Three leaders – what about our three countries?

Despite the Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain MP, urging voters this week to rally behind parties who can keep the Tories out, the BBC has restricted the televised election debates to the leaders of three London-based parties.

Here in Aberconwy we're in a head to head straight fight with the Tories, so why should three of the four nations comprising the United Kingdom be excluded from these debates, all of which are scheduled to take place in England?

Plaid Cymru is in coalition government in Wales, the SNP govern Scotland and both are excluded, along with politicians from the north of Ireland.

What a nonsense that these debates have now been labelled “prime ministerial debates”, when they include the Lib Dem Leader. Perhaps those responsible should read the recent article in the Independent newspaper, which spoke of Plaid’s three MPs having had more effect on Parliament than the entire Liberal Democrats - and there's sixty-three of them. This shows a complete lack of respect for our nations and voters, and a disregard for the changing nature of the way the UK is governed.

It’s time the broadcasters and the London-based political parties came to terms with the reality of devolution. It is clear that these debates will have an influence on how people vote, and the fact that Plaid Cymru is excluded flies in the face of democracy.

I would go so far as to say that the people of Wales are being misled, and certainly in this constituency of Aberconwy, the contest is between Plaid and the Tories: the other two participants in the televised debates are also-rans here.

What price now the BBC’s commitment to accuracy, fairness and impartiality?"

Plaid’s Director of Communications, my colleague Elin Jones AM, had this to say and I wholeheartedly agree:

“The people of Wales will rightly feel very aggrieved at being shut out from the democratic process in this way. In many of Wales' constituencies one or two out of these London parties barely feature in the running - yet they will feature prominently in this London stitch-up.”

Phil

Safeguard your right to vote

Some handy advice here from Conwy County Borough Council.

While the date for the General Election is not yet known, don't wait until it's announced before you secure your right to vote.

Registering to vote only takes a few minutes.

Sometimes people don't realise they need to re-register every year. Conwy County Borough Council wrote to all households back in October 2009. If you are not sure you returned your form, or if you have moved house since then and have not re-registered at your new address, then take a few minutes to do so now, and make sure nothing stops you from having your say on election day.

Remember, if you are not registered, you can't vote!

Print off a form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk the website of the independent elections watchdog, the Electoral Commission, or telephone the Council's Electoral Services Section on (01492) 576051.

Diogelwch eich hawl i bleidleisio

Cyngor da iawn yma oddi wrth Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy.

Er nad ydym yn gwybod dyddiad yr Etholiad Cyffredinol eto, peidiwch aros i'r dyddiad gael ei gyhoeddi cyn i chi ddiogelu eich hawl i bleidleisio.

Mae ond yn cymryd ychydig funudau i gofrestru ar gyfer pleidleisio.

Weithiau nid yw pobl yn sylweddoli bod angen iddynt ailgofrestru bob blwyddyn. Ysgrifennodd Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy at bob cartref ym mis Hydref 2009. Os nad ydych yn sicr os anfonoch chi eich ffurflen yn ôl, neu os ydych chi wedi symud tŷ ers hynny a heb ailgofrestru yn eich cyfeiriad newydd, cymrwch ydychig funudau i wneud hynny rŵan, a gwnewch yn siŵr nad oes unrhyw un yn eich rhwystro rhag dweud eich dweud ar ddiwrnod yr etholiad.

Cofiwch, os nad ydych chi wedi cofrestru, fedrwch chi ddim pleidleisio!

Printiwch ffurflen oddi ar www.fymhleidlaisi.co.uk gwefan y corff gwarchod etholiadol, y Comisiwn Etholiadol, neu ffoniwch Adain Gwasanaethau Etholiadol y Cyngor ar (01492) 576051.

Payback time for Aberconwy Tories?

Over on bestforwest our colleague Llyr Huws Gruffydd questions whether it's time that the Clwyd West Tories paid back the money they have received in the past from Lord Ashcroft, the non-dom, who as the Tories major donor and Deputy Chairman, has bankrolled to the tune of millions, many of their campaigns in marginal seats, without paying a penny in tax on his earnings offshore.

The same question should be asked of the Aberconwy Tories.

It's Plaid for Aberconwy - says Labour Minister

Even the Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain has appealed to voters to back Plaid Cymru in Aberconwy - saying that voters should unite behind the only party that can beat the Conservatives.

With Labour out of the race in the Aberconwy Constituency, only Plaid can now see off the threat of a divisive right-wing Tory MP.

Following Mr Hain's widely reported remarks over the past few days, Plaid's Aberconwy candidate Phil Edwards said:

"This weekend we've been campaigning in Llanfairfechan, and, once again, the response has been magnificent and very warm. People I’ve never met are calling out ‘good luck’ across the street as we are out and about

"In the context of Aberconwy, Peter Hain is absolutely right: it's Plaid or the Tories, the tide and the mood are clearly with us. I would ask supporters of other parties to lend me their support in this coming election, to ensure that Aberconwy has someone in Westminster fighting for the interests of all constituents and to get a better deal from Westminster.

"Last weekend I took part in the Plaid pre-election conference. Everyone was in buoyant mood and I can rarely remember such a sense of optimism in advance of any election, let alone a General Election for the UK Parliament.

"Contrast this with the mood of this weekend's Tory conference, providing headlines such as 'Poll fears stalk Tory conference’."

Mr Edwards urged the people of Aberconwy to 'think different'.

"At a time when people in Wales have never felt so angry and let down by the same stale old politics in Westminster, there is the chance for some fresh and independent thinking here in Aberconwy."

Conwy Castle flies the flag on St David’s Day

Phil Edwards has welcomed the sight of the national flag, Y Ddraig Goch - The Red Dragon, flying once more over Conwy Castle, after being absent from its flagpole for many months.

Following complaints from local people about the missing flags, Phil took the issue up with CADW and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Officials confirmed to Phil last week that the flag would be back flying over Conwy today, St David's Day, and so it was!

"Y Ddraig Goch - our national flag, had been absent from its flagpole over the Castle for some months now and, despite my best efforts to find out why, no-one in officialdom was providing me with a satisfactory explanation," said local Conwy man, Robin Jones, who then complained to Cllr Phil Edwards and Cllr Tony Tobin, leaders of the Plaid Group on Conwy County Borough Council.

Phil Edwards took up the issue with CADW and its boss, Heritage Minister Alun Ffred-Jones AM, asking for an explanation and an assurance that the flag would be flying in time to celebrate St David’s Day.

Responding on behalf of the Minister, a spokesman explained:

"There have been a number of health and safety concerns linked to the flying of the Ddraig Goch at Conwy which we have been seeking to resolve and which have prevented us flying any flags from the Castle. Primarily these relate to the hoisting mechanism, which causes some staff difficulties, particularly on windy days, and the problems with seagulls."

Phil Edwards said:

"Conwy Castle has towered over the town since the 13th Century and it’s slightly ironic that, given the brutality of Edward 1st towards the Welsh and the violent history surrounding Conwy Castle , 800 years later Health & Safety steps in and prevents us from hoisting a flag up a pole!

"St David was famous for saying ‘do the little things’ and the least we can do is to make sure that our proud heritage is protected and we fly our flag over Conwy on the day we remember and celebrate Wales ’ Patron Saint."

CADW’s spokesman then confirmed:

"We are continuing to explore solutions to these problems but have in the meantime taken the decision to continuously fly the Ddraig Goch between 1st March and 30th September each year (changing it when its condition dictates). I can therefore confirm that the Ddraig Goch will be flying on St David's Day this year."

Phil Edwards stressed the importance and significance of the flag being flown throughout the year adding:

"I’m hopeful that, whatever the difficulties are at the moment, they can be resolved before next September so as to allow the flag to be flown all year round."

Robin Jones, who first raised the issue with Phil, said:

"I’m delighted that CADW have finally responded in such a positive manner and I am very pleased that Y Ddraig Goch is flying once again from Conwy Castle on St David's Day."

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus i Bawb! Happy St David's Day!

Apologies for the lack of blogging but following a great Spring Party Conference our fantastic team of volunteers has been busy out campaigning in Junction, Llanfairfechan and Penmachno - excellent response everywhere.

Happy St David's Day to you all.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus i Bawb!

Phil