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Truth Talkback
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Peter is always keen to keep his constituents up to date with what he is doing and let them know what is really going on.
Through his Truth Talkback page Peter will keep his constituents informed and let them know the truth behind the stories.
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Interesting that some Eurosceptics ignore the reality pointed out by Margaret Thatcher that it would be impossible for Britain to renege on a European Treaty which it had previously ratified and which had come into force as is highly likely for the Lisbon Treaty before the next general election.
"I know of no country in the Western World in which a referendum has been used to override a treaty obligation which had been through all its parliamentary stages and had been in operation for two years. Such a step would have a damaging effect on Britain's standing in the world." House of Commons, 11 March 1975
Peter Hain5 October
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Plaid Cymru activist Linda Ware is fond of throwing dirt and her letter "Transparent MPs" (19.05.09) is no different. My expenses will be published along with everyone else when the Parliamentary officials are ready. Early publication raises many issues about data protection.
All my claims have been properly submitted and receipted. I have never "flipped" homes between London and my Neath constituency. I have made no claims for furniture, nor for any household luxuries and items like televisions. My claims have been solely for the essentials to maintain a second home, my constituency being nearly 200 miles from my place of work at Westminster.
When Parliamentary officials have corrected the mistakes they have made in the first drafts of my expense returns and those of other MPs, and deleted confidential details like for credit cards and bank accounts to prevent fraud, all the details will available for everyone in Neath to scrutinise and I will be happy to answer questions.
Peter Hain
Western Mail, 21st May 2009
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Congratulations to Cllr Alun Thomas and Cllr Arwyn Woolcock on becoming the new Leader and Deputy Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. I’m sure that they will continue to keep Neath Port Talbot as one of the best councils in Wales and I look forward to working with them in the future.
Alun Thomas takes over from Derek Vaughan who over the last five years has transformed the council. Under Derek’s leadership the council is widely respected for its efficiency and delivery. It has kept council tax rises to the very minimum, has one of the best school results in Wales and the best refuse collection in the UK. It is a tribute to his leadership that Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council was one of only two councils in Wales to remain under Labour control in 2008.
Peter Hain 6 May 2009
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Plaid AM Dai Lloyd should spend more time concentrating on serving his constituents instead of mud slinging. Five months after I co-hosted a conference in Neath Dai Lloyd has decided to refer the matter to the electoral commission.
At the time of the conference I informed the Electoral Commission and they agree that there was nothing for me to declare.
A spokesman for the Electoral Commission said: “Mr Hain contacted us in November 2008 and provided us with information about the event.
“Based on this, and other information available, we concluded that no evidence had been disclosed that suggested a failure to comply with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000." [Western Mail 24 April 2009]
Yet again Plaid is more concerned with mud slinging at the tax payers expense rather than getting on with representing their constituents.
Peter Hain 24 April 2009
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Finally four hours later the BBC News channel has issued a full apology.
Peter Hain
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At 17.20 on Saturday 11th April the BBC made smearing remarks about me for the third time and were forced to apologise for the third time.
BBC TV News interviewing the extreme right winger Paul Staines, author of Guido Fawkes website, who has a nasty past. Staines referred live to me as 'fiddling his expenses'. On being called and told this was a lie a clearly rattled producer of the programme apologised fulsomely saying 'our presenter got carried away'. Forty five minutes later said presenter gave a lame correction.
The first apology came four months ago from the Editor of BBC Daily Politics. When is the Chairman of the BBC Trust going to get a grip on standards of accuracy? Or is it now just a factory for smears?
Peter Hain 11 April
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Bethan Jenkins in her rather petulant blog claims that I am trying to destabilise the Government of Wales: she should look at herself in the mirror for the damage she is doing to sustaining the One Wales Agreement and the coalition.
The civil war within Plaid over top-up fees is endangering the survival of the coalition. Bethan Jenkins needs to learn that being in government isn’t about oppositionalism or rhetoric but making difficult decisions and acting responsibly.
Instead of blaming Welsh Labour MPs and AMs Ms Jenkins needs to look to her own Plaid ministers and fellow Plaid AMs, all except her and Leanne Woods will be supporting the introduction of top-up fees whilst she actively works to undermine her party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones.
It is the actions of Ms Jenkins in publishing Adam Price’s letter on her blog which seeks to bring legal action against the Welsh Assembly Government that is the real threat to the stability of the Welsh assembly Government
Peter Hain 9 March 2009
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Recent victories in Ystalyfera and Bryncoch by-elections have seen Labour defeat Plaid Cymru in their own territory. Congratulations to Noir James and Mike Teague. Their wins have been a real tonic for the Labour party in a time when nationally we are lagging behind in the polls. It shows what can be achieved with a good local candidate working hard and supported by local campaigns.
Peter Hain 9 February
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It comes as no surprise that the BNP are attacking me – they and their fascist ilk have done so since I laws a leader of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and when I founded the Anti-Nazi League which led to the collapse of their predecessor the National Front in the early 1980s. They have always been vitriolic and vicious towards me and this latest vendetta is totally predictable. We will not be deflected from confronting them and driving them out of Neath.
Peter Hain, 2 February
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I was shocked and appalled to learn the BNP were canvassing in Neath Town Centre on the weekend. Already people have come into my Constituency office disgusted at this. In the week when Obama was inaugurated as President it is a shame they chose to canvass Neath with their racist poison.
But theirs is a real threat which cannot be ignored. Their campaign tactics are simple – to spread division and fear, with violence often following. They hope to exploit low voter turn out and take advantage of the economic climate.
All policies ideas are an anathema to Neath’s proud tradition of community caring, social justice and decency. We must confront the BNP wherever they appear from beneath the stones. The racist BNP are not welcome in Neath.
Should they get a foothold in Europe it could change British politics for years to come.
Peter Hain 26 January 2009
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Visiting Cardiff University’s School of Engineering I was able to see the schools unique scale model of the Severn Estuary. The model is the first of its kind and allows Professor Falconer and his team at the Hydro-Environmental Research Centre to simulate the effect of different tidal power projects. Prof Falconer and his team is providing very important research into the feasibility of the proposed Severn Tidal Power projects.
I strongly believe that the Cardiff-Weston Barrage is the best option. The barrage would produce 5% of UK electricity needed with a lifespan significantly longer than 120 years. Contrary to many reports it would be the best option for local wildlife saving the ecosystems found in the estuary from climate induced destruction.
Peter Hain 22 January
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Mr President - Barack Obama! Amazing just to hear it at his inauguration and to write it.
A truly amazing day, and one that ranked with me alongside Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as the first democratically elected President of South Africa. Both days are ones I will always remember - a certain magic about them. And a sense of the miraculous too.
Peter Hain 20 January 2009
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