Tonypandy - A run down town

Having lived in Tonypandy all my life, I was shocked to walk through the town centre on Saturday afternoon. Disused premises, dirty streets, and tired shop fronts. Where has all the objective one money gone. The businesses in what could be a thriving and energetic town centre in the heart of this great valley are being left behind. Surely the Labour run council, Labour run Assembly and Labour run parliament can do something about this destruction of our town centres. It is criminal that the Rhondda Valley is STILL an objective one area, but surely we should be using this money wisely in the rejuvenation of our local town centres.

Climate Change - Possitive change?!?!?!?!?!?

So our illustrious first minister, backed up by our ever loyal Carwyn Morgan AM believes that climate change will be benefitial for Wales. I wonder what the poeple of south east and west wales think. Does the first minister not understand that climate change is already causing catastrophe to our cousins in formar colonies and that in little over 200 years, the parts of Wales I have mentioned will be under water. What planet are these guys on. Cliamte change is killing us! Surely this is more important than a few extra pennies in the coffers as a result of "Californian Summers". When will the real politicians please stand up!?!

A broken society

Today David Cameron announced that this country was falling apart at the seems and I for one agree. The breakdown in society since the 1980s has been disastrous with governmnet after government failing to do anything about it. On Radio 4, GMTV and other media forrays, Cameron made a stand. It is surely time that a government of this great county did something to restore faith in the marriage system, forcible encourage fathers to take proper responsibility, both financially and emotionally for their children and to engage the whole of society in a reasonable and efective debate on our country's future. Bring it on Cameron!!!!!!! At last a politician who is not afraid to stick up for the family - the backbone of this country!

WHAT WE STAND FOR

Making our economy more competitive - Gwneud ein heconomi yn fwy cystadleuol

Improving our quality of life - Gwella ansawdd ein bywyd

Public service improvement - Gwella gwasanaethau cyhoeddus

Protecting our security - Amddiffyn ein diogelwch

Social justice - Cyfiawnder cymdeithasol

Welsh Labour ditches Tony!!!

Welsh Conservatives have accused Labour Assembly Members of abandoning Tony Blair like "rats leaving a sinking ship".It follows reports of Labour AMs pleading for controversies over the Prime Minister's leadership and the cash for honours inquiry to end before May's Assembly elections.Last week First Minister Rhodri Morgan also tried to distance himself from the Labour leader, claiming the Assembly elections must not be a "referendum on things elsewhere".Mr Morgan last year indicated that he would prefer to see the Prime Minister step down before May.The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly Nick Bourne AM said Mr Morgan has also created the conditions for political instability after announcing plans to step down as First Minister half-way through the next Assembly term.Mr Bourne said: "Labour Assembly Members are abandoning their leader like rats leaving a sinking ship."I find it incredible that Labour AMs are now trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the leader they have so enthusiastically supported for the last decade."Labour AMs will try absolutely anything to try and cling onto power in Wales at May's elections."That would seem to include undermining the role of their own party leader and putting as much distance between themselves and Mr Blair between now and polling day."Of course, it's not just Tony Blair who is an electoral liability to Labour in Wales."For the last seven years our country has been led by Blair's very own court jester Rhodri Morgan."The writing is on the wall for Labour. It shows just how desperate they are when they have to use the 'don't blame us, blame Tony' excuse."The problem with Labour is not just the personalities. It's also the policies."As a party committed to devolution for Wales and to the future of the United Kingdom Welsh Conservatives go into these elections proud of our Welsh roots, but equally proud of our UK leader David Cameron."While our election campaign is very much Made in Wales, we will not ignore Wales' role in the Union simply to gain electoral advantage."This election will be fought on the policies that will deliver what is best for Wales over the next four years."The people of Wales know that 2007 can be a year of change under the Welsh Conservatives, or a year of no change at all under Labour."

Labour failing pensioners AGAIN!

Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan MP has expressed concern at news that the Government scheme set up to assist people who have lost all or part of their pension has only helped a handful of those intended.Figures obtained by the Conservatives reveal that the Financial Assistance Scheme has helped only 871 of the 125,000 people who have lost pensions savings - despite being in operation for almost 18 months.The scheme was set up in the wake of a spate of incidents in which workers - such as those at the former Allied Steel and Wire plant in Cardiff - lost all or part of their pensions.Further figures obtained by the Conservative Party today show that the FAS, which is now closed to new applicants, is taking over six months to process a single claim. Figures released at the end of last year showed that the FAS has cost £7mn to administer while paying out just £3mn to pensioners.Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan MP said: "It is simply unacceptable that the Financial Assistance Scheme has helped so few people despite being in operation for 18 months."Workers, such as those who gave so many years of loyal service to Allied Steel and Wire in Cardiff, lost all or most of their pensions through no fault of their own."ASW workers are victims of a grave pensions' injustice and have waited for far too long for this situation to be resolved."The Conservative Party is committed to doing everything we can to ensure their plight is not forgotten by the Labour Government."While nobody is expecting the Government to write a blank check with taxpayers' money there are other routes open to ministers."They should be looking at using unclaimed financial assets to bolster the FAS and at whether compulsory annuitisation of failing pension funds is delivering the best return for those who have lost their pensions."

Candidate chosen for Rhondda Seat

Howard Parsons has been selected as the prospective conservative assmebly member for the Rhondda Valley. Born and brought up in Cardiff Howard is married with two children. Howard is committed to campaigning for the best possible deal for Rhondda from the National Assembly. One of his priorities is to keep up the pressure on the Assembly Government for the Porth Relief Road to reach all the way up the valley to Maerdy. He is also determined to focus on local health issues, and in particular ridding South Wales of its record as one of the most unhealthy regions in Britain. Howard is also concerned about recent job losses in the area and will work hard to ensure new businesses invest in the area, and that people have the right skills and opportunities to find work.