News Releases 2010
- Positif Politics hold a succesful conference on scrutiny (September 2010)
- Kate Lewis joins Positif Politics (May 2010)
- Positif attitude to winning a referendum (May 2010)
- Positif Politics and Bevan Foundation host "One Wales, One Year to Go" (March 2010)
Positif Politics hold a succesful conference on scrutiny (September 2010)
The Presiding Officer for the National Assembly for Wales gave a keynote speech at a conference examining the effectiveness of scrutiny of government at different levels in Wales on Monday September 20th, at the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas addressed the audience at 'Scrutinising Scrutiny' along with other keynote speakers including Carl Sargeant AM - Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Andrew Davies AM, David Davies MP - Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, Paul Flynn MP and Professor Laura McAllister from the University of Liverpool.
His speech considered the efficacy of the National Assembly's scrutiny functions after more than ten years of devolution, and questions how Wales's legislature can be improved through, for example, the current review of Standing Orders.
The conference was organised by Positif Politics in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association, Wales Council for Voluntary Action and the Bevan Foundation and examined how the actions and processes of public bodies are examined and whether anything can be done to improve accountability.
"This conference offers an excellent opportunity to debate the nature of the Assembly's work from May of next year," said
"At the beginning of the Third Assembly, the Secretary of State for Wales had the final say on the Assembly's Standing Orders. As we approach the Fourth Assembly, we are now responsible for reviewing and rewriting our own Standing Orders.
Speaking at the conference, and as reported on the Assembly website (LINK), the Presiding Officer said: "However, scrutiny of policy and legislation remains one of the Assembly's core responsibilities. Our current review of Standing Orders seeks to ensure that as an Assembly we remain wholly transparent, that we allow the Welsh Government to carry out its work without impediment and that we also provide opposition parties the opportunity to state their case.
"Effective scrutiny lies at the heart of democracy. I am very much looking forward to taking part in this conference, and hearing people's views on how we can improve on one of our core functions."
Daran Hill, Managing Director of Positif Politics, commented:
"This conference is another great example of Positif Politics working with partners in highlighting key issues of politics and public service delivery. Improving scrutiny is good for not just democracy but also helps improve services. Hopefully the discussions will therefore result in a range of positive outcomes."
Kate Lewis joins Positif Politics (May 2010)
Public Affairs company Positif Politics has appointed Kate Lewis as a Senior Consultant.
Kate brings over ten years expertise in devising political campaigns across a variety of industries and policy areas, both in Wales and in Westminster. Kate’s experience of working with the private, public and voluntary sectors has enabled her to a gain a thorough understanding of the strategies needed to address the legislative and corporate communications challenges of her clients.
“Positif Politics has a great reputation, both among clients and policymakers. I am thrilled to be part of one of the most exciting and dynamic teams in Welsh public affairs,” Kate said.
Daran Hill, principal consultant and Managing Director of Positif Politics, said: “We are delighted to have Kate on board and look forward to the contribution she will make. We are also pleased that the company is continuing to grow and the team is now expanding to bring on board other professionals with strong reputations and specialist skills, extending the range of ideas and services we can bring to bear. Our skills complement each other so that we can take public affairs in Wales to a new level and in new directions.”
Positif Politics was established in 2006 by two experienced public affairs consultants, Daran Hill and Llyr Roberts. Positif Politics has since built a reputation for being the most innovative and impactful public affairs agency in Wales. It has delivered services to over 200 organisations - a record in terms of number and reach for any public affairs company working in Wales.
Positif attitude to winning a referendum (May 2010)
A panel of experts from around the UK gathered in Cardiff on May 19th to examine how a referendum campaign can be won.
The event, entitled The Experience of Referenda, came at a crucial time, as Wales waits to hear when a proposed referendum on further powers for the National Assembly will go ahead, following a change of Government in Westminster.
The panel for the event, which took place at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay, included, Dr Mads Qvortrup, a leading European expert on referenda; Nigel Smith, former Chair of the Yes campaign in Scotland; Quintin Oliver, who co-ordinated the Yes campaign following the Good Friday agreement referendum in Northern Ireland; and Daran Hill, former National Organiser, Yes for Wales campaign and Managing Director of Positif Politics.
The event was hosted by Bethan Jenkins AM and chaired by Victoria Winckler, Director of the Bevan Foundation. Bethan said: “The reason for this forthcoming referendum, moving to part four powers, is not expected to capture the public’s imagination in the way that previous referenda has done – a worrying thought for pro-devolutionists such as myself. Therefore, I will be listening very closely to our experts, who had different experiences and therefore different expertise, to see whether there are lessons that any future Yes campaign can learn.”
Victoria Winckler added: “With all the excitement about the General Election and its aftermath, there is a risk that eyes have been taken off the ball regarding this referendum. But a referendum campaign is not the same as an election campaign and people need to think properly about how they will approach the campaign this time around."
Daran Hill said: “Modern life is a string of political choices. No sooner is an election out of the way than a referendum is upon us. And this referendum is one where everyone can be part of a progressive consensus.”
Positif Politics and Bevan Foundation host "One Wales, One Year to Go" (March 2010)
The head of Unison in Wales will today urge the Assembly Government to put “people before profit” and not be tempted to use PFI as a way out of recession.
Paul O’Shea, who will speak at a major conference later today to mark First Minister Carwyn Jones’s first 100 days in office, will urge him to ensure that public services are kept public and for the benefit of those who most need them.
‘There is far too much evidence that demonstrates that PFI is not good investment – that it is a waste of money, ineffective and is again geared towards profit making. We need to ensure that public services are kept public to obtain the best value for money possible; value that retains quality in delivery; value that puts people before profit.
Mr O’Shea believes that though public services have a part to play in ensuring value for money the Westminster government should raise taxes with the super rich paying more, rather than reduce spending on public services as a way of paying back debt.
‘I believe that to limit the economic downturn in Wales, sustained spending on public services is imperative in order to ensure that levels of employment and demand in the economy are sustained. We cannot allow a situation where those within society that need and rely upon public services are unable to access those services.’
Furthermore, it must be pointed out that public sector job losses would cost the economy more than it would for that individual to continue delivering public services.
Mr O’Shea will be joined by Steve Thomas, chief executive of the WLGA and economist Dylan Jones Evans to discuss the Welsh budget.
First Minister Carwyn Jones will also deliver a speech on his evaluation of the One Wales agreement to mark his first 100 days as First Minister.
One Wales, One Year to Go, which will be held at the Novotel in Cardiff Bay has been organised by the Bevan Foundation and Positif Politics to look at the key issues facing the coalition as it enters its final 12 months.
Victoria Winckler, Director of the Bevan Foundation said: “The One Wales Agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru faces unprecedented challenges - a new First Minister and Cabinet, severe financial pressures, a referendum on increased powers and the parliamentary election. We hope that this event will stimulate debate on what the next 12 months could bring.”
Daran Hill, Director of Positif Politics said: “This Conference is a unique preview by two independent organisations of the last year of One Wales. Marking the first 100 days of the new First Minister's role, this event brings together leading politicians, key policy players and commentators for a dialogue on the current and future state of One Wales.”