Attended the Hospital Action Group rally at Llandudno yesterday.Plaid Cymru tried their best to hijack the event again but a number commented to me afterwards that nearly all of their 'supporters' on the day were from outside the constituency.
It is also noticable how many people have just about had enough of their shenanigans over this non-political community campaign where they have been quick to claim credit for anything involved in it, forgetting the hard work put in by ordinary members of the public who started this camapign.
Anyway, here is an abridged version of speech I gave, which shows my position on the subject
The campaign against hospital cuts at Llandudno Hospital isn’t about politics - it is about common sense, it is about community and it is about doing the right thing.
Spending £83 million per year on non-medical staff isn’t common sense when accident and emergency services are cut at our local hospital; spending an extra £24 million on employing managers and administrators isn’t common sense when they are looking to close the coronary care unit at our local hospital; and having one penpusher for every three doctors and nurses isn’t common sense when many remember how one matron used to be able to run a hospital without all the red-tape we see today.
Politicians are quick to claim credit for anything, but the success of this campaign has been down to the people of Llandudno who got together to sign the petitions, walk on the marches and to form the Hospital Action Group, which has done an excellent job to date.
However, let us not forget one very special person. Dorothy Smith had been treated for breast cancer at Llandudno and when she heard about the threat to her local hospital, she decided to get out and do something about it. In just one month, and before any politicians got involved, Dot collected over 17,000 signatures to launch this campaign and to let the Assembly in Cardiff know that the people of Llandudno would not accept the cuts to services at their hospital without a fight and everyone should acknowledge her fantastic efforts.
Finally, I also want you to think about what Llandudno what would be like without a fully functioning general hospital and what you or your family would have done without having this vital service here on your doorstep and not thirty miles away in St Asaph or Bangor.
Enough is enough and I make this promise to use all my energy, enthusiasm and stamina to ensure that the Welsh Assembly will listen to our concerns, that we cut the bureaucracy that could be spent on keeping vital services here in Llandudno and that all of us get the fully functioning general hospital which this area deserves.
15 comments:
Dylan, you're obviously just trying to smear Plaid's Campaign. You are the one using the issue as a political football.
So what if people from outside of the constituency came to show their support for the campaign? This is a national issue, of Labour centralising services, and its good to see people standing shoulder to shoulder with campaigners in Llandudno. And I also wasn't aware that you had to be a resident of Aberconwy to use the hospital?
Regarding 'hijacking the campaign for political gain', what is that supposed to mean? That the Plaid member has brought a lot of extra attention to the campaign? Isn't that a good thing, and shouldn't you congratulate Gareth Jones for doing so?
One thing I must add, everyone can remember what a mess the NHS was in under Tory rule!
Ah, the response of the Plaid Cymru zealot.
I know you have strong roots in your party and would clearly be happy for people to call Plaid Cymru a republican and separatist Party
Shame that none of Plaid Cymru's candidates in the Assembly election - including your Aberconwy candidate - avoid any mention of these issues - or is that another 'smear' on your party's reputation.
The hospital is safe under Labour and it is your scare tactics which will account for your candidate in these elections
P.S. perhaps the biggest 'joke' on Plaid Cymru is that they are dependent on this Tory winning Aberconwy to get their leader in waiting - Dafydd Wigley - back into power. That must really hurt.
The hospital is safe under Labour and it is your scare tactics which will account for your candidate in these elections
Says a Labour anonymoron. Are all of you as dense as Murvin Ogrestone and Jonny "No-Mates" Austin?
There were a large number of Plaid supporters from the constituency there, although all of them were not Llandudno residents. Perhaps The Professor who shot his own toe is unaware of the fact that the hospital's catchment goes far beyond the town. There were quite a few at the rally from Llanrwst, Eglwysbach and other Conwy Valley villages (which are now part of the constituency) - or are the views of those from the Valley who turned up to be dismissed as unimportant because they weren't wearing blue rosettes?
Gareth Jones can obviously do no wrong, or can he?
Obviously the Prof has hit a raw nerve with the Plaid apologists - certainly GJ has spent most of the last two weeks trying to explain why he has adopted the "Save Llandudno Hospital" moniker on his ballot paper.
By all accounts, he got a really good kicking in the local paper.
If he has tried to use this local campaign - led by a non-political group - for his own political ends, then he and Plaid shouldn't be surprised when people eventually rumble onto what has been going on.
Never mind, I am sure his success in Aberconwy on May 3rd will compensate for losing your great leader Mr Wigley...
I always love it when Plaid's attack bloggers are on alert, especially when they then accuse me of being partisan!
Being economical with the actualite seems to be Plaid's forte and they are quite good at it.
For example, the Plaid Campaign in Aberconwy is currently using the 2003 Conwy results in all their literature to try and show that they are the only threat to Labour in the area with the Conservatives way behind in third place.
Well, we all know differently, don't we lads!
As for the hospital march, the blog was merely reflecting the comments to me on the day by a number of residents - from both Llandudno and Dyffryn Conwy - about their perception of Plaid's campaign over the hospital and an issue that has been been raised by many people if you have bothered to read the Weekly News recently.
I assume neither of you have any issues over the content of my speech, which was the main reason for the blog entry?
If Plaid Cymru has decided to use the hospital campaign for its own political advantage - as evidenced best by your party's title on the voting papers - then don't be surprised if Joe Public - from Llandudno or the Valley - starts to question your motives and one of your political opponents points this out.
p.s. by the way, if Alwyn or Hedd were on the march yesterday, they would have observed that there was not one blue rosette in sight - except my turquoise example!
However, that didn't stop Plaid having their logos all over their posters despite being asked not to by the organisers.
Ah well, Alwyn, I am sure that is me being bitchy again!
“For example, the Plaid Campaign in Aberconwy is currently using the 2003 Conwy results in all their literature to try and show that they are the only threat to Labour in the area with the Conservatives way behind in third place… Well, we all know differently, don't we lads!”
Beth yw dy bwynt yma Dylan? Fod ffigyrau 2003 yn anghywir? Does dim ffigyrau ar gyfer etholaeth newydd Aberconwy yn bodoli!?! Dwi'n meddwl fod siawns gyda ti ddod yn 2il.
“As for the hospital march, the blog was merely reflecting the comments to me on the day by a number of residents - from both Llandudno and Dyffryn Conwy - about their perception of Plaid's campaign over the hospital”
Y Ceidwadwyr sydd wedi cychwyn y sibrydion ‘ma am resymau gwleidyddol… Pwy felly sy’n defnyddio’r achos i geisio ennill pleidleisiau?
“I assume neither of you have any issues over the content of my speech, which was the main reason for the blog entry?”
Os mai’r araith oedd bwriad y post, pam defnyddio’r 2 baragraff cychwynnol i ymosod ar Blaid Cymru?
“If Plaid Cymru has decided to use the hospital campaign for its own political advantage - as evidenced best by your party's title on the voting papers - then don't be surprised if Joe Public - from Llandudno or the Valley - starts to question your motives and one of your political opponents points this out.”
Dwi ddim yn deall dy bwynt o gwbwl. Onid ydy rhoi ‘Achub Ysbyty Llandudno' ar y papur pleidleisio yn helpu hyrwyddo’r ymgyrch? Yn rhoi lot o gyhoeddusrwydd i’r ymgyrch? Yn rhoi pwysau ar y blaid Lafur i newid eu polisi? Ddyle ti fod yn siglo llaw Gareth Jones… onibai dy fod yn trio sgorio pwyntiau gwleidyddol wrth gwrs!
“by the way, if Alwyn or Hedd were on the march yesterday, they would have observed that there was not one blue rosette in sight - except my turquoise example!”
Beth yw dy bwnyt? Mai ti oedd yr unig gefnogwr Toriaidd oedd yno?
“However, that didn't stop Plaid having their logos all over their posters despite being asked not to by the organisers.”
Mae hyn yn rhywbeth cwbwl arferol. Mae pob Plaid (gan gynnwys y Ceidwadwyr, Llafur a’r Deomcratiaid Rhyddfrydol) yn gwneud yr un peth pan yn cefnogi ymgyrchoedd o’r fath i wneud yn siwr fod yr etholwyr yn deall beth yw eu safbwynt ar y mater. Gweler Llafur gyda ymgyrch Burberry, ac mai chwiliad syml yn Gwgl yn dangos fod y pleidiau eraill yn gwneud yr un fath.
Ond mewn difrif Dylan, wyt ti’n disgwyl i UNRHYW UN hanner call gredu unrhywbeth sydd gan y Ceidwadwyr i’w ddweud am yr NHS?
Ond mewn difrif Dylan, wyt ti’n disgwyl i UNRHYW UN hanner call gredu unrhywbeth sydd gan y Ceidwadwyr i’w ddweud am yr NHS?
A dweud y gwir nid wyf i -rhywun sy'n digwydd cofio blynyddoedd Thatcher- yn derbyn digwyddiadau'r amser hwnnw yn y gorffennol fel sail i feirniadu Ceidwadwyr presennol y Cynulliad. Siwr mae deinosawriaid gwallgof fel Redwood a Howard yn dal i fynd yn San Steffan, ond dw'i ddim yn gweld pam dylai ceidwadwy Cymreig y Cynulliad ysgwyddo'r bai am hynny.
Ynglŷn â Rali ac ymgyrch Ysbyty Llandudno, does gen i ddim gysylltiad â'r digwyddiadau hyn, doeddwn i ddim yno, ac hyd yn oed fy mod yn pleidleisio Plaid, dw'i ddim yn mynd i fabwysiadu barn ar y mater jyst ar sail fy rhagfarn gwleidyddol (wedi'r cwbl, nid aelod Llafur ydy Dylan)
;-)
Mae Dylan Jones Evans, a gweddill y Ceidwadwyr wedi gwneud penderfyniad pwrpasol i ymuno a'r Blaid Geidwadol, ac felly rhaid iddynt hefyd ysgwyddo baich ffaeleddau y blaid honno yn y gorffenol.
Mae peidio cael rhagfarn gwleidyddol yn amhosib, ond dwi wirioneddol yn credu ar y pwynt yma mae'r Ceidwadwyr sy'n ceisio sgorio pwyntiau gwleidyddol ar draul yr ymgyrch i achub ysbyty Llandudno, ac nid Plaid Cymru.
Iawn, ond yn bersonol dw'i jyst ddim yn derbyn hynny. Dw'i'n cytuno efo rhai o'u polisiau, er nad wyf yn unoliaethwr. Gwell gen i eu barnu am bethau'r presennol, er enghraifft eu polisi iaith, yn hytrach nag am bethau'r gorffennol.
Hedd is ranting a bit too much here about something he clearly knows little about outside of his party's line on the issue
If he knew anything about Aberconwy politics, he would know that it is Labour, and not the Conservatives, who have been going after Gareth Jones in the local newspapers on the hospital issue.
DJE is perfectly entitled to report the views of potential constituents on this matter. However, that does not amount to a smear in any sense of the word, merely the truth in some individuals' eyes.
If Hedd has any evidence that the Tories have been behind a 'whispering campaign' then he should make it public i.e. put up or shut up.
Ordovicius - thank god for reasoned Plaid Cymru voice !
Dwi ddim yn dod o'r etholaeth, ac ond yn gallu ymateb o'r hyn rwyf wedi ei glywed yn y wasg a gan unigolion sy'n byw yn yr ardal.
Y pwynt rwy'n gwneud yw fod Dylan Jones Evans wedi cychwyn y neges trwy ymosod ar Blaid Cymru - nid trwy hyrwyddo ei safbwynt ef ar y mater. Mae hyn yn ymddangos i mi fel sgorio pwyntiau gwleidyddol.
Ai adlewyrchu barn etholwyr lleol mae DJE, ynte hyrwyddo agenda? Mae'n amhosib profi un-ffordd neu'r llall.
O ran pwy ddechreuodd y sibrydion, anodd dweud. Gallaf ond ail-adrodd yr hyn dwi wedi'i glywed. O'r hyn ddeallaf, mae'r Blaid Lafur wedi neidio ar y bandwagon yn y wasg, ond rhaid i mi ddweud mae Ceidwadwr amlwg wnaeth godi'r mater ar fforwm drafod Cymraeg, ac eto mae'r ymgeisydd yn tynnu sylw at y syniad yma.
Ynglyn a galw barn Ordovicius yn un rhesymol, bydd e ddim yn hapus o glywed hyn ;-)
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I don't live in the constituency, and can oly therefore comment on what I've read in the press, on blogs, and by speaking to individuals from the area.
The point I am trying to make is that DJE started his post by attacking Plaid Cymru - instead of promoting his own view on the matter. It did seem that the main purpose of his post was to score points.
Is DJE simply reporting the views of constituents on the matter, or promoting his own anti-Plaid agenda? It's impossible to prove one way or the other.
But I must say that the first I heard of this - before the Labour Party machine went into overdrive in the local press - was a comment submitted by a prominent Conservative member on the Welsh Language Forum maes-e, and again I see DJE using the same line.
On your final point regarding Ordovicius and reasoned debate, he won't be happy with that ;-)
Of course he referred to what people had been saying about Plaid Cymru in his comments - there's a bloody election on in ten days time, isn't there!
Don't you think that political opponents should be scoring points off each other in the run up to polling day?
What did you expect him to say -
that no-one had raised the issue with him and that everyone in Aberconwy should vote for those really nice people from Plaid Cymru who have single handedly saved Llandudno Hospital from the evil Labour government?
As the Plaid Cymru candidate for Vale of Clwyd said recently when the prof complained about their tactics over using facts about the old seat of Conwy
"I almost feel sorry for poor Dylan Jones Evans...I mean fancy a political opponent pointing out your weeknesses and emphasising their strengths never heard of such a thing".
Indeed!
On your final point regarding Ordovicius and reasoned debate, he won't be happy with that ;-)
Actually I am happy with it, as it lends a tad more weight to my other -seemingly less reasonable (only seemingly)- declarations such as that people who oppose equal status for the Welsh language are -by practicing liguistic discrimination and supporting inequality- racists. Though of course for the sake of having short concise post titles I'll shorten this to, say, "Andrew Davies is a Racist".
How is Dylan trying to smear Plaid's campaign? Look at the pictures of the "non political" rally - community in action - and see which party were displaying their colours!!
Dylan is the only politician involved in this campaign who has been "big" enough to tell the residents of Aberconwy that it is they who are winning the day - not the politicians. Who started the campaign? Not Gareth to be sure.
The Plaid candidate has used the hospital as a political football from the minute he thought it would serve him well. Where was he when the propositions were being discussed some 18 months ago?
Dylan's straightforward way of talking may not suit some people - but the idea of front lines services as opposed to money being spent on backroom bureaucracy appeals to me, and I am sure, many more.
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