So a new Welsh government, what will it mean?

[ericmark]

Good by Labour, with the 20 MPH speed limit, it was either good by, or get out the walking shoes and the red flag. Not against 20 MPH where needed, past schools etc, but the blanket change then part return means one jumps into a car, and one has no idea if speed limit 20 or 30 in a built-up area as neither seem to have repeater signs, nor traffic carming to tell you what the speed limit is.
So it seems there are a few changes, we now have six people per area, and a form of proportional representation, not even sure why we need a Welsh parliament? And why it was not in a central position? It means Machynlleth is no longer the capital of Wales, or Rhuddlan if looking at the English parliament in Wales. As a child I am sure I was told it was Aberystwyth, not sure where that came from?

It seems after a competition in the early 1950s, Cardiff was chosen over contenders including Caernarfon and Aberystwyth to be the capital. But the capital is the seat of government, and until the assembly the seats of government were Machynlleth and Rhuddlan.

However, what has god wrought, will we loose English signs? I know the name starting with a M is the Woman's toilet, and word starting with A on the road means slow, but I know where Port Dinorwic is, as to where Y Feniheli is, well that is one odd one I know the Welsh name for, Snowdon being called Yr Wyddfa but Snowdonia being Eryri seems daft.

Welshpool was called Pool, will we return to that, and Mold roles off the tongue a lot easier to Yr Wyddgrug, and for some reason Northop has never bothered with the Welsh name (Village of the pigs) Pentre-moch.

So will BS 7671 get written in Welsh now? So that the Welsh Part P can become law, as at the moment it refers to documents only written in English. So, what will the election results mean?

 

[charliegolf]

I'm Welsh, but I have no idea what that post was about. As for the language of signs etc, why on God's green earth would you think the nationalist party in Wales, now in charge, might revert to English only?

What the results mean so far...

Wales ditched Labour for 2 (main) reasons: we needed and wanted improvement after 27 years; and in order to block KKKUK from controlling the Senedd.

We needed a new bank to deposit our vote for a while. Plaid was it. Now, if they turn out to be Taffy Labour, they'll get a single term (the Lib Dems had a chance and blew it in Swansea in the 90s and 00s.

There will be no independence nonsense in the next 4 years. Plaid is not the SNP.

The 20mph is already down to councils to review (I think)*. Woe betide the council who loses a child on a formerly 20 road which was uprated to 30. My LA hasn't changed any AFAIK. Fewer accidents and injuries. It's a drag, but it's not a 2 year wait on the NHS is it?

The results mean that Plaid has a chance to be fresh and innovative. I wish them well (as I would the Conservatives, Libs or Greens), but I won't be holding my breath.

* edit: my LA made 30 odd changes apparently, but that's it.

 

[fillyboy]

Fair play to Wales for getting the Govt they elected, it's what Democracy is all about.

 

[charliegolf]

Labour had become complacent. To their cost. I can only wish Plaid well. Success for me: NHS times down; progress on the 18-24 group's chances in life; and something clever to boost high streets. Review of rates perhaps.

 

[motorbiking]

Deals will need to be done if they don't want to get blocked at every turn.

 

[ericmark]

Success for me: NHS times down

Do we have NHS in Wales? Every time I need to go to hospital I need to go to Shrewsbury.

 

[charliegolf]

Do we have NHS in Wales? Every time I need to go to hospital I need to go to Shrewsbury.

You seem to be moaning about 'having' to go to a closer hospital than you otherwise would if there was no agreement in place for Shrewsbury.

 

[ericmark]

Aberystwyth is far too far to consider, (48 miles) and Wrexham is also (36 miles) an hour away even by car, neither can be visited using public transport, Shrewsbury (27 miles) not much closer, but at least just about possible with public transport.

I have tried to cycle from Shrewsbury on my e-bike, got as far as Welshpool, before battery failed.

The route Llanfair Caereinion to Welshpool has armaco barriers meaning not really suitable for riding a bike on, so only real option is the train, which does not run in the winter.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

So will BS 7671 get written in Welsh now? So that the Welsh Part P can become law, as at the moment it refers to documents only written in English. So, what will the election results mean?

British Standard? Surely it will be a WS (Welsh Standard)?

Wales has been continually shooting itself in the foot since its parliament was established and Welsh Labour took over, with its language and local obsession.

Hopefully it can find a more modern, less self-obsessed future. Although I fear that Plaid Cymru will just turn out to be a worse version of Labour. It has parallels with the UK getting fed up of the Tory party, so voting in Labour. Out of the frying pan, into the fire.

 

[Odds]

Aberystwyth is far too far to consider, (48 miles) and Wrexham is also (36 miles) an hour away even by car, neither can be visited using public transport, Shrewsbury (27 miles) not much closer, but at least just about possible with public transport.

I have tried to cycle from Shrewsbury on my e-bike, got as far as Welshpool, before battery failed.

The route Llanfair Caereinion to Welshpool has armaco barriers meaning not really suitable for riding a bike on, so only real option is the train, which does not run in the winter.

The average range for an e-bike is 80km, and the distance you had to go was only 30km - maybe give it a full charge before trying again.

Took that road on my way to Barmouth, once.* A nice trek, in Summer sun.

*No batteries required.

 

[ericmark]

The average range for an e-bike is 80km, and the distance you had to go was only 30km - maybe give it a full charge before trying again.

I did use Google Maps set to cycle, so not the most direct route. On the flat, like following the canal I don't need any battery, so range is infinity, but on the rises then I need that motor, so the terrain has a big influence on the range.

I actually ran out as I crossed the railway at Buttington, but from there to Welshpool is flat, however the Golfa bank makes the train puff a bit never mind me, and to get up that without a motor means walking.

 

[blup]

Devolved government whether Wales and Scotland or the various Mayoralties were an illusion to create the impression of local decision making. It’s ended up with 20mph limits and a worse NHS. It’s meaningless without real power to raise local income taxes locally.

 

[ericmark]

Not quite

without real power to raise local income taxes locally

they have raised the price of beer in the supermarkets, which is why I returned to making home brew, the problem is for home brew to be safe, the alcohol level needs to be around 5% and the beer I was buying from Morison's at 90p for 4 was under 2% so it has resulted in increasing how much alcohol I drink, that can't be good! So when I visit England I stock up on low alcohol beer. At under a £1 rather than £1.75 in Wales.

This has a knock on effect, I get all the shopping in England, which means Welsh shops don't get my business.

 

[blup]

Not quite

they have raised the price of beer in the supermarkets, which is why I returned to making home brew, the problem is for home brew to be safe, the alcohol level needs to be around 5% and the beer I was buying from Morison's at 90p for 4 was under 2% so it has resulted in increasing how much alcohol I drink, that can't be good! So when I visit England I stock up on low alcohol beer. At under a £1 rather than £1.75 in Wales.

This has a knock on effect, I get all the shopping in England, which means Welsh shops don't get my business.

But the Welsh NHS does

 

[ericmark]

But the Welsh NHS does

So they have added the tax to make me drink more alcohol that does not seem to make sense!