Martin Shipton - Böcker

After a decade of devolution 6 out of 10 Welsh voters don't know which parties form the Welsh Assembly Government. The first First Minister is recognised by less than 50%, other party leaders have of less than 10% recognition. In addition to this level of political disengagement, the system of law-making seems not fully understood even by constitutional lawyers. This book seeks to explain why the hopes of 1999 failed to materialise and why the National Assembly has yet to capture the nation's imagination. Its themes emerge through a chronological narrative, in which the author will comment on key events. They include: UK Labour's installation of the uncharimsatic Alun Michael as leader of an organisation which needed to capture public imagination; Westminster Treasury obstinancy over crucial match funding for European money, and Michael's subsequent downfall; Labour's obsession with party unity at the expense of clear national leadership; the stifling of public debate through reliance on Assembly patronage of so many organizations; the quality of Assembly Members, especially Labour's; shameless defiance of Freedom of Information Act to stifle criticism. Poor Man's Parliament covers the Assembly from its beginnings in 1999 to Rhodri Morgan's resignation in November 2009, exploring the record of government by Labour and Plaid Cymru, and analysis of recent electoral trends. It is written from a pro-devolution viewpoint, though one dismayed by events.

George Thomas, the former Labour Cabinet Minister and Speaker of the House of Commons, was the sycophant supreme of the British political system and arguably the most divisive figure in twentieth-century Welsh politics, whose transformation from a radical young socialist to Viscount Tonypandy, a fervent supporter of Margaret Thatcher and servile courtier to the English Royal Family who was perfectly described by poet Nigel Jenkins as 'The Lord of Lickspit'.Drawing on previously unpublished material from Thomas' vast personal and political archive in the National Library of Wales, and interviews with many who knew him during his career, award-winning journalist Martin Shipton reveals the real George Thomas, the complex character behind the carefully crafted facade of the devout Christian and ultra British-loyalist, and discovers a number of surprising and shocking personae - which have previously been unknown, downplayed or overlooked - of this ultimate Political Chameleon whose political legacy now lies in ruins:The devious draft-dodger during World War Two.The Communist sympathiser controlled by the Soviet Union.The secret Freemason.The self-proclaimed teetotaller who enjoyed alcohol in private.The close acquaintance of a controversial financier.The spiritual sidekick of a Saudi Arabian oil minister.The duplicitous informer for Harold Wilson.The shameless betrayer of the people of Aberfan.The die-hard opponent of devolution with a spiteful antipathy towards the Welsh language.The unscrupulous fixer of Honours and master of patronage.The 'confirmed bachelor' and Methodist lay-preacher who sought the company of 'rent boys'.Martin Shipton also investigates fresh evidence relating to the explosive allegation that Thomas was a child rapist and a predatory sexual abuser of young males. This is the book that his dwindling number of supporters feared and the book his political opponents have been waiting for. Political Chameleon dissects George Thomas chapter by chapter, exposing him as a sanctimonious hypocrite whose religious veneer was a sham.