Nick Bourne AM

I am looking forward to watching Andy Murray on Saturday when he takes on Juan Ignacio Chela at the Australian Open. Some 12 months ago Chela defeated Andy Murray and he is reported to be seeking revenge. 

I feel confident that Andy Murray stands a very good chance. It is obvious to most spectators that he seems to be at his peak of fitness at the moment, playing some wonderful tennis. The Aussies seem to have taken quite a shine to him. The thoughts of a nation will be with him on this Saturday and I hope he sees through to meet Rafael Nadal, world’s number two in the next round. The British Press does put impossible burdens on our sports men and spots women. I recently heard an interview when Andy Murray was question about his confidence of winning the tournament. It’s time the media eased off a bit with this sort of pressure. 

Good luck Andy! 

I am extremely worried about the behaviour of individuals in the Big Brother House and how it is conjuring up a diplomatic nightmare. The shameful behaviour has even meant that Carphone Warehouse has withdrawn its sponsorship. 

Channel 4 needs to recognise that they are attracting the wrong kind of audience. Racism simply has no place on prime time British television and with more than 30,000 complaints made so far to media regulator Ofcom and 3,000 directly to Channel 4, I hope they act soon. 

We have launched our “Guaranteed Welsh” logo to promote Welsh produce. The scheme – similar to a system already operating in Ireland – would make it easier for consumers to support Welsh companies and safeguard jobs in Wales. 

The new logo would be a powerful device in promoting Welsh goods and services. It would provide an instantly recognisable symbol for consumers. In relation to food of course we all know our excellent welsh food is the healthiest choice and in addition local food and local goods mean fewer food miles and goods miles. 

Consumers would also know that when they buy a product or service featuring the Guaranteed Welsh logo they are supporting Welsh companies and Welsh workers. 

We have just completed a really successful Training Weekend with our Assembly candidates during which we had open and frank discussions about our campaign, policies and general direction of the party. I was delighted at the weekend and the enthusiasm and commitment of our candidates. 

We have a first class team of candidates and I am really impressed by the quality and range of talent the party has put together to put forward to the electorate come May. 

What is obvious is that the Party is stepping up a gear and I look forward to the weeks and months ahead where I will be working alongside all the candidates across Wales. We are going all out for maximum votes and seats. 

I have been deliberating how we can ensure that supermarkets use their massive powers responsibly.

 
We all use supermarkets but I share the general feeling that they are too powerful and we need to protect and enhance our local suppliers here in Wales and we need guarantees that supermarkets will act in environmentally friendly ways.

 
We must be patriotic about food and this complements the environmental concerns I raised yesterday regarding food miles. I can see only benefits ensuring that our supermarkets provide floor space for local producers requiring them to act in a “green” way and generally to take account of community needs.

I attended a Training day for all our Candidates today and it really was a superb event. One very clear message was that everyone in the Party is fully behind our green agenda. We are leading the agenda on climate change and believe Wales can lead the way on green policies, not drag its feet.
 
One of the most important ways we can help not only the environment but our local producers as well is by tackling food miles. They make up a large part of the carbon footprint of households. We all have a role to play in reducing food miles and contributing towards the fight against climate change.
 
We need to encourage people to buy and supermarkets to sell local and seasonal produce. Eating local produce contributes to better health, a better economy and a better environment.  
 
If we are to tackle carbon emissions and achieve more rigorous carbon-reduction targets then we must help and advise homeowners on the best ways to achieve this and require new homes to follow strict guidelines. 
 
Green energy is also important. So far, too many eggs have been placed in one basket. There is no panacea. If we are to really challenge the carbon crisis then we must look at all the options available, that means wave, tidal and solar, biomass and wind, though we already have many very large scale wind farms in Wales.  We also, of course, need to look at energy efficiency measures.
 
We must look at the Severn Barrage.
We do not rule out nuclear though it is not our preferred choice.
We must become more energy efficient.

In run up to the Assembly Election, I have announced my leader’s panel, who will be advising me on policy issues over the coming months:

Simon Baynes (Former Candidate, Montgomeryshire)
 
Guto Bebb (North Wales Businessman and former candidate, Conwy)
 
C.Cllr Andrew Crump (Leader, Monmouthshire County Council)
 
Emma Greenow (Candidate, Bridgend)

Simon Hart (Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance) Trefor Jones (Candidate, Ceredigion)
 
Rene Kinzett (Swansea City Cllr)

Karen Robson (Candidate, Cardiff South and Penarth)

Julia White (Former CPC Chairman Wales and Former President, Preseli Conservatives):  

I have recently appointed a batch of new deputy spokespersons they are set out below: John Bell, candidate for Clwyd South - Social Justice and Regeneration 

Byron Davies, candidate for Gower - Tourism 

Matthew Evans, candidate for Newport West - Local Government and Public Services 

Leigh Jeffes, candidate for South Wales East - Culture, Media and Sport 

Antoinette Mackeson Sandbach, candidate for Delyn - Local Government and Public Services  

Dan Munford, candidate for Montgomeryshire - Economic Development 

James Roach, Candidate for Ynys Mon - Health and Social Services 

Craig Williams, Candidate for Cardiff West - Local Government and Public Services 

5-0 series defeat, first since 1920 – 21 series, was an extremely big blow to any British Cricket fan. The Australians played some fantastic cricket and we just didn’t seem to make the mark. 

However, no one could question the fact we still have some superb cricketers and we need to regroup. I share Andrew Flintoff’s belief that we can bounce back and regain the Ashes in 2009. 

Lacking Vaughan, Simon Jones and Marcus Trescothick were serious blows to our side but Australia has raised the standard level and we must and I sure we will meet them and do one better, watch out 2009 will be our year for Cricket! 

I have been pushing restaurants, food retailers, schools and other providers across Wales to support their local produce over the past few years. The idea seems to be spreading across Wales and working well. I am going to continue my pressure from the Assembly and urge all other levels to do the same, especially the NFU and FUW who have been superb at helping push the idea of local produce.

France and Italy are excellent at supporting their local producers and they have a fantastic identity when it comes to their food. In Wales we can compete with the best of them and if we support our local producers, we will soon start to see a much stronger Welsh food identity.

 Ynyshire Hall, near Machynlleth is setting the benchmark in Wales and can I congratulate them on achieving their coveted star in the latest edition of the Michelin Guide. Congratulations also must goo to Plas Bodegros in Gwynedd.