Past Events
Electoral Commission event - July 2009
Kay Jenkins, Head of the Electoral Commission in Wales, gave an interesting and informative talk to PAC members and AMs about the Political Parties and Elections Bill, currently going through Westminster.
The talk, and subsequent Q+A discussion, raised concerns about particular implications for Wales which no doubt will continue to be debated over the coming months.
Annual reception - July 2009
A mix of seventy public affairs professionals, Assembly Members, and National Assembly for Wales and WAG employees attended PAC's annual reception in the Senedd.
Speeches from both the sponsoring AM, Kirsty Williams, and Chair of PAC, Darren Hughes, recognised the contribution that the public affairs industry makes to civic society in Wales, and the particular contribution made by PAC.
PAC members were also reminded of the importance of attending October's AGM.
Westminster Trip - July 2009
Members spent an hour with Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales, Wayne David MP, who outlined the role of the Welsh office focusing in detail on its relationship with the Assembly and role in the new legislative process. Mr David described devolution as "about partnership not fracture" and discussed the Wales Office's role in making the partnership "real." The session provided a very interesting insight into the Westminster side of the legislative process and the challenges and opportunities the current constitutional settlement presents.
PAC members then had a session with Adam Price MP who offered a view from outside the Wales office on the current legislative system and the possible future options for devolution.
Finally those members who had not been to Westminster before were given a thoroughly insightful, interesting and comprehensive tour by the Parliamentary outreach officer for Wales.
Building on the success of last year's trip the feedback on this year's trip has been very positive and we hope to be able to repeat the success again next year.
"Starter for ten" The PAC pub quiz on ten years of devolution - June 2009
As our way of marking 10 years of devolution in Wales, PAC held a “pub quiz” event at the City Canteeen in Caridff Bay.
Teams of Assembly Members and journalists pitted their wits to see who really knew the most about what goes on in Cardiff Bay (and beyond).
It turns out journalists know more about devolution than politicians or public affairs practitioners, as it was a BBC team that swept to victory. The ‘Gaze of Dragon’s Eye’ have nominated Childline as the charity to receive the £55 that was raised.
The night was a great success, with host Betsan Powys, making the following comment on her blog about it...
"The Public Affairs Cymru annual quiz drew lobbyists, journalists and politicians - the sharpest, most competitive political brains in the Bay no less".
Betsan Powys' Blog, BBC Wales' Political Editor, 11th June 2009
Euro Hustings - May 2009
Many thanks to those of you who attended the Euro Hustings event, we hope you found it informative and enjoyable.
It was a well attended event with approx 30 PAC members quizzing the number one candidates from each of the four parties on a range of important issues. Each candidate was given a chance to set out their main campaigning points for the forthcoming election followed by questions from members on issues from consumer rights to support for small businesses and accessible information provision to rugby!
PAC is the only organisation that has managed to attract the number one candidate on the list from each of the main parties many thanks to all of those who attended and submitted questions. This was an excellent opportunity for PAC members to be able to put their questions to people likely to be representing Wales in Europe.
PAC Annual Lecture - April 2009
A packed audience of PAC members, AMs and invited guests turned out to hear Geraint Talfan Davies give his views on the future of the media in Wales. Drawing on themes of his recently published book on the subject, he painted a bleak picture of English-language media in Wales and called for urgent action, including the devolution of broadcasting to Wales and the establishment of a bilingual Welsh Media Commission.
The audience then had the opportunity to put their questions to the former BBC Wales Controller, which ranged from network BBC's reporting of the nations and regions to the impact of the aging population on the Welsh media. The PAC executive would like to thank Geraint Talfan Davies for taking the time to give this year's annual lecture, and Dr Dai Lloyd AM for hosting the event."
PAC Gala Dinner - March 2009
PAC's second annual Gala dinner was held at the Park Plaza hotel and attended by nearly 100 PAC members and their guests. Special thanks go to guest speaker Adrian Masters, for an entertaining and informative perspective on the current (and future) political landscape in Wales, and to ComRes (for sponsoring the drinks reception), www.notjustnuts.co.uk (for the table favours), and Positif Politics, Positif Training, The Bay and the Wales Tobacco Control Alliance for taking tables at the event.
"Should anyone who lobbies Government be subject to a Code of Conduct?" - March 2009
PAC were delighted to welcome Robbie MacDuff, Chair of the Association of Professional Political Consultants, to share his insights into the recent Public Administration Select Committee Report on lobbying. A vigorous discussion was had about the possible implications of a mandatory register of lobbyists, the different attitudes towards lobbying in Wales and at Westminster and the possible role of PAC in developing a Code of Conduct for Welsh lobbyists. We were also joined by Esme Harwood, from the polling and research consultancy ComRes, who shared the findings of a recent survey of MPs on the topic. The possibility of PAC developing a Code of Conduct is something that the PAC Executive will be spending a considerable amount of time on in the next few months. We'll be sure to keep members informed and involved, but if anyone has any views they want to share in the mean time please email chair@publicaffairscymru.org.
CPD seminar - February 2009
PAC members Ruth Crowder and Pip Ford led a practical and informative session explaining the purpose and value of Continuous Professional Development. They recently chaired a PAC sub-group which has developed a set of CPD tools specifically for PAC members and those who attended the event were shown practical examples of how these can be used to reflect on learning outcomes from PAC events. The tools are now on the PAC website and available for all members to use. Ruth and Pip have both kindly agreed to answer any queries members may have; they can be emailed at fordp@csp.org.uk or ruth.crowder@cot.co.uk.
Obama Mania Event - February 2009
The Obama Mania event at the Nos Da proved both useful and enjoyable. PAC member Aled Edwards, who worked on the Obama Campaign, gave us a very interesting first hand account of his experiences and how political campaigning works “Stateside”. Aled launched his book at the event “West Wing Wales - Obama for America: a Welsh Campaign Experience”, for signed copies contact Aled at ALED@CYTUN.org.uk p>
Tour of BBC Wales Newsroom - January 2009
Yet again, the opportunity to go ‘behind the scenes’ at BBC Wales’ news and current affairs department proved highly popular and those PAC members who managed to secure places on the tour were not disappointed. Newsgathering Editor, Ruth Sully, and an assortment of the BBC Wales Today team answered our questions on the best ways to get stories picked up by BBC Wales’ radio, TV and online output (as well as giving us some tips on things not to do!) before taking us down to the studio to watch that evening’s bulletin go out. A really useful insight into the workings of a department many of us are in regular contact with, but rarely get to talk to in such a leisurely fashion! p>
PAC Charity Christmas Party and Carol Singing - December 2008
The PAC Christmas Carol singing was a great success, well apart from the singing, and we raised £116 for the Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth. It even went as far as a “Sing-off” between the boys and the girls, I’ll leave it to others to decide who won! Attached is an exert from the thank you letter we received from Marie Curie. "Thank you most sincerely for donating the proceeds that were raised at your recent Christmas Carol Event to the Marie Curie Hospice, Penarth. I am delighted to accept £116.00 and assure you that this money will be put towards the high quality nursing care we offer at the hospice. Thank you for your support and on behalf of the fundraising team we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year".
Wales Yearbook Politician of the Year Awards 2008 - December 2008
The annual Welsh Politician of the Year Awards event was well attended by politicians at all levels and from all parties, the media and opinion formers in Wales. The awards categories include AM of the Year, Welsh MP of the Year, Campaigner of the Year, Communicator of the Year, plus Local Politician of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award. The event culminated with the prestigious overall award Welsh Politician of the Year 2008.