Drakeford is throwing Britain under the bus
IN RECENT days there has been plenty of commentary on Labour’s First Minister in Wales’ outrageous claim that the “United Kingdom is over”.
This type of rhetoric is nothing new to political watchers in Wales but has come as something of a surprise to some across the UK, and delight to others, particularly the SNP who are using Mark Drakeford as their new poster boy for independence.
During his short time in post, the Corbynite Drakeford has regrettably flirted with divisive nationalism. He appears to be more than willing to throw Britain under the bus if it means he can cling on to power in Cardiff Bay. And whilst it’s an approach that doesn’t chime with the recent narrative from his UK Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, Drakeford doesn’t care as he attempts to pave the way for a Labour-Welsh nationalist coalition after May’s election. That’s the last thing Wales needs. The main priority for politicians and governments should be Wales and the UK’s economic recovery, not constitutional chaos.
The Corbynite regime in Cardiff Bay will continue to undermine the Union – even doing a deal with the separatists – if it means continuing their 22-year stranglehold on the Assembly. And despite his best attempts at waving the Union Jack, the people of Wales, and the UK, should be fully aware of where the Labour Party stands: they’ve given up on the UK.
Andrew RT Davies MS
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader
Make a difference to older people
CYMRU Older People’s Alliance (COPA) is a national charity run by older people for older people in Wales.
We want to make sure that older people are listened to and their opinions acted on in everything that affects them.
COPA wants to recruit two new coopted Trustees for the Board from across Wales.
We hope that if suitable, one of the appointments will become our new Chair after our AGM in the autumn.
The Board of Trustees guides the direction of COPA as it develops and implements an agenda to forge a more impactful voice for older people, working closely with 50+ Forums in local authority areas.
We are looking for individuals that will increase the knowledge, experience and skills of the Board – provide added value – and who are enthusiastic about making Wales a great place to grow older.
We are keen to attract individuals who would improve the diversity of our Board.
COPA would like to invite any individuals who may be interested in joining our Board to contact us.
This is an opportunity for some of your readers to directly influence and contribute to the work of a charity that is making a difference to the lives of older people across Wales.
There is no payment for being a Trustee, but COPA will cover expenses.
For more information about the Cymru Older People’s Alliance and about how to apply to be a Trustee, your readers can telephone Kathy Lye on 029 2043 1570, or send an email to kathy.lye@agecymru.org. uk.
Please contact us as soon as possible as the deadline for receipt of applications is April 19, 2021.
Steve Milsom
Chair
Cymru Older People’s Alliance
Flow of goods will not be affected
THE former first minister suggesting that independence is impossible because goods would have to travel through England, really is grasping at straws.
Is he seriously suggesting blockade, armed guards and barbed wire – or has he been watching too many Bond films?
Goods move smoothly and without hindrance all over the UK and Europe; Irish goods move east, goods from Europe (Brexit notwithstanding) cross the channel and flow north to the midlands and west to Wales and the west country whilst all over Europe and beyond goods flow seamlessly and unhindered between countries.
Criticise, question and debate the independence issue, but sensibly please!
Dr John Ball Penllergaer
The SNP are using Mark Drakeford as their new poster boy for independence
Andrew RT Davies
Most don’t wash dirty linen in public
A BRIEF word if I may about the current problem with Mr and Mrs Markle. There are often issues in families but most don’t wash their dirty linen in public. And most people who want privacy do not talk about their family in front of millions. What is their driving force? Could it possibly be cashing in on fame? Surely not. John Bevan
Llandaff
It’s not where you go, it’s what you do
WE ARE told that the First Minister and Health Minister are pondering what travel restrictions (if any) to announce on Friday.
It’s not where you travel within Wales that’s important, but what you do when you get there and who you do it with.
If you travel only with members of your household or your permitted “bubble”, and don’t meet anyone else at the destination, what is the risk? Surely insufficient to justify further restrictions on this aspect of our lives any longer.
We need to be allowed to travel to exercise and for any other permitted outdoor activity. City dwellers deserve a trip to the coast or country for a walk.
Previous rules against crossing county boundaries led to many absurd situations. Residents in Ely and Caerau living within walking distance of Tesco’s at Culverhouse Cross were banned from shopping there because it was just across the county line.
The “five mile rule” also created many injustices and impracticalities, particularly for those in rural areas.
People often live further than that from their nearest main shopping area, place of worship, doctor, vet, or car workshop, to give a few examples.
If the purpose of the journey is legal after the new rules are announced, the distance seems largely immaterial.
I’ve yet to see any scientific analysis and ranking of the circumstances where Covid is believed to have
been passed on.
In the absence of that information being made available, it seems likely that hill walking or non-contact sport, say, are not major contributors.
It’s more likely that mixing indoors, at some workplaces and in hospitals, are much more risky activities.
Bad rules are widely ignored and that can lead to the good regulations coming into disrepute.
The fight against Covid isn’t over
– sensible and scientifically justifiable restrictions must continue.
But the time for travel restrictions in Wales should be over.
Paul Seligman
Fairwater, Cardiff
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CIRCLE, open chat, winky face, double heart emoji, end message.
Yes, it’s the return of the popularity contest that sees people in separate apartments of a Salford tower block communicate solely through a voiceactivated platform called The Circle and then get increasingly irate and paranoid.
Everyone narrates their messages and emojis out loud, and by the end of the series you’ll be doing it too.
This time, celebrities will be taking part for charity, while Emma Willis will occasionally be talking to them from a new control centre that looks rather like the Big Brother Diary
Room (may it rest in peace).
Fighting for popularity – which is surely part of their day job anyway – are Denise Van Outen, Duncan James, rapper Lady Leshurr, YouTuber Saffron Barker, Drag Race star Baga Chipz, Loose Women Kaye Adams and Nadia Sawalha, Radio 1 DJs Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom, and reality show mates Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks.
Not all of them are playing themselves though, but will the catfish be spotted and reeled in?
Only Denise, Duncan and Saffron have decided to be themselves. Lady Leshurr is pretending to be Big Narstie, while Rickie and Melvin are together and playing as will.i.am, Baga Chipz is pretending to be Kim Woodburn, Kaye and Nadia are The GC, and Sam and Pete hope everyone will believe they are Countdown’s Rachel Riley.
As the games begin and the profile pics go up, everyone is rightly suspicious, but they must immediately judge each other.
Bring on the rating and slating.