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"Why didn't Scots vote Tory?"

Betsan Powys | 16:45 UK time, Thursday, 17 June 2010

dci_gene_hunt_01_200x350.jpgNot very long ago David Melding got into his metaphorical Audi Quattro.

Before the General Election he was asked by a BBC Scotland programme, aired after the election, just why his party does so very badly there. The South Wales Central AM fired up the AQ and took a leap back to the 1980s and 1990s when "anti-Welshness" characerised his party. An example? The "unacceptable" and "shocking" practice - his words - of appointing English MPs as Secretaries of State for Wales.

"The party made some terrible errors in appointing English Secretaries of State for Wales" said Mr Melding. "I think it was quite unacceptable. I had some misgivings at the time though I wasn't courageous enough to speak out about it. But it really was shocking."

Out came the footage of John Redwood's spaced-out nodding-dog impression during the rendition of "Land of my Fathers" at the Welsh Conservative conference.

"We had Welsh Conservative MPs (then) and one of them should have been made Secretary of State" said Mr Melding.

Now it's true that Cheryl Gillan comes from Cardiff but those who voted her into Parliament come from Buckinghamshire.

So what does David Melding make of that, I wonder?

Then again, as Gene Hunt once said "Now is not the time to have a one night stand with your conscience."

Comments

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  • 1. At 10:23pm on 17 Jun 2010, John Tyler wrote:


    You don't like the Conservative Party do you Betsan, fortunately for Wales they have ideas for the future that the Welsh Assembly government will be hard pressed to deny the people in Wales; interesting times ahead, hard times for the political rear-gunners of the current coalition sitting with their thoughts alongside the "Black Lagoon", ...

    ... wondering how long to wait before dumping its partners, Plaid Cymru (the separatist party in Wales).

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  • 2. At 08:39am on 18 Jun 2010, CA Jones wrote:

    Re: 1

    You don't like journalists asking awkward questions of the Tory govt, do you Stonemason?

    So much for democracy & accountability.

    Shoot first & ask questions later - must be your old army training..

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  • 3. At 08:46am on 18 Jun 2010, Lyn David Thomas wrote:

    Again Stonemason can you come up with some evidence of your accusation of bias?

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  • 4. At 09:18am on 18 Jun 2010, John Tyler wrote:

    Mr Jones, has Betsan asked a question, difficult or otherwise, of our Conservative government ...

    ... our intrepid reporter might like to begin questioning David Cameron on how he imagines differences either side of Offa's Dyke will be reconciled, does the government anticipate a revolt when Welsh parents ask for the right to create a "Free School", a Welsh Medium School perhaps.


    I didn't make an accusation that was biased LDT, I made the statement "You don't like the Conservative Party do you Betsan", past postings show a determined support of things "left" of centre, almost as left as Plaid Cymru (the separatist party in Wales), though probably just as far left as Rhodri Morgan.

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  • 5. At 09:44am on 18 Jun 2010, comeoffit wrote:

    Front page of the BBC News website:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/10345302.stm

    How long can the WAG deny the people of Wales this? How many Welsh people still havent twigged that because they live under the rule of the Assembly they wont be getting it... and will they then be angry when they find out.

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  • 6. At 09:56am on 18 Jun 2010, WelshKnot wrote:

    1 - You are spot on. The Conservatives do indeed have ideas for the future. Supporting the Assembly, bringing about a successful referendum to give it proper powers and engaging with the new cultural and political realities. Cameron is a sound man.

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  • 7. At 10:31am on 18 Jun 2010, yrieithydd wrote:

    #5 I know that we won't be getting free schools and am glad of the fact! We have enough problems with surplus places (which take money away from other places) without extra schools being created with no regard to the wider situation.

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  • 8. At 10:39am on 18 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    So Stonemason has now started insulting Betsan! I'm sure she can take it.

    As for the rest of us, we can now clearly see just how empty the intellectual coffers of the No to Wales cabal have become.

    And now, as Betsan rightly points out, the Tory habit of having Westminster's voice in Wales rather than Wales's voice at Westminster continues as if the last 13 years or so hadn't happened. Stonemason's prickly response, and his personal attack on Betsan, implies that even he is slightly embarrassed.

    As David Melding rightly says, "quite unacceptable".

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  • 9. At 10:53am on 18 Jun 2010, Crossroads wrote:


    Oh no not again!!!!
    QUOTE
    Betsan Powys | 16:45 UK time, Thursday, 17 June 2010
    Out came the footage of John Redwood's spaced-out nodding-dog impression during the rendition of "Land of my Fathers" at the Welsh Conservative conference.
    END QUOTE.

    Yet again mention made BY BBC WALES of course, of Redwood's obvious ignorance of all the words of "Land of my fathers". An ignorance incidentally he shares with probably more than 75% of us living in Wales.

    Betsan, your credibility would increase greatly if you could arrange a link showing Ieuan Wyn-Jones's hilarious performance on a BBC Question Time (from West Wales) in 2001.

    The lack of balance and fair play shown by BBC Wales on this topic is there for all to see.

    Redwood's stupidity is as nothing compared to the appalling (yet strangely hilarious) antics of IWJ. Yet although Redwood's folly is shown regularly on BBC Wales, daft Ieuan's efforts on that programme have NEVER been shown.

    Surely someone who holds such a high position (whoops!) both in the assembly and PC, should be big enough (whoops again!)to take being ridiculed in the same way as the unfortunate Redwood.

    Come on, please....lets have some chwarae teg on this!

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  • 10. At 12:24pm on 18 Jun 2010, John Tyler wrote:


    #6, there is no mention of Plaid Cymru (the separatist party of Wales) in the Conservative - Liberal Democrat agreement or plans for Wales ...... or indeed any dialogue at Westminster.

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  • 11. At 1:05pm on 18 Jun 2010, WelshKnot wrote:

    9
    75%?
    So the BBC is presumably biased by showing 74,000 singing it at a rugger game in Cradiff?

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  • 12. At 1:37pm on 18 Jun 2010, comeoffit wrote:

    #9 Well said!

    However you'll have more luck getting hold of a copy of the Roswell Alien landings than you will that particular copy of question time :)

    For some reason the powers that be in Wales have decided that public cannot see footage of the leader of Plaid Cymru shamelessly refusing to deal with blatant racism within his party.

    Fortunately you can still google the transcript though... "Ieaun Wyn Jones Seimon Glyn Question Time" ;)

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  • 13. At 2:35pm on 18 Jun 2010, liassic wrote:

    Surely the point is that this government still doesn't trust putting an elected Welsh MP into this post and would rather put in somebody elected by the voters of Amersham & Chesham. It just continues the Tory tradition of not really getting it in Wales.

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  • 14. At 4:07pm on 18 Jun 2010, Fitzmark2 wrote:

    Why on earth should it matter where anyone comes from on this island where culture (pseudo American) and language are almost uniform? A politician in a democracy should be judged on his or her ability to do or not to do the job. It's as simple as that, though I realise that in undemocratic Wales such a proposition is absolutely outrageous.

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  • 15. At 4:39pm on 18 Jun 2010, Crossroads wrote:

    Well I've seen some utterly ridiculous posts on here, but this nonsense tops the lot!
    QUOTE.
    11. At 1:05pm on 18 Jun 2010, WelshKnot wrote:
    9
    75%?
    So the BBC is presumably biased by showing 74,000 singing it at a rugger game in Cradiff?
    END QUOTE.

    Are you seriously suggesting that BBC Wales actually shows the entire 74,000 crowd singing the national anthem? My estimation of 75% equates to around 25% of the total 3,000,000 inhabitants of Wales knowing all the words (and understanding what they mean?????)that is...750,000 which I'm sure many will confirm is a generous number.

    You are aware of course that in the Millennium Stadium, maybe a few dozen at most are actually shown singing the anthem. Those being obviously picked out by some kind of "spotter" alongside the cameramen.
    Because of this blatant 'cherry-picking' it might well appear that everyone in the stadium, (overdosing on 'hwyl') is singing their hearts out.

    My estimate of around 25% is very near the mark.

    Welshknot...gullibility(or even stupidity) is thy middle name.

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  • 16. At 4:51pm on 18 Jun 2010, Crossroads wrote:


    13. At 2:35pm on 18 Jun 2010, liassic wrote:
    QUOTE.
    Surely the point is that this government still doesn't trust putting an elected Welsh MP into this post and would rather put in somebody elected by the voters of Amersham & Chesham. It just continues the Tory tradition of not really getting it in Wales.END QUOTE.

    So Liassic, are we to assume by that ever so slightly dodgy post, that you would not be happy with receiving emergency open heart surgery by someone who learned their profession (and horror of horrors) actually came from Amersham & Chesham.

    Or are you only willing to be operated on by a Welsh surgeon, who once knew JPR Williams, and who presumably must be able to sing the Welsh national anthem backwards in the bath.

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  • 17. At 5:04pm on 18 Jun 2010, TellingmewhatIknowalready wrote:

    The welsh "chattering classes",of whom our Betsan Betsan is clearly one have an obsession about the position of Wales within the family of the United Kingdom. The rest of us just get on with our lives and the appointment of Mrs. Gillan as SoS for Wales has probably nopt registed with 99% of population. There is no doubt that any minor matter of concern to the population as a whole is blown up by media,and the rolling out of John Redwood is a further example of their obsessional attitudes. I think that Mrs. Gillan was appointed because the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition needed as many females as possible in the cabinet.Who gives a"stuff" that Redwood cant sing the welsh national anthem,as manymmany of the overpaid rugby players in welsh teams cant sing,and virtually all the welsh soccer players. In my humble opinion there is constant chipping way at the position of wales in the UK. As far as Melding is concerned why he is a conservative AM I have no idea as he seems to the very "nationalistic" and happy with the splitters of PC,who get very easy ride with our indpendant and balanced media,particularly BBC CYMRU.

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  • 18. At 6:32pm on 18 Jun 2010, WelshKnot wrote:

    16 Noah Idea by name, Noah Idea by nature.

    Like the great majority of people supporting both the Assembly and greater powers, the great majority at the stadium sure sing the words.

    Facts, my dear boy, facts.

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  • 19. At 7:49pm on 18 Jun 2010, Jack_Wilkinson wrote:

    So you like dealing in facts, WelshKnot, how about you give us some actual facts? But please, don't give any research ( desperate guesswork ) from IWA or Plaid, they're notoriously optimistic.

    IWJ, said that the 2009 European election was the most important in Plaids history. Adam Price, excitedly claimed that Plaid could not only get the biggest vote share, but win two of the four seats!!!.

    Ha ha, the General election, excitable, forever over optimistic Plaid researchers, forecast taking at least 5 new seats!! And in their vainglorious words, form a powerful Celtic block at Westminster...Please!!

    The horrible truth was, majorities slashed everywhere, 11 lost deposits, and a pathetic vote share of 11%. WelshKnot. Facts, my dear boy, facts.

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  • 20. At 00:47am on 19 Jun 2010, WelshKnot wrote:

    19

    One does not like to be difficult, but no reference was made to any election in 2009 or 2010. Merely the overwhelming trend in the polls regarding devolution since 1999 and the fact that all the main parties support what is going on.

    Doubtless UKIP and the BNP will oppose, but it is hard to argue that they represent the majority voice in Wales.

    Facts, dear boy, facts.

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  • 21. At 08:02am on 19 Jun 2010, John Tyler wrote:


    Our Wales Canute considers the braying of Plaid Cymru (the separatist party of Wales) to be of consequence in this green and pleasant land, empty vessels I'm afraid ...

    ... and I hear the First Minister was taken ill, stomach pains, the result of the coalition drink, a sour wine with little compassion for the people of Wales.

    Apparently if you use the correct Old English spelling of Canute it is regarded as a profanity.

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  • 22. At 10:26am on 19 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 21

    Stonemsaon,

    Perhaps it was a little too early in the morning for your rather limp attempt at humour to succeed.

    The second half performance by the Welsh team this morning reminds me of the defeatism and lack of character and guts of our very own No to Wales cabal.

    But you still haven't told us why you think the Scots just cannot abide the Tories...or perhaps you have, actually.

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  • 23. At 11:19am on 19 Jun 2010, John Tyler wrote:


    Thanks for the result, I was going to watch the match after Fidelio.

    I think you will find the Scots gave the Nats and LD's approximately the same number of votes as the Conservatives, it seems the Scots find issues with just about everyone ...

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  • 24. At 2:10pm on 19 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 23

    Ah, but Stonemason, with your beloved first past the post system, they knew exactly how to show what they think collectively of the still toff dominated and anglo-centric Conservative Party.

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  • 25. At 4:24pm on 19 Jun 2010, InesGoncalves wrote:

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

  • 26. At 5:28pm on 19 Jun 2010, Crossroads wrote:

    24. At 2:10pm on 19 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:
    Re 23
    QUOTE
    Ah, but Stonemason, with your beloved first past the post system, they knew exactly how to show what they think collectively of the still toff dominated and anglo-centric Conservative Party.END QUOTE

    FoDavid. May I (and I'm sure Stonemason)express our sincere condolences at your unbearable irritation at the results of the recent General Election.

    I was doubtful about showing you these results, but realising just what a plucky little fellow you are. decided to go ahead anyway.

    Plaid Cymru,The party of Wales (Now stop laughing in the back there)...165,394 votes (0.6%) 3 seats.

    Lib-Dems,(Party most hated by Plaid) 6,836,824 (23%) 57seats.

    Labour (Spendthrift party) 8,609,527 (29%) 258 seats.

    Conservatives (Supported only by Toffs,Wealthy speculators, and "Anglo-centric" folks) 10,726,614 (36.1%) 307 seats.

    Our hearts go out to you FoDavid. Your devotion to "The party of Wales" is indeed touching....You (and the England team)are in our prayers.

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  • 27. At 7:45pm on 19 Jun 2010, John Tyler wrote:


    #26 the situation with Plaid Cymru (the separatist party of Wales) Noah can best be described as a schism, much like that with Canterbury, fortunately for Wales it seems that there is a three way split between the grey beards, the far left socialists and for want of a better expression the "young turks"...

    My contact tells me it was kept quiet but started about 6 months before Adam Price left for the USA, the grey beards have been frightened off, and the other two groups are fighting over what should be the way forward, culture or economic ...

    Plaid chair is also throwing in the towel, but this was common knowledge a few days ago.

    The future is blue and yellow ...

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  • 28. At 8:45pm on 19 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 26 & 27

    Noa, a Labour man I had thought, if we are to believe what he says, is rejoicing in a Tory victory!! What are we to think? No principles? No staying power? No loyalty? No idea what he's on about?

    Perhaps Stonemason's legendary make-believe friend, aka his Plaid contact, could explain to us why Plaid decided not to put up a candidate in Billericay, Hampshire North and Finchley this time.

    Poor, deluded, fly by night Noa! I notice he chickened out of answering the question as well.

    A sorry display by Glamorgan tonight.

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  • 29. At 9:52pm on 19 Jun 2010, Jack_Wilkinson wrote:

    Re 20.
    You're right, you didn't mention election results in 2009 or 2010, you don't mention anything of any substance.

    The reason why I mention elections is because they're..Facts, dear boy, facts. Totally different to anything you post, which can only be described as wishful whimsy.

    Plaid is dead, so posters like your good self try to see Plaids agenda in other political parties!!!

    Conservative policy is to let Conservative politicians in Wales campaign as they wish, but the money is on the Conservative MPs, who want devolution gone.

    http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2010/03/22/conservative-quotes-from-the-labour-dossier-91466-26081453/
    Peter Hain, sent this dossier to the Western Mail, exposing the then 3 Conservative MPs as being anti-devolution, so if devolution is so popular their vote share shoulda dived, shouldn't it?

    Check out the election results of Monmouthshire, Preseli Pembs, and Clwyd West. Also check out, the five new Conservative gains here.
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/w26.stm

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  • 30. At 10:25pm on 19 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 29

    Jac,

    Your writing style becomes stranger every day - you remind me of mapexx! I wonder?!!

    Are you seriously suggesting that Glyn Davies, Guto Bebb and Alun Cairns are anti-devolutionists? And the fact that all three are Welsh speakers rather spoils many of you other crack-pot ideas as well.

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  • 31. At 11:21pm on 19 Jun 2010, cleverelliejo wrote:

    M30.
    Since when have all Welsh speakers been devolutionists??
    I am married to a WS, brought up in a home where only welsh was spoken. He thinks that you and your kind are barmy. And unlike some of the top dogs in Plaid and the welsh Language society, who in some cases are incomers to Wales who learnt the language and thought there was a band wagon to be jumped on, he doesn't support any of it.
    Like religious converts, the ones who have learned the language (which wasn't theirs to start with, think they have a mission to change everything. A lot of what we are seeing is driven by money, correct me if I am wrong, but many people are getting rich on this particular gravy train.....

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  • 32. At 11:43pm on 19 Jun 2010, Jack_Wilkinson wrote:

    Just a brief answer to Foo.


    The Conservatives introduced The Welsh language Act. It made Welsh language lessons compulsory where Welsh was the predominant tongue, it was quietly dropped as being counter productive. Ask Rod Richards?

    I know for a fact, that the Conservative and Unionist Party, are totally against the Llafur obsession of language enforcement in ALL parts of English speaking Wales.

    If your first language is English, and your surname originates from England, you'd have to be certified brain dead!! If you voted for EWPP!!!!!

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  • 33. At 00:45am on 20 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 31

    It gets worse! I wrote my last entry, and every other entry, in accordance with the rules of this blog, in English - and, I would claim, pretty clear and simple English. But, no, you miss understand! You say:

    "Since when have all Welsh speakers been devolutionists??"

    That's exactly my point!! The No to Wales cabal always miss the point in the mist of their perpetual anger.

    And Jac, bless him, goes off on another irrelevant one. Nothing new there. Are you mapexx, by the way?

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  • 34. At 07:33am on 20 Jun 2010, John Tyler wrote:


    Fo, I think you will find that the majority of expressed opposition is towards Plaid Cymru (the separatist party of Wales) and its stated intentions for this part of the United Kingdom.

    When LDT, or yourself, or indeed the Welsh-Knut on occasions write about political Wales in a conciliatory manner we wonder whether it is ...

    ... "the voice of reason"

    ... then, after falling about laughing at the absurd notion we remember ...

    ... "the reason for the voice" ... Separation.

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  • 35. At 07:57am on 20 Jun 2010, TellingmewhatIknowalready wrote:

    We are currently in the position that the welsh language is being "pushed" in areas of previously almost totally anglicised areas of wales,and it is not universally welcomed. As 31 stated it has aquired the status of "orthodox religion",and its adherants are doing very well nicely,and for those interested in staying in this political/economic/sporting backwater a great opportunity for filling their boots whilst being so righteous and holier than thou. Speaking to a very good friend from the west whose family life was carried out mainly inwelsh and now lives in Bridgend area which is very anglicised area I asked if he missed the regular useage of the welsh language. He stated that he did,but accepted the reality of situation and thought the current policies were wrong and the silent majority felt very alienated.I believe that in the area I grew up in the mixing of "classes",very few middle class in thos eday,lack of religious divides,even though bery substantial number of descendants of Irish Roman Catholics who came to area to work,created a pretty open/tolerant society,however it is my belief that for first time the welsh language "fanatics" are creating divisions in our society which are not helpful for social integration.We are "entreanching" advantages to people who are born in welsh speaking environment which is not welcome to majority of us english only speaking welshpersons. Why will nobody tell us how many welsh speakers are there in the "top" positions in BBC Wales,sorry BBC CYMRU??.

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  • 36. At 2:53pm on 20 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 35

    TellingmewhatIknowalready,

    You really are feeling sorry for yourself, aren't you? I can't imagine how depressed you would be if you were in the position of Welsh speakers seeing their language still under great threat, mainly from the economic pressures of the modern world.

    Please tell me when it was when you were denied any service through the medium of English? When were you prohibited from speaking in English? When were you forced to speak Welsh? When was it that you found there wasn't a form you could fill out in English? When did you see a sign that had no English on it? When were you ever accused of speaking an useless, ancient, archaic language - which were the terms of abuse of choice of certain bloggers on here?

    When all of these things happen to you on a daily basis, I may well have some sympathy for you. Of course, on the other hand, you have no sympathy at all when the situation is reversed - which is pretty much a daily occurence for many of us.

    By the way, were paragraphs banned at your school for some reason?

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  • 37. At 7:08pm on 20 Jun 2010, TellingmewhatIknowalready wrote:

    36. Fi Fi Fo Fum. What a whinger you and rest of minority speakers of welsh language are??.I cannot help the fact that the ENGLISH language is so predominant that ABBA came to world fame as SWEDISH pop group because they sang in ENGLISH. The whole of the commercial world uses ENGLISH as its medium of conversation,so get used to the real world. I could'nt careless about your minority language,as it was completely irrelevant to my working class family until 20 years ago,until some clever person saw an "angle" and great wealth has been made by people who could#nt "cut it" in english,but welsh no problem. It has become a RACKET,paid for mainly by english speakers,and particularly the english who dont yet know their taxes go towards a TV station S4C that makes programmes that nobody watches. Both of my children are living 200 miles away because thats where "jobs" are so I dont see my grandchildren as often I and my wife wish,however they are the FACTS of economic life so I get on with it. Lets hope the CUTS really bite and S4C is turned into a "pay for view" channel and then we'd see how much your real WELSHIES who are so much better than us engl;ish speakers are prepared to pay for DROSS.

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  • 38. At 8:41pm on 20 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 37

    Another one-paragraph rant! If you care so much about the English language, you might show it the respect of including some grammar.

    I have no idea how that was meant to respond to what I actually said. Clearly, however, you've never had any of the problems that I mentioned in 36. What a surprise. What an enormous imaginary chip you must have on your shoulder.

    But your lack of logic lets you down as well. You say:

    "I cannot help the fact that the ENGLISH language is so predominant..."

    So you don't have a problem do you?!! No problem at all - other than you share the bigotry of others on this blog when it comes to the Welsh language. The injustices you mention are imagined, your hatred of the language, and its speakers, immense.

    You are indeed the arch-whinger. Congratulations!

    All you stand for is summed up in your:

    "I could'nt (sic) careless (sic) about your minority language..."

    No, I don't suppose you could.

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  • 39. At 9:49pm on 20 Jun 2010, John Tyler wrote:


    ... my Hampshire in-laws sent me the following ...

    OXO are bringing out a new white cube with a red cross on it in support of the England football team ...
    ................................. it is going to be called the "laughing" stock cube.

    ... and I thought I'd share it.

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  • 40. At 10:22pm on 20 Jun 2010, Bryn_Teilo wrote:

    #37 TellingmewhatIknowalready wrote:

    'Both of my children are living 200 miles away because thats where "jobs" are so I dont see my grandchildren as often I and my wife wish, however they are the FACTS of economic life so I get on with it.'

    There you have it! You see the problem, but have no idea how to solve it. Wales is in the state it’s in because it’s part of the UK. Even Cameron and his coalition partners say that they want to even things out so that everything doesn't gravitate to London and the south east of England, as it has done for centuries.

    Cameron won't have much success with that project, because structurally and institutionally the UK is like that. A significant amount of devolution, federalism at the very least, is required to counter it. The real solution is self-determination, as the Scots are beginning to realise.

    While part of the UK, Wales WILL remain the poor relation. A pathetically weak Assembly can do little or nothing about the root causes. A Government of Wales is required with the fiscal and monetary clout to address the structural inequalities, so that we have the prospect of living in a more prosperous country.

    Your short-sighted vision and attitude is summed up in the phrase, 'the FACTS of economic life' - the unionist propaganda doled out to the minority peoples of these islands down the centuries. You've fallen for it hook line and sinker.

    My opinion on Cheryl Gillan's appointment as SoS for Wales is on record. It indicates that Wales, and respect for the people of Wales, is not high on Cameron's list of priorities. I hope he lives up to some of the rhetoric he spouts, but I'm not optimistic given the record of previous Tory governments, not that they've been that much different from the recent Labour administrations at Westminster.

    We've 'trusted and tested and tried' the UK approach and it has failed us repeatedly, and badly. I truly believe that the UK's 'use by date' is nearly up, and its rottenness will be even more apparent to people pretty soon. The last two years have shown what a rotten country and incompetent corrupt undemocratic parliamentary system we have.

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  • 41. At 11:01pm on 20 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:


    ...the Boys from Brazil are doing just fine!

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  • 42. At 11:05pm on 20 Jun 2010, Jack_Wilkinson wrote:

    Re 38.
    Foo, you're pretty obsessed with the use of paragraphs? In America, the FBI, recognised that a rapid ever accelerating cadence of speech, like you displayed in 38, is, the rhetoric of a fanatical nutter.

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  • 43. At 11:54pm on 20 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 42

    Who knows, Jac Bach? Very much like your wholly eccentric use of the old question mark,as well as those misplaced commas...

    How about you, ever been banned frrom speaking English? Have you ever been unable to receive a service in English? Have you ever been unable to find a form in English?

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  • 44. At 07:51am on 21 Jun 2010, TellingmewhatIknowalready wrote:

    38. Fo. As far as I understand we still live in a democracy and people can igmore "fad" like the push for welsh language if one wishes. I have no objection to people speaking welsh,even in my company,however I do object to the current policies that is shoving it down my throat,and given advantages to a minority of welsh people where it aint needed.40. Bryn oh Bryn. I am sorry to have to give you an economic lesson,but do you understand the principles of free movement of capital/labour. The majority of our trade is now with european continent and capital is locating as near to market place as possible,hence the drive for growth in south eastern england,which is near to market. Governments in Westminster can set up Development Agencies at vast cost who then end up competing with each other for development. We used to have one of the best in world,i.e.WDA however the political "elite" in Bay want to control everything an in it goes "in house" and result=ZERO. The economic "pull" of the centre is taking place before our very eyes with the greater Cardiff population set to grow expotentially in coming years,and that is because of its location near Bristol a major connurbation and access to London down M4. 43. In your reply to Jack. The answer is that the ENGLISH language is a paramount language in world,so unlikely that english speaker,including everybody in little wales benefit from learning it at the hearth. Count your "blessings" instead of whittering on about minority language that already receives more public money than it should get. Privatise S4C and make it pay for view channel and then we'd see how much support there is when it cost people directly!!

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  • 45. At 10:30am on 21 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 44

    Perhaps you could tell me what point, exactly, you are addressing with -

    "Fo. As far as I understand we still live in a democracy and people can igmore "fad" like the push for welsh language if one wishes."

    Banal generalities do not constitute an argument.

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  • 46. At 12:24pm on 21 Jun 2010, liassic wrote:

    16. At 4:51pm on 18 Jun 2010, Noah_sembly wrote:
    QUOTE
    ... So Liassic, are we to assume by that ever so slightly dodgy post, that you would not be happy with receiving emergency open heart surgery by someone who learned their profession (and horror of horrors) actually came from Amersham & Chesham.

    Or are you only willing to be operated on by a Welsh surgeon, who once knew JPR Williams, and who presumably must be able to sing the Welsh national anthem backwards in the bath.
    END QUOTE

    Your argument is flawed by using analogy.
    My point is that I can and should only be, represented by people that I had the opportunity to democratically vote for.
    I'd be more than happy for, say, Alun Cairns to be Minister because he was legitimately elected for my constituency. I have the opportunity to speak to Alun face to face in his surgeries or when I see him on the street in Cowbridge, and I know that he has a clear understanding of the issues that affect Wales.
    Gillan is distant from current Welsh issues and is not accessible to me.
    It's not about political party or nationalism, it's about representation and accountability to the people who actually put them into parliament.

    David Melding is right though, the Tories have shot themselves in the foot on this. They had an opportunity to progress their cause in Wales in a small way but have actually pushed their cause backwards yet again by the appointment of Gillan.

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  • 47. At 7:33pm on 21 Jun 2010, Crossroads wrote:

    Flawed it may be Liassic, but it was still enough to sort you out.

    Very disappointed by your daft announcements about Cheryl Gillan (You'll note she does have a first name) Your infantile nationalist rudeness eliminates any claims you may have had to even be considered worthy of a reply. Unlike you I am not so small minded as to preach that only a Welsh person can represent...well just about anyone according to you.In fact your whole attitude has something extremely nasty (not the word I wanted to use) about it.

    I don't consider Ieuan Wyn-Jones, or any of the WAG appointed ministers for that matter, as representing me. In fact the whole lot of them (complete with their obscenely boosted pensions) can go and jump off Canton Bridge as far as I'm concerned.

    From North Wales are you Liassic...it figures !



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  • 48. At 8:02pm on 21 Jun 2010, Crossroads wrote:

    Foe David,
    In many of your recent posts it has become most noticeable that you seem to have taken up some kind of position as "grand-guardian of grammar and spelling" on this blog.

    May I take this opportunity to point out that anyone daring to undertake this extremely judgmental exercise runs the risk of their keeness backfiring upon them.

    For even as we write, those who have been 'shown up' by your public derision of their efforts, are no doubt spitefully ploughing through your past offerings. They are carefully noting every typo, misspellling, or wayward comma that can be found amongst your posts.

    Farewell Foe David, watching Spain/Honduras. (1-0 to Spain)

    Amazed to discover that Elfyn Llwyd has given up politics, changed his name to Vincente Del Bosque, and become manager of the Spanish national side.

    Don't believe me...take a look !!!!!

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  • 49. At 10:39pm on 21 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 48

    I just find it ironic, Noa, that those who love to abuse the Welsh language (and Welsh speakers), are so shoddy when writing in English...another language that I love, by the way. I only wish I had a better writing style myself.

    Who cares about typos, Noa? But when you look at the way these people attack others, it comes as no real surprise that they show little respect towards a language; even their own language.

    You understand irony, don't you, Noa? Don't you...?

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  • 50. At 00:02am on 22 Jun 2010, Crossroads wrote:

    FoDafydd.

    As long as I can understand what someone is writing, thats good enough for me.
    Some of the best and indeed most influential posts I have ever read on forums/blogs have been written by people whose spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. were extremely poor but written from the heart.

    Unlike us clever sods who churn out stuff with few errors, mostly aimed against those with different views, which is read and immediately forgotten.

    By the way, I 'respect' no language. To me language is communication. Someone who works with words will tell you that language...any language, is akin to spanners,torque wrenches,screwdrivers or hammers to a mechanic.

    Cheers and goodnight.

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  • 51. At 01:03am on 22 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 50

    Do you have the same attitude towards music?

    Yes, nos da Noa.

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  • 52. At 07:47am on 22 Jun 2010, cleverelliejo wrote:

    There is a poster on these blogs who reminds me of a previous neighbour's dog.
    Every time there was any movement in the street, he used to come flying out yapping and jumping at the gate.
    It was as though he was a self-appointed guardian of the street!
    (I wonder who I could possibly be thinking about?)

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  • 53. At 10:34am on 22 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 52

    You've gone to the dogs...cleverelliejo!

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  • 54. At 10:03am on 23 Jun 2010, Cilmyn wrote:

    FoDafydd:

    They are all of them (all 3) very rattled by you. You must be doing something good on this blog!

    I am feeling a bit more than rattled by the BullingdonBudget:

    Can you not see the leaves in the wind? Can you not hear the oaks creaking? Can you not feel the sea spoiling the land? Can you not see the stars have fallen?

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  • 55. At 12:47pm on 23 Jun 2010, FoDafydd wrote:

    Re 54

    I do hope your reference is understood and appreciated.

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  • 56. At 5:24pm on 23 Jun 2010, CA Jones wrote:

    Re: 50

    "To me language is communication. Someone who works with words will tell you that language...any language, is akin to spanners,torque wrenches,screwdrivers or hammers to a mechanic."

    Contemplate the poetry in that man's soul..

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  • 57. At 6:57pm on 23 Jun 2010, Crossroads wrote:

    Mr.Jones.

    No need for you to contemplate, or even speculate.

    Though you may be close to the mark if you were to study the works of the great William McGonagall.

    His "Tay Bridge Disaster" always brings a tear to my eye.

    Though not in the way "yewar" thinking.

    (With apologies to Barry Welsh)

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  • 58. At 06:53am on 24 Jun 2010, CA Jones wrote:

    Re: 57

    The gift that keeps on giving..

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