tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78632926086327193712011-07-08T14:25:02.608+01:00The political face of my ramblingsPete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.comBlogger491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-65238268420656177422010-09-17T09:16:00.003+01:002010-09-17T09:28:31.885+01:00

I have been meaning to restart this blog for a while but the sad news of the death of Richard Livsey was the last thing I expected to be the reopening topic.Richard was without doubt a politician from a different era. Someone who cared about his constituents not just climbing the greasy pole. I remember all too well the shock of sitting on the back step of my house in Aberystwyth in the 1992 sun

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-8049685759819704092010-03-03T22:38:00.003Z2010-03-03T22:54:03.186Z

For the first time tonight my dad is worried about crime. To be precise he is afraid of being burgled. He wasn't this morning in fact it hasn't crossed his mind once in the nine years he has lived in the house that someone could lift the windows out to get in.So what has changed well this morning he got a leaflet inviting him to meet a double glazing salesman.The first I knew was mid afternoon

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-31574683337451967062010-01-21T08:53:00.003Z2010-01-21T09:05:49.716Z

We are all seeing it, the huge levels of damage to tired road surfaces caused by the recent winter weather and the consequent burden on the local authority budgets. However a simple question springs to my mind and that is should the government be picking up some of the tab?Why you may ask and here is the rub.When Lord Adonis intervened and required Councils to stop gritting on all but the highest

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-26793681299516703022009-05-18T08:43:00.002+01:002009-05-18T08:59:04.151+01:00

While there are plenty of call for the speaker to go and some suggesting successors one question that has to be considered is timing.Now, in a month or at the general election.Our current speaker would prefer to hang on, resign honourably and stand down as MP at the same time or so it would seem. In that time he would without favour reform the expenses system at both entitlement and back office

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-3763101200286377452009-04-20T09:17:00.004+01:002009-04-20T09:26:20.855+01:00

It gave me a fair amount of pleasure to be one to the 10 reps signing the emergency motion calling on the Nat/Lab government in Cardiff to reverse its decision to break its sponsorship of Wales Rally GB.What am I talking about. Well for the measly sum of £2.4m that expert on rural tourism IWJ decided last week that the event which the government are contracted to support is not worth the

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-22183603901423163442009-02-14T22:51:00.002Z2009-02-14T22:57:24.212Z

Over the past 7 years my protocol with our corporate hotel booking service has had a note on it saying that I will not accept being placed in a smoking room.The booking form they send had the words "non smoking room requested". Now in my ignorance I have always assumed that when a hotel accepts a booking with a request they will honour it on the day or inform the agency the request could not be

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-35813485761669863432009-02-14T22:37:00.004Z2009-02-14T22:51:50.620Z

As an Englishman living in Wales I have always been amazed at the depths some on the fringes of Welsh politics will go to attack all things English. However this latest news that a Tory Councillor in Abergele is up in arms about the Scout movement holding a parade to celebrate their patron saint takes the biscuit.Anyone who like me has been an active member of the Scouting movement would know

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-65429606967635694312009-02-08T10:43:00.002Z2009-02-08T10:48:43.071Z

Having moved recently and with an expired passport I finally got around to starting to sort the situation out this morning.First off the Passport. A google search gets me to the relevant agency and apply on-line forms a series of questions a postcode based address finder (with accurate information)and a return button promised me a pre filled form in the post in the next couple of days.So far so

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-48048226794652957742009-01-22T09:20:00.003Z2009-01-22T09:32:52.041Z

So there we have it on the week after the main Northern Rock shareholders were in court arguing the lie of the governments compensation order that Northern Rock should have been valued as if it were in administration we learn that the repayment targets have been met and workers will get a 10% bonus.Now I am pleased for them they stuck it out when all was bleak and clearly have done a good job

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-2770176585445989572009-01-20T22:26:00.004Z2009-01-20T22:41:41.674Z

My oh my what a contrast, while Barack Obama tells the American people"And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government."Our clear and transparent government have introduced "Freedom of Information (Parliament

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-59863752779046485362009-01-10T00:17:00.003Z2009-01-10T00:24:36.209Z

Overall the reshuffle leaves me feeling we have a stronger team. The promotion of Jenny Willott in particular is a big plus, and moving Steve Webb back to pensions can only strengthen our policy in this key area.Unlike some of my fellow bloggers I am also happy to see Lembit outside the front bench team. Parliament needs politicians who are prepared to reach out to all of society and leaving him

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-6885297061258738392009-01-09T23:54:00.003Z2009-01-10T00:08:35.093Z

On the day when Labour drove a coach and horses though the devolution settlement in Wales what is the response from the supposed Party of Wales?Well according to their web site at 1 minute to midnight the only thing they have to say today is a press release from one of thier AMs in a cross party role challenging Wales to produce role models that challenge size zero and hence reduce the prevalence

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-62222571105359378542008-12-31T17:55:00.003Z2008-12-31T18:37:57.228Z

So once again at Christmas time the Government has dug out those old chestnuts for a new attempt at making some decent stuffing. This year it is sat nav driven speed limiters that make it onto the fire for a slow roast. These voluntary devices will save the world, cutting down on fuel emissions and reducing road accidents as we cut speeds to the legal limit we are told.So the questions have to be

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-2649392484094931762008-12-23T18:00:00.003Z2008-12-23T18:31:46.673Z

First the Germans said, it now the IMF have followed suit Far from being the saving of the British economy the VAT cut is looking more and more like the Emperors new clothes.But should we be surprised, while the big retailers are happy to pass the savings on what about the rest of the economy.The publican running a microbrewery "I cant afford to change all my menus and beer prices are actually

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-85268814288124137602008-12-21T23:10:00.003Z2008-12-21T23:39:11.305Z

This week two key factors emerged in relation to our car industry.Firstly the EU have passed new targets that will reduce CO2 emissions by 20% in 2020 including new targets for vehicle emissions. Secondly it appears at least one UK maker will be cap in hand to the Treasury looking for a bail out to keep in in business over the coming months.Now let me make it clear I without hesitation support

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-51529784891712266422008-12-19T21:57:00.004Z2008-12-19T22:33:09.457Z

So having turned out the lights and forced the elderly off our streets (good crime reduction idea.. I think not) Powys are turning their attention to the entire community especially those who wish to keep in shape or learn to swim.It would appear that leisure facilities are under "review" It seems that 16 leisure centres for 125k people is too many.Of course looked at another way since 16 centres

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-69409333879545165462008-12-15T09:47:00.008Z2008-12-15T10:36:21.276Z

It is not for me to criticize Nick Bourne for buying an electronic device to enable his learning of the Welsh language. If it helps him communicate with his electorate a significant proportion of whom speak Welsh as their first language then his actions are to be applauded. However his choice of player leaves a lot to be desired and his justification opens up significant questions of his approach

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-66678539429167036412008-12-14T23:33:00.005Z2008-12-14T23:54:33.299Z

One of the hottest potatoes in Welsh local government has been the issue of streetlighting and when to turn off.To date councils have offered seemingly random selections done the deed and waited for the howls of protest. However there is a different and more scientific approach.Almost every authority will have their streetlights stored within a geographic information system. In these cases it

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-808072807451554222008-12-08T22:02:00.001Z2008-12-09T10:33:49.748Z

Its no secret here in Wales that I have supported Kirsty for a long time as a potential Welsh Lib Dem leader. So todays result is a great one for me personally. However I also think it is a great day for politics in Wales too and marks the first step in the changing of the guard, as well as being the first female leader she is also the first leader who was too young to vote in the 1979 referendum

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-17686525505421631052008-11-21T22:42:00.002Z2008-11-21T22:53:38.766Z

As it becomes increasingly apparent that the changes announced earlier this year are having no impact what so ever on the housing market is it now time to consider more radical measures?Given the increasing number of repossessions announced today and assuming the trend continues are we confident there will be enough capacity in the local authority sector to rehouse these individuals?If you have

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-87561247062663857632008-09-25T20:25:00.002+01:002008-09-25T20:34:38.227+01:00

An old colleague once told me the key to winning EU bids is not to show how much grant money you will spend in an area but how that money will multiply within the local economy.While its seems that our PM has learnt this lesson the chancellor most definitely has not.What do I mean by this curious statement well take their two big announcements. When the chancellor decided to give home buyers free

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-46548127601714673762008-06-16T13:41:00.002+01:002008-06-16T13:55:17.704+01:00

As we ponder the way forward in Europe perhaps the devolution position in the UK is a model to consider.In Scotland the settled will suggested full law making from day one would fly while in Wales the settled will would have voted no out of hand so we have a partial solution and a roadmap to something better.The EU problem is that, to continue the analogy, they have imposed the Scottish Model on

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-3235186916397352672008-05-30T22:17:00.003+01:002008-05-30T23:54:50.045+01:00

As a GIS professional it is nice to see our field of work at the front of national politics for once.However the Tories are making a fundamental error in suggesting live data should be available to the public.Crime hotspot analysis is first and foremost an intelligence tool. By modelling where crime is occurring at different times of day it is in theory possible to quantify risk and deploy your

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-59851360088880103532008-04-18T18:55:00.002+01:002008-04-18T19:00:56.173+01:00

When you see on teletext the note veteran MP dies that first though is often I hope it isn't one of ours (followed a microsecond later by how sad for the family).Todays news I have to say leaves me feeling that it is one of ours that Parliament has lost this week. At a time when too many politicians are little more than lobby fodder for the whips it is vital for our democracy that genuine

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-20448864496421161582008-04-18T18:51:00.003+01:002008-04-18T18:55:25.937+01:00

Are some of our poor hard working labour MPs in need of a lesson on how to read legislation?The reason I ask is they seem to have failed to understand the text of the budget measures they voted for last year with the 10p tax band......or did they?I can just imagine the discussions 12 months agoMP1: "Gordon I dont like this cut is sounds so unfair on the poor?"GB: "keep quiet I'll be PM in a

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-37877923483388308042008-03-07T20:31:00.002Z2008-03-07T21:00:31.390Z

Its an interesting question but quite a valid one to ask now that the terms of the Bill to compensate Northern Rock shareholders has been published.The key problem is the terms that have been set in order to determine the valuationIn determining the amount of any compensation payable by the Treasury to any person in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 5, it must be assumed (in addition to the

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-58978105108641634692008-02-25T22:44:00.003Z2008-02-25T23:07:36.269Z

There is something nice about returning to an old conference haunt after a few years away and Llandudno has to be one of the oldest for me.Last time we bought Welsh Conference here I promised our new conference chair that sunday morning would be a piece of cake and promptly got so drunk on the free post dinner shorts sponsored by S4C I didn't surface until just before midday to find out we had

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-81677085963934998332008-02-17T23:34:00.002Z2008-02-17T23:52:43.450Z

Todays announcement of Northern Rock nationalisation is just the start of Labours problems.I like many other demutualisation shareholders have seen the writing on the wall for weeks but at the end of the day the whole fiasco should never have been allowed to happen.I hope tomorrow that Vince will ask the hard questions.The questions that seek to understand what the Chancellor was doing in the

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-30306406308600197702008-02-02T12:16:00.000Z2008-02-02T12:28:50.268Z

I have no problem with an MP employing 1, 2 or 200 members of their family so long as they are the best 200 for the job. So let me make a simple suggestion on how reform could be achievedSet up a common set of job descriptions and expected skills for the core jobs an MP may advertise (case worker, office manager, diary secretary etc). Within each area establish a job ladder of expanded skill

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-64294120275332099232008-02-02T12:08:00.000Z2008-02-02T12:16:08.035Z

Yesterday was the first working day of the new month.On starting work I extracted all my fuel receipts from the car, pulled out my government credit card receipts opened up three spreadsheets and two web pages and completed my end of month financial return. No doubt many other civil servants did the same thing.On expenses I am governed by specific rules I have limits on hotel room costs, how much

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-8969499879652666582008-01-27T19:09:00.000Z2008-01-27T19:18:04.188Z

There but for the grace of god go I must the non atheist MPs be saying today over the supposed Alan Johnson "scandal".As far as I can see Mr X didn't want to be associated directly with funding the campaign so he asked Brother Y to give the money instead. Y was a legitimate donor and campaign Z having checked him out made the formal declarations.For the Mail on Sunday to cry sleaze is I have to

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-56922720810642371312008-01-23T18:55:00.000Z2008-01-23T19:39:55.029Z

Yes its back to our old friend the Northern Rock and the complete dogs breakfast our government have made of the whole sordid business. I've said before that the government has many unanswered questions.But the latest steps in this affair have left me decidedly underwhelmed. While I have never favoured nationalisation which puts me at odds with the party as a whole I do find myself agreeing with

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-1832952740276133392008-01-17T18:47:00.000Z2008-01-17T19:11:15.322Z

Dear oh dear Plaid dont seem to have got the hang of this being in government bit do they.No sooner is the change to the budget for local government announced than we have Dai Lloyd on the floor singing the praises of his party in securing the change. Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd welcomed the final budget, saying, “Today’s announcement comes after weeks of intense activity by Plaid Cymru AMs and

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-87181694502561247342008-01-16T18:21:00.000Z2008-01-16T18:50:53.315Z

"I love the sound of breaking glass, Especially when I'm lonely"Right now the Nick Lowe classic would be a good candidate for top of Peter Hains ilike listings if his facebook profile had one.Not content with putting the boot in to George Osbourne it now appears that 80 Tory MPs have been reported to the Electoral Commission for using unincoprorated associatiosn to channel their own campaign

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-70648311711526168412008-01-13T18:21:00.000Z2008-01-13T21:15:16.686Z

First let me declare an interest, I am a demutualisation shareholder in Northern Rock. I had planned to sell my shares in June to finance a house move but the move fell though. Not long after the company issued a profit warning but the market advice was stay put."Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods said that Wednesday's announcement reflected "a period-specific strain in 2007 and does not

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-7993545588332658832008-01-13T18:10:00.000Z2008-01-13T18:21:21.481Z

I had lunch today with one of our MPs, a long term friend we specifically decided politics was off limits for the day. They did said they will be voting against the full pay rise because of all the work they were doing in support of the police claim and it would be hypocritical to do otherwise I told them I thought they were wrong and we left it at that ,but here I thought I might explain

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-88668062849540645442008-01-10T13:49:00.000Z2008-01-10T14:34:04.047Z

Well there it is, the die is cast the decision made and in the public domain all that is left is securing the funding and Wales will have two more power stations.No don't get me wrong I don't mean nuclear stations I mean the plans of Mr Tomlinson of Holt and Mr Pugh of Churchstoke to turn their large supplies of cow dung into electricity. Neither scheme is very big in itself Mr Tomlinson only

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-16065241810070410112008-01-09T12:58:00.001Z2008-01-09T13:09:57.219Z

Allthough technically based from home its rare that I am actually there so having the opportunity to see the leadership announcement and Nicks for PMQ is a bit if a shock to the system.So how did it go?Personally I thought rather well. Camerons digs about 4 leaders is not unexpected and the joke about Nick putting some distance between them by moving two seats down I think was helpful as it

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-24768464301226585412008-01-08T23:38:00.000Z2008-01-08T23:39:55.631Z

Two very different environmental stories caught my eye today.The first via Yahoo but published in The Register deals with a small study on the viability of micro turbines in your back garden, far from being the ideal way forward as David Cameron was suggesting it would appear that in many cases the turbines would not even light one bulb let alone boil the water to melt the chocolate Tory

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-87367734723621504872008-01-07T14:07:00.001Z2008-01-07T18:32:01.487Z

Its a me too as well, it would appear these US Pres Front-runners just don't cut it with us UK liberals. Looks like I too fall into the Obama for pres camp.73% Dennis Kucinich72% Mike Gravel68% Barack Obama67% Chris Dodd67% Joe Biden65% John Edwards64% Hillary Clinton60% Bill Richardson34% Rudy Giuliani26% John McCain25% Ron Paul25% Mitt Romney17% Mike Huckabee15% Tom Tancredo13% Fred

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-33033670133496558372007-12-23T12:05:00.000Z2007-12-23T12:09:33.975Z

Since everyone has picked up on the Times and Telegraph already I thought I would point out a nice simple little Q+A in the People (note I scan the on-line site not buy the paper).The questions are intelligent and the answers largely to the point. The Christmas presents will make you laugh.

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-75119297896379630062007-12-18T18:14:00.000Z2007-12-18T18:36:48.990Z

511 votes is a small margin by which to become leader of a political party but when I look back on today in a few years time I suspect that I can safely say it was almost the best possible result.Why almost? Well obviously I wanted it to be 511 votes the other way but congratulations to Nick on ensuring my record on backing the runner up continues.but the best possible result? let me

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-15194820468016576212007-11-10T17:04:00.000Z2007-11-10T17:51:09.009Z

When I left the Welsh hustings last time round I was fairly convinced Ming would win but didn't really look forward to his leadership so two years on and 5 days after the event where has this years version left me.First up it has still left me to make up my mind and that is in many ways the most positive thing I can think of for our party. Neither candidate scored a knock out blow in terms of

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-48886227545018068062007-10-19T19:15:00.000+01:002007-10-19T19:40:21.727+01:00

The closure plans announced by Gwynedd CC of 29 rural schools comes as no surprise to those of us here in Powys facing up to similar issues. While we haven't seen a big bang approach I'm sure the numbers will come out in the same sort of ball park once all the decisions are made.However before we all stand up and shoot the messenger its worth reflecting on the causes of the problem.Back in the

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-21511859003761425952007-10-18T00:40:00.000+01:002007-10-18T00:53:44.478+01:00

Well there you have it no elections for 2 years then three come along at once. Lembits decision on Saturday was a bolt from the blue, but Mikes plans to stay on were the worst kept secret in Aberystwyth.So where does that leave us here in Wales. Certainly there are those who are disappointed that Mike didn't step down with immediate effect and I include myself in them, but in many ways he has

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-69634545850821888272007-09-09T21:06:00.000+01:002007-09-09T21:13:52.159+01:00

Some good news at last from a Welsh Lib Dem executive.. regardless of your views on who should be the party leader news that this issue will be sorted once and for all in the next eight weeks can only be good for the party.Mike has led our Assembly group ably for the past 8 years and if he gets the support of the party at large I will be more than happy to see him remain for at least another 4,

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-21892314168275717672007-07-23T22:50:00.000+01:002007-07-23T23:07:05.124+01:00

Well I'm not flooded out the Wye is about 20m below me in elevation but I should have been staying in Upton-on-Severn on Wednesday evening. However this gives cause to reflect on the implications of government planning policy.Tewkesbury was where my grandmother spent her final years and I can recall several visits where the fields around town were flooded when I visited her in the late 1980s. Yet

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-75865125857009040752007-07-22T23:37:00.000+01:002007-07-22T23:49:18.429+01:00

While the big education news here in mid Wales has been the threat to our smaller village schools very little has been said about the problems facing the larger urban schools.Take my sons school three weeks ago we were told he would be in a shared year 3/4 class with rumour had it 32 pupils. Why was this you may ask well two teachers were leaving and the falling roll meant there wasn't enough

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863292608632719371.post-90846301183507009552007-07-22T23:21:00.001+01:002007-07-23T01:20:47.451+01:00

Opening up a blog seems to be the in thing but what to write is an interesting challenge. Those that know me in the real world are like to tag this as a Lib Dem blog but as it is likely to veer into hill walking, trigpointing, geocaching and GIS I have opted to split that side of life off into another site.

Pete Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15875926608968180999noreply@blogger.com0