Friday, February 24, 2006
Lest we forget why we are there
I am told that a senior Welsh Liberal Democrat member went with his family to take a look around the new Senedd building in Cardiff Bay recently.
Being a fan of new architecture and iconic buidlings, he was very impressed, especially by the wonderful view of the water from the inside of the building, and the feeling of space and openness. He was also impressed to receive a cheery 'hello' from none other than the Presiding Officer, Dafydd Elis Thomas, who happened to be in the entrance, filming with some media outlet or other.
However, things took a turn for the worse when my friend and his family left the building. His three year old daughter saw the red carpet that had been put in place ready for the Queen next week (or was it just a practice?). Not surprisingly, she ran excitedly to try it out. There were no ropes or signs giving the signal to keep off, but the 3 year old was shouted at aggressively by a uniformed Assembly security person (not a police officer, and her parents were given a withering look by a female official.
Perhaps they now wish they had been a little more courteous and considerate with the 3 year old, as my friend was - I hear - robust and to the point in his response: 'If the carpet is good enough for the Queen, its good enough for a citizen of Wales, OK?' The two offiicials just looked sheepish, and had nothing to say - well, there really isn't any answer to that, is there? The atmosphere was rather frosty, to say the least. My friend believes that we have some way to go before we really can boast of a people's Senedd...
Being a fan of new architecture and iconic buidlings, he was very impressed, especially by the wonderful view of the water from the inside of the building, and the feeling of space and openness. He was also impressed to receive a cheery 'hello' from none other than the Presiding Officer, Dafydd Elis Thomas, who happened to be in the entrance, filming with some media outlet or other.
However, things took a turn for the worse when my friend and his family left the building. His three year old daughter saw the red carpet that had been put in place ready for the Queen next week (or was it just a practice?). Not surprisingly, she ran excitedly to try it out. There were no ropes or signs giving the signal to keep off, but the 3 year old was shouted at aggressively by a uniformed Assembly security person (not a police officer, and her parents were given a withering look by a female official.
Perhaps they now wish they had been a little more courteous and considerate with the 3 year old, as my friend was - I hear - robust and to the point in his response: 'If the carpet is good enough for the Queen, its good enough for a citizen of Wales, OK?' The two offiicials just looked sheepish, and had nothing to say - well, there really isn't any answer to that, is there? The atmosphere was rather frosty, to say the least. My friend believes that we have some way to go before we really can boast of a people's Senedd...
