So after the very low key affair that was the Tory Leadership contest has ended, Andrew RT Davies was elected to be the new Party leader in Cardiff Bay and Leader of the Opposition beating his opponent Nick Ramsay by 53% to 46%.
The result certainly shows that the Conservative Party in Wales has changed since 1999 but not as much as some AM’s and those at the top of the Party would like.
And for those despairing/cheering about the Tory Party going backwards now that the arch Thatcherite right winger is in charge, just look at those who supported Andrew’s campaign and as is often the case leadership moderates individuals because they have to speak for all parts of the party.
Andrew’s immediate task is to get all his Assembly colleagues to sign up to his less consensual way forward not an easy task and then appoint a Shadow Cabinet. Will Paul Davies be deputy leader, what post will Nick Ramsey get and will any of the newbies get a portfolio?
And whatever you think of the new Tory leader short term he will certainly shake things up in the Chamber and at First Minister Question’s and no doubt focus much more on Labour’s weak spot the Welsh economy, unlike his predecessor Nick Bourne, although he will have to wait until September for the Assembly to reconvene before trying to unsettle Carwyn Jones.
But a word of caution as Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams knows all too well good performances in the chamber often mean nothing because few people take any interest in what goes on in Cardiff Bay and even less is reported beyond the bubble.
It will also be interesting to see how he works with the other Opposition leaders most notably Ieuan Wyn Jones who will have trouble supporting Andrew economic stances and Kirsty Williams who has been used to unofficially occupying the leader of the opposition role and getting under the First Minister skin.
As for Labour they will be delighted despite the David Taylor inspired articles in the Western Mail about Andrew being unfit for the job and feigning worry about his impending leadership.
In short a good day for Andrew RT Davies and Labour and a bad day for Welsh politics.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Eat your heart out Cardiff Airport
The Independent reports on Ryanair’s new deal at Manchester Airport with 20 new routes and potentially creating 2,000 new jobs after pulling out of the airport 18 months ago, will Cardiff Airport’s Management learn lessons from this and adapt for the sake of Welsh air passengers and business travellers?
'Up to 2,000 new jobs could be created after Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary announced a raft of new routes from Manchester Airport.
Mr O'Leary said 20 new routes will be added to the existing six operated from Manchester, to be opened by summer 2012 and delivering up to two million passengers a year.
New routes from the Irish air carrier include flights to Barcelona, Brussels, Ibiza, Rome, Paris and Milan.
Starting from October two new aircraft will be based at the airport, bringing 250 new jobs immediately, expanding to four new planes and 26 routes by 2012.
Mr O'Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, told a press conference at Manchester Airport the expansion would create 2,000 new jobs both at the airport, with pilots, cabin crew and other work generated in the local economy.
"Ryanair is delighted to unveil Manchester as our 45th base with 26 routes," he said.
"It is great news for Ryanair, for Manchester and terrific news for the industry and local economy."
Manchester is the fourth largest airport in the UK in terms of passenger numbers.
Today's announcement comes less than 18 months after the airline pulled out many routes in Manchester, in a dispute over costs.
But the latest announcement comes after the carrier struck a multi-million pound deal with the airport to introduce thousands of budget flights.
Mr O'Leary, wearing a Manchester City FC shirt, added: "It is like every marriage, you have to work at it. It is not always plain sailing, there's the occasional bust up, but making up is always better than breaking up.
"I think it's like a marriage, there has been compromises on both sides. Being the poor airline we have had to compromise more."
Mr O'Leary dismissed complaints about poor customer service as "bullshit" and originating from the "consumer pages of newspapers."
He said the expansion would not damage trade at Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, which he said was continuing to expand.
'Up to 2,000 new jobs could be created after Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary announced a raft of new routes from Manchester Airport.
Mr O'Leary said 20 new routes will be added to the existing six operated from Manchester, to be opened by summer 2012 and delivering up to two million passengers a year.
New routes from the Irish air carrier include flights to Barcelona, Brussels, Ibiza, Rome, Paris and Milan.
Starting from October two new aircraft will be based at the airport, bringing 250 new jobs immediately, expanding to four new planes and 26 routes by 2012.
Mr O'Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, told a press conference at Manchester Airport the expansion would create 2,000 new jobs both at the airport, with pilots, cabin crew and other work generated in the local economy.
"Ryanair is delighted to unveil Manchester as our 45th base with 26 routes," he said.
"It is great news for Ryanair, for Manchester and terrific news for the industry and local economy."
Manchester is the fourth largest airport in the UK in terms of passenger numbers.
Today's announcement comes less than 18 months after the airline pulled out many routes in Manchester, in a dispute over costs.
But the latest announcement comes after the carrier struck a multi-million pound deal with the airport to introduce thousands of budget flights.
Mr O'Leary, wearing a Manchester City FC shirt, added: "It is like every marriage, you have to work at it. It is not always plain sailing, there's the occasional bust up, but making up is always better than breaking up.
"I think it's like a marriage, there has been compromises on both sides. Being the poor airline we have had to compromise more."
Mr O'Leary dismissed complaints about poor customer service as "bullshit" and originating from the "consumer pages of newspapers."
He said the expansion would not damage trade at Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, which he said was continuing to expand.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Major : Scots should have devolution max
I’m sure I should be more concerned about the deckchair rearranging at News International and the feigned outrage of politicians and police who are belatedly growing spines in response to whole sick and sordid affair, but then that would assume that things are likely to change anytime soon. The Screws has folded to be replaced by the Sun on Sunday and BSkyB will be in full Murdoch control within the year, that much is obvious, the rest of the circus is to make weary voters feel as if change is taking place.
As for ongoing Welsh Lib Dem slow motion car crash/farce it proves that things can always get worse for them (hard to believe I know), but the fact they could still end up in Government before the end of the current Assembly term will help debase Welsh politics even further in the public’s mind, something that should worry all parties.
But back to former Tory PM John Major’s speech on the future of Scottish Devolution, he appears to be laying the ground on behalf of current Tory PM David Cameron for some serious constitutional changes at least between England and Scotland. No doubt Scotland' First Minister is delighted.
According to Nick Robinson he said "The present quasi-federalist settlement with Scotland is unsustainable. Each year of devolution has moved Scotland further from England. Scottish ambition is fraying English tolerance. This is a tie that will snap - unless the issue is resolved.
"The union between England and Scotland cannot be maintained by constant aggravation in Scotland and appeasement in London. I believe it is time to confront the argument head on.
"Why not devolve all responsibilities except foreign policy, defence and management of the economy? Why not let Scotland have wider tax-raising powers to pay for their policies and, in return, abolish the present block grant settlement, reduce Scottish representation in the Commons, and cut the legislative burden at Westminster?
"My own view on Scottish independence is very straightforward: it would be folly - bad for Scotland and bad for England - but, if Scots insist on it, England cannot - and should not - deny them."
You could be cynical and say that David Cameron doesn’t want to be remembered are the PM who lost Scotland and is willing to grant Alex Salmond a lot of things he wouldn’t have dreamed about a few years back to keep him sweet, but it’s still a big step change for Party that until recently was the Conservative and Unionist Party. As yet I haven’t seen any response from Labour.
As for what all this means for Wales in the short term not a lot i suspect, but it could alter things medium and long term if Scotland gets wider ranging new powers and can set its own course, there’s more in the Sunday Telegraph.
As for ongoing Welsh Lib Dem slow motion car crash/farce it proves that things can always get worse for them (hard to believe I know), but the fact they could still end up in Government before the end of the current Assembly term will help debase Welsh politics even further in the public’s mind, something that should worry all parties.
But back to former Tory PM John Major’s speech on the future of Scottish Devolution, he appears to be laying the ground on behalf of current Tory PM David Cameron for some serious constitutional changes at least between England and Scotland. No doubt Scotland' First Minister is delighted.
According to Nick Robinson he said "The present quasi-federalist settlement with Scotland is unsustainable. Each year of devolution has moved Scotland further from England. Scottish ambition is fraying English tolerance. This is a tie that will snap - unless the issue is resolved.
"The union between England and Scotland cannot be maintained by constant aggravation in Scotland and appeasement in London. I believe it is time to confront the argument head on.
"Why not devolve all responsibilities except foreign policy, defence and management of the economy? Why not let Scotland have wider tax-raising powers to pay for their policies and, in return, abolish the present block grant settlement, reduce Scottish representation in the Commons, and cut the legislative burden at Westminster?
"My own view on Scottish independence is very straightforward: it would be folly - bad for Scotland and bad for England - but, if Scots insist on it, England cannot - and should not - deny them."
You could be cynical and say that David Cameron doesn’t want to be remembered are the PM who lost Scotland and is willing to grant Alex Salmond a lot of things he wouldn’t have dreamed about a few years back to keep him sweet, but it’s still a big step change for Party that until recently was the Conservative and Unionist Party. As yet I haven’t seen any response from Labour.
As for what all this means for Wales in the short term not a lot i suspect, but it could alter things medium and long term if Scotland gets wider ranging new powers and can set its own course, there’s more in the Sunday Telegraph.
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