AN ALTERNATIVE TO AUSTERITY

Despite all the spin and the waffle it is not difficult to come to the conclusion that 'Austerity' has failed, failed the people of Wales, failed the people of Scotland and failed the people of England. To repeat the same error by voting for any of the three austerity supporting Westminster based and Westminster focused political parties would be a mistake. 

On May 7th 2015 there is a readily available alternative other than more of the same. In Wales the alternative to austerity is Plaid Cymru, in England it's the Greens, and in Scotland the SNP. All three parties can deliver a meaningful alternative agenda to austerity. Plaid Cymru, the SNP and the Greens are separate, distinct parties with their own objectives and policies.  All three parties do, however, co-operate as a single Group in the House of Commons. 

Plaid Cymru and the Greens also have a strong and effective relationship in Brussels, with both parties working together in the Greens/European Free Alliance group. On key issues such as austerity, Trident, and moving political power away from Westminster, the three parties share a common approach; and on environmental issues there is much common ground. In the forthcoming election, the three parties offer an alternative agenda to the stale, failed policies of the Tories, Labour and Lib Dem alike. 

SAME OLD TORIES

So much for David (‘Just call me Dave’) Cameron’s ‘New Politics’ – some investigative journalism by The Times has revealed that 28 prospective Conservative candidates who have reasonably good chances of becoming Tory MPs are actually working as lobbyists or public relations consultants on behalf of businesses and other interests.

The Times has revealed that over a quarter of them got their jobs after being selected to fight seats. A number have put their hands up to admit that they had set up meetings for clients with Conservative Shadow ministers, MPs and officials. Others said that they provided advice on the party’s direction and some admitted to lobbying Tory Frontbenchers on behalf of clients.

At least one fifth of his 150 parliamentary candidates who are likely to get freshly elected will have worked in the nicely lucrative field of public affairs or communications. Ironically, The Times notes, only 7 Labour and 3 Lib Dem parliamentary candidates (with a chance of being elected) will have had jobs in public relations or communications.

Concerns within the troubled depths of the Conservative Party may have prompted action from Francis Maude, the Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, who last week suggested that lobbyists may face statutory regulation if they did not volunteer more information on clients and consultants, he went on to say:’ “Greater openness and transparency is needed to help ensure high standards in public life” ‘, I think that the jury may still be out on that one…amongst the Tories, but perhaps not amongst the electorate.