Politics

Strange bedfellows

Published

9 years ago

November 19, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Stephen Crabb: Cross-party consensus favouring amendment he voted
against

THE LAST week has seen causes close to the hearts of many people receive support from somewhat unlikely quarters.
Last Tuesday, (Conservative) MPs voted against a proposed amendment to the finance bill, which would have forced George Osborne to outline a strategy for negotiating with the EU to remove the 5% VAT from tampons.
In the end, only three Conservative MPs voted in favour of the amendment, but prior to the vote, rumours of strong cross-party support for the amendment were rife, and commentators believed that Eurosceptic Tories would vote against the party line and follow their own agenda, as UKIP’s solitary MP did.
It will be interesting to see how many times Douglas Carswell votes in favour of a motion put forward by a Labour MP who has described herself as a ‘feminist and Trade Unionist’ in the future.
The three Conservatives who defied the Whip – Philip Davies, Philip Hollobone and David Nuttall, are all confirmed opponents of Britain remaining in the EU. Their vote in this matter, like that of Carswell, would appear to be an attempt to put Mr Osborne in a position where he was unable to secure EU approval, which would serve to highlight perceived problems with Britain’s EU membership ahead of a referendum.
The reasons given by Conservative MPs for voting against the amendment made for amusing reading. Realising, perhaps, that around half of their constituents were female, they queued up to tell local papers that they were in favour of reducing VAT for tampons – even though they voted against an amendment which was specifically about doing just that.
A Herald journalist contacted Stephen Crabb to ask his reasons for voting against the amendment The Secretary of State for Wales said that there was ‘cross party consensus’ that the UK should be able to abolish VAT on sanitary products.
“Ministers are about to commence discussions with the European Commission and other EU Member States.
“Given that the Minister has already promised to report back to the House of Commons on these negotiations, the amendment was unnecessary and so I voted against.”
The prospect of a Labour amendment succeeding presumably did not cross Mr Crabb’s mind when he cast his vote. The same could not be said for Gower’s Byron Davies, who was happy to say: “People also need to realise that it’s not that I voted against the abolition of the tax. I’m all for abolishing the tax or at least making it lower.
“But, I am a member of the Conservative Party; hence I am unable to vote in favour of a motion proposed by Labour.”
Mr Davies also said: “There is a lot of miscommunication around this issue at the moment.
“The decision to lower the VAT on sanitary items is not within the power of the UK government. This power lies with the European Union, who introduced the tax because they are not considered essential items.”
Whether or not this is the result of miscommunication, the amendment quite clearly stated that:
“Within three months of the passing of this Act, the Chancellor of the Exchequer shall lay before both Houses of Parliament a statement on his strategy to negotiate with the EU institution an exemption from VAT for women’s sanitary protection products.”
As such, arguing that it is not within the power of a UK government seems to be a flawed premise. However, it is one shared by Conservative MP for Monmouth David Davies, who also voted against the amendment.
“The problem is we’ve got the ludicrous EU regulations. They’ve got to change,” he told a local newspaper.
“People blame the government for things like this, but we don’t have any control over it.
“It’s something we need to bear in mind when there’s a referendum on our EU membership.”
It is perhaps surprising that David Davies voted against this amendment, given that he is willing to support other groups with, shall we say, differing political beliefs against the common enemy that is the EU.
The People’s NHS Wales have been vocally campaigning for the NHS to be made exempt from the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Readers in Pembrokeshire will be aware of their numerous attempts to meet with Stephen Crabb to discuss the issue with him, including attending two (cancelled) constituency surgeries.
The People’s NHS is fiercely critical of NHS privatisation, and the current Conservative government. The Welsh group has been attempting to raise the profile of TTIP, and the possible effects that privatisation in England could have on the Barnett differentials for Wales, as well as the risk that any privatisation would be irreversible.
This would, on the face of it, appear to be a fairly socialist agenda, in that it encourages government spending in the public sector. However, Mr Davies has lent the group his support, and has written what the People’s NHS Wales describe as a ‘strongly worded letter’ to the Minister for Trade and Investment calling for the Government to ensure that the NHS is protected.
In his letter to Francis Maude, Mr Davies said: “I therefore hope the UK government will call on the EU to change the wording of the TTIP proposal in a way that would rule out the privatisation of the NHS. If the EU ignores our wishes as is sadly possible, then I will advise all those who have lobbied me to take account of this when they vote on Britain’s membership of the EU in the forthcoming referendum.”
The wording of this missive carefully avoids making any reference to the role of the Conservative Party in this matter, or that one of the main concerns of the People’s NHS is that the Conservative Government will use TTIP as a means to a programme of privatisation which will be irreversible as a consequence of multinational companies being given the power to sue governments which make decisions that cost them money.
It appears that, to the hardened Eurosceptic, any cause that furthers the ‘Brexit’ agenda is to be championed regardless.

Community

Pembrokeshire town 4G phone mast plans withdrawn

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for a replacement 20-metre-high 4G phone mast tower in north Pembrokeshire, which the local town council says would have “an unacceptable adverse impact” on the national park’s beauty have been withdrawn.

In an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Cellnex, through agent Telent, sought permission to replace an existing 10m high mast with a new 20m 4G tower with three Vodafone antennae and nine mast head amplifiers, and associated works, on land at Dwr-y-Felin Farm, Fford Bedd Morris, Newport.

The application for a 4G mobile base station for the mobile network operator(s) (MNOs) Vodafone Ltd in conjunction with Cornerstone. The application site is owned / operated by Cellnex UK, a radio site infrastructure provider.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “The proposed antenna height of 20m is essential to provide new 4G coverage and replacement 2G and 3G service provision to the surrounding area. 4G radio signals are more sensitive to physical obstructions than older technologies.

“This is because the higher the frequency band the greater the reduction in signal strength, increasing the likelihood of dropped calls and reduced data rates for internet browsing,” adding: “Generally, the higher the signal frequency the more it will be impacted by clutter. It is for this reason that there is the height of 20m is required.”

It went on to say it “should be noted that a radio base station within this location has already been considered acceptable and has become an established feature within the area and the proposed upgrade albeit different in design to support the latest equipment will not be of substantial or detrimental harm to the national park, conservation area or heritage assets”.

Newport Town Council had objected to the application, saying: “The proposed development (if approved in its current form) will have an unacceptable adverse impact on the qualities and special landscape and seascape character of the National Park and also on the special qualities of natural beauty and tranquillity.”

The application has now been withdrawn.

Charity

Flats for veterans to be built at VC Gallery, Pembroke Dock

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to build flats for armed forces veterans on a former Pembrokeshire school yard/playing field next to veterans’ charity the VC Gallery has been approved by county planners.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council, veterans’ charity The VC Gallery sought permission for eight flats in two blocks of two-storey buildings, including wheelchair accessible flats, for Armed Forces veterans on land to the east of the former St Marys Catholic School site, Britannia Road, Pembroke Dock.

The former school, which closed in 2019, is currently used as the VC Gallery, itself an expansion of veterans’ charity the VC Gallery’s home in Haverfordwest, set up by Barry John MBE.

Documentation, through agent Pembroke Design Limited included a supporting statement by Barry John MBE, which it says “explains the issues that veterans face after leaving the services, the need for dedicated housing provision, the support that VC Gallery’s staff and volunteers provide and the gaps in current provision which the proposed development will help address”.

It added: “Although the development will provide and encourage independent living for its tenants, essential physical and mental support will be provided by the staff and volunteers in the VC Gallery as required, in accordance with individual veterans’ needs. Many will need a high level of support and the close proximity of the flats to the facilities and people on hand in the adjacent VC Gallery is therefore critical to the proposal’s purpose.”

Mr John’s statement said: “We want to create a unique offer to Armed Forces veterans in Pembrokeshire by offering up not just quality accommodation in a gated and safe environment but to also have a bespoke peer mentoring service.”

He added: “Working alongside our stakeholders The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the OVA (Office of Veterans Affairs) we have secured a grant to draw up plans and to look at how the secured land at the VC Gallery Pembroke Dock can be turned into a bespoke housing solution for Armed Forces Veterans.

“We have Service level agreements with the local authority for specifically supporting tenancy in veterans which will also extend to giving vital counselling services. Our work with the health board and provision for peer mentorship also gives us great grounding for effective help on a practical level for the veterans’ village but we will need a more designated package around the housing we provide to include both mental health and also maintenance (something we don’t have at present).”

His statement finished: “We think the need is great, we have the land, we have the skills for care and the ambition to help. It would be a project above all social housing enterprises, and we want to make a go of it.”

Politics

Call to stop councillors being employed by MPs and MSs

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to stop senior Pembrokeshire county councillors being employed by MPs or Senedd members is to come under greater scrutiny at a special council committee.

In a Notice of Motion submitted to the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy said: “While it is acceptable for Cabinet members to hold other employments, no serving county councillor should hold a Cabinet position within Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) while simultaneously being employed by a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the Senedd (MS).

“Cabinet members hold executive responsibilities, and such dual roles risk potential conflicts of interest, particularly if Cabinet decisions conflict with the policies of their employer, often a political party. This concern is heightened in a council where most members are Independents.”

Cllr Murphy’s notice of motion was heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council where it was agreed the matter be referred to a future constitutional review committee.

In the registration of interests for the eight members of Leader Cllr Jon Harvey’s Cabinet, only Cllr Joshua Beynon, deputy leader of the Labour Group and Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies, lists a politician as an employer, in his case newly-elected Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell.

Responding to the notice of motion, Cllr Beynon has previously said: “This motion, which appears to target my unique position as a Cabinet Member for Finance and part-time parliamentary employee, raises serious questions about its fairness, legality, and intent.

“At its core, this is a politically motivated motion that seeks to undermine the principles of fairness and freedom. It attempts to dictate lawful employment choices of councillors, disregarding the importance of balancing public service with individual rights. Such an approach risks creating a chilling effect, discouraging capable individuals from serving in public office in the future.”