Ed Jacobs rounds up the news from around the devolved nations...
WALES
•Welsh born Julia Gillard became Australia’s new Prime Minister.
•Welsh Lib Dem Leader, Kirsty Williams accused Labour of treating its AM’s as second class citizens. Labour AM, Alun Davies responded, “Instead of posturing about the way Labour elects its leader, Kirsty Williams should be worried about the lack of influence her party appears to have over the coalition Government at Westminster.”
•Labour’s Andy Burnham told the Western Mail, “I regret to say our party has run itself in too top-down a way from London.”
•The Federation of Small Businesses in Wales warned of the adverse consequences that the ConDem’s austerity measures are likely to have on the Housing market.
•The National Autistic Society Cymru concluded that children with Autism faced a future of mental health problems.
•The Assembly Government dubbed the budget “grim” as it was claimed that Wales would be hit hardest.
•The UK Government looked set to deny Cardiff its request for powers to legislate on Housing Policy.
•Talks began on forming a cross party group to get a yes vote on further powers for Cardiff Bay.
SCOTLAND
•It emerged that Edinburgh city councillors would be asked to set aside an additional £55 million to finance the tram scheme.
•Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer warned of the consequences that cuts could have on public health.
•Speaking following the budget, Scottish Labour Leader, Ian Gray declared the Tories were “derailing the recovery” as SNP Finance Secretary, John Swinney warned that it went “too far, too fast.”
•Scotland’s largest education union led protests against cuts to Higher Education funding.
•Labour leadership contender, Andy Burnham said that next year’s elections to Holyrood would be his “first priority”.
•Lecturers at Glasgow University voted to take strike action over job cuts.
• Scots expressed satisfaction with the performance of Scot Rail.
•There were competing arguments over the state of Scotland’s finances following the publication of the 2008/09 Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland report.
•Glasgow Council warned that it faced having to make up to £40 million of additional cuts.
NORTHERN IRELAND
•DUP MP, David Simpson called for a Saville style inquiry into Irish involvement with the IRA.
•Justice Minister, David Ford announced the team to review conditions in Northern Ireland’s prisons.
•A memorial to the victims of Bloody Sunday was vandalised.
•It was reported that civil action against Martin McGuinness over his role in the IRA would proceed in the High Court.
•DUP MP, Gregory Campbell called for a police inquiry into threats issued against him on Facebook.
•Following the budget, Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson warned, “we might find ourselves still stuck in a recession.”
•Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, Tom Elliott announced that he would be standing for the UUP leadership.
•Following a DUP veto, proposed changes to the expenses rules for Assembly members were delayed.
Quote of the Week
“The government’s slogan ‘We’re all in this together” now rings hollow. Instead of making those who caused the financial crisis, pay for the crisis, nearly all of the burden is falling on the shoulders of public sector workers.”
SDLP Leader, Margaret Ritchie commenting following George Osborne’s Budget
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers and to make the biggest impact we can in the next general election, we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 124 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.
2 Responses to “The week outside Westminster”
Left Foot Forward
The week outside Westminster: http://bit.ly/aD41xq
The week outside Westminster « The best Labour blogs
[…] More… […]