Headbutts and slaps
It's been one of those weeks.
Bradshawgate was a very public spat, but is it the tip of the iceberg when it comes to tensions between Westminster and Cardiff Bay?
The Welsh Affairs Select Committee investigation into cross border public services is seen by many as placing Westminster's tanks very firmly on Cardiff Bay's lawn (or should that be warships on their pond). The Assembly Government has resolutely refused to make any comment on it ... but did we hear a cipher response yesterday - and a strong one at that?
During a plenary debate on public services, the Wrexham Labour AM Lesley Griffiths made the following statement.
"Sadly in recent times the very term cross-border been somewhat hijacked by people who see themselves as self-styled sceptics on devolution and the phrase cross-border is now almost a metaphor for a lack of aspiration and ambition that is now infecting the body politic in certain parts of Wales."
Her masters' voice?
But back to Westminster again, where this week, the same Welsh Affairs committee published their report on the Assembly Government's proposed domicilary care LCO. The LCO itself, fine and dandy, more or less ... and then the MPs cross the road for another dust up.
"We also note the haphazard approach to processing proposals for Legislative Competence Orders in Council. The failure on the part of the Welsh Assembly Government to follow the anticipated procedures for these proposals, which were described during the progress of the Government of Wales Act 2006, has created significant problems. The Wales Office, the Welsh Assembly Government, and the National Assembly for Wales should seek to coordinate the procedures more effectively in future."
If the Bradshaw affair was a full on headbutt aimed at Welsh ministers, these probably fall into the "slap" category. And the low level skirmishes may well continue.
But here's a question. Who is the single unifying figure who could call a halt to this if it really starts to escalate?
I'm Betsan Powys, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on .
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Sounds very much like Lesley Griffiths v Ian Lucas then, and they sharing an office as well, perhaps Lesley would be more comfortable in John Marek's old office now occupied by none other than Eleanor Burnham.
I am not currently a member of any Party, but hold the interests on my nation very close to my heart for the sake of my children, childrens children and so on. In this instance, given Betsan's question, and having discussed it with many friends accross Wales.... the only leading Welsh Labour figure who could step in to call this to a halt would be Counsil Genral and Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones. He clearly has great support in Cardiff and is also held is high esteem amongst the majority of the more worthy Welsh MP's. I note that Ben Bradshaw is a Facebook friend of Mr Jones. So as long as Mad Moon MP does not succeed in abolishing social contact for people from Bridgend, perhaps Carwyn could communicate with Ben over this issue online!. Seriously though,(certain perhaps somtimes attention seeking) Westminister MP's striding outside their brief's and demanding things which already exist is Wales is far from helpful when most AM's seem to be trying to get on with the job which they are elected and paid to do.
The main battle in Swansea is between Labour, who left chaos behind them when they lost last time and the Lib Dems who have done some good things but many stupid - like the plan to cut down the trees at West Cross to make room for the unwanted bendy bus, until there was major public reaction. Now they want to fill every beautiful space with tower blocks, as in the scheme to ruin the area between the Dylan Thomas centre and the Sail bridge. Sketty's battle is between Tories and Lib Dems. I feel that I cannot vote for any of the three main parties and there are only two other candidates.