Random Stuff!!

[KARFA]

It's about having the levers that an independent country has, borrowing, printing money etc is just part of the tools that governments have. In the end it's up to them to make the decisions to make people's lives better. Wales government doesn't have that while say Ireland's and Finland's governments do.

Any of those levers involve actually spending less and/or reducing taxes?

 

[Jerry]

Any of those levers involve actually spending less and/or reducing taxes?

Yes. That's what governments have the ability to do, prioritise spending, reduce/increase/change taxes etc. Instead of just spending a budget that another government sets and having a small loan facility. Being an independent country gives a Welsh government of whatever colour and makeup control over what other normal countries have in that regard.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

I believe this is in relation to this article from post Brexit research

English people living in Wales tilted it towards Brexit, research finds

Areas of Wales with big English communities had larger leave vote in 2016, according to study

www.theguardian.com

There are genuine concerns about the impact of tourism especially holiday homes on local communities in big parts of Wales, are people not allowed to raise concerns because most of those tourists and home owners are English?

So nothing can change then and people like me can't want a better world? We're just to accept the status quo and give up any hope of anything changing?

It may well be the case that happened with brexit, but why do the welsh independence movement weaponise it as xenophobic tool for their campaign?

Well, just imagine if it was Polish home owners we were complaining about, it just wouldn’t happen (and rightly doesn’t). They take up housing stock Welsh people could be living in don’t they?

Well I believe everyone is entitled to their own view and able to express it. I just don’t believe it’s the correct course of action.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Thank you for your honesty.

So actually the concern for poverty is a bit of a red herring since regardless of what any economic assessments say about the impact of indepdence generally on Wales and specifically on the poor, you would vote for independence. Now that's fine, and many people voted for brexit on the same basis knowing that they may be worse off but that other considerations such as sovereignty and taking back control took precedence.

and this is something I take issue with the Welsh Independence movement, they just think everything would be hunky dory, lots of money for everyone. It would be constant austerity and increased taxes. It took Ireland years and years to get where it is today.

Poverty is a shared issue in Wales anyway, Welsh Labour are just as responsible for UK government not taking action on it.

 

[Jerry]

It may well be the case that happened with brexit, but why do the welsh independence movement weaponise it as xenophobic tool for their campaign?

Well, just imagine if it was Polish home owners we were complaining about, it just wouldn’t happen (and rightly doesn’t). They take up housing stock Welsh people could be living in don’t they?

I think immigration is a complicated topic but you if you compare Polish immigration to holiday homeowners the Poles tend to live in the community, integrate into it, bring skills, learn the culture, learn the language and tend to settle in heavily populated areas where housing is less scarce.
Do holiday homeowners do that? They tend to only live in the area which do tend to be heavily welsh speaking for only a few weeks a year, buy up scarce housing stock pricing out locals, often change the original Welsh names for many of these properties wiping out the history of them. I suppose it's about the impact locally that the different types of immigration has on the local communities.

 

[Jerry]

and this is something I take issue with the Welsh Independence movement, they just think everything would be hunky dory, lots of money for everyone. It would be constant austerity and increased taxes. It took Ireland years and years to get where it is today.

And this is what i take issue with the unionist movement, the negativity that Wales can't do better and everything would be bad and that we should just accept our lot in the union.

Poverty is a shared issue in Wales anyway, Welsh Labour are just as responsible for UK government not taking action on it.

But the Welsh government doesn't have the powers that the UK government has so is always going to be limited in what it can do compared to the UK government.

 

[KARFA]

So day 1 of independence, how would you deal with the issue of people having second homes in Wales (regardless of where they come from in the UK)? Or would you build more houses to meet demand and simply accept holiday home ownership?

 

[aviatorconcorde]

I think immigration is a complicated topic but you if you compare Polish immigration to holiday homeowners the Poles tend to live in the community, integrate into it, bring skills, learn the culture, learn the language and tend to settle in heavily populated areas where housing is less scarce.
Do holiday homeowners do that? They tend to only live in the area which do tend to be heavily welsh speaking for only a few weeks a year, buy up scarce housing stock pricing out locals, often change the original Welsh names for many of these properties wiping out the history of them. I suppose it's about the impact locally that the different types of immigration has on the local communities.

I can understand that argument I suppose, but the point of devolution and local councils is to make those changes to prevent this happening.

However, hypothetically, if it was the polish buying these second homes, would issue still be taken with them? Probably

And this is what i take issue with the unionist movement, the negativity that Wales can't do better and everything would be bad and that we should just accept our lot in the union.

But the Welsh government doesn't have the powers that the UK government has so is always going to be limited in what it can do compared to the UK government.

I think the first step for change in Wales would be to get rid of the incompetent and far left government that has been there for 23 years. Surely the correct approach?

Practically every independence argument could be solved by further devolution. Now you will tell me the tories won’t do that, well I say it’s likely they won’t be there for much longer.

 

[Jerry]

So day 1 of independence, how would you deal with the issue of people having second homes in Wales (regardless of where they come from in the UK)? Or would you build more houses to meet demand and simply accept holiday home ownership?

Probably look in the future to put limits on foreign 2nd home purchases ie a tax most probably and then look to use the money to invest in housing in the area. Could also look at occupancy rates over time and compulsory purchase houses that don't appear to be being used.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

So day 1 of independence, how would you deal with the issue of people having second homes in Wales (regardless of where they come from in the UK)? Or would you build more houses to meet demand and simply accept holiday home ownership?

The second home issue is hopefully being solved and we won’t need to hear about it anymore.

More interestingly, I’d like to know the plan for the economy and how the welfare state and state pensions will be funded.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Probably look in the future to put limits on foreign 2nd home purchases ie a tax most probably and then look to use the money to invest in housing in the area. Could also look at occupancy rates over time and compulsory purchase houses that don't appear to be being used.

Compulsory purchasing peoples properties sounds like a great way to build a future relationship with the English government and show foreign investors this is a place to do business.

 

[Jerry]

I think the first step for change in Wales would be to get rid of the incompetent and far left government that has been there for 23 years. Surely the correct approach?

Practically every independence argument could be solved by further devolution. Now you will tell me the tories won’t do that, well I say it’s likely they won’t be there for much longer.

Except that Wales keeps voting in that government so i don't see it changing anytime soon even as a Plaid supporter and as for further devolution i don't see even a Labour government given any to Wales unless there's a referendum because they don't want to give up the powers.

 

[Jerry]

Compulsory purchasing peoples properties sounds like a great way to build a future relationship with the English government and show foreign investors this is a place to do business.

If a property is vacant for years on end and not being used and could be used to house a family shouldn't the state have that option?

More interestingly, I’d like to know the plan for the economy and how the welfare state and state pensions will be funded.

How do you think countries fund their welfare state and pensions?

 

[geoff]

Talking of Governments, I was surprised to see our First Minister at the WIZZ launch, I thought he was a member of the green lobby. You never know. with all the promises of jobs in Anglesey, we might even see the Valley service return.

 

[Jerry]

Talking of Governments, I was surprised to see our First Minister at the WIZZ launch, I thought he was a member of the green lobby. You never know. with all the promises of jobs in Anglesey, we might even see the Valley service return.

Wow that i didn't know that and that does surprise me as i didn't think he was really that interested in the airport!

 

[geoff]

Probably a good photo opportunity, he was photographed with the WIZZ CEO, and Spencer Birns. He gave an interview to the BBC, on the Welsh News, no sign of our climate change Minister though.

 

[Jerry]

Good news for the north!

Economy minister hails 'vote of confidence in Wales' as Airbus to create more than 450 new jobs

Wales’ economy has hailed as “fantastic news” the announcement that Airbus is to create more than 450 new jobs in the north-west. The company announced it would create between 450 and 550 new jobs at the Broughton site in Flintshire, as part of 6,000 new posts globally. The announcement came as...

nation.cymru

 

[Jerry]

Bit of a kicking for the Tories in Wales in the local elections. So far they've lost 67 seats and they've even lost control of their only council Monmouthshire.

Welsh election results 2022: Tories lose their only council

With almost all Welsh results in, Tories speak of "pain" and both Labour and Plaid Cymru make gains.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Bit of a kicking for the Tories in Wales in the local elections. So far they've lost 67 seats and they've even lost control of their only council Monmouthshire.

Welsh election results 2022: Tories lose their only council

With almost all Welsh results in, Tories speak of "pain" and both Labour and Plaid Cymru make gains.

www.bbc.co.uk

Independents had my vote this time. Best people for the job.

Johnson deserved it for all the nonsense of recent times.

 

[Jerry]

Independents had my vote this time. Best people for the job.

Johnson deserved it for all the nonsense of recent times.

Sadly due to moving I wasn't able to vote but I would've voted Plaid and maybe even for myself as I was approached about being a candidate in the Llanrumney ward but moving put paid to that!