Mongtomeryshire being battered

Montgomeryshire is under siege during this dreadful weather. There are terrbile floods, landslides and road closures - so the emergency services have their work cut out to get everything back on track. So please, those of you who are travelling about Mid Wales, please do take care and be aware that your journey could take much longer than usual. And if you can stay at home, all the better. Take care!

Today's the day!

So, finally, we'll find out in a few hours what the All Wales Convention thinks regarding a referendum on further powers for the Welsh Assembly. I can't wait, and I for one will be fully committed to a yes campaign when the time comes. BUT - I still think from listening to the media today that there is a huge job to do in explaining to the people of Wales what exactly they would be voting for. There is huge confusion at present about the powers of Westminter and the Assembly, and this needs to be tackled as soon as possible. That's the only way to truly engage and connect with the Welsh electorate, and develop a new style of politics in Wales. One that involves every citizen.

The one thing that's clear is that the current system isn't working and that things need to change. But saying that isn't enough. The yes campaign now needs to mobalize and set up a proper campaign. Who's with me?!

Bah humbug!

Now, before I go on, can I just state from the very start. I love Christmas. Mincemeat has been made, and I still have a scar on my arm from making mince pies last year. I've even done most of my Christmas shopping and decided on gifts for the rest. Plus I've organised a few Christmas get togethers. So, I am no scrooge... BUT. Is anyone else as annoyed as me that Christmas has seemed to have start even earlier than usual this year? It's honestly doing my head in!

Surely, Christmas lights and so on shouldn't go on until the 1st of December? People shouldn't be talking non stop about Christmas? Plus, I'm convinved Christmas adverts are on earlier than usual.. Its utterly ridiculous and takes the magic out of Christmas. Plus its very unfair on those who don't celebrate Christmas...

So, who's with me on a campaign so Christmas can't start before December for 2010? Ok, so its not the most important matter in the world. And its not going to achieve world peace. But, it would mean that the meaning of Christmas wouldn't be lost and that the festive period wasn't allowed to get out of hand!

Argoeli'n dda!

Fush i'n canfasio am 'chydig heddiw yng Ngheredigion gyda Penri James, ymgeisydd Plaid Cymru yno ac Aelod Seneddol nesaf Ceredigion yn ol yr ymateb! Roedd yn wych gweld gymaint o ymgyrchwyr yn ymuno ag ef er gwaethaf y gwynt a'r glaw ac roedd yn galonogol bod cyn gymaint o'r rhai y buom yn eu canfasio yn cefnogi Penri ac yn gwybod amdano cyn i ni eu cyfarch! Mae'n rhaid mi gyfaddef mod i'n teimlo bach yn genfigenus wrth weld cyn gymaint o bobl yn dod at eu gilydd i ganfasio yng Ngheredigion - fyswn i wrth fy modd cael tim mor fawr ym Maldwyn! Ond dyna ni - dyna'r sialens imi ym Maldwyn a dwi'n benderfynnol o godi'r nifer o actifyddion sydd gennym ni rhwng rwan a'r etholiad!

Penwythnos dwytha ro'n i hefyd wedi bod allan yn canfasio gyda Hywel Williams yng Nghaernarfon. Roedd yr ymateb yn wych iddo yntau a pawb wrth eu boddau i weld eu haelod seneddol lleol! Ella bod o'n beth od ichi mod i'n canfasio mewn seddi eraillo dro i dro ond mae'n rhaid mi ddweud bod rhywun yn dysgu llawer drwy wneud hynny. Wythnos dwytha a heddiw mi wnesh i bigo fyny dipyn o 'tips' ynglyn a sut i ganfasio'n effeithiol a'r dasg rwan ydi datblygu hyn yn fy sedd i. Felly watch out Maldwyn - mi fydda ni allan yn curo'r drysau cyn hir. A mi fydd ganddo system 'super douper' er mwyn gwneud hynny! Edrych mlaen!

IWA Women

I went along to the IWA Women launch last night. It was an interesting evening, and there was an impressive turnout. There were even - shock horror - men there, which included Carwyn Jones and Nick Bourne. I was glad to see that, as equality is something both men and women need to tackle. Its not something that should be left to one sex to deal with.

Much of the focus was on the involvement of women in politics and how ensure a gender balance in the future. Now, personally, I've never been in favour of all female lists or women automatically topping the list. If I ever top a poll I want it to be on merit rather than because of my gender, and though positive discrimination seems to have worked, I think its time to move on. Even so, I have to admit I found it interesting to hear that everyone seems to believe that a male will automatically top some of the party's regional lists before anyone has declared their candiditure! I still like to think that hustings are democratic and that people keep an open mind until then! Maybe that's slightly naive, but still...

Personally, I do hope the assembly sustains its hugely important gender balance but of course, there is work to be done in maintaining that and tackling equality at council and Westminster level. It's going to be a challenge though. I often think that members who are not within commuting distances to either Westminster or the Welsh Assembly will always have to make huge sacrifices if they have young families, and will have to think hard about going into politics especially if they're based in North Wales. No parent wants to have to leave their children behind for days at a time every week and its not like you can be there full time with them when you're back in the consituency. It's bound to put a strain on any relationship and I'm not sure quite how you tackle that fundamental issue so that we encourage more young people to engage in politics and run for office. Irrespecitve of gender.

IWA Women certainly has a role to play and I look forward to seeing how the work evolves. There are no easy solutions, but at least there are people now committed to exploring some difficult issues and thinking of ways to tackle them. Politics will hugely benefit from this kind of thinking - long may it continue!

Countryworks, Montgomery

On Friday night, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Christmas preview of merchandise for sale at Countryworks in Montgomery. I'd never been to the shop before, and I must say - I was immediately impressed. Not only was the place full of character, but it also had plenty of beautiful gifts and decorations fot the festive period. It was also packed full of people, and it was lovely to meet them. They were incredibly welcoming, and I'll definitely be back there soon. I did end up spending some money, but want to go back again closer to christmas and get some gifts. Beautiful works of art of display there as well so its worth a visit. Montgomeryshire is full of little gems like this which will make it very easy to shop locally for Christmas presents this year whilst hitting the campaign trail!

Cadw'r ffydd

For the first time since starting the campaign, I was dreading the drive to Montgomeryshire and back tonight for the monthly campaign meeting. It was dark and wet by the time I reached Brecon Beacons, and I was tempted to turn the car round and head back to Cardiff. Having just returned home, I can say with confidence that I'm delighted I didn't as there was a great turn and we had an excellent meeting. In fact, I was buzzing with ideas the whole way back thinking how we're going to tackle the campaign over the next six months. Things will go up a gear once again in the new year and we're more than ready for it! But of course, planning will be crucial and that needs to be done and finalised over the next few weeks.

Also in the new year, I'll be holding a number of informal meetings in Montgomeryshire for those who are either new members or interested in finding out more about Plaid Cymru. Please get in touch - heledd@gmail.com - if you'd like to come along or if you have any queries or questions. Also, don't forget to renew your membership if you're an existing member so I ensure you're on our database. I have forms so email me if you fall into that category!

Other than the campaign, life has been a bit busy as of late. Lots to do in my day to day job - all interesting stuff but a number of tasks needs to be completed - plus a few other things such as developing my new campaign website. Fitness drive has fallen by the wayside unfortunately but resuming this week so I'm ready for the Santa run in December! Need to find somewhere to live in Cardiff by the end of this month as well so if you know of any reasonably priced flats for rent in the Pontcanna/ Canton area, please get in touch. I'd be grateful of your help.

Anyway, enough for tonight. Thanks to those who attended tonight's meeting and made me glad that I didn't turn the car round. It was definitely worth while!