tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069212153482249376.post2984910404052114945..comments2023-07-16T11:22:14.708+01:00Comments on Gareth Hughes: What's going on?Gareth Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14811374617896851568noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069212153482249376.post-48615514834780521442012-04-12T13:22:26.070+01:002012-04-12T13:22:26.070+01:00Gareth has highlighted the most fundamental and wo...Gareth has highlighted the most fundamental and worrying gap in the whole Welsh democratic structure: the virtual absence of an independent press with the critical mass to maintain (a) routine reporting of the actions of our elected tiers of government and (b) critcal and investigative analysis of same. Above all else it is this gap which holds Wales back; which contributes to general lack of understanding of political life; and which feeds the kind of misinformation on which cynical detachment from democracy itself feeds. Wales needs responsible journalism - from community level, through to local authority level as well as at national levell. We have an excellent School of Journaism in Cardiff, but we lack the infrastructure within which its alumni can operate.stishmaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13759266466434862820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069212153482249376.post-70255246828298417252012-04-12T11:10:28.261+01:002012-04-12T11:10:28.261+01:00But the remuneration panel base the salary of over...But the remuneration panel base the salary of over £13000 for a councillor on a notional 156 days a year for council business which leaves I suppose 209 days for the Assembly. It also seems a bit hypocritical of Plaid to attack the Labour leader of RCT for holding what they term '4 jobs ' when they have AMs quite prepared to hold' 2 jobs'. Although it also probably reflects the difficulty all parties have in actually getting individuals to stand as candidates.Jeff Jonesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069212153482249376.post-55717714700792125552012-04-11T21:47:05.678+01:002012-04-11T21:47:05.678+01:00Personally, I see no problem with somebody being a...Personally, I see no problem with somebody being an AM and a county councillor, as being a county councillor isn't a full time post. A lot of county councillors have full time jobs appart from their councillor duties. As an old saying goes, if you want something done, ask a busy person!<br /><br />Iwan RhysAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069212153482249376.post-88539179942614685202012-04-11T16:13:38.727+01:002012-04-11T16:13:38.727+01:00Well, there's a certain L Whittle standing for...Well, there's a certain L Whittle standing for Plaid in the Penyrheol ward in Caerffili. Keep you posted if I discover more.Gareth Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14811374617896851568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069212153482249376.post-25004330555774441632012-04-11T16:06:22.460+01:002012-04-11T16:06:22.460+01:00I'd say that this is more of a problem for sou...I'd say that this is more of a problem for south east Wales than the west and north. The SWEP covers the Swansea area well and parts of Carmarthenshire, and here we also have the Carmarthen Journal, which does an excellent job covering the council, and the Cambrian News also covers parts of the county and also Ceredigion in full as well as parts of Gwynedd! In Ceredigion you also have the Teifi Side doing excellent work, and in Pembrokeshire the Western Telegraph. North and mid Wales seem also to be covered quite well. It's a real shame that so many local papers have been forced to close in the south East :-(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069212153482249376.post-24923336643849222972012-04-11T15:57:32.363+01:002012-04-11T15:57:32.363+01:00No you would barley know that there is an election...No you would barley know that there is an election where I live. Oh, hang on, I live on Ynys Mon where democracy "doesn't work" and we aren't trusted to vote!.<br /><br />As for the elections the pressure is on Labour. If they do not perform well now, then pressure should be put on Carwyn.<br /><br />In Gwynedd - Plaid will increase, and I think they will in Ceredigion too. It would be an excellent night for Plaid if they kept 90% of their current seats (as they did REALLY well last time).<br /><br />As for the rest, if Labour do not gain Cardiff or Caerphilly - it'll show that Welsh Labour haven't canvassed effectively. <br /><br />BTW - why don't the hacks report the double jobbing in the Assembly? something they want to ban in Northern Ireland. I notice that Peter Black is running for Council AGAIN.... hasn't he got enough work?<br /><br />Anymore!?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com