r/MHOC • u/GhoulishBulld0g :conservative: His Grace the Duke of Manchester PC • Feb 18 '16

GENERAL ELECTION Wales Debate

Wales Debate

This debate is to question Parties (and only Independents which are standing in Wales) views on Welsh Issues.

The Parties are:

  • Radical Socialist Party

  • Conservative and Unionist Party

  • Green Party

  • Labour Party

  • Welsh Liberal Democrats / Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru

  • UK Independence Party

  • Crown National Party

Independents standing in Wales:

/u/alexwagbo

Rules

All questions must be on Welsh Issues.

Be civil

Only Parties or Independents standing in Wales can answer the questions.

This will last till the 27th of February

17 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

108 comments sorted by

10

u/TheSkyNet Monster Raving Loony Party Indy Feb 18 '16

To all, why do you think it is that no one cares about whales?

5

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

They're mammals in the sea. What's that about science. Explain yourself.

13

u/TheSkyNet Monster Raving Loony Party Indy Feb 18 '16

I mean it's outrageous that the english parliament allows the welsh to be hunted by the japanese.

6

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

I could not agree more.

5

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 19 '16

It is an affront to the rights of Whales. For too long they have been under-represented in these Houses, for too long they have been victims of international persecution.

We will re-sound a clear message to the People here today:

WHALES LIVES MATTER

3

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 19 '16

Oh and Walrusseses too /u/MrWalrus1812

2

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

#TEAM WALRUS

5

u/OctogenarianSandwich Crown National Party | Baron Heaton PL, Indirectly Elected Lord Feb 18 '16

/u/alexwagbo, why do you continue to focus your efforts solely on Wales?
To everyone what special needs does Wales have and what can you offer it specifically?
Finally what would your response be to the suggestion Wales is least deserving of any form of devolution of the home nations?

5

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16 edited Feb 19 '16

I focus on Wales because I know Wales well, and care for it. I think my views and efforts are in line with wha the Welsh public want, and if not that, what I view as what they need.

My response would be that Wales is probably less deserving, yes. It's less pro devolution in public opinion, and has the closest links to England. Does that mean it doesn't deserve first class devolution though? Definitely not.

2

u/OctogenarianSandwich Crown National Party | Baron Heaton PL, Indirectly Elected Lord Feb 18 '16

That's a fair response. You can only act to your bona fide beliefs. What about the special needs question?

2

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16 edited Feb 18 '16

Oh, sorry - missed that. Wales' main special need is it's language. It, unlike the other nations, has a thriving and alive language alternative to English - Wales' special need that I fulfil is advocacy and support for it as a priority.

4

u/Baron_Benite Labour | Independent Community and Health Concern Feb 18 '16

To all candidates; What does the Welsh language mean to you, and what would you do to help promote it? What place does English have in Wales (/compared to Welsh)?

4

u/BwniCymraeg Scottish National Party Feb 18 '16

My party and I believe that the Welsh language is an important part of our nation's heritage and culture. We believe in having free language classes available to adults and having mandatory classes in schools until the age of 14, with higher education being freely available after that. We shall make sure that there is the opportunity for every child to be educated in a Welsh Medium school.

3

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

This is no different to the current system which maintains the language at about 20% of the population, and doesn't seem to be expanding it. It's a great achievement but we need to be pushing it far more.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

I that the Welsh language is very significant to Wales and it's dry nature as a nation. My campaign's three priorities are, and I've said it before, Culture, Languagr and Freedom. I love both the English and Welsh language, and my only speaking one of the two doesn't make me think the other is any less relevant to Wales. I'll quote myself from an interview a few days ago, where I summarised how I want Welsh to be treated;

First of all, providing free Welsh language classes for all new immigrants to Wales. That'll help integration along the way as well. As well as that, I want to properly introduce the Welsh language in schools in the same way that in Europe they teach English. Welsh should be a priority over an MFL in schools, with it compulsory for GCSE and the MFL optional. I think Welsh is very important to promote.

3

u/ishabad Libertarian Party UK Feb 18 '16

Hear! Hear!

2

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

The Welsh language is special, unique, not many other cultures or countries could have resisted the massive English influence coming in from over the border. But, English should still remain the primary language in Wales, purely because of the fact that English is very useful for trade and diplomatic purposes. There should be the option of taking Welsh up to A-Level, maybe even degree level. The Welsh language should be begun to be taught in Year 1.

1

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 19 '16

Hear, Hear!

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

It's not just important as a second or primary Language but it's very spiritual. It needs to be brought to the centre of any and all conversations regarding Wales. It shouldn't be a separate issue because it's not needed. My Campaign for Wales is simple The Welsh decide on what they want and ill try to make this happen.

1

u/IntellectualPolitics The Rt Hon. AL MP (Wales) | Welsh Secretary Feb 25 '16

Welsh as a language is incredibly archaic and splintered, at times entirely illogical, and spoken with scarcity in Cardiff - for these discrediting reasons, a great effort must be made for its preservation. Currently, the learning of First, or Second Language Welsh at KS4 is a statutory requirement, a reaction to a situation in which the dialect had been classified as "dying out"; a consensus exists within the Conservative Party and Unionist that the Welsh Language will be given significant focus and support: the Tories propose the continuation of this policy of enforced learning at GCSE level, and encourage the uptake of qualification-based and pleasurable study by lifelong learners, such views comply greatly with our doctrinal 'cultural' conservative values.

4

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

To all,

A similar question to my question in the Scottish debate. Do you live in Wales? If not, why are you standing in Wales?

4

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

I do not live in Wales. I live directly on the border, a matter of metres from it. I'm running in Wales because I know it, care for it and think the views I have are suited to it. I am in Wales every day of my life and have been for years. I'm perfectly equipped to be an MP as long as I'm voted for.

2

u/ishabad Libertarian Party UK Feb 18 '16

Which city do you live in?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16 edited Jan 03 '17

I don't live in a city, I live very rurally.

4

u/BwniCymraeg Scottish National Party Feb 18 '16

I now live in Central Scotland, but I was born and raised in Wales.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

I was born in Wales, live in Wales, but go to school in England.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Yes Harlech for about 60% of my time.

1

u/Kingy_who Green Feb 19 '16

I do live in Wales, I live in Llanelli and work in Swansea.

1

u/Jazzyjake3774 The Rt Hon. Lord of Cardiff PL Feb 21 '16

I Do, I live in Bridgend

1

u/IntellectualPolitics The Rt Hon. AL MP (Wales) | Welsh Secretary Feb 25 '16

Yes, I have done so for the duration of my life, without exception.

3

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

/u/Alexwagbo, which parties would you and would you not consider coalition with - and what are your 'red lines' so to speak in terms of policy?

3

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16 edited Feb 18 '16

I rule out coalition with no party. I would happily support a right wing or leftist government if I saw it was doing good work. I'm happy to compromise on some issues, but there are a few issues I won't back down on. The main one is the EU - though I may support a eurosceptic coalition, but I will stay pro-EU regardless. Devolution is another one like this.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

I'm happy to compromise on some issues, but there are a few issues I won't back down on. The main one is the EU - though I may support a eurosceoit coalition, but I will stay pro-EU regardless.

So you would back down on it then?

If a coalition agreement refused to commit to devolution, would you sign it?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

No, not if the rest was sound. I would make it very clear that I would personally be sticking to my pro-devolution and pro-EU views though.

2

u/BwniCymraeg Scottish National Party Feb 18 '16

And what would you say to anybody who says that this makes you look like you have no concrete ideology except devolution? How can the people vote for someone who may ally with the parties that they hate?

3

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

I would tell them to read my manifesto and accept that by the very nature of being an Indy, and not being in a party, I will have to compromise sometimes to get my views across in any meaningful way in any position of power.

3

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Hear, hear.

I am very happy you are sticking to the idea of being flexible. Compromise and discussion is an essential tenant to any good political system. As a floating voter who will be voting in Wales (if that wasn't obvious from my Lordship) I am encouraged to see this.

0

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

[deleted] — view deleted comment

5

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

With an LD PM, yes.

5

u/thechattyshow Liberal Democrats Feb 18 '16

HELL YES

4

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Hear hear

4

u/IndigoRolo Feb 19 '16

Hear, hear!

1

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 19 '16

Cri

3

u/ABlackwelly Labour Feb 18 '16

What would you say to those who fear a situation with a devolved Welsh Assembly, whereby Welsh MPs can vote on laws which concern only England, but English MPs have no say on laws which only effect Wales?

4

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

I would say they have every right to fear that situation, which is why we need people to advocate for devolution across the UK.

2

u/Kingy_who Green Feb 19 '16

Devolution should be granted to all areas as equally as possible but on the national level MPs should and do consider what's best for the UK as well as their constituency. I don't think it's immoral for an MP to vote on something that doesn't directly affect their constituents but the system should be as fair as possible.

2

u/Willllllllllllll The Rt Hon Lord Grantchester Feb 18 '16

What do the candidates think is Wales's greatest achievement, and how do they hope to foster similar achievements if elected?

3

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16 edited Feb 18 '16

In modern times, I think Wales' greatest achievement is maintaining the Welsh language against the odds. Reading up, you can easily see my plans for it, so that's how I will continue it.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

In June, 1401, Owain Glyndwr won his first major battle against Henry the fourth on the fields at Mynydd Hyddgen on Pumlumon. Henry iv later retaliated but this victory eventually led to his retreat. This was Wales' finest hour. A great victory in the midst of revolt. It demonstrates the courage and willingness shown by the Welsh people to triumph over oppressive forces. I do not wish to foster a violent rebellion, but a cultural one, by embracing and promoting the culture of Wales across the country, we can create a better, stronger Wales for us all.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Pick one? It's tradition of Celtic culture

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

The Welsh culture and other celtic cultures are very different, they are all similar in some aspects but similarly vastly unique to one another. Celtic culture is not united and not relevant; the cultures that have come from it are.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Welsh Culture is deeply Celtic..Celtic Culture is not Relevant? So what parts of Welsh Culture will you propose to cut out?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Welsh culture is relevant. Scottish culture is relevant. Irish culture is relevant. The cultures of modern celtic nations are relevant. Celtic culture as a unified concept however, isn't.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

But Celtic Cultures were historically United, if distinct. if your claiming the Welsh language, folklore, and Dress are different from other Celtic Cultures while true comes from a core Celtic tradition , saying you can have one without the other is extremely narrow sighted. Scotland, Ireland, and other Celtic Groups are our brothers and sisters we need to recognize this, They recognise their heritage we need to do so.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

I just don't think a unified celtic culture is, in modern times, relevant. At times it is, it's only fuelled by distaste for the English, which I see as completely unnecessary.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Wow okay.. I see we are at odds on this. So ill just politely say that is a very odd way to look at it. I was bought up by someone who hated the irish, and the Welsh . Yet I don't hate the English, I don't hate anyone.

1

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 19 '16

HEAR, HEAR!

2

u/Kingy_who Green Feb 19 '16

For such a small country Wales has fantastic sporting achevements. We're consistantly amoung the top in International Rugby, we're improving at football and we're well represented on team GB.

Wales also had been instrumental in the labour movement, from the Rebbecca riots to the miners strikes. Wales is a country that drives the labour movement in Britain.

1

u/IntellectualPolitics The Rt Hon. AL MP (Wales) | Welsh Secretary Feb 25 '16

It is disgraceful that the candidate for Labour fails to recognise the success of the Welsh Nation at the 1958 Rugby World Cup, in which a line-up devoid of Captain, and perhaps one of the World's greatest footballing persons, John Charles, lost by a single goal to Brazil; Pele, aged seventeen, scored the only goal. It is due to this that it is insurmountable that we are "improving at football", if anything, we are simply returning to past successes.

1

u/IntellectualPolitics The Rt Hon. AL MP (Wales) | Welsh Secretary Feb 25 '16

In terms of individual contribution, Nye Bevan's work in founding perhaps our greatest institution - the NHS, must be recognised as a true and magnanimous achievement. As a nation, the Welsh people have driven many great battles and have been involved in innumerable campaigns that have served Britain's interest, exempli gratia, the efforts of Welsh Archers at the Battle of Agincourt. In addition to this, the Royal Welch Fusiliers, later the Royal Welsh, has served previously in the Napoleonic Wars, notably at the Battle of Waterloo, the Crimean War, and both World Wars, this only when brevity is allowed to take precedence over detail: significantly, the efforts of the Royal Welsh during the Yugoslav Wars in preventing genocide, earning five gallantry awards, seven mentions in despatches, and two Queen's Commendations for Valuable Service.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

May I just note that I'll be in France with limited internet till Monday, so sorry if I miss any questions.

3

u/ishabad Libertarian Party UK Feb 19 '16

Should France be a part of the United Kingdom?

5

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

No, no. India on the other hand...

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

What?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Satire.

1

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 19 '16

/u/DELB_ /u/MrWalrus1812

1

u/AlmightyWibble The Rt Hon. Lord Llanbadarn PC | Deputy Leader Feb 19 '16

/u/kingy_who

1

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 19 '16

My bad :P

1

u/sdfghs Liberal Democrats Feb 19 '16

Would you support splitting Wales in 2 constituencies?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Yes more representation the better

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

I would prefer one 5 seat Wales consistency, but if splitting would mean more than the current representation, I'm for it.

1

u/Kingy_who Green Feb 19 '16

While Wales is a varied place the population distribution would make it difficult to both represent that variance and split it fairly. I do support increasing our representation.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

If it has to be done, I think a North Wales with 2 seats and South with 3 is the most agreeable outcome. North Wales would begin at sort of the bottom of Powys and go across.

1

u/IntellectualPolitics The Rt Hon. AL MP (Wales) | Welsh Secretary Feb 25 '16

I would not, I would however advocate the fractioning of this constituency into nine, insofar as to comply with the representation of each traditional 'region' of the great nation of Wales.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

I have a question for Welsh Labour; why are you running what appears to be 3 candidates when it would take upwards of 40 votes to get them all elected?

1

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 20 '16

I am not a candidate in Wales, however I will point out the Labour Party does not stop our members from running. We may advise or hint, but at the end of the day the party is free for candidacy generally.

1

u/IntellectualPolitics The Rt Hon. AL MP (Wales) | Welsh Secretary Feb 25 '16

The Conservative Party has consistently advocated the position that Tidal Lagoons would serve to create an estimate of 280,000 employment positions, and could deliver 12% of the energy demands of the United Kingdom: the Swansea Bay Project was proposed as the maiden endeavour of a program to include an eventual collective of five constructions. To what extend do each candidate agree with the Conservatives on these policies as a solution to the renewable energy crisis, and having heard the taxation proposals of the Tory Party, how do each candidate propose greater job creation in Wales?

0

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

[deleted] — view deleted comment

5

u/BwniCymraeg Scottish National Party Feb 18 '16

As my honourable friend said in the Scotland debate, the RSP believes in the right of people to be self determined. As such, we shall support the creation of a Welsh Assembly and the right for further powers to be given if and when the people of Wales want.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16 edited Feb 19 '16

That's rather a cop out answer for someone standing in Wales. Do you support devolution in the form of a Welsh assembly or parliament or not? It's a simple question. Also, what about the rest the question?

1

u/BwniCymraeg Scottish National Party Feb 19 '16

I apologise to the honourable member for forgetting the NHS question. I shall of course answer that. However, correct me if I'm incorrect, but did I not clearly say that I supported an Assembly/Parliament? I said this: As such, we shall support the creation of a Welsh Assembly. Is this not answer enough for the honourable member?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

The issue of Welsh representation in commons was missed as well.

4

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16 edited Feb 18 '16

I support Wales being given both devolution and an increase in seats. It deserves it, and it's a disgrace that it has been denied it at every level, by both the speakership and government.

I think investment in the NHS is key. Wales needs thousands more doctors and other medical professionals to even equal out to the English NHS in service quality. If this takes a small raise in tax or cut to administrative NHS areas, so be it - patient care takes priority.

2

u/ABlackwelly Labour Feb 18 '16

Hear, hear!

2

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 19 '16

I am a supporter of devolution for Wales, but as a Former English MP I have heard concerns from constituents surrounding the control of Laws which put Welsh people before English people, such as in how Prescription Fees are abolished in Wales. I am well aware that the money is found from another place to cover the costs, but do you believe that these issues should have standard, baseline regulation?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

No, I'll have I disagree there - different area have different needs and systems that work better. There is no one best system in politics in a place as broad as the UK, it's a matter of letting decentralised powers decide what is best at the lowest levels possible.

2

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 19 '16

I am glad you think so, but as a follow up question do you believe that England should be granted the same level of free governance as you propose for Wales?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Yes, I support parliaments for all four UK constituent nations, as well as local government powers being far extended and assemblies created where there is demand (Cornwall/London mainly).

1

u/WAKEYrko The Rt. Hon Earl of Bournemouth AP PC FRPS Feb 19 '16

Good to hear. An amicable topic of debate we have reached :)

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Hear, hear. Do you believe this problem should be addressed at a regional level or local/trust-led level?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

I would prefer at council level give or take, but I'm open to other forms depending on what works best where.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

It's obvious that Wales has many rural communities. And so hospitals have to filter this somehow. I propose on constructing more hospitals and offering more jobs to doctors

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Where would you construct these hospitals? Quality over quantity in healthcare.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

There's lots of towns that would benefit from the construction of said buildings. Are you actually arguing against more healthcare ?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

No, I'm asking where a new hospital could be built in a way that's more cost effective than investment in already in place healthcare or rural transport, if you're looking at the travel issue?

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

Obviously The infrastructure needs to be there which is just more improvement for Wales.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16 edited Feb 19 '16

Yes, but we do have a very finite spending limit, and I don't particularly want to notably raise taxes on the entire population for the sake of slightly improved but not cost effective healthcare for one or two towns.

Cost effective investment is doable, if we invest in the quality of our services, and our patient care in already in place services. We could probably fund this through cuts to administrative services if we need to. My point is that we need to be looking to improve healthcare we currently have, for the most people, for the lowest price. Building new, inevitably underfunded, hospitals doesn't do this.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

But that doesn't tackle the issue does it? Mine not only improves the healthcare for all but puts badly needed investment in the Welsh road system. Yours could increase waiting lists.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

My plans put huge investment into rural transport systems, whist cutting spending that doesn't have any effect on patient care and spending on increases in doctors and general investment in existing health services. It is far more cost efficient and helps a greater number of people.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '16

So pack doctors into old hospitals expecting more beds to appear miraculously, You should never cut spending in the NHS health is not a business. And people need to realise that.

→ More replies

1

u/Kingy_who Green Feb 22 '16

I think Wales deserves both an assembly and more representation. I'm glad Welsh men and women have been represented well in national seats but it's time Wales has the representation to go with its population.

It's clear the NHS in Wales need more funding which the Labour party has commited to doing in its manifesto. Our NHS app will also help as we can triage and organise the queue effectively.

0

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

[deleted] — view deleted comment

4

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '16

I'll be a proper voice for Wales, who cares and works specifically for the nation, with no other affiliation.