Demarchy - can the Welsh people rule?
This article was first published on 23rd November 2009 in openDemocracyIn a small nation on the Western margin of the British Isles, amidst sheep and rocks and old mines, the world’s first popular movement for demarchy is beginning to test its strength.As the indigenous political establishment manoeuvres to wrest control of its developing parliament away from a Westminster Select Committee, a revolutionary party is rallying the people towards a participative assembly that will reform the nation into the world’s most progr

The referendum question
Ahead of First Minister Rhodri Morgan’s pronouncement on the findings of the All Wales Convention and to help with the lengthy debate that Assembly Members will no doubt feel the need to have about the wording of the question for the ballot, here is Newid’s initial suggestion: Choose from either A) or B) below. Tick only one box.A)Would you like to continue being told what to do by politicians who have little understanding of, or sympathy for, your situation; who have stolen your taxes, lied to you and patronised you; who will do whatever is necessary to get themselves re-elected; who will vote to further their interests and their parties’ interest

Who wants a referendum on more of the same?
The attempt last week by the Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain, to undermine the All Wales Convention before its Chair, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, has had a chance to present its recommendations, was contemptuously undemocratic and disrespectful of the will of the Welsh people, whatever the Convention believes that to be.Yet, ironically and for the wrong reasons, if Hain manages to stop a referendum seeking primary law-making powers for the Assembly being held sooner rather than later, he might do the Welsh people a favour, although it won’t suit the short-term objectives of the political elite in Cardiff Bay.Hain reckons there’s no point in holding a referendu

Peter Hain is my anti-guru
Although I’ve never met him, Peter Hain inspired me to get involved in politics after 30 years spent avoiding it like the plague.A year spent as president of the student’s union at Hornsey College of Art in the mid-seventies was enough to put me off participation in politics for life.Ideological warfare between the (Trotskyist) Revolutionary Socialist League - later known as the Militant Tendency, and the Broad Left - an anti-Trotskyist alliance of just about everybody else of a red-hued persuasion including a group calling itself ‘Operation Icepick’ [sic] - Leon Trotsky was assassinated with the point