Arise Lord German

Alun Cairns might be sticking around but Mike German is off! The Liberal Democrats have decided to appoint Mike German to the House of Lords as a "Working Peer".

Here's a brief statement from Mr German...

"I was thrilled when, many months back, Nick Clegg asked me to join his team in the House of Lords as a working peer. Now at this very exciting period in British politics, it will be a great privilege to be helping put Liberal Democrat policies into action.

"There is a real sense of excitement at the challenges and opportunities for my party, and I am grateful to be given this chance to be at the heart of the action in parliament.

"Being a working peer is the equivalent of a full time job. I will be alongside a team of very experienced and talented Liberal Democrat peers taking through legislative and policy changes. My precise new role will be determined by the Liberal Democrat Leader in the House of Lords, Lord McNally. However, I have indicated to him that I also wish to do all that I can to support the work of the National Assembly for Wales in Parliament. This includes the transfer of powers and functions to Wales and supporting a strong relationship between London and Cardiff.

"The task Nick Clegg has offered me to carry out is full time. It will mean that I leave the National Assembly as soon as is practicable following my introduction to the House of Lords. The next person on the party’s regional list, as democratically selected by members, is Veronica German, and she will take my place as the new Assembly Member for South Wales East.

"It has been an immense privilege to serve Wales in our National Assembly since its inception in 1999. I contributed to its establishment, and have seen it grow in stature and power. This has been a period of great significance in the history of Wales. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Wales. I will always continue to do so."

Kirsty Williams says she's "very proud" that Mike German will working for the Welsh Lib Dems in the House of Lords.

The other new peer of note to Wales will be Don Touhig, former MP of Islwyn (if I've missed anyone else let me know!)

And here was me thinking is was going to be a boring afternoon...

Dewi Tri

No to Dafydd Wigley - Lordy Lord

Is anyone else genuinely surprised that Gordon Brown has allegedly been blocking Dafydd Wigley’s ascension to the House of Lords? If it’s true I wonder what the motive behind this action is. It’s been almost 12 months since the selection by Plaid of Mr Wigley and two others, former AM Janet Davies and Eurfyl ap Gwilym, was made. When the “Prince of Darkness” Peter Mandelson came back into government, he was made a Baron faster than you could say “resignation”.

Whilst the official line at the moment is that Plaid did not follow correct procedure, I do wonder how much truth there is in that. But the argument that Brown is purposefully blocking the decision by Plaid seems a little farfetched. Would a couple more dissenting voices in the Lords really have that much of an impact on the stuttering Brown premiership? Surely this was a golden opportunity for Brown to win some friends with the Nationalist movement whilst giving not all that much up in return. So I am a little confused. Had the whole Nick Bourne thing not kicked off (and been prolonged by the Western Mail) I wonder if this story would have had more coverage?

I doubt we’ll get an answer any time soon, seeing as Mr Brown can put off dealing with this thorny issue by saying “Sorry I’m too busy saving the World.” So I will have to remain frustratingly out in the cold wondering what the motives of the Government are on this one, because I simply don’t understand why they would want to tick more people off. Of course it could be that Plaid are simply rubbish at paperwork!

Any thoughts are welcome

Dewi Un