Poems and politics - Penddu's Better Song

Sing another song - why not sing the same one back at them!!

I saw the flight to the right that Blair took new labour,
I saw the hypocrite greed as they wined and dined,

They were my party
And as they deceived me, I watched as they closed down our mine

My, my, my, Aneurin
Why, why, why, Aneurin
I could see , the party was no more for me
But here in the Valley, the Tories the devil you see

On polling day when my doubts cleared away, I was waiting,
I crossed my vote on the form and I thought of the poor,

Hain stood there laughing Ho Ho Ho
I felt the vote in my hand and he laughed no more

My, my, my, Aneurin
Why, why, why, Aneurin

As they failed to service our health,
And plundered our national wealth
Forgive me Aneurin I just cant
vote Labour no more

My, my, my, Aneurin
Why, why, why, Aneurin

So before, they start another just war
Forgive me Aneurin, I just cant vote Labour no more,
Forgive me Aneurin, I just cant vote Labour no more

There must be some anti Labour minstrels out there who can sing this on YouTube!

Sing a Better Song

Much comment in my absence about the Aneurin Glyndwr video:

Sweet and Tender Hooligan thinks that the site says more about the incestuous, self important blathering of the Welsh blogosphere than it does about Welsh Labour. Maes E corespondents think that it is just a resurrection of the NatWatch blog!

On the whole the Conservatives seem pissed off by the video and Plaid seem to be laughing it off, whilst Labour seems to be torn between supporting the new web way of doing politics and condemning silly insults as counterproductive.

I'm not sure what the fuss is about. The Election Song has a proud history in Welsh politics. In the 1890's the Liberal Party use to have branch male voice choirs to sing songs favouring the local candidate. (Most party branches today would have difficulty raising a duet!)

In the 1960's and 70's the recorded song broadcast on car top loudspeakers was an essential part of every election campaign. Elfyn Llwyd, Elfyn Llwyd 2001 was probably the very last of the type!

Being an old fashioned Old Fart I welcome Aneurin's revival of the political song. It's not amongst the best of it's type, but it is good enough to be the start of a revival of an age old tradition.

Rather than moan about AG's song - the best response by all other parties would be be for them to sing a better song to challenge him!

Mrs Clinton stopped my Blog!

I apologise, yet again, for a blogging hiatus. Hilary Clinton is to blame. A few years ago Mrs C started a populist campaign against violent console games - in particular the Grand Theft Auto series. Needing to know, before either agreeing or disagreeing with Mrs Clinton's point of view I bought GTA San Andreas, for the sake of political research, but ended up thoroughly enjoying the game (despite agreeing with all of Mrs Clinton's condemnations)!

I was given a copy of GTA IV a couple of weeks ago and I have spent all my potential blogging hours shooting cops, completing missions, courting whores, avoiding stars and doing all sorts of other evil things other than blogging - shameful behaviour! But if Mrs C hadn't made me aware of this sort of despicable game ......

Benefits Lottery?

Given the Bank of England's super low base interest rate and the growing disillusion with the National Lottery:

Which would be worth most to a 2.5 kids family - a year on incapacity benefit (including all extras) or a year's interest from a typical Wednesday's Lotto jackpot?

I'm not much good at sums, but I suspect that if a two parent two kids family, living in a rented house, won tonight's Lottery Jackpot they may be worse off by wining!

Lowen Dydh Sen Pyran

Today is St Piran's Day the Patron Saint of Cornwall.

Here is Dick Cole the Leader of Mebyon Kernow's annual St Piran's day message:

St Piran's Day represents a wonderful opportunity for local people to remember what is fantastic about Cornwall and to celebrate its distinct identity and its inclusive traditions.

“As a proud Cornishman, I would encourage everyone to get out there and to do something positive to celebrate Cornwall. But as we celebrate on 5th March, we also need to look ahead and consider how we can work for a better deal for Cornwall all year round."

“2009 is election year and, on 4th June, Cornwall will elect 123 members on the new single tier council. MK opposed the undemocratic imposition of the unitary council on Cornwall, but it will soon be a reality.

“We need it to be a success for the sake of the ordinary people of Cornwall. And that means electing councillors who really do have Cornwall’s best interests at heart.

“On this St Piran’s Day, I appeal to one and all to look afresh at the politics of 21st century Cornwall and support candidates from Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall.”

How Dare He!?

Guardian Arts Corespondent Charlotte Higgins is upset, very upset. Like all Guardianistas she is all for diversity - but sometimes things can go too far! Things like the National Assembly of Wales' Minister for Culture and the Welsh Language speaking Welsh in the National Assembly Building during a concert performed by the Welsh National Orchestra! Clearly not an appropriate situation in which to use the Welsh Language.

How dare he? Shocking Behaviour! - Shouldn't be allowed - sack the ignorant hick. If this sort of insulting attitude towards the English Language is allowed to go unchecked in Cardiff where might it lead? - Italian operas in Glyndebourne? German in Covent Garden? Outrageous!

HT Victoria

St David's Day Conundrum

Why do Welsh Nonconformist Christians, who don't believe in supplication to the saints, make such a fuss about Saint Davids Day?

Why do Welsh non-believers seem to make even more of a fuss about celebrating Saint David's Day, whilst rejecting Christian sanctity?