Youth and politics – who’d have thought?

People seem, for the most part, to be opposed to young people being involved with politics, particularly when it comes to young
candidates, be it for town, city, or the county councils, Assemblies or Parliament. Having recently been elected to Bangor City Council for Menai Ward, heard the local party’s viewpoint – a reiteration of residents viewpoint – and read one or two comments online, I am aware of the stereotype which faces those of us who want to take an active part in politics – party politics, local politics, and national politics.

 

 

Many will argue that at just 20 years of age I have too little life experience, or political experience full stop, to be a councillor and properly represent local residents’ needs. In the context of the election I was involved with, some will argue, depending on their political alegience, there isn’t enough representation in Bangor Council – three Lib Dems represent the ward – with no candidates from either Plaid or Conservatives standing. However at such a local level, under what party the candidate stands for is, more often than not, irrelevant. Personally I stood for Bangor City Council out of political interest, and a want to represent local residents and students. I have a genuine interest in politics, particularly on a local and regional level, and an interest in how politics works for the individual and how I, whether individually or as a collective, can make politics work for the individual.

Regardless of my age, I am as committed to representing local people as the next candidate or councillor, whether they are 25, 35, 45 or 55! Regardless of my political allegiance I am determined to do what I can for the local residents.

Yes, the option to vote for someone who stands under the name of your own party allows for representatives of all parties – but if that option isn’t available, you vote for the person who you believe will do the best job, regardless of their political allegiance.

Yes, I have little life experience and less political experience than the majority of the councillors I will be working with – however, being aware of that, and being enthusiastic and committed to my role as a councillor, I am eager to understand, to learn, and to gain the experience needed to deliver for the individual.

As for my political alignment, I am first and foremost a councillor, working for local politics, and I am secondly a Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillor working for local politics.

A Vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats on May 3rd is a vote for;

A Vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats on May 3rd is a vote for; 

1. Low Council Tax: Historically, Labour have a terrible record with regards to asking people to fork out large amounts for Council Tax. Whilst Welsh Liberal Democrats in Swansea have every reason to be proud that we have frozen council tax. Labour’s average yearly council tax rise in Swansea was a hefty 7.6% compared to the Liberal Democrat administration’s modest average increase of 3.4% per annum – the difference amounts to a saving of more than £3,100 for families living in an average Band D property. It’s the same story across many other Welsh Liberal Democrat run councils, such as in Cardiff where the average annual increase in council tax has been just 2.7%, compared to 11% a year under the previous Labour administration.
2. Local Politics for Local People: “In clear contrast, the Welsh Liberal Democrat manifesto set out our vision for local councils and we are extremely proud of our record in local councils all across Wales. “As the Welsh Liberal Democrat manifesto demonstrated, we are not afraid to use concrete examples of our achievements. We have brought real prosperity and jobs to our capital city, constructing a strong defence line against the challenging economic backdrop. “In Swansea, we have invested heavily in transport, building a new bus station and introducing a city-wide Metro bus service. “In Wrexham, we have ended the years of under investment in schools, almost doubling the percentage of students who achieve A-C grades at GCSE. “The Welsh Liberal Democrats are delivering for local people. We are fighting these elections with our heads held high as we know we have much to be proud of.”
3. Greener Ideas and Low Energy Bills: With the Green Deal, Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing for the environment, household budgets and the economy. Not only does this mean lower energy bills for everyone but this huge investment will create green jobs and investment which leave a lasting legacy.
4. Better Schools and Pupil Support: We secured £32million, focused on improving the attainment of the poorest pupils; schools will now receive £450 for each child who receives free school meals. The pupil premium will begin to break the link, school-by-school, community-by community, between poverty and attainment that has dogged our education system for too long. Welsh Liberal Democrat-led councils have invested in schools in their areas. Under Labour, Cardiff had the second-worst funded schools in Wales. Now, led by the Welsh Liberal Democrats, it has the second best. In Powys, we have ensured each pupil aged 11-16 receives an extra £150 for their school. In Swansea, we have invested an extra £1.2 million to improve literacy and numeracy. And in Wrexham, we overhauled the way pupils were supported, nearly doubling the number of pupils achieving five GCSEs since 2004.
5. Deliver Healthier Communities:  We will give you more choice over the care you receive so that it matches your needs. We want to see local councils and the NHS make greater use of personal budgets for care services – developing a personalised support plan that individuals can influence and control themselves to ensure it meets their needs. Welsh Liberal Democrats will connect the disjointed provision of health and social care. We want to improve collaboration between the NHS and care services, beginning by extending the use of shared budgeting and collaborative working between the NHS and Social Services in order to reduce delayed transfers of care. In Swansea, we have invested extra money in social services and helped turn the department around.
6. Create more Affordable Homes: We want local councils to have greater powers to restore homes that have fallen into disrepair. We want a Wales-wide Empty Homes Strategy to bring old homes back into use. This will include changing the rules so that it is as easy to renovate old houses as it is to build new ones and streamlining the process where local councils can purchase empty homes. We want councils to have greater powers to require affordable homes to be built as part of new housing developments – building on their existing abilities. In Cardiff, we have announced plans to build 350 new council houses; with greater powers, this figure could be higher.
7. Has a vision for Local Government and Local People: Welsh Liberal Democrat councillors have a reputation for being strong champions for their community. They care about their area, work hard all year around and stand up for local people. Too many councillors forget why they are elected and become the voice of council bureaucracy in the community. Welsh Liberal Democrats remain the voice of the community at County Hall.

 

Better Schools, Better Services, Better Value.

Dear friend,

The local elections on May 3rd offer you the opportunity to make a real difference for your community. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have demonstrated that they can lead local councils to better public services, schools and value for money.

Across Wales, in various local councils, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have delivered services for half the population of Wales with huge success. In tough times, Welsh Liberal Democrats put local people first. That is why we have worked to keep council tax low. We know that council tax is an unfair tax and that in these tough times families are finding it difficult to manage their finances.

Welsh Liberal Democrats in Cardiff and Wrexham have delivered the two lowest council tax rises in Wales, and this year Welsh Liberal Democrats in Swansea have frozen council tax. Our priority as Welsh Liberal Democrats has always been to make sure that the most disadvantaged children get the help they need and deserve. When money is tight, you have to be really clear what your priorities are.

Welsh Liberal Democrat councils have been investing in schools. We have increased spending on pupils and schools in areas where we are in control. We have also secured £32 million to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds through the Pupil Premium.

Welsh Liberal Democrats are putting local people first. We have a reputation for standing up for local people and for pushing for investment in the areas we represent. It is very easy for politics and politicians to become remote but Welsh Liberal Democrats keep in touch all year around. We go that one step further for the people in our community.

The message is clear. Voting for the Welsh Liberal Democrats will deliver you local champions who will fight for better run councils, investment in education and councillors who will campaign for you and your community.

This manifesto is an insight into the Welsh Liberal Democrat vision for local authorities and includes concrete examples of how we have improved communities across Wales.

It is a vision for better local services, better schools and better value for money. A vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats is a vote for just that.

Best wishes, Kirsty Williams, Leader, Welsh Liberal Democrat

Welsh Liberal Democrats Manifesto 2012

Manifesto IRCymru [Fersiwn Cymraeg]

Manifesto IRCymru Cymraeg

Meet the Candidates: Rhys Taylor (Policy & Campaigns)

Meet the Candidates: Rhys Taylor (Policy & Campaigns).

Meet the Candidates: Rhys Taylor (Policy & Campaigns)

Reblogged from Liberal Youth Wales | IR Cymru:

Originally from Pontypridd I am currently in my Second Year and Bangor University studying History and Social Policy.  I first became involved with the Liberal Democrats in 2008 when our Local Party helped with the campaign to retain the name of our School, Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen. I am fluent in Welsh and English, and am passionate about Wales, our culture, heritage, and language.

Read more… 281 more words

You can view my Manifesto by clicking the following link -- http://liberalyouthwales.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/r-taylor-11.pdf

Controversy in Pontypridd

“Controversy continues regarding the £10.5million regeneration scheme for Pontypridd. A series of Freedom of Information requests by RCT Welsh Liberal Democrats have uncovered that the Council has no idea of how many new businesses have set up in the area over the last twelve months. With the Labour Cabinet recently launching an economic development strategy which is supposedly going to drive forward the economy agenda and bring new businesses and jobs to RCT, it is unbelievable that the council does not hold any information on the formation of new businesses. Just how are they going to measure the success of their strategy?”

You can read the full article by Eluned Parrott, AM here.

 

 

Education isn’t a political football.

This article has appeared on BBC Wales News today – University Applicants in Wales down 9.3%.

Image via Wikipedia

“Figures from university admission service UCAS show applications to higher education institutions in Wales are down on the previous year as the deadline approaches.”

However the article does say that there has been a late surge in applications during November and December, and that the majority of applications to Welsh institutions are from English students. So the news headlines include the same vague, scaremongering messages that the Labour Party used following the Government’s decision to raise tuition fees.

Which – no – I don’t totally agree with. The change in the policy however did include a change in the repayment system, which is far fairer now than it ever was under a Labour government.

If applications from English students have not suffered the same drop that applications from Welsh students has, surely the change in tuition fee policy can’t be to blame? It puts a hole straight through the rhetoric. The Welsh Government are subsidising fees meaning that applications from Welsh students should be at the same level, or even increased, if we follow the mentality that a hike in tuition fees is damaging to HE.

Surely this shows a failure on the Welsh Government’s behalf to push through the policy of their subsidising of Welsh students’ fees? Perhaps Leighton should go back to the drawing board. It also puts a hole straight through the rhetoric that the increase in tuition fees is damaging to HE and deters students from furthering their education – it’s the misguided rhetoric over tuition fees that is damaging to HE.

Education isn’t a political football, but didn’t stop the misleading messages peddled by politicians and the media.

 

A new year – time to take stock: What Opinion Polls teach us from being in Government and what it says we should do in 2012

Really interesting looking at what caused what in the opinion polls. Really worth a read!

 

“The upward poll ratings are more interesting. January 2011 to March 2011 saw the largest improvement in poll rating since we have been in Government yet this was perhaps the period where the leadership was least in control. “

A new year – time to take stock: What Opinion Polls teach us from being in Government and what it says we should do in 2012.