Peter Black, Lib Dem Leader

Peter's been hinting for some time that he isn't happy with Mike's rule. It's a fair comment but I do wonder about him doing this so publicly. He has an interesting article in the Western Mail today. He says "we have spent too long mistaking our activities in the Assembly for campaigning." I suspect this is true of all parties. Those of us interested in the Assembly hang on every hallowed word while those who are not - well are not.

I know when I'm out thumping the streets people still blame the Assembly for everything - even when it's a community / town, County or Westminster issue. At the same time AMs don't help matters when they write letters, commit to support causes or get involved in issues which are County Council issues or relavent to the Westminster Government only. My local AM is excellent at doing this. She is constantly associating herself with vote winning campaigns that she has no say on.

It's no wonder then that so many of her constituents blame the Assembly for not only matters it has powers over, but those that it does not.

It's good to see though at least some AMs have the balls to raise their heads above the parapet. Even if it is being sniped at.

Tories not so full of shit

Interesting to read on Alun Cairns' blog that he was emptying his parents' chemical toilet at the Steddfod this week. The things us mere mortals are expected to do! I shovel my dog's faeces on a daily basis. It's such a joyless task but it does keep your grubby feet on the ground.

Who said life is shit?

Huw

Foot in Mouth

So here we go again then. FMD comes back to blight us. Da iawn Elin for returning from Seland Newydd to deal with the issue here in Wales. It was strange this morning to hear Radio Wales refering to two Plaid AMs as "Ministers". I hope Rhodri G&T is enjoying his spell of camping in Fflint.

Western Mail - M4 Crash

Yesterday's tragic event, where a man lost his life in a RTA on the M4, are covered elsewhere.

But what struck me was the Western Mail's front page editorial. The photograph on its front page is striking for one reason only (at least in my mind), as 90% of the vehicles are commercial and haulage vehicles.

I'm guilty of using the M4 every day so accept my guilt but surely we should be able to get some of the products transferred by these vehicles off our roads and onto rail or moved by sea.

It's no wonder that our environment is suffering so.