Aneurin Glyndwr

BBC Wales expenses - What ASHOK!

The po-faced hypocrisy of BBC Wales for laying in to politicians' expenses is made plain today- not least in the person of Ashok Ahir. He has proved himself to be an accomplished back-slapper and squanderer of our taxpayers' dosh.

This Head of BBC political unit wasted no less than £423.50 of our money which he 'spent on a leaving party for TV journalist Rhuanedd Richards'. And where, AG wonders, was this journo headed? Why - 'To become a special adviser to Plaid Cymru'. Nice to see Ashok looking after his Nat mates, how very impartial of the Beeb in Wales.

And what of that otherwise charming, articlulate, gifted Welsh winger of old Nigel Walker? It seems he was quick off the mark in claiming our money back once he went to the BBC. They must have distracted or confused a thoroughly decent man. He claimed for '£422.28 to connect laptop to BBC email using hotel phone.' The speedster could have got a much faster connection with a dongle or a blackberry surely? Oh, and it would have saved us a bob or two.

Spare a thought too, and a pretty penny, for Jude Gray. This Head of HR and Development at BBC Wales claimed rail fares which included 'left tickets in kitchen.'

AG says there is no Gray area about it: BBC Wales have left their sense of public service in the bin, whether in the kitchen or not.

Un-healthy debate

As if undermining the NHS in America with Daniel Hannan’s comment that it is a “60 year mistake” he “wouldn’t wish on anyone” wasn’t bad enough now the Tories want us to pay for the service they “wouldn’t wish on anyone”.

Tory MEP Charles Tannock has said he would like to see working people charged £10 go see their GP. Toff Dave has tried to put a positive spin on all this saying it is healthy for the party to have a debate on the NHS – let’s hope it doesn’t become an unhealthy issue or it will cost them £10 to see their GP.

But its too late for the spin now Dave we’ve all seen what the Tories have planned for the NHS – No Health Service.

U-Turn – not quite

When the going gets tough the BNP change the rules – or do they? In the face of legal action leader Nick Griffin has said the fascist party must redraft its rules on the ethnicity of members. In an email to party members he said the racist BNP had to “adapt or die”.

But don’t get too optimistic yet they are only going to reword the rules on membership. Griffin vowed to find a form of words to continue limiting membership to “indigenous” British people defending the party’s “core principles”.

It doesn’t matter how you word it Nick, you are still a fascist racist party.

Nowhere to be seen

If you were to read Welsh Ramblings you would think that the only party to “confront the BNP’s vile activities directly” were Plaid Cymru. But where were Plaid Cymru when the BNP went on its Battle for Britain tour targeting Welsh towns? In Neath it was labour who turned out to confront the fascist, racist BNP.

While the self styled “conscience” of Plaid Bethan Jenkins failed to turn up as billed for an important campaign meeting convened by Unite Against Fascism just days before the European Elections.

And it was this blog which has continued to reveal the true face of the Nazi in a Suit. Where have Plaid been – nowhere to be seen.