WALES'S AUTONOMY

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Celebrating the 30th anniversary of his party’s founding, Prime Minister Hans Enoksen said he expects celebrations of Greenland’s national day on 21 June 2009 to include the official implementation of an autonomous Greenland government.

The people of Greenland will be given ownership of the land - including the underground and its natural resources,’ Motzfeldt said. ‘What’s more, Greenlanders will be recognised as a people in international law. All the things we didn’t get when we were granted home rule will be granted with our autonomy.

Lars-Emil Johansen, a member of the Greenland and the Danish parliaments, has proposed several appropriate dates for Greenland’s independence, including 3 July 2021, which is the 300th anniversary of the arrival of missionary Hans Egede in Greenland.

Johansen has toned down his demands for full independence. Instead, he proposes that Greenland maintain a close association with Denmark, and that it continued to have Danish monarch as its head of state. He suggests that ‘free association’ is the most appropriate form of independence.

‘It surprises me that there are no politicians in Denmark or Greenland who support the idea of "free association", such an arrangement is tailor-made for the future relationship between Greenland and Denmark.’

Is "free association" an approriate type of future relationship for Wales to have with the British?
When will the British give up control over the ownership of the land - including the underground and the natural resources of Wales?
When will the British let the Welsh have full autonomy?

These kinds of events are happening everywhere else in Europe, they should be happening in Wales.

CYM DEV MAX

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SWEEPING new powers could be transferred to Holyrood under a radical plan to extend the influence of the Scottish Parliament, Scotland on Sunday can reveal. MSPs from all the main parties are poised to join forces to produce a list of powers they want moved from London to Edinburgh, which could include household and business taxes and control over North Sea oil revenues. The so-called 'Devolution Max' plan could also see MSPs attempt to wrest control from Westminster over responsibility for broadcasting and energy and marine policy.

Wales needs powers over broadcasting and energy and marine policy too!

DRAGON BONDS

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Alex Salmond is set for a showdown with Whitehall over his plans to fund Scottish schools and hospitals through a bond issue scheme, after the Treasury (British) insisted the Executive (Scottish) had no powers to borrow. A spokesman for the Treasury (British) said: "The Scottish Executive has no powers to borrow. There are no plans to change this." The Executive (Scottish) will attempt to get around restrictions on its money-raising powers by setting up a separate trust to issue the bonds. A source said: "It would not be borrowing by the Executive (Scottish) but through a trust, at arm's length from government."

The New South Wales (NSW) Government established the New South Wales Treasury Corporation (TCorp) to provide financial services for, or for the benefit of, the Government (NSW), public authorities and other public bodies. TCorp has the same legal capacity, powers and authorities as a company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Examples of activities they engage in are:

provision of finance for NSW public authorities advice on, and management of Government and public authority assets and liabilities acceptance of funds for investment from the Government and public authorities investment of funds, and management of TCorp’s own assets and liabilities

While the British attempt to stop devolved governments from borrowing to meet the needs of the citizens in those countries, plenty of options are available to the Welsh Government to start to do so as soon as they require.

WALES'S PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

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The Institut Ramon Llull's mission is to promote Catalan language and culture internationally, in all of its variations and methods of expression.

In order to accomplish this task, it carries out the following activities:

a) Foster Catalan language classes in universities and other centers of higher learning, placing special emphasis on the study and research of Catalan language and culture beyond its linguistic domain.

b) Promote the teaching of Catalan to the general public beyond the linguistic domain.

c) Broaden the familiarization with Catalan literature on an international level by encouraging and supporting translations into other languages and corresponding promotional activities for such works when deemed appropriate.

d) Contribute to the international dissemination of works of philosophy, nonfiction and research by providing encouragement and support for translations into other languages, organizing meetings, seminars and exchange programs and other activities towards the advancement of the Catalan academic, intellectual and scientific community abroad.

e) Promote and provide support to international Catalan societies in their initiatives, projects and activities.

f) Further the international impact of Catalan visual arts through the use of appropriate promotional strategies and activities, encourage the internationalization of outstanding artistic work, provide aid towards the exposure of artists and artwork abroad and broaden the international awareness of Catalonia's artistic patrimony.

g) Promote collaborations, projects and joint initiatives with institutions and organizations dedicated to the diffusion of Catalan culture, whether within the boundaries of the linguistic domain or without; placing a special emphasis on the homologous institutions of other counties or cultures.

The IRL carries out its activities in the Language, Creation and Humanities and Sciences areas.

Catalonia's national interests are different from those of Spain so Catalonia takes responsibility for it's own public diplomacy policy to suit it's own national interests.
In the same way Wales national interests are different from those of the British, not only in health and education for example but also in the field of public diplomacy - Wales need's it's own public diplomacy policies accountable to the Senedd to suit it's own national interests.

WALES'S HOLIDAY ACCOMODATION

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The Flemish Parliament is to vote on a new bill that will, if passed, will subject bed and breakfasts and holiday homes to a series of quality control criteria (Stautory Registration). The Flemish Tourism Minister Geert Bourgeois (nationalist) hopes that the new measures will give tourists holidaying in Flanders certainty that their bed and breakfast or holiday home is of the highest quality.

The Government of Flanders has chosen Statutory Registration of Holiday Accommodation as the best way of ensuring tourists in Flanders are assured of a quality experience. There is no question that a pan Belgian voluntary grading scheme is needed as this would handicap the strong Flanders brand.

Since 2003, the National Tourist Boards of Wales, England and Scotland, together with the AA and the RAC have been working together to harmonise the different inspection schemes that we all operate, for the benefit of both the industry and visitors. In particular, visitors arriving in Britain from overseas were often confused by the plethora of schemes and what each meant (where is the evidence for this and how is it handicapping the Wales brand?).Sectors affected by this were serviced, hostels and self-catering. (The caravan park sector scheme has been harmonised across Britain for quite a few years). All organisations involved have finally agreed on harmonised star grading schemes for tourist accommodation, which will soon be operated throughout Britain. Our quality assessors are now advising operators what star rating your business is likely to achieve under this new scheme. The star grades arising out of the new schemes will be published for the first time in 2008 edition guides (these are voluntary not statutory schemes).

The reality is that the Welsh Government wanted to introduce Statutory Registration into Wales.

The Assembly Government is determined to drive up the overall quality of tourism facilities in Wales. The quality of tourist accommodation is clearly key to this aim and we remain committed to provide a statutory scheme for all tourist accommodation in Wales designed to boost quality standards, such a scheme would ensure that visitors to Wales enjoy good standards of accommodation and service. Furthermore, it would greatly assist in marketing Wales as a tourist destination and as such it is widely supported by the Welsh tourism industry.

Which leads to the question why were they really stopped from doing so?

It is because the British Government did not want it in England and as Wales competes with England for tourists, it would give Wales a competative advantage.

Goverment (British) and the tourism industry (British) have made it clear that neither is keen to introduce statutory registration for all tourist accomodation in England until other approaches to improving standards have been persued.

WALES'S HOMELESS

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As the Homeless World Cup establishes itself as an international football tournament on the annual sporting calendar it continues to demonstrate the tremendous power that sport has to create better and brighter lives.

The Welsh Dragons are organised by Street Soccer Cymru which is a project currently being run by Wales’ leading homelessness charity The Wallich Clifford Community. Street Soccer Cymru promotes social inclusion through sport and provides socially excluded individuals with the opportunity not only to play football on a regular basis but also to develop a multitude of life skills including discipline, timekeeping, commitment and teamwork. World Ranking: Edinburgh 2005 17th; Gothenburg 2004 11th; Graz 2003 17th

Diolch Keri Harris.

From the Scottish Government.

Scotland's team for the 5th annual Homeless World Cup fly out to Denmark today for the tournament. The Homeless World Cup unites teams of homeless people from around the globe through the positive power of sport. It aims to generate self-confidence, a feeling of belonging and enhanced self esteem. The Homeless World Cup takes place in Copenhagen between July 29 and August 4. The 2005 World Cup was held in Edinburgh. Last year it was in Cape Town, South Africa

From the Welsh Government.

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PLUG: Please go to Welsh Blog Awards 2007 and vote for Wales - World Nation in the Best Political Blog section for a place in the final round of the Awards. Diolch and thanks for putting this blog in the poll to start with. Jeff

WALES'S SAVINGS

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To achieve its financing objectives on the Québec savings market and to offer a range of savings products that are better adapted to the investment needs of Quebecers, the Québec government formed Épargne Placements Québec in the spring of 1996.

Épargne Placements Québec is responsible for managing operations relating to savings products issued and guaranteed by the Québec government. This modern and accessible way of marketing savings products offers substantial advantages for everyone.

Épargne Placements Québec is working to foster Quebecers' financial security by offering a range of advantageous savings and retirement products fully guaranteed by the Québec government.

Épargne Placements Québec enables them to contribute, through their savings, to the financing of public services exclusively for the development of Québec society.

Hundreds of former steelworkers whose pensions were wiped out in 2002 have been left disappointed by the latest delay to compensation packages. Ex-employees of Allied Steel & Wire (ASW) in Tremorfa, Cardiff, hoped a Parliamentary (British)vote yesterday would provide them with firm details of what they could expect. However, former workers’ hopes were dashed when the Government (British) said more money WOULD be available – but not how much or when.

This scheme was set up by the British and it has failed to deliver.

Better for the people of Wales to be able to save for a secure retirement through savings products guaranteed by the Welsh Government.

WALES'S WATER

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The Catalan Water Agency is a public organisation attached to the Ministry of the Environment and Housing of the Government of Catalonia, with full authority over the water cycle in the inland basins of Catalonia.

The Agency is regulated under Legislative Decree 3/2003, of 4th November, approving the reworked text of the legislation on water in Catalonia, which specifies the areas of responsibility of the Government of Catalonia and of the local authorities in regard to water and hydraulic works. It is also regulated under its Articles of Association, which set forth its organisational structure and system of operation.

The Catalan Water Agency uses various control tools that enable us to get to know the state of the water and of the environment.

Dwr Cymru's role can be expanded to have full authority of the water cycle in all the inland basins of Wales in addition to all rivers, streams and torrents, reservoirs, ground water, Coastal waters and Wetlands, being answerable to the Senedd.

The British should relinquish their claims on all Wales's water and powers over it transferred to the Senedd.

WELSH GAS

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Following publication today, 20 July 2007, by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) of its Proposed Decision in relation to regulated tariffs for residential and small commercial and industrial customers, Bord Gáis is pleased to announce an average natural gas reduction for residential customers of 10.5% from 1 October, 2007.

Bord Gáis Éireann (Bord Gáis) was established in 1976 and is a commercial State body operating in the energy industry. With over 575,000 gas customers and a turnover in 2006 of €1,108 million, Bord Gáis is wholly owned by the Government of Ireland. Bord Gáis employs 771 staff and is headquartered in Cork, Ireland.

Bord Gáis Networks builds, owns and operates natural gas networks to the highest international safety standards. Among them:

* Transmission (cross-country) and Distribution (towns) networks in Ireland
* Two sub-sea interconnectors linking Ireland with Scotland. Interconnector 1 and Interconnector 2
* An on-shore system in Scotland
* A spur-line to the Isle of Man
* The North-West pipeline from Belfast to Derry in Northern Ireland.
* The Mayo-Galway pipeline, to bring gas from the Corrib field into the national grid
* The South-North pipeline from Gormanston, Co. Meath, to Belfast to secure long-term gas supplies for Northern Ireland

What about a Welsh Government wholly owned commercial state body supplying energy for Wales? Are energy prices supplied under the British system falling?

WALES'S EU POLICY

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The Government decided on 28 June that they will commence consultations with all interested parties on the topic of Estonia’s long-term interests in the European Union. The participation of many people and organisations in the development of the policy helps to better shape and protect Estonia’s positions in the European Union.

Estonia is a small nation located on the edge of the EU with a population of 1,315,912 (July 2007 est.). Wales a small nation located on the edge of the EU with a population of 2,903,085 (2001census).

Estonia has 6 MEP's and Wales has 4 MEP's

Estonia has it's own EU Commissioner, Wales does not.

Estonia has it's own place on The Council of the European Union, Wales does not.

The Council is the EU's main decision-making body. Like the European Parliament, the Council was set up by the founding treaties in the 1950s. It represents the member states, and its meetings are attended by one minister from each of the EU’s national governments.

Wales needs to become a full member state of the EU like Estonia and develop it's own policy to better shape and protect Wales's positions in the European Union.

Just as other small nations and full member states of the EU do, on a regular basis.

Special agricultural supports, worked out as part of Finland's terms of membership in the European Union, come to a halt at the end of the year. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is pushing for a new period to cover six years of supports, rather than the cycle of four-year packages that have been made available up until now. It says the longer time span would make it easier for farmers to plan production.

WALES'S CIVIL SERVICE

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London and Edinburgh are formally operating as separate administrations, breaking the powerful civil service links that used to bind Scotland into the rest of the United Kingdom, The Scotsman can reveal. In a development that will alarm unionist politicians at Westminster, Sir John Elvidge has revealed civil servants no longer exchange information informally, as they did in the first eight years of devolution. The sea change in relations between Edinburgh and Whitehall was revealed as Sir John, the Permanent Secretary at the Executive, said he was pressing ahead with plans to create a separate Scottish civil service, severing the link with Whitehall that has existed for more than a century. Having a separate Scottish civil service would mean the Prime Minister (British) and the head of the home civil service (British) in London would no longer have a role in appointing the Permanent Secretary at the Executive (Scottish).

Which is already the case in the North of Ireland who have their own Civil Service Commissioners.

Wales should follow suit to uphold the principle that selection for appointment to posts in the Civil Service should be on merit on the basis of fair and open competition and free from influence from outside the borders of Wales!

WALES'S FBI

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"I (Mr Lenihan - Irish Minister of Justice) subscribe to the old-fashioned point of view that we have a general election. The purpose of it is to create a majority in the Dáil who will then unite around a government and who are then accountable for running the country and the people can get rid of you and replace you with someone else if they don't like how you run the country. Mr Lenihan said the State's battle against drug gangs was "going to be long and has to be relentless"

Ireland can fight the battle against drugs to suit Irish national needs.

The Scottish Executive will today be given new powers over police surveillance operations in a deal agreed with ministers in London. Under the agreement, the Westminster government will give Scottish ministers the legal power to authorise overseas surveillance operations by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency. The move will mark the first example of "executive devolution" of power from London to Edinburgh since the Scottish National Party took control of the Executive in May. Established in 2001, the SDEA has been called Scotland's FBI. As well as targeting major drug dealers and importers, it also has units dealing with money-laundering and hi-tech crime.

Now Scotland can fight the battle against drugs to suit Scottish national needs.

The Police Authorities in Wales broadly agree in principle that if the powers of the National Assembly for Wales were increased to include policing then there would be advantages for policing in Wales.

GOLD FOR WALES

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This is how the British market history & heritage itineraries in Australia and in many other countries.

For England

For a lesson in English history, this glorious 4-day tour starts in the historic university city of Cambridge then heading out to explore much of the East of England on the way.

For Scotland

Taking you through the West Highlands of Scotland, this captivating itinerary allows you to relax and indulge your senses while experiencing the history and heritage of Scotland.

For Wales

Enjoy this magnificent tour of the castles of Wales and indulge your interest in the heritage and history of Great Britain.

For the British then, the heritage and history of Wales is not good enough instead it has to be Great Britain.

Today the Welsh Minster responsible for tourism inaugurated the Gold Award for tourism businesses. Great! Wales taking care of it's own business.

VisitBritain consistently fails to market Wales, action must be taken by the Welsh Minister - the British are cannibalizing the Wales brand into a British one, they must be stopped. The right that the British take to market Wales overseas must be revoked and transferred exclusively to the Senedd.

WALES IN EUROPE

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There's no media fanfare associated with his inaugural trip to Brussels, his first overseas engagement since he became first minister. No motorcades or fancy dinners, just a sweaty reception at Scotland House - a pokey corner of an anonymous Brussels block - with the usual tartan tat of whisky and pipers.Salmond works the room, mainly lower- order bureaucrats, some business types and local Caledonian societies. "The Scotteratti", Salmond calls them. "But don't underestimate the networks of Scots expats. They are a very valuable resource, they know everything that's going on here, and they tell us".

When Salmond gets up to speak no- one expects more than a few pleasantries, least of all Michael Aron, the senior Scottish Executive civil servant whose internal memo about Scottish ministers being kept in the anteroom during UK-led European delegations was leaked 18 months ago. Officials tell me that Jack McConnell hardly ever spoke at events like these, worried about charges of getting above himself and preferring to merge into the crowd. But Salmond is all about getting above himself and he doesn't do merging.

The first minister launches into a blatantly political speech, declaring: "I believe that it is time to transform the nature of Scotland's representation and impact in Europe tonight, my message is clear and unambiguous - this is the time for Scotland to assume our obligations and responsibilities and to help mould the world around us to rediscover the sense of internationalism which once defined our nation.

The Eurocrats look slightly bewildered by Salmond's Brussels declaration. This wasn't a political event, and there was no-one of any importance present. Not even the Scottish press, who gave up attending these things because nothing happens - except this time. For Salmond is making clear this goes way beyond taking the lead in fishing talks. On issues from energy to financial services, if the first minister means what he says, Scotland will no longer adopt the agreed UK negotiating position, but will increasingly pursue an independent line in Europe.

The officials from the UK office in Brussels certainly got the message: "This is really heavy," says one. "If the Scots are going to start making their own policy here, then there could be tears before bed." Later, I ask Salmond why he didn't seek a bigger build-up to this milestone address. "Some things are better understated," he says. "Such as: We hold these truths to be self-evident.'" Hmm. I don't recall Thomas Jefferson delivering the American Declaration of Independence over warm wine and canapes.

Plenty of Welsh Diaspora living and working in Brussels and very willing to tell the Welsh Government everything that's going on there - only problem is Labour don't want to hear it if it's not British.

It would be a surprise if over the last 8 years Welsh Ministers were even allowed in the same building when British - led negotiations within the EU took place let alone the anteroom.It would after all not be very British if the Welsh Government was representing Welsh interests.

The Welsh Government can also no longer adopt the agreed British negotiating position, and can increasingly pursue an independent line in Europe, for Wales's benefit. It must be a priority as we compete with Catalonia, the Basques, Flanders, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Cyprus etc.

WELSH DIASPORA

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150 representatives of the Basque diaspora coming from 18 countries will meet from July 9 to 13 at the Euskalduna Palace of Bilbao for the "IV World Congress of Basque Communities." The event wants to promote the links between communities, Basque centres abroad and institutions in Euskadi (Basque Government).

As the director of the department of Relations with Basque Communities, Josu Legarreta, explained at a press conference, the participants of the Congress of Basque Communities wrote a document with 56 proposals to be studied by congress members and the Advisory Council until September 30. Then, the plan for 2008 to 2011 will be elaborated. Legarreta noted that, among the proposals, the creation of a museum about Basque migration stands out. Thus, a report on the characteristics "of all the important museums on immigration around the world" will be written to develop the project.

Iñaki Aguirre, Foreign Action secretary of the Basque Government, announced during the presentation of the World Congress of Basque Communities that three new branches will be open for 2010, one of them in Paris, while in 2009 and 2010 one will be opened in the United Kingdom and another in Berlin, Germany. Aguirre assured that the reasons why Euskadi is moving abroad are its political will, learning, solidarity and defence of Basque interests, because, as he explained, the 70 percent of Basque production is exported abroad and "that is why we must be there."

Since the opening of the National Assembly not one representative of the Welsh Diaspora has been called upon to give any testimony or make any recommendations to the European and External Affairs Committee about a relationship between Wales and it's Diaspora. Wales can only benefit when it interacts directly with it's own Diaspora free from British interference.

OBSESSED WITH THE UNION

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Why is the British Labour party in Wales obsessed with the Union?

British Labour MP' s and holders of the post of Northern Ireland Secretary are the standard bearers.
Is it because they have spent so much time with the DUP in Northern Ireland?

KEEPING UNIONISM NUMBER 1

It is essential that unionism remains at the forefront in representing Northern Ireland.

Or is it because an increase in the powers of the Senedd would almost certainly mean MP's elected from Wales becoming at best part -timers at Westminster, along with a reduction in salary, expenses and numbers?

COMMEMORATIONS

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Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones (Plaid cymru) will represent Wales at ceremonies around Ieper (Ypres) in Belgium on July 12 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the 3rd Battle of Passchendaele.

The Deputy First Minister said:

As the last veterans of World War 1 pass away it becomes more, not less, important to keep the memory of their sacrifice. Welsh communities, in common with many other parts of Europe, were decimated by the relentless blood-letting of the War. Like many others, I am especially moved by the story of Hedd Wyn, the shepherd from Trawsfynnydd who wrote some of the finest poetry in modern Welsh literature. His simple life was ruptured by the War and his story symbolises the tragedy that befell thousands of other young Welsh men who were ripped away from tranquil lives.

From Scotland:

Deputy Communities Minister Des McNulty told MSPs:

"This Executive believes that what happened at Passchendaele deserves to be remembered and appropriately commemorated, and all the more so because of the significant role played by Scottish soldiers. "Some 10 Scottish regiments participated in the offensive. Indeed the organisers rightfully acknowledge the important and significant endeavour of the Scottish units, noting in particular the valour of the 9th, 15th and 51st Divisions. "In raising a magnificent Celtic Cross on the Frezenberg in Flanders as part of an entire weekend of events, organisers are commemorating the bravery of Scottish troops not just in Flanders or at the Battle of Passchendaele, but throughout the entire First World War." There will be a special 'Scottish weekend' at Zonnebeke on August 25 and 26.

From New Zealand:

The Governor-General said the Battle of Passchendaele stood alongside the Gallipoli Campaign as a landmark point in New Zealand's history.

"The Battle of Passchendaele was one of the bloodiest battles of World War I and October 12 1917 was the most disastrous in New Zealand's military history. Given that New Zealand's population at that time was little over a quarter of what it is today, the thousands of deaths and injuries suffered made an indelible mark on New Zealand society. As with ANZAC Day, the Passchendaele Commemorations are an opportunity to remember and to pay tribute to those who so bravely served their country."

Compared with other nations like New Zealand and Scotland is Wales doing enough to commemorate it's war dead?

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Link to blog Blog Y Byd

MORE POWERS FOR WALES

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On the occasion of 11 July, Flanders National Holiday, the new Flemish Prime Minister, Kris Peeters (Christian democrat) has called for root and branch reform of the Belgian state. Commentators say that as a result of the outcome of the 10 June federal election there is a special atmosphere on this particular National Holiday. In the election the Flemish Christian democrats notched up a resounding victory. The Flemish Premier called for greater powers to be entrusted to the Flemish Government.

On 11 July Flanders celebrates its National Day. The day commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of the Golden Spurs at the Groeningekouter outside Kortrijk (West Flanders). In this battle in 1302 Flemish burgers and peasants defeated the knights of the King of France. The event is seen as one of the crucial moments in Flemish history. The Flemish victory prevented the incorporation of Flanders into the kingdom of France and allowed Flanders to continue to develop as an independent entity.

Welsh Medieval Battlefields Campaign seeks to educate and inform on Welsh Medieval Military History, from Gododdin to Conquest 1282 and beyond. Welsh Medieval Battlefields speak of important episodes in our history that we should not ignore, nor forget the sacrifices made upon these Battlefields in the formation of our Welsh Nation.

Wales's Criminal Justice Social Work Services

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Ever since 1968, when the Social Work (Scotland) Act merged the separate probation service in Scotland with other welfare services, Criminal Justice Social Work Services within local authorities have been responsible for the delivery of pre-sentence reports to courts, provision of community sentences, post release supervision of those offenders on statutory licence and voluntary throughcare. The one exception are Restriction of Liberty Orders ("electronic tagging"), where responsibility lies with a private contractor, Serco Ltd.

Since then many changes have influenced the scope and current shape of criminal justice social work services. In addition new legislation has brought new responsibilities eg the provision of such community sentences as supervised attendance orders, and Drug Treatment and Testing Orders.

The Scots have the powers to legislate and design policies to meet the needs of their society.

In Wales - Probation is run by the British and is failing.

Many offenders are not monitored or supervised properly because there are too many demands on probation staff in England and Wales, a report has said.

The comments were made by the Chief Inspector of Probation, Andrew Bridges, in the Inspectorate's annual report. Mr Bridges said the probation service could not meet the public's expectation that all re-offending was preventable. "What we have at the moment is a situation where, although overall levels of crime are going down, the numbers in prison are continuing to go up and up," Ms McKnight said. "What it means is getting to grips with policy to ensure that only those who have to go to prison go to prison." Mr Bridges said the Inspectorate would continue to support "all feasible measures" to improve its management of offenders.

Powers over Probation and Criminal Justice must be devolved to the Senedd so that the real needs of the Welsh people can be met.

TIME FOR A LEGALLY CONSTITUTED WELSH LABOUR PARTY?

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Sinn Féin and Labour are attempting to agree a voting pact in the Seanad elections that would give Sinn Féin its first ever seat in the Upper House of the Oireachtas. In return, Sinn Féin councillors around the State would vote for Labour's Alex White to give the party an extra seat in the Upper House.

Ireland of course has it's own legally constituted Labour Party and make it's own independent decisions. As is the case in north with the legally constituted SDLP. Both these parties are full individual members of the Socialist International.

The Socialist International is the worldwide organisation of social democratic, socialist and labour parties. It currently brings together 159 political parties and organisations from all continents.

The British Labour party is also a member and recognises both these Irish party's as it's sister parties in their own right.

Indeed, in exactly the same way the British Labour party recognises both, the legally constituted socialist party, PS, in Wallonia and the legally constituted and completely seperate socilaist party, SPA, in Flanders.

Plenty of precedent then for different legally constituted socialist parties to exist in the same political state.
Don't the people of Wales deserve the right to vote for a legally constituted Welsh Labour Party, that is a full individual member of the Socialist International and completely independent from the British Labour party at the next election?
Just having the existing pale bland Welsh Labour brand wheeled out at election time by the British doesn't meet the needs of the Welsh people in the 21st century.

FIRST MINISTER IN FLANDERS

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Wales's First Minister will be in Flanders next week.

A visit to the Flemish Parliament might persuade him on the need for Wales to have it's own Parliament to take care of all our Welsh business.

The main task of the Flemish Parliament is that of approving decrees. A decree is a Flemish law, a general rule which applies to the entire Flemish population. The Flemish Parliament deals with important aspects of our daily lives. It can approve decrees in the following areas (among others):

5. economy, employment and energy policy including government support for business, parts of agricultural policy and foreign trade, employment policy, the distribution of electricity and natural gas, the exploitation of new energy sources and the promotion of responsible use of energy.

7. environment and water policy including the reduction of air, land and water pollution, noise control, the purification of waste water, the production and distribution of drinking water and waste disposal policy.

11. science and research policy Flanders has responsibility for science and research
policy relating to all matters within its sphere of competence.