Last Post ...
... from me anyway as I prepare to hand back the blog to Betsan.
And some last words on matters that I've been blogging about. I've had a formal statement from the Assembly Government on their muscular dystrophy meeting earlier this week. Here it is:
"In the meeting, it was confirmed that the new Local Health Boards will start work on planning neuromuscular services for Wales and within that will consider the possibility of a network, or networks, and the provision of advisors.
"Baroness Finlay is carrying out work on support for children and adults with neuromuscular conditions. She attended the meeting in order to update the Campaign Group on that work."
And the last word on two strands of Welsh politics which have come together this week (not that they were ever really separate): the Welsh Labour leadership and the case for more Assembly powers.
Last night our rivals colleagues at ITV Wales held a debate between the leadership contenders.
For those watching for any hints of how the next First Minister might view chances of a referendum I thought there was an interesting difference of opinion.
Huw Lewis put very strongly his "one poll at a time" argument that Labour needs to concentrate on fighting the next General Election before any referendum. Carwyn Jones warned that it would be "a bad move" if Labour AMs pushed ahead without the support of Labour MPs. Only Edwina Hart seemed to regard the One Wales pledge committing Labour to campaigning for a successful Yes vote as the priority that Labour's partners in Plaid see it. Small differences? Maybe. But important both to those who'll select the new leader and those in Plaid who'll have to work with them.
BBC Wales will be holding its own leadership debate in the next few weeks so we'll see how deep those differences are.
That's it from me, Adrian Masters. To those of you who've complained about an imposter blogging in place of Betsan, don't worry she'll be back in a day or two - refreshed no doubt. Thanks to all of you who've commented and debated the points I've raised.
Before she left, Betsan set a very high standard for my blogging stint. "Don't be too good," she ordered. Betsan, I think I've met your target.
I'm Betsan Powys, BBC Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~50~RS~)
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Adieu Adrian. With regards to that debate the Western Mail wrote that
Helen Mary Jones had castigated Huw for saying one poll at a time by
falsly claiming that the One Wales Government had been voted on by Labours grassroots. Everyone knows that Labour party members and Labour councillors were not given a vote on the issue and the decision was taken by MP's MEP's,AM's Trade Unions and party officiado's.
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Thanks Adrian
Good job
Maintained Betsan's very high standard.
I've been careful with the superlatives - don't want to cause trouble.
Hope you will drop in from time to time, maybe even contribute :)
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Well done Adrian,positively a "MASTER" at work.MY MY if the redoubtable Helen Mary Jones (BBC Wales/CYMRU)politician of decade is upset then then my days has been made!!. Welsh politics is going through very strange period with the Labour and PC in bed together under the benign rule of King Rhodri,whilst deep down they hate each other guts and would do each other in given the opportunity. At the same time Peter Hain (Father of Nation in waiting) wants to delay any referendum after 2011,because it cannot be won,and the three candidates are split on issue. I was leaning to Edwina as saw her as "slayer" of NATS,however after her views on giving NATS a referendum the position is changing. I wonder if Carwyn's change of position (seemingly) might be because he's got the picture of Gordon Brown (what good is that I think),and the great worrier does'nt want Labour split from top to bottom before the important referendum on national government in 2010.The non NATS politicians in wales are dancing to the tune of the NATS and fellow travellers in media in demanding more powers until eventually out of boredom and apathy they'll get wales an independant county,and there'll be mass emigration of english only speakers who'll be forced to wear signs with a big S attached to cloathing. God save the Queen,her Britannic Majesty.
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Well done Adrian on raising the issues concerning muscular dystrophy perhaps we can have more public concern issues on this Blog. (HINT)
It is hard to believe that we still have public services from which the taxpaying public are totally excluded because of legislation passed by the assembly.
Without wanting to go off message other people have made an issue of scrutiny by the assembly. However, they passed the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 which took away the powers of the Welsh Audit Office and the Auditor General for Wales to intervene in cases of financial mismanagement in higher education. It also banned the public from any right of complaint; this means the only way of brining maladministration to light is by publicising the matter on Blogs like this.
That is why I raised the issue of the Haines Watts report into the finances of the University of Wales Lampeter, which the unaccountable Quango the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales has refused to publish despite requests from the public and Dragons Eye. This matter is now before the Information Commissioner and I expect the report will be released soon.
The University of Wales, the University of Wales Lampeter and its prospective merger partner Trinity University College are all the subject of complaints under the Cause for Concern procedure that was introduced by the University regulator the Quality Assurance Agency in August 2008.
The Causes for Concern are about the institutionalised abuse of students, the failure to implement whistle blowing policies, and discrimination against those who act in the public interest in attempting to bring these issues to light. This has created an unacceptable suicide risk and given the failure of procedures, both students and in particular the children of students on campus are in an unsafe environment.
Given the extraordinary lengths to which the WAG and the assembly have gone through to keep these matters out of the public domain it would an interesting topic for the leadership debate on BBC Wales.
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Good job, Adrian Masters for keeping the dear Betsan wishes regarding the standards of the blog while she was on holiday..
~Dennis Junior~
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4.I must agree, a few years ago three english speaking girl students from Merthyr and the valleys (Labour supporters as it happened) were asked by a Trinity College lecturer to state their political preference and because they did not support Plaid they had to endure an embarrassing 'outing'in front of their fellow students and made to explain why they had a different view. Trinity College has always been
a 'hotbed' of nationalism and attracts NATS like the stench of a stinking
cesspit but this unacceptable suppression of differing political views seems endemic in the psyche and ideology of this instituition and should be quite rightly exposed.I wish you and Dragons Eye every success in
bringing these issues to light.
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What a wonderful anecdote, any evidence for what you say thegnatswatter? And what lovely language too, just what we need here reasoned debate... perhaps you could go further and tell us the context? A few years ago, how long ago?
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Some months ago I made some comments about the incompetence of Student Finance Wales because of the problems I had encountered, unanswered letters,lost documents etc. In my desperation I wrote to every AM but I was treated like an illegal immigrant, sorry had I been an illegal immigrant I would have been treated with some respect. Having watched the Politics Show today I thought at long last the truth is going to come out but no it was said that Student Finance Wales was administered by Local Authorities, yes it use to be and things went wrong when it was switched to Glasgow, yet no mention of Glasgow!! or the thousands of student having the same problems as I had. If you want further spin on this write to Jane Hutt AM
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
#6 Thank you for the support, it is a rare thing in Wales.
The situation is far worse than you or I have described
Its the same old story because there is no means of complaint the only way to bring maltreatment and maladinistration to light is by publicising it on this Blog.
You then get asked for proof and as I have previously explained you would not get it past the moderator. Hence the response to #9
From experience I have every reason to believe what you are saying is true.
Banning the public from complaining is a double edged sword, those with a grievance never get it resolved, and those unjustly accused can never clear their name.
Much is made of the independent adjudicator for higher education but the process of complaint is so open to abuse and intimidation the 50% increase in complaints since 2005 does not give a true picture of what really goes on.
#8 There is a petition for more openness and transparency in higher education that is before the Petitions Committee that would address the issues you raise, please support it.
However, with regard to the points you are making, I have had the same response from AMs on issues like this, and best of luck with writing to Jane Hutt!
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7. Are you questioning my honesty Lyn Thomas?The names of those students
and when it took place is irrelevent the fact is it took place and in the context of paragraph 6 of Neo's post was relevent. If because of your
political persuation you feel obligated to defend that lecturers actions
well great, quite frankly it is what we would expect from you and your
Plaid colleagues.
As for my discriptive writing I'm really pleased to find that you found
my analogy to gnats and stinking cesspits 'lovely' as that accolade has
really made my day.
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#6 and #11
I can understand your use of language on this issues, this sort of injustice and humiliating treatment raises very strong emotions. I have another term for these people that would not be published on this blog but it has been broadcast by Jeremy Vine to decribe bankers who by comparison are Saints!
The fact that Trinity University College is governed by the Church in Wales who are involvement in nationalist politics makes it even worse, but then that fact strengthens the need for a full inquiry into maladminstration Welsh higher education.
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12.I don't think this problem is confined to higher education as I think
Plaid in Carmarthenshire are using organisations such as the Urdd and
Cymru X to brainwash children of all ages ,why else would they demand seperate welsh medium schools?In this county we have always had excellent bi-lingual schools who cater equally for both welsh and english medium children it's at Plaids behest that we now have the welsh medium policy.You see Neo with this influence they have control over the childrens developement through an age when they are most impressionable.
Thankfully a lot of these youngster reject nationalism when they get a job and are taken out of that controlled environment and many realise just how big the world is in comparison to the narrow perspective of Plaids Wales only doctrine
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Re 13
Oh dear! I was going to ask for some more meat on the bones of your various accusations; but after this latest message, what's the point? We are back in the hills of Montana and in the realm of the X-Files. Which only begs the question, why should we take anything you say seriously ever again?
Clearly, the Labour Party are rattled in Carmarthenshire. Making vaguely anti Welsh language remarks won't help, believe me. Labour tried that for decades.
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#13 I fully appreciate your concerns.
The 1944 Education Act while on the face of it provided free education for all, it was in fact the best way of combating war time lawlessness amongst children and young people. It is still used as a means of social control today which is why we need to guard against children being indoctrinated, especially by faith schools whos governing body is actively involved in politics.
Higher education has always been used as a social class based conditioning process, however, the student grant scheme has enabled a greater proportion of disadvantaged students access to higher education.
What concerns me is that other methods are now used to get rid of those who for social class reasons do not fit in, those who complain, mature students, single parents, and now it seems those of a certain political persuasion.
Perhaps that explains the 75 percent drop out rate amongst disadvantaged students.
With regard to the incident you mentioned at Trinity University College, students have to make an Application for the "Consideration" of a Complaint!
Yes, you guessed it, if the University feels for what ever reason the complaint is unjustified it simply gets dismissed. Students have to complete a form that comes with a warning that the University will not hesitate to take action against a student making any complaint it considers to be malicious.
I have to be careful what I say in order to get this passed the moderator, but the alarm bells should start to ring on what would constitute a malicious complaint!
The problem these three students have is being believed, you only have to read the hysterical response to the issues you have raised to realise what victims of injustice are up against.
#14s wild allegations against the Labour Party with any evidence whatsoever not only conceals what has been going on, it is evidence that a student who makes a complaint can also expect the same treatment in order to discredit them and their complaint and therefore, putting an end to their education, their career and life prospects.
The Labour Party is highly regulated as are the use of its funds, any role in education, and expenses claimed by its elected representatives, therefore if they strayed over the line then there are serious consequences.
Regrettably the same does not apply the religious organisations involved in politics or higher education institutions. With regard to indoctrination of children your comments open up serious concerns that need to be addressed, as it appears that regulation in schools is breaking down.
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#8 Said
"In my desperation I wrote to every AM but I was treated like an illegal immigrant, sorry had I been an illegal immigrant I would have been treated with some respect."
I take your point people should see this for more details
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3554234.stm
The bit that concerns me is that it is very easy for AMs to make a protest about an issue that is still controlled by Westminster, UK Parliament, UK Government or whichever terminology you care to choose.
If this issue was the responsibility of the WAG or the assembly then you would get the same reply as #8!
Evidence for this is the response you get with regard to any issue concerning the failure of devolution, the failure of WAG to provide first rate essential services, the failure of the assembly to hold the WAG to account, and the appauling conduct of public spending bodies including universities.
As for the claim by Plaid made in a poster campaign to be quote "On Your Side". Frankly if you believe that then you will believe anything. Not that I have anything against Plaid as every other party is just as useless.
While in my opinion this could never justify voting for the BNP, it does reinforce my point that it in some peoples minds it does! Why? Because support for anything exposes incompetence or a failure of devolution is simply ignored and claims that illegal immigrants get better consideration are in fact true.
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