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mattwardman

Listed below are comments made by mattwardman between Tuesday, 15th January 2008 and Thursday, 6th November 2008.

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Campaign Obama 10:30am on 06 Nov 2008 Nick

Any chance of anyone publishing the content/audio of the BBC seminar this morning about the US Election result.

Rgds

Matt Wardman
Feeling deflated? 4:07pm on 19 Oct 2008 >I know children (and apparently grown ups, it would appear from these posts) like rubber balloons, and it all seems harmless. But do they like them so much that they think it's ok that other people might die so that they can have their pleasure? Do you think it fair that I and other sufferers should have to risk our lives when we are out so that a child can carry a balloon for an hour. Is it fair that we should be confined to our houses and forced to be disabled, because of this? Just wondered.

I sympathize with your condition, but you are overreacting.

Bananas, kiwifruit and chestnuts contain the same allergen. So do rubber gloves, rubber bands, and most condoms. A latex allergy can also be triggered by apples, carrots, celery, potatoes, tomatoes and melon.

Must we ban all of those as well? And - presumably - find another way of battling AIDS, since Latex free (natural skin) condoms do not usually prevent transmission.

This isn't to do with "must I risk my life so that x can do that", it is to do with practical policies that strike a reasonable balance. Banning balloons is not reasonable in the overall balance.

It's the same reason why we haven't banned peanuts despite the fact that they give people anaphylactic shock.
Free speech, huge bills? 07:39am on 19 Sep 2008 Note to moderator: This comment was rejected before on the basis of "the copyright appears to be owned by someone else". The Civil Service Code is Crown Copyright, and as such repoduction is explicitly permitted and encouraged, as per the Terms and Conditions on http://new.wales.gov.uk/terms_and_conditions/?lang=en. Further the text I quoted is directly germane and adds value to the conversation at hand. Accordingly there is no copyright problem, and I request that you permit the comment. ------------------------------ Well, Betsan. Here's the Welsh Civil Service Code June 2007 Edition, in all it's 1063 word glory. I can't see anything here that a blog that "has the potential to cause embarrassment to the WAG" (i.e., a putative crime not committed yet) an offence. I can't see anything that makes actually causing that embarrassment an offence, since the highest obligation is to public service (not "WAG service"). I can see that using insider information for political purposes is a problem, but that is not mentioned as proven. What do your readers think? Matt Wardman ------------------------------------------------------ (reproduced from WAG site as encouraged by their Terms of Use and explicitly permitted by Crown Copyright). Link: http://tinyurl.com/welshcsc Civil Service Values 1. The Civil Service is an integral and key part of the government of the United Kingdom(1). It supports the Government of the day in developing and implementing its policies, and in delivering public services. Civil servants are accountable to Ministers(2). They are in turn accountable to the National Assembly for Wales(3). 2. As a civil servant, you are appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition and are expected to carry out your role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. In this Code: * ‘integrity’ is putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests; * ‘honesty’ is being truthful and open; * ‘objectivity’ is basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence; and * ‘impartiality’ is acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well Governments of different political persuasions.' 3. These core values support good government and ensure the achievement of the highest possible standards in all that the Civil Service does. This in turn helps the Civil Service to gain and retain the respect of Ministers, the National Assembly for Wales, the public and its customers. 4. This Code(4) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of you and all other civil servants. These are based on the core values. *** Standards of behaviour Integrity 5. You must: fulfil your duties and obligations responsibly; always act in a way that is professional(5) and that deserves and retains the confidence of all those with whom you have dealings; make sure public money and other resources are used properly and efficiently; deal with the public and their affairs fairly, efficiently, promptly, effectively and sensitively, to the best of your ability; handle information as openly as possible within the legal framework; and comply with the law and uphold the administration of justice. 6. You must not: misuse your official position, for example by using information acquired in the course of your official duties to further your private interests or those of others; accept gifts or hospitality or receive other benefits from anyone which might reasonably be seen to compromise your personal judgement or integrity; or disclose official information without authority. This duty continues to apply after you leave the Civil Service. *** Honesty 7. You must: set out the facts and relevant issues truthfully, and correct any errors as soon as possible; and use resources only for the authorised public purposes for which they are provided. 8. You must not: deceive or knowingly mislead Ministers, the National Assembly for Wales or others; or be influenced by improper pressures from others or the prospect of personal gain. *** Objectivity 9. You must: provide information and advice, including advice to Ministers, on the basis of the evidence, and accurately present the options and facts; take decisions on the merits of the case; and take due account of expert and professional advice. 10. You must not: ignore inconvenient facts or relevant considerations when providing advice or making decisions; or frustrate the implementation of policies once decisions are taken by declining to take, or abstaining from, action which flows from those decisions. Impartiality 11. You must: carry out your responsibilities in a way that is fair, just and equitable and reflects the Civil Service commitment to equality and diversity. 12. You must not: act in a way that unjustifiably favours or discriminates against particular individuals or interests. *** Political Impartiality 13. You must: serve the Government, whatever its political persuasion, to the best of your ability in a way which maintains political impartiality and is in line with the requirements of this Code, no matter what your own political beliefs are; act in a way which deserves and retains the confidence of Ministers, while at the same time ensuring that you will be able to establish the same relationship with those whom you may be required to serve in some future Government; and comply with any restrictions that have been laid down on your political activities. 14. You must not: act in a way that is determined by party political considerations, or use official resources for party political purposes; or allow your personal political views to determine any advice you give or your actions. *** Rights and responsibilities 15. The Welsh Assembly Government has a duty to make you aware of this Code and its values. If you believe that you are being required to act in a way which conflicts with this Code, the Welsh Assembly Government will consider your concern, and make sure that you are not penalised for raising it. 16. If you have a concern, you should start by talking to your line manager or someone else in your line management chain. If for any reason you would find this difficult, you should raise the matter with the Welsh Assembly Government’s nominated officers who have been appointed to advise staff on the Code. 17 If you become aware of actions by others which you believe conflict with this Code you should report this to your line manager or someone else in your line management chain; alternatively you may wish to seek advice from your nominated officers. You should report evidence of criminal or unlawful activity to the police or other appropriate authorities. 18. If you have raised a matter covered in paragraphs 15 to 17, in accordance with the relevant procedures(6), and do not receive what you consider to be a reasonable response, you may report the matter to the Civil Service Commissioners7. The Commissioners will also consider taking a complaint direct. Their address is: 3rd Floor, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ. Tel: [Personal details removed by Moderator] email: ocsc@civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk If the matter cannot be resolved using the procedures set out above, and you feel you cannot carry out the instructions you have been given, you will have to resign from the Civil Service. 19. This Code is part of the contractual relationship between you and your employer. It sets out the high standards of behaviour expected of you which follow from your position in public and national life as a civil servant. You can take pride in living up to these values. June 2007 *** Notes 1. This Code applies to all Home civil servants who are members of staff of the Welsh Assembly Government. Other Home civil servants have their own versions of the Code. Similar Codes apply to the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Diplomatic Service. 2. In this version of the Code, "Ministers" means the First Minister for Wales, the Welsh Ministers, Deputy Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General to the Welsh Assembly Government. The Counsel General to the Welsh Assembly Government may not be an Assembly Member but he/she may participate in Assembly proceedings. 3. Constitutionally, civil servants are servants of the Crown. The Crown’s executive powers are exercised by the UK Government on nondevolved matters and by the First Minister for Wales, the Welsh Ministers, Deputy Welsh Ministers, or the Counsel General to the Welsh Assembly Government on devolved matters in relation to Wales. 4. The respective responsibilities placed on the First Minister for Wales, the Welsh Ministers, Deputy Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General to the Welsh Assembly Government and special advisers in relation to the Civil Service are set out in their Codes of Conduct: www.wales.gov.uk/civilservicecode 5. This includes taking account of ethical standards governing particular professions. 6. The whistleblowing legislation (the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998) may also apply in some circumstances. The Directory of Civil Service Guidance gives more information: www.wales.gov.uk/civilservicecode 7. The Civil Service Commissioners’ Appeals leaflet gives more information: www.civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk. This Code does not cover HR management issues.
The 10:47am on 15 Jan 2008 Woof

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mattwardman