http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2012/02/16/sitting-in-the-house-of-commons-last-week-listening-to-yet-another-complacent-duck-and-cover-response-from-david-cameron-on-the-nhs-two-thoughts-occurred-91466-30329624/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2012/02/16/ponty-join-push-for-a-regional-rugby-revamp-91466-30331421/

http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/story/159296.html

http://www.labour.org.uk/inflation-rate-cost-of-living-still-on-the-up

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17008020

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2012/02/09/mps-warn-wru-of-social-and-economic-costs-to-communities-caused-by-regional-rugby-91466-30294992/

http://waleshome.org/2012/02/regional-rugby-time-for-change/

http://www.itv.com/wales/should-we-have-a-fifth-rugby-region20301/

http://www.labour.org.uk/student-loans-company-reports-raise-questions,2012-02-02

http://news.glam.ac.uk/news/en/2012/jan/27/labour-mp-owen-smith-addresses-humanities-students/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/pontypridd/2012/01/26/staff-at-pontypridd-s-fashion-chain-bonmarche-wait-to-hear-of-store-s-fate-91466-30192051/#ixzz1kYcoAwpn

http://www.labour.org.uk/clegg-preaching-about-fairness-and-tax,2012-01-26

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2012/01/19/big-thanks-to-observer-readers-for-the-passion-and-enthusiasm-that-you-ve-shown-in-response-to-the-reform-regional-rugby-campaign-91466-30141948/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01b4w7h/Daily_Politics_19_01_2012?t=06m54s

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-16604894

http://www.labour.org.uk/inflation-remains-double-the-governments-target-rate,2012-01-17

http://www.labour.org.uk/peacocks-future-indicative-of-failed-economic-strategy

http://labourlist.org/2012/01/time-to-act-on-sweetheart-deals-and-tax-havens/

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=9744&st=15%3A14%3A58&player=silverlight

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2012/01/12/campaign-launched-to-transform-regional-rugby-91466-30096011/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2012/01/10/mp-s-petition-calling-for-reform-to-regional-rugby-system-gains-1-000-signatures-91466-30090246/

http://www.labour.org.uk/goldman-sachs-hmrc-deal

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/reform-regional-rugby/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/01/04/vat-cut-call-to-help-building-sector-and-tourism-industry-91466-30056252/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/12/22/i-know-it-s-a-bit-early-but-seeing-as-i-only-have-one-column-a-month-i-thought-i-d-get-in-early-with-my-wishes-for-2012-91466-29990686/

http://www.labour.org.uk/small-firms-new-year-tax-break,2012-01-04

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16274800

http://www.labour.org.uk/hmrc-cut-a-deal-with-goldman-sachs,2011-12-20?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LabourPartyNews+%28The+Labour+Party+-+Latest+news%29

http://www.labour.org.uk/retail-sales-figures-disappointing

http://www.labour.org.uk/britain-highest-inflation-of-any-eu-country

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2011/12/10/reaction-from-wales-to-david-cameron-s-eurozone-decision-91466-29928862/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/12/01/ponty-will-be-hit-hard-by-cuts-says-mp-91466-29871011/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2011/12/01/2-500-to-be-wiped-off-family-incomes-in-just-three-years-as-economic-gloom-deepens-91466-29876416/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_9650000/9650970.stm?t=34m42s

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/11/30/public-sector-foots-massive-bill-as-the-chancellor-inflicts-pay-and-jobs-pain-91466-29866998/

Last week’s decision by David Cameron to call an unscheduled, two-day, recess of Parliament may have been a naked attempt to avoid scrutiny as Youth Unemployment climbed shamefully past the million mark, but for me it provided a valuable, additional few days in the Constituency. And I thought today I’d write about those last few days because they presented a real insight into the terrific work that is being done by so many in our community to enrich and improve the lives of others.

Wednesday night was a great example, with the staging of a public meeting in Pontyclun:  one of a series of meetings that have been arranged to allow local representatives to meet with residents to discuss issues of importance to the community, most notably, at present, the proposals from a developer to create a new ‘town centre’ connecting Pontyclun , Llantrisant and Talbot Green. They’ve been arranged by local Labour Party activists.

But the politics of the people has been entirely irrelevant, what has mattered is that they care about the future of their community – enough to take responsibility for gathering the opinion of their neighbours, and then presenting them to the politicians and developers to make sure that they listen. 

Already the forum has suggested clear improvements to the plans – demonstrating how local people can pull together to shape the future of their community and its environment. Keep going!

Other examples of local leadership were on show at several of the meetings that I attended on Friday. First was the RCT Local Access Forum, where we discussed plans to further open up our countryside and rivers to ramblers and cyclists, canoeists and anglers. Again the energy and enthusiasm to drive such ideas stems from volunteers and activists – and the enthusiasm is infectious as shown by RCT Council’s fantastic, Access Forum-inspired plan to get local residents to ‘Adopt’ paths around RCT – taking some responsibility for keeping an eye on their state and perhaps even helping maintain them.

Secondly, was another meeting between the Council and residents, this time of Treforest. The issue at hand was the possible development of a Hydropower scheme on the Taff at Treforest – to generate real income to spend on local priorities. That’s a dream that the Treforest Resident’s Association have been pursuing with passion and practical good sense – and it came one step closer to fruition on Friday with the buy-in of RCTCBC.

Lastly, some congratulations: First to Pontypridd Town Council, for hosting a great ceremony last week for the illumination of the Christmas lights. Good fun was had by all. And second, to Pontypridd RFC, whose season goes from strength to strength: what a win against the Whites on Saturday!

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/11/24/give-the-olympic-torch-a-proper-ponty-welcome-91466-29829061/

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=9343&player=silverlight&st=18:37:16

http://www.labour.org.uk/vat-rise-governments-failure-to-act-pushing-up-inflation,2011-11-15

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2011/11/09/money-unspent-by-assembly-must-be-returned-to-westminser-91466-29749661/

Owen will be holding a surgery this Saturday morning (November 12th) in Hawthorn Community Centre from 9:30am to 10:30am. Phone 01443 401122 for more info.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b016qypn/The_Politics_Show_Wales_06_11_2011?t=46m43s

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/cardiff-news/2011/11/05/tributes-paid-to-campaigner-as-community-comes-together-to-witness-unveiling-of-new-war-memorial-91466-29723585/

http://www.accountancyage.com/aa/news/2122664/nic-holiday-remains-low?WT.rss_f=&WT.rss_a=NIC+holiday+take-up+remains+low

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_9629000/9629980.stm?t=2h21m33s

http://www.labour.org.uk/worrying-forecasts-for-economy

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/11/03/business-booms-for-pontypridd-coach-firm-91466-29707688/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_9625000/9625577.stm?t=15m23s

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2011/11/01/vat-hike-has-hit-the-poorest-the-hardest-report-finds-115875-23529053/

http://www.labour.org.uk/ons-report-shows-vat-hits-poorest-hardest

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fiplayer%2Fepisode%2Fb016bkqx%2FShelagh_Fogarty_26_10_2011%3Ft%3D1h06m36s&h=FAQG3tgLWAQGUCAPwvA_v3LPo-18RPj1w1cylhXYeqwbsUQ

http://www.labour.org.uk/concerning-survey-from-federation-of-small-business,2011-10-18

http://welshlabour.org.uk/jobs-plan

Leading Labour figures have today criticised the government for its failing policy of offering a National Insurance Contribution holiday only to new businesses and only in certain regions.

The government had put aside over £800million to fund the scheme, which offers an NI holiday of up to £5,000 per employee, but, as was revealed today, the take-up has been far less than they’d budgeted for.

New Shadow Exchequer Secretary Owen Smith raised the issue during Welsh Questions when he asked how many businesses, out of the anticipated take-up of 45,000 in Wales, have successfully applied for the scheme. The answer that he was given was 313, or 0.7% of the number that the government had planned for.

Labour Leader Ed Miliband also questioned Prime Minister David Cameron on the issue during Prime Minister Questions. Across the UK, the government had hoped for 400,000 businesses to make use of the scheme but Mr Miliband was told today that only 7,000 had so far applied successfully.

This incredibly low take-up has left The Treasury with a massive under-spend, which Labour want to see used to extend the scheme to all small businesses with fewer than 10 employees which expand the number of people they employ.

Mr Smith said:

“The intentions of this scheme are good but as usual with this government, it’s never plain sailing. Restricting the NIC holiday to certain regions ignores the fact that there are poor parts within more prosperous regions and only offering it to new businesses – when new businesses have so many other priorities and things to worry about – was always going to limit its appeal.

“Labour wants to use the huge under-spend that’s resulted from the policy’s failure to be spent on extending  and widening the scheme because this is perhaps the only policy the government’s put on the table which is actually designed to promote much-needed growth in our economy.”

The policy is one of Labour’s five-point plan for jobs, which also includes:

A £2 billion tax on bank bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs for young people – which they would be required to take-up – and build 25,000 more affordable homes. 

Bringing forward long-term investment projects – schools, roads and transport – to get people back to work and strengthen our economy for the future

Reversing January’s damaging VAT rise now for a temporary period – a £450 boost for a couple with children – immediate help for our high streets and for struggling families and pensioners.

A one year cut in VAT to 5% on home improvements, repairs and maintenance – to help homeowners and small businesses.

Owen will be holding a surgery in Edmondstown Community Centre this Saturday morning (October 1st) from 9:30am until 10:30am - phone the office on 01443 401122 for more info.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/09/29/churches-delight-at-600-000-funding-91466-29501871/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/09/29/a-car-filter-firm-that-plans-to-shed-almost-half-of-its-400-strong-workforce-before-christmas-has-had-nearly-8m-of-taxpayers-support-since-1991-it-has-been-revealed-91466-29502597/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-15021017

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2011/09/27/we-need-bold-leadership-clear-insight-and-a-vision-for-the-future-91466-29492363/

http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/best-environment-project/112/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/09/22/politicians-unite-to-fight-redundancies-91466-29462442/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/letters-to-the-editor/western-mail-letters/2011/09/22/no-to-corporal-punishment-91466-29464794/

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=8993&st=10%3a11%3a33&player=silverlight

http://waleshome.org/2011/09/tam%E2%80%99s-teaser/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/grassroots/pontypridd-llantrisant-sport/2011/09/08/concern-at-proposals-to-close-rail-ticket-offices-91466-29381686/

http://clients.squareeye.net/uploads/compass/documents/Compass%20Thinkpiece%2071%20New%20Union.pdf

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2011/09/13/labour-mp-slams-boundary-changes-as-tory-gerrymandering-91466-29410375/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-14842831

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-14838518

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01425tj/Good_Morning_Wales_08_09_2011?t=2h48m43s

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=8933&st=16%3A12%3A50&player=silverlight

http://206.252.133.22/AlertWebInterface/Article.aspx?reference=SOUWAL0020110820e78k0001u

Following a letter that Shadow Wales Office Minister Owen Smith wrote to Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan in June calling for her to resolve the “clear conflict of interest” between her opposition to High Speed 2 and the benefits that the scheme would bring to Wales, Mr Smith has received a response, not from Ms Gillan but from her deputy, Wales Office Minister David Jones, which he says is “another example of the Secretary of State ducking her responsibility”.

Mr Smith’s original letter to the Secretary of State asked whether she felt her personal opposition to High Speed 2, which it has been claimed will have significant benefits for the Welsh economy, has created a conflict of interest that needs resolving. However, Mr Smith was disappointed that the Secretary chose not to respond herself and instead asked Wales Office Minister David Jones to do so on her behalf, effectively ruling herself out of commenting on the issue.

Commenting, Mr Smith said:

“The Secretary of State has shown poor form on this issue from the very start. Asking her deputy to respond to my letter, which raised serious and pertinent issues about the representation of Wales in Westminster, is ducking her responsibility.

“I couldn’t have been clearer in my letter that the issue I wanted addressing is the conflict of interest that Ms Gillan’s personal opposition to her own government’s plans has created.  And so to receive such a generic response from her Minister saying that he’s responsible for all matters relating to High Speed 2 is a disheartening dereliction of duty.”

Mr Smith also said that even those in the Tory party are beginning to question how tenable Ms Gillan’s position is following the report last week that one of Ms Gillan’s Cabinet colleagues said, of her position on High Speed 2, “she's making the cabinet room very draughty – she should either get out or close the door and sit down". 

Mr Smith will continue to press the Secretary of State on this issue. 

Ponty MP Owen Smith received a good-natured grilling from Treforest Pensioners at a meeting last week in St Dyfrig’s Church, at the foot of the Broadway. The meeting was part of a regular series of meetings which Mr Smith holds with local groups in order to keep abreast of their concerns and to keep them informed about local developments.

Commenting after the meeting, Mr Smith said:

“The Treforest event was one of the liveliest I’ve attended for a while. Treforest residents are always among the most active and interested in their local community and the village’s pensioners are no different! I was quizzed, forensically but graciously, about everything from traffic calming to tax reform but, as is the case for many in Treforest, most issues surrounded the impact of the University on the local community.

“Since I was elected last year, Treforest is one of the parts of the constituency where I’ve really tried to get stuck into local issues, in particular trying to improve relations between the University and the residents. It is a massive plus for Pontypridd to have the University but there are clearly issues to do with traffic, housing, and community tensions that must be dealt with and all parties: the University, of course, the Local Authority, landlords, residents and students must play a fuller part in future in coming together to try and resolve them.

“I want Ponty to embrace the University more – but that means the Uni has to embrace Ponty too and start taking a greater interest in the life and the status of our town.”

Clive Windsor, Chair of the Treforest Residents Association, has worked closely with Mr Smith to try and make progress in the town.

He said: “Owen’s been very supportive and has made real efforts to work closely with the local community; locally, people have been very encouraged by his enthusiasm and dedication, and we are working together very well on projects that will be of great benefit to Treforest.”

Councillor Gwen Williams, who is a member of Treforest pensioners and who helped organise the meeting, added: “We were really grateful to Owen for coming. Everyone enjoyed themselves and he gave a nice talk, answering all of our questions very well!” 

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/athletics-news/2011/07/27/athletics-mp-and-council-help-put-joe-thomas-on-track-91466-29123611/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/07/26/people-on-disability-benefits-left-petrified-ahead-of-new-eligibility-test-warns-mp-91466-29118470/

Owen Smith MP, formerly a Labour Special Adviser at the Northern Ireland Office, today asked the Prime Minister why it appears that Andy Coulson was only subjected to the most basic level of Security vetting before taking up a highly sensitive post at the heart of Government.

Prior to his appointment as a Special Adviser in the NIO, Mr Smith,  was subject to ‘Developed Vetting’ the highest level of security vetting – as is the norm for advisers in Departments where access to information regarding security issues and other highly sensitive material is required. Special Advisers in the Northern Ireland Office, the MOD, and No. 10 would normally be subject to such, higher levels of vetting.

National security vetting is made up of four levels, ranging from the most basic (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) to the most rigorous (Developed Vetting). The objective of the more rigorous vetting procedures is described in The Cabinet Office’s guidance on ‘HMG Personnel Security Controls’ as being:

‘to ensure that the vetting subject is a fit and proper person to hold a national security clearance, and is unlikely to be in a position where they may abuse their access, submit to pressure or be suborned.’

The same document describes the Baseline Personnel Security Standard as that which is employed ‘to assess all applicants for employment in the Civil Service and armed forces’. It involves the verification of the following elements:

• Confirmation of name, date of birth and address
• National insurance number or other unique personal identifying number (where appropriate)
• Full details of previous employers (name, address and dates), over the past three years
• Confirmation of any necessary qualifications/licences
• Educational details and references where someone is new to the workforce (Departments are not required to seek references from previous employers as part of the Baseline Standard)

Following today’s debate in the House of Commons, Mr Smith has tabled a series of questions to the Prime Minister, to determine which level of vetting Mr Coulson was subject to, and whether the company which provided the vetting was one of the accredited national security vetting agencies, such as the Defence Vetting Agency or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Vetting Office, which are cited in Government’s official guidance.

Speaking after today’s debate on public confidence in police and the media, Mr Smith said:

“As a central figure in Mr. Cameron’s government, Andy Coulson would surely have had access to highly sensitive and secret information – it is difficult to imagine he could have been much use as the PM’s spokesman if he were not privy to such information. As such, high-level, rigorous vetting should have been a normal step taken prior to his appointment. Instead, the Prime Minister states that Mr Coulson was subject only to ‘basic’ vetting.

"People will want to know why Mr Coulson was not subject to the normal procedures, and who was responsible for taking the decision to conduct only the same level of background check on the Prime Minister’s official spokesman as would have been applied to a civil service clerk. The PM should tell us who took that decision and who was the company which carried out the vetting on behalf of the Prime Minister”.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01296hf/Good_Evening_Wales_20_07_2011?t=8m09s

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012spvq/House_of_Commons_David_Camerons_Statement_on_the_media_and_the_police?t=1h39m53s

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/07/21/cameron-denies-any-inappropriate-conversations-with-news-international-91466-29092288/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/07/21/concrete-canvas-technology-nominated-by-ponty-mp-91466-29083177/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/07/21/councillors-in-uproar-at-police-station-closures-91466-29083652/

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/M​ain/Player.aspx?meetingId=8903​&player=silverlight

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-14151712

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/jul/05/made-by-britain-vince-cable

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/e​pisode/b012clrg/Dragons_Eye_07​_07_2011?t=20m39s

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/07/07/mp-slams-plans-to-curb-incapacity-benefit-91466-28999622/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/pontypridd/2011/07/07/pontypridd-mp-owen-smith-wants-more-local-lottery-funding-91466-28999828/

‘It’s nothing personal, strictly business’: that’s what I told a journalist last week when he asked me why I was suggesting the Welsh Secretary should resign from her position. In post now for thirteen months, Cheryl Gillan has only spoken at the Despatch Box 8 times,  for Welsh Questions, declining otherwise to comment in the Commons on any piece of legislation or issue that affects Wales. 

She hasn’t once stood up for Wales when we’ve heard that the cuts will hit hardest in our communities and has got nothing to say about the increased difficulties sacked public sector workers will face in finding new jobs in Wales. She was hilariously ‘neutral’ on the issue of increased powers for the Welsh Assembly – we still don’t know whether she was in favour or opposed. And worse, she’s been one of the architects of the Tories’ plans to reduce Wales’ voice in Parliament by getting rid of 10 of our 40 MPs. Next, she’s  planning  legislation to change the boundaries for the Assembly constituencies– in an attempt to gerrymander the political map there too.

But what put the tin hat on this record of negligence, for me,  was the recent revelation that Mrs Gillan told the Prime Minister that she’s willing to resign as a matter of principle - not for anything Welsh, mind you. No, just in defiance of her own Government’s policy of creating a High Speed rail link between London and the North – a route that will run through her smart Buckinghamshire Constituency (they can’t find a Welsh MP to do the job, see).

Now some will say that this is no resigning matter, that it may be a bit peculiar for a Minister to offer to resign over her own Government’s policy, but it’s a constituency matter and nothing to do with Wales. And they might have been right until Mrs Gillan’s Cabinet Colleague, the Transport Secretary, announced last week that the extension of High Speed 2 would bring ‘significant benefits’ for rail users in North Wales. Others, notably, Professor Stuart Cole, of our own University of Glamorgan, have gone further and stated that, in their expert opinion, HS2 will also bring clear economic benefits to Wales.  

These new facts mean that there is now a clear conflict of interest between the Constituency and the Cabinet responsibilities of Mrs Gillan. It cannot be right for the Welsh Secretary to put the concerns of her constituents over the people of the country that she is ostensibly appointed to represent in the British Cabinet. Which is why she should consider her position. Nothing personal, Cheryl, it’s strictly business.   

http://www.itv.com/wales/fullprogramme/

http://www.bda.org/news-centre/parliamentary-bulletins/32364-labour-mps-express-fresh-concerns-on-national-commissioning-of-dentistry.aspx

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Resignation-calls-Welsh-Secretary-rail/story-12854216-detail/story.html

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/29/welsh-secretary-cheryl-gillan-faces-calls-to-resign-91466-28963601/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/pontypridd/2011/06/30/pair-condemn-legal-aid-cuts-91466-28957698/

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/content/view/full/106404

http://www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/en/news/archive/2011/june/pontypriddregenerationdocumentarylaunched.aspx

Shadow Wales Office Minister Owen Smith has called on the Leader of the House of Commons Sir George Young to get the Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan to “elevate her subterranean profile in the House of Commons” by calling for a debate on Welsh affairs in government time.

Speaking at business questions yesterday, Mr Smith noted that the Secretary of State, in her 13 months in office, had so far failed to speak on any occasion on Welsh affairs save for the sessions of Welsh questions.

Commenting after business questions, Mr Smith said:

“I’m relieved to see that Cheryl Gillan is due to speak at Welsh questions next week, as we were beginning to worry that she’d gone missing.

“It really is a gross dereliction of duty that she hasn’t said a single word, in over a year, about Wales is any debate on any subject.

“The only time we see her is every 6 weeks at Welsh questions. With 8 sessions of Welsh questions a year, I calculate that she’s earning almost £10,000 per appearance.”  

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=8572&player=silverlight

Owen will be holding a surgery this Saturday morning (the 25th) from 9:30am until 10:30am in his constituency office on Morgan St. in Pontypridd. Phone 01443 401122 for more information.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-13782493

Owen will be holding a surgery in his constituency office this Friday at 10:30am for organisations interested in finding out more about Heritage Lottery Funding

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2011-06-14a.644.0&s=speaker%3A24797#g668.0

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0120ylj/House_of_Commons_Live_Foreign_Office_Questions?t=31m43s

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2011/06/14/miliband-fights-back-with-attack-on-boardroom-pay-91466-28872013/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2011/06/14/shadow-minister-attacks-gillan-over-taking-on-rail-plan-researcher-91466-28872011/

With new research showing the likely impact of changes to constituency boundaries, the pieces of this government’s jigsaw are quickly falling into place. The picture that’s emerging shows a ruthless and cunning attempt at fixing the electoral system in order to achieve the ultimate goal of permanent Tory government.

Last year, Cameron’s soft-soaped, inoffensive charm convinced just enough that a Tory government would be a safe and steady option. But underneath lay the frustration of a born-to-rule Etonion who’d been made to wait his turn. And now he’s in, he’s doing everything he can to preserve his position.

He’s created more peers in the House of Lords than any prime minister since the Second World War, ennobling 117 in less than a year and so taking membership of the House of Lords to almost 800. And yet he’s adamant that the number in the Commons must be reduced immediately to 600, which, as this latest research shows, can only consolidate the Conservative’s standing.

Gerrymandering constituency boundaries, however, will only take the government so far. Aware of this, and with a narrow fixation on preserving power, they’re showing an apparent willingness to allow both Scotland and Wales to break away from the Union. To put this into perspective, losing Scotland’s 59 Westminster seats would result in a deficit of 41 for Labour but for the Conservatives, just the one.

As far as we’re concerned in Wales, the UK government has said it’s committed to a review of the devolution settlement similar to the one that prefaced the future referendum on independence in Scotland. We must see this for what it is and not allow ourselves to be seduced by nationalism.

Staying in the Union will be vital to defend the rights and achieve the goals of those with a similar perspective to our own. Be they in England, Northern Ireland or Scotland, there are a very many people, as there is in Wales, who believe that this government is not acting in the best interests of the United Kingdom.

Working together, we have stopped the forest sell-off and have caused the government to pause on its plans for the NHS. From these and more, I take great confidence that neither would we ever allow the prospect of a permanent Tory government to be a serious one, no matter how much they might be fixing for it.  

[If you have any questions on this subject, or on any other matter, please pop into my office on Morgan Street in Pontypridd or phone on 01443 401122.]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/pontypridd/2011/06/09/mp-to-hold-seminar-on-cleaning-up-local-rivers-91466-28838173/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/06/09/mp-calls-for-re-think-on-pension-changes-91466-28837685/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/bala/2011/06/02/the-train-now-running-from-paddington-to-pontypridd-is-the-future-of-the-valleys-91466-28805886/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qgvj

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/06/02/aerospace-centre-opens-91466-28796519/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/05/28/bosses-fear-for-reputation-of-bbc-wales-in-face-of-swingeing-cuts-91466-28779588/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/cardiff-news/2011/05/25/revamping-station-roof-a-massive-task-91466-28757538/

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=8322

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/cardiff/2011/05/19/come-and-be-a-part-of-the-much-abused-taff-s-revival-91466-28721148/

Working with Keep Wales Tidy and the Environment Agency, Owen has organised for a group of volunteers to help clean the banks of the River Taff this Friday.

Our local rivers are home to some stunning wildlife including a recently spotted family of Otters - the first in generations! So any help you can offer is really worthwhile. 

If you're interested in helping out, we will be meeting this Friday (the 20th) at 10am by the bridge in Ponty park.

Don't forget your wellies!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b01124wv?t=13m50

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0116sx7/am.pm_11_05_2011?t=22m07s

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Haemophilia-Society-Launches-prnews-1628273695.html?x=0&.v=1

http://audioboo.fm/boos/334718-welsh-labour-campaign-manager-owen-smith-reflects-on-the-election-campaign-so-far

http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2011/04/03/group-set-up-to-stop-harold-shipman-style-killings-is-sneakily-axed-102039-23033505/

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/03/29/row-over-line-up-of-devolution-ministers-55578-28418433/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-columnists/2011/03/25/owen-smith-regionalisation-of-rugby-sold-on-a-false-prospectus-91466-28397470/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/03/24/budget-2011-no-respite-for-wales-young-unemployed-91466-28393323/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00z2zzw/Good_Morning_Wales_18_03_2011?t=2h44m46s

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00zhz5v/BBC_Wales_Today_17_03_2011?t=11m58s

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-12757855

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-12647065

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/02/17/we-re-going-off-the-cliff-edge-stuck-in-a-tory-boot-91466-28176701/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/02/15/mp-fears-rail-dithering-deliberate-91466-28171013/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/02/10/public-welcome-to-join-mp-smith-for-a-coffee-and-chat-91466-28137395/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/02/10/lawyers-voice-their-legal-aid-concerns-with-mp-91466-28137398/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2011/02/09/england-s-tuition-fees-policy-will-cost-billions-says-welsh-academic-91466-28138629/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/02/10/player-enlists-mp-s-help-for-too-old-rugby-fight-91466-28137509/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/01/27/dsa-may-have-broken-law-over-redundancies-91466-28063337/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/01/20/labour-mp-has-perfect-recipe-to-help-homeless-91466-28008727/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/01/19/questions-raised-over-dsa-closure-decision-91466-28011886/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12214139

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12176127

http://waleshome.org/2011/01/an-ocean-of-clear-red-water/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/cardiff-news/2010/12/18/coastguard-cuts-reckless-says-welsh-mp-91466-27846402/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/columnists/2010/12/09/labour-mp-owen-smith-on-plans-to-raise-student-fees-91466-27793351/?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4d01d6143146ba2d,0