Aberdulais aqueduct

It's good news that Neath Port Talbot council has decided to initiate a feasibility study into the restoration of this key component of what was once a network of local canals. The Tennant Canal Company might quibble about the literal in the fourth paragraph of the council's press release, but one presumes that the Neath and Tennant Canals Trust was party to the decision and welcomes an officially-promoted study.

The last estimate I heard for the restoration proper was £6 million, so we will no doubt be looking for grant money and commercial sponsorship to provide the bulk of the funds. There should be local benefits from the project, not only in the long term in the form of tourism income, but also during the construction providing jobs requiring a range of skills and abilities.

Tax cut: it could be happening

From the start of the coalition, I've been arguing that the Liberal Democrat manifesto proposal to take the first £10,000 of earnings out of tax should be put into effect soonest rather than spread over the parliament - and I've not been the only one. Now, it seems from a letter that Vince Cable has sent to members and from intimations of a speech Nick Clegg is making today, that the party in government is seriously pressing the case.

Good news, bad news

One sector of the Welsh economy is fulfilling the coalition government's plea to diversify outside Britain and the EU: sheep-farming. Wales Online reports that Dai Davies, head of HCC (Hybu Cig Cymru, the Welsh red meat promotion body) is ready to announce that Wales is Europe’s biggest exporter of sheep meat to countries outside of the EU.

Perhaps because they have been sensitive to criticism about the undemanding employment that they provide (but why query the motives when the outcome is good?), McDonald's some time ago set up a model training and development scheme for their workers. There is news that there will be 125 more McDonald's jobs in Wales.

On the other hand, only the archetypal Daily Mail reader will take satisfaction from the news that house prices in Wales show no signs of falling. Young couples will find it just that bit more difficult to buy that starter home, and there will be upward pressure on rents.

Post Offices secured by Liberal Democrat ministers

The Press Association story is here. The responses by the main players are telling: "Sub-postmasters welcomed the move but the Communication Workers Union said it was the end of an era for a fully publicly-owned postal service." The response to that is that post offices were being closed week-by-week when they were 100% publicly owned.

Thanks to Stephen Tall for the alert.
 

Pubcos should be first in line for worker directors

I believe Vince Cable and Ed Davey are doing well at the Business department, but they do seem to have failed to defend locals, which are closing down at an astonishing rate, and their tenants. Gareth Epps has posted expansively here.

Recalling MPs

Peter Facey of "Unlock Democracy" has written to urge more vigorous action. I pass on his message without comment:

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The government has published its own ideas about recalling MPs, but as I said when I spoke to the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee on Thursday, these proposals which would put all the control in the hands of party whips and parliamentary committees[1].  For those MPs who’d rather not listen to voters between elections, that’s going to be a big relief.

How many jobs do you know where you can’t be fired for five years, even if you don’t do what you promised you would and steal from the till? This is our chance to make sure MPs don’t think they can get away with ignoring us, or just toeing their party’s line.

Email your MP now using our online tool:

http://action.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/demandrecall

[1]  See http://unlockdemocracy.org.uk/blog/entry/peter-facey-gives-evidence-on-recall
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I await detailed analysis of Parliament's proposals - FHL.

Danish presidency of the European Council

Having watched Borgen last night - well, most of it, switching only to see Match of the Day - it was only natural to round off my viewing with a sight of the real female Danish prime minister. (Did Borgen influence the decision of the Danish electorate, one wonders?) BBC Parliament had a recording of Helle Thorning- Schmidt's speech to the European Parliament on its late night Review programme. After noting that the speech was in only slightly accented English, which must have annoyed the French no end, what struck me most was the note of fiscal responsibility which the Danish PM sounded from the start. She went on to mention the need for steady and self-sustaining growth, but on a sound economic basis. This was from the Social Democrat leader of a coalition government which includes Liberals.

It is going to be a tough presidency. Ms Thorning-Schmidt sees Europe's salvation in green growth, an educated youth and both widening and deepening the European Union. (There is a pdf here.)