tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069212153482249376.post1873339512481805041..comments2023-07-16T11:22:14.708+01:00Comments on Gareth Hughes: St David's day pollGareth Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14811374617896851568noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069212153482249376.post-38417002313819825142012-03-01T22:21:46.630+00:002012-03-01T22:21:46.630+00:00"The latest proof of this comes in the Saint ..."The latest proof of this comes in the Saint David’s day poll conducted by ICM for BBC Wales."<br /><br />Bit strong isn't it? Opinion polls are just that: a poll of opinions not really "proof" of anything by a long stretchAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069212153482249376.post-16525993893865850012012-03-01T18:16:29.448+00:002012-03-01T18:16:29.448+00:00Many decades ago, when in my teens, I wanted a bik...Many decades ago, when in my teens, I wanted a bike. Eventually one was bought for me. It wasn’t the one I wanted – it was a woman’s model, second-hand, old and heavy, with an ugly chain-guard. I hated it. It wasn’t the shiny new sports model that I desperately wanted, like many of my friends had. One or two of my mates poked fun at me when I rode with them, especially when I couldn’t keep up. But I had to make-do as it was all my parents could afford – even then they kept telling me how lucky I was and that I should be grateful. <br /><br />Later, when a student at college, but still living at home during the holidays and weekends, I dreamed of having a car – but couldn’t even afford the driving lessons on my student grant. A car would open all kinds of possibilities, to go here or there, and open up the promise of girls, particularly. <br /><br />Eventually I scraped up enough to buy a clapped out minivan – though it broke down more often than not. Then I graduated and got a job. These developments allowed me increasing independence from my parents, even though I still lived with them. <br /><br />Such a life, though it had some advantages, was frustrating for all of us, and couldn’t continue indefinitely. It sometimes, often, led to friction. The time had to come when I’d have to leave and take responsibility for myself – get married, get a mortgage, start a family etc. That’s the natural course in life.<br /><br />We in Wales have been living in an unequal relationship in Britain/UK for so long that most of us think that there’s no alternative. That’s how it’s been and that’s how it is. But where is the dignity in being dependent, and being constantly told that we’re incapable of anything else and that we should be grateful? It really is unhealthy for all concerned.<br /><br />It’s been a long time coming, but it’s on the way. We’ve had the bike (bottom of the range), we’ve bought the car – it can’t go very fast, but now it’s time to look at the roadmap and prepare the plans. Big brother is getting ready to move out – he’s worked out he can afford it and will be better off. The dynamics in the house will be different when he’s gone. It’s going to be more difficult for us that are left.<br /><br />Our parents have mixed-feelings about us leaving, but they’ll be pleased once we’ve gone, and happy to have us visit to celebrate Christmas and so on. I’m sure we’ll get on great afterwards.<br /><br />I’m not sure that I agree that ‘taking full responsibility’ for one’s own affairs is compatible with remaining in the Union. To an extent it could depend on the type of Union in question. The devolved UK as presently constituted does not allow for ‘full responsibility’, as sovereignty is vested in Westminster, where in the final analysis, theoretically at least, power is retained. <br /><br />A federal union, defined and entrenched in a written constitution, would allow for a partnership of nations on this island. The dominance (in size) of one member vis-a-vis the others creates doubts about its long term stability. That dominance exists now, but dissatisfaction with it is mounting, especially in Scotland.<br /><br />I’m suspicious of Dafydd Elis-Thomas’ motives, and to what extent he’s acting out of what one might describe as egotistical self-interest. I very much doubt that he will be the party’s choice, and I very much hope he isn’t. <br /><br />There are few statesmen in politics these days – many political leaders seek to ascertain what the people want and promise to give it to them, simply in order to gain and to keep a hold on power. The unionist parties today are guilty of doing it. Idealism means nothing to them. What is required is a leader with the right mix of idealism and pragmatism, together with the requisite personal qualities and political skills.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com