For Those of a Curious Disposition...
Here is a hastily propped up version of what the completed model should resemble. Obviously it's missing one or two things. Like people, extra platforms and, erm, a head. But I hope that clears things up.

I'll be starting the paint work on the body this weekend. I also intend to work on my own body by walking to the top of the hill at the back of my house. I'll show you all a picture from the top - then you can tell me if it still classes as a hill!

So do you know what's bothering me this week? Well putting to one side this nonsense about prosecuting parents for what theyallow their children to drink in their own homes; and putting aside my continual (and ever increasing) irritation for inaccurate journalism; I have only a couple things to say.

The first is a general complaint about myself to myself. That's regarding my apparent inability to be able to save money just lately. £300 I spent altogether on birthday presents for my sister's 21st and my Mom's birthday. Just before my wages went in today I had £23. My rent needed to leave my account two days ago so I am having to pay that in cash.

So I have a complaint about banks. Not only do they charge me £38 for their own incompetence but they also decide that it will take 4 days to process a standing order. What nonsense! I know exactly what's happening with that money and it's nothing but greed.

Anyway, I have a serious point to make and it is regarding the Welsh Assembly elections taking place soon. I have had a Lib-Dem candidate visit my house and I have had leaflets from the Lib-Dems, Plaid Cymru, Labour and the BNP.

Firstly, the lib-dem candidate who visited me just dropped off a leaflet. I was hoping for a sales pitch. Instead I was just told to vote no matter who I vote for just vote after which he walked off. I wasn't very impressed to say the least.

Then I had a Plaid leaflet who give the reasons for voting for them as follows (and I quote)...

• To stand up for Aberconwy and North Wales in Cardiff.
• To help unseat Labour's incompetent government in Cardiff; and in doing so,
• Deliver a GUILTY verdict on Blair's record as Prime Minister.

Erm, right. So nothing to do with your listed priorities then? In all fairness their "key priorities" are better - even if they are just the bog standard catch-all stuff like 'save our hospital' and 'look after our small businesses'.

I had a field day with the BNP leaflet - mainly becasue it contradicts itself. Here we have a party that believes in Britain; that doesn't believe in regional assemblies / governments yet at the same time makes the distinction that this is the Welsh branch of the BNP. Surely a group comitted to a united Britain shouldn't be making such distinctions. Surely this can't be a non-too-subtle ploy to appeal to the Welsh electorate? Surely they can't be joining the bandwagon of having "everything England has but suffix it with Wales to pretend it's 100% Welsh".

I mean - how can BBC Wales be all so welsh when the BBC proper is, first of all, British. Second of all it's based in London and funded by the whole UK. Thirdly it's roots are from the very first regular radio station in London set up by Marconi. Now I don't think a name like Marconi is Welsh, though I could be wrong.

Back to my main point then. If I remember correctly, the BNP leaflet also had a few criticisms of Blair. As did the Lib-Dem leaflets.

Then we have the Labour candidate. Last leaflet to arrive. I was almost suprised to see no criticism of Blair but then I remembered who the leaflet was from. As usual, there was nothing of substance just a 'we'll keep making things better' and 'look what we've already done' speech.

So, I ask in all seriousness - what is the choice I have to make? There are three parties whose sales-pitch centres around the perceived hate everybody has for Blair. Then there's Labour itself; inextricably linked to Blair becuase that is the way he wanted it - he wanted to make his party about personality rather than policy. He wanted to create a media frenzy around a couple of charismatic people. So is it any wonder people feel mislead when they finally wake up to what is really going on?

Personally speaking I do not believe in "party politics". I believe that the person who is elected should express the views of those he/she represents. Not 'towing the party line' and certainly not out for personal gain (unlike some local councillors I could mention). So when confronted with a load of people who seem uninterested in what I have to say then what am I to do? What do I do when faced with the dilemma of liking a candidate but disliking the party they are allied to?

I think government and the people have become seperated. The fact I felt I could make that distinction is proof. The government works for us - "representation for the people, by the people". I think we have forgotten this.

I think we've stopped taking responsibility for our own actions and our first answer to any problem is "let's create a law".

So how does that fit in to choosing a local representative? Well I think it goes a little something like this...

If folk were more community minded (taking part in parish meetings for example) then they would be aware of the local issues. With a more locally aware and less media-driven populace we would know what we needed that we didn't already have. We would then know to take this to, for example, the county council. If we knew the work the council did and bothered to read the notices they are legally obliged to make publically available then we would know what the issues are on a wider scale and be able to decide, in our own minds, what the priorities should be. Continue this up the scale and you have an lectorate who knows what is needed and can therefore vote acurately.

It's all very well a candidate suggesting "I'll save your hospital" without for one second mentioning what it will cost (whether monetarily or otherwise). If the populace bothered to know about such things they might think "ah, but if this hospital is closed then 20 mini-hospitals can be built that will provide even more local care".

I'm not for one minute suggesting that every person get bogged down in the minutae of detail of every parish/county/regional/national governmernt meeting. But we should all have an appreciation of what is going on.

Take The Times newspaper as an example. Within this paper they have a dedicated section that will cover a few court cases. They also carry announcements stating what the royal family are busy with. Why aren't the local proceedings made as readily available? Why can't a dedicated local newsletter give a summary of local happenings? At least then the electorate would have the opportunity to be educated.

But what do I know - I'm only 23.