and Jeff Cuthbert AM
Caerphilly MP Wayne David responds to an article in the last edition of Caerphilly Observer titled ‘Ron Davies to stand in by-election’.
Dear Sir, I was interested to read that Ron Davies is standing for election, again. In the interest of balance, I am appreciative that you have given me space to say a few words about Lisa Jones, the excellent Labour candidate.
Lisa is a young, enthusiastic and able candidate who lives in Bedwas and works tirelessly for her community. Lisa has a proven track record as a conscientious Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen community councillor and is extremely active on the committee of the Bedwas Workmen’s Hall, is a school governor and is a volunteer in a local youth club.
Lisa has the drive to carry forward the excellent work of the late Ray Davies, who sadly passed away in May. Lisa also has the enthusiasm and ability to make a first rate County Borough Councillor for Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen.
People will come to their own conclusions about Ron Davies but in my view, people can be confident that in Lisa Jones they will have a councillor who will always put the people first.
Yours sincerely, Wayne David, MP for Caerphilly.
I would appreciate it in future if the article had “Now a party political broadcast by the Labour Party” at the beginning, and “That was a party political broadcast by the Labour Party” at the end, both in big, emboldened letters to make it clear.
In the interests of fairness Caerphilly Observer should contact other parties sanding for a statement about their candidate. The one-sided coverage in this paper is outstanding.
Yes, let’s hear it for Bob Douglas, UKIP candidate.
Councillor Williams, lets hear more about Rob Douglas then, what`s to lose?
Does the Caerphilly observer have to abide by impartiality rules such as the likes of the Beeb?
I will admit that I’m not up on this but as the observer is probably privately owned…..?
The Caerphilly Observer, like other media `tools`, are open to
`paymaster` influences. One of these `influences` is that of financial
contribution, not the crude ` bung` sort, but a kind of `loyalty`
contribution, and, the benefits such an individual or organisation has
come to expect, and which any benefactor has come to tacitly expect from
recipients benefiting from their patronage.
In the case of
Caerphilly CBC, it is a fact that they spend considerable sums on
`advertising`, they are a rich source of news stream, and they are, as a
result able to `manipulate` the media, (there are group of residents in
Caerphilly who were actually told some years ago, by a reporter from a
large news outlet, a Wales newspaper, not the Observer, that it would
not report a particular Cabinet decision because it had been threatened
that their advertising stream by the council would be under threat if they did)
In
the case of the Caerphilly Observer, it only needs to influence the
Editor, the person who has complete control over all that happens with
it, additionally, the `reporter which they employ was initially engaged
via Caerphilly Council signposting a considerable financial grant of
Welsh Assembly money to the Caerphilly Observer, in which case the
Editor may feel a certain `loyalty` not to embarrass the Council but
keep friends close, , or, to support them in one story or another by
burying a report full of critical public comments, by, if a particular
Council based item appears and the council have a beating by unsupported
comments, the Observer will, in quick succession, produce a series of
non stories that nobody is interested in, therefore relegating the
interesting but unsupported item down the list in double quick time
until it disappears off the radar. Very Importantly it continuously
fails to allow public comments on each report it produces on the
disgraceful, costly criminal case, of the three senior Council staff,
one of whom is a Solicitor, currently set to stand trial in the Crown
court, whilst at the same time allowing comments on criminal activity and court cases involving the less `noble` citizen. I am sure there are examples of censorship
which the Caerphilly Observer are guilty of including removing critical comments, but we would not know about them, why, because they have been censored, if however you are reading this Who Knows???? to what extent.
The Caerphilly Observer, like other media `tools`, are open to
`paymaster` influences. One of these `influences` is that of financial
contribution, not the crude ` bung` sort, but a kind of `loyalty`
contribution, and, the benefits such an individual or organisation has
come to expect, which any benefactor has come to tacitly expect from
recipients benefiting from their patronage.
In the case of
Caerphilly CBC, it is a fact that they spend considerable sums on
`advertising`, they are a rich source of news stream, and they are, as a
result able to `manipulate` the media, (there are group of residents in
Caerphilly who were actually told some years ago, by a reporter from a
large news outlet, a Wales newspaper, not the Observer, that it would
not report a particular Cabinet decision because it had been threatened
that their advertising stream by the council would be under threat)
In
the case of the Caerphilly Observer, it only needs to influence the
Editor, the person who has complete control over all that happens with
it, additionally, the `reporter which they employ was initially engaged
via Caerphilly Council signposting a considerable financial grant of
Welsh Assembly money to the Caerphilly Observer, in which case the
Editor may feel a certain `loyalty` not to embarrass the Council but
keep friends close, , or, to support them in one story or another by
burying a report full of critical public comments, by, if a particular
Council based item appears and the council have a beating by unsupported
comments, the Observer will, in quick succession, produce a series of
non stories that nobody is interested in, therefore relegating the
interesting but unsupported item down the list in double quick time
until it disappears off the radar. Very Importantly it continuously
fails to allow public comments on each report it produces on the
disgraceful, costly criminal case, of the three senior Council staff,
one of whom is a Solicitor, currently set to stand trial in the Crown
court, whilst at the same time allowing comments on cases involving
court cases of us `plebs`. I am sure there are examples of censorship
which the Caerphilly Observer are guilty of but we would`nt know about them, why, because they have been censored, if however you are reading this Who Knows???? to what extent.
Hi Noel,
Thank you for taking such an interest in how we operate – it is good to know that our readers are engaged with the stories we cover.
Attacks on my personal integrity I can take (and defend). I open myself up to them by publishing the Caerphilly Observer, but there are some factual errors in your comment that I must correct and some assumptions which are not true.
Firstly, you are correct in that Caerphilly County Borough Council spends some of its advertising budget with us. However, we would never shy away from a story for fear of the council ‘pulling’ its spend, likewise the council has never made such a threat to us. To insinuate that such a thing goes on is wildly off the mark.
Gareth, our reporter, was employed initially through Jobs Growth Wales – a Welsh Government scheme which aims to help small businesses grow. His wages for the first six months of his employment were paid for by the Welsh Government via EU funding. This has absolutely no bearing on editorial decisions whatsoever.
With regards to the accusation that we ‘bury’ news with our content flow, this is simply how web news works. We never take down an article which may be critical of the council and each of our articles can be found via the search function or looking through our archive page.
As a general policy we don’t allow comments on court cases that are still active because of the risk of contempt of court under the 1981 Contempt of Court Act.
I would be more than happy to meet with you, or indeed any of our readers, face-to-face to discuss any issues or concerns you may have with our editorial policy.
Many thanks again for reading.
Richard Gurner
Editor and Publisher
Ray Davies, and Ron Davies, were friends since Ron was 16 years old, Ray Davies was Ron`s political mentor, it was, in Ron Davies early years in local politics in Bedwas and Machen Council that Ray Davies impressed on Ron never to forget his roots, it was Ray who encouraged Ron to further his political career in national and international politics.
Ray Davies very sad passing has resulted in this election being called, so there is probably no better legacy and no better reason for the residents in the area to support Ron Davies, who, in turn, has always supported them throughout his entire political career, and unlike others he continued to do so even whilst holding high political Government office. Some senior politicians forget their roots whilst eating from the top table of politics, Ron did not. the voters of the area remember that.
I admire your desire to see nostalgia but politics is not about legacies, or people, it is about communities. The person who should be elected is the person who is most competent at the job. Having a connection to Ray Davies is not a determined or this.
It is important to note that Ron Davies may be the most competent candidate – not living in the war I do not know much about the candidates.
Having a “mentor” connection to the late Ray Davies, and Ron Davies own unlemished political record, and, his unquestionable imovable dedication to his constituents throughout his political life makes him the best candidate to be elected to the Caerphilly Council, only under his stewadship of this seat can the Caerphilly council be held to better account for what is best for everyone in the Borough, lets hope the people of Bedwas and Trethomas help us all out.
Ron Davies has shown that whatever party he may represent his absolute dedication to all his constituents never wavers.
Immovable dedication to his constituents funny that he wanted to put houses on Bedwas pit much to the opposition of the constituents and his mentor Ray Davies
Just ask him on the doorstep how he feels about that plan now that it has been reserected by Labour. I would ask him for his rationale on the issue.Put him on the spot, and make him explain himself, only then judge if his dedication to his potential constituents is sound, or not.
Ask him on the doorstep I would if he knocked my door I would also ask him what’s he been doing for BTM ward since he lost his seat has he been active in the area at least the other candidates are local and know the constituents.
If you dont know Ron or he does`nt know you you must be new to the area, and if you want the development of the colliery site vote labour, but I thought you were against it??
I know Ron I voted for Ron when he stood as an independent and look how that turn out
I do agree he rolled out a flag `of convenience` for himself in order to gain a place at the cabinet table, that is, after all, the only way to get anything done for your constituents and ` make a difference`. Ron Davies is `Independent`, but works under the Plaid Cymru Flag on convenience, He was, is and always will be his own man when it comes to representing his constituents. and, unlike many other Councillors it means ALL his constituents, whatever their party.
Sorry but I don’t think he did a good job representing us at the Bedwas pit fiasco Angus Donaldson stood as independent and got a lot of things done Ray Davies even went against his own party for the good of BTM ward Ron Davies actions are to my mind about Ron Davies he could like Angus get things done for the BTM ward as an independent but that was not enough for Ron
If as you say he works under the Flag of Plaid Cymru that to my mind says more about them than Ron Davies.
That’s one of the reasons we’ve been red for so long. Instead of dealing in what “is” we tend to deal in what “used to be”. I was talking to a labour supporter before the GE and all he kept telling me was what the Reds did for the people of the valleys in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s when he was growing up. It is often said of the conservative mindset that it’s days are numbered because of changing demographics. I would argue that the only constant is change and we may not be a red county forever as a result.
You are correct, but be Careful what you wish for, Plaid Cymru is the `natural` wagon on which labour supporters will hitch a lift.
Vote UKIP and you get Conservative, I wonder if there is any point in supporting local Lib Dem Candidates? the fact is that they would be politically eaten alive by Labour and Plaid in the Council Chamber.
I think there will be some very big surprises in this constituency in the Assembly Elections in 37 weeks time, I think if UKIP put up a reasonable Candidate, who is prepared to work with local communites between now and the election, they have a real opportinity to take the seat from labour, Plaid Cymru already showing they are a spent force, and Labour failing, appallingly, considering Jeremy Corbyns warnings to them, that they have lost the knowledge and the ability of how to engage directly with voters, in this area much of this is the fault of the sitting PM for Caerphilly and the isolationist AM, who at least has the sense to stand aside, it therefore remains to be seen if the new Labour Candidate can hold onto the seat, has the ability to reach out to old and new supporters, other than only in local church meetings and concerts. Good luck on that one. What a political shambles
Regarding your first and second paragraphs:
I’m not so sure that labour defectors would naturally move over to Plaid anymore. Before the GE I would have agreed with you but after seeing the numbers that came out for UKIP I would say at least the majority of those were ex-labour and would stay ex-labour, I include myself in this category.
This is without factoring in the wild card that is Jeremy Corbyn.
In your second paragraph you mentioned the possibility of reaching out to the libdems, I’m pretty sure your joking there. You also mentioned that a vote for UKIP is a vote for the conservatives, I don’t understand could you explain please.
I think I was incorrect Dean, Welsh Labour has a lot going for it, they need to get their messsage right and they could retain their dominant political position in Wales and we may all be better off as a result.
Mills you have a sickness. Creating an account in order to trash me because you can’t debate me is sad.
I I was incorrect Dean, Welsh Labour has a lot going for it, they need to get their messsage right and they could retain their dominant political position in Wales and we may all be better off as a result.
What I would like to see is a CV of the MP and AM which places them is a position to think they are best placed to `advise` the electorate in this ward who to vote for.
I cannot think of one thing, in respect to either of them, which elivates, either of them, to a position of advisors to the people. The AM is particularly devoid of any legacy so far as I can check or remember. Senior Politicians should not think that their backing is GOOD for a candidate, they may be doing more harm than good to `their` candidate by this intervention.
I’ve not seen sight nor sound of Lisa Jones knocking on doors, pounding the pavements to meet the constituents, not really much enthusiasm in her then, I have however seen plenty of Ron Davies.
I have been out canvassing nearly every day with Lisa Jones, the Labour Party candidate.. We have covered nearly all of the ward , you were not in the streets that we have canvassing. We will be out again tonight and until polling day. June Gale
I have been out with Lisa,Jones EVERY night AND Saturday mornings i have seen Ron Davies….driving around the. BTM ward while his canvassers have been the ones knocking the doors!!!!
Sorry June I thought I was,replying to the above comment not yours x
I have I have seen Lisa Jones knock on my door and my neighbours and many others what I not seen is Ron Davies and the other candidates that are standing.
So we’ve seen articles on the Labour Candidate and Plaid’s candidate, despite UKIP coming second in Caerphilly in the past 2 years in national elections and increasing its vote with swings between 11.5% and 24.5% in all recently fought by-elections in the county, still no article on Bobby Douglas the UKIP candidate for Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen?! After all UKIP is now the undisputed second party of Caerphilly in terms of votes.
The problem is that for many years the media and the voters have been used to there being only two possibilities for the people of Caerffili, Labour or Plaid. This has changed now with UKIP coming second in 2015 with the largest positive swing, for any party, in any constituency outside Scotland.
In the meantime Plaid’s vote has been in steady decline in all general elections since 2001. They are no longer a viable alternative to Labour and were beaten into fourth place, trailing even the Conservatives, in the last election. Despite this there seems to be a bias in the media for reporting what they and their candidates have to say.
Labour has controlled the council many times over the decades and has held the parliamentary seat since 1918. We all know what this has led to in Caerffili, with parts of it declared the poorest in Wales (Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation published November 2014) There is a clear choice locally in all forthcoming elections, UKIP or Labour. It is high time that the media recognised this and allowed a proper debate between the protagonists, rather than the polarised coverage of Labour/Plaid we have so far received.
I’m not from the BTM ward but would like to know a little of Bobby Douglas myself. Where can I find information about him?
I asked UKIP to provide that information 5 days ago, since then? nothing, How do they hope to get elected if there is no information out there about their candidates?
Now you know Pete. And I notice you STILL offer him a defence to his abhorant. You can find out about him by reading the observer, Oh, you have done, I see
Yes the irony is not lost on me.
I offer him no defence of his transgressions of current political and societal norms, I merely question those norms and remind people that fashion is fleeting. What we accept today as correct we abhorred yesterday and may again tomorrow.
I will be less cryptic for you Lionel.
His views ARE abhorrent, his choice of words ARE disgusting to me but his right to say them should never be questioned. Freedom of speech laws are being eroded and a lot of people can’t see that. I just wished to remind them, as I have said on many occasions that this is an open forum and not an echo chamber.
You are deluded in your view that the UKIP Candidate, or anyone else for
that matter, should be able to rely on our Country`s protected defence of Free
Speech to make hatred, death inspired encouraging remarks of gassing immigrants, and
any other comments which promotes illegal activity, it is illegal to
encourage `murder`, it is illegal to promote hatred of minority groups
or to attack them in anyway, even in the lighthearted way some think
they can use to subjugate others however much the culprit tries to justify
their words or actions, using `jest` as a defence.
ANYONE
who makes such comments, ANYONE who demonstrates a hatred of any
minority group or person, and anyone who thinks they can subjugate
ANYONE by feeble, attempts of humour should be investigated by the
authorities, and I include ANYONE who it can be demonstrated has a
apredilection to do so. Someone ought to report these matters to the
police, it maybe I will do so today and ask them to investigate, I think
someone may have already done so though, if the final result is `no
action` it would at least place on the record against that person, for
any further indiscretions, and that they have a prediction to hold those
views.
You forgot to say homophobic in that most dramatic post.
Is this you being funny again? I noticed that too.
This isn’t me! mills you are out of control
It is implicit in the comment, surely you of all people understand that ?