Wayne for "mud slining" and in the same post basicaly acuse Jeff of being a meda whore. I am forced to wonder if mr Newman has a majer case of duble standads. Or if he simply does not read what he writes befor he posts it?
Also in regard to his coment "The near bankrupsy of the UK" i feal i must ask him why is a world wide banking crisis Labours fault? If it had bean a UK only thing then it would be one thing, but not this world wide problem we curently face.
Actually I found Mr Newman's comments quite funny, he obviously does not follow local politics or else he would know that Jeff Cuthbert AM is an honest dedicated man who had to take over as Labour's candidate for the Welsh Assembly after Mr Davies resigned for personal reasons. Since then I understand that Mr D has metamorphosed as a politician for a number of different parties, even claiming to be an Independent at one time. Living up to the song which goes: What so ever King may reign I'll be the vicar of Bray Sir……
Oh yes and it was a famous victory for Wales the referundum vote on March 3rd – well done Jeff Cuthbert and Wayne David for working so hard for it, and managing to explain what it was all about and why I should vote yes.