WELSH NHS under-attack - A view from a cleaner

Attack on the Welsh NHS (attack Labour not the staff).

It is NOT wrong to question Labour’s ineffectual running of the NHS here in Wales. The reality is attacking hard working staff is off limits and immoral. 

As a former cleaner at a hospital in north Wales I have seen the growth of middle-management in the NHS and believe money should be spent on patients as opposed to men in suits.

 

I believe that our cherished NHS has become far too bureaucratic as an institution, too much time is now spent on meeting targets and completing paperwork (rather like my current profession, teaching!)

We must never ever forget in the true values and principles of our NHS, it should be treasured by all.

Jeremy Hunt

We are now seeing the two Westminster parties setting out their stalls for the General Election in May, 2015. The Welsh NHS now seems to be centre stage!

The tragedy is this... the attacks on the Welsh NHS are blanket attacks from the Tories. This involves attacking the hardworking, dedicated staff we have all over our nation. 

I personally believe it is morally wrong to attack the staff who work so hard. What is acceptable is to attack Labour’s utter failure to run our NHS properly.

It is ironic that in England we have a Tory Party hellbent on privatising services while here in Wales we have a Labour Party hellbent on centralising services. It is also of note that it was LABOUR (the so called Party of the people) that introduced privatisation into the Health Service in the first instance – a fact Labour choose to ignore at their convenience.

Mark Drakeford

We shouldn't be talking about the possibility of losing ANY services in the Welsh NHS locally. As we know Wales is underfunded by £300m a year – it is right for Labour to attack the Tories on this issue BUT of course Labour had 13 years to secure fair funding for Wales but seemed to busy waging war in Iraq at America’s behest. 

We must respect the staff and commend them for the hard work and dedication they show. Diolch i chi oll am eich ymroddiad a'ch gwaith caled.

A day on the farm

Panthywel Farm.

A huge DIOLCH to Mr Steve Phillips for our day on the farm. It was novel to hit the campaign trail in my jogging trousers and wellies - but the day was an education for me!

People may recognise the hard working Steve from Llanell Market - the Phillips' Fruit & Veg stall is a must visit - selling local produce of excellent quality.

We discussed local procurement, which is lower here in Wales than Scotland for example. The advantages of local procurement are numerous of course - not just for the economy (which is a huge reason on its own) but also for the local environment - being greener and cutting down on needless air miles.

I urge all shoppers to do their best to support the local farmers and local businesses in growing the economy here in Llanelli. I genuinely believe if we are to improve things in Llanelli and Wales we must start locally.

Locally grown food looks and tastes better. Local food is better for you. The shorter the time between the farm and your table, the less likely it is that nutrients will be lost from fresh food.

Best wishes to Steve and all the local farmers and businessmen for the future. Lets get behind them!

Coedcae - A HUGE THANKS!

The brain behind the event, Brett John (centre)

I would like to thank the pupils and staff at Coedcae School. On Friday 17th of October I attended a political debate at  Coedcae School in Llanelli. The event was organised by year 11 pupil, Brett John.


Brett actually chaired the debate himself and did a fantastic job of keeping us all in order!


The pupils were very engaged and asked probing questions which varied from A&E Services, education and the Welsh language. Everyone involved in the event at Coedcae should be very proud of themselves and once again I would like to say a huge DIOLCH to everyone who helped make the day a success. 

Helen Mary Jones

Just the ticket! Helen and I
after the hustings.

Helen Mary Jones

I would like to warmly congratulate Helen on her election as Plaid Cymru’s candidate for the National Assembly seat here in Llanelli.

It’s difficult to know what to write about such a popular well known figure. Whilst canvassing from door to door people often ask after Helen and remember her with great kindness and fondness. 

Helen has always championed Llanelli’s cause in the past and needless to say will do so in the future. 

I know Helen on a personal basis and very much look forward to working alongside her as we work in unison to create a better Llanelli and a better Wales.  FORWARD!

Once again Helen a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS from me!

Leanne Wood AM, leader of Plaid Cymru said.

"Helen Mary Jones has a strong history of standing up for the people of Llanelli and I know that she is determined to continue this work. She has a proven and unquestionable record of fighting for local services and jobs. I’m very pleased she has been chosen by the party in Llanelli.

“I am in no doubt that Helen Mary, and our Llanelli Westminster candidate, Vaughan Williams, will be a hard working team and real champions for the people of Llanelli, reflecting their politics and what matters to them. I hope people will give them the chance to be their strong representatives and advocates."

Helen Mary Jones

Helen Mary Jones

Helen a finnau yn Llanelli.

Hoffwn i longyfarch Helen wrth iddi gael ei hethol fel ymgeisydd Cynulliad y Blaid ar gyfer ein hetholaeth.

Peth anodd ydy gwybod beth i’w hysgrifennu am ffigwr mor adnabyddus ac uchel ei pharch. 

Wrth ganfasio o ddrws i ddrws mae pobl yn holi am Helen ac yn son amdani fel AC o'r safon uchaf. Mae Helen wastad wedi rhoi pobl yn gyntaf ac mae ei pharodrwydd i edrych ar ol holl gymunedau’r etholaeth yn amlwg iawn.

Rydw i’n adnabod Helen yn bersonol ac yn edrych ymlaen yn eiddgar iawn at weithio ysgwydd wrth ysgwydd a hi wrth i ni gydweithio i lunio Llanelli a Chymru well. Mewn undod mae nerth! YMLAEN!

Ac unwaith eto LLONGYFARCHIADAU GWRESOG I TI HELEN!

Carmarthenshire Access Group

A HUGE thanks to the Carmarthenshire Access Group for allowing me to attend their function at the The Ashburnham on Friday, in Pembre. I really enjoyed your company and thoughts. The work done by groups such as the Carmarthenshire Access Group is beyond any financial value. Best wishes to you all for the future.

Llanelli - Worst town centre in Wales, 2nd worst in UK!

Well friends, it would seem that the Indian Summer we've enjoyed has come to a shuddering end! And how!

Plaid Llanelli team in the town centre.

The rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the Plaid Llanelli team, as usual we took to the streets with our positive message and vision for Wales.
  

It was great to chat to so many shoppers in Llanelli town centre, many of whom were deeply concerned that Llanelli has apparently the second worst town centre in the UK!



Harper Dennis Hobbs (HDH), an independent real estate consultancy has launched “The Vitality Index”, ranking the top 500 British retail centres by scoring the quality of the retail offer, rather than merely the size. In their list of 500 Town Centres, Llanelli comes in at 499!



The reality is... the people of Llanelli are proud of the town and it's heritage. Much more MUST be done to improve the town centre! 

Supporting local businesses is
one way to help the town and economy.

These statistics are extremely concerning and clearly show the need for more to be done in order to improve our Town Centre. The Eastgate development is to be welcomed but further regeneration is badly needed in order for the whole Town Centre to benefit.



A business rate relief scheme needs to be introduced for local traders and lower rents will help in attracting more shops. More free parking will also attract more people to visit the Town Centre. Giving extra support to start-up businesses will also help to re-build our local economy and create jobs.



To show my support, I regularly buy and shop locally to support the local economy. Also, I recently held my campaign launch in Llanelli Town Centre where I visited stallholders in Llanelli Market in order to listen to their views and ideas on how our Town Centre could be improved.



We must demand better for our town! A town of Llanelli's size and significance deserves better!