Need for more honesty from Welsh journalists and politicians all round

The headline from Martin Shipton’s piece in the Western Mail yesterday was certainly eye catching and the opening few paragraphs went further than anything previous in the welsh press questioning of the calibre, suitability and effectiveness of Minister’s in the current Welsh Labour Government (or previous Welsh Government’s) as they are faced with the unprecedented challenges of big cuts to budgets, welfare changes, low economic growth and changing Welsh public service delivery including local government and the NHS. 

However the strong opening asking about the capabilities of the current Cabinet was little more than padding as it was a reshuffle speculation piece probably planted by the man in question about which Labour backbencher would make a better Minister than any of the current lot.

The person being championed is Mark Drakeford, he’s was a SpAd to former First Minister Rhodri Morgan and knows the workings of the Welsh Government as well as anyone on the front bench which would be an advantage in this situation, but those writing about him should be more honest. Because as well as being the man behind the clear red water strategy, he is anti-business and enterprise and uncomfortable with profit, but has amassed a personal fortune through well paid public sector jobs and lives in a million pound house in one of the most exclusive parts of Cardiff.  Hypocritical to say the least

Mark Drakeford isn’t alone in Cardiff Bay or the Labour Party in being suspicious of business as former Labour MEP Eluned Morgan stated in her Patrick Hannan lecture in 2011 and Labour aren’t the only party with elected representatives and members with similar views, but it would provide a better informed and healthier debate in Welsh politics if journalists and politicians were more honest with the public about thier views and why certain decisions are made and others not.

The article is here

Cardiff Council’s Economic and Culture Committee Olympic Legacy Report

I wrote a post last summer about the Welsh Government not taking full advantage of the economic opportunities the Olympic football provided for Wales mainly, but there were also issues around the failure to fully maximise the sporting or cultural opportunities presented when the football matches were being played at the end of July and August last year.

Since then the Economic and Culture Committee at Cardiff Council have published and initial report in November 2012 on the Olympic delivery and legacy on the City and where info is available for Wales as well.

The picture the report paints is mixed, on the Olympic legacy the results are mainly disappointing pointing to just the £38million of Olympic contracts won by Welsh business and only anecdotal evidence of increases in participation in sport for kids and adults, but it did highlight the £500,000 investment in sports facilities and the creation of a new boxing venue for the city.

However on the delivery and promotion of Cardiff as a host city for major sporting events and strengthening and  increasing it’s profile in new and existing markets the results are more positive as footfall was up considerably and retailers particularly jewellers and women's accessories saw a rise in sales. Hotel occupancy during the 11 football matches in the Millennium Stadium was substantially up on the year due to a mix of teams, staff and supporters.

As well as that Cardiff profile was raised by journalist from Brazil, Egypt, Japan and South Africa and others comings to Cardiff to report on the football and experience the City for the first time. Hosting the gfootball further strengthened the image of Cardiff as host city for major sporting events following the annual Six Nations and one off Ashes matches.

The report also praised the recruiting of volunteer Game Ambassadors (similar to London’s Games Makers) to welcome visitors to Cardiff and directing people to the Stadium etc.

The training camps for Olympic and Paralympic squads also boosted sport facilities in Cardiff University with investment from LOCOG to the tune of £500,000 and a new Boxing Venue with equipment and a ring used in the Olympics.

The next step for the committee was to talk to those who benefitted and were involved from Business people to Sport Wales staff to get a more indepth picture of last summer impact on Cardiff and Wales.

The full report called ‘Olympic Delivery and Legacy' can be downloaded here