Pendroni

Unrhyw un arall?

2011-12-21T14:02:00.002Z

Wel, bellach mae yna bedwar person wedi datgan eu bwriad i fynd am arweinyddiaeth Plaid Cymru. Mae'n anodd gwybod be ddigwyddith. Mae gan bob un eu cryfderau, ac mae'n siwr o fod yn gystadleuaeth ddifyr. Ond, fydd yna unrhyw un arall yn mynd amdani cyn y mae enwebiadau'n cau gan ei gwneud hi'n ras 5 neu fwy ceffyl? Amser a ddengys! Efallai bydd penderfyniadau yn cael eu gwneud gan rai pobl dros y Nadolig!

Mae'n beth iach cael cystadleuaeth mor agored, a dwi'n gobeithio bydd y ffaith bod cynifer o ymgeisyddion yn ysgogi aelodau i fynychu hystings a clywed beth sydd gan yr ymgeisyddion i'w ddweud. Bydd angen i'r ymgeisyddion i gyd ein argyhoeddi o'u gweledigaeth ar gyfer y Blaid ac ar gyfer Cymru. Mae yna dasg fawr yn gwynebu pwy bynnag gaiff eu hethol, a bydd angen i bwy bynnag sy'n ennill gael cefnogaeth y sawl sydd yn eu herio ar y funud.

Mae etholiadau mewnol yn bethau anodd iawn. Mwy anodd na unrhyw etholiad arall, lle mae rhywun yn herio Plaid arall gyda daliadau gwahanol. Yn aml, mae'r person yr yda chi'n ei herio yn ffrind, neu'n rhywun yr yda chi'n eu hedmygu. Rhywun y bysa chi'n hoffi cydweithio hefo yn hytrach na cystadlu yn eu herbyn. Ond dyna ydi gwleidyddiaeth. Ac mae'n rhaid i rywun fynd ati'n aeddfed wedi unrhyw etholiad mewnol i dderbyn y canlyniad a cefnogi pwy bynnag yw'r ennillydd.

Yn bersonol, o'r rhai sydd wedi datgan hyd yma, Elin Jones sydd wedi creu'r argraff fwyaf arnaf. Fel yr wyf wedi dweud droeon ar y blog yma yn y gorffennol, mae gen i barch aruthrol iddi hi fel gwleidydd a dwi'n meddwl bod ganddi'r weledigaeth a'r ddawn i arwain y Blaid i Lywodraeth yn y dyfodol. Edrychaf ymlaen i glywed mwy ganddi dros y misoedd nesaf. Dwi'n falch iawn o weld Leanne yn mynd amdani hefyd. Mae gennym ferched cryf iawn yn y Blaid a da gweld mwy ohonynt yn mynd am y prif swyddi! Mae'n hen bryd i ni gael merch fel Prif Weinidog Cymru. Dim byd yn erbyn y dynion, ond mae'n beth da cael ymagwedd wahanol o dro i dro!

Dyddiau difyr o'n blaenau yn 2012. Arweinydd newydd ar gyfer cyfnod newydd... Pwy a wyr be ddigwyddith rhwn rwan a hynny!

Taw piau hi

2011-11-02T21:40:00.003Z

Ar ol bron i dair blynedd o ymgyrchu, rhwng yr Etholiad Cyffredinol Prydeining yn 2010 a'r un Cymreig yn gynharach eleni, mae hi wedi bod yn anodd setlo i fywyd go-iawn dros y misoedd diwethaf.Ond setlo sydd rhaid, ac mae'n rhaid i rywun ddysgu mai taw piau hi am gyfnod o leiaf. Yn amlwg, dwi ddim wedi stopio ymddiddori mewn gwleidyddiaeth, ond o ran bywyd proffesiynnol, mae angen canolbwyntio ar hynny am gyfnod ac o'r herwydd, mae'n well imi beidio ysgrifennu am bethau sydd yn mynd ymlaen yn y Cynulliad tan gobeithio y caf y cyfle i fod yn ymgeisydd eto rhyw ddiwrnod.

Nid ei bod hi'n hawdd o weld yr hyn sydd wedi bod yn digwydd ers mis Mai! Yn sicr, dwi yn meddwl bod Emyr Jones Parry wedi bod yn llygad ei le i gwestiynnu sut mae'r Aelodau Cynulliad yn defnyddio'r grym newydd sydd ganddyn nhw. Mae yna le i fod yn fwy creadigol ac uchelgeisiol, a dwi'n gobeithio y bydd hynny yn amlygu ei hun dros y blynyddoedd nesaf. Does dim diben ymladd am rym os nad yda chi yn fodlon wedyn ei ddefnyddio er gwell! A cyn i neb ddechrau cwyno - dwi'n credu bod hyn yn wir am aelodau o bob Plaid nid dim ond y Blaid sydd mewn grym. Y gwir ydi, os na wnawn ni rywbeth ar fyrder am yr economi, gwaethygu wnaiff pethau. Mae angen i ni herio'n gryfach yr hyn sydd yn cael ei orfodi arnom gan Lywodraeth Llundain. Mi yda ni angen ac mi yda ni'n haeddu gwell.

O ran y Blaid, dwi'n falch ein bod yn cynnal adolygiad trylwyr ac yn cwestiynnu sut yda ni'n datblygu fel Plaid. Oes, mae yna gwestiynnau anodd yn cael eu holi'n fewnol, ond mae nhw'n rai angenrheidiol os yda ni am barhau i fod yn effeithiol fel Plaid. Ac yn arbennig felly, os yda ni eisiau dod yn brif Blaid yn y Cynulliad yn y dyfodol agos! Mi fydd hi'n ddifyr gweld pwy aiff am yr Arweinyddiaeth yn y diwedd hefyd. Yn bersonol, dwi'n falch iawn o weld bod Elin Jones wedi rhoi ei henw ymlaen. Dwi'n ffan mawr ohoni hi, a dwi'n meddwl y bysa hi'n Brif Weinidog penigamp i Gymru. Cawn weld be ddaw dros y misoedd nesaf, ond yn sicr, mae yna le i fod yn bositif bod pethau da ar y gweill o ran dyfodol y Blaid.

Er bod hi'n od peidio bod mor amlwg wleidyddol, rhaid cyfaddef ei bod hi'n braf cael mwy o amser i ddal fyny gyda ffrindiau a theulu a hefyd dechrau diddordebau newydd. Dwi bellach yn mynd i wersi Tsieiniaidd (siarad nid bwyta) a hefyd ioga poeth ac yn mwynhau'n arw. O ran y cam nesaf yn wleidyddol, dwi ddim yn sefyll am y Cyngor flwyddyn nesaf ond mi fyddai yn ceisio cael fy newis fel ymgeisydd yn etholiadau'r Cynulliad tro nesaf bydd etholiad. Ac yn lle? Wel, byddai yn well gen i fynd am etholaeth yn y Gogledd yn hytrach na'r rhestr tro nesaf ond mae hi'n dibynnu pa etholaethau fydd yn bodoli erbyn hynny. Ac os bydd rhai o'n aelodau presennol yn sefyll eto! Ond pwy a wyr be ddigwyddith rhwng rwan a hynny.

Felly, ymddiheuriadau bod y blog yma ddim yn mynd i fod mor wleidyddol a hynny am dipyn. Ond mi wna'i drio sgwennu o dro i dro i'r rhai hynny sydd wedi bod yn driw o ran darllen y blog. Wythnos nesaf, dwi'n cael mynd i China am y tro cyntaf yn fy mywyd felly dwi'n siwr bydd digon i'w ddweud ar ol hynny!

Hwyl am y tro, a gobeithio bod pawb yn cadw'n iawn.

Lighten up?

2011-08-29T09:38:00.002+01:00

On a whim yesterday, I bought the Independent on Sunday rather than the Sunday Times and came across this article on page 3. One positive thing about the story - a Plaid Cymru MP makes page three of a non tabloid UK paper. The negative - it is a completely ridiculous and ignorant piece of journalism.

First of all Mr Matthew Bell, who wrote the article, could you please interview some actual Welsh people if you want to find out what we're thinking? The way you've gone about it is a bit like asking white people after a white person has made a racial slur against a black person if they think he or she was being racist!

Lembit Opik MP is not Welsh. He may have represented Montgomeryshire at one point, but he is most definitely not Welsh and not a natural spokesperson for us.

Chris Bryant the MP for Rhondda was brought up in Cardiff, Spain and Cheltenham. I would not say that his identity is one of a Welshman.

The reporter then goes on to say that Stephen Fry and Gyles Brandreth also support the criticisms. Both NOT Welsh.

However, he did find one genuinely Welsh person to support his view that we are being ridiculous to take race slurs so seriously: Carol Voderman. Her words of wisdom: "Shrug your shoulders and have a glass of something fizzy to celebrate that life is never dull". Oh dear...

And so it seems that the UK press, even the Independent, believe that racism towards the Welsh is one of the last acceptable forms of racism. Jonathan Edwards was completely right to complain about the article. It was sick and racist, and to be honest, the article that appeared yesterday was racist as well. Why should we allow people to slur us in this way? I hate the way that if we complain about our treatment by the UK press, we are always accused of being oversensitive, thin skinned and paranoid. If that's the case, then surely that's the advice that should be given to everyone who feels discriminated against? Luckily, that's not the case, and the police do take forms of discrimination seriously.

That's not to say that we shouldn't ever be able to laugh at ourselves. Everyone needs to have a sense of humour and accept that people will make fun of different attributes and characteristics of a nation. But there is a line, and when it is crossed, some attacks are racist rather than funny. And we are right to stand up for ourselves when such a line is crossed.

In 5 years time...

2011-05-08T19:51:00.004+01:00

For about two hours on Friday, I thought there was a real possibility that I was going to be elected. And for about fifteen minutes, I thought I was definitely in. As I was driving to the regional count in Denbigh, I heard on the radio that Plaid Cymru were going to get two regional seats in North Wales and as I arrived, a few people that I know from other political parties congratulated me. Then I spoke to my fellow Plaid Cymru people, and heard the truth. We'd just missed out by a few hundred votes and that was the end of that. But at least Llyr was in, and I'm delighted for him as I know he'll be an excellent Assembly member.

It was a strange experience, driving back from Denbigh to Caernarfon. My phone was going mad, and people were still speculating on the radio that I was about to be elected. There was nothing for it but to stop the car, and put up on twitter that I definitely wasn't it. Within five minutes, that was being reported and the phone calls stopped. I plugged my ipod in, and the first song to play on shuffle was the following. I had to laugh at the irony!

It was always going to be a long shot for me to get in, so I'm not devestated but I am upset that other Plaid Cymru candidates didn't make it. The Assembly will be a poorer place without Nerys Evans, Helen Mary Jones, Chris Franks and Dai Lloyd. I truly hope we'll see them return in 2016. Wales needs them!

As for what went wrong for Plaid Cymru, I'm going to ponder for a few days before posting something a bit more subtantial here. Lessons need to be learnt without a doubt, and something dramatic needs to happen so that we transform our fortunes in time for the 2016 election.

By then, I hope to be standing as a candidate in a seat rather than a region. It's not an experience I'd like to go through again, because you're competing against your own team in order to have a chance of being elected. Even though I desperately wanted us to keep Aberconwy and I worked hard there alongside Iwan Huws, a small part of me knew that we had to lose the seat in order for me to possibly be elected. And that's wrong. Also, it's impossible to set definite goals as a list candidates. You end up doing a bit here and there in every constituency, and have no real control over the votes as your name doesn't appear on the ballot paper. Those you do convert to voting for you then struggle to understand how to cast that vote. At least in Montgomeryshire I could set a goal of coming third and be proud when we did achieve it.

I have to say that I was seriously impressed with our candidates across North Wales, who all worked incredibly hard and deserved better results. Mabon ap Gwynfor, Marc Jones, Carrie Harper and Shane Brennan are all names to watch out for in the future, and I very much hope to see Eifion Lloyd Jones and Iwan Huws run again as well. Seeing worse candidates being elected in some seats is depressing, but that's democracy unfortunately. We'll just have to keep up the good fight and hope for a breakthrough in the end, as happened for the SNP this time.

Thank you to all our activists - we couldn't have achieved anything without them! They're a fantastic group of people, and I've very much enjoyed campaigning with them and making new friends. Also, the Plaid Cymru staff who gave it their all - they are amazing. Mawr fydd eich gwobr yn y nefoedd!

Boring?!

2011-05-04T20:53:00.002+01:00

Any other candidates/ activists fed up of hearing the press moan that this has been a boring campaign? Well, I certainly am especially as I've been out campaigning every single day with various campaign teams across the whole of North Wales and know that is not the case on the ground! We've had large teams out in every constituency trying to raise awareness and promote our ideas for a better Wales, and have also been updating websites with blogs, videos and pictures to convey all that hard work. We've had our first ever cinema advertisement, a manifesto brimming with ideas and countless press opportunities. And still they moan!

Most of the moaning comes from journalists who have remained largely based in Cardiff for the duration of the campaign, perhaps because of tight budgets. No surprise that things seem quiet where they are as all the politicians hoping to eventually make it to the Senedd are in other parts of the country! Also, to be fair, coverage has been hampered by the Royal Wedding, the AV referendum and also this week, Osama Bin Laden's death. How are we as political parties supposed to get our messages across if the world is focused on other issues?

We knew that the royal wedding and the AV referendum would pose challenges in terms of coverage, which is why we've focused on meeting as many people as possible and running effective local campaigns. Because of this approach, I believe there will be a few shock results tomorrow, that will take journalists by surprise. Or at least, that's what I'm hoping!

Could the parties have done more? Well, yes, I think some parties could have done more in some constituencies. For example, I've been shocked to see the lack of opposition to Alun Ffred in Arfon (great for us though) and the low profile nature of the Conservative campaign in Aberconwy in the crucial last two weeks. But ultimately, although there are a few excellent journalists in Wales, I think it is clear to all that ultimately, unless the press cover our new ideas and approaches then how are the political parties supposed to excite the masses about the campaign? I have to say the past two days in Aberconwy has been anything other than boring, with placards destroyed, the office being vandalised and a Labour pamphlet containing a number of untruths being forced to be withdrawn! There are some stresses one could do without!

Anyway, all will be revealed before long. I still have faith that Plaid will do better than predicted in today's polls as I honestly think that we have the best vision for Wales as well as the best team of candidates. Fingers crossed that the electorate will agree!

03.05.11 Video Blog

2011-05-03T23:44:00.000+01:00

03.05.11 Cymraeg

2011-05-03T23:10:00.000+01:00

Llai na wythnos i fynd!

2011-04-29T16:24:00.002+01:00

Wel, erbyn wythnos i heddiw, mi ddyla ni fod yn gwybod yr holl ganlyniadau. Ac ella wir y byddai yn Aelod Cynulliad!

Mae hon wedi bod yn ymgyrch hir, ond mae pob diwrnod yn hedfan heibio ar y funud. Da ni wedi bod yn eithriadol o lwcus o ran y tywydd ac o'r herwydd wedi medru gwneud llwyth o ganfasio ar draws y Gogledd a cyfarfod gymaint o etholwyr a phosib. Mae wedi bod yn ddifyr fel ymgeisydd rhestr treulio amser gyda timau mewn gwahanol etholaethau, a chael ymateb da ym mhob man deud gwir. Dim ond llond dwrn o bobl sydd wedi deud bo nhw'n casau pob un gwleidydd tro yma, yn wahanol i ymgyrch 2010 lle 'roedd pobl yn flin ofnadwy gyda pawb o bob Plaid ar ol y sgandal treuliau. Ac mae pawb yn fodlon trafod a chael sgwrs ym mron i bob un ty. Dydi'r mwyafrif ddim i'w gweld yn deall y refferendwm AV o gwbwl, yn wir, mae nhw'n meddwl bod rhaid iddyn nhw bleidleisio tro yma gyda rhifau yn hytrach na chroes. Dydi o ddim yn deg cynnal y ddau ar yr un diwrnod ond dyna ni, rhy hwyr rwan a rhaid i ni fyw hefo hynny.

Mae'n anodd deud be ddigwyddith o ran y canlyniadau yn y Gogledd, ond dwi'n teimlo'n galonogol iawn ar ol yr holl ymateb cadarnhaol yr yda ni'n ei dderbyn gan bobl. Dwi yn meddwl fod hi'n edrych yn obeithiol o ran cadw Aberconwy, Arfon a Mon ynghyd ag un sedd rhestr, a chynyddu ein pleidlais mewn nifer o seddi eraill. Mae Gorllewin Clwyd wedi bod yn ddifyr dros ben o ran yr ymateb er enghraifft, ynghyd a Wrecsam a Delyn. Ond pwy a wyr sut fydd hi'n y diwedd - gwleidyddiaeth yn gem od yn dydi!

Beth bynnag, gyda dim ond ychydig o ddyddiau i fynd, os hoffech helpu, yna plis dewch i gysylltiad. Da ni hefyd angen pobl i helpu ar y diwrnod i atgoffa pobl i fynd allan i fwrw dwy groes i'r Blaid felly os oes gennych awr neu ddwy i sbario ar Fai'r 5ed, mi fysa ni'n hynod ddiolchgar o unrhyw gymorth. Cofiwch - gyda'ch cymorth chi, mi fedra ni greu Cymru well. Mae pob pleidlais yn cyfrif!

Blog fideo 23.04.11

2011-04-23T19:33:00.001+01:00

Dros hanner ffordd

2011-04-20T19:58:00.003+01:00

Sori am y distawrwydd ers dydd Gwener. Amser wedi hedfan, a gan bod hi wedi bod yn braf, wedi bod allan gymaint a phosib yn ymgyrchu. Wedi cofio rhoi digon o eli haul eleni felly ddim wedi gwneud yr un cangymeriad a llynedd gan felly osgoi llosgi fy nhrwyn hyd yma!

Mi aeth hi'n wych yn Aberconwy dydd Sadwrn, gyda dros hanner cant o bobl yn dod i helpu. Mi oedd fy nhraed yn brifo'n y diwedd ar ol oriau o daflennu, ond roedd o werth o heb os. Ymateb da iawn gan bobl - mae'r ffaith bod Iwan yn arfer gweithio i'r ymddiriedolaeth genedlaethol yn creu argraff ar nifer o bobl fyddai ddim yn gefnogwyr naturiol i'r Blaid.

Dydd Llun, mi o'n i lawr yng Nghaerdydd yn gwneud cynhadledd i'r wasg yn dangos y gwendidau yn maniffesto'r Blaid Lafur. Fy nghynhadledd i'r wasg gyntaf erioed, ac roedd yn brofiad cael gwneud un gyda dwy brofiadol iawn - Elin Jones a Jocelyn Davies. Peth prin hefyd cael tair merch!

Dydd Mawrth, nol i'r Gogledd ac ymgyrchu. A wedyn heddiw yma, mi oedd gen i hystings Cymorth Cymru yn Wrecsam cyn wedyn aros yno i ymgyrchu. Mi oedd hi'n hynod o boeth heddiw, a prin neb adra ond o'r rhai hynny oedd o gwmpas, ymateb gret. Mae'n hymgeisydd yno, Marc Jones, yn amlwg yn uchel iawn ei barch yn lleol ac fe fyddai yn gwneud Aelod Cynulliad gwych.

O ran yr hystings, roedd yn ddifyr ond hefyd yn drist clywed gan gymaint o bobl ifanc ynglyn a'r problemau mae nhw'n ei wynebu a pam fod nifer ohonynt gyda dim dewis ond byw mewn hostel. Yn bendant, mae angen gwneud mwy i helpu'r grwp yma, a hynny ar fyrder. Hoffwn weithio yn agos iawn gyda'r criw ifanc yma os caf fy ethol, i geisio eu helpu i ddatrys nifer o'r problemau mae nhw'n ei wynebu. Mae nhw eisiau'r cyfle i wella eu bywydau, ond mae'r holl doriadau gan y ConDems yn bygwth hynny. Er bod y Cynulliad wedi gwneud nifer o bethau pwysig ac effeithiol yn y maes yma dan arweiniad Jocelyn, mae'r hyn mae San Steffan yn gyfrifol amdano yn tanseilio'r gwaith hwnnw ar adegau. Rhaid i ni sefyll yn gadarn yn erbyn eu toriadau llym ac anghyfrifol, neu pobl ifanc fel hyn fydd yn dioddef fwyaf.

Stop talking the talk and start supporting Carers

2011-04-15T17:04:00.002+01:00

This afternoon, I took part at a Carers Question Time at the Conwy Business Centre. It was obvious from the start that the carers present were fed up of politicians talking the talk but nothing changing, and they wanted some straight answers from the members of the panel. And I don't blame them.

Despite everyone agreeing that more should be done to support carers, in reality very little has happened. In fact, the situation is getting worse because of the implications of the ConDem cuts on benefits and local services. Though the Assembly is being proactive, more needs to be done from a UK perspective as well but that seems more and more unlikely in this financial climate.

But this is an important group, that deserves to be prioritised. It might shock you to know that according to the 2001 census, there are 350,000 carers in Wales (I'd expect the figure to be higher by today). By taking care of their loved ones, they save the Welsh economy an estimated £5.69 billion each year and provide over 70% of community care in Wales.

This means that 11% of voters in Wales are carers. When I've been out canvassing, you often meet carers as they are typically at home caring for a loved one and you can always sense their frustrations at the systems. They are the most humble people I've met, and they don't want politicians to praise them but rather listen to them and support them. They care out of love, and often put their own mental well being and health at risk, as well as their own careers, because of that love. Should they be punished for being so selfless? Not at all, and yet, that is what exactly is happening at the moment.

The message I took away from today was that Carers are desperate for a common sense and cross party approach to the way they are supported - benefits that they're entitled to, cheaper respite care especially when they themselves may have to go into hopsital and therefore cannot care for someone else whilst they recover, support payments for every person they care for, help in finding part time work (no references if you've been home caring for someone making it difficult for them to get work), benefits stopping once you reach 60 - and those are only a few issues. There were many, many more, highlighting how complex the support system for carers is at the moment.

It is my own personal belief that we should do far more to support these selfless people, and stop taking what they do for granted. The current injustice must come to an end, and I very much hope that next time I'm addressing this group that I'll be an AM who's actually being proactive in righting this wrong.

I'm also even more convinced that we need to see benefits relating to health devolved to the Welsh Assembly, so that we can start adequatelly supporting them financially without all the silly bureaucracy operated by Westminster.

Today wasn't the place for party politics, though some did creep in from the other parties. I refrained and was well received because of that. Many of the carers present didn't want their precious free time wasted by politicians, and simply wanted the opportunity to put their views across so that if we're elected, we'll know what they expect of us. I very much appreciated the number of people who came up to chat to me at the end, and said that they would be supporting Plaid based on what I'd said. I very much hope that come May 6th, I'll be able to start repaying that faith by being an effective voice and advocate for them in the Assembly. It would be a huge honour and responsibility, and one that I would take very seriously.

Setting the record straight

2011-04-14T20:38:00.003+01:00

Over the past few days, I've heard a number of Conservatives and Lib Dems refer to the gap between the average spend per pupil in Wales compared to England. Their accusations are emotive, and are being used to mask the fact that they themselves have little vision for transforming education in Wales and to deflect from the immoral ConDem government policy regarding tuition fees which will make higher education the domain of the privileged and wealthy once again. In this blog post, I want to set the record straight and hope to persuade you that our vision for education is the right one for Wales. It's a far too important area to play party politics with which is why what we're proposing to do is well thought out and expressed clearly so that everyone knows where we're coming from on this important issue.

Let's start with some facts. Actual expenditure on schools in 2009-10 left a funding gap of £604 per pupil compared to England. However, the following is not an excuse but a genuine reason why those figures aren't entirely true as they don't compare like for like.

Some of the funding gap can be accounted for by costs that are not included in the Welsh education system, such as private finance initiative and other privately financed schemes that exist in England.

Also, in Wales, 75% of the total gross schools budgeted expenditure is delegated to schools, with local authorities holding the rest centrally. In England, that figure is 90%. But here's the problem: some local authorities have exacerbated the gap by being reluctant to ensure money reached the classroom.

The Welsh Assembly Government have already secured commitments to ensure that this unacceptable practice is addressed, and as a result, local authorities have now agreed to increase the amount of money spent by schools themselves to 80% within two years, and 85% within four years. Also, education expenditure in Wales is budgeted to increase by 3.2% in 2010-11.

Ok, so that was a lot of facts, but I hope you see that it's not as black and white as the Conservatives and Lib Dems would have you believe and WAG have been doing something positive to address this issue.

However, what we must remember is that there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that funding is the reason for low achievement. In fact, in Wales, in the areas where the gap is largest, we get the best results whereas the worse results come from areas where there is less of a gap!

The truth is that whilst we do need to continue to address the gap, we also now need to come up with ideas to raise the standard of education in Wales and give our children the best possible start in life.

I don't want to sound like a manifesto, but one of our key pledges in this election is that a Plaid government will give our children the best start in life. It is a scandal that 1 in 4 adults in Wales have a reading and writing age of 11 or below. Our aim therefore is to halve illiteracy and innumeracy rates for children leaving primary school in Wales by 2016 and virtually eliminate the problem by 2020.

In contrast to the ConDem government in London, we will continue to oppose the marketisation of education. Instead, we will bear down on poor education standards and address the underfunding of schools by redirecting resources from management and bureaucracy to the classroom and producing guidelines for local authority support services.

Importantly, we will also be providing investment in classroom-based training and mentoring, and give teachers more freedom to innovate and inspire. We will reconfigure support services and administration across local authorities to ensure more money reaches classrooms.

And we won't just stop there. We'd also review school hours and term times to examine whether the current arrangements are best placed to meet the needs of a 21st century education system as well as reviewing the National Curriculum.

Those aren't our only promises, but at least they give you a flavour of all we have to offer. There aren't populist policies just to try and win your votes, but well-though out policies that will truly transform the education system so that it works for our children and delivers the best possible results. I know I'm biased, but the truth is, no other party offers as many innovative and exciting policies in this election.

The pupil premium being proposed by the Lib Dems may sound good, but the truth is that funding for it will mean cuts in other parts of the education budget. And as for the Conservatives, well I can't believe that they're daring to try and make an issue out of this when their plans will cut the education budget even further. In fact, each school will lose out on over £41,000. They have no ideas of any worth that will help tackle the problems within the education system. In fact, I dread to think how much worse our children's education would be under a Conservative Government in Wales.

Labour have to take some responsibility as well, as they have held the Education portfolio for 12 years. Though they have done some good things whilst in coalition with Plaid, such an introducing the Foundation phase, they could have done so much more in terms of tackling illiteracy and raising standards. In fact, I'm disappointed by how few ideas they have in their manifesto that will address the issues discussed above.

So there you have it. My in-depth response to these accusations. Let the other parties play their games if that's all they have to offer. I don't need to try and trick the electorate, but rather simply stick to the facts and take our vision to the electorate in this election. I'm proud of what we're offering, and know it could make a real difference in Wales. If you have any questions about our manifesto and our ideas, I'd be more than happy to answer them so feel free to get in touch.

Unpleasant and unnecessary

2011-04-13T17:38:00.001+01:00

Gadael ein pobl ifanc i lawr

2011-04-13T17:09:00.004+01:00

Wel, dwi newydd gyrraedd adref o hystings yn Ysgol Maes Garmon yr yr Wyddgrug. Roedd o'n un o'r hystings mwyaf annifyr dwi erioed wedi cymeryd rhan ynddyn nhw, a dwi'n teimlo'n flin iawn am hynny ar ran y myfyrwyr chweched dosbarth. Yno oedda ni fel ymgeisyddion i gyflwyno ein hunain a dweud pam ein bod ni yn wleidyddol, pam ein bod ni'n aelodau o'n pleidiau gwahanol, egluro ychydig am ein pleidiau a hefyd cyflwyno polisiau ein pleidiau ar gyfer yr etholiad. Dwi fel arfer wrth fy modd hefo sesiynau o'r fath, gan ei fod yn gyfle i ysgogi pobl ifanc i ymddiddori mewn gwleidyddiaeth a clywed eu barn nhw ynglyn a'r hyn sy'n eu poeni. Ond nid felly y buo hi heddiw yn anffodus...

Am y tro cyntaf erioed, fyny yn erbyn tair dynes oeddwn i - Sandy Mewies ar ran Llafur, Antoinette Sandbach ar ran y Ceidwadwyr a Michele Jones ar ran y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Fe ddechreuais fy araith drwy ddweud pa mor falch o'n i bod pedair dynes yn cael cyfle, a bod hynny'n braf i'w weld. Ond ew, roeddwn yn dyfaru dweud hynny erbyn y diwedd! Roedd pawb ddigon clen i ddechrau, ond yn raddol aeth pethau yn fwy a fwy cas, yn arbennig gan Sanbach a Jones. Yn wir, erbyn y diwedd roedd y dair arall yn gwaeddi ar eu gilydd ac ar draws y lle. Siwr fysa neb sydd wedi fy ngweld yn dadlau o'r blaen yn coelio hyn, ond wir rwan, erbyn y diwedd roeddwn yn eistedd nol yn ysgwyd fy mhen, wedi fy siomi yn fawr yn eu hymddygiad. Roedd yn gyflwyniad echrydus i wleidyddiaeth i'r myfyrwyr hyn, ac yn gyfangwbwl ddi-angen. Ar un pwynt, fe ddechreuodd Sandbach ddefnyddio google ar ei i-phone i drio fy herio ar bwynt a wnes i. Ddim yn rhywbeth y bysa chi'n gweld ar Question Time yn nac ydi!

Mi ofynnodd y myfyrwyr gwesitynnau da ynglyn a ffioedd myfyrwyr a spin y pleidiau, ond yn anffodus oherwydd y gwaeddi, doedd dim mwy o amser ar gyfer cwestiynnau sydd yn drueni. Fe wnaetho nhw ymateb yn dda iawn i'r hyn yr oeddwn yn dweud am ffioedd, ac a dweud y gwir, fe wnaeth Sandy Mewies siarad yn dda ac onest gyda nhw hefyd tan cael ei llusgo mewn i'r dadlau.

Erbyn y diwedd, roedd y myfyrwyr yn chwerthin ar ben y dair yn ffraeo ac yn sbio arna i gan rowlio eu llygaid, yn amlwg yn synhwyro mod i'n cyweilyddio wrth ymddygiad yr ymgeisyddion eraill, yn arbennig dwy ohonyn nhw.

Dwi wir yn gobeithio cael fy ethol, a cael y cyfle i fynd nol i gael sgwrs gall gyda'r myfyrwyr. Mi fyswn i wedi hoffi clywed llawer mwy ynglyn a'r hyn oedd ganddyn nhw i'w ddweud, a chael sgwrs gall ac onest hefo nhw. Er mod i wir isho medru argyhoeddi cyn gymaint o bobl a phosib i bleidleisio i'r blaid, y peth pwysicaf imi ydi cael pobl ifanc i gymeryd diddordeb ac i bleidleisio. A nid drwy waeddi ar ein gilydd mewn sesiynau o'r fath mae gwneud hynny...

Maen i'r Wal

2011-04-12T16:28:00.002+01:00

Heddiw, fe lawnsiwyd maniffesto'r Blaid ar gyfer yr etholiad ar Fai'r 5ed. Mae yna lwyth o syniadau cyffrous ynddo, a dwi'n edrych ymlaen i'w trafod gydag etholwyr dros yr wythnosau nesaf. Mae'n ddogfen gynhwysfawr ond eto'n darllen yn hawdd. Yn sicr, does ganddo ni ddim prinder o syniadau ynglyn a sut mae creu Cymru well!

Yn bersonol, dwi'n falch o'r hyn yr yda ni'n ei ddweud ynglyn ag addysg a'r economi. Heb wella addysg, fedrwn ni byth dyfu'n heconomi ac mae'n rhaid i ni gael pethau sylfaenol yn gywir a hynny ar fyrder. Ro'n i'n arbennig o falch hefyd o weld y syniadau ar gyfer creu swyddi, ynghyd a gwella trafnidiaeth, cysylltiadau ffon symudol a band eang, a hefyd yr hyn sydd yn cael ei addo o ran hybu twristiaeth. Deud gwir, mae yna ormod o bethau cadarnhaol dwi'n hapus amdanyn nhw i'w rhestru! Gan obeithio felly bydd pobl Cymru yn rhoi cyfle i ni roi y cynllun uchelgeisiol a hyderus hwn ar waith ar ol Mai'r 5ed!

Neithiwr, cymerais ran ar ddadl deledu o Wrecsam. Dyna'r ail waith imi wneud rhaglen o'r fath, ac roedd yn dipyn fwy o sialens tro yma. Y llynedd, roeddwn eisoes wedi cael wyth hystings yn erbyn yr ymgeisyddion ond tro yma, doeddwn i erioed wedi dadlau gyda nhw o'r blaen. Od meddwl mai dim ond yn Saesneg dwi wedi gwneud rhagleni o'r fath - fysa rhywun fel arfer yn disgwyl gwneud Pawb a'i Farn cyn dadl Saesneg fel Cymraeg! Mae'n anodd weithiau ymateb yn sydyn pan mae rhywun yn meddwl yn Gymraeg! Ond dyna ni, mae'r cyfan yn brofiad ac mi lwyddais i roi swaden go lew i'r panelwyr eraill ar dipyn o bynciau. Dal methu coelio fod yna Dori yn y cefn wedi dechrau trio cyfiawnhau ffioedd myfyrwyr a gwaeddi drosta'i. Deud y cyfan dydi. Mae addysg yn hawl sylfaenol y dylai pawb gael y cyfle i fynd amdano - mae'n fy ngwylltio a fy nhristau bod y Toriaid yn ei weld fel rhywbeth ar gyfer y breintiedig yn unig. Mi fyswn i wedi hoffi cael y cyfle i ymateb ynglyn a'r ymosodiadau anheg ar Ieuan. Mae o wedi gwneud llwyth i wella trafnidiaeth yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys rhoi dros 18 miliwn ar gyfer lon newydd yn Wrecsam. Heb son am ddim byd arall!

O siarad gyda'r gynulleidfa wedyn, roedd yn amlwg fod nifer ddim wedi deall bod Sandy Mewies a Darren Millar yn Aelodau Cynulliad yn barod. O diar. Yn enwedig i feddwl bod eu hetholaethau yn agos i Wrecsam! Gesh i ymateb cadarnhaol, wel heblaw gan yr holl rai Llafur oedd yn amlwg wedi cael mwy o docynnau nag y dylsa nhw fod wedi. Ond dyna ni, dyna ydi gwleidyddiaeth!

Mae gweddill yr wythnos yn mynd i fod yn wallgof o brysur, ond dwi'n edrych ymlaen. Mae pobl yn ymateb yn wych i'n syniadau ac yn falch o weld rhywun yn cynnig rhywbeth gwell i Gymru. Dwi'm yn gweld y pleidiau eraill yn cynnig lot - sydd yn biti. A hithau yn amser anodd yn ariannol, rydym angen gweledigaeth a syniadau ar gyfer trawsnewid Cymru ar well. A dim ond Plaid Cymru sy'n cynnig hynny hyd yma... Ydi'r pleidiau eraill yn dal nol ta ydyn nhw wir hefo dim i'w gynnig i Gymru fel sy'n ymddangos rwan?

Video blog 08.04.11

2011-04-08T21:19:00.000+01:00

Blog fideo 08.04.11

2011-04-08T21:18:00.000+01:00

Diwrnod da!

2011-04-07T22:22:00.003+01:00

Fush i ddim pellach na etholaeth Arfon heddiw, oedd yn newid bach. Fel fysa rhywun yn disgwyl, roedd yna ymateb gwych i Alun Ffred ac i'r Blaid. Fo ydi'r unig ymgeisydd sy'n byw yn yr etholaeth sydd yn ymladd y sedd - a dydi'r pleidiau eraill ddim i'w gweld hyd yma'n gweithio'n galed ar yr ymgyrch. Fedra'i wir ddim deall be ydi'r pwynt bod yn ymgeisydd os nad yda chi'n mynd i roi 100% mewn i'r frwydr. Mae pob cynnydd yn bwysig ar gyfer y dyfodol. Wrth gwrs, mae'n gret i ni yn Arfon bo nhw yn ymddangos fel petae nhw wedi derbyn y bydda nhw'n colli'n barod. Ond dwi'n siwr bod hynny'n siomedig i gefnogwyr y pleidiau hynny.

Braf oedd canfasio Caernarfon heno yma, a pawb oedd yn dod i'r drws yn siarad Cymraeg, dim ots pa oed oedda nhw. Fush i'n helpu un ddynes mewn oed i lenwi ffurflen ar gyfer pleidlais bost, a pam nesh i ofyn iddi hi am y dyddiad geni, mi oedd hi'n pendroni am oes cyn ateb - "wch chi be, dwi'm yn cofio os mai dydd Mawrth ta dydd Mercher oedd o". Da de,a hithau yn ei nawdegau.

Corwen bore fory hefo Mabon ap Gwynfor, Benllech yn y prynhawn hefo Ieuan Wyn Jones a Bangor gyda'r nos. Tair etholaeth felly! Gan obeithio bydd hi'n sych!

Fideo blog Cymraeg 06.04.11

2011-04-06T18:05:00.001+01:00

Video Blog 06.04.2011

2011-04-06T18:04:00.000+01:00

Fideo Blog Cymraeg 05.04.11

2011-04-05T16:49:00.000+01:00

English Video Blog 04.04.2011

2011-04-04T11:51:00.000+01:00

Email your questions to heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Fideo blog Cymraeg 04.04.20011

2011-04-04T11:33:00.001+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau i heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

And so it begins!

2011-04-03T21:59:00.002+01:00

From tomorrow morning onwards, I will be campaigning full time for the Welsh General Election. I can't wait! It's a very different experience running as a regional rather than a constituency candidate. I thought Montgomeryshire was big last year, but now I have a whole region to try and canvass!

It's impossible to predict with the list seats what will happen, so my focus will be on supporting the candidates in each of the constituencies and getting the best possible result for Plaid Cymru and hopefully the largest number of Plaid AMs ever! I'm looking forward to meeting new activists and visiting new places across North Wales. Hoepfully it will stay dry - canvassing and leafletting really doesn't go well with rain!

I had the privilege of speaking at Ieuan Wyn Jones's campaign lauch in Anglesey last Thursday night. There was a large crowd present, and everyone seems ready for the fight. I'll be back in Anglesey tomorrow morning at Rhosneigr, and then over to Aberconwy in the afternoon. Let the fun begin!

Teyrnged i Brynle

2011-04-01T09:10:00.002+01:00

Un gair y clywch pawb yn ei ddefnyddio wrth dalu teyrnged i'r Aelod Cynulliad Toriaidd, Brynle Williams, ydi cymeriad. A dyna oedd o. Coblyn o gymeriad, oedd wastad gyda gwen fawr ar ei wyneb pan oedda chi'n ei gyfarfod. A gwr bonheddig. Roedd o wastad yn trin pawb run fath - gyda parch.

Doedd o ddim wastad y dyn mwyaf PC (Politically Correct nid Plaid Cymru!), ond doedd dim ots am hynny achos mi oedd pawb yn gwybod fod ei galon yn y lle iawn. Doedd na'm byd cas amdano fo. Yn sgil fy swydd o ddydd i ddydd, dwi'n aml yn gorfod cyfarfod gwleidyddion o bob plaid i drafod gwahanol brosiectau ac ati. Yn ddi-ffael, os fysa Brynle yn fy ngweld yn cael sgwrs gyda Aelod arall, mi fysa fo'n dod draw a deud rhyw joc, gan unai dynnu arna i neu'r person arall cyn gadael dan chwerthin. A mi fysa ninnau hefyd yn chwerthin.

Mi fydd y Cynulliad yn le dipyn mwy diflas heb Brynle. Dwi'n cymdeimlo'n fawr gyda'i deulu.

Ail-afael ynddi

2011-03-29T20:22:00.003+01:00

Dwi ddim wedi bod yn dda iawn am ddiweddaru'r blog dros y misoedd diwethaf. Dwn i ddim pam, ond ar ol gwneud cyn gymaint yn ystod yr etholiad y llynedd, dwi wedi ei chael hi'n anodd ail-afael ynddi ers hynny. Ond rwan, a ninnau ar drothwy Etholiad Cyffredinol Cymru, dwi'n nol. A dwi'n siwr y cewch chi lond bol ohona'i rhwng rwan a Mai'r 5ed!

Dwi'n edrych ymlaen i fod wrthi'n ymgyrchu, er y bydd yn brofiad tra gwahanol ymgyrchu ar draws rhanbarth cyfan yn hytrach na fel ymgeisydd mewn un etholaeth. Mae'n anodd iawn gwybod dweud gwir sut orau i fynd o'i chwmpas hi, yn enwedig gan na fydd fy enw ar unrhyw bapur pleidleisio. O'r herwydd, mynd ati fydda'i dros yr wythnosau nesaf i helpu a chefnogi ymgyrchoedd lleol ar draws y Gogledd. Mi ddyla'i fod yn hwyl. Mae yna nifer o ymgeisyddion cryf, a dwi'n edrych ymlaen i ddarganfod pentrefi newydd yn y Gogledd tra'n ymgyrchu hefo nhw.

Rhaid mi gyfaddef fod y gynhadledd penwythnos diwethaf wedi fy ysgogi. Cefais am y tro cyntaf gyfle i wneud araith fer o'r llwyfan tra hefyd yn gwneud yr apel ariannol. Roedd o'n brofiad gwych a dwi'n gobeithio'n fawr nad dyna fydd fy araith olaf o flaen cynhadledd Plaid Cymru! Ro'n i'n meddwl bod yr areithiau i gyd yn ysbrydoledig tu hwnt. Ro'n i'n falch iawn clywed nifer o syniadau beiddgar a gwahanol, oedd yn ein gosod arwahan i'r pleidiau eraill. Roedd Ieuan yn wych - y gorau imi ei glywed erioed dwi'n meddwl - ac i weld yn gyfangwbwl gyffyrddus a pharod at yr ymgyrch. Syniadau ar gyfer trawsnewid Cymru er gwell y byddwn ni fel Plaid yn ei gynnig yn yr etholiad yma. Dim gimmicks. Dim ond syniadau cryf, pendant, a fydd yn creu Cymru well os caiff Plaid y cyfle i'w gwireddu mewn llywodraeth.

Nid spin mo hyn. Ond y gwir. Ychydig flynyddoedd yn ol, roeddwn yn dechrau ofni nad oedd gan y Blaid weledigaeth ddigon cryf i Gymru a fod rhai o'n aelodau wedi dechrau mynd i siarad mewn sound bites. Ond nid dyna'r Blaid dyddiau yma. Dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, rydym wedi gweithio'n galed ar gryfhau ein polisiau a'n syniadau, ac annog ein aelodau i fod yn rhan o ddatblygu polisi. Mae hyn wedi gweithio. Dwi wedi cael cip ar y maniffesto, a dwi'n meddwl ei fod yn ddogfen gynhwysfawr a hynod gyffrous. Dwi'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr i gyflwyno'r holl syniadau hyn wrth ganfasio, a'u trafod ar y stepen drws. Dwi'n sicr y bydd pobl Cymru yn hoffi'r hyn sydd gennym i'w gynnig, ac yn cael sioc fod yna gymaint o syniadau gwreiddiol a gwahanol ynddo.

Ymgyrch gadarnhaol fydd hon i'r Blaid, yn canolbwyntio ar syniadau cyffrous yn hytrach na lladd ar y pleidiau eraill. Mae gennym hyder yn ein syniadau, ac mae gennym hyder ym mhobl Cymru. A chyn hir, byddwn yn cael cyfle i drafod y cyfan yn gyhoeddus ac argyhoeddi pobl i bleidleisio i ni. Dwi'n ysu i gael dechrau...

Pleidleisiwch Ie!

2011-03-03T09:21:00.000Z

Wel, mae’r diwrnod mawr wedi cyrraedd a mi gawn gyfle i bleidleisio yn y refferndwm. Beth bynnag arall y gwnewch chi heddiw, heblaw eich bod chi eisoes wedi postio pleidlais bost, os oes gennych bleidlais, cerwch i bleidleisio Ie neu’n hytrach Ydw! Hawdd!

Dyma’r tro cyntaf yr wyf wedi bod yn ddigon hen i bleidleisio mewn refferendwm ynglyn a mwy o bwerau i Gymru. Doeddwn i ddim wedi fy ngeni ym 1979, ac er imi ymgyrchu’n galed am bleidlais Ie yn 1997, ar y diwrnod roeddwn ddau ddiwrnod yn brin o fod yn ddwy ar bymtheg. Drwy gydol fy mywyd fel oedolyn, mae datganoli wedi bod yn reality ac os ydw i byth ddigon lwcus i gael plant, fe fydd o’n hollol naturiol iddyn nhw. Teimlaf yn lwcus a balch fy mod yn rhan o’r genhedlaeth sydd yn medru datgan hynny.

Rhaid cyfaddef nad yw refferendwm heddiw yr un mor allweddol ag oedd un 1997. Er bod pleidlais ie yn allweddol bwysig, mae’n anodd iawn teimlo’n gyffrous ynglyn a’r peth. Fodd bynnag, er mai newidiadau techegol ydyn nhw’n bennaf, mae pleidlais ie yn angenrheidiol. Os y pleidleisiwn ie heddiw, yna ni fydd yn rhaid i ni ofyn i San Steffan am ganiatad i wneud ein cyfreithiau ein hunain mewn meysydd sydd eisoes wedi eu datganoli. Imi, mae hynny yn bendant werth pleidleisio o’i blaid, ac yn achos dathlu os y llwyddwn i sicrhau pleidlais Ie.

Mae wedi bod yn anodd cael dadl gall gyda’r rhai sydd yn pleidleisio na heddiw, o’i gymharu a’r rhai hynny oedd yn gwrthwynebu ym 1997. Adeg hynny, er fy mod yn anghytuno’n ffyrnig, gallwn ddeall eu dadleuon. Ond mae’r tro yma’n wahanol. Rhaid cydnabod bod datganoli yn bodoli, ac o’r herwydd, bod angen system sydd yn gweithio. Mae’r system LCO yn un hurt, ac mae’n amlwg nad ydi hi’n system effeithiol. Mae’n arafu’r broses ddemocrataidd yn ddi-angen, gan ychwanegu haenen o fiwrocratiaeth. Hefyd, mae’n rhoi llais i Loegr ar ddeddfau sydd dim ond yn effeithio ar Gymru. Sut mae hynny yn ddemocrataidd neu’n deg?

Mae wedi bod yn amlwg iawn fod y gwrthwynebwyr, heblaw am Rachel Banner, wedi bod yn ddynion o oedran arbennig, o gefndiroedd arbennig a lleoliad daearyddol arbennig. Mae nhw wedi bod yn siarad rwtsh llwyr yn y cyfryngau, i’r graddau mod i wedi gorfod gwneud yn siwr nad o’n i’n edrych ar awr gomedi yn hytrach na’r newyddion wrth eu clywed yn siarad. Drwy ddewis peidio bod yn ymgyrch swyddogol, roeddynt yn gwybod y byddent yn medru dweud yr hyn a fynnent heb boeni am wirionedd. Nid yw hon wedi bod yn ddadl deg, ond yn hytrach cyfle i’r rhai sydd yn casau cenedlaetholdeb a datganoli i gael cwyno.

Wrth lwc, mae’r genhedlaeth iau yn deall nad yw’r negatifrwydd yma’n helpu Cymru i ffynnu. Byddai pleidlais Na heddiw yn drychineb. Er na wnaiff pleidlais Ie weddnewidd Cymru dros nos, fe fyddai pleidlais na yn newid pethau’n arw. Byddai yn dangos diffyg hyder yng Nghymru a’i phobl. Rydym wedi cyflawni gymaint mewn amser byr iawn oherwydd datganoli. Os nad ydych yn cytuno gyda rhai o’r polisiau sydd wedi eu gwneud, neu os nad ydych yn hoffi rhai o’r gwleidydidon, yna dewisiwch rai gwahanol ym mis Mai a newidiwch pethau fel yna. Ond peidiwch a chosbi eich cenedl. Pleidleisiwch Ie heddiw am ffordd fwy democrataidd o wneud cyfreithiau yma yng Nghymru, lle y bydd eich llais yn cael ei glywed.

Vote Yes!

2011-03-03T09:20:00.001Z

Well, the day is finally here when we get to cast our vote in the referendum. Whatever else you do today, unless you've already posted a postal vote, get to the polling station if you're eligible to vote and vote yes! Simple!

This is the first time I’ve been old enough to cast my vote in a referendum relating to powers for Wales. I wasn’t born in 1979, and although I campaigned hard for a yes vote in 1997 and stayed up all-night watching nervously as the results came in, I was two days short of my seventeenth birthday when the votes were cast. Throughout my adult life, devolution has been a reality here in Wales, and if I’m ever fortunate enough to have children, it will be a norm. I’m proud to be a part of a generation that is able to say that.

Admittedly, today’s referendum isn’t as big a deal as the one in 1997. Though a yes vote is completely necessary and essential, it is difficult to get over excited about what is essentially a technical change. However, though the changes are small, that is not to say that they are not significant. If we vote yes today, then we won’t have to ask Westminster permission for passing laws in devolved areas. And that to me is well worth turning out to vote in favour of, and celebrating if we get a yes vote.

It has been difficult to engage in proper debate with those who are voting no in this referendum compared to those who opposed the Assembly in 1997. Back then, though I didn’t agree with those who opposed the Assembly, I understood their arguments and was able to respect them. Yes, I thought they were wrong but I also accepted that if they believed we were stronger as we were, then that was that. But, this time is different. If you accept that devolution is a reality, why then oppose this referendum which is simply making the system more efficient? Legislative Competence Orders are the most stupid things ever invented, and it is clear that the current system of having to go cap in hand to Westminster with these orders aren’t helping Wales progress. They slow down the democratic process unnecessarily, adding an extra layer of bureaucracy. Also, they give England a say in how laws that only affect Wales. How is that fair and democratic?

It has also been notable that the majority of those who have been vocal against the referendum, bar Rachel Banner, have been of a certain age, a certain background and a certain geographical area. They have been spouting so much rubbish in the media, to the extent that I’ve had to check if I’ve been watching the comedy hour rather than the news during some television and radio coverage. By choosing not to become an official campaign, they knew that they’d be able to say what they wanted and could pander to people’s paranoia’s with their lies. This hasn’t been a proper debate, but rather just a chance for those who hate nationalism and devolution to rant.

Luckily, the younger generation seems to understand that this negativity won’t help Wales prosper. Voting no today would be devastating. A yes vote won’t dramatically change our lives overnight, but a vote no would. It would show a lack of confidence and belief in Wales and its people. We’ve achieved so much with devolution in a short time. If you disagree with some policies that have been made, or don’t like some of the politicians, then elect different Assembly Member in May and change things like that. But don’t punish your nation today. Vote yes for a more democratic way of making laws in Wales, where your voice will actually be heard.

Campaigning

2011-02-14T13:34:00.002Z

With only a few weeks to go until the first referendum of the year, it will come as no surprise to readers of this blog that most of my spare time is filled up with campaigning for a yes vote. In a sense, it's a frustrating task as this referendum shouldn't be taking place. The LCO system should never have been established in the first place and this referendum basically involves getting rid of ineffective system and giving our Assembly Members the necessary tools to do the job of legislating on devolved issues more effectively. Simple.

Which is why I find the arguments of the No campaign infuriating. Their arguments make no sense whatsoever, and I cannot understand how anyone can think that the LCO system is working. Why carry on with a system that is unnecessarily bureaucratic and slows down the legislative process? In 1997, the questions people were voting on was clear but this time there shouldn't be any divisions. We have an Assembly. So basically, what we're being asked is - do you want it to be just a talking shop or do you want it to be able to take necessary decisions promptly and effectively? Even if you disagree with devolution, surely you can't be in favour of wasting money on the LCO system? Why fight to protect it?

Personally, I've enjoyed working with other parties on the yes campaign and its been refreshing to work side by side with politicians from other parties. There is a political maturity surrounding this referendum, something which I find refreshing. Personally, I think it's a shame that politicians aren't really being used to promote the referendum. Whilst we definitely need the core support to come from the grassroots level, we also need strong political leadership. Ok, so they've been speaking at different meetings and campaigning on the streets, but they're virtually absent in our media. Hopefully that will change in the coming weeks.

People need to understand that this referendum isn't about politicians, but simply about having an effective legislative system. If you're not happy with your current Assembly Member, then vote for a different one on the fifth of May. A yes vote is the only logical choice. So get on board, and get out on the streets to make sure the people of Wales turn out and vote yes this March!

Sky News and Devolution

2011-01-23T13:42:00.002Z

There is no doubt that the BBC on a UK level have become a million times better at noting when news items only refer to devolved or non devolved issues. Though I'd argue that there could be a bit more coverage of Welsh news, all in all, they certainly have to be congratulated on the improvement. Especially when you contrast the England centric nature of Sky News...

Now, I must admit. I do tend to watch Sky News more than News 24 if I'm trying to catch up with events outside of the Welsh bulletins. When a major event has taken place, the sensationalist nature of Sky News can be far more entertaining plus they usually cover breaking news slightly quicker. But, that doesn't stop me from getting frustrated during their normal bulletins.

In contrast to the BBC, Sky do not seem to take devolution into account. They announce and discuss government measures as though they apply to the UK as a whole, when in fact, many things relate to England only. This is extremely irresponsible, considering that a high percentage of people in Wales do subscribe to Sky. Don't Sky have a responsibility to deliver news that is accurate and reflective of the political reality?

I remember seeing the Assembly Member, Brynle Williams, being interviews last year on Sky as it was ten years since he came to prominence during the fuel protests. He was asked to comment on how the Tories were dealing with fuel prices, and what he thought of their handling of the situation. Not once was it mentioned that he is a Tory AM - in fact, I honestly don't think the interviewer knew this as he seemed perplexed that Brynle wasn't being critical.

that's just one examply. I think there is a real issue here, and one that needs to be addressed. Sky can't simply wipe out the political reality of devolution and present a distorted picture of the UK today. But what can we do to influence them? One thing we can all do is correct any inaccuracies, and email in to correct and complain when necessary. The voices of the people of Wales and our Senedd deserves to be heard. The BBC have woken up to this reality. Let's hope that it won't be too long until Sky News follows suite..

Nadolig Llawen/ Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T15:05:00.002Z

Dim ond nodyn byr i ddymuno Nadolig Llawen iawn ichi gyd. Diolch am ddarllen fy mlog eleni. Dwi'n gwybod mod i wedi bod braidd yn dawel ers yr etholiad, ond mae'n un o fy addunedau blwyddyn newydd i ail-gydio yn yr ysgrifennu. Gan obeithio y daw Sion Corn acw heno! Mwynhewch yr wyl.

Just a quick note to wish you a Merry Christmas. Thank you for reading my blog in 2010. I know I've been quite quiet since the election, but it is one of my new year's resolutions to blog on a more regular basis. I hope Father Christmas remembers to call by this evening! Enjoy the big day.

Rhwystredig

2010-12-11T11:12:00.001Z

Heddiw gesh i afael ar gopi o Golwg wythnos yma, ac am siomedig gweld celwydd llwyr yn cael ei gyhoeddi ynddo ynglyn a phresenoldeb ymgeisyddion Plaid Cymru yn rali Cymdeithas yr Iaith penwythnos diwethaf. Roedd yna ddeuddeg o'n hymgeisyddion o'r Gogledd ar gyfer y Cynulliad yno: Llyr Huws Gruffudd, Liz Saville, Dyfed Edwards a fi fel rhai rhestr, a fel ymgeisyddion yn yr etholaethau - Carrie Harper, Marc Jones, Alun Ffred Jones, Eifion Lloyd Jones, Maurice Jones, Iwan Huws, Mabon ap Gwynfor a Mark David Jones. Roedd Jill Evans, Dafydd Iwan, Hywel Williams a Elfyn Llwyd yno hefyd.

Roedda ni allan yn gwrando ar yr areithiau yn y gwynt a'r glaw gyda gweddill y dyrfa, yn gadarn ein bod eisiau cefnogi rali cymdeithas yr iaith yn erbyn y toriadau. Ar ddiwedd y rali, fe aetho ni mewn i dafarn y Castell i gael tynnu ein lluniau gan ei fod yn gyfle da i ddod a pawb at ei gilydd ond o ran y lluniau, fe welwch fod y mwyafrif ohona ni'n wlyb at ein croen. Rhwystredig ydi gweld Golwg yn cyhoeddi fersiwn hollol wahanol.

Mi oedda ni yno, ac mae gennym y lluniau i brofi hynny (nid jest y rhai a dynnwyd ar y diwedd). Y gwir gwestiwn y dylai'r wasg fod yn ei ofyn ydi faint o ymgeisyddion y pleidiau eraill oedd yno ar y diwrnod? A faint o'r pleidiau eraill sydd yn gweithio'n unedig ar draws y Gogledd i gynnig rhywbeth gwell i etholwyr? Mae gennym nifer o bethau y byddwn yn cydweithio arnyn nhw dros y misoedd nesaf i berswadio etholwyr Gogledd Cymru mai Plaid Cymru ydi'r unig blaid hefo rhywbeth gwerth chweil i'w gynnig. Cofiwch gadw llygad ar flog newydd Plaid Cymru yn y Gogledd am fwy o fanylion: http://plaidgogleddcymru.blogspot.com/

Blog Newydd/ New Blog

2010-12-10T13:53:00.002Z

Dyma flog newydd Plaid Cymru yn y Gogledd. Bydd dipyn mwy o gynnwys dros y misoedd nesaf!

http://plaidgogleddcymru.blogspot.com/

New blog for Plaid Cymru in North Wales. There will be a lot more content over the next few months, in both languages!

http://plaidgogleddcymru.blogspot.com/

A Betrayal

2010-12-09T23:18:00.002Z

A betrayal - that's the only way to describe the way the majority of Liberal Democrat MPs voted today in favour of a huge increase in University fees. No wonder the students are revolting. They were the group most enthused by Nick Clegg during the General Election and voted in their thousands for the Liberal Democrats. For many, it was their first time ever voting and they decided, even in a time of expenses scandals and general mistrust of politicians, that Clegg's party was the one party who's stand up for them. I'm sorry to see that their trust has been shattered after today, and truly hope that it won't put them off politics completely in the future.

Fair play to those Liberal Democrats who voted against the government today. They are to be applauded and students within those constituencies should feel proud that their MP stuck to their pledge.

University fees is a difficult issue for every party, and regular readers of this blog will know my own opposition to fees and how I felt when some were introduced in Wales. But, at least our Plaid Cymru-Labour coalition approached it in a far fairer and sensible way which still made it possible for anyone to go to University without being crippled by a frightening amount of debt. This new system in England will punish everyone except the very rich within our society. Only people who can afford to be educated will be able to access higher education under this plan, making it a privilege rather than a fundamental right. In my view, if you're bright enough, then you should be able to go to University, and your government should support you in this. After all, the better educated our work force is, the better the economy will be. But no, the ConDems want to see only those who can afford to go to University going there. And what of courses, in particular humanities ones, that don't necessarily lead to a well paying job. Are we now saying that only the rich should do those courses as no one else will be able to afford to do so? It really is a backward step in terms of equality of access to education in England today.

Arglwydd Mawr!

2010-11-19T12:25:00.004Z

Dwi'n hynod o falch o glywed heddiw fod Dafydd Wigley yn mynd i Dy'r Arglwyddi. O'r diwedd! Mae'n bwysig fod gennym bobl fel Dafydd yno i gynrychioli pobl Cymru. Fe fydd yn lais cadarn a hynod effeithiol - ac yn iau o lawer na nifer o'r aelodau presennol!

Mae'n anodd i'r Blaid o ran penderfynnu beth i'w wneud o ran Ty'r Arglwyddi, ond tra mae'r system fel mae hi, dwi'n meddwl fod o'n beth doeth fod gennnym bobl o safon i gynrychioli ein safbwyntiau yno. Gan obeithio y bydd eraill o'r Blaid, megis Eurfyl ap Gwilym, yn ymuno ag o yn y dyfodol agos.

Mae hyn yn newyddion da i Gymru. Mae gan un o'n gwleidyddion mwyaf galluog rwan rol bendant i'w chwarae. Nid dyn yr ymylon ydi Dafydd Wigley, a gwych gweld fod o'n nol yng nghanol pethau.

No place for Old Men?

2010-11-12T17:02:00.001Z

I read with interest today’s article in the Western Mail about Plaid’s former chairman claiming that he’d been told not to stand because he was an old man. I had to laugh when reading some of John Dixon’s claims as well as the Labour response. You only have to look at the profile of most of our candidates for the Assembly next year to know that there’s no truth in the fact that Plaid blocks men of a certain age from standing! They make up the majority!

Personally, I wish we had a more varied list of candidates comprising of more females and more people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s and also from different backgrounds and ethnicity. But, they didn’t put themselves forward or weren’t selected so like the other parties, we’ve ended up with a lot of men of a certain age standing for us. And to be honest, they are all dedicated, hardworking candidates who would make great Assembly Members. Certainly, there’s a job of work to be done to encourage more diversity of candidates in the future but that’s true of every party and I know that Plaid are taking positive steps to encourage and mentor people who might never have thought of standing to do so.

One of Plaid’s greatest strengths at the moment is the fact that so many young people are actively involved but I reject John’s claim that there is a cult of youth. Yes, Plaid are excellent at supporting and encouraging those of us who are new to politics but we’re not automatically given seats – we still have to win selection contests that anyone on the national register of candidates can put their names forward for. And not all of us are successful as many members value more experienced candidates. But does that mean that we sulk and become bitter, and make unhelpful comments on blogs? No. We get on with the job of supporting those who were selected, and help behind the scenes in the hope of one day having the opportunity to be Assembly Members ourselves having learnt from observing those who are experienced.

I sympathise with John. I know he’s written a blog today, saying he wanted to prompt a wider debate about candidates and that he hadn’t expected people to pick up on the personal illustration. But, journalists were bound to notice. .

Personally, I’ve heard only good things about Nerys and I think it’s brilliant that she’s decided to run for a seat rather than going for the list again. It’s a brave decision, and she’s working extremely hard to try and win. I truly hope that she does, as she’s been a fantastic Assembly Member and deserves to return next May.

I also hope John find another role within Plaid in the future as he's made a hugely important contribution over the years, and still has a lot to offer. Us young ones have a lot to learn from the old men and are grateful for their advice and guidance as we embark on our own political journeys.

Sicrhau Cyfartaledd

2010-10-14T18:26:00.000+01:00

Dydw i erioed wedi bod yn gefnogol o’r syniad o greu rhestrau merched yn unig ar gyfer seddi Cynulliad, na rhoddi merched ar frig y rhestr yn awtomatig ta waeth faint o bleidleisiau oedda nhw’n llwyddo i’w ennill. Oce, mi fysa fo wedi fy helpu i tro yma i fod ar frig rhestr y Gogledd, ond fyswn i ddim wedi bod yn gyffyrddus efo hynny. Ail oeddwn i, a dyna fo. Ond eto, er imi wneud yn dda, mi gesh i sioc o weld bod nifer o aelodau’r Gogledd dim ond wedi rhoi pleidlais i’r ymgeisyddion gwrywaidd, gan ddewis peidio rhoi 4 neu 5 nesa at fy enw i na Liz. Canran fach wnaeth hynny, ond mi wnaeth o fy ysgogi i ddechrau meddwl pam fod yna rai pobl yn parhau i weld gwleidyddiaeth fel rhywbeth i ddynion yn unig? Sut medr merched gyrraedd y brig, heb unrhyw ymyrraeth gan y Blaid?

Un o lwyddiannau mawr y Cynulliad ydi’r ffaith fod y ratio dynion-merched wedi bod yn anhygoel o gyfartal, ond mae yna beryg y bydd pethau’n wahanol iawn ar ôl mis Mai flwyddyn nesaf. Hyd yma, drwy Gymru gyfan, mae’r mwyafrif o ymgeisyddion sydd wedi eu dewis gan bob plaid yn ddynion gwyn o oed arbennig. Y stereoteip perffaith o wleidydd. Heb os, mae angen rhai pobl o’r fath yn y Cynulliad ond nid fel mwyafrif!
O ran Plaid, dwi’n hynod o falch o weld bod merched wedi dod ar frig y rhestr yn nhri allan o’r pum rhanbarth. Da iawn Jocelyn, Leanne a Bethan am brofi nad oes rhaid cael polisi penodol i sicrhau rhif un. Ond eto, nifer fach iawn o ferched sydd wedi eu dewis i sefyll yn yr etholaethau. Yn wir, nifer fach iawn o ferched sydd wedi ymgeisio am yr enwebiadau. Pam hynny felly?

Wrth ystyried pwy sy’n sefyll fel ymgeisyddion yn yr etholaethau a’r rhanbarthau, difyr yw nodi bod y mwyafrif o’r merched yn y De. Does prin neb o’r merched sy’n sefyll yn byw i’r Gogledd o Aberhonddu, ac mae’n rhaid ystyried os oes esboniad ymarferol am hyn. Ydi merched yn llawer llai parod i fod yn bell oddi wrth eu teuluoedd? Ydyn nhw’n gweld Caerdydd yn rhy bell, yn enwedig os oes ganddyn nhw deuluoedd ifanc? Mae’n bosib iawn mai daearyddiaeth sydd felly’n gyfrifol am beth o’r anghyfartaledd.

Ond eto, o edrych ar ganlyniadau rhestrau’r Blaid tro yma, mi wnes i ddechrau meddwl. Fysa gymaint o ferched wedi cyrraedd y brig tro yma tasa’r polisi o’u rhoi nhw’n gyntaf tro diwethaf ddim wedi bod mewn bodolaeth? Drwy gael hwb a mantais gychwynnol gan y Blaid, mi gawson nhw wedyn y cyfle i brofi eu hunain fel Aelod Cynulliad ac ennill eu plwyf. Mae canmoliaeth fawr wedi bod i waith Aelodau Cynulliad benywaidd y Blaid yn y Cynulliad presennol, ac mae aelodau’r Blaid yn amlwg eisiau gweld y rhai presennol yn cael eu hail-ethol ac wedi eu cefnogi. Ond eto, prin iawn ydi’r nifer o wynebau newydd benywaidd fydd yn ymgeisio. Ydi hi’n bosib bod aelodau’n reddfol yn dueddol o gefnogi dynion dros ferched, os ydyn nhw’r run mor amhrofiadol? Ac ydi hi’n bosib bod llai o ferched yn sefyll, gan eu bod nhw’n gwybod hynny?

Dwn i ddim. Does yna ddim ateb syml er mwyn datrys y broblem o ran sut mae sicrhau cydraddoldeb yn y Cynulliad. Y gwir ydi, unwaith mae merched yn Aelodau Cynulliad, mae pawb yn gweld gwerth eu cael yno. Ond i’w cael nhw yno yn y lle cyntaf, mae’n rhaid i ni sicrhau fod digon o ferched yn sefyll ac yn cael eu dewis fel ymgeisyddion. Byddai yn drychineb gweld y Cynulliad yn mynd yn llai cynrychioladol o’n cymdeithas - yn wir, hoffwn weld llawer mwy o groestoriad o ran oedran, lliw, cred, dosbarth cymdeithasol, cefndir ayyb. Dydi gadael y cyfan fyny i siawns ddim yn mynd i weithio, ac mae yna ddyletswydd ar ôl yr holl bleidiau gwleidyddol i daclo hyn dros y blynyddoedd nesaf os yda ni’n mynd i greu senedd sydd yn wirioneddol ddemocrataidd.

And the result is...

2010-09-26T10:41:00.003+01:00

Most of my readers will know this from twitter and facebook by now, but just in case you haven't heard, the result for the Plaid Cymru North Wales list is as follows:

1. Llyr Huws Gruffydd
2. Heledd Fychan (me!)
3. Dyfed Edwards
4. Liz Saville

A huge congratulations to Llyr. I know he will be an effective Assembly Member and Plaid will be lucky to have him as part of the group. Obviously, from a personal perspective, I was disappointed yesterday as I know its unlikely that Plaid will gain a second list seat next year. But, I did take some comfort from the fact that I was genuinely second and not bumped up because I'm female.This was the first time I'd run in an internal battle and also in North Wales, and hopefully it won't be the last! I did give it my all, but it wasn't my time this time and I just need to accept that and look ahead.

As the second placed candidate, I will be working just as hard as I would have done as the first placed one to ensure that we secure a yes vote in the referendum next year before going on to increase our support in North Wales. We must enthuse our supporters to come out and campaign, and we must reach out to those who don't usually support us. There's a lot of work to be done, and I know all the candidates on the list are determined to achieve the best possible result for Plaid and for Wales.

Thank you to everyone who supported me over the past few weeks - I have been touched by all the messages of support. We now need to unite and ensure that we get as many Plaid Cymru Assembly members as possible elected next year. Plaid Cymru is bigger than any individual, and I genuinely believe that the only way to strengthen Wales is to strengthen Plaid Cymru.

Dros Gymru! For Wales!

Post Conference

2010-09-12T20:51:00.002+01:00

Well, I'm shattered this evening after returning home from the Plaid Cymru conference in Aberystwyth. My own fault for staying up singing until 4am this morning!

What a fantastic few days. Not only do I feel inspired after some brilliant speeches and discussions, but I'm also on a real high. Plus, my stomach is aching from laughing so much during the Revue last night. If you're a Plaid member and you've never made it to a Revue then you really must go next year as it is hilarious. Basically, the Caerphilly boys just take the mick out of Plaid and we all get a chance to laugh at ourselves. I think it's good to see a political party lighten up a little for one night a year, plus it helps in terms of lifting everyone's spirits. Looking around me last night, I felt lucky to be part of the party and to have made so many good friends from every corner of Wales.

As for yesterday, I'm torn in terms of choosing a highlight. Ron Davies got a fantastic welcome, and it really did feel electric in the hall when he walked onto the stage and showed his Plaid membership card to the delegates. He is such an asset to the party, and it's good to see him back on the political stage. Fingers crossed, he will win Caerphilly for us next year. It won't be easy, but it's not impossible. Let's hope history can be made - it certainly would send shockwaves around Wales! It would also be fantastic for devolution to have him in the Assembly. We need people of his calibre.

Mabon ap Gwynfor gave an amazing speech - really rousing the crowd. He was only supposed to be doing a financial appeal. But wow. What a way to use that time! He's one to watch in the next election...

I was also impressed by Helen Mary. She really rallied the troops and lifted the spirits of members. It's difficult to strike the right balance sometimes when you use a lot of rhetoric in a speech, but she just went for it, and it worked. Fantastic!

One of the most amusing things for me was seeing John Dixon, the former Chairperson of Plaid, really going for it in terms of speaking on motions. After putting the fear of God into anyone who didn't toe the party line when he was in the role, it's funny to now see him break all of his old rules! He really was very michevious...

So, all in all, a fun and interesting few days. Yes, I did do a lot of canvassing and trying to talk to members from North Wales, but I also really enjoyed myself and made some new friends. Thank you all for being such great company! Let's just hope we can now turn this enthusiasm and positivity into firm, radical, new ideas that will appeal to voters in time for next year's election!

Diwrnod Tri

2010-09-11T09:55:00.002+01:00

Diwrnod tri o'r gynhadledd, ac mae'n syndod pa mor sydyn mae'r amser wedi mynd. Mi oedd ddoe yn gret - digon o drafod a sgwrsio, ac araith Ieuan wrth gwrs. Dwi wedi cael cyfle i gyfarfod nifer o aelodau'r Gogledd, a chael bob math o gwestiynau ganddyn nhw cyn y cyfarfodydd dewis wythnos nesaf. A braf ydi cael gwneud hynny. Mae'r ymateb wedi bod yn gret o ran yr ymgyrch, ac mae hi'n edrych yn dda. Ond cawn weld beth ddigwyddith dros y penwythnos nesaf yma rwan!

Heddiw, dwi'n edrych ymlaen i glywed yr areithiau, yn arbennig felly rhai Dafydd Trystan a Ron Davies, ynghyd a'r drafodaeth hefo Elfyn Llwyd. A wedyn, mae'r rifiw heno sydd wastad yn lot o hwyl.

Mwy wedyn, ond rhag bod ganddo chi ddiddordeb, dyma linc i fy erthygl ar waleshome heddiw: http://waleshome.org/2010/09/plenty-to-smile-about/

WalesCan be Smart. Green. Healthy.

2010-09-09T14:57:00.003+01:00

I'm just out of a really fascinating and exciting session at conference, which saw a discussion paper being launched - WalesCan be Smart. Green. Healthy. The paper contains Plaid Cymru's vision for those three policy areas for the 2011 Assembly election, but aren't set in stone. Refreshingly, this seems to be a genuine discussion paper rather than a dictatorial one - the party wants feedback and radical ideas. Plaid is determined to offer something different to the people of Wales. A vision that works for them, with definite policies and a party that actually thinks rather than talks in sound bites.

I hope people will take time to read the document this afternoon and that many an interesting conversation will stem from it over the next few days. It really does have a great deal of potential of developing into something big.

I did get a chance to ask a question at the end, stating that post 2011 election we need as a party to then focus on non devolved policy areas and even greater powers for a proper Welsh parliament if we are truly ambitious about and committed to transforming Wales. Ieuan agreed, so I left the meeting feeling very happy. It's about time we tackled big issues like these ones and offer more than ad hoc, populist policies at election time. Political parties are usually scared of internal discussions and visions for the future - I'm glad to be a member of party that's brave enough to take this work forward.

Cynhadledd!

2010-09-09T12:15:00.002+01:00

Wel, mae'r gynhadledd wedi cychwyn a dwi'n eistedd yma'n Aberystwyth gyda fy nghyfrifiadur yn barod i gofnodi'r dyddiau nesaf yma. Mae yna lwyth o bethau difyr ymlaen, a'r drafferth ydi dewis pa sesiwn i fynd iddo heddiw. Dwi isho mynd iddyn nhw i gyd!

Peth gorau am y gynhadledd ydi cyfarfod aelodau o bob cornel o Gymru a dal fyny, ynghyd a chymharu ymgyrchoedd ac ati. Mae yna deimlad cartrefol iawn yma, ac mae hynny'n braf.

Wrth gwrs, mae yna dipyn o ymgyrchu'n mynd yn ei flaen hefyd yma gan bawb ohona ni sy'n mynd am restrau rhanbarthol. Gyda'r hystings yn cychwyn wythnos nesaf, da ni gyd yn trio siarad gyda gymaint o aelodau a phosib a cheisio eu argyhoeddi i'n cefnogi. Gen i daflen ar bob bwrdd yn y lle coffi a dwi wrthi'n paratoi taflen arall. Ond ew, mae'n deimlad od bod yn rhoi taflen hefo'ch llun chi arno ym mhobman. Ddim yn rhywbeth dwi'n teimlo'n gyffyrddus yn ei wneud, ond mae'n rhaid gwneud y pethau yma i drio cael eich ethol yn does!

Beth bynnag, digon am rwan. Wna'i adael chi wybod sut mae pethau'n mynd yma'n hwyrach.

Yr Ymgyrch

2010-09-05T20:09:00.002+01:00

Os yda chi'n aelod o'r Blaid ac yn y byw yn y Gogledd, dwi'n gobeithio eich bod bellach wedi derbyn llythyr gyda manylion y cyfarfodydd dewis ar gyfer rhestr y Gogledd ynghyd a thaflen gan bob ymgeisydd. Chwech ohona ni sydd bellach yn mynd amdani, ac o edrych ar y taflenni, da ni'n griw eithaf amrywiol gyda phethau gwahanol i'w cynnig i'r etholwyr. Digon o ddewis felly ac mae fyny ichi pwy fysa well gennych chi ei gael fel Aelod Cynulliad. Gan obeithio y medra'i argyhoeddi digon o'r aelodau i fy nghefnogi fel fy mod ar frig y rhestr!

Jest o dan tair wythnos sydd yna tan y byddwn ni'n gwybod y canlyniad, ac mae yna lot fawr o waith i'w wneud rhwng rwan a hynny. Ond yn gyntaf wrth gwrs, mi fydd y gynhadledd. Dwi wir yn edrych ymlaen ati rwan, ac wedi trefnu i gael sgwrs gyda nifer o aelodau o'r Gogledd. Mi fydd hi hefyd yn gret cael dal fyny hefo aelodau'r Blaid ym mhob cornel o Gymru - mi fydd hi'n hyfryd gweld rhai o griw Maldwyn eto. Rhaid mi gyfaddef dwi'n colli eu gweld nhw. Mi fuo nhw'n gymaint o gefn imi tra o'n i'n sefyll yno, a dwi dal heb gael cyfle i ddiolch i bawb yn iawn.

Mi fyddai hefyd yn y pythefnos nesa yma yn ffilmio ar gyfer cyfres 'Hidden Histories' fel un o gyflwynwyr y gyfres. Mi fydd hi'n braf cael y cyfle i wisgo fy het hanesydd unwaith eto, a da ni'n cael mynd i nifer o lefydd difyr yng Nghymru. Rhywbeth bach gwahanol beth bynnag!Jest gobeithio bydd hi'n sych...

Felly cyfnod prysur ond dwi'n edrych ymlaen. Mae'r ymateb i'r ymgyrch wedi bod yn hynod o galonogol, a diolch i bawb sydd wedi cysylltu hyd yma'n cynnig cefnogaeth.

Mis i fynd!

2010-08-25T20:23:00.001+01:00

Os oes gennych chi gwestiwn neu bwnc yr hoffech chi fy nghweld i'n mynd i'r afael ag o, plis dewch i gysylltiad: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Gerallt

2010-08-24T17:02:00.002+01:00

Fush i'n Sir Benfro bore yma i ffilmio cyfweliad ar gyfer cyfres ynglyn a Gerallt Gymro hefo Archesgob Cymru - Barry Morgan. Am ddyn dymunol - roedd hi'n bleser cyfarfod ag o. Dwi'n siwr y bydd hi'n gyfres ddiddorol dros ben, ac y bydd o'n gyflwynydd gwych. Mae'n sicr yn hawdd iawn i sgwrsio gydag o.

Cyn imi ddechrau ymwneud a gwleidyddiaeth, hanes y canol oesoedd oedd yn mynd a fy mryd. Ac roedd yn braf iawn cael y cyfle heddiw i ail-gysylltu gyda'r diddordeb hwnnw heddiw drwy ymweld a chastell Manorbier a thrafod Gerallt Gymro. Os nad ydych chi erioed wedi ynmweld a'r castell, wel mi ddylech chi. Mae hi bendant werth gwneud, ac mi fuo ni'n lwcus heddiw o ran y tywydd. Roedd Sir Benfro yn edrych yn odidog a hawdd y gallwn wedi medru aros yno am chydig ddyddiau pe na byddai'n rhaid imi fod nol yn y gwaith yfory.

O ran ymgyrch y Gogledd, mae pethau'n poethi erbyn hyn ac i'w weld yn mynd yn dda. Diolch i bawb sydd wedi cysylltu hyd yma'n cynnig cymorth a chefnogaeth - dwi'n hynod ddiolchgar. Mis i fory mi fyddwn ni'n gwybod y canlyniad! Lot o waith i'w wneud rhwng rwan a hynny, ynghyd a chamu i ddegawd newydd wrth imi droi'n 30 ar yr ugeinfed o Fedi! Cofiwch fy ebostio os oes gennych gwestiwn neu syniad am bwnc yr hoffech fy ngweld yn mynd i'r afael ag o ar fy mlog - heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Sioe Llanrwst

2010-08-22T20:32:00.002+01:00

Fush i'n Sioe Llanrwst am y tro cyntaf erioed ddoe. Ac am sioe bach dda - digon i'w weld yno, a digon o bobl yn mynychu hefyd. Teimlad cartrefol a chroesawgar tu hwnt, ac yn adlewyrchiad da o'r ardal.

Yno ro'n i'n bennaf er mwyn ceisio cyfarfod rhai o aelodau'r Blaid a'u hannog i fynychu'r cyfarfodydd dethol ar gyfer rhestr y Gogledd. Ac roedd hi'n hawdd iawn eu ffeindio nhw - mi oedda chi'n medru gweld arwydd y stondin yn glir o'r ffordd fawr! Roedd pawb yn hynod o garedig ac roedd hi'n braf cael cyfarfod rhai o'r ymgyrchwyr yr ydw i wedi clywed cyn gymaint amdanyn nhw. Mae nhw'n griw gweithgar iawn chwarae teg, ac roedd hi'n braf cyfarfod nifer o'r cynghorwyr lleol hefyd. Mae'n od pan yda chi mond wedi unai clywed pobl ar y radio neu eu gweld ar y teledu a bo chi wedyn yn teimlo fel bo chi eisoes yn eu nabod nhw pan yda chi'n eu cyfarfod!

Wrth lwc, mi arhosodd hi'n sych - does na'm byd gwaeth na'r tywydd yn difetha petha ar y diwrnod ar ol misoedd o waith yn mynd mewn i drefnu sioe o'r fath. Roedd y rhyddhad yn amlwg ar wyneb y Cadeirydd a'r Llywydd!

O ran yr ymgyrch, mae pethau yn mynd yn dda ond mae hi'n amhosib darogan beth fydd yn digwydd. Y sialens fwya i bob un ohona ni fydd sicrhau fod yna cyn gymaint o bobl a phosib yn dod i fwrw eu pleidlais ar ol gwrando ar ein hareithiau. A phwy a wyr be ddigwyddith! Yr unig beth medra ni gyd wneud dros yr wythnosau nesaf yma ydi gweithio mor galed a fedra ni i argyhoeddi'r aelodau pwy fydd yr Aelod Cynulliad gorau i gynrychioli'r Gogledd! Cawn weld...

Os ydych chi o'r Gogledd ac yn aelod o'r blaid, ac os oes gennych gwestiwn ar fy nghyfer, plis ebostiwch fi ar heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org. Gan obeithio clywed gennych yn fuan - mae'n bwysig bod yr holl wybodaeth angenrheidiol gennych cyn ichi fwrw eich pleidlais.

Hwyl am y tro,

Heledd

Moelfre

2010-08-14T15:58:00.002+01:00

Gesh i amser difyr iawn tua Moelfre yn Ynys Mon heddiw 'ma. Diwrnod Bad Achub Moelfre oedd hi, ac roedd yna lwyth o bobl a stondinau di-ri. Do'n i erioed wedi bod i'r diwrnod o'r blaen, er imi fod yn Moelfre droeon. Roedd o'n braf gweld cyn gymaint yn ymweld a chefnogi'r diwrnod. Os nad yda chi erioed wedi bod draw yno, mae'n werth mynd. Mae yna hanes trist i Moelfre wrth gwrs o ran y Royal Charter, ond mae hefyd yn le tlws iawn gyda llond dwrn o siopau bach difyr a llefydd i gael paned a theisen. A nifer o lwybrau cerdded ar hyd yr arfordir.

Roedd gan y Blaid ym Mon stondin yno, yn gwerthu cyfle i ennill tegan meddal. Fush i a Dad yn helpu am chydig, ac roedd yn hwyl garw. Roedd y plant wrth eu boddau, yn enwedig gan bod pawb yn ennill rhywbeth. Roedd yna nifer o'r tegannau yn cael eu cwtchio'n dynn yn syth bin a dwi'n siwr y bydda nhw'n mynd i gartrefi da iawn!

Mae'r dair oedd wrthi'n rhedeg y stondin yn gweithio'n ddi-flino i'r Blaid - Heather, Mair ac Ann. Mae nhw wastad wrthi'n codi arian ac yn wynebau cyfarwydd i bawb o'r aelodau. Mae pobl fel yna'n brin, a da ni'n lwcus iawn o gael cyn gymaint yn gweithio mor ddygn ar ran y Blaid ym mhob cornel o Gymru. Hebddyn nhw fysa ganddo ni ddim gwleidyddion a rhaid ni beidio anghofio'r rol bwysig mae nhw'n ei chwarae.

Can wych/ Brilliant song

2010-08-13T21:54:00.001+01:00

Haven't shared a song in a while, so thought since it's a Friday, it was high time. Enjoy!

Sioe Mon

2010-08-12T13:50:00.002+01:00

Dreulish i'r ddau ddiwrnod diwethaf mewn cae yng nghanol Sir Fon yn mynychu'r Primin. Dwi wrth fy modd hefo'r sioe, ac wedi bod yn mynd mwy neu lai bob blwyddyn ers dwi'n fach. Yno y gwnesh i ennill fy mhysgodyn aur cyntaf erioed, a dwi a fy ffrind oes, Ann, hefo traddodiad o fynd ar y Waltzers yn y ffair bob tro. A mi wnaetho ni eto eleni, er mai ni oedd y rhai hynaf i wneud hynny!

Er mod i wastad yn mwynhau mynd yno, roedd yna waith i'w wneud y tro yma sef trio cyfarfod gymaint o aelodau'r Blaid a sy'n bosibl a'u perswadio i fynychu'r cyfarfodydd dethol ar gyfer rhestr y Gogledd. Ac yn fwy na hynny - mynychu a pleidleisio drosta fi! Roedd yn wych cael y cyfle i siarad un i un gyda gymaint o aelodau, ac roedd o'n galonogol iawn clywed cyn gymaint yn dweud eu bod nhw'n gefnogol a hefyd eu bod eisiau gweld merched cryf yn mynd i'r Cynulliad, ynghyd a mwy o bobl ifanc. Felly cawn weld sut eith pethau!

Mae yna griw gweithgar iawn ym Mon, a braf gweld nad oedda nhw rhy ddigalon ar ol etholiad San Steffan. Er bod pawb wedi gweithio'n eithriadol o galed a'u bod nhw, wrth reswm, wedi bod yn hynod siomedig gyda'r canlyniad, roedda nhw hefyd yn athronyddol ynglyn a phethau. A mae nhw'n barod iawn i frwydro ar gyfer sicrhau pleidlais ie yn y refferendwm flwyddyn nesaf ynghyd a sicrhau bod Ieuan yn cadw ei sedd. Nid mod i'n meddwl fod yna unrhyw beryg ohono yn colli. Roedd yna gefnogaeth amlwg iddo ar gae'r sioe, gyda nifer yn dod mewn i ganmol y gwaith mae wedi ei wneud ar eu rhan.

Mae gan Fon hefyd werthwyr raffl penigamp a dwi wedi cael nifer o 'dips' defnyddiol fel fy mod i'n fwy llwyddianus. Ga'i drio fy sgiliau gwerthu unwaith eto ym Moelfre'r penwythnos yma felly gobeithio bydda nhw'n gweithio! A dwi hefyd wedi gaddo helpu i'w gwerthu yn y gynhadledd felly os yda chi'n dod i Aberystwyth ym mis Medi - well ichi gael darn punt yn barod erbyn pan wela'i chi!

Eisteddfod!

2010-07-29T23:47:00.003+01:00

Wel, fush i ar y maes am y tro cyntaf heddiw'n helpu i baratoi'r stondin y byddai'n gweithio arni am yr wythnos. Newyddion da - dim mwd! Ond mae yna lot fawr o lwch, oherwydd natur yr hen safle dur. Ond gwell hynny na slwj! Mae'n faes anferthol, ac mae yna lwyth o stondinau i'w gweld. Edrych ymlaen i'r cyfan ddechrau rwan. Mae'n argoeli i fod yn steddfod dda a dwi'n fawr obeithio y bydd nifer o bobl yr ardal yn mentro ymweld a'r eisteddfod am y tro cyntaf. Yn sicr, mae yna ymateb gwych wedi bod i'r cynllun mynediad am ddim ar gyfer y dydd Sul.

Mi ydw i wastad yn mwynhau'r eisteddfod. Yn wir, fedra'i ddim dychmygu bod yn unrhyw le arall yn y byd yn wythnos gyntaf Awst. Y peth gorau amdano ydi cael dal fyny hefo hen ffrindiau, a thrin a thrafod bob pwnc dan haul. Er, mi o'n i'n mwynhau cystadlu pan o'n i'n iau hefyd - ond wedi ymddeol o hynny bellach ers cwpwl o flynyddoedd. Siarad cyhoeddus oedd fy hoff gystadleuaeth - fawr o syndod ichi dwi'n siwr - ond mae nhw wedi rhoi gorau i'r gystadleuaeth yna erbyn hyn. Biti hefyd, achos mi oedd hi'n boblogaidd ond dyna ni. Mae pethau'n newid dydi, a rwan mae yna lu o gystadlaethau gwahanol megis canu can allan o sioe gerdd. Nid byswn i'n dda iawn am rwbath felly!

Siwr mai stori fawr y steddfod eleni fydd ymadawiad Iona Jones o S4C. Duw a wyr be ddigwyddodd yn union, ond dwi'n siwr y daw'r hanes allan dros yr wythnosau a'r misoedd nesaf. Ond ta waeth am hynny. Yr hyn sydd angen canolbwyntio arno rwan ydi dyfodol y sianel yn hytrach na cecru am y gorffennol. Mae yna waith mawr yn gwynebu pwy bynnag fydd yn olynnu Iona, ac mi fydd angen i'r person yna fod gyda gweledigaeth bendant ar gyfer y blynyddoedd nesaf os ydi'r sianel am oroesi. Heb os, mae yna golli cyfeiriad wedi bod ac mae dirfawr angen newid. Dim ond gobeithio mai newid er gwell bydd hwnnw ac nad ydi hi'n rhy hwyr i achub y sianel.

Hotting up!

2010-07-16T17:13:00.002+01:00

The campaign for the North Wales list is hotting up by the day, with all sorts of names beings floated around. It's fantastic to see so many people interested in running, and it should turn out to be quite a contest. To be honest, I'm really looking forward to the race and hope it will be an opportunity to reinvigorate the party and its members in the region. There's a job of work to be done in North Wales, and all candidates will need to work together to make sure members feel motivated to attend hustings and cast their vote. And then help out in the referendum campaign and the assembly elections. Its not going to be easy. People are still feeling disheartened after the General Election, plus I don't think talks of and actual school closures are helping things. But, we need to tackle such issues head on and persuade people that Plaid remains the party for them and for Wales. And listen to why people are feeling so fed up, and act accordingly.

And talking about reinvigorating the party - boy, doesn't that need to happen everywhere after the disappointing result in Blaenau Ffestiniog yesterday with Llais Gwynedd managing to hold on to the seat by four votes, despite the fact that we had a fantastic candidate. And despite the fact that Gwilym Euros was the previous councillor there for Llais Gwynedd!

As I said, there's work to be done in every corner of Wales and after last week's summer school, I know that plaid members all over Wales are ready for that challenge. We won't be resting over the summer, but rather, gearing up for next year. Should be an interesting time ahead!

Diwrnod da!

2010-07-03T18:47:00.003+01:00

Wedi mwynhau'r haul yng Ngogledd Cymru heddiw a wedi bod ar drip, yn gyntaf i Sioe Caernarfon a wedyn i seremoni cyhoeddi Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Wrecsam flwyddyn nesaf. Dau ddigwyddiad hollol wahanol ond eto'n adlewyrchu cyfoeth ein cenedl. Ac ew, mi oedd yna bobl yn y ddau le. Gwych!

Fel gwyr darllenwyr rheolaidd fy mlog, roeddwn i'n arfer helpu i ddangos defaid ac felly roedd o'n hwyl cael cyfle i fynd i'r sioe. Digonedd o bethau i'w gweld yno, a mewn safle godidog yn edrych tuag at fynyddoedd Eryri. Perffaith.

Wedyn, neidio i'r car - cinio hyfryd yn Llanelwy - cyn cyrraedd Wrecsam. Roedd canol y dref yn orlawn ar gyfer y cyhoeddi a braf oedd gweld cymysgedd o oedrannau a gweld cymysgedd o Gymry Cymraeg a di-Gymraeg. Roedd cynghorwyr y blaid yn Wrecsam ym mhlith y rhai yn gorymdeithio a braf iawn oedd eu gweld, ynghyd a chyfarfod dau nad oeddwn i wedi cael y pleser o'u cyfarfod o'r blaen. Mae o wir yn anhygoel bod ganddo ni 4 o gynghorwyr Plaid Cymru ar gyngor sir Wrecsam a dwi wir yn meddwl bo nhw'n gwneud gwaith anhygoel o dda. Gan fawr obeithio y caiff hynny ei wobrwyo yn etholiad y Cynulliad a'r etholiadau lleol nesaf.

O ran y cyhoeddi, difyr oedd gweld Jim Parc Nest yn cael ei arwisgo'n Archdderwydd. Mi wnaeth o wneud diawl o araith a siwr y clywch chi fwy am hynny yn y wasg! Ond wir, roedd yn gret bod yno'n nghanol y bwrlwm ac mae'n amlwg bod cael yr eisteddfod yno'n golygu lot fawr i'r ardal. Dwi'n barod yn edrych ymlaen!

Digon o ddigwyddiadau eraill i'w mynychu yr haf yma wrth imi geisio ennill enwebiad Plaid Cymru ar gyfer rhestr y Gogledd,felly mi fydd o'n gyfnod prysur. Ond mae nhw i gyd yn ddigwyddiadau dwi'n ei mwynhau, a mi fydd o'n rhoi esgus da imi ddal fyny gyda pob math o bobl a chael sgyrsiau difyr dros ben, fel heddiw. Wedi trafod bron pob pwnc dan haul a chael hwyl.

Ymateb i Sibrydion!

2010-07-02T00:11:00.004+01:00

Blog difyr gan Vaughan Roderick ynglyn a sibrydion diweddaraf etholiadau'r Cynulliad. Wel, difyr imi beth bynnag gan fy mod yn cael fy enwi ynddo!

Dyma ddywed Vaughan:

Mae'r sefyllfa'n wahanol iawn yn y Gogledd yn sgil arwyddion cryf na fydd Dafydd Wigley yn sefyll yn 2011. Mae rhai o bobol fawr y blaid yn awyddus iawn i weld Llŷr Hughes Griffiths a Heledd Fychan yn sefyll mewn etholaethau'r tro nesaf. Gorllewin Clwyd a Maldwyn yw'r etholaethau hynny, dybiwn i, ond ar hyn o bryd mae'n ymddangos mai anelu am frig rhestr y Gogledd mae'r ddau. Dyw hynny ddim yn plesio rhai o'r penaethiaid ond fel dywedodd un "ar ddiwedd y dydd mae'n fater iddyn nhw".

Yn sicr mae'r rhesymeg bersonol yn amlwg. Yn achos Gorllewin Clwyd, er enghraifft mae'r arolwg diweddaraf yn cynyddu'r tebygrwydd y bydd Alun Pugh yn mentro'i law ac er nad yw'n gyfan gwbwl amhosib dychmygu Plaid Cymru yn ennill sedd cynulliad Maldwyn mae'n gythraul o "long-shot"

Wrth gwrs fe fyddai'r sefyllfa'n wahanol Llŷr a Heledd ac eraill pe bai Gareth Jones yn penderfynu peidio sefyll yn Aberconwy ond ar hyn o bryd does na ddim arwydd bod hen ben meinciau Plaid Cymru am roi'r ffidl yn y to.

Amser i ateb rhai cwestiynnau dwi'n meddwl! Fuodd hi erioed yn fwriad gen i sefyll ym Maldwyn fwy nag unwaith ac fe ddywedais i hynny pan y cefais fy newis ar gyfer yr etholiad cyffredinol. Yn y Gogledd gesh i'n magu, ac adref ydi Ynys Mon a CHaernarfon. Er bod dipyn o deulu ym Maldwyn a fy mod yn caru'r ardal, yn y Gogledd mae Mam a Dad a nifer o fy ffrindiau ysgol ac yno yr hoffwn gynrychioli pe byddwn ddigon lwcus i gael y fraint.

Dydi'r sedd y dymunwn i redeg amdani ddim yn agored y tro yma, ac felly, yr unig ddewis imi ydi mynd am sedd restr. A dyna dwi'n ei wneud, a byddaf yn edrych ymlaen i herio pwy bynnag fydd yn rhoi eu henwau i mewn ar gyfer y safle uchaf ar y rhestr. Amser a ddengys sut eith pethau!

Dwi ddim wedi cael unrhyw fath o bwysau i redeg am Faldwyn eto gan y blaid yn ganolog, yn wir, dwi wedi cael nifer o 'bobl fawr' y blaid fel y gelwir hwy gan Vaughan yn fy annog i fynd am y rhestr! Ond dyna ni. Sibrydion ydi'r cyfan sydd yn chwyrlio o gwmpas ar y funud!

Cyn belled a dwi'n y cwestiwn, mae fy enwebiad i fewn ar gyfer y rhestr a byddaf yn rhoi popeth mewn i'r ymgyrch. Fe fyddwn i wrth fy modd medru cynrychioli'r ardal odidog yma'n y Cynulliad, a gwneud fy ngorau dros y bobl sy'n byw yno. Ond fydd hi ddim yn hawdd cael yr enwebiad heb son am sicrhau sedd rhestr. A dwi'n barod ar gyfer y frwydyr.

Dewr

2010-06-28T20:15:00.002+01:00

Chwarae teg i Nerys Evans am wneud y penderfyniad dewr i fynd am sedd yn hytrach nag ymladd unwaith eto am y rhestr. Mae hi'n Aelod Cynulliad uchel ei pharch, a dwi wir yn gobeithio y gwnaiff hi lwyddo i gipio'r sedd. Mae'n sicr yn ei haeddu a bydde'n golled fawr i'r blaid pe na byddai yn llwyddo.Felly, os ydych yn ei hetholaeth ac yn aelodau o'r blaid, gwnewch eich gorau glas i'w helpu dros y misoedd nesaf. Mi yda ni ei hangen hi nol yn y Cynulliad!

Mi fydd hi'n ddifyr a dweud y gwir gweld be ddigwyddith o ran ymgeisyddion y blaid dros y miseodd nesaf. Dwi'n fawr obeithio y bydd ganddo ni gydbwysedd a thrawsdoriad o ran dynion a merched, a'r ifanc, canol-oed a hyn fel ymgeisyddion. Yn sicr, mae'r ffaith nad ydi merched yn mynd ar ben y rhestrau rhanbarthol yn awtomatig yn mynd i wneud gwahaniaeth ond pwy a wyr? Bosib mai merched wnaiff ddod gyntaf mewn nifer o'r seddi beth bynnag. Dyna dwi'n obeithio yn y Gogledd beth bynnag, lle byddai yn ymladd am y safle cyntaf ar y rhestr! Amser a ddengys...

Codi Calon

2010-06-06T12:26:00.003+01:00

Meddwl y byddwn yn rhannu stori fach, wnaeth godi fy nghalon ddoe. Ro'n i'n Grangetown yng Nghaerdydd, ac yn siarad hefo fy ffrind Meinir. Mi oedd yna hogyn bach tua pump oed gerllaw hefo'i Dad, ac ar ol fy nghlywed yn siarad, fe wnaeth droi at ei Dad a dweud: 'She's speaking Cymraeg. I know what she said!', yn falch i gyd. Pa mor braf ydi hynny, gweld plentyn bach yn ymfalchio yn y ffaith ei fod o'n medru siarad dwy iaith a fod o'n deall rhywbeth nad oedd ei Dad yn ei ddeall? Mae yna newid syfrdanol wedi bod yn yr agweddau tuag at yr iaith, a braf ydi gweld cyn gymaint o rieni di-Gymraeg yn annog eu plant i ddysgu'r iaith.

Biti felly ydi gweld rhwystrau yn cael eu rhoi gan Carwyn Jones o ran ysgolion Cymraeg y brifddinas. Mae hwn yn fater hynod o bwysig a gobeithio'n wir y cawn ateb cadarnhaol i'r sefyllfa yn fuan. Mae rhieni yn amlwg yn gweld manteision dwyieuthrwydd - hen bryd i'n holl wleidyddion ddechrau deall a derbyn hynny hefyd. Da ni'n eithriadol lwcus fel gwlad i gael dwy iaith, a dwi'n casau meddwl hyd yn oed heddiw fod yna rai yn dal i ystyried hynny fel rhywbeth negyddol.

A month on...

2010-06-06T09:22:00.002+01:00

Well, exactly a month ago today people were casting their votes. Amazing to think how quickly time has flown by since then - seems like ages ago when I was on the campaign trail. Still can't get used to seeing Cameron as Prime Minister, and still hugely concerned about the impact the cuts will have on Wales. Also failing to take George Osborne seriously as Chancellor - it really does worry me to see this clone army of toffs in charge of the country. They're so out of touch with the majority of people in the UK - do they honestly realise how devestating of an impact their plans will have on those on low and middle incomes? It really is a worrying time for us all.

I had so many texts and emails this week about Lembit Opik's stand up routine at a comedy club in London. To be honest, now he's out of Montgomeryshire and no longer an MP, I couldn't care less what he does. At least he's no longer doing such things at the expense of the taxpayer. Though, if I'm honest, it did make me smile to see the bad reviews!

As for me, I keep getting asked what the next step is. And, after considering everything carefully, I have decided that I will be putting my name forward for the Welsh Assembly elections next year - for the North Wales list. I have no idea who else is going for it, but I hope there will be quite a competition so we can have some lively hustings as a party in North Wales. There's a lot of work to be done between now and then, and I know it will be a challenge - but its one I'm looking forward to. So watch this space!

Hello!

2010-05-18T20:21:00.003+01:00

Well, sorry for being so quiet. I've been trying to settle back to normality. Lot to catch up with at work and also trying to catch up with all the friends I neglected! They've all forgiven me luckily for my obsession with campaigning over the past few months. Its been so nice to do normal things like going to the cinema and so on, though I do miss the campaign trail. Especially when the sun is out! There was nothing better than being outside all day, every day in glorious Montgomeryshire...

Its been an interesting time hasn't it. Who would have thought it? A Tory-Lib Dem coalition... Its going to take time to adjust! I just don't know how its all going to pan out. I am conerned by how few females there are in the Cabinet, and also how many millionaires. New Labour was certainly far more representative of our society...

As for the Montgomeryshire candidates, you'd think Lembit Opik was still an MP from the amount of times he's been on television since the election! I hope Glyn isn't too annoyed by that - must be quite awkward with both hanging around parliament!

As for myself, I keep getting asked the question - what's the next step. Simply put - I don't know. Time for serious consideration. I do see my future as being in the Assembly more than Westminster, but which seat is the question and when. I'm currently looking for inspiration!

My priorities now however is getting on with the day job which I love and finishing a novel I started writing ages ago. Plus, once again, getting far more active. The one benefit of campaigning - all the walking got rid of my clot so I can take up exercsie again! Yay!

Anyway, hope everyone is keeping well. Thank you for all your lovely emails following the campaign, I really have appreciated them. It makes me determined to win next time I run as I don't want to disappoint them who are kind enought to vote for me. Quite the challenge but I think you need to aim high in this game!

Camau bychain...

2010-05-07T21:26:00.002+01:00

Diolch i bawb sydd wedi cysylltu heddiw - hynod ddiolchgar o'r holl gyfarchion a'r geiriau caredig. Yn bersonol, dwi'n hynod o hapus gyda'r canlyniad neithiwr. Mi wnaetho ni gynyddu'r bleidlais ym Maldwyn yn sylweddol a dod yn drydydd! Ffantastig! Dal i deimlo bach yn rhwystredig bod nifer o'n cefnogwyr wedi pleidleisio yn dactegol ac dwi'n grediniol bod hynny wedi bod o gymorth i Glyn ennill neithiwr. Er, i feddwl pa mor fudur wnaeth y Lib Dems ymladd yr etholiad yma, dwi'n falch i Lembit gael sioc neithiwr. Roedd o'n sicr yn ei haeddu, jest damia nad fi gafodd y pleser o'i guro!

Mae yna lwyth o bobl wedi cysylltu heddiw yn awgrymu lle dylwn redeg nesaf, ac yn gofyn be ydi fy nghynlluniau. Mae'n rhy fuan i feddwl am hynny - dwn i ddim eto. Ond diolch ichi am feddwl y dylwn i fynd amdani eto! Mae yna nifer o opsiynau posib ond bydd angen ystyried yn ofalus. Yn sicr, fe hoffwn fod yn y Cynulliad yn y dyfodol - fan yno dwi'n gobeithio fydd fy nyfodol. Ond cawn weld! Mae yna fater bach o orfod cael fy ethol yn gyntaf!

Ond yr un peth sy'n sicr, dwi'n falch imi gael y cyfle i redeg ym Maldwyn. Gesh i gefnogaeth anhygoel gan y tim yno, a chyfarfod perthnasau newydd! Dwi'n grediniol bod y sedd yma'n enilladwy i'r blaid, a byddaf yn ymladd ar gyfer rhagor o adnoddau ar ei chyfer yn y dyfodol. Watch this space!

And that was that!

2010-05-07T04:29:00.002+01:00

Amazing how quickly tonight went. Not at all tired, just buzzing. Delighted that we managed to come third here in Montgomeryshire - my realistic target when I was first selected as a candidate. Still think a lot of our supporters lent their vote to either Glyn or Lembit to keep the other one out but still... Fantastic result that my team will hopefully be proud of. And even more proof that this seat will be winnable in the assembly elections. As long as we have the necessary resources!

I'd like to congratulate Glyn on tonight's result. I know he's worked extremely hard for it, and for years. Though I hate to see the Tories do well, I was glad for Glyn especiially after hearing some of the nasty tactis and rumours being used against him this week. Opik did take this seat for granted and it showed throughout the campaign. He was aggressive and seemed on edge from the very start - and never once said sorry about some of the things he did wrong.

Anyway, enough for now until the morning. Disappointed that we didn't win more seats, but know how hard our teams worked. Congratulations all! And don't forget, it's the assembly elections next year - and we will gain ground there for sure as there won't be any British leaders debate to mess things up. Chin up all. We still have three amazing MP's and lots of young candidates eager to stand again!

So, a huge huge thank you to everyone who's supported me - either throughout the campaign or by contacting me via facebook, twitter or the vblog. I really do appreciate everything, We did well here and I know we can do even better, Time will telll!

Saith awr i fynd...

2010-05-06T00:03:00.002+01:00

Wel, llai na saith awr i fynd tan fydd pobl yn dechrau pleidleisio. Dim arall fedra'i wneud rwan ond gweddio am wyrth! Mi fysa hi'n wirioneddol ffantastig medru rhoi sioc go iawn i bawb drwy gipio Maldwyn nos yfory. Dwi'n gwybod fod o'n anhebygol, ond eto, mae'r ymateb wedi bod yn anhygoel o gefnogol. Cyn belled bod pobl yn stopio pleidleisio yn dactegol mae yna obaith!

Dwn i ddim be ddigwyddith, ond o leiaf dwi'n gwybod mod i wedi trio fy ngorau. Dwi wedi bod yn hynod o lwcus i gael tim ymroddgar a chefnogol yn fy helpu, a phobl fydd gobeithio yn ffrindiau oes. I feddwl mod i erioed wedi byw ym Maldwyn yn barhaol cyn yr etholiad, mae nhw wedi fy nhrin fel taswn i wedi bod yma ar hyd fy mywyd. Mae'n help wrth gwrs bo nhw'n nabod nifer o aelodau o fy nheulu yn barod! Ond serch hynny, allwn i ddim fod wedi dymuno am dim gwell yn y byd i gyd. Mae nhw wedi bod yno i fy nghefnogi bob cam o'r ffordd, a tynnu arna fi pan dwi wedi bod yn mynd bach yn stressed! Arwydd da dwi'n meddwl bo nhw'n teimlo bo nhw'n medru fy herian erbyn hyn!

Mae wedi bod yn brofiad a hanner rhedeg yn yr etholaeth yma fel ymgeisydd am y tro cyntaf yn erbyn dau 'gymeriad' fel Lembit a Glyn. Dwi'm yn meddwl gwna nhw fy anghofio rywsut! Dwi wir wedi mwynhau'r cyfnod etholiad, a dwn i ddim be wna'i ar ol hyn os nad ydw i'n digwydd ennill nos yfory. Mi fydd hi'n od iawn peidio bod yn canfasio bob diwrnod!

Edrych ymlaen rwan i weld beth fydd y canlyniad nos yfory. Gan obeithio y cawn ni gynnydd sylweddol yn y bleidlais ac na fydd y 'cleggfactor' wedi rhoi hwb arall i Lembit! Amser a ddengys...

Predictions...

2010-05-05T17:28:00.002+01:00

Well, the big question here in Montgomeryshire - who will be the next MP. To an outside observer, it seems crazy that the question is even being asked given the long Liberal tradition here plus Lembit's impressive majority in the last election. But the result is very much up in the air, mainly because of Lembit's 'interesting' approach to politics and the promotion of his personal life over the past few years. Glyn Davies, the Conservative candidate, has campaigned for years since losing his Assembly seat and has undoubtedly given the campaign his all. But has he done enough? And has the recent 'Cleggmania' scuppered his chances?

As for me, my aim at the start was to increase the Plaid Cymru vote and offer people an alternative. I knew how difficult it would be to jump from a poor fourth to first, but I have tried my very best to fight an energetic campaign and fight for as many votes as possible. From the reception I've received, I know people support Plaid and our policies here but the one thing holding them back from voting is that they're scared that a vote for me would be a wasted vote. Interestingly, its the non Welsh speakers or the people who've moved into the area that have been the most receptive. All I can do tonight is hope that my message that Plaid has a real chance here has reached enough people, and that they'll decide it is worth giving me a chance.

It's impossible to predict what will happen, but here's three possible scenarios that I think might happen tomorrow night:

1) Worst case scenario: Plaid's vote here stays the same or collapses due to Plaid Cymru being left out of leaders debate, Lembit holds on to his seat but with a smaller majority, finishing about 1500-2000 votes ahead of Glyn.

2) Middle of the road scenario: Lembit/ Glyn both end up with approx 11,000 votes and a few hundred votes decide the winner. Plaid rises up to third place, with a respective performance gaining at least 10% of the vote. UKIP finishes fourth, and Labour fall to fifth place.

3) Ideal scenario!: Lembit's vote falls to approx 9000. Glyn goes up to approx 9000, having lost votes to UKIP, who poll approx 4000 votes. Plaid steals 4000 of Lembit's votes, plus 2000 from Labour and go up to approx 9000 as well. Resulting in a three horse race, with a few hundred votes deciding the result! And me emerging as the shock winner!

Whatever happens, I know that there's nothing more my team and I could have done. We've really gone for it in terms of the campaign, and targeted those who feel disillusioned with the three London parties. Montgomeryshire is a winnable seat for Plaid, and if it doesn't happen this time, then I'm certain it will happen in the near future. Montgomeryshire needs and wants a change. Let's hope for the voters sake that they get one tomorrow night....

04.05.2010

2010-05-05T17:26:00.001+01:00

Plaid could win Montgomeryshire!

2010-05-02T10:24:00.000+01:00

Cyfle i gipio Maldwyn

2010-05-02T10:23:00.001+01:00

A few thoughts...

2010-05-01T07:57:00.004+01:00

I haven't managed to cover everything I've been up to on the campaign trail properly in the video blogs, so I thought it would be worth writing a few of them up quickly.

First of all, the Gwerin y Coed hustings in Machynlleth on Wednesday night. It had been organised by a group of young people between 13 and 18 years old, and I was seriously impressed by them. It was well organised - a red light flashed if we went over time and there were yellow cards ready to be waved in the air if the audience thought we were unlcear in our answers (maybe an idea for the next parliament?!) - and the questions were tough and thought provoking. The two chairs were brilliant and had no problem telling any of the politicians to stop speaking! Whilst listening to the audience giving their views on a range of issues, I couldn't help but think how unfair it is that you can't vote until you're 18. Surely, the time has now come to change the voting age to 16.

On Thursday night, we had the Churches of Newtown hustings. Another well organised event, with approximately a 120 people in attendance. It's the hustings I've been most nervous about because it was my first time meeting and hearing the National Front candidate here. I feel extremely saddened by the fact that such a party with such views contiunes to exist. No one should preach hatred of others, and I'm afraid the NF do just that. Never the less, I can understand the churches decision to invite him and at least people were able to judge for themselves what they thought of what he had to say.

The questions were tough. Euthanasia, the right of Christians who run bed and breakfasts to refuse to let homosexuals stay, stay at home/working mothers, debt and how we'd tackle it, our plan for the next 6 months if we became MP's next week and so on. It would be easy to be a crowd pleaser and just say what they wanted to hear, but I decided just to be honest instead. Personally, I do feel that Christians are unfairly persecuted these days and I would do everything in my ability to allow Christians the freedom to express their beliefs. But it would have been hypercritical of me to say that I would always uphold Christian principles in the way I would vote in parliament. For example, I am not completely against euthanasia. And neither do I think gay people should be turned away from a Bed and Breakfast. As I said in my closing speech, I hope those there can see that though I may not share the same beliefs on some issues, I would stand up for all my constituents and be there for them and the christian community at all times. During his answers and speeches, the current MP, Lembit Opik quoted the bible time and time again and we heard about his spiritual journey. I was tempted to throw in a biblical quote in my speech to show that he wasn't the only one who could do so, before realising that I only know them in Welsh! Since most of the audience were non Welsh speakers I decided against it - plus I think people would have thought I was playing to the crowd, rather than answering from the heart. Bruce Lawson encouraged people to vote for the best man for the job, before I jumped in saying or woman!

Yesterday was the FUW hustings on a farm outside Llanfair Caereinion. A great turnout, and very apt setting for the discussion. We had a wide range of questions, from Glastir, to reform of CAP, sheep tagging and the future of agriculture. Plenty of food for thought. I was disappointed by a lot of what Lembit had to say. I still don't think he 'gets' farming even after being the MP for Montgomeryshire for 13 years. Interesting to note that there were no biblical quotes today either but he did mention his keep the pint campaign! Glyn knew what he was talking about of course, so I felt he and I could discuss things far more thoroughly with the farmers and with one another. One person even heckled suggesting Glyn might vote for me if I spoke for any longer about my hope for the future of farming! Glyn was kind of enough to say a few nice words about me, before adding that he hoped my career in politics wont' start quite yet!

Today, we are hitting Newtown and tonight, I have a pint and politics night in Machynlleth, kicking off at 7pm in the White Lion. All are welcome so hopefully will see some of you later!

30.04.2010

2010-05-01T07:48:00.001+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

29.04.2010

2010-04-30T08:29:00.000+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Tuesday Update

2010-04-27T23:27:00.002+01:00

Funniest hustings moment tonight - seeing David Rowland, the UKIP candidate who's well into his seventies, wearing a hoodie! I must explain that it was for a photograph - we were all wearing tshirts or tops to show our support for the schools in powys. But he somehow ended up with the only hoodie! Priceless and he was very good humoured about it all.

Important debate tonight though - solely focused on education. Why bother debating an issue that's devolved you might ask? Well, there's still plenty for any MP to do on the matter, and here in Powys, ALL elected representatives will have to work together to save the schools.

During the day, I was canvassing in Kerry. And yes, response was again very positive. I even have a poster up in the local post office now! Progress!

Machynlleth tomorrow - will be at the Wynnstay from 10:30am and 11:30am so pop in for a chat if you're around. I'm more than happy to answer any questions!

26.04.2010

2010-04-26T19:40:00.000+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

25.04.2010

2010-04-25T13:16:00.002+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

23.04.2010

2010-04-24T07:42:00.000+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Noson arall o drafod...

2010-04-23T00:39:00.002+01:00

Wel, hystings yr FSB oedd heno yn y Drenewydd. Gen i lot o barch tuag at yr FSB a dwi'n meddwl bod nhw'n wych am gyfathrebu gyda gwleidyddion a chodi ymwybyddiaeth ynglyn a'r problemau mae busnesau bach yn eu gwynebu. Byddwn yn falch iawn o weithio gyda nhw os ydw i ddigon ffodus i gael fy ethol.

Wnaeth Nick Colbourne ddim troi fyny yn anffodus, ac roedd nifer o bobl yn siomedig. Ond dyna ni - o leiaf roedd y gweddill ohonom yno i ddadlau a thrafod!

Fe wnes i fwynhau a dweud y gwir a cafwyd nifer o gwestiynnau difyr ynglyn a economi cefn gwlad, busnesau bach, twristiaeth a hyd yn oed adran gynllunio Powys! Mae'n amlwg bod pobl Maldwyn wedi cael llond bol o gael eu hanghofio gan lywodraeth Llundain a bod nhw wir angen AS wnaiff weithio gyda nhw i wella'r sefyllfa. Rhaid i ni gael buddsoddiad i wella'r cyfleusterau syflaenol megis band eang, cysylltiad ffon symudol, gwell trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus ac ati heb son am gefnogaeth i'r rhai hynny sydd eisiau ail-hyfforddi, dechrau busnes newydd neu ehangu busnes presennol.

Fe gafodd yr AS presennol ei herio cryn dipyn gan y gynulleidfa heno, a cafwyd ambell gwestiwn oedd yn anodd iawn iddo ateb. Pobl wir ddim i'w gweld yn hapus gydag o... Pwy fydde'n meddwl a phobl Maldwyn mor enwog am eu mwynder!

Cyn heno yma, fe fush i'n Ngholeg Powys bore yma yn siarad gyda myfyrwyr Welsh Bac. Fe wnesh i wir fwynhau cael trafodaeth gyffredinol ynglyn a gwleidyddiaeth gyda'r myfyrwyr, yn hytrach na jest trio eu perswasio i bleidleisio i'r blaid. Ond gorau oll os wnawn nhw yn y diwedd!

Elfyn yn wych ar Question Time heno. Da iawn fo! Dangos bod lle pendant i wleidyddion Plaid tua San Steffan!

Madness!

2010-04-21T15:18:00.002+01:00

It's been a bit crazy since Monday night. I've received a huge amount of emails saying the nicest things, and the response when out and about has been great. Well, apart from one lady who thought it was a disgrace I was standing as a candidate. She thinks women should stay at home raising children and not interfeer in politics! Very critical when I told her I had no husband or children, and that even if I did, I'd still be a candidate. So that's one vote I'll definitely not be getting!

Things are really hotting up, and I honestly have no idea how it's going to go here. I really do hope that Plaid Cymru can really stir things up and significantly increase our vote here. One thing's for certain, Mr Colbourne for Labour will struggle to find support after Monday night. He seems lovely, but came across as being very out of touch with local issues. And that has been picked up on.

There was another hustings in Montgomery Town Hall last night. It was an odd set up as we weren't allowed to challenge each other, and therefore it gave Lembit a platform to go on (and on) about how great he was and blatantly lie to the public about his record. I wish he'd stop trying to mislead people with made up statistics about what he's done in parliament. He's doing exactly what people are fed up of politicians doing - spinning things and tricking them with words. And we just had to sit there and listen to all the rubbish he was saying. Very annoying...

I was shattered last night, but feel re-energised again today. The sun is shining, all my leaflets have arrived and are ready to go to every house in Montgomeryshire and things are going well. Very well.

Sorry for the lack of video blogs - internet connection is annoyingly slow and I'm trying to come up with a solution so that I can post them up on the same day as I record them.

Can't believe that the election will take place two weeks tomorrow - time is flying by! Still plenty of doors to knock though, so I'll keep busy. One benefit of this election - I've already lost half a stone from walking so much! No much time to eat either, despite my grandmother trying to give me cakes all the time. So all good!

Yesterday's video blog

2010-04-21T14:48:00.001+01:00

Email your questions/ Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

A fun day!

2010-04-19T22:43:00.002+01:00

Well no video blog tonight as you've probably had enough of seeing me on the BBC debate if you were watching! I definitely enjoyed my first ever television debate - great fun, as was the Radio Wales phone in at lunchtime. It's a strange feeling to go up against two experienced politicians like Lembit and Glyn. Nothing was really expected of me, so I was able to relax and enjoy the programme. And stir things up a bit! Lembit was furious with me at lunchtime, and seemed rattled even this evening. Still didn't give a proper answer about going on a cruise though...

So to everyone who's sent me facebook and twitter messages, emails and texts this evening - thank you. I do appreciate your support. Let's hope people will finally realise that this isn't a two horse race between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives here in Montgomeryshire! There is another choice, and I hope tonight I've been able to prove that. Voters have until the 6th of May to make up their minds, so from now until then, I'm going to be out there fighting for every possible vote!

18.04.2010

2010-04-18T23:27:00.001+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

17.04.2010

2010-04-17T21:44:00.001+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

16.04.2010

2010-04-17T20:48:00.001+01:00

Diwrnod gwych!

2010-04-17T07:35:00.003+01:00

Wel, mi wnesh i fwynhau ddoe yn arw. Diwrnod gwych o ganfasio yn Llanfair Caereinion hefo Mike Allan a'r cynghorydd, Beryl Vaughan oedd i'w gweld yn adnabod pawb! Ymateb gwych unwaith eto, hefo pobl yn gofyn am bosteri a taflenni i'w dosbarthu. Allwn i ddim fod wedi gofyn am well! Dod ar draws nifer o bobl sy'n nabod y teulu i gyd a clywed ambell i stori ddifyr amdanyn nhw hefyd.

Beth oedd yn ddifyr ydi'r ffaith bod gymaint o bobl wedi son ynglyn a'r ddadl deledu da ni gyd fel ymgeisyddion Maldwyn yn cymeryd rhan ynddo nos Lun nesaf. Nifer wedi dweud mai fel yna gwnawn nhw benderfynnu sut fydda nhw'n pleidleision... Hmm, dim pwysau o gwbwl felly!!!

Ddoe hefyd y gwnes i roi fy ffurflen swyddogol i mewn a talu blaendal - felly mi ydw i'n ymgeisydd swyddogol. Dim troi nol rwan!

Neithiwr, fe fush i mewn digwyddiad hynod o ddifyr yn y Plas yn Machynlleth - Dathlu Dyfi. Noson i ddathlu biosffer Bro Ddyfi ynghyd a'i diwylliant. Awyrgylch anhygoel, a llu o berfformiadau gwahanol, o lefaru i gerdd dant. Codi hiraeth arna'i braidd am y dyddiau pan o'n i'n llefaru a chanu ond eto'n falch dros y gynulleidfa nad ydyn nhw'n gorfod gwrando arna'i yn gwneud hynny erbyn rwan!

Dyffryn Tanat fyddi hi heddiw yma. Edrych ymlaen i weld rhai o fy mhosteri caeau a gardd sydd wedi dechrau mynd i fyny neithiwr. Fydd hi'n od iawn gweld fy enw ar draws y Sir ond mae angen a hithau'n etholiad.

Yesterday's video blog

2010-04-17T07:28:00.002+01:00

Huge apologies that the video blog didn't go up yesterday - it is recorded but refuses to load up to youtube. Internet connection too weak so will try again tonight plus upload today's.

I'm so glad I'd already committed myself to campaigning for high speed broadband for all of rural Wales even prior to my recent frustrations with the internet connection here. It's definitely needed!

THE debate...

2010-04-15T23:56:00.002+01:00

Well, what did you make of it all? Personally, I feel like I've had an overkill of politics tonight - hour and a half debate, then all the analysis. Enough to make your head spin!

I was appalled by the complete lack of understanding about devolution displayed by all three leaders, and the lack of references to either Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Though it didn't surprise me, it did mean that what we got was an England only debate. I'm sorry, but this just isn't good enough if you're running to be Prime Minister of the UK! Bring on the referendum is all I say. Definitely made me long for an independent Wales where none of the three would have a say in our future!

Nick Clegg certainly came across well this evening, but then again, he has nothing to lose really and can afford to be confident. David Cameron was a nervous wreck and seemed out of his depth, whilst Brown was not as bad as I expected. Apart from the cheesy/ scary smiles occasionally! None of them inspired me though. Three men in suits, speaking in sound bites and coming across as out of touch on a number of issues... In the words of Shania Twain - that don't impress me much!

I'm looking forward to hearing the Wales debate next week - it will be a welcome change as we'll actually get a chance to hear what the parties will do for Wales! Time I think to switch off from it all and catch up on some sleep before hitting the campaign trail again tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

15.04.2010

2010-04-15T23:29:00.002+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Question 4

2010-04-14T20:43:00.002+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau - email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

14.04.2010

2010-04-14T20:08:00.002+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

13.04.2010

2010-04-13T23:17:00.001+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

12.04.2010

2010-04-12T23:15:00.001+01:00

Ebostich eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Question 3 - Wind Farms

2010-04-11T13:46:00.001+01:00

Email questions to/ Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

10.04.2010 (Cymraeg)

2010-04-10T18:35:00.000+01:00

Email your questions/ Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Question 2 - IPC

2010-04-10T16:02:00.002+01:00

Email questions to/ Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

First hustings of the campaign

2010-04-10T07:49:00.002+01:00

Last night was great - first hustings of the formal campaign organised by Newtown Action on Climate Change. The Environmental 'Question Time' was an opportunity for Glyn, Lembit, Nick Colbourne (Labour) and myself to give our views, not just party lines, on a whole range of Green issues, both global and local.

There was a fantastic turnout and people were certainly keen to challenge all of us. It was my first time meeting the Labour candidate, and to be honest, I felt sorry for him. He seems like a decent man, but he had no grasp on local issues - nor Labour policy! Also, most of his points related to Wrexham unfortunately which is a shame considering he's running in Montgomeryshire.

As you would expect, Lembit had an opportunity to promote the Segways once again. Personally, I just can't see how the Segway is a viable option for Montgomeryshire. Surely, a more practical solution would be to strengthen public transport links and have more cycle paths?

Overall, it was a lively debate with me holding oppositve views to the other three on many of the issues! It's always a gamble, but I think my honesty paid off. A considerable number of people came up to me at the end saying they'd never have considered voting Plaid until last night, but that I now have their support. Some even asked for Plaid posters and leaflets!

It was the same kind of reaction I had when canvassing Carno, Caersws, Trefeglwys and Clatter yesterday. I know politicians always like to big up their campaigns, even when things are going badly, but honestly the response was far better than I expected. These are not traditional Plaid areas but I cameacross plenty of first time Plaid voters who are looking for change. If it carries on like this, I could be very happy on the election night!

Off to Bro Ddyfi today and hope to leaflet and speak to a considerable number of people. Can't wait!

2010-04-09T23:10:00.000+01:00

Email question to/ Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

08.04.2010 (Cymraeg)

2010-04-08T23:55:00.000+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions to: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Question 1

2010-04-07T21:04:00.000+01:00

Why do I want to be an MP, and why am I running in Montgomeryshire?

07.04.10 - Campaign Video Blog

2010-04-07T20:00:00.001+01:00

Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau/ Email your questions to: heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Campaign Video Blog - 06.04.10

2010-04-06T23:33:00.001+01:00

If you have a question you'd like me to answer relating to the campaign, please email heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org

Bydd ambell flog yn cael ei wneud yn y Gymraeg. Ebostiwch eich cwestiynnau i heledd.fychan@plaidcymru.org ac fe wnaf eu hateb drwy'r blog fideo.

Taken from the Chronicle - Newspaper for the Tanat, Cain and Vyrnwy Valleys

2010-04-04T10:37:00.004+01:00

A constituent from Montgomeryshire sent me this as a PDF yesterday, and I thought those of you who don't live in the county would like to see it for yourselves.

Glyn and mine's are fine I think -focused on why we want to be the next MP for Montgomeryshire and what issues would be important to us.

I find Lembit Opik's one to be bizarre. Surely, it's a weak argument to suggest that it takes eight years for an MP to learn the ropes. Is that an excuse for not achieveing a great deal up to now? Surely, no one can deny the fact that Adam Price has made a huge impact in his short time at Parliament?

Also, I must tackle this hard working line. Asking the most written questions isn't always the best thing, unless the questions you ask are relevant to your constituents or are important to the UK as a whole. In fact, each one costs a lot of money to the taxpayer and personally I' d prefer that money not to be wasted on asking questions just for the sake of asking questions. As the constituent who sent me this PDF said in his email, a number of the latest questions relate to either devolved issues or ones that have no bearing on Wales - no less than four questions relating to traffic in Greater London. And don't get me started on the number of questions about Segways...

And what about the speaking line... Yes, it's true that he speaks a lot. But nearly all are interventions. He walks into the chamber, makes an intervention, and walks out. Rarely does he stay for full debates. In fact, other MP's have even started stating that he does this for the record in Westminster because he does it so often. Because of this, some of his contributions don't even make sense as he hasn't been following the debate or they are points that have been raised previously. So I don't buy that line either.

Incidenteally, I still haven't received an answer to my question asking if he's repaid the salary he received whilst being on a cruise when parliament was sitting. I think it's safe to now presume he didn't...

No one expects perfection or saintly behaviour from an MP, but they do expect to be represented properly. And yes, I have criticized Mr Opik for trying to be a celeb rather than a politician mainly because he's missed votes in parliaments and meetings in Montgomeryshire when earning more than double his MP's salary giving interviews, appearing on Saturday Night Takeaway or going on cruises. A fair critiscim I think!

So, I look forward to the election if these are the kind of lines I'm going to hear at hustings. Glyn and I can focus on issues, Lembit can go on about the fact he's not a saint. Should be fun!

Why I should be the next MP for Montgomeryshire!

2010-04-01T15:05:00.002+01:00

If you'd like to see my video entries on WinkBall, please check out this link. There's an English and Welsh version available. You can also leave a video response!

Dafydd Wigley in Machynlleth!

2010-03-30T20:46:00.008+01:00

Well, a great start to my day today - met Dafydd Wigley in Machynlleth. Dafydd is a hero of mine and a true inspiration for us candidates. He's been a great support, and it is greatly appreciated.

Everyone was very excited to see Dafydd Wigley in Machynlleth and it gave my campaign a boost without a shadow of a doubt. If only he could be on the campaign trail all the time in Montgomeryshire - he certainly would win me a lot of votes! Great reaction though and definitely there is a mood for change in the air. I think we'll be seeing a lot more Plaid votes this time if canvassing reports are to believed!

Back to work tomorrow until the election is called, and then unpaid leave from work so I'll be campaigning full time for the duration of the campaign. Can't wait for it now! Should be an interesting battle.

Still no response from the Lib Dems to my questions - well other than an anonymous post that was way below the belt even for them. Think I must have hit a nerve if they attack a first time candidate in such an extreme way. So, I'll wait another day and see what comes. Presuming the answer is no though, and that Lembit didn't forgo his salary whilst he was on a cruise whilst parliament was sitting. But still willing to be corrected if he did actually do the honorable thing and repay his salary for that time.

A letter to Kirsty

2010-03-27T10:45:00.006Z

Hello all. This is a letter I emailed to Kirsty Williams yesterday. Since there was no response to my blog post earlier in the week, I thought I better pursue the matter as I think the people of Montgomeryshire have a right to know. Will let you know if I hear back!

Dear Ms Williams,

I am writing to seek clarification about an issue which I think is crucially important, and goes to the very heart of politics. I read with interest earlier this week your press release related to the decision by Plaid Cymru and Labour Assembly Members not to cross the PCS picket line, in which you stated:

“It is easy for Labour and Plaid Cymru AM’s to cancel Assembly business but people will rightly expect that as a matter of principle, if they refuse to cross the picket line to work, they should forgo part of their salary in proportion to the amount of time they spent not working, just like everyone else who was on strike.

“Being on strike means not working and if you’re not working, you shouldn’t be paid – it’s as simple as that. Those Labour and Plaid Cymru AMs who essentially had ‘days off’ should not be paid for the time they were not doing what they are being paid to do."

I would argue that your demand is unreasonable, given that Plaid Cymru and Labour AM’s did continue to work within their constituencies during this day, and thus fulfilled their duties as AM’s to represent and work for their constituents.

However, I do agree with the principle that if an AM or MP don’t fulfil their duties and are in actual fact not working when they should be (and aren’t ill) that they should forgo part of their salary. Which is exactly why I’m asking for your clarification regarding the issue below.
It has been widely reported that the MP for Montgomeryshire, Lembit Opik (my opponent in the upcoming election) went on a paid for cruise whilst parliament was sitting. Since he was obviously not representing his constituents as he should have been, and was in actual fact not working, did Mr Opik forgo his salary for that time? Similarly, are you confident that if he has missed crucial parliamentary or constituency business whilst doing any of the below (taken from http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/lembit_opik/montgomeryshire#register) that he has repaid a portion of his salary:

Parliamentary adviser to the Caravan Club of Great Britain. (£5,001-£10,000)
16 January 2010, payment of £6000. Hours: 100 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
Training for the National School of Government. (Up to £5,000)
Broadcasting fees from the BBC. (Up to £5,000)
Fees from ITV for television appearances. (£5,001-£10,000)
Fees for training work for Luther Pendragon.
Journalism for the Daily Sport. (Up to £5,000)
July 2009, received payment of £1600. Hours: 8 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
August 2009, received payment of £1600. Hours: 8 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
September 2009, received payment of £1600. Hours: 8 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
October 2009, received payment of £1600. Hours: 8 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
November 2009, received payment of £1600. Hours: 8 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
December 2009, received payment of £1600. Hours: 8 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
January 2010, received payment of £1600. Hours: 8 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
Payments for articles for Mail on Sunday newspaper, Associated Newspapers Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT:
£1000, 13 August 2009. Hours: 6 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
£1000, 2 September 2009. Hours: 6 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
£20,000 received 9 March 2009. Hours: 40 hrs. (Registered 4 March 2010)
Television appearances arranged via Personal Appearances, 20 North Mount, 1147-1161 High Road, Whetstone, London N20 OPH:
£1000, 'Cash in the Attic', 9 June 2009. Hours: 8 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
£984, 'The King is Dead', 31 July 2009. Hours: 3 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
£400, 'Big Brothers Little Brother', 11 August 2009. Hours: 1 hr. (Registered 2 February 2010)
£191.25, 'The End of the Year Show', 30 October 2009. Hours: 2 hrs. (Registered 9 February 2010)
Payment of £150 for political seminar for GovNet Communications, 3rd Floor, St James Buildings, 79 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6PP, 23 July 2009. Hours: 1 hr. (Registered 2 February 2010)
Payment of £2000 (plus £390 food and accommodation) for after dinner speech and informal seminar for Avery Healthcare Ltd, 1b Basset Court, Loake Close, Grange Park, Northampton NN4 5EZ, 24 November 2009. Hours: 4 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)
Speaking engagement for (Cunard) Carnival plc, 5 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NE, 29 November-4 December 2009. Hospitality, accommodation and travel to the value of £5752. Hours: 10 hrs. (Registered 2 February 2010)

If the answer is yes, and that Mr Opik has repaid a portion of his salary, then I can only commend you as a party for acting honourably and please forgive my questions. However, if he has not I would ask you as the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats to demand and ensure that he does so, in line with your comments earlier this week. Far too many people have become disillusioned with politics, and think all politicians are crooks. We all have a duty to restore the public’s faith in their representatives by practicing what we preach.

Regards,

Heledd Fychan

Snob!

2010-03-26T23:42:00.002Z

Now, I never expected that I'd ever call the Ynys Mon MP, Albert Owen, a snob but that's exactly what he is after calling for the Sun to be banned on Dau o'r Bae today! He was scornful of the fact that I'd dared quote the Sun's headline from Thursday - "Darling just screwed more people than JT, Ashley, Mark Owen and Tiger Woods" - during the debate about the budget.

Personally, I'm surprised to see Mr Owen speak so negatively about The Sun. Many of his constituents read it daily, and I find it extremely snobbish that he would disregard their paper of choice in this way. Whilst I don't always agree with the Sun, I do enjoy reading it occasionally and think it gives an invaluable insight into how the majority of people in the UK feel about certain issues. It gives a glimpse into how people are thinking and we can't, as politicians, disregard how influential the paper can be. After all, who can forget the famous headline after the 1992 election - 'It's the Sun Wot Won It'!

But I don't just read it for the insight if truth be told. I've always loved to read up on the celebrity gossip, as well as what's coming up in the soaps. Well, how boring would I be to talk to if I only read the Economist and the Financial Times. Though I do enjoy them as well, I think my friends appreciate the fact that I don't just talk about serious stuff to them all the time and can also indulge in discussing the latest scandals.

So, Albert. Stop being a snob! Appreciate it for what it is. And if you do want to call on one of the papers to be banned, please let it be the Daily Sport. At least then we wouldn't have to read Lembit Opik's weekly drivel in it then!