For more information and to download a copy of Stuart's paper see: For his previous paper see below http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/index.php?docid=249
The history of this proposal.
St Athan Development Brief July 2006 WAG, Metrix, Vale of Glamorgan
http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/files/Living/Planning/Policy/Development/St_Athan_Development_Brief.pdf
• In relation to the Training Academy proposal, the key dates for meeting the MoD’s DTR
timetable are as follows:
- March 2006 Development Brief to be considered by the Vale of Glamorgan Council
- May 2006 Public Consultation on the Development Brief
- July 2006 Final Development Brief considered by Council
- October 2006 Preferred Bidder Announcement by MoD
- January 2007 Submission of a Planning Application by Metrix for the proposed Training Academy
- May 2007 Target date for the Planning Application to be considered by the Vale of Glamorgan Council
- October 2007 Financial Close on DTR Project with MoD
- January 2008 Commencement on Site
- 2008-2011 Construction on Site
I have been blogging about this since last year!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Biggest ever PFI Military Academy Wales
Watchdog sniffs around Qinetiq's bid for billion-pound defence deal 11/12/2006http://www.publicprivatefinance.com/Document.aspx?ID=709565The National Audit Office (NAO) could expand its investigation into the privatisation of defence contractor Qinetiq in order to examine whether the company's bid for a £10 billion defence private finance initiative contract created a conflict of interest.
St Athan: Wales goes for gold
Oct 28 2006 Minister Andrew Davies writes for the Western Mail http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0300business/0250features/tm_headline=st-athan--wales-goes-for-gold&method=full&objectid=18006875&siteid=50082-name_page.html
I HAVE been proud to support the bid to bring the UK's defence academy to Wales. If successful, members of all the UK's armed forces would be trained at the airbase.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Ms Hutt supporting biggest ever PFI military academy to improve electoral chances of her party?
'No hitches' on academy decision Dec 1 2006 Peter Collins, South Wales Echohttp://welshwomensvoice.blogspot.com/2006/12/is-ms-hutt-supporting-biggest-ever-pfi.html
There will be no 'last-minute hitches with the Treasury' to delay a decision on where a multi-billion military training academy will be built. Vale of Glamorgan MP John Smith and AM Jane Hutt were assured everything was on schedule at a meeting with the Government minister who will make the final decision.Mr Smith and Ms Hutt met Defence Minister Derek Twigg at the Ministry of Defence, in London, yesterday, in the final push to bring the £14bn academy contract to RAF St Athan.The Metrix consortium's bid to building the academy in South Wales is up against a bid by RAF Cosford, in the West Midlands.
Is this the same deal "Watchdog sniffs around Qinetiq's bid for billion-pacound defence deal" 11/12/2006. Under Qinetiq's plan, training for the armed forces would be transferred from sites in the West Midlands to a new academy in south Wales.But with elections in Wales due next year, critics also argue that Labour will give Qinetiq the contract to protect its constituencies in the region. "There also is some concern that politics will play a role here," said Pritchard. "The Welsh elections and the personal political ambitions of Peter Hain [the secretary of state for Wales and potential deputy prime ministerial candidate] may not be an insignificant factor in the overall decision (see more below)
At the same time PCS say "With over 20, 000 MoD jobs under threat from either job cuts or privatisation, 95% of members voting endorsed a campaign plan which includes the threat of industrial action. The indicative ballot result comes as the MoD seek to axe 14, 000 civilian posts across the country in areas including aviation repair, army repair, defence logistics and the defence supply chain. Massive privatisation of key areas of defence worth billions of pounds is also planned, including defence training and IT."http://www.labournet.net/ukunion/0606/pcs1.htmlhttp://www.epsu.org/IMG/pdf/Sector_by_Sector_detail_-_PCS_supplementary_paper.pdf
Posted by Theoretician at Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Academy latest report
Academy conflict of interest denialDec 28 2006The Government has denied claims that a 'conflict of interest' is threatening South Wales' chances of ...they continue to support this and no questions asked. Is it jobs at any price? Ethical or not?See previous post for background
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
St Athans Secret PFI Military Base
Express & Star Midlands Life: West Midlands features, people and ...St Athan is the preferred choice for the MeTRIX consortium including Qinetiq and Nord-anglia. But the clear message from the locals near St Athan is to take ...The trees are bent double on the gentle slopes rising from the Severn Estuary to the plain of St Athan, testimony to the gales that sweep these cold, grey shores.Today, a new wind is stirring this part of South Wales. It is the wind of change, promising to blow in £3,000 million and more than 1,200 jobs................Down at St Athan this week, we found not a single local politician, shopkeeper, estate agent or shopper who had even heard of the new project – and that includes people with relatives working on the base.See also previous posts and Academy conflict of interest denial
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Metrix consortium huge training base
Land Securities Group PLC Share Price LAND LAND.L GB0031809436 ...Metrix's consortium would create a huge training base in Wales, whereas its rivals would build training facilities in England. ...
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Sad day for St Athans
Remember there was treasury concerns over a potential conflict of interest. The Government partly owns the defence firm Qinetiq Group plc, which is a lead member of the Metrix consortium bidding to build the academy at St Athan.
Qinetiq is the former Government defence research agency which was privatised earlier this year. It has been tipped to defeat a bid from a rival group involving BAE Systems plc. The Government has a 20 per cent stake in Qinetiq.
Do the local people know what is in store for them? So do the residents of Cardiff welcome thousands of mercenaries to their city centre to drink and join in the nightly drunken melee! I think the local politicians calling for this have kept quiet about the reality of what is in store for the local people. I predict that this place will be a focus for protest and disent. http://welshwomensvoice.blogspot.com/2007/01/sad-day-for-st-athans.html
House of Commons debates Wednesday, 17 January 2007
What are Commons debates?
Oral Answers to Questions — Wales RAF St. Athan 11:30 am
Andrew Rosindell (Romford, Conservative) Link to this Hansard source
What recent discussions he has had with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence on the future of RAF St. Athan.
Nick Ainger (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Office of the Secretary of State for Wales) Link to this Hansard source
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have regular discussions with Defence Ministers on a range of issues, including the current and future use of RAF St. Athan.
Andrew Rosindell (Romford, Conservative) Link to this Hansard source
I understand that the defence training contract will be announced shortly. If it is awarded to St. Athan, will the Minister tell us what impact that will have on jobs in Wales?
Nick Ainger (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Office of the Secretary of State for Wales) Link to this Hansard source
As you know, Mr. Speaker, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence will make a statement on the defence training review at 12.30 pm. It would not be appropriate for me to speculate on the outcome. However, it is well known that if the St. Athan bid is successful, it will have a substantial impact on Wales. We are talking about more than 5,000 jobs coming to Wales and an investment of £14 billion. If the bid is successful for the Metrix consortium, it will be evidence of the private and public sectors in Wales working together and coming forward with a world-beating bid to provide excellent training facilities for our defence forces.
John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour) Link to this Hansard source
Does my hon. Friend agree that if the new military academy comes to RAF St. Athan, which is in my constituency, it will have an economy-transforming impact on south Wales because we will see the biggest single public investment ever in our country?
Nick Ainger (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Office of the Secretary of State for Wales) Link to this Hansard source
Yes, if that is the outcome. Again, I do not want to prejudge my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence's statement at 12.30 pm, but if that is the outcome, it will undoubtedly be the largest public-sector investment in Wales, and possibly in the United Kingdom, as my hon. Friend says. It would put up to £58 million a year into the Welsh economy over the next 25 years. As he says, it would have a transforming influence on the economy of not just his constituency, but the valleys and the Cardiff-to-Newport corridor.
Robert Walter (North Dorset, Conservative) Link to this Hansard source
If that announcement is made at 12.30 pm, it will have a devastating impact on my constituency. Will the Minister confirm that the Welsh Assembly Government, through the Welsh Development Agency, have made available £100 million for infrastructure to support the Metrix bid? Does he agree that if the contract, worth up to £16 billion, is awarded to south Wales, it will enhance Labour Assembly Members' prospects of being re-elected to the Assembly, and therefore of retaining control of the Welsh Assembly?
Nick Ainger (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Office of the Secretary of State for Wales) Link to this Hansard source
I had a certain amount of respect for the hon. Gentleman until he made that last comment. The fact is that the Ministry of Defence ensured that the awarding of the contract was subject to a rigorous impartial evaluation process, which means that whatever the outcome announced in less than an hour's time, it will be based straightforwardly on the quality of the winning bid. To claim that there is some sort of dirty, backstairs deal being done, as the hon. Gentleman implies, demeans him and the party that he represents.
Chris Bryant (Rhondda, Labour) Link to this Hansard source
As Wales represents 6 per cent. of the population, but 9 per cent. of the armed forces, is not the most important point about the two contracts, if they are awarded to St. Athan, the fact that we will be providing our troops with what they really need and deserve, namely the very best training, which they need for modern warfare and modern peacekeeping?
Nick Ainger (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Office of the Secretary of State for Wales) Link to this Hansard source
Absolutely. Obviously, there are huge economic benefits to the awarding of the contract, but the most important issue, and the reason why the Ministry of Defence went down the road of looking into establishing a defence training academy, is to improve and expand the training for our armed forces. That is the driver behind the decision. The issue is not just the benefits that the decision will bring to Wales but, as my hon. Friend says—and I congratulate him on all his work in dealing with and supporting the Metrix bid—the fact that our forces will have a state-of-the-art defence academy to provide them with the best training possible.
Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham, Conservative) Link to this Hansard source
Mr. Deputy Speaker— [Interruption.] Mr. Speaker, I offer an unreserved apology.
We know that we do not always need to disagree in politics, and I know that the Minister and I—I speak for my party's Front-Benchers—are equally keen that the contract for the training of our forces should be awarded to St. Athan later today. Indeed, I am on record as having supported the bid right from the start, along with colleagues on the other Benches. However, we understand that each Member will fight for their own constituency interests, and should be allowed to do so. Does he agree that such a decision would underline the enormous benefit to Wales of being a full participant in the United Kingdom, and would not have been made at all if the separatists, some of whom sit in the House, who even oppose recruitment to the armed forces in Wales, had their way by tearing Wales out of the Union?
Nick Ainger (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Office of the Secretary of State for Wales) Link to this Hansard source
Well, may I tell the hon. Lady that the road that her party seems to be taking in pursuing an English Parliament is actually contributing to the separation of the United Kingdom? Only a few weeks ago, her party in Wales was clearly in discussions about forming a coalition with the nationalists, so perhaps—
Michael Martin (Speaker) Link to this Hansard source
Order. We are straying a little far from RAF St. Athan.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2007-01-17b.768.5
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Hundreds of jobs to go .Garrison camp to close
Garrison camp to closeReading Evening Post - Reading,England,UK... Wednesday this week as part of a phase one DTR announcement, revealing Metrix Consortium had won a £14 billion contract to provide training for the MoD. ...How MOD and the government mess folk about.. divide and rule!!Hundreds of jobs to go as defence training movesDaily Echo - Southampton,Hampshire,UKIn awarding the 25-year £16 billion public private partnership to the Metrix consortium, the government dealt a further blow to Hampshire by rejecting a ...
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Only 1500 new jobs tops not the 5000 promised
Government invests £16bn in defence training academyPersonnelToday.com - UKThe first of two packages won by the Metrix Consortium will see training for 6500 personnel transferred to the two sites over five years from 2008. ...It seems that the numbers of new jobs promised at the biggest PFI ever has been greatly exaggerated.. Not 5,000.. not 4,000...not evan 3,000 or 2,000 maybe 1500?And of course the number of folk to build. how many of these jobs will go to local people? How many will be low paid menial jobs?
Saturday, January 20, 2007
PCS recact furiously to decison to award St Athans contract to the private sector
The PCS union, which represents worker at the MoD reacted furiously to the decision to award the contract to the private sector.It said the plans would result in a 'brain drain' that jeopardised future defence capability and see 2,000 staff transferred 'into a compulsory redundancy situation'.The union raised doubts about the number of new jobs that would actually be created by Metrix at a new 'super training' site in St Athan in Wales with existing staff transferring there from around the country.PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the only winners in the deal 'are the shareholders of the Metrix consortium'.'The total refusal to allow an in-house bid underlines the increasingly dogmatic approach the government is taking to privatisation. Whilst the plans may appear to be good news for Wales, there are serious doubts about the number of new jobs these plans, which are reliant on forcing staff to up root and move to keep their job, will actually produce,' he said.'Today's massive privatisation will further anger dedicated staff already facing job losses and below inflation pay, making a yes vote for national industrial action across the civil service increasingly likely.''We are determined to avoid compulsory redundancies and relocations and will be ensuring that the MoD and Cabinet Office work with us to achieveQinetiq defence contract win sparks political row UPDATE
Defence Secretary Des Browne confirmed the decision to give the deal to the Metrix consortium, sparking allegations from industry rivals that it was ...
Defence Training ReviewMetrix consortium awarded Preferred Bidder status under Defence Training Review. The Metrix consortium has been awarded Preferred Bidder status for both
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
St Athans fat cats Fees Bonanza
Herbies enlisted for £16bn military training PFILegal Week, UK - Herbert Smith is in line for a fees windfall after scoring a major role advising on one of the UK¹s biggest private finance schemes to date. ...Number of training bases to go from 30 to 10Simmons wins MoD role against all odds The Lawyer, UK - Simmons & Simmons has managed to retain its leading role on one of the Ministry of Defence’s biggest ever outsourcing deals, despite being booted off the off the panel last year.Why was that then?See also http://www.publicnotprivate.org.uk/
Friday, February 2, 2007
St Athans to save new labour letter
How many new jobs will be created? The decision to privatise the training of the UKs Armed Forces has drawn an angry response from the Public and Commercial Services Union, which warned the plans would result in a brain drain jeopardising future defence capability and see 2,000 staff transferred into a compulsory redundancy situation.The £19bn contract handed to the Metrix consortium by the Ministry of Defence will see training in everything from tank driving to technology handed to the private sector in a deal resulting in the closure of more than 19 sites with training centred on one site at St Athan.The union raised doubts about the number of new jobs that would actually be created by Metrix in Wales with existing staff transferring to St Athan from around the country.The union also warned of a loss of specialist knowledge and expertise with 80 per cent of specialist instructional officers indicating that they would be unwilling to move from across the country to St Athan.Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary said: 'The only winners in the privatisation of defence training are the shareholders of the Metrix consortium.'The massive privatisation will further anger dedicated staff already facing job losses and below inflation pay, making a yes vote for national industrial action across the civil service increasingly likely.'This is a blatant attempt to save the Labour party prior to the National Assembly elections.SMorgan Rogers, Highbury Park, London
Friday, February 2, 2007
Plaid under attack over defence contractic Wales - Cardiff,UKDuring exchanges in the Senedd, Mr Davies said Plaid would have "hauled up the white flag" on a defence training contract which is en route to south Wales. ...Taking questions in the chamber, Mr Davies accused Plaid’s parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd of opposing the privatisation of defence training…Plaid AM Owen John Thomas asked Mr Davies if he could guarantee jobs at St Athan would go to local people.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Rhrodri Morgan 'St Athans Defence Training Academy an example of Labour Labour Patnership in Wales and Westminster plus Blair not an issue
The leadership of the UK party was not an issue for Welsh Labour, he added."I think it's an issue for the prime minister to determine and it's an issue for those who are interested in the leadership - like Gordon Brown - to determine as well," he said. "It's not for us."Mr Morgan said that the two Labour governments - in Westminster and Cardiff - had shown that they could work together "in harmony and partnership". He cited a defence training academy which is expected to create thousands of jobs in south Wales - "the biggest ever government investment ... for the last half-century in Wales" - as an example of "Labour-Labour partnership in Wales and Westminster".
Western Mail Aerospace must not be overshadowed Feb 3 2007 Martin Evans,
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0300business/0250features/tm_headline=aerospace-must-not-be-overshadowed&method=full&objectid=18568271&siteid=50082-name_page.html
Story continues
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Sunday, February 4, 2007
St Athans A Con - mega privatisation project
From SEREN 'Plaid should have had the courage of their convictions and said St Athan was a con - a privatisation that would do little for the Welsh economy and, taking a wider perspective, damage areas in England where bases were closing. Few local people will get the skilled jobs as trainers re-locate from the 16 bases being closed. Plaid is an anti-war party and a firm stance here would have had Davies backpeddling as the warmonger and liar he is.'St Athans - is it good for Wales?
Saturday, February 10, 2007
St Athans myths from Rhrodri Morgan
Recently New Labour MPs in Wales and AMs such as New Labour Rhrodri Morgan fell over them selves to sell the myth to the welsh people that a mega military academy - the largest PFI ever - that is - the biggest PRIVATISATION at St Athans is good for Wales! ..That it will create 5000 jobs - not very likely...a private company could soon be advertising for nuclear submarine experts in job centres in Wales! 80% of existing MOD traing staff will have to move to Wales.Saved MOD blushes.............when the £100m Red Dragon Super Hanger built by mod for fighter repairs before moving all fighter work out of Wales!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Welsh affairs committee welcomes St Athans fiasco!
Session 2006-0717 January 2007Press Notice No 4 Welsh Affairs Committee welcomes decision to locate multi-billion pound training academy at St Athan. The Welsh Affairs Committee today welcomes the decision by the Ministry of Defence to award the contract for a new military training academy based at St Athan.The contract will create around 5,000 jobs and contribute £58 million a year to the local economy. Chairman of the Welsh Affairs Committee, Dr Hywel Francis said: “This is great news for Wales and for the future of British military excellence. “As the largest single investment by the Government in Wales ever, it will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the economy in South Wales, providing much needed jobs and investment. We congratulate the Defence Secretary Des Browne on his decision and we look forward with great anticipation to the opening of this centre of excellence in 2013.”..But is this true? Does Dr Hywel Francis support PFI so whole heartedly and do his constituents realise this? Does he really think 5000 jobs will be created. who is paying for the necessary con ditional road building and has anny one consulted with the local people or considered the environmental impact of this road building and the academy in Wales? The Welsh Affairs Committee Members are:Dr Hywel Francis MP, (Chairman) Labour, AberavonMr Stephen Crabb MP, Conservative, Preseli PembrokeshireDavid T. C. Davies MP, Conservative, MonmouthNia Griffith MP, Labour, LlanelliMrs Siân C. James MP, Labour, Swansea EastMr David Jones MP, Conservative, Clwyd WestMr Martyn Jones MP, Labour, Clwyd SouthJessica Morden MP, Labour, Newport EastAlbert Owen MP, Labour, Ynys MônMark Williams MP, Liberal Democrat, CeredigionHywel Williams MP, Plaid, Caernarfon
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Private equity group sells out of Qinetiq amid audit office inquiry
The Carlyle Group said yesterday that it was selling its remaining stake in Qinetiq, the privatised defence and security concern, in a move that will provide further ammunition for critics of the private equity sector. Carlyle, which acquired a 33% stake in Qinetiq in 2002 for £42.5m, sold some £160m of shares when the UK company was floated a year ago and stands to pocket a further £140m from the sale of its remaining 67.8m shares.The National Audit Office announced last year that it was to investigate the privatisation of Qinetiq and said then that the price at which Carlyle acquired its original holding was one of the issues it would be looking at. Last night the NAO said the investigation was continuing and that it expected its report on the Qinetiq privatisation to be completed by the spring. Mark Milner Friday February 9, 2007 The Guardian
Sunday, February 18, 2007
QinetiQ stock dealings make some trigger happy
From Julia Finch Friday February 16, 2007 The GuardianWhy are we not surprised at QinetiQ boss Graham Love's rush to sell a large wodge of his shares at the earliest possible opportunity?QinetiQ, for those with short memories, is the defence technology group privatised by the government last year in a controversial move that generated paper fortunes worth more than £20m for the group's chairman and chief executive, Sir John Chisholm and Love.Yesterday Love and Andrew Sleigh, managing director of the business, leapt at the chance to turn their shares into real money - about £6m and £1.8n respectively. They acted just days after the first phase of a lock-in agreement came to an end. The three-phase lock-in allows directors to sell about a third of their shares after 12, 24 and 36 months. Love chose to flog 27% of his holding ASAP.His dealings came days after the US private equity group Carlyle cashed in its last chips in QinetiQ. The sale ended a highly lucrative and controversial investment for the Americans. They acquired 31% of QinetiQ from the UK government for £42m in 2003. They then raised some £160m selling part of their stake at flotation and a week ago sold the rest, raising £140m.Carlyle, whose image was so battered by Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 and whose directors once included the former president Bush and ex-prime minister John Major, is now out of the picture and evidently attempting an image makeover.For shareholders who rushed to buy QinetiQ at the float, it has not been an impressive year. The shares, floated at 200p, were standing at 206p last night. And the company, which recently installed the former CIA boss George Tenet on its board, remains contentious.Only last month the government, - QinetiQ's biggest shareholder with a 19% stake - was involved in a row after making consortiums led by the company preferred bidders on a £16bn private finance initiative contract for the MoD.Why does the defence business always seem so tawdry?
Sunday, February 18, 2007
St Athan academy road links plan thrown into doubt
Rhrodri makes promises he can't keep without using our money to line Metrix consortium pockets!!Feb 16 2007 Peter Collins, South Wales EchoFirst Minister Rhodri Morgan has signalled the Assembly is moving away from plans to upgrade road links with the Cardiff International Airport.It had been believed that the new 5,500-job military academy in the Vale of Glamorgan would lead to huge improvements in the transport network.But at a meeting with business leaders, Mr Morgan said the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) would not be able to raise private funding to pay for the scheme. He said it was also unlikely that a private company would be able to charge a toll for a road from the M4 to the airport.Plans to trunk the A48 from Culverhouse Cross to Sycamore Cross and parts of three roads leading to the airport, were scrapped following public opposition, although WAG was understood to be keen to press ahead with improved road links from the M4 to the airport.But at the meeting with business leaders, Mr Morgan said: 'You may not get a dual carriageway from the M4. What company would want to have a toll on that road?'He also used the example of Bristol Airport which has poor road links and said that it did not seem to have harmed its development.Villagers in the Vale were concerned at talk about trunking the road from Culverhouse Cross and at the plans to build a new road from the M4 directly to the airport.A spokesman for the Metrix consortium, the group behind the successful St Athan bid, said they had no public comment to make on Mr Morgan's views. But the consortium has embarked on detailed negotiations with WAG and others on the infrastructure implications of the academy developmentIn an exclusive interview with the Echo this week, Mike Hayle, chief executive of Metrix, said continued public support was vital. He also said: 'It is also important that the Assembly Government shows that it will deliver what it said it would deliver.'A major development blueprint which will be used as a guide for the academy plans concluded that 'there is sufficient highway capacity within the local road infrastructure to absorb the impact of the development'. The conclusion was reached by a transport group which included Assembly Government representatives and Metrix.
Monday, March 19, 2007 St Athan & the Future of Wales
See Cynefin y Werin(Remember the campaign against St Athans started here with the women of Wales!! St Athans PFI Military Base
2 Jan 2007)Paper by Stuart Tannock 2007
IntroductionEver since Wales gained its own national assembly in 1999, Welsh politicians have spoken of building Wales as a world nation, respected globally for its distinct Welsh identity. First Minister Rhodri Morgan talks passionately of putting “clear red water between Cardiff and London.” Plaid Cymru commits itself to social justice, the health of the environment and decentralised socialism. The Welsh Liberal Democrats claim to offer “real alternatives.” The Welsh are committed, it is said, to values of community, voice, collectivism and social democracy. In January 2007, a quite different and altogether sobering reality behind such rhetoric became starkly apparent. Hitching its dreams of national emergence to the global fortunes and adventures of the British military and a consortium of some of the world’s most powerful arms investors and producers (Carlyle, Qinetiq, Raytheon), Wales announced what was by far its largest investment project since devolution: a £14 billion deal to construct a massive, new, privately-operated training centre for the entire British armed forces, to be located in the village of St Athan, some thirteen miles outside of Cardiff. More sobering still, not one of the four main political parties in the “new,” “distinct” and “devolved” Wales stood up to oppose the development; neither did the Wales Trades Union Congress, nor any of the principal Welsh newspapers.What is the St Athan Defence Training Academy?The St Athan Defence Academy, if final contracts are all signed as expected, will open fully in 2013 as a mega-training centre or “university” for all three services of the British armed forces. It will be a private facility operated by the Metrix Consortium, which is a joint venture company of Land Securities Trillium and Qinetiq, in partnership with other sub-contracting companies: AgustaWestland, City & Guilds, Currie & Brown, Dalkia, EDS, Laing O’Rourke, Nord Anglia, Raytheon, Serco, Sodexho and the Open University. The Academy represents a major step in New Labour’s effort to “modernise” defence training in the UK, through promoting closer integration between the Army, Navy and Air Force, embracing high technology solutions to military problems, and outsourcing to the private sector. In the future, all British military recruits will come to St Athan to complete Phases Two and Three of their training, taking specialist courses in subjects such as engineering, information systems, communications, logistics, administration, policing, security, languages, intelligence and photography.Far from being a peripheral or inconsequential development, the St Athan Academy promises to play a pivotal role in defining the future identity and direction of the new and devolved Wales. It represents one of the largest, if not the largest government investments in Welsh history.[1] It is also anticipated by Welsh developers and politicians to have major impacts on the entire regional infrastructure (education, transportation, housing, health) and economy (from aerospace to tourism). Despite its significance, however, the St Athan Academy deal was pushed through with virtually no public discussion and debate. St Athan boosters focused almost exclusively on the economic benefits that the military academy promises to bring to Wales, particularly in terms of new jobs for local people. There are real questions as to how many new jobs – and how many high quality new jobs – St Athan will create for locals. But even before we get to these questions, there is the core matter, which has yet to be addressed publicly in Wales, of what St Athan/Metrix actually represents in the world at large. What exactly is Wales committing itself to when it signs onto the St Athan deal?
(1) A Future Based on MilitarismWith St Athan, Wales jumps from being one of the least militarized nations – it currently has the lowest defence spending of any region in the UK[2] – to the forefront of global militarist presence. The words of Metrix CEO Mike Hayle could not be more transparent about what the St Athan Academy vision entails:Our aim is that by 2013 if you travelled anywhere in the world and talked about military training, people would say that St Athan was the only place to go. It will genuinely be on the world map. People will come from Australia, the Middle East and other parts of the world to train…. The academy will captivate the world.[3]Welsh politicians could have insisted that the future development of Wales – and beyond Wales, Britain – lay not in investing in the military, but instead in technology and education projects geared to addressing problems of climate change, alternative energy production, disease eradication, sustainable food production, affordable housing, services for the poor and so on. They could have challenged the British government’s massive military outlay and questioned the factors that have led Britain to the world’s second largest military budget.[4] They could have insisted, at the very least, on a moratorium on any further investments in the future of the British military until the troops had been brought back from Afghanistan and Iraq, and a full public investigation, accounting and trial of Britain’s current wars and occupations had been held. Instead, they have opted to commit the future of Wales to a culture and economy based squarely on militarism.
(2) A Stand Against the International Victims of British Military AggressionWhile many in Wales and the rest of Britain hold on to an idealized notion of the British armed forces, the real-world nature and role of Britain’s military has sadly all too often been a different story. When Wales opens its arms to the British armed forces at St Athan, it is embracing an institution that, in collaboration with the United States, has recently triggered in Iraq “an episode more deadly than the Rwandan genocide”[5] as well as “the largest long-term population movement in the Middle East since the displacement of the Palestinians in 1948.”[6] Between March 2003 and July 2006, more than 650,000 Iraqis (or 2.5% of the population) lost their lives because of the British/American occupation;[7] by early 2007, 1.7 million Iraqis had been internally displaced and 2 million were refugees in other countries.[8] This is an occupation, moreover, that is both unjust and, in the eyes of international law, illegal.Consider what the equivalent would be: if the British military were to do to Wales what their occupation with America has done now to Iraq, then within the next four years, the entire city of Swansea would be evacuated and exiled overseas; all of Newport and Neath would be evacuated and dispersed to refugee camps across Wales; and the populations of Llandudno, Bangor, Aberystwyth, Abergavenny, Monmouth and Newtown would be wiped out and killed off completely, every last man, woman and child among them. This is not to forget that unemployment across Wales would have soared to 70%, health and education systems would have collapsed beyond all recognition, and the country’s remaining residents would have suffered a complete and utter loss of any personal security. In the recent round of celebration over the St Athan investment package, the self-interest of the small, would-be nation of Wales is being pursued in callous disregard for the devastating fate of another nation that has been systematically raped and destroyed.
(3) A Commitment to Selling Welsh Youth on Military WorkIt is not just Iraqis and Afghanis whom the British military has killed in its illegal and unjust operations overseas. In welcoming the British armed forces to Wales, Welsh politicians are embracing an employer that has become one of the leading workplace killers and maimers of young Welshmen today. In Iraq alone, at least nine Welsh soldiers have been killed since 2003.[9] Another, Gary Boswell, 20, from Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, hung himself from a swingset in a children’s playground after a tour of duty in Basra. His parents said that “their son had suffered depression on returning home [from Iraq] but had never spoken of his experiences.”[10] In 2005, Welsh troops discussed on the pages of the Western Mail and over the airwaves of BBC Radio Cymru “how the tragedy they encountered when war broke out haunts them two years on.” They spoke “of seeing young men, fellow soldiers and friends, being killed at their side, of carrying coffins and of surviving roadside bombs – and of how life in a battle zone made returning to life at home so difficult.”[11]Instead of condemning the military for causing the utterly unnecessary loss and disruption of young Welsh lives, Welsh politicians are now preparing to commit themselves to a project that is oriented explicitly toward selling more Welsh youth on the attractions and justness of military work. The St Athan project came into existence in the first place because of New Labour’s agenda of modernising defence training in the UK. The Ministry of Defense’s (2001) Modernising Defence Training report speaks of “four key drivers which underpin the need for change in our training and education.” One of these drivers is the fact that “the lifestyle and expectations of today’s young people have changed dramatically.” We must “meet the aspirations of recruits from a new generation,” the Ministry of Defence insists, “if we are to recruit and retain the people we need in an increasingly competitive market.”[12] The goal, in other words, is to do a better job of selling young people on the military. Enter St Athan. St Athan will be a brand new, purpose-built campus that offers “top grade single living accommodation for all ranks, with single en-suite rooms for many.”[13] It will have “fantastic facilities,” including a cinema, bowling alley, bars and restaurants on site. It will even have an Olympic-size pool, open a year before the London Olympics begin, that will be accessible to civilians and local children, so that they too can see the pleasures and luxuries a life in the military can offer. [14]
(4) An Acceptance of Green-washing Over True Environmental AccountingEven environmentalism is fair game for exploitation to sell the youth of Wales and Britain on the justness of the British military. The Metrix Consortium deliberately put environmental concerns at the top of its development plans since, as CEO Mike Hayle explains, “We are dealing with teenagers who are very much more environmentally aware than 20 or 30 years ago when I joined the armed forces. We have to make sure we fit in with their views on environmental issues.”[15] Never mind the environmental devastation that the British and American militaries are wreaking across the Middle East, or the fact that some experts fear that more Iraqis and other citizens of the region will end up dying from the environmental pollution caused by the war and occupation than from the actual military conflict itself.[16] Recruits coming to the new Defence Training Academy can rest assured knowing that St Athan is committed to green space, sustainable practices, energy conservation, waste reduction, recycling, biodiversity, conservation of natural resources, pollution control, the protection and extension of wildlife habitats.[17] We may not give a damn about children in Iraq – over 260,000 of whom are thought to have died since the 2003 invasion[18] – but we can be happy to know that the Metrix Consortium is taking great pains to safely relocate a colony of great crested newts that has been nesting in the St Athan site before they commence construction.[19](5) A Commitment to Military PrivatisationCommitting to St Athan is about committing to a political project of privatising the British military. The government’s proposed defence training modernisation, in fact, constitutes “one of the biggest, and potentially most lucrative, private finance initiatives … in UK history.”[20] This has been the primary concern of the public sector unions outside of Wales who currently represent military training staff, and who are threatening strike action over the privatisation of defence training agenda.[21] Privatisation of the military, many fear, as is the case in other sectors, can undermine public accountability and erode ideas of public service and the public good, while achieving little if anything in the way of cost savings.[22] “The only winners in the privatisation of defence training,” says Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, “are the shareholders of the Metrix Consortium.”[23](6) A Welcome Mat for the World’s Largest Missile ManufacturerJust who is the Metrix Consortium that the politicians of Wales are welcoming into their country? Even the most casual look through corporate watchdog sites quickly reveals a rogue’s gallery. The most egregious member among these is probably Raytheon, whose work is described as being “at the core of the training system redesign” in the Metrix project.[24] Raytheon happens to be the world’s largest missile manufacturer. It was a Raytheon bomb that hit the Shu’ale market in Baghdad in 2003, killing at least 62 civilians.[25] It was Raytheon guidance systems that directed the bomb that hit Qana in 2006, killing at least 28 civilians, including 16 children. It was Raytheon depleted uranium-tipped GBU-28 “bunker buster” bombs that were rushed by the United States to Israel (via the UK) in the summer of 2006 to be used in the destruction and poisoning of the people of Lebanon.[26] Also concerning about a company with whom the British state is about to sign a massive services contract is the fact that Raytheon has had multiple instances of past business misconduct, including repeated offenses of cost inflation, overpricing, false work claims, and the illegal obtaining of secret government documents.[27] Many of the political leaders of Wales claim to be opposed to the production and use of weapons of mass destruction. Why are they now laying out the welcome mat for one of the world’s largest producers of just such weapons?ConclusionThere are, no doubt, many other concerns that need to be raised about the St Athan Defence Academy project. What will be the impact of the Academy on local quality of life – on traffic congestion, for example, and housing affordability? What will be the impact on Welsh education, and the social and political values that are taught to Welsh children and youth? Already, Welsh politicians and developers alike anticipate that neighbouring schools, colleges and universities in Wales will be pulled into St Athan’s orbit, re-orienting themselves to provide the skills and outlooks demanded by the British military. For those who are committed to a nuclear-free Wales, they should be aware that the Royal Navy’s Maritime Engineering School, which contains the Nuclear Systems Group, is projected to move from HMS Sultan to St Athan by 2017. The Nuclear Systems Group trains the Naval Officers responsible for operating the nuclear submarines that are the heart and soul of Britain’s Trident nuclear weapons system.I write these words in the aftermath of the January 2007 announcement at Westminster of the success of the Metrix/St Athan development bid. For many of us in Wales, this was the first we had even heard of the project. It may seem that St Athan is a done deal, that the opportunity to question and challenge it has passed, and that speaking or acting out now is a matter of doing too little, too late. “The Rubicon has been crossed,” as one concerned observer said to me. We can only hope that this is not true. Though it would, of course, have been preferable to organise against the St Athan Defence Academy at earlier points during its development campaign, there are still contracts to be signed and details to be ironed out. At the very least, before any of these things happen, the people of Wales – and indeed, the citizens of the rest of the world – deserve a full public discussion and debate of the St Athan project so that they can be fully informed of exactly what it entails. Far too much is at stake here to demand anything less. For in the end, St Athan is not just about a local development strategy. It is about the future of Wales, and its place in the wider world beyond.Notes[1] BBCNEWS (2007) “Military Base Brings 5,000 Jobs.” January 17.[2] Peter Gripaios (2002) “Regional Spending: A Comment on Mackay.” Regional Studies 36(6): 685-689.[3] Peter Collins (2007) “’We Want You as Our Recruits….’” South Wales Echo. February 15.[4] George Monbiot (2006) “Only Paranoia Can Justify the World’s Second Biggest Military Budget.” Guardian. August 14.[5] Les Roberts (2007) “Iraq’s Death Toll is Far Worse Than Our Leaders Admit.” Independent. February 15.[6] Mark Tran (2007) “UN Launches £30m Iraq Refugees Appeal.” Guardian. January 9.[7] Gilbert Burnham, Riyadh Lafta, Shannon Doocy & Les Roberts (2006) “Mortality After the 2003 Invasion of Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Cluster Sample Survey.” Lancet. October 11.[8] Mark Tran (2007) “UN Launches £30m Iraq Refugees Appeal.” Guardian. January 9.[9] BBCNEWS (2007) “British Military Fatalities in Iraq.” February 10.[10] BBCNEWS (2004) “Family’s Plea After Soldier’s Suicide.” October 1.[11] Aled Blake (2005) “Welsh Troops Tell How Iraq Still Haunts Them.” Western Mail. March 19.[12] UK Ministry of Defence (2001) Modernising Defence Training: Report of the Defence Training Review. London: MoD: p.6.[13] Defence News (2007) “Metrix Consortium Awarded Preferred Bidder Status Under Defence Training Review Programme.” January 17.[14] Tomos Livingstone (2007) “What a Week for Wales.” Western Mail. January 20.[15] Fiona Harvey (2006) “Environment Ranks Highly in Military Training Site Proposal.” Financial Times. June 9.[16] Michelle Dixon & Spencer Fitz-Gibbon (2003) “The Environmental Consequences of the War on Iraq.” London: Green Party; Solana Pyne (2003) “Leaving a Mess in Mesopotamia.” Village Voice. April 16-23.[17] Andrew Davies (2006) “St Athan: Wales Goes for Gold.” Western Mail. October 28.[18] Colin Brown (2007) “The Battle to Save Iraq’s Children.” Independent. January 19.[19] Fiona Harvey (2006) “Environment Ranks Highly in Military Training Site Proposal.” Financial Times. June 9.[20] Robin Pagnamenta (2006) “Regions Go to War Over GBP 10 Bn Defence Training Shake-Up.” Sunday Express. July 30.[21] Prospect (2007) “PFI Training Decision Slammed by Specialist Union.” January 17; Greg Pitcher (2007) “Civil Service Threatens Strike Over Privatization of Training in Armed Forces.” Personnel Today. January 23.[22] Deborah Avant (2005) The Market for Force: The Consequences of Privatizing Security. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.[23] Public and Commercial Services Union (2007) “Union Anger Over Defence Privatisation.” January 17.[24] Tim Mahon (2006) “Drafting a Vision: Massive Changes in Store for British Armed Forces Training.” Training and Simulation Journal. August 21.[25] Cahal Milmo (2003) “Iraq: Marketplace Deaths Caused by Raytheon Missile.” Independent. April 2.[26] Goretti Horgan (2006) “The Raytheon Nine: Derry Antiwar Activists Face Terrorism Charges.” Counterpunch. August 14.[27] CorpWatch (2005) “Raytheon.” CorpWatch Website.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Bush's Shadow Army
Bush's Shadow Army By Jeremy Scahill, The Nation.Read this below and be afraid of what is happening at St Athans and who is calling these people to account..Blackwater worlds most powerful mercenary army was founded in 1996 by conservative Christian multimillionaire and ex-Navy SEAL Erik Prince ..........hired the Alexander Strategy Group ..............The former Halliburton subsidiary KBR supported Blackwater ..........."The Bush Administration is increasingly dependent on private security forces to do its dirty work, Jeremy Scahill reveals in his new book, Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army.In just a decade Prince has expanded the Moyock headquarters to 7,000 acres, making it the world's largest private military base. Blackwater currently has 2,300 personnel deployed in nine countries, with 20,000 other contractors at the ready. It has a fleet of more than twenty aircraft, including helicopter gunships and a private intelligence division, and it is manufacturing surveillance blimps and target systems...........................The War on the HillSeveral bills are now making their way through Congress aimed at oversight and transparency of the private forces that have emerged as major players in the wars of the post-9/11 period. In mid-February Senators Byron Dorgan, Patrick Leahy and John Kerry introduced legislation aimed at cracking down on no-bid contracts and cronyism, providing foemy Scanr penalties of up to twenty years in prison and fines of up to $1 million for what they called "war profiteering."..Privatising War......... Representative Kucinich says he plans to investigate the potential involvement of private forces in so-called "black bag," "false flag" or covert operations in Iraq. "What's the difference between covert activities and so-called overt activities which you have no information about? There's no difference," he says. Kucinich also says the problems with contractors are not simply limited to oversight and transparency. "It's the privatization of war," he says. The Administration is "linking private war contractor profits with warmaking. So we're giving incentives for the contractors to lobby the Administration and the Congress to create more opportunities for profits, and those opportunities are more war. And that's why the role of private contractors should be sharply limited by Congress." ....
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
St Athan development must include better public transport links, Sir Menzies Campbell?
I fear he means new roads. Sir Menzies Campbell and Lib Dem's support St Athans new military academy where there won't be anything like 5000 new jobs. Jobs are being lost all over the UK to be moved to the super PFI privatised military academy run by the biggest arms dealers - PCS say over 20,000 MoD jobs under threat from either job cuts or privatisation. Did anyone ask the people of Wales if they wanted this mega killing school.See the campaign against St Athans links on this blog - right handside further down.Stop ripping the heart out of our public servicesOur national campaign to protect jobs and public services has reached a crucial stage with news of compulsory redundancies amongst our membership, mounting pay problems and accelerating privatisation.On this campaign sub-site you can sign our on-line petition which will be presented in parliament and e-mail your MP. Do we want to tackle child poverty - More information and other campaign activities can be found at www.pcs.org.uk
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Labour Plaid coalition
Labour-Plaid coalition is sealed A momentous Welsh assembly coalition goes ahead as Plaid Cymru decides to team up with Labour.
Ieuan Wyn Jones is to Rhrodri Morgan what Tony Blair is to Bush! Grovel, grovel, anything to get himself into power and get his name on a door in the coridoor of power! Has he sold out cheap or has he got some real concessions from Rhrodri?
Ieuan Wyn Jones is to Rhrodri Morgan what Tony Blair is to Bush! Grovel, grovel, anything to get himself into power and get his name on a door in the coridoor of power! Has he sold out cheap or has he got some real concessions from Rhrodri?
French official suggested Bush behind Sept 11 attacks
French official suggested Bush was behind September 11 attacks 07 Jul 2007
A senior French politician, now a minister in President Nicolas Sarkozy's government, suggested last year that U.S. President George W. Bush might have been behind the September 11, 2001 attacks, according to a website. The www.ReOpen911.info website has posted a video clip of French Housing Minister Christine Boutin appearing to question that Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda [al-CIAduh] group orchestrated the attacks.
A senior French politician, now a minister in President Nicolas Sarkozy's government, suggested last year that U.S. President George W. Bush might have been behind the September 11, 2001 attacks, according to a website. The www.ReOpen911.info website has posted a video clip of French Housing Minister Christine Boutin appearing to question that Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda [al-CIAduh] group orchestrated the attacks.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Should we support the Labour Plaid coalition?
You will find this of interest?
Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones stikes me as the sort of dodgy bloke canvassing agressively for business.....Could hear him shout 'Hey missus, do you a deal on a new drive!' Wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. ...and on 'Hey Rodri, do you a deal with Plaid then.' ..lots in it for me and shoddy material and finishing.. ...don't think his team are whole heartedly behind him!
It will all end in tears.
Julian Tudor Hart on the debate as to whether we should support the proposed Labour-Plaid coalition. The actual text of the coalition agreement, 'One Wales' can be downloaded from the BBC website.
Dear comrades
The Labour Party was not formed as a socialist party, but as an attempt to create a virtually undefined voice for working people themselves, rather than through well-heeled Liberals – which as Jim says, Blair rightly identified as the key decision which he and the rest of New Labour seek to reverse. The newborn Party included a minority of socialists in organized groups, some of which (e.g. Clarion cyclists and all associated with Blatchford’s Merrie England) had a mass base and undertook mass agitational/educational activity. Others developed elementary Marxist ideas, the SDF on sectarian lines, the Miners’ Next Step men on syndicalist lines. In South Wales and on the Clyde these all together became a mighty force, helping to create the situation which in 1918 led to acceptance of Clause 4 state socialism by the entire Labour Party. However, a large majority inside and voting for the Party never had a socialist agenda in any but the vaguest terms.
For a large part of the Party and its affiliated unions this acceptance was, from the very beginning, nominal – a bow to circumstances, the worldwide hopes raised by the Russian communist revolution of October 1917 in the desperate conditions of a still unfinished world war, which have receded ever since, barring the exceptional circumstances from 1941 to 1945. The final collapse of that idea in 1990 knocked out cold the apparent foundations of all socialist beliefs. We are still only beginning to understand that there were and still are other, deeper foundations on which to build, and close to home, not in remote utopias. The Labour Party was then, and even today remains, a political coalition that is class-based, in which a large majority still asks only for a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work, with all significant power and property left in the hands of the capitalist class. No doubt we wish it were otherwise, but obviously it is not. The politically educated minority of socialists is smaller and older today than it has ever been since 1903, and don’t we know it. It might also be wiser.
In these circumstances it is simply absurd to pretend that the minority of socialists in Plaid Cymru is essentially different from the minority of socialists in our Labour Party, in any respect other than organization. I don’t know about Plaid, but for Labour, organization means only work during and between elections to ensure that we win the next one. We do absolutely nothing – repeat, nothing – to recruit or educate new generations of socialists, committed to a society different in kind from what we live in today. In large part this abdication from responsibility is due to shame and embarrassment. We know that none of our leaders at Westminster shares any such commitment. How can we teach young people what we have not only obviously failed to do ourselves, but what is actively opposed by those leaders? New Labour is not just “not socialist”, it is antisocialist. However, both in the Labour Party and in Plaid, socialists can regain the initiative if they dare to take it; they, and only they, have the innovative ideas that could revive social solidarity in the electorate. And hopefully, our leaders in Cardiff see things differently from leaders at Westminster, even if they speak of their ideas only in whispers inaudible to the electorate.
Throughout the world, political parties and their voters are undergoing a transformation as profound as that which gave birth to the Labour Party, and to all other mass workers’ parties in the two decades preceding World War 1. We are in the middle of that transformation. We can at best only guess at its outcome. In these circumstances we should trust the capacity of everyone who lives and thinks from what they do rather than from what they own or control; all whose lives depend on their work rather than their wealth and power. Anything that brings these broadly defined working people together deserves our support. I think our coalition with Plaid could be a possibly decisive step in that direction, so I heartily support it.
Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones stikes me as the sort of dodgy bloke canvassing agressively for business.....Could hear him shout 'Hey missus, do you a deal on a new drive!' Wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. ...and on 'Hey Rodri, do you a deal with Plaid then.' ..lots in it for me and shoddy material and finishing.. ...don't think his team are whole heartedly behind him!
It will all end in tears.
Julian Tudor Hart on the debate as to whether we should support the proposed Labour-Plaid coalition. The actual text of the coalition agreement, 'One Wales' can be downloaded from the BBC website.
Dear comrades
The Labour Party was not formed as a socialist party, but as an attempt to create a virtually undefined voice for working people themselves, rather than through well-heeled Liberals – which as Jim says, Blair rightly identified as the key decision which he and the rest of New Labour seek to reverse. The newborn Party included a minority of socialists in organized groups, some of which (e.g. Clarion cyclists and all associated with Blatchford’s Merrie England) had a mass base and undertook mass agitational/educational activity. Others developed elementary Marxist ideas, the SDF on sectarian lines, the Miners’ Next Step men on syndicalist lines. In South Wales and on the Clyde these all together became a mighty force, helping to create the situation which in 1918 led to acceptance of Clause 4 state socialism by the entire Labour Party. However, a large majority inside and voting for the Party never had a socialist agenda in any but the vaguest terms.
For a large part of the Party and its affiliated unions this acceptance was, from the very beginning, nominal – a bow to circumstances, the worldwide hopes raised by the Russian communist revolution of October 1917 in the desperate conditions of a still unfinished world war, which have receded ever since, barring the exceptional circumstances from 1941 to 1945. The final collapse of that idea in 1990 knocked out cold the apparent foundations of all socialist beliefs. We are still only beginning to understand that there were and still are other, deeper foundations on which to build, and close to home, not in remote utopias. The Labour Party was then, and even today remains, a political coalition that is class-based, in which a large majority still asks only for a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work, with all significant power and property left in the hands of the capitalist class. No doubt we wish it were otherwise, but obviously it is not. The politically educated minority of socialists is smaller and older today than it has ever been since 1903, and don’t we know it. It might also be wiser.
In these circumstances it is simply absurd to pretend that the minority of socialists in Plaid Cymru is essentially different from the minority of socialists in our Labour Party, in any respect other than organization. I don’t know about Plaid, but for Labour, organization means only work during and between elections to ensure that we win the next one. We do absolutely nothing – repeat, nothing – to recruit or educate new generations of socialists, committed to a society different in kind from what we live in today. In large part this abdication from responsibility is due to shame and embarrassment. We know that none of our leaders at Westminster shares any such commitment. How can we teach young people what we have not only obviously failed to do ourselves, but what is actively opposed by those leaders? New Labour is not just “not socialist”, it is antisocialist. However, both in the Labour Party and in Plaid, socialists can regain the initiative if they dare to take it; they, and only they, have the innovative ideas that could revive social solidarity in the electorate. And hopefully, our leaders in Cardiff see things differently from leaders at Westminster, even if they speak of their ideas only in whispers inaudible to the electorate.
Throughout the world, political parties and their voters are undergoing a transformation as profound as that which gave birth to the Labour Party, and to all other mass workers’ parties in the two decades preceding World War 1. We are in the middle of that transformation. We can at best only guess at its outcome. In these circumstances we should trust the capacity of everyone who lives and thinks from what they do rather than from what they own or control; all whose lives depend on their work rather than their wealth and power. Anything that brings these broadly defined working people together deserves our support. I think our coalition with Plaid could be a possibly decisive step in that direction, so I heartily support it.
did you know that only 2 private healthcare companies are not controlled by PRIVATE EQUITY
Private equity faces healthcare check
Following the sale of 26 Bupa hospitals to a private equity firm, the Healthcare Commission regulator is to examine the increasing role of such companies in Britain's healthcare. Of the top seven private hospital groups, just two are not controlled by private equity. The financial stability of such hospitals could be implicated, the regulator's head of independent healthcare has said.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/health/article1951256.ece
NHS Support Campaign Keep NHS Public
Following the sale of 26 Bupa hospitals to a private equity firm, the Healthcare Commission regulator is to examine the increasing role of such companies in Britain's healthcare. Of the top seven private hospital groups, just two are not controlled by private equity. The financial stability of such hospitals could be implicated, the regulator's head of independent healthcare has said.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/health/article1951256.ece
NHS Support Campaign Keep NHS Public
St Athan Militay Academy?
A meeting is being hosted by CND Cymru to discuss the St Athan military academy. Stuart Tannock of Cardiff University's School of Social Sciences will provide a brief presentation to get a general discussion going about how we might initiate a campaign against the development.
For more information and to download a copy of Stuart's paper see: http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/index.php?docid=249
Temple of Peace, Cardiff, on Saturday 7th July from 2pm.
For more information and to download a copy of Stuart's paper see: http://www.cynefinywerin.org.uk/index.php?docid=249
Temple of Peace, Cardiff, on Saturday 7th July from 2pm.
See also PFI Secret Military BASE and if you lok down this page to the right you will find a list of references to womens voice campaign agaisnt St Athans.
Where are the women Harriet Harmen??
What influence has Harriet got with Gordon? Did Gordon consult with Harriet before deciding on his cabinet? Has he listened to the party? Obviously not, listening is not a verb in the new labour dictionary. Asbo Hazel Blears - least popular with labour party members gets to stay in the cabinet and as community ...excuse me, but this dictatorial hectoring pain should be sent back to well deserved oblivion. Lets have more women in the cabinet but 'real' women please. Balls for children - won't work...empathy required .. preferably experience of children ....obviously an equal opportunity appointment. Just get to know the right people and you will be OK. Men can be so god with childrens issues and womens issues as long as that involves a top job and pay and prestige. Not for them slaving over a hot stove or cleaning up vomit, school run and the dash to work and so on and on..
You, particularly if you are a bloke - could be dropped into a safe seat and given a prestigious job and even in some cases end up as Northern Ireland sec! Wow! Inflict anyone on the people of Northern Ireland and don't even ask want they think about it. Not only that Tony would have us give him all the credit for 'peace', do you get the same impression as me, that Mo Molan is being written out of the history of N Ireland?
Even Slugger O Toole has no comment on the appointment of Shaun Woodward as Northern Ireland Secretary. Obviously there to put Tories on the map slugger! What a dreadful expression for a name!
A enlightened prime minister with courage could have appointed a woman to lead Northern Ireand into the future.
I feel that the women of Northern Ireland are due an apology if not compenstation for the shabby dicriminating treatment they received at the hands of the likes of Ian Paisley and other orange leaders and politicans which added considerabley to the bigotry and religious discrimination they already had to endure . I feel sick when I see Paisley lauded by Blair and the labour party.
Sorry that I am not surprised by the news that Sir Digby is to be given a peerage and will have to join the Labour Party in order to serve as a minister. Why join the labour party at all as it is only a brand name that you can apparently buy into. I have the view that government ministers should be elected so that they are at the very least accountable to their electorate. How foolish was I to think that the labour party represented a stand against patronage and class privilege.
You, particularly if you are a bloke - could be dropped into a safe seat and given a prestigious job and even in some cases end up as Northern Ireland sec! Wow! Inflict anyone on the people of Northern Ireland and don't even ask want they think about it. Not only that Tony would have us give him all the credit for 'peace', do you get the same impression as me, that Mo Molan is being written out of the history of N Ireland?
Even Slugger O Toole has no comment on the appointment of Shaun Woodward as Northern Ireland Secretary. Obviously there to put Tories on the map slugger! What a dreadful expression for a name!
Formerly a Tory MP for David Cameron’s seat of Whitney, Mr Woodward defected to Labour in 1999 after opposing the party’s position on gay rights. In the 2001 general election after Labour 'found' him the working-class seat of St Helens South.
However, I am worried that the government seems to think Northern Ireland is a problem solved. If any other city in the UK was divided by walls and totally segregated, with more than their fair share of racists and womens rights and representation 50 years behind the rest of the uk, that would be a serious problem. At the same time, the government is set on expanding the numbers of faith schools in England in the mistaken belief that it is better for children, perhaps they should take some heed of what has happened and is happening in Northern Ireland after all and recognise the terrible consequences of the role of faith schools in propagating hate between communities.A enlightened prime minister with courage could have appointed a woman to lead Northern Ireand into the future.
I feel that the women of Northern Ireland are due an apology if not compenstation for the shabby dicriminating treatment they received at the hands of the likes of Ian Paisley and other orange leaders and politicans which added considerabley to the bigotry and religious discrimination they already had to endure . I feel sick when I see Paisley lauded by Blair and the labour party.
Sorry that I am not surprised by the news that Sir Digby is to be given a peerage and will have to join the Labour Party in order to serve as a minister. Why join the labour party at all as it is only a brand name that you can apparently buy into. I have the view that government ministers should be elected so that they are at the very least accountable to their electorate. How foolish was I to think that the labour party represented a stand against patronage and class privilege.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Help a South Wales Child
Red Dragon's very own charity, Help A South Wales Child, is celebrating it's tenth birthday this year and we want you to help.
The charity helps the children and young people of South Wales, who experience the negative effects of poverty, abuse, neglect, homelessness, violence, crime, illness and disability. In the last 10 years, we've helped thousands of South Wales' most disadvantaged children, raised thousands of pounds and had lots of fun along the way!Join us as we celebrate this fantastic achievement at one just one of the events we're holding throughout July and as a Behind the Mic member you're eligible to receive a 10% discount on all the events listed. Simply quote 'Behind the Mic' when booking.
Welsh Charity Film Premiere - Die Hard 4.0, Monday July 2nd 2007 Tickets for the Welsh Charity Premiere cost £15 for a VIP Gallery ticket (limited number) or just £10 for a standard ticket.A Night at Mujibs, Tuesday July 10thTickets cost just £20 per person, with 100% being donated to Help A South Wales Child, courtesy of the Empire Group.
'The Perfect 10' Charity Ladies Night, Wednesday July 18thJoin us for a girly night out. All you need to do is relax with a cocktail, sample some of the mouth watering canapés courtesy of the Cardiff Hilton Chef...and enjoy. Tickets cost just £10 per person (including complimentary drink on arrival and canapés)
The Help A South Wales Child 'Big Birthday Bash', Sunday July 22nd 2007.On Sunday July 22nd we hope to put smiles on even more kids faces as we let our hair down with a Big Birthday Bash, featuring Erbie the Clown, music, play, face painting and special guests. You can nominate a child or special group of children to attend here.
You can get more information about any of these events here. To reserve your tickets, call or email Red Dragon's Charity Manager Lisa Buckley on 029 2094 2955 or lisa.buckley@reddragonfm.co.ukThe Red Dragon Team
The charity helps the children and young people of South Wales, who experience the negative effects of poverty, abuse, neglect, homelessness, violence, crime, illness and disability. In the last 10 years, we've helped thousands of South Wales' most disadvantaged children, raised thousands of pounds and had lots of fun along the way!Join us as we celebrate this fantastic achievement at one just one of the events we're holding throughout July and as a Behind the Mic member you're eligible to receive a 10% discount on all the events listed. Simply quote 'Behind the Mic' when booking.
Welsh Charity Film Premiere - Die Hard 4.0, Monday July 2nd 2007 Tickets for the Welsh Charity Premiere cost £15 for a VIP Gallery ticket (limited number) or just £10 for a standard ticket.A Night at Mujibs, Tuesday July 10thTickets cost just £20 per person, with 100% being donated to Help A South Wales Child, courtesy of the Empire Group.
'The Perfect 10' Charity Ladies Night, Wednesday July 18thJoin us for a girly night out. All you need to do is relax with a cocktail, sample some of the mouth watering canapés courtesy of the Cardiff Hilton Chef...and enjoy. Tickets cost just £10 per person (including complimentary drink on arrival and canapés)
The Help A South Wales Child 'Big Birthday Bash', Sunday July 22nd 2007.On Sunday July 22nd we hope to put smiles on even more kids faces as we let our hair down with a Big Birthday Bash, featuring Erbie the Clown, music, play, face painting and special guests. You can nominate a child or special group of children to attend here.
You can get more information about any of these events here. To reserve your tickets, call or email Red Dragon's Charity Manager Lisa Buckley on 029 2094 2955 or lisa.buckley@reddragonfm.co.ukThe Red Dragon Team
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Trouble with Hillary is that she is a HAWK!
I believe the problem is that she is a hawk - can't be allthings to all people - backfires in the end
What Women See When They See Hillary By Lakshmi Chaudhry, The Nation Putting Hillary Clinton in the White House would shatter an enormous glass ceiling, yet many feminists aren't cheering at that prospect. Here's a look at how some of Clinton's most ardent supporters became her biggest resisters. Read more »
What Women See When They See Hillary By Lakshmi Chaudhry, The Nation Putting Hillary Clinton in the White House would shatter an enormous glass ceiling, yet many feminists aren't cheering at that prospect. Here's a look at how some of Clinton's most ardent supporters became her biggest resisters. Read more »
Bye bye Blair, oh no, here comes Brown
Bye bye Blair - I recall working my socks off with other labour party members to get rid of the Tories. We looked forward to building council houses - the money to repair them - fighting poverty, raising pensions. All these people I campaigned with have left the Labour party in despair. When I look back I feel betrayed, rejected, heartbroken as if by a dearly loved partner. Then that changed to anger.
I always found Tony repulsive, smarmy - in spite of jokes about him being the first Labour leader you could go to bed with the lights on! Perhaps the guys liked him? I remember him speaking at conference before it turned into a show but I left the room. How could those old labour or original labour people left in the party tolerate this smarmy, arrogant bloke? Why have MPs continued to support him when he has lied and lied and betrayed them - effectively kicking them in the teeth? Perhaps they should take advice from domestic abuse campaigns, fight denial, have zero tolerance for being abused and treated so badly. So many people have died as a result of Tony Blair's behaviour and he leaves acting triumphant when he should be crawling out of office in shame at the very least. Good riddance Tony.
I can never forgive you for destroying everything I believed in - and now we get brown the other side of coin - Ian Paisley control freak type? and the mps fell for that too. ...
I always found Tony repulsive, smarmy - in spite of jokes about him being the first Labour leader you could go to bed with the lights on! Perhaps the guys liked him? I remember him speaking at conference before it turned into a show but I left the room. How could those old labour or original labour people left in the party tolerate this smarmy, arrogant bloke? Why have MPs continued to support him when he has lied and lied and betrayed them - effectively kicking them in the teeth? Perhaps they should take advice from domestic abuse campaigns, fight denial, have zero tolerance for being abused and treated so badly. So many people have died as a result of Tony Blair's behaviour and he leaves acting triumphant when he should be crawling out of office in shame at the very least. Good riddance Tony.
I can never forgive you for destroying everything I believed in - and now we get brown the other side of coin - Ian Paisley control freak type? and the mps fell for that too. ...
Monday, June 25, 2007
Ha Ha Harriet backtracks....well what did we expect? Honesty?
Newsnight election hustings with Jeremy Paxman on Tuesday May 29:Paxman: "Do you think the party should say sorry for what has happened [in Iraq]?
Jon Cruddas: "I do, actually, as part of the general reconciliation with the British people over what's been a disaster in Iraq...
"Harriet Harman [interrupting]: "Yep, I agree."
Cruddas: "I don't think we can actually rebuild a sense of trust and a dialogue with the British people unless we fundamentally reconcile ourselves to what the situation is on the ground and our own culpability in creating it."
Harman: "I agree with that."
BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning:
"I've never said that the government should apologise."
How many times can I say it? I haven't asked anybody else to do anything, I've just explained what my position is."
What I said was that we had to recognise the anger and bitterness that has been caused by Iraq, and we do, whilst at the same time strongly supporting our troops."
I said I voted for the war on the basis there were weapons of mass destruction and that that was a mistaken belief and I had to acknowledge that.
I've said that if knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have voted for it."
I don't think that's what the party members elected me for."They elected me because they've known me for 20 years helping Labour win elections and also because I put on the political agenda things that otherwise might get overlooked, which are not things to do with Iraq but are things to do with family."
Browns declares war on trade unions
Well, it didn't take long. Less than 24 hours into his official Labour leadership, Brown is already on the war path against the trade unions. Brown wants to end the block vote at Labour conference - and the unions' right to put forward contemporary and emergency motions. Instead, there will be "general debates" by members.
John McDonnell MP - 'This is a real kick in the teeth for all those trade union general secretaries who loyally nominated Brown to the leadership of the party.'
John McDonnell MP - 'This is a real kick in the teeth for all those trade union general secretaries who loyally nominated Brown to the leadership of the party.'
Lord Blair of Kut al-Amara was going to create "Palestine
Robert Fisk: How can Lord Blair possibly be given this peace
[Published: Monday 25, June 2007 - 10:27]
I suppose that astonishment is not the word for it. Stupefaction comes to mind. I simply could not believe my ears in Beirut when a phone call told me Lord Blair of Kut al-Amara was going to create "Palestine". I checked the date - no, it was not April 1 - but I remain overwhelmed that this vain, deceitful man, this proven liar, a trumped-up lawyer who has the blood of thousands of Arab men, women and children on his hands is contemplating being "our" Middle East envoy.
Can this be true?
I had always assumed Balfour, Sykes and Picot were the epitome of Middle Eastern hubris. But Blair? That this (soon-to-be) ex-prime minister, this man who took his country into the sands of Iraq, should actually believe he has a role in the region - he whose own preposterous envoy, Lord Levy, made so many secret trips there, to no avail - is going to sully his hands (and, I fear, our lives) in the world's last colonial war is simply overwhelming.Of course, he'll be in touch with Mahmoud Abbas, will try to marginalise Hamas, will talk endlessly about " moderates". We'll have to listen to him pontificating about morality, how he's completely confident that he's doing the right thing (this is the same man who postponed a ceasefire in Lebanon last year in order to share George Bush's ridiculous hope of an Israeli victory over Hezbollah) in bringing peace to the Middle East.Not once - ever - has he apologised. Not once has he said he was sorry for what he did in our name. Yet Lord Blair actually believes - in what must be a record act of self-indulgence for a man who cooked up the fake evidence of Iraq's " weapons of mass destruction" - that he can do good in the Middle East.Here is a man totally discredited in the region now believing he is the right man to lead the Quartet to patch up "Palestine".In the hunt for quislings to do our bidding I suppose Blair has his uses. His blend of ruthlessness and dishonesty will no doubt go down quite well with our local Arab dictators.And I have a suspicion - always assuming this extraordinary story is true - that Blair will be able to tour around Damascus, even Tehran, in his hunt for "peace", thus paving the way for an American exit strategy in Iraq. But "Palestine"?The Palestinians held elections - the democratic variety - and Hamas won. But Blair will presumably not be able to talk to Hamas. He'll need to talk only to Abbas's flunkies, to negotiate with an administration described so accurately this week by my old colleague Rami Khoury as a "government of the imagination".The Americans are talking, and here I quote State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, about an envoy who can work "with the Palestinians in the Palestinian system" to develop institutions for a "well- governed state". I can see the appeal for Lord Blair, though I'm a bit puzzled about what the "Palestinian system" is meant to be.It was James Wolfensohn who was originally "our" Middle East envoy, a former World Bank president who left in frustration because he could neither reconstruct Gaza nor work with a "peace process" that was being eroded with every new Jewish settlement and every Qassam rocket fired into Israel. Does Blair think he can do better? What honeyed words will we hear?There will be appeals for restraint "on all sides", endless calls for " moderation", none for justice (which is all the people of the Middle East have been pleading for for 100 years).And Israel likes Lord Blair. Indeed, Blair's slippery use of language is likely to appeal to Ehud Olmert, whose government continues to take Arab land for Jews and Jews only as he waits to discover a Palestinian with whom he can "negotiate" , Mahmoud Abbas now having the prestige of a rabbit after his forces were crushed in Gaza.Which of "Palestine's" two prime ministers will Blair talk to? Why, the one with a collar and tie, of course, who works for Mr Abbas, who will demand more "security", tougher laws, less democracy.I have never been able to figure out why the Middle East draws the Balfours and the Sykeses and the Blairs into its maw. Once, our favourite trouble-shooter was James Baker, who worked for George W's father until the Israelis got tired of him. Before that we had a whole list of UN Secretary Generals who visited the region, frowned and warned of serious consequences if peace did not soon come.I recall another man with Blair's pomposity, Kurt Waldheim who - no longer the UN's boss - actually believed he could be an "envoy" for peace in the Middle East, despite his war- time career as an intelligence officer for the Wehrmacht's Army Group "E".Waldheim's ability to draw a curtain over his wartime past does have one thing in common with Blair. For he steadfastly refused to acknowledge that he had ever done anything wrong. Who does that remind you of?
© Belfast Telegraph
[Published: Monday 25, June 2007 - 10:27]
I suppose that astonishment is not the word for it. Stupefaction comes to mind. I simply could not believe my ears in Beirut when a phone call told me Lord Blair of Kut al-Amara was going to create "Palestine". I checked the date - no, it was not April 1 - but I remain overwhelmed that this vain, deceitful man, this proven liar, a trumped-up lawyer who has the blood of thousands of Arab men, women and children on his hands is contemplating being "our" Middle East envoy.
Can this be true?
I had always assumed Balfour, Sykes and Picot were the epitome of Middle Eastern hubris. But Blair? That this (soon-to-be) ex-prime minister, this man who took his country into the sands of Iraq, should actually believe he has a role in the region - he whose own preposterous envoy, Lord Levy, made so many secret trips there, to no avail - is going to sully his hands (and, I fear, our lives) in the world's last colonial war is simply overwhelming.Of course, he'll be in touch with Mahmoud Abbas, will try to marginalise Hamas, will talk endlessly about " moderates". We'll have to listen to him pontificating about morality, how he's completely confident that he's doing the right thing (this is the same man who postponed a ceasefire in Lebanon last year in order to share George Bush's ridiculous hope of an Israeli victory over Hezbollah) in bringing peace to the Middle East.Not once - ever - has he apologised. Not once has he said he was sorry for what he did in our name. Yet Lord Blair actually believes - in what must be a record act of self-indulgence for a man who cooked up the fake evidence of Iraq's " weapons of mass destruction" - that he can do good in the Middle East.Here is a man totally discredited in the region now believing he is the right man to lead the Quartet to patch up "Palestine".In the hunt for quislings to do our bidding I suppose Blair has his uses. His blend of ruthlessness and dishonesty will no doubt go down quite well with our local Arab dictators.And I have a suspicion - always assuming this extraordinary story is true - that Blair will be able to tour around Damascus, even Tehran, in his hunt for "peace", thus paving the way for an American exit strategy in Iraq. But "Palestine"?The Palestinians held elections - the democratic variety - and Hamas won. But Blair will presumably not be able to talk to Hamas. He'll need to talk only to Abbas's flunkies, to negotiate with an administration described so accurately this week by my old colleague Rami Khoury as a "government of the imagination".The Americans are talking, and here I quote State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, about an envoy who can work "with the Palestinians in the Palestinian system" to develop institutions for a "well- governed state". I can see the appeal for Lord Blair, though I'm a bit puzzled about what the "Palestinian system" is meant to be.It was James Wolfensohn who was originally "our" Middle East envoy, a former World Bank president who left in frustration because he could neither reconstruct Gaza nor work with a "peace process" that was being eroded with every new Jewish settlement and every Qassam rocket fired into Israel. Does Blair think he can do better? What honeyed words will we hear?There will be appeals for restraint "on all sides", endless calls for " moderation", none for justice (which is all the people of the Middle East have been pleading for for 100 years).And Israel likes Lord Blair. Indeed, Blair's slippery use of language is likely to appeal to Ehud Olmert, whose government continues to take Arab land for Jews and Jews only as he waits to discover a Palestinian with whom he can "negotiate" , Mahmoud Abbas now having the prestige of a rabbit after his forces were crushed in Gaza.Which of "Palestine's" two prime ministers will Blair talk to? Why, the one with a collar and tie, of course, who works for Mr Abbas, who will demand more "security", tougher laws, less democracy.I have never been able to figure out why the Middle East draws the Balfours and the Sykeses and the Blairs into its maw. Once, our favourite trouble-shooter was James Baker, who worked for George W's father until the Israelis got tired of him. Before that we had a whole list of UN Secretary Generals who visited the region, frowned and warned of serious consequences if peace did not soon come.I recall another man with Blair's pomposity, Kurt Waldheim who - no longer the UN's boss - actually believed he could be an "envoy" for peace in the Middle East, despite his war- time career as an intelligence officer for the Wehrmacht's Army Group "E".Waldheim's ability to draw a curtain over his wartime past does have one thing in common with Blair. For he steadfastly refused to acknowledge that he had ever done anything wrong. Who does that remind you of?
© Belfast Telegraph
Law-abiding majority 'is a myth'
More than six out of 10 people regularly commit petty crimes, exposing the belief in the "law-abiding majority" to be a myth, say researchers.
Or is it 61% EVER done a crime not REGULARLY?
Or is it 61% EVER done a crime not REGULARLY?
Nuclear power station on welsh border could melt down
Oldbury
CAMPAIGNERS fear a nuclear power station located on the Welsh border could suffer a Chernobyl-style meltdown because it has not been fitted with an important safety system. Censored documents released under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to the Stop Oldbury campaign, reveal a one-in-1,000 risk of a fire at Oldbury nuclear power station, located around five miles from Chepstow.
Western Mail 25th June 2007
Great idea Tony sorry Gordon and Garriet - lets have motre nuclear power stations so we can sleep better at nights?
CAMPAIGNERS fear a nuclear power station located on the Welsh border could suffer a Chernobyl-style meltdown because it has not been fitted with an important safety system. Censored documents released under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to the Stop Oldbury campaign, reveal a one-in-1,000 risk of a fire at Oldbury nuclear power station, located around five miles from Chepstow.
Western Mail 25th June 2007
Great idea Tony sorry Gordon and Garriet - lets have motre nuclear power stations so we can sleep better at nights?
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Ha, Ha Harmen surprise!
Harriet Harman has been named the next deputy leader of the Labour Party!
Surprise winner from the six candidates competing for the position of Gordon Brown's deputy. 50.43% of the votes in the 5th round against Alan Johnsons 49.56%!
Looking at the pictures in todays papers it could be Blair and Cherie - now morphed into Gordon and Harriet - BC to GH? While she is less hectoring than asbo Hazel she does go on.
But the turnout was low.
Epolitx report Party chairman Hazel Blears was eliminated in the first round of voting, with second preferences then distributed to the other candidates.
Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain was last in the second round of voting, while international development secretary Hilary Benn - judged to be second favourite ahead of the contest - was eliminated in the third round.
With no candidate having a majority by the fourth round, Dagenham MP Jon Cruddas was eliminated. In the fifth round of voting against Harman polled 50.43 per cent, against 49.56 per cent for Alan Johnson.
Johnson - the favourite going into the contest - had been three points ahead in the fourth round, but when Cruddas dropped out there was a swing to Harman, especially among party members.
She told the Labour special conference it was an "honour and a privilege" to be chosen for the job, and said she and the party were confident about the future.
Surprise winner from the six candidates competing for the position of Gordon Brown's deputy. 50.43% of the votes in the 5th round against Alan Johnsons 49.56%!
Looking at the pictures in todays papers it could be Blair and Cherie - now morphed into Gordon and Harriet - BC to GH? While she is less hectoring than asbo Hazel she does go on.
But the turnout was low.
Epolitx report Party chairman Hazel Blears was eliminated in the first round of voting, with second preferences then distributed to the other candidates.
Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain was last in the second round of voting, while international development secretary Hilary Benn - judged to be second favourite ahead of the contest - was eliminated in the third round.
With no candidate having a majority by the fourth round, Dagenham MP Jon Cruddas was eliminated. In the fifth round of voting against Harman polled 50.43 per cent, against 49.56 per cent for Alan Johnson.
Johnson - the favourite going into the contest - had been three points ahead in the fourth round, but when Cruddas dropped out there was a swing to Harman, especially among party members.
She told the Labour special conference it was an "honour and a privilege" to be chosen for the job, and said she and the party were confident about the future.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Super Furry Animals call for Nuke free Wales
ROCK band the Super Furry Animals have called on the Assembly Government to make Wales a nuclear-free country. The band believe the Assembly should follow the example of the Scottish Parliament and announce no new nuclear stations will be built in Wales. Anti-nuclear campaigners want Wales’s only nuclear power station, Wylfa, on Anglesey, to close and the country to move towards renewable sources of energy.
Western Mail 15th June 2007
Western Mail 15th June 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Demonstration to welcome Gordon Brown to Cardiff
CHANGE POLICY - NOT JUST LEADER
Demonstration to "welcome" Gordon Brown to Cardiff and call for a change in UK foreign policy supported by anti-war campaigners from across Wales
Saturday 9 June Assemble 10.30 am
Cardiff International Arena (CIA)
Mary Ann Street (opposite the Cineworld Cinema)
Cardiff City Centre(5 mins walk from Queen Street)
Please forward this message to as many people as possible - as soon as possible!
Bring placards, banners, drums etc.!
In 2003, Gordon Brown, was asked how much he was prepared to spend waging war on Iraq. He replied - "As much as it takes!"
Gordon Brown will be speaking at a "hustings" meeting in Cardiff on Saturday. It is vital that there is a mega anti-war lobby calling for troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan, no attack on Iran & a break with US foreign policy.
Note: It is possible that the venue may change at short notice, we will try and keep people up to date, contact no. for demo, 07792720667
Lebanon was the straw that broke Blair's back and resulted in him not serving a full term in office. We now have the government on the defensive: the majority of the population is now anti-war - !
Demonstration to "welcome" Gordon Brown to Cardiff and call for a change in UK foreign policy supported by anti-war campaigners from across Wales
Saturday 9 June Assemble 10.30 am
Cardiff International Arena (CIA)
Mary Ann Street (opposite the Cineworld Cinema)
Cardiff City Centre(5 mins walk from Queen Street)
Please forward this message to as many people as possible - as soon as possible!
Bring placards, banners, drums etc.!
In 2003, Gordon Brown, was asked how much he was prepared to spend waging war on Iraq. He replied - "As much as it takes!"
Gordon Brown will be speaking at a "hustings" meeting in Cardiff on Saturday. It is vital that there is a mega anti-war lobby calling for troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan, no attack on Iran & a break with US foreign policy.
Note: It is possible that the venue may change at short notice, we will try and keep people up to date, contact no. for demo, 07792720667
Lebanon was the straw that broke Blair's back and resulted in him not serving a full term in office. We now have the government on the defensive: the majority of the population is now anti-war - !
Three EDM's to ask your MP to sign
Please ask your MP to sign these EDM’s if they have not already done so.
1518 NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY REVIEW Jeremy Corbyn MP
That this House regrets the statement by the Government to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) PrepCom in Vienna that `The UK Government has decided to begin the concept and design work required to make possible a replacement for our current ballistic missile submarines'; believes that this conflicts with the Government's assertion that `the UK remains committed to the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons'; applauds the statement on behalf of the New Agenda Coalition countries that nuclear weapon states should not undertake the replacement or modernisation of their nuclear weapons systems; further applauds the presentation by Mexico of a draft model Nuclear Weapons Convention before the PrepCom as a working paper; and calls on the Government now actively to engage in this multilateral initiative in order to bring about a global disarmament at the earliest date as required by Article Six of the NPT. > Full text
1518 NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY REVIEW Jeremy Corbyn MP
That this House regrets the statement by the Government to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) PrepCom in Vienna that `The UK Government has decided to begin the concept and design work required to make possible a replacement for our current ballistic missile submarines'; believes that this conflicts with the Government's assertion that `the UK remains committed to the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons'; applauds the statement on behalf of the New Agenda Coalition countries that nuclear weapon states should not undertake the replacement or modernisation of their nuclear weapons systems; further applauds the presentation by Mexico of a draft model Nuclear Weapons Convention before the PrepCom as a working paper; and calls on the Government now actively to engage in this multilateral initiative in order to bring about a global disarmament at the earliest date as required by Article Six of the NPT. > Full text
Already signed by Plaid Cymru Llwyd, Elfyn Williams, Hywel Labour Williams, Betty
INDEPENDENT Davies, Dai
1517 NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENCE Jeremy Corbyn MP
That this House expresses concern at US intentions to develop National Missile Defence (NMD) bases across Europe and the UK's continued involvement at Fylingdales and Menwith Hill in both the operational and logistical components of NMD and the advancement of the space based infra red system; is further concerned that the programme will encourage a new nuclear arms race; fears that it will put the UK in the frontline in future wars whereby the US will have the technological and military capability to launch first-strike attacks without fear of retaliation; and recommends that the Government withdraws its support and encourages the US to cease this programme, which is widely interpreted as aggressive not d
efensive. > Full text
INDEPENDENT Davies, Dai
1517 NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENCE Jeremy Corbyn MP
That this House expresses concern at US intentions to develop National Missile Defence (NMD) bases across Europe and the UK's continued involvement at Fylingdales and Menwith Hill in both the operational and logistical components of NMD and the advancement of the space based infra red system; is further concerned that the programme will encourage a new nuclear arms race; fears that it will put the UK in the frontline in future wars whereby the US will have the technological and military capability to launch first-strike attacks without fear of retaliation; and recommends that the Government withdraws its support and encourages the US to cease this programme, which is widely interpreted as aggressive not d
efensive. > Full text Signed by Plaid Cymru Llwyd, Elfyn Price, Adam Williams, Hywel
INDEPENDENT Davies, Dai
1471 NUCLEAR TEST VETERANS Ian Gibson MP
That this House applauds the work New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans Study - a cytogenetic analysis conducted by Dr Al Rowland of the Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Massey University, New Zealand, into the effects of nuclear weapons tests on navy veterans; recognises that the results of this research clearly demonstrate that those exposed to nuclear radiation in Operation Grapple suffered, without their prior knowledge, exposure to dangerously high levels of radiation that has resulted in long-term genetic damage; and urges the Government to carry out similar tests to ensure that British personnel involved in Operation Grapple can see whether they have suffered similar DNA damage to their counterparts from New Zealand. > Full text
Monday, June 4, 2007
You gov poll and deputy leaders on the War and Trident
Yougov has just conducted a poll of Labour Party members and trade unionists - http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/labmember.pdf
Johnson and Benn top both polls - although the fieldwork was done before the Newsnight programme. The good news is that Blears comes last.Yougov's electoral college projection, which assumes that MPs vote for the candidates they nominated, currently gives 24% of first-preference votes to Johnson, 20% to Benn, 18% to Harman, 14% to Hain, 14% to Cruddas, 10% to Blears. Cruddas has said that he'll give his own second-preference vote to Harman.
Labour Against The War quotes the various candidates as follows:
When asked: Should Britain spend billions on Trident II?
Alan Johnson: Yes.
Hilary Benn: I stood on a manifesto commitment to do so. We should keep our word. Harriet
Harman: We’ll have to keep it under review.
Jon Cruddas: No. I voted against Trident in Parliament. Hazel Blears: Yes. Britain needs its nuclear defence, and we must decide to upgrade now in order to keep Britain strong in the future.
Peter Hain: I believe in nuclear disarmament, but it must be multilateral. Until then, we should keep our nuclear deterrent.
When asked: Do you regret voting for the Iraq war?
Alan Johnson: No. Given the circumstances I would do so again.
Hilary Benn: No. We should now support Iraq’s fragile democracy against the sectarian butchers.
Harriet Harman: Yes. I would not have if I had known there were no weapons of mass destruction.
Jon Cruddas: Yes, I got it wrong and I bitterly regret that. We need to be honest with the British people about our mistakes.
Hazel Blears: No. Removing Saddam and his sons was the right thing to do.
Peter Hain: We must learn from our lessons in Iraq. But I voted to take action against Saddam Hussein, and it would be wrong to wriggle away from my decision.
Johnson and Benn top both polls - although the fieldwork was done before the Newsnight programme. The good news is that Blears comes last.Yougov's electoral college projection, which assumes that MPs vote for the candidates they nominated, currently gives 24% of first-preference votes to Johnson, 20% to Benn, 18% to Harman, 14% to Hain, 14% to Cruddas, 10% to Blears. Cruddas has said that he'll give his own second-preference vote to Harman.
Labour Against The War quotes the various candidates as follows:
When asked: Should Britain spend billions on Trident II?
Alan Johnson: Yes.
Hilary Benn: I stood on a manifesto commitment to do so. We should keep our word. Harriet
Harman: We’ll have to keep it under review.
Jon Cruddas: No. I voted against Trident in Parliament. Hazel Blears: Yes. Britain needs its nuclear defence, and we must decide to upgrade now in order to keep Britain strong in the future.
Peter Hain: I believe in nuclear disarmament, but it must be multilateral. Until then, we should keep our nuclear deterrent.
When asked: Do you regret voting for the Iraq war?
Alan Johnson: No. Given the circumstances I would do so again.
Hilary Benn: No. We should now support Iraq’s fragile democracy against the sectarian butchers.
Harriet Harman: Yes. I would not have if I had known there were no weapons of mass destruction.
Jon Cruddas: Yes, I got it wrong and I bitterly regret that. We need to be honest with the British people about our mistakes.
Hazel Blears: No. Removing Saddam and his sons was the right thing to do.
Peter Hain: We must learn from our lessons in Iraq. But I voted to take action against Saddam Hussein, and it would be wrong to wriggle away from my decision.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Sign the petition for a Living Wage
We won the minimum wage, now it's time to fight for a living wage for all workers. We received this email from Liverpool - Please sign the petition and forward this email to your friends.
Hi,
I am an activist and a public sector worker from Merseyside. I am running a petition on the 10 Downing Street website in support of a living wage, which has 380 signatures so far. Please can you take a minute to read my e-mail and if you wish to sign, click on the link and fill in your personal details.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to take steps to replace the national minimum wage with a living wage based on the level of pay and conditions that enables a full-time worker to make ends meet for themselves and their family. Official regional living wage figures should be announced such as the one given by Mayor Livingstone for London (and increased by the GLA in April 2007 to £7.20 an hour).
I have also now started a blog to run alongside it, which will be regularly updated and expanded over the coming months, with useful information including what the living wage campaign is about, who supports it, and details of recents news stories and events : http://livingwageuk.wordpress.com
A living wage in every region in the UK would be a huge boost to millions of low paid workers. Jean Lambert (Green Party MEP) said in support of my petition
British people work some of the longest hours in Europe yet 7 out of 10 people working over 48 hours per week say they would like to work fewer hours. For many however this is impossible as they simply cannnot afford to do so. It is currently possible for someone to work more than 60 hours a week and still be paid less than £11,000 per year. The number of people living below the poverty line in the UK is higher than the EU average and continues to increase. The long hours culture is endangering our health and acting as a detriment to our family life. We can't have a culture that says you can not rest. We need a national living wage immediately to ensure this changes and everyone can make ends meet without working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Labour Party councillor Richard Bertin (Vale of Glamorgan) added these commentsYes we have now thankfully got the minimum wage, and yes it is helping thousands of low paid workers. But with the economy doing so well there are repercussions one of which is the rising house prices. Unfortunately, the gap between the rich and poor continues to grow and this needs to be addressed now ! - How ? By rightly establishing a national living wage to ensure that we improve the lives of those on low pay and also do our bit to remove poverty from the 4th largest economy on the world - Great Britain. We need a living wage and we need it now ! Thanks for your timeNick Wall
Hi,
I am an activist and a public sector worker from Merseyside. I am running a petition on the 10 Downing Street website in support of a living wage, which has 380 signatures so far. Please can you take a minute to read my e-mail and if you wish to sign, click on the link and fill in your personal details.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to take steps to replace the national minimum wage with a living wage based on the level of pay and conditions that enables a full-time worker to make ends meet for themselves and their family. Official regional living wage figures should be announced such as the one given by Mayor Livingstone for London (and increased by the GLA in April 2007 to £7.20 an hour).
I have also now started a blog to run alongside it, which will be regularly updated and expanded over the coming months, with useful information including what the living wage campaign is about, who supports it, and details of recents news stories and events : http://livingwageuk.wordpress.com
A living wage in every region in the UK would be a huge boost to millions of low paid workers. Jean Lambert (Green Party MEP) said in support of my petition
British people work some of the longest hours in Europe yet 7 out of 10 people working over 48 hours per week say they would like to work fewer hours. For many however this is impossible as they simply cannnot afford to do so. It is currently possible for someone to work more than 60 hours a week and still be paid less than £11,000 per year. The number of people living below the poverty line in the UK is higher than the EU average and continues to increase. The long hours culture is endangering our health and acting as a detriment to our family life. We can't have a culture that says you can not rest. We need a national living wage immediately to ensure this changes and everyone can make ends meet without working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Labour Party councillor Richard Bertin (Vale of Glamorgan) added these commentsYes we have now thankfully got the minimum wage, and yes it is helping thousands of low paid workers. But with the economy doing so well there are repercussions one of which is the rising house prices. Unfortunately, the gap between the rich and poor continues to grow and this needs to be addressed now ! - How ? By rightly establishing a national living wage to ensure that we improve the lives of those on low pay and also do our bit to remove poverty from the 4th largest economy on the world - Great Britain. We need a living wage and we need it now ! Thanks for your timeNick Wall
Friday, June 1, 2007
Government to sell 25% stake in Nuke Power Firm
The Government yesterday confirmed that it is planning to sell a 25 per cent stake in British Energy after the nuclear power firm posted a 44 per cent rise in underlying profit and announced its first dividend since a state bail-out.
Birmingham Post 31st May 2007
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