Supporting PCS Strike

For several years I was a member of the PCS when I was working outside the University sector. I was also very proud to have recognised PCS as the official trade union at Plaid Cymru during my time as Chief Executive. Our relationship with the PCS was strong, and though I was on the 'management' side I found the Union's work really useful and constructive.

I think the way public sector workers (particularly low paid public sector workers) are being treated by this Labour Government is a disgrace. I am pleased that PCS are remaining strong in their determination to campaign against such injustices. PCS are very fortunate to have a forward thinking General Secretary from Aberdare Mark Serwotka, well more accurately from the Gadlys I think! Best wishes to Mark and the team at the PCS.

In Plaid we have just launched our trade union blog, and it is definitely worth a visit.

Cerdyn Cymru - the Wales Card

Not entirely surprisingly the 'Cerdyn Cymru' idea has been very warmly welcomed. The website poll ran here found very significant support, and I was struck by how many business people across Cynon Valley thought the idea was a really good one that needed to be developed. I hope to be able to make further progress on this in the months ahead. Thanks to all who sent in comments and took part in the poll.

If you tolerate this your children will be next

With the words of the Manics ringing in their ears, Cynon Valley councillors voted to approve the creation of the wholly experimental and potentially dangerous enviroparks proposal. Local residents from Rhigos, Penderyn and Hirwaun; along with local anglers spoke passionately against. They were supported by every Plaid Cymru councillor and Cllr Stuary Gregory of Abercynon who warned against the development based on his own experience.

There were few supportive speeches, but when the vote came, as one, every Labour councillor put the health of our communities at risk.

Shame on them!

Enviroparks - open letter to councillors

Tonight the enviroparks application will be considered by RCT councillors, meeting at the Sobel Sports Centre. I have written the open letter below to councillors urging them to reject the current application. I really hope they will listen to the views and genuine concerns of local people.

Dear Colleague
Enviroparks Application
I write to you to express my grave concern about the Enviro Parks application which I understand you will be consdering on Thursday evening. I am writing to councillors because I believe this is an important issue and one which deserves very serious consideration.

The proposed plant is innovative and experimental. It is in close proximity to housing and the reservoir in Penderyn, which provides the water for many of our homes in the Cynon Valley. If there were to be problems with this plant, the first of its kind in the UK, then we all would suffer the potentially very damaging consequences. There are also concerns about the more general environmental impact of the proposal.

There are times when new developments should be supported, but in this case surely the precautionary principle demands that the current application is rejected until further scientific work is undertaken to assess whether the plant would be safe or not. The people of this Valley have suffered pollution previously in the name of cleaner energy – I, for one don’t want us to suffer again.

May I urge you therefore to consider very carefully the application made and ensure the safety of the residents of Cynon Valley.

Yours sincerely,
Dafydd Trystan Davies (Dr)
Plaid Cymru Parliamentary Candidate for Cynon Valley

Daffodils for St David's

On Saturday we took to the streets of Aberdare to hand out daffodils and post cards wishing people a Happy St David's Day. I'm not sure whether the trend of living leaflets will catch on, but the welcome was very warm indeed! We were promoting the Cerdyn Cymru / Wales Card to support local businesses and there was universal support for the idea - aimed at promoting and supporting local producers. Everything that can be done to support local businesses at the moment needs to be done.

It was great to see so many old friends, of three generations of my family. In the picture you'll see my Mum and Mam Gu, as well as a number of supporters!

I was also very pleased to visit Green St Chapel to see the Daffodil festival. The work done by the Soroptimists locally is very important and the chapel was quite breathtaking with over 600 bunches of daffodils across the whole chapel. The festival deserves our support, and there is a Gymanfa Ganu tonight at 6pm in Green St.

Cerdyn Cymru - the Wales Card

To coincide with St David's Day we will be campaigning in Aberdare today (Saturday) in support of a Cerdyn Cymru. The idea is a simple one - much like a supermarket loyalty card - your Cerdyn Cymru would be swiped whenever you bought Welsh produce. You would then build up points and these could be redemeed for Welsh goods - whether its Halen Mon, Penderyn whisky or local honey, or even tickets for the rugby. I think we can all agree on the last of those it would be for the second half of the game!

It may sound straightforward and simple but some of the best ideas are, and in a time when our businesses need as much support and encouragement as possible this is precisely the kind of initiative that could help. So why not come and join us in Aberdare town centre today at 10.30 and/or show your support for a Cerdyn Cymru.

The forces of Hell from No 10 Downing St

I was very surprised this morning to hear details of Alistair Darling's interview about the response of No 10 Downing St to the economic crisis. While a certain creative tension is inevitable at the heart of any effective government, to have a senior cabinet Minister pointing the finger quite so bluntly at Gordon Brown and his cronies is quite remarkable. It really does illustrate how dysfunctional this government is.

Darling for what its worth comes out of the crisis with some credit. His instincts were largely right on public spending prior to the recession - though he was over-ruled by Brown; and his focus on the magnitude of the challenge in contrast to his 'See No Evil, Hear No Evil' neighbour next door who seems to be living on a different planet to the rest of us.