Aled Edwards

Stephen Lawrence

2012-01-04T16:07:00.002Z

Justice for the family at long last. As a society, let's never go there again.

Gym Things

2011-07-18T18:50:00.022+01:00

Did a 24:34 min 5k in the gym this morning. Seeing the fall of all things Murdoch on Sky News brought such joy and speed!

Getting Ready for Easter

2011-04-20T08:35:00.000+01:00

Christmas and Easter are hard work.

Obama

2011-01-13T20:44:00.002Z

Obama was majestic around the Arizona disaster! Praying for all my friends in the US

Cuts Day

2010-10-20T06:59:00.002+01:00

Looks like its going to be a terrible day: 500,000 jobs lost in the public sector - hundreds of creative arts jobs at risk in Wales due to changes at s4c - Ronney is leaving Manchester United - and its beginning to sink in that I have just run thousands of miles training for a half marathon that was an irritating 193 meters too short.

The thing that bothers me most: I still fear that this UK Government is introducing these sorts of cuts not just because they have to but because they want to.

Cardiff Half Marathon

2010-10-18T07:55:00.002+01:00

Sorry I haven't been blogging a great deal of late. I have been busy running and getting ready for the Cardiff Half Marathon. Yesterday, I was thrilled to complete the race in 2:18. It was great fun and many thanks to everyone for their fantastic support. Congratulations to all my team mates from the Welsh Refugee Council. Well done everyone.

Immigration and the Invictus Threshold - The Final Debate

2010-04-30T17:55:00.057+01:00

Last night I decided not to watch the final prime ministerial debate on TV. Seeing them debate might get in the way of discerning something I wanted desperately to grapple with.

For me, there was one key question to answer. Would any of the candidates cross the Invictus threshold? That is, would any of the them rise above the political cultures that produced them, bravely challenge perceptions at a crucial point in an election campaign, and make us all a little more than what we used to be?

Instead of watching TV, I took our poor dog for a very long walk and listened avidly to every word through my beloved IPhone. This little global device has been produced by an industry driven by the genius of the maligned: immigrants. Google, Yahoo, Intel and eBay all have one thing in common. They were co-founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants. Hotmail was co-founded by Sabeer Bhatia, who arrived in the US in 1988 with $200 in his pocket. Ten years later he sold Hotmail to Microsoft for $10 million.

Globally, the world's peoples are on the move. National responses to this global experience has largely stayed still. That lack of moving culturally on our part in the UK has been observed painfully in the context of our general election debates over the past few days.Immigration is back on the agenda in the most negative of ways.

Listening to last night's debate on the economy I thought over and over again of the piercing analysis offered regarding immigration by the Canadian-American economic genius, J.K. Galbraith. He knew how overwhelmingly advantageous migration was to economic prosperity.

'Migration is the oldest action against poverty. It selects those who most want help. It is good for the country to which they go; it helps break the equilibrium of poverty in the country from which they come. What is the perversity in the human soul that causes people to resist so obvious a good?'

Recently published reports have highlighted the value of migrants to our economy - especially in London where the Mayor has called for an amnesty for some of those who have worked in the UK without authorisation. Those who have cheated don't reflect the majority in our global experience of migration. The UN recently estimated that at least 85% of the world's migrants live and worked in host nations lawfully. So, what is the perversity in the human soul that causes us to resist so obvious a good?

Let me be up front. I wouldn't take too much issue with policies of the three main parties regarding strengthening our border controls or with the obvious need to "count them all in and to count them all out." As a citizen, I want my country to have safe borders and have managed immigration.

So, I listened...I thought all three performed well. To his credit, David Cameron has moved the Conservatives on from the horrible anti asylum vitriol of the Michael Howard era. He's also spoken well of the contribution of immigrants. I'll grant him that. But, it wasn't that difficult to improve on Michael Howard's stance on immigration. On the issue of tax breaks for the very rich,he wasn't anywhere near an Invictus threshold.

Gordon Brown also saw the economic advantage of attracting people our economy needs. For that and other issues around immigration he also gets some credit. I have a great deal of time for Gordon Brown as regards the economy. Most of us have prospered under his stewardship of it. As I listened however, I could almost discern an electorate hearing pertinent points but not really listening any more. I didn't see the final smile at the end of the debate: I merely heard it and felt a little sad.

To this immigration debate I bring a specific set of experiences. They relate to a small part of the much wider immigration story. Having worked closely with asylum seekers and refugees for over ten years, I have had cause often to criticise the Government for its treatment of displaced people and their children. I have also had cause to be grateful.

At the beginning of this century the major concern was the perfunctory exploration of cases that led to 80% of all asylum applicants being branded as cheats in the press. When their stories were explored with greater thoroughness, the number of asylum claims accepted could rise to some 40% with a further 10% being granted exceptional leave to remain because it was impractical or unsafe to return them home. The truth of it is, every year in the 1990s, Britain came ninth or tenth in the European league table of number of asylum applications per thousand of population. On a specific Welsh note, the placing of asylum detainees in places such as Cardiff Prison in 2001 was disgraceful. Regarding that matter, I would commend all the parties represented at the National Assembly for Wales. They made their concerns known.

The truth of it is the world suddenly became a different place after the fall of the Iron Curtain. New wars in the former Yugoslavia and parts of Africa caused a flood of refugees. So did the vileness of characters such as Robert Mugabe and Saddam Hussein. Handling such numbers wasn't easy for the Home Office. I am therfore grateful. The UK welcomed tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals who would otherwise have lost their lives.

I have many close friends who wouldn't be alive today if they had not been granted sanctuary in the UK. It is a symptom of that perversity in the human soul referred to by Galbraith that we cannot even now, in the context of three major TV debates, celebrate that obvious good we have done under the Labour government since 1997. I thought of the refugee doctors trained in Wales who are contributing so significantly to the NHS in the UK. It would have been so good to celebrate their achievement and contribution - and that of many others.

The Invictus meltdown during the final debate occurred for me when both Brown and Cameron turned on Clegg regarding the amnesty proposed for those migrants who have been in the UK for more than ten years. It was an easy hit to make.

Why the need for an amnesty? Listening through my IPhone I remembered the thorough investigative journalism of Nick Cohen in his Pretty Straight Guys in 2003. I also remembered the chaos around the immigration scene in 2000.

Ironically in April 1996, during Michael Howard's watch, the Home Office signed a Private Finance Initiative with the computer conglomerate, Siemens. New Labour took it over. To cut a long story short, the new IT system didn't work on time. As a consequence, mountains of immigration files were held in warehouses with data that should have been transferred to disks. Cohen records that the strain of coping with a wrecked immigration service was too much for many immigration officers: 363 resigned in 1998.

Clegg's words brought back memories. To the backdrop of the wars in the former Yugoslavia sending refugees flooding across Europe the UK immigration minister, Mike O'Brien, was admitting in the Commons that his department was receiving a daily average of 56,223 calls in June 1999. A mere 1,707 were actually being answered. By the beginning of 2000, the backlog of undecided cases was a staggering 98,000. Ten years ago, it sometimes took 28 months to decide some cases. Judges handling asylum appeals, according to Cohen, reckoned that seven out of ten found a legal or illegal way to stay. Beuraucratic chaos doesn't justify overstaying unlawfully but it does make it more probable. It also created a problem that needs to be solved.

Being brave enough to offer a one off possible solution to a specific legacy issue of illegal working and overstaying, that no-one else wished to highlight because it was too inconvenient a reality, commended Clegg to me. In this, he came closest in Thursday's debate, to crossing the Invictus threshold.

Why place such an importance on crossing such a threshold? It is because I am afraid as election day looms.

As an electorate, we have begun to discern that hard choices lay ahead of us. Sadly, the early signs are already there that we have begun to scapegoat and indulge an irrational fear of the weak, the vulnerable and the different. The Daily Mail hasn't moved on an inch from the time in February 1900 when one of its journalist watched some 600 passengers arrive on the British liner the Cheshire at Southampton. He saw an array of desperate Jews escaping the pogroms in Tsarist Russia and wrote viciously: 'These were the penniless refugees, and when the the Relief Committee passed by they hid their gold and fawned and whined.'

Was it the perversity in our soul last night that prevented us from even beginning to address the reality that throughout Europe during the recent recession, unemployment has been much higher amongst migrant peoples - those who have cleaned and built our buildings, served us in the hospitality industry, picked our crops, and cared for our infirm. They have also been less able to return money home, making the world's poor much poorer. The impact, for example, of Moldova's recent 37% fall in income from its diaspora is especially severe. Remittances are equivalent to a third of the country's national income.

As this election draws to a close over the next few days I will look anew at which party is most likely to enable the UK to become a little more than what it used to be. I'll also be praying...

Invictus Mosgito

2010-02-12T21:11:00.009Z

For a few hours yesterday afternoon something quite special happened in Wales. S4C had asked me as an adult to say something about racism on the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. It was on their young people's Mosgito programme. I did my bit but there were far more important contributions yesterday both off and on screen.

Off screen I watched a new Wales being forged before my very eyes. Two boys from Bala, one white and the other black, held conversation with two Welsh speaking Muslim girls from Cardiff. They are sisters. Yesterday, they were all different: they were all equally Welsh. They were all Welsh speaking.

They could have spoken about race, hijabs, or racism. What really bothered them was the relative sizes of their respective schools in Bala and Cardiff. The really important question was how long was the dinner queue in their school? Four young Welsh people filled me with hope. Wales' tomorrow is in safe hands.

Today I watched Invictus. I enjoyed the rugby scenes and the history (although some of it was not historical). What I enjoyed the most was the exploration of the words of William Ernest Henley's Invictus:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

I will go and see this film again and stand in awe of Nelson Mandela's forgiveness. I now have a new favourite film.

Lovely Girls

2010-02-09T21:05:00.030Z

Last night was fun. I had a meal with Ziauddin Sardar and Merryl Wyn Davies in Merthyr and spoke a lot about America and Obama. I could still remember bits of their book Will America Change? It all reminded me of times when I felt a little more positive about politics.

This, lets be honest, has not been a good week for Welsh public life or for Welsh politics.

This morning, having issued a two minute Dweud Eich Dweud meditation for BBC Radio Cymru, something a little strange happened. I was given a copy of the Daily Post by my interviewer. That was for a reason. On Monday morning I had given an interview with the same journalist on the new student visa application regulations announced by the Home Office.

I had conceded during that initial interviews that there had been much in the Government's migration policy of late that I heartily agreed with. Taking action against bogus colleges must surely be a good thing. I'm not sure of the extent to which the new regulations will do anything to combat English speaking single potential terrorists who complete their university courses and then leave for Dubai and Yemen before attempting to blow up planes. In fairness, I don't think it was claimed that they would.

The Daily Post contained an article discussing how an honest politician, Elfyn Llwyd MP from Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, had asked an honest question of a Government Minister, Phil Woolas. Llwyd's question related to the new English language requirement and the recent cases of two Patagonians who had applied for visas to visit Wales. The answer given, according to the Daily Post, was one of the most extraordinary comments I have ever heard on the floor of the House of Commons given in reply to a Member of Parliament: "I'm afraid to tell you that however lovely the two girls were, and they were, we can't waive the immigration rules just because you like them."

As one of those who worked with Elfyn Llwyd to successfully gain a visa for one of the 'lovely girls' on appeal, I was taken aback. None of us involved sought to waive the immigration rules. We also lent our support willingly without reflecting on the great unknown: how lovely the appellants were. The comment left me deeply troubled.

Personally, I believe that the answer to the immediate issue - granting Patagonians visas -rests with crafting a robust set of policy guidelines enabling the granting of ministerial discretion in the case of Patagonians of good standing who wish to visit Wales. I very much hope that the Home Office will reflect seriously on that possibility.

For me, as a Welsh speaker, the 'lovely' incident has left a much more significant question unanswered. In the face of a growing emphasis in UK politics on the English language, not so much as a reasonable means of communication, but more as an emblem of a certain sort of 'national uniformity', where does that leave those of us whose first British language isn't English? That's my distinctive within a modern nation: others will have different distinctives and emblems of identity. Such diverse blocks build modern nations.

Why, following today's vote in the Senedd, should the National Assembly acquire greater powers? The answer for me is clear. So that Welsh civic and political society can command the constitutional tools to create a Wales where all of us have a right to be different and distinctive but also have a right to belong - both in rights and obligations. A Wales where all who wish to claim a Welsh identity, should be enabled to do so.

Time will now tell if Wales' politicians have given the development of such a cultural narrative time to gain the apparel of a credible policy agenda that demands greater powers. Of that, I am unsure.

In the meantime, it's within the gift and the competence of the Home Office to allow Patagonians to revisit their cultural legacy in a dignified manner that honours a diverse,sophisticated and international Wales. Talking of those who belong to us, even in part, as being 'lovely' was for me, rather demeaning of a modern nation and those who serve it.

Pleased for Ireland

2010-02-06T21:36:00.002Z

Now it's up the Celts. England did do well.....

Ecclesia and Lord Carey

2010-01-13T21:26:00.001Z

Thanks to Vaughan Jones from Ecclesia my Blog comments concerning Lord Carey and Immigration have done the rounds:

http://www.ccwa.org.uk/v2/index.php?section_list=News&subsection=CCWA_top_stories&content=1591

Needless to say, I agree with him.

Responding to Lord Carey's Times Opinion

2010-01-07T20:29:00.005Z

The UK should have an effective immigration policy and those who migrate to these Islands should respect our values and diverse traditions – including our Christian heritage. Abiding by our laws is also a must.

Unfortunately, Lord Carey has ventured unwisely beyond such issues in today’s Times to discuss the supposed ‘DNA of our nation’. Paradoxically, for someone so intent on putting others through hoops as they arrive on our shores, he seems to be remarkably unaware of the cultural and political diversity of modern Britain.

His sense of the ‘DNA of our nation’ will not be shared by many good British citizens of different faiths and of none. The UK now also has three devolved Governments containing parties with a sense of national identity that isn’t primarily British. This reality impacts increasingly on faith communities. The notion that migrants to Wales should be made to believe that they live in a country with an established church is as quaint as it is erroneous. Wales has no established church.

Lord Carey’s discussion around matters of faith is deeply problematic. Migrants who wish to enter the UK lawfully cannot be discriminated against on the basis of their religion or belief. His comments regarding Sharia Law and ghettos are also unhelpful. If the right of the established Church of England to regulate its own affairs through Canon Law belongs to the very DNA of a nation and if Judaism’s use of Beth Din Courts to resolve civil disputes is deemed beneficial, the lawful exercise of Sharia Law by Muslims cannot be demeaned merely as an exercise appertaining to a 'ghetto'. If faith communities are to be viewed mainly through the prism of their extremists, most will stand condemned.

Crucially, the campaign for Balanced Migration has missed the point in seeking to counter the BNP. It’s not the 70 million too many that bother the BNP: it’s their view of the ethnicity of the one that’s too many. Conversations around the supposed ‘DNA of our nation’ and the ‘nature’ of those who wish to come here have now provided an already obese creature with the comfort of a slightly larger belt.

Lord Carey's Opinion: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6978389.ece

Sorry Lord Carey

2010-01-06T18:00:00.004Z

Sorry Lord Carey. Migrants who have the skills we need and respects our ways cannot be discriminated against because of their faith or lack of it. It's the calling of the Church to proclaim and uphold the Gospel not the UK Border Agency.

Wootton Bassett

2010-01-05T20:04:00.002Z

Today, the bodies of more British soldiers were returned from Afghanistam. I thought a lot about them and their families.

Faith leaders would do well not to give their unequivocal support to any military campaign: faith leaders should always give the bereaved families of soldiers lost in battle their deepest pastoral support. It's not the place for protest or politics.

Islam4UK have let us all down. Especially those who have deep reservations about war.

Blasphemy

2010-01-04T18:33:00.004Z

Noticed an interesting piece in today's Independent by Philip Hensher on the new Irish blasphemy laws. As from 1st January it's unlawful to publish or utter matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in matters held sacred by any religion.

I don't enjoy having my faith insulted but I'm just wondering whether some religions or religious practices could do with being insulted.

So it's not a lucky shirt then...

2010-01-03T16:41:00.003Z

I set out to be good today. It almost worked.

Things began well. I went to church in Pontypridd for the early Communion. It was good to be with friends and I always enjoy services that don't have hymns.

I enjoy reading some of the Sunday Times on Sunday mornings these days. It's one of those things that I'll do for a while.

Back home, I put the Christmas decorations in the attic and I got ready for the match. I went down to the gym proudly wearing my Manchester United shirt. I was the only one in the gym to be so bold. I learnt two years ago that a good way to deal with the weight thing is to exercise as United play. I got rid of 800 calories over two hours. That was good.

At half time I met a friend from the Muslim community. He doesn't support United but noticed the shirt. We spoke briefly about how to deal with the Abdulmutallab thing - and the reaction to it. Someone from the gym walked past. He probably didn't expect someone wearing a Manchester United shirt and a Muslim on a training bike to sort some of the world's problems out. That's a little sad. Talking always helps.

Manchester United lost 0:1 to Leeds United. That wasn't good. We are no longer in the FA Cup. I like my shirt, but wearing it didn't get off to a good start.

The football thing matters but not that much. I'm more worried about the endless conversations about the Muslim community and radicalisation in the papers today. I hope and pray that the mainstream Muslim community will be heard by the radicals. Getting the mainstream to shout loudly at the likes of Abdulmutallab won't do much good. Finding a way to hold conversations that prevent radicalisation is vital but becoming far more difficult. Got to keep trying though...

Colin and Helen

2009-12-29T21:53:00.002Z

I married Colin and Helen today. They both seem very, very happy. I wish them well for the future.Part of the joy of being a priest is that you can celebrate with others at very special moments in their lives. Today was a great privilege.

A Great Christmas

2009-12-28T09:25:00.003Z

Christmas was great. Really enjoyed being back in Saint Catherine's Pontypridd on Christmas Eve and yesterday. I hope Marcus, our Vicar, gets better soon.

Christmas was all about family, gifts and eating. Eating far too much. So, it's back to the gym soon for a great deal of hard labour.

What's been real fun has been catching up with some good reading - especially Michael Mansfield's Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer. What an interesting life! It's always good to read about individuals who are willing to go an extra mile for their convictions concerning justice. Sometimes, brave as well...

Well Done Obama

2009-12-24T20:04:00.001Z

Congratulations to my friends in the US. Health care almost there. Good vote today.

Enid Blyton

2009-12-16T22:43:00.003Z

Just watched Enid on my iplayer. Seems to have been a horrible woman and mother. She sold a lot of books though. Never mind, I never liked Noddy anyway. A warning to anyone who has a public life.

Old Trafford

2009-12-13T01:10:00.003Z

Just come back from Manchester. Had a great day with my All Wales Convention friend Alex who got some fantastic tickets in Old Trafford to watch Aston Villa. To be in the "Theatre of Dreams" having supported United since 1968 was just brilliant. It was made all the better for having some Manchester fish and chips on the way to the match.

Pity we lost but still a great day.

It's a Matter of Trust Thing

2009-12-09T08:32:00.015Z

It's just a personal thing. I don't want to sound worthy, but my faith compels me to honour democratically elected institutions such as Parliament and the National Assembly. I also view public service - gained either through election or appointment - as a sacred trust.

For me, honouring those who hold public office is a matter of faith. For others, it may well be a matter of integrity, honour or personal conviction. I'm comfortable with the personal imperatives of all those who share such values whether they are of faith or not. I have very little time, even after recent scandals at Westminster, for those who approach politics and politicians with cynicism.

Since yesterday however, I have thought a great deal about the issue of a regional list Assembly Members switching parties. The whole thing has left me troubled.

I know that the representative mode of politics spawned by Westminster is long used to politicians commanding considerable integrity switching parties. Some of my Parliamentary heroes did so. Constituency Assembly Members switching has already happened in devolved Wales. The late Peter Law commanded considerable respect.

I readily accept that all Assembly Members are equal. They are however, not all the same. Regional Members have a different electoral mandate. Crucially, they have found their way into the National Assembly through a mandate given to their party. That's the bit that bothers me.

The different electoral mandate is clear. When Alun Michael returned to Westminster, the Labour Party, without a by-election, provided the very able Delyth Evans as a regional Assembly Member. Val Feld's tragic death as a constituency Assembly Member, in contrast, demanded a constituency by-election in 2001.

There is something else. To be honest, I was never totally convinced of the case that individuals who stood in constituency elections should be prevented, following the passing of the Government of Wales Act 2006, from standing in regional lists. I am willing to consider the counter argument, but I was always anxious that Wales' political parties found a means of ensuring that their most able people found their way into the National Assembly. I'm of the view that if switching from constituency to region was unacceptable, switching parties is even more problematic.

I'm not in the business of telling individual Assembly Members what to do if their consciences take them to a different party - whoever they are. I have sufficient challenges handling my own conscience issues thanks very much.

However, I am of the view that Welsh civic society should reflect on the need to amend legislation if the practice of regional list Members switching sides becomes commonplace. Such switching undermines the whole electoral process regarding the "second vote". It's a matter of trust.

Yes, it's a personal thing. As someone who takes voting very seriously, I would be pretty cross with any individual politician who took liberties with my vote for a party of my choice expressed through the ballot box and deposited it elsewhere without my consent. However political cultures view switching, that's the bottom line.

Beyond Belief

2009-12-08T22:29:00.005Z

It was a real privilege last night to be amongst those who were at the reception to bid Rhodri Morgan farewell. I wish him and Julie well for the future. They have both been good for Wales. Well done Rhodri.

To be in such company was beyond belief.

I was deeply moved afterwards to join my Equality and Human Rights Commission friends in the Millennium Centre to listen to the superbly eloquent Colm O'Gorman. Ploughing through his book Beyond Belief. Abused by his priest, betrayed by his church, the story of the boy who sued the pope.

Deeply, deeply moving.

Owain Hughes

2009-11-29T21:55:00.002Z

Just watched Gavin and Stacey. Help!

I don't get the "Owain Hughes" thing. Is it really a weird way of asking if he can speak Welsh?

Admission

2009-11-22T23:11:00.003Z

Today was a good Sunday with a great time of blessing in Park End, Presbyterian Church in the morning.

Tonight I preached in Radyr Methodist Church at Angela Simon's Admission Service as a local preacher. It was a joy to experience such fellowship and I'll fulfill my public promise to remember her in my prayers. We all thought that the first call of good preachers or teachers is to listen

I'll try a little harder.

Shane Williams

2009-11-21T22:46:00.002Z

There were more than 50,000 of us in the Millennium Stadium this afternoon. It was a great joy to see Shane Williams score two brilliant tries. It was Stephen Jones who delighted us all with his quick thinking in the first half.

It's a great place to be when Wales are winning. Bring on the Australians.

All Wales Convention

2009-11-20T19:05:00.003Z

This week has been increadibly busy around the launch of the All Wales Convention Report. It was hard work and good fun. The research has now, from our publioc service, been handed to the politicians.

Tidy

2009-11-12T20:54:00.001Z

Smiled today when I noticed that someone could be paid up to £60,000 a year for keeping Wales "Tidy".

Unexpected Voice

2009-11-04T20:48:00.003Z

I had a voice today in the Welsh Labour leadership election. I didn't know, as someone who doesn't belong to a political party, that I could be involved. I always find voting fun and I think I made the right decision.

I have also thought a great deal today about Kim Howells' comments concerning Afghanistan. Spending the money on our soldiers being out there on security here sounds interesting. Surely, the thing isn't that simple?

The Journey

2009-11-02T20:44:00.002Z

Tonight, I watched the deeply moving S4C program discussing the journey "Y Daith" of Aled Jones Williams. We were ordained together. Aled, is a poet, a priest and an alcoholic and has a journey to travel on.

As always, I was in awe of his genius and his frailty. I remain impressed by his faith and his fantastic gift of words. His tortured gift of words.

Stephen Fry

2009-11-01T16:23:00.002Z

Have been following Stephen Fry on Twitter. Hope he feels mutch better after enjoying some sunshine. He seems bothered by "followers" being nasty to the Twitter who said that he was boring.

Have a nice break Stephen and don't be bothered by "Twitters".

Nice Weekend

2009-10-31T12:08:00.003Z

Last night I had a great time with some Plaid Cymru friends in Oakdale RFC. I had been invited to hear a lecture by the Welsh Historian, John Davies, on the place of Gwent in Welsh history. His contribution was fascinating.

I don't know what to make of all the speculation concerning the All Wales Convention report. The YouGov poll this week attracted quite some attention. The Labour leadership debate is also hotting up.

Newport Vigil

2009-10-23T22:21:00.003+01:00

Tonight was great and I am so proud of Newport. The city's faith leaders and politicians stood together against racism. My lasting memory will be the sight of everyone raising their Welsh flags to affirm a welcoming nation where we can enjoy our distinctiveness but remain equally Welsh - a patriotism without racism.

Well done...

Speculation, speculation...

2009-10-23T10:53:00.006+01:00

Over the past few days there has been a great deal of speculation around some of the things I am involved with. There is speculation that the so called "Welsh Defence League" will be turning up in Newport this weekend. Speculation can be a dangerous thing and scary in their case.

As faith communities and others meet tonight to hold a vigil in Newport, many are rightly nervous. I will be there and hope that all will go well.

I can only speculate around whether last night's Question Time will have had any affect on things. Nick Griffin, very successfully came over as a "victim" I thought. I sensed that many had not discerned that his aim was to appeal to those who feel disengaged, ignored and marginalised. He was never going to appeal to liberal minded intelectuals. Everyone ganging up on him didn't help.

There has also been a great deal of speculation about the supposed recommendations of the All Wales Convention. I have heard and read a great deal over the past few days. The report will be published on 18th of November. All will be revealed then. The Convention won't be responding to any speculation until the report is presented to the First Minister and his Deputy. That's the way it has to be.

Saying Your Say (Dweud Eich Dweud)

2009-10-22T19:12:00.002+01:00

Just thinking about what to say tomorrow about the BBC and Nick Griffin on BBC Radio Cymru's Dweud Eich Dweud. I have decided that the ones who truly know the value of freedom of speech are those who may have to pay the price for it. I'm deeply troubled...

Convention

2009-10-19T20:52:00.003+01:00

Our Chair, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, spoke today of our shared views as a Convention. I share his view that people will be surprised by the breadth of the recommendations. All will be revealed after the First Minister receives the report in November.

Fearful

2009-10-16T22:33:00.002+01:00

I am fearful tonight thinking about the protest of the so called "Welsh Defence League" in Swansea tomorrow. I will be there for the silent witness of the Quakers between 4 and 5 p.m..

Jay-Z

2009-10-04T23:10:00.003+01:00

Had a great birthday today with the family. Just enjoying my Jay-Z CD. I'm really enjoying it.

You can enjoy Jay-Z in your fifties. It's OK. I have decided not to have a mid-life crisis after all. It's much better just having fun and being "For Ever Young..."

Rhodri Morgan

2009-10-02T18:13:00.002+01:00

Yesterday, the Faith Communities Forum was chaired for the last time by Rhodri Morgan as First Minister. One of his major achievements was to get Wales' faith community leaders to come together. All politicians have a list of regrets and a sense of failing over some things. I guess that Rhodri Morgan will reflect on many things.

For my part, I have always been a fan. I remain so and wish Rhodri well.

National Police Memorial Service

2009-09-29T20:05:00.003+01:00

I was deeply honoured to be part of this service in Saint David's Hall, Cardiff. I will always remember the dignity of those who lost those who were close to them. They honoured Wales this weekend.

Congratulations Erica and Shirley

2009-09-15T21:52:00.002+01:00

Tonight I'm totally thrilled. During late August I had the privilege of working with an Edwards family from Patagonia getting a visa for Shirley to see her sister Erica in Wales.

Tonight, we heard that a visa has been granted. I am so, so thrilled. Congratulations Erica and Shirley.

Richly Blessed

2009-09-14T23:59:00.003+01:00

Earlier, I met with other Christian leaders with friends from other faiths in the Inter-faith Council for Wales. It was a source of great blessing and encouragement at the end of a difficult week.

Being a Christian in that company is increasingly providing joy for me. It's the sort of joy that can only come from seeking truly to be obedient to God. God wants these conversations to take place. I also believe that he wants a truly inclusive Wales where we really do become a nation defined not by our ethnicity or languages but by the way we all respect and treat each other. That respect will be tested and needed in the months to come.

The Christian faith has something quite unique to offer that Wales: the God who so loved the world that he gave his son to die for it. Oh, such love...

Plaid Cymru

2009-09-13T23:21:00.001+01:00

I notice that all my friends in Plaid Cymru had a good autumn conference. Twitter lets you know lots of things.

I was blessed from being in Efail Isaf again. I enjoy the fellowship.

The Prayer Book Society and the Road to Heaven

2009-08-31T20:02:00.009+01:00

This morning I went to do an interview for Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales. It was all about the names of the Sundays before Lent. It's something I don't really get exited by on an August bank holiday morning building up to a day plastering and painting our conservatory.

On the other side of the debate there was someone from the Prayer Book Society who started the conversation by saying he found bilingual road signs in Swansea confusing. He also took exception - I think - to the way I pronounced Septuagesima. I said it in the same way that everybody from Trawsfynydd says Septuagesima on a Monday morning in August.

I'm so sorry to disappoint all those who know me well but I wasn't rude to this guy. I have to confess to a sin. It's worried me all day that I was so nice.

Never mind. Felicity Evans, one of the presenters, was a total, total star... Thanks Felicity! She asked him the question I didn't dare ask "You are just a snob really aren't you?" That so made my day.

I have thought a lot since then, while painting the conservatory, about how hard it would be to spend the whole of eternity in heaven with members of the Prayer Book Society. Then I thought perhaps not...they won't be able to read the signs telling them how to get there!

The Latest from Barack Obama on Health Reform

2009-08-23T19:34:00.002+01:00

Just got this email through...

On Thursday, an astounding 280,000 Organizing for America supporters gathered online to huddle with the President at our National Health Care Forum. With Congress about to return to Washington to make historic decisions on health insurance reform, the President chose this critical moment to speak directly to the OFA community. He reminded us of how far we've come and what we can accomplish together:

Remember one thing: Nothing is more powerful than millions of voices calling for change. That's how we won this election. You know this, and that's why since OFA launched its health reform campaign in June you've hosted 11,000 events in more than 2,500 towns in every single state and every single congressional district...I am absolutely confident that we can get this done, but I want everybody to remember, this has never been easy....We are not going to give up now. We are going to get this done. Now it's up to us to take the next step.

This week, we need to make sure every member of Congress heads back to Washington hearing overwhelming support for change. Lies and fear must not have the last word about the health reform America so desperately needs. So here's what you can do: Host or attend a "Let's Get It Done: Health Insurance Reform Now" event near you.There are many different kinds of events, from forums to rallies to "Health Care Phone Booths," where local folks can get the facts and call Congress. And if there isn't yet one near you, you can easily host your own. Wherever you live, you can help show Congress, the media, and your neighbors that the American people have one clear message about health reform: Let's get it done.

Thursday, the President made the stakes of reform crystal clear. He talked about how, with health care costs rising three times faster than wages, the cost of inaction is simply too high.He explained how reform will guarantee competition and choice. He described the Insurance Guarantees that will protect every American from discrimination against pre-existing conditions, exorbitant charges, and arbitrary denials or reductions in coverage just when we need it most.And he made plain his stance on the public option: "So let me just be clear: I continue to support a public option, I think it is important, and I think it will help drive down costs and give consumers choices."But even the best plan only matters if it passes, and that's where we all have a critical role to play. As the President said:

And that's why what all of you do is so important, because people trust you -- your neighbors, your friends, fellow community members -- they trust you. They know you. And if you are presenting the facts clearly and fairly, I'm absolutely confident that we're going to win this debate. But we're going to have a lot of work to do and I'm grateful that you're willing to do it. Let's go get 'em.

Click here to see highlights of the President's remarks or the full video of the National Health Care Forum.

Five Live

2009-08-20T00:16:00.001+01:00

Just had lots of fun being a guest on Five Live talking about honesty. If a cash machine gave you more money than you asked for, would you give it back? I would, but not everyone believes me.

The Real NHS in The UK

2009-08-15T21:36:00.010+01:00

This is for all my US friends who may have been bombarded recently by the Republicans with negative and false pictures of our UK national health system. I well remember the campaign debates.Barack Obama really is on the right course for the US.

The key issue, dare I suggest, is the provision of universal healthcare. Courtesy of the provision of universal healthcare in the UK, citizens live longer than their US counterparts and have a better chance of surviving childbirth. The NHS also offers value for money. Taxes are cheaper than insurance schemes.

There are areas where the quality of treatment in the US is better than in the UK. However, gaps in key areas such cancer treatment are narrowing. UK citizens are also at liberty to pay for private treatment if they wish and can afford it. All taxpayers are obligated to maintain the NHS.

These are the comparators that are really worth noting:

Health spending as a share of GDP
US 16%
UK 8.4%

Public spending on healthcare (% of total spending on healthcare)
US 45%
UK 82%

Health spending per head
US $7,290
UK $2,992

Practising physicians (per 1,000 people)
US 2.4
UK 2.5

Nurses (per 1,000 people)
US 10.6
UK 10.0

Acute care hospital beds (per 1,000 people)
US 2.7
UK 2.6

Life expectancy:
US 78
UK 80

Infant mortality (per 1,000 live births)
US 6.7
UK 4.8

[From today's Independent]

Adam

2009-08-11T22:09:00.002+01:00

Tonight I went to see the film Adam. It was for me a joy of a film helping others to perhaps understand those - whatever the intensity of their Aspergers Syndrome - whose capacity to be fascinated by details and focus on things that other people don't concentrate on is only surpassed by their capacity to miss the blatantly obvious.

I just can't understand why people can't get exited by the pre commencement functions of Ministers of the Crown mentioned in Part 2 of Schedule 7 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 and talk about things such as the weather.

Congratulations Steffan and Shona

2009-08-01T19:46:00.001+01:00

Had a great time today conducting the wedding of Steffan and Shona. It's been a great day.

Police Matters

2009-07-29T21:04:00.002+01:00

I have just returned home after spending all day in a police car between Cardiff and Leatherhead in Surrey. It was all good fun for a very good cause. We were planning the National Police Memorial Service planned for Cardiff in September. I'll remember getting there and back!

Being part of the process is a huge privilege and its a thrill to work with such professional colleagues.

House

2009-07-28T21:29:00.002+01:00

I got really tired today and came home at a reasonable time to do nothing except watch House. I very much enjoyed doing Wedi 7 on S4C last night doing an interview for the All Wales Convention. The trip to Llanelli was well worth it.

My diary looks very full for the Eisteddfod in Bala next week. I have so many things to do between now and then and tonight I feel almost 54 years old. I'm beginning to feel my age...

But, tomorrow is a new day.

Seimon Dewi Edwards Cycle to Geneva

2009-07-25T17:00:00.006+01:00

Hi everyone. My son Seimon is about to start a long cycle ride from Cardiff to Geneva in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

If anyone out there wishes to sponsor him this is the link to his Just Giving Page details.

White Van Man

2009-07-24T10:12:00.002+01:00

Last night I drove my hired white van to the Royal Welsh in Builth and had lots of fun with some good friends filling it up. I am now back in Cilfynydd abour to go to the dentist and then Bala to unload all my stuff. Tonight I hope to stay in Ruthin and be back in Cardiff tomorow with an empty van.

I'll be spending long hours on the road listening to my "Boss" CD>

Migrants

2009-07-22T20:41:00.002+01:00

It was good today to be back with my colleagues in Cardiff. I also had a meeting in county Hall with some old friends in the migration and refugee world. It was good to touch base again.

I am deeply troubled about the growing and irrational fear of foreigners in the UK and throughout Europe.

I also thought much more about The Shack. I may read parts of the book again. I rarely do that.

On the Way Back

2009-07-21T08:37:00.002+01:00

The last couple of days in Lyon were hard work with very long hours. Some crucial resolutions were passed and can be seen on the Conference of European Churches website.

I had a lot of fun last night with some Methodists and Baptists who helped things along with a rendition of "Bread of Heaven" and good company afterwards.

I'm on my way home I'm pleased to say.

Well Done Wales

2009-07-18T09:12:00.002+01:00

Many thanks to my good friend Cathy Owens for mentioning me in her Amnesty International Blog this week concerning asylum seekers and health care.

It's great to be at a major European Church Conference which is so focused on migration issues during the week that the Welsh Assembly Government announced that failed asylum seekers in Wales, who have been told they cannot stay in Britain, can now have access to free NHS care.

A change in regulations was confirmed by the Assembly Government in June, and came in to force last Wednesday.

Well done Wales for being one of the pioneering countries of Europe. I'll make sure that Christians in Lyon hear the news.

Twitter

2009-07-17T10:23:00.002+01:00

I am now a 'twitter' virgin. Boy, do I have a lot to learn.

I'm enjoying the Conference of European Churches' 13th Assembly in Lyon. It was really hot yesterday when we did 'hope'. Today's the second day of the Assembly and it's much better to do 'vision' when it's cooler.

I'm missing the gym back home but I have had a go at jogging in the fantastic park in Lyon this morning. They have wild animals roaming free. I have never jogged with deer before. I'll bring proper footwear next time though.

The Shack

2009-07-15T09:38:00.003+01:00

I'm in Lyon for the 13th Conference of European Churches Assembly focusing on 'Called to One Hope in Christ'. The flight over was choppy but not quite as choppy as one rugby international flight over Dublin with Ryanair. I won't bore you with the story.

Late on Thursday night I enjoyed the company and the blessing of some new friends at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Stewardship Conference in Newport. I was told that I really should read The Shack by Wm Paul Young. I duly obeyed and got a copy from WH Smith in Bristol Airport.

Normally, I prefer reports to other sorts of books. Reports provide me with information and detail. To be honest, I struggle with other sorts of books. Not this one however!

Between Bristol and Lyon, I had read half a book and not found the need to retain all the details. For tired, worn out or just very hurt Christians, The Shack is a must read book. Honestly, go and buy it now and read it straight away. It may very well change the way in which you see God.

Many,many thanks to Wm Paul Young and to my new friends who told me to read a book. I should also add that non-Christians will also enjoy this read.

Wierd Faith Day and Torchwood

2009-07-11T20:18:00.004+01:00

I had to go back to work to do two things today. I had promised to send a report to a colleague about what Cytun does with inter-faith things. That, I thought, required underlining Christian witness. I enjoyed that and prayed about it a lot.

Nothing matters more to me than my faith in Christ and witnessing to that faith. Sometimes though, doing church things gets me down. So much seems to have so little to do with Christ.

Then, I went to Community House, Eton Road Newport in the afternoon. The place was teaming with people from all sorts of faiths - just being community. It was just great and such a blessing and an encouragement. Well done everyone there for your fantastic work. That, I thought required underlining the brilliant inter-faith work Churches do. I prayed about that a lot too.

Some days, I wonder what God is trying to tell me. Sometimes, the dividing line between despairing of the church and celebrating it is so thin.

I felt sad last night after watching the last episode of (made in Wales) Torchwood. It was brilliant but so, so sad. Captain Jack had to sacrifice his grandson to save the world's children. What a choice?

Then I thought about church again. God gave his only son to atone for it. If God loves it that much, then so should I perhaps.

Legislative Competence Orders

2009-07-07T21:30:00.003+01:00

Today I received a special piece of Welsh history. While visiting Westminster I got a copy of the Welsh Affairs Committee's report Proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Welsh Language) Order 2009. The report was published today.

There is some work still to do, but this document, agreed unanimously by the Welsh Affairs Committee will pave the way for the National Assembly, for the first time ever, to promulgate primary legislation in the context of the Welsh Language.

I will guard my copy well and thank those who signed it for me. It's greatly appreciated.

Giving Blood

2009-07-04T19:48:00.002+01:00

This morning I gave blood for the fiftieth time. In terms of giving blood, I am now a golden boy. The Blood Transfusion Service, after asking me all those questions about who I had sex with recently, gave me an assurance that their Fifty Pack was on the way to me.

All of this gave me a great sense of achievement and I'm quite determined now to give my life-long target of 75. I wonder how all those poor people who are walking around with my blood in them are feeling. I hope they are all OK.

My sense of joy was made complete by the Lions victory over the South Africans.

Thrashed

2009-07-02T22:58:00.002+01:00

Tonight we were thrashed playing football against some English speaking guys. We were all over the place. I scored though and got a good cross in. I didn't do much else though.

Work was long and hot all day but I had some really good conversations with some new friends.

Tost and Toast

2009-07-01T21:24:00.005+01:00

This morning I met a new colleague. He is deaf and was accompanied by a Welsh speaker who signed for him. It was an honour to be with them both and huge fun.

A very Welsh joke about being 'tost' (ill) and being 'toast' (toast) was conveyed with great style. I thank God for people with such fantastic communication skills and to be in the company of someone who could listen so well without hearing was a great joy.

Diary Days

2009-06-30T22:05:00.002+01:00

The EHRC day was encouraging today. All of us would like to live in a prejudice free country. I'll put that one down in my diary for some twenty years time - or even a little longer. I fear that a lot of prejudice is on the way.

The rest of the day was about travelling back on a really sticky day. I discovered on my return that I have two really,really important things to do on the same day. I'm going to pray that one of those things could be done on a different day.

The non prejudice thing could come any day though - I wish!

Birmingham

2009-06-29T23:32:00.002+01:00

I'm in Birmingham enjoying the company of friends in the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It's been a good day and I'm looking forward to the work we have to do tomorrow.

I went back to the gym this morning for the first time in a couple of weeks. I didn't want to risk inflaming a touch of whiplash after my little car accident. I think that was the right decision but I'm pleased to be back running and rowing.

All this exercise has now become part of my life and I'm enjoying it.

Crossing Boundaries

2009-06-28T20:22:00.002+01:00

This has been a really good weekend despite the Lions losing the series.

I went with the Gorsedd of Bards to herald the coming of the Eisteddfod to Ebbw Vale in 2010. The people of the town did a fantastic job on welcoming us. Culturally and linguistically, some borders were crossed. In me, Wales will always be one.

Today was a blessing as I preached twice in Bridgend Welsh Independents Chapel. It was really good to see some old friends. I also had a fantastic lunch with some old friends in the area. I was beaten twice at Mastermind by a little boy who isn't yet ten. He's really bright and I can cope with the ignominy - I'm used to it. Many thanks for a great day.

This evening, I prayed a great deal before reflecting on Acts 11: 1-18. Peter got a tough time from members of the church in Jerusalem for taking the Gospel to a non Jewish home. I learnt that when God's people are given visions do do things that other Christians aren't comfortable with, that they have to go back to tell their story.

Thank God, this weekend, I have had many stories to tell.

Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T22:38:00.002+01:00

I woke up early this morning to the news that Michael Jackson had died. It was all very sad. I don't really know what else to say. Everyone else seem to have said far too much already.

Betsan Powys did a good job on covering the All Wales Convention's last big public meeting in Cardiff City Hall last night in her BBC Blog. I was very tired after hearing evidence all day. But it was good evidence about something that really matters to me.

It was a good day before a sad day.

Transformers

2009-06-23T20:22:00.003+01:00

I am now on a train travelling back from London Paddington to Cardiff. Today was a good working day thinking some things through with friends and colleagues from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Things are not easy for churches these days. Finances are a real issue.

I have thought a lot over the past few days about prayer. It's always a great encouragement for those who work for the churches if they are prayed for. My home church in Pontypridd is good at that. I'll pray some more for my friends and hope they will do the same for me. That would be good.

It was probably the heat in London, but I had the mother of all headaches this afternoon. I'm told that people who come to work saying that they had migraine don't really have a migraine - just a bad headache. So, I drank a lot of water and went to see the new Transformers film to kill some time while waiting for the much cheaper later train.

The film was brilliant and the headache went away for the most part.

Red Cliff

2009-06-23T05:01:00.002+01:00

I never got to see Looking for Eric. I went to see Red Cliff instead. It has the most fantastic battle scenes you can begin to imagine. Well worth seeing.

I'm in London now though, enjoying the company of ecumenical friends. That's good.

Lions

2009-06-21T16:09:00.003+01:00

On Saturday I went to a birthday party in my sister's house in Ruthin. My brother was 60 years old.

We arrived on time for the Lions match which we enjoyed seeing in the Farmers Inn. I remain full of hope for the last two tests. With a Welsh front row we should be OK. In my objective view, it would also be good to have another look at James Hook and Shane Williams.

Sunday was for going to Saint Catherine's, writing an article and going to see Looking for Eric as a Father's day treat.

New Car and Prayer

2009-06-19T22:11:00.004+01:00

Today I got a new car. Or, to be more accurate, I got a different car. It's a Vauxhall Astra and silver. Because I had a little accident with my little green car earlier this week, its days are now over.

I thought a lot today about a friend who isn't very well. He was on my mind all day and very much in my prayers.

Happy Birthday Open University

2009-06-17T08:28:00.003+01:00

At the end of a busy day, last night, I thoroughly enjoyed a dinner to celebrate the 40th birthday of the Open University in the Millennium Centre. I was fortunate enough to make some new friends and enjoy the company of a modern Welsh hero, Tyrone O'Sullivan.

There were other heroes there as well - especially those who had achieved academic success.

P.S.

The Lions did well with yet another victory. I can't wait until Saturday!

Windbags to Moneybags..and boyo

2009-06-15T20:25:00.005+01:00

The other day, I fleetingly bumped into the Kinnocks in Queen Street, Cardiff. Both had been campaigning on the streets for the European elections. That was a tough job a couple of weeks ago. You couldn't pay me to do it - especially for somebody else.

Lady Kinnock , in her former role, was always strong on international issues and helped me on more than one occasion with some pretty tough and tragic refugee cases. For that, I thank her.

I don't know how much a human life is worth to the Daily Mail but it was clearly bothered today by the alleged £12 million the Kinnocks 'picked up' in 'pay and perks'.

As a democrat, I have no issue with a free press discussing the financial remuneration of leading politicians. Such things should be public - provided they are accurate and fair.

It's a smalll thing compared to a whacking £12 million issue I know but what I did object to is a fully grown up journalist, who should know better, using the 'boyo' word for a Welshman yet again.

Don't people like Geoffrey Wansell know that the only people who use the word 'boyo' are patronising and arrogant individuals who know absolutely nothing about Wales. No one in Wales now says 'boyo'!

So - dear Daily Mail, if you know so little about us - what do you really know about anything you write about?

Gardening

2009-06-14T21:49:00.002+01:00

This weekend I watched the Lions, did some gardening and preached at Efail Isaf.

My method for doing gardening and DIY isn't orthodox. But, sometimes I do try hard. One of these days I'll get this 'nice day' in the garden thing. But, not just yet.

USA

2009-06-12T22:30:00.005+01:00

I treated myself to a day off today. I really must do it more often.

I went to London and spent some time in the American Embassy. It was all huge fun and of great interest. The welcome was also great. During the Obama campaign I warmed to the good people of Wisconsin. I'll go there one day if they'll let me in to the US again.

I'm still an Obama fan and rejoice in a lot of things that have happened since his Inauguration. It was good today to reflect a little more on Welsh politics.

I also went to see a film in Leicester Square later in the afternoon to kill some time. I wanted to see Looking for Eric now that Ronaldo has gone from my beloved Manchester United. They had this film on where a really bad guy, according to the Evening Standard, got his head blown up in a microwave right at the end.

I didn't know you could do that with a microwave. Regardless, I'm sure doing that is against some sort of clerical code of practice.

Troubled

2009-06-10T23:05:00.004+01:00

Today in Wales I struggled with two intolerances. One belonged to language. The other belonged to immigration status.

Something happened a week ago that made the aggressive expression of intolerance more rather than less likely in the UK. Somehow or other, we have changed and I don't like it.

Tonight, I feel a little afraid. A dark arm has been stretched out over Europe.

Just Depends on What You do Next...

2009-06-08T06:23:00.006+01:00

This weekend was memorable. The Lions won - just. Our young football internationals also won against Azerbaijan - just.

The Conservatives beat Labour - just. Plaid Cymru improved a little - just. The UK Independence Party got a seat - just. The Liberal Democrats did well in their target seats - just.

The BNP got just 5% in Wales. That's a lot here for a party that doesn't allow black people to join it. I noted during the early hours of this morning some mainstream politicians suggesting that tactics concerning the BNP may now have to change. They may be right.

Labour, by its own admission, did badly - more than just. The view that Labour could never be beaten in Wales has now gone. Fortress Wales is no more. The psychology of that is significant.

So! What happens next? I believe that there is in the middle of all this one small comfort for Welsh Labour. What happens next in Wales, to a crucial extent, still rests in its hands. The next few hours and days will be crucial.

At a time of significant change I still dare to hope that Wales' mainstream parties will be wise and generous enough to be a little more than the geo-political tribes that have produced them. A great deal changed this weekend but Wales is still a place that warms, at different times and through different intensities, to governments that bring people together and take actions to ensure that no-one gets left behind.

In Wales, taking that rout is still a must for all the parties who wish to win. It also presents the best antidote to the BNP.

That just reminded me of something else. Yasmina won The Apprentice last night selling chocolate that was cheap, well packaged and tasted horrible. Alas, such things do happen.

Important Things...

2009-06-04T22:35:00.002+01:00

Today, I voted and did lots of other less important things. I also really want those I voted for to win..

Tonight I played football ... scored a lucky goal...let in three while in the goal..and ran for Wales. It was fun and I didn't hurt anyone.

Lions

2009-06-03T22:41:00.002+01:00

The British and Irish Lions were brilliant tonight against the Golden Lions. The Welsh boys did really well. This is going to be a good tour.

Tonight, I also attended the launch of the Welsh language Internet news service Golwg 360. I hope it works...

The BNP and all that...

2009-06-02T21:44:00.002+01:00

I have rarely felt so low about UK politics. I'm not alone in that feeling. Yet, I'm certain to vote on Thursday. Being able to vote, whatever I think about Westminster politics at the moment, is an activity I have no intention of compromising by not voting.

Some of us thought a great deal today about whether faith leaders in Wales should go public and seek to tell others not to vote for the BNP. Some very prominent Anglicans from England have already done so. They have that right to express their views.

I'd rather encourage everyone to vote and uphold an aspiration that Wales is a welcoming and diverse nation.

Szczeb said...

2009-06-02T20:26:00.005+01:00

Good points Szczeb and thanks for pressing me further. I hear your concern. It's expressed very well.

Let me be provocative. Dare I suggest a different way forward to the paths offered by the two alternatives you suggest in your latest posting. In the background I discern, perhaps wrongly, the all too familiar traditional arguments that have flowed from a vulnerable culture not wanting to loosen its grip on an absolute principle because that very loosening may well lead to the thin edge of a terminal cultural wedge.

What I am seeking to contend with here is not the manning of the usual cultural barricades for defensive purposes by a set of absolutes but an approach more reflective of the dynamic allowed by the two buzz words of modern equality thinking - reasonable and proportionate. A dynamic that can look to a greater confidence and linguistic growth precisely because it is not so constrained by fear. The absolutism caused by fear is rarely reasonable or proportionate.

The removal of that fear may well demand the meeting on common ground of two dynamics. It may well demand, on the part of Wales' minority linguistic community, such confidence that it is far more able to go beyond the absolutes of the barricades and accept the vulnerability of reaching out. From the majority linguistic tradition there must be a growing recognition that it is clearly an unreasonable act to ask a culture to so dilute itself that it dies. It must meet the reaching out with a shared sense of belonging and a desire to promote a common good.

Wales desperately needs a shared set of narratives and transforming conversations that allow us, as a diverse and modern people, to imagine how our cultures and politics can be so much better than they are now - for all our sakes. For such aspirations to be more than a mere collusion with rhetoric there must be many more points of conversation around shared futures in the common space called Wales.

Forgive my aspirational ramblings...but this singular noun that is Wales must become far more of a shared plural experience. It is well within our means to hold shared identities in that singular noun.

Pluralism - A Response

2009-05-29T08:11:00.027+01:00

Many thanks to everyone for their perceptive and challenging responses to my original posting regarding national events having 'too much English' or 'too much Welsh'. Just a few thoughts in response.

Perhaps I should explain some of the background to my comments. They flow mainly from the experience, over many years, of drafting local and national events or celebrations. For some, such events will always have too much Welsh: for others, such events will always have too much English. Wales continues, on the polarities of our bilingual conversations, to have such views. Thankfully, they are not held by the majority.

Inevitably, bringing people together for celebrations requires meeting the aspirations of diverse communities or groups that define and express themselves, at such points of contact, through the complex prism of the identities of faith, language, politics or sometimes a sense - wherever they find themselves in the pecking order of our diverse asymmetries of power - of being vulnerable to change, susceptible to injustices or even elimination.

Be assured, I do not question the reality or the legitimacy of any vulnerability. I have my own in loads. Being a first language Welsh speaker I am acutely aware of how vulnerable linguistic minorities can be.

Throughout my working life, I have also been embroiled professionally in the responses of faith communities that are acutely aware of their own decline. It seems to me that churches that have learnt how to evolve core values in newer environments have a great capacity to grow. Faith communities determined to shape themselves as condensed versions of what they used to be seem to struggle.

In the area of equality strands such as sexual orientation or disability, I have also encountered resourceful individuals who have striven bravely - despite the horrific odds stacked against them in terms of prejudice, bullying or a lack of reasonable access to goods and services -to enjoy the diverse and complex entirety of who they wish to be. They continue to need distinctive spaces as inequality continues.

Be assured therefore, my issue is not with legitimate expressions of cultural identity and exchange such as the Urdd Eisteddfod or Hay book festival or the gathering together of gay groups. My issue is with those who find them either 'too Welsh' or 'too English' to the extent that they are not prepared to experience anything that is beyond their cultural 'comfort zone.' Wales still has a dearth of places where discursive contacts with 'the other' are enjoyed.

This year I believe that the Hay festival and the Urdd Eisteddfod made significant progress in making sure that Wales' diverse cultures do not exist in a mutually excluding bubble. I do believe however that more could be done.

In response to Simon, I spring to the defence of pluralism. Earlier this week, while preparing for a questiontime type session for the Urdd around multiculturalism, I returned to my favourite episode of The West Wing. In the Isaac and Ismael episode which was produced after '9:11' there is a discerning conversation around themes of difference, the asymmetry of power, injustice and terrorism. One of the leading characters, Josh Lyman, is asked by a group of young diverse Americans locked in an imaginary White House to provide an answer to terrorism. I marked the Josh Lyman response "Remember pluralism....keep accepting more than one idea.'

My response concerning the philosophy of pluralism is simple. No expression of pluralism -if it is pluralism - will disregard the legitimate concerns of any minority. Pluralism will also discern the diversity of more than one idea and experience within linguistic minorities. That which can do so much harm to linguistic minorities is not the liberal thinking associated with pluralism but the illusion of it. Pluralism will always be comfortable with 'distinctive spaces'. Pluralism abhors monolithic melting pots.

I would also want to push the 'observer status' thing a bit further. National events have a 'moral requirement' which goes beyond their 'own constituency'. Even those who are there to observe have a moral right to feel that what they observe belongs to them. Both English and Welsh - as languages - belong to all the people of Wales.

I'm with Szczeb to the extent that individuals can belong to more than one community. That's obvious. I would also underline again that I am comfortable with distinct 'spaces' in any human experience. What I remain uncomfortable with is with those who actually crave the safe certainties of isolation and I remain of the view that indulging such cravings leads inevitably to stagnation.

Such cultures, like laboratory experiments, will only remain ultimately as in aspic.

Finally, to Stonemason...I may have ripped your comfort zone to shreds. You should see what I have done to mine!

Conversations

2009-05-26T20:08:00.005+01:00

Just a few quick thoughts at the end of the day...

When blogging last night after enjoying a whole day at the Urdd Eisteddfod, I didn't expect Betsan Powys from the BBC to note my comments about some national events having too much Welsh and others having too much English on her blog.

It's good to see that internet conversations are thriving. Betsan's comments, and several other conversations at the Urdd Eisteddfod, made me think some more - much more.

Sometimes, I feel that communities - be they of faith, language or of politics - occupy the same spaces but in mutually excluding bubbles. It's one of my great fears for the future - that the excluding bubbles will multiply. They have done so frequently in Wales at a terrible cost to a nation striving for the strengthening of shared narratives. Communities as well as nations are refreshed by the holding of transforming conversations - in whatever language.

I have asked a question all day: do I abandon my identity by sharing a platform or holding a conversation with those who are different in faith, politics or of language?

No, I don't. The sure testing of conversations with others only adds to the legitimacy of a point of view or belief. Languages are for me much better servants of the human experience when they are primarily the means of good conversation. They are the harbengers of the affirmations we strive for.

Cultures that crave the safe certainties of isolation eventually stagnate and die.

Never Right

2009-05-25T21:47:00.003+01:00

Today, I thought a great deal about two national events.

One had too much English in it and the other had too much Welsh. There is a wisdom that in the world of bilingualism if you get two sides complaining at the same time, you may just be getting the thing right.

Alternatively, you may be getting both wrong.

Eighteen

2009-05-16T22:00:00.002+01:00

It was great today to see Arsenal and Manchester United draw ensuring that United became this year's champions. At long last, it cannot be said any more that Liverpool have won more championships. I can't wait to get my teeth into next season so that we can go one better. I can only hope that Ronaldo and Tevez stay.

It was also brilliant at the end of the day to see Scarlets beat Ulster by means of a fantastic set of youngsters. Next season should be good.

What a great day.

P.S. I don't really care about the Eurovision thing.

Darren Fletcher is Innocent

2009-05-05T22:40:00.003+01:00

Tonight, I will remember the name Resotti more than the fact that Manchester United played brilliantly to beat Arsenal 1:3. Ronaldo was just fantastic.

Sometimes, it's difficult not to think that top sport is run by fools. Surely, when everyone saw that poor Darren Fletcher had got the ball rather than the player, it's OK to have an appeal and go "Oops sorry, I got that one wrong!". Mr Resotti, the Ref, just got it wrong when he gave Fletcher the red card.

Darren Fletcher is innocent! He should be allowed to play in what would have been the most important game of his career.

Cardiff Blues

2009-05-03T20:30:00.003+01:00

This morning I played at home. I decided that because I wasn't preaching anywhere that I would go to Saint Catherine's, Pontypridd. Marcus the Vicar spoke of fasting and giving things up. Both of us agreed after the service that we would give up watching Manchester United on Thursdays.

During the afternoon I went with my eldest son to tender our support for Cardiff Blues during the game against Leicester Tigers. For the first time ever in my rugby experience the tie had to go down to penalty kicks. It was entertaining but nerve racking.

I feel desperately sorry for one of my great heroes, Martyn Williams, who missed the decisive kick. I guess he won't be kicking penalties and conversions for the Lions in South Africa. All the Cardiff fans got the blues as did their adoptive brothers and sisters from Scarlets and Ospreys who were there to do the decent Welsh thing.

To top it all, Cardiff City failed to reach the play-offs. All in all, it wasn't a good day for Cardiff.

P.S.

Manchester United never play on Thursdays!

Manchester United and Arsenal

2009-04-29T22:46:00.003+01:00

Tonight I joined several other Manchester United fans in the gym. It's a good idea to watch football and use the treadmill at the same time. When United scored, several fans shouted their support. It's good to have a 1:0 win but I fear it may not be enough. We will all be back in the gym next week burning calories and biting fingernails. Arsenal will have to score twice.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the Lions tour from the gym during the summer. I should lose a lot of weight.

Tonight was also another Obama night. A hundred days have flown past - difficult days. It seems that the consensus is that he has done well. Obama is certainly popular. I still have the very fondest memories of my American campaigning. They were go0d days.

Trousers in Church

2009-04-29T17:07:00.002+01:00

A male friend asked a sensitive question today. Would a certain church be offended if a lady wore trousers during a service? The question gets 10 out of 10 for sensitivity. My guess is that most churches would have been more bothered if he wore a skirt!

Blessing and Horror

2009-04-26T19:09:00.002+01:00

This morning it was a great joy to celebrate the Eucharist in Saint Catherine's Church, Pontypridd before moving on to do two other services in Efail Isaf Chapel.

I didn't do much in the afternoon but this evening I went to see a horror film. It's been a good Sunday all in all and a good weekend going Catholic, home base Anglican and Welsh Independent. The film was good too.

Saint John Roberts of Trawsfynydd

2009-04-25T20:36:00.005+01:00

For someone from Trawsfynydd this was a special day. It was a blessing to join Wales' Catholic community in Saint Teilo's Church in Saint Fagan's folk museum. The mass was said in Welsh and formed part of the celebrations to commemorate Saint John Roberts from Trawsfynydd. He was executed some 400 years ago around the gunpowder plot.

I was told today by a leading Welsh academic with connections with Trawsfynydd that some families in the area didn't mark 5th November because of the local boy's death. I can't remember it ever stopping me though.

I was devastated to hear on returning home that Manchester United were losing 2:0 against Spurs. The eventual 5:2 was brilliant though. We are on the way to being Champions.

The Pitch

2009-04-21T07:10:00.002+01:00

OK! Now I know. Sir Alex did not play some of our best players because of the state of the pitch. We'll have you all back then in Cardiff where there is a proper stadium with a proper pitch.

Again, of course, it could have been all down to Everton being better on the day.

However, on to more important things. I'm looking forward today to seeing how many Welsh players will be in the Lions squad.

Porthcawl

2009-04-19T19:00:00.002+01:00

I had a great time today in Porthcawl preaching in the Welsh Chapel. It was a real blessing and encouragement. I needed it.

On returning home I watched Manchester United get kicked out of the FA Cup on penalties. Well done Everton. Resting key players was a big mistake if not an act of arrogance on Manchester United's part. I hope the rest of the season doesn't go the same way.

Hillsborough

2009-04-16T20:20:00.003+01:00

Last night, much to my joy as a Manchester United fan, I watched Ronaldo blast a rocket of a goal into the Porto net. It was probably the best distant shot I have ever seen from some 40 yards. Football, for that rare moment, will probably never get better. Last night, it didn't really matter.

Afterwards, I sat down to watch Hillsborough on TV and remembered the pain and injustice of that terrible day in Sheffield in 1989. That day, 96 innocent fans went out to watch a game of football and lost their lives. A good number were very young. Others were old.

Whenever I begin to feel the crush of the crowd during football or rugby games, I think of Hillsborough and remember the painful pictures of the day. On the whole, sporting crowds are innocent things. They are also full of human vulnerability. Those of us who attend and enjoy such events have to trust others who have built and now police stadiums.

We have to believe in the truth of their workmanship and believe that we are safe in their care.

Last night, watching TV after a football match I remembered the pain and anger of the parents and families who wanted a verdict of unlawful killing from the subsequent Hillsboroough inquest rather than the accidental death recorded at the time. In today's Independent I read that the Coroner at the time, Dr Stefan Popper, still believes that they did 'get to the truth of the matter'. That's not thew view of the parents who still crave for some sense of peace and an untold truth.

Whatever the brilliance of football last night, there were other things to think about - far more important things. I pray for peace and for truth.

Germany

2009-03-31T20:28:00.002+01:00

I had fun yesterday morning on Good Morning Wales. I really love doing the papers for Radio Wales and both Bethan and Rhun are good to me as interviewers. Rhun keeps trying to get a comment from me about the All Wales Convention thing. That's his job - but I'm not going to give in!!!

For once, I seemed to understand why Wales did so badly. People who know about football agreed with me. We have Germany tomorrow and I am dreading it.

We really, really need a good result

Bad Sporting Days

2009-03-29T16:37:00.003+01:00

These past eight days have been terrible for Welsh rugby and football fans. Yesterday, I was one of the 22,000 fans in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium who saw a young but poor Wales crash out of the World Cup to Finland. I have had some low points watching Wales. Yesterday was one of the worst.

Like most fans there yesterday I just could not understand why the Welsh team played the way they did with one player up front and I feel for Craig Bellamy in particular. He ran his heart out but had no-one to feed him the ball. He was on to a hiding to nothing and nothing is what we got.

Perhaps the time has come for a managerial change. I'm not jumping to that conclusion just yet. I'll be going to the Germany match on Wednesday and I wish Wales well. Another really bad result however and I may join the growing number of fans who will crave a managerial change.

Grand Slam Ireland

2009-03-22T21:06:00.002Z

Many congratulations to Ireland for a well deserved Grand Slam. I was there and thoroughly enjoyed the good Irish company - great fun. I hope that the Welsh team will learn lessons for next time around.

Sad about Manchester United yet again. Gutted!

Humble Weekend

2009-03-15T16:41:00.002Z

I'm told that it is sometimes good to be humble. It can be overdone however.

I congratulate Liverpool on their win over Manchester United and the Italians played well against Wales. We will now have to beat Ireland by a good points margin next week. Time will tell. Ireland will be dying for a Grand Slam.

This weekend, I'm feeling humble. Never mind!

Wales v England

2009-02-15T00:29:00.002Z

It was a joy to be in the Millennium Stadium today. We are a long way from another Grand Slam but it all looks good so far.

It was all the better because we beat a very good England team.

Barbarians

2009-01-30T22:11:00.001Z

I'm really looking forward to seeing Scarlets play the Barbarians tomorrow. I'll be there.