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May 31 National Shootig Week31st May 2007
1. Shooting sports set out their stall 2. Public tip information needed 3. Antony Beevor lecture 4. The 2007 Show Season 5. Farm Sunday, 10th June 1. Shooting sports set out their stall This week has been the first-ever National Shooting Week, following last week's launch at the National Shooting Centre at Bisley. It has been conceived, funded and organised by the Countryside Alliance on behalf of the British Shooting Sports Council and has shaped up to be a huge success, and I feel confident that it will become an annual event. NB National Shooting Week ends on 3rd June so if you would like to try shooting, or know someone who would, then go to www.nationalshootingweek.co.uk to find an event near you. 2. Public tip information needed The Alliance needs your help to boost its fly-tipping awareness campaign: we are looking for specific examples of people being turned away from a tip because the tip wasn't 'in their local authority' or they couldn't produce the necessary documentation for proof of residency. If this has happened to you, please contact Ben Heppenstall at fly-tipping@countryside-alliance.org today. 3. Antony Beevor lecture On 19th June, author and historian Antony Beevor will give the second in our series of London lectures in 2007. The author of acclaimed works such as 'Stalingrad' and 'Berlin: the Downfall 1945' will be speaking on how warfare has changed - from Stalingrad to Baghdad. 4. The 2007 Show Season The 2007 Show Season is now up and running, and on our website you will find details of just a few of the shows the Countryside Alliance will be organising or attending this summer (fuller details will be available in our new membership magazine, Update, which will be sent to members shortly). From the Game Fair to Burghley, the Great Yorkshire to Glamis, the Countryside Alliance will be out and about across the UK to meet supporters, welcome new members and tell you about our campaigning priorities for the coming months and years. 5. Farm Sunday, 10th June Open Farm Sunday will be held on Sunday 10th June. It is a national initiative co-ordinated by Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) where farms throw open their doors so that the public can hear and see the positive steps they are taking to look after the fabric of our countryside whilst producing safe, wholesome and affordable food. May 30 All Wales Accord On Saturday last, at a Special Conference of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Representatives voted for a programme - known as the All Wales Accord - which would be the basis of a non-Labour government in Wales. Over three hours, 54 speakers debated whether or not to approve the policy document negotiated with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives. For every speaker in favour, there was a speaker against. When the votes were cast, 125 conference reps supported the deal, with 77 against. The job of the Assembly Group now is to see how we can put the All Wales Accord in to action. Of course, Plaid Cymru still have to approve it at their next National Council. But by approving the All Wales Accord as a basis for government, there is now a plan on the shelf; ready to be put in to action. I've always been proud of the democratic nature of our Party. Saturday's debate was no exception. The ability of people to take opposing views, to argue their case with conviction, but to still be Liberal Democrats, impressed me greatly. No other party has our commitment to democracy. No other party gives its members such freedom or responsibility to take the big decisions. A copy of the Accord is available to download at www.welshlibdems.org.uk/documents/AllWalesAccord.pdf. It contains 161 proposals - 119 of which came from the Welsh Liberal Democrats. This week has been a difficult week for the Party. The decision we have made puts us in a position to transform Welsh politics in the short term, and transform our country in the longer term. Michael German Leader, Welsh Liberal Democrats in the National Assembly for Wales May 26 Welsh Lib Dems Vote For Rainbow Alliance
May 24 Welsh Lib Dems Special Conference Back On Elgan Morgan, Chair of Conference Committee, said: "The Chief Executive has today received requests from 20 conference representatives to go ahead with a special conference to discuss the document negotiated with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives in the Assembly. Under the party's rules, it is now up to conference committee to arrange such a conference. Given that Saturday is already in diaries, I have decided that special conference will go ahead this Saturday at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells. Starting at 10.30am." Welsh Rainbow coalition 2 Be or Not 2 Be ?Trust in Wales Ymddiried yng Nghymru
To: Members of the Welsh Liberal Democrats From: Rob Humphreys, Party President Dear Fellow members This email, detailing events of yesterday evening, accompanies one from Elgan Morgan, chair of conference committee, being sent out at the same time. This is to give you news of the joint meeting of the National Executive Committee and Assembly Group, which took place yesterday evening in Llandrindod Wells. As you will know, it was agreed at a previous meeting to suspend talks with the Labour Party regarding possible future governance arrangements in the National Assembly, and to explore further the possibility of developing a joint programme for government with Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives. The Negotiating Team met frequently since last week, and a draft programme for government was presented to the Group and NEC last night. I referred in a previous email to then 'Protocol' agreed in January this year by the NEC and Group, which outlined procedures to be followed should there be no overall majority for any one party after the Assembly elections. This protocol was developed by the Group and NEC to insert some transparency into decision-making and negotiating, and was also a result in part of a feeling amongst the membership that when we entered into a coalition with Labour in 2000, there was a lack of transparency and consultation with the membership. A key clause of the protocol was as follows: 'Any recommendation to a Special Conference will require the support of a majority of the Negotiating Team, and separately, of the Assembly Group, and of the NEC...' Thus a triple lock was inserted into the Protocol - basically to ensure that the Party could not be railroaded into a deal by anyone one Party body. Thus the first vote taken last night was that of the 8 person Negotiating Team. A majority (5-3) agreed that the deal obtained was good enough to move forward. Mike German then presented the programme for government which had been negotiated, and answered a large number of questions regarding matters of detail and so on. There then followed a lengthy discussion, which was very thoughtful and constructive throughout. Every member of the NEC present (including two contributing from London via speakerphone) and every member of the Group participated, as did a number of our Parliamentarians, who were present as guests. As Chair, I then asked the Group to meet and separately. This was a majority (4-2) in favour of approving the deal. We then moved to the final vote, that of the NEC. This was a tied vote (9-9). There are no provisions under the NEC Standing Orders for a Chair's casting vote (I had, in fact, checked and taken advice on this earlier in the week -although I was not expecting a tied vote, it has to be said). Thus under the terms of the agreed Protocol, a majority in favour was not reached in all three bodies (ie the NT, the Group and NEC), and therefore, we could not proceed to a Special Conference. A further vote was then taken by the Group, as to whether we should re-open negotiations with the Labour Party. This was defeated (6-0). The meeting then closed sometime just after 10pm. Finally, may I thank everyone who has emailed me and/or Carole O'Toole with their views since May 3rd. We endeavoured to consult and inform the membership as much as we were able to, given that some elements of negotiations must remain confidential. Perhaps as a result of this, you might be stimulated to stand for election for the various Committees of the Party. I know we would welcome nominations in the run-up to the Autumn Conference in October. It need hardly be added that this has been a difficult process at times, and the Party was clearly divided sharply. I reminded everyone at the start of the meeting last night that we came into the room as Liberal Democrats, and we would leave the room as Liberal Democrats. What binds us together is far greater than anything which divides us. Best wishes, and thank you once again for your input. Rob Humphreys Party President -- Welsh Liberal Democrats - Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru 102 Bute Street - 102 Stryd Bute Cardiff Bay - Bae Caerdydd Cardiff - Caerdydd CF10 5AD - CF10 5AD Phone/Ffôn: 029 2031 3400 Fax/Ffacs: 029 2031 3401 http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk May 22 Freedom of Imformation ActDear All,
I am shocked that the Labour and Conservative front benches in the Commons have joined forces to vote for a special exemption for MPs from the Freedom of Information Act. This brings Parliament into disrepute.
Liberal Democrats have led the opposition on the floor of the House of Commons and I have decided to launch a national petition so voters can show to the House of Lords (who debate the bill next), Gordon Brown and David Cameron how they feel. Please visit www.ourcampaign.org.uk/foi to sign our petition and lobby a member of the House of Lords. Please also forward this email to your friends and colleagues. Thank you for your support. With best wishes CLLR Mark Young May 06 Burnham-Thanks North Wales Lib DemsFair green future Dear All,
Once again Many Thanks to you All as Candidates,Agents,Activists and Members for all your hard work for such a long time. It wasn't the final result that we had all hoped and plannned for, but optimistically there is a lot to build on. Once again I feel absolutely privileged to be able to represent you for the next four years in the Assembly and will continue to do my best on your and our Members' behalf. Regretfully this time I will not be joined by another LD North Wales AM but I'm sure this will come in the future. With very best wishes, Eleanor Burnham AM May 02 Welsh Lib Dems On TargetFair green future
More votes and more seats – we are on target, German “We are on target to continue our growth in all parts of Wales – and win more votes and mores seats than ever before,” that’s the message from Mike German as he campaigns from North to South to ensure a record Assembly vote for the growing party of Welsh politics. “In every region, a vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats can be a winning vote, winning more seats, and more influence to deliver our programme for government. We are on target to be the biggest net gainers on election night. Landmarks for next Assembly government Speaking on the campaign trail today, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly leader Mike German will set out his ideas for the first steps of the next Assembly Government. "The people of Wales are crying out for an Assembly that works for them, not just talks about them. "A new government will need to take decisive action, if it is to put the muddle and drift of the current cabinet firmly in the past," he will say. "The Welsh Liberal Democrats would want to make an early start on delivering our promises. I would want to see an immediate review of hospital charges - particularly phone and parking charges which strike so many people as an unfair tax on sickness. "We'd also demand the powers over large power stations. Wales needs to say no to nuclear. Labour Ministers say they have agreed with this with Westminster, but they've failed to deliver it. "And to tackle the problem of unfit classrooms, I would look to work with council leaders, instead of playing Labour's blame game. I would meet all 22 council leaders by the end of the summer, so we could start working with them to make all our classrooms fit for learning as soon as possible. "I'd also want to take urgent action on long term goals. That means publishing an action plan to deliver our aim of 100% of Wales' electricity generated from renewable sources by 2050, by the end of the first year in office. To achieve our ambitious targets, we need to make a start now. "These could be the landmarks of the next 12 months if, and only if, people vote Welsh Liberal Democrat. “My fight is not with the other parties – it is FOR the people of Wales, FOR a fair green future.” ELECTION EVE In WalesFair green future I feel calm and reflective as I look at my worn out old boots with holes in the soles from all the walking from door to door and leaflet dropping
I am also happy in the knowledge that whatever happens tomorrow I have lost a stone in weight and made some very good friends.
I would like to thank my team for all their support over the last two years - without whom I would never have achieved what we have acheived so far
I encourage all of you who visit my blog to make sure you exercise your right to vote. And of course, do vote for me! or my party if you are further afield. I promise, when elected I will give you energy, committment and dedication
Tonight I feel apprehensive and nervous about the vote and the results. But one thing is for certain I know I will be catching up on my sleep from Thursday night onwards and catching up with my beloved wife and baby Lili our beautiful daughter
Thank you to all my supporters..............
Watch this space!.................................................
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