European Parliament

While Westminster has "Hansard", and the US Congress has  the "Congressional Record" - the European Parliament has "Verbatim Reports of Proceedings.

Producing a useable verbatim record is more complicated than for National Parliaments - the European Parliament allows speeches in any of the twenty four official languages of the the European Union. [English remains an official language] While there are translators in the chamber to give a simultaneous translation to people in the chamber; visitors and those watching the live feed of Plenary sessions - the official record takes longer to produce.

A first copy is available called the "Rainbow Edition". This records contributions in the language of each person speaking. Initially only a PDF version is available, but a few days later there is an HTML version - which allows searches.

The "Final Edition" is produced a little later. Again - it is in the languages used by whoever is speaking.

To search for a particular plenary session go to EP Verbatim Reports of Proceedings - the first part of this page covers the current plenary session, but if you scroll down you'll find "Search Verbatim Reports". This gives access to any of the Parliamentary debates from 1994. If you have a specific sitting you want to look at - enter that date in both boxes (Sittings from...to). Click on any of the individual results - and the next page give you the option to choose "Full Text". That will break the sitting down into individual items of business. 

You can watch a video of each speech, The full Verbatim Report can be downloaded as a PDF - it's a big document (February 10th 2021 is a file of 3590k and 162 pages ).

Watching the video of the speech (an example can be seen here) allows you to choose which language you listen to. - but there is a disclaimer "The interpretation does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings." Alternatively copy and paste the speech in the Verbatim Report into Google Translate

Wyn Lewis Jones

 Earlier this week I posted a piece about Ail Symudiad - a group whose music I had just started to get into. I had even bought an ebook about the group - and the two brothers at the heard of the group (which by copying pieces of the text to Google Translate, I was able to read - I’m too early in my quest to learn Welsh to be able to reach much unaided!).

This evening I visited the Ail Symudiad Facebook page, and was saddened to read this post published yesterday - 

Wyn Lewis Jones 1959 - 2021

Gyda chalon trwm, i ni’n drist iawn i ‘weud bod Wyn wedi colli ei frwydr hir a dewr gyda chancr y pancreas heddi. Diolch i bawb am y negeseuon caredig a’r llunie lyfli - mae’n cynhesu calon i weld shwt gwmynt wedd e’n meddwl i bawb. Bydd bywyd ddim run peth heb ei sbort, dwli a’r bass lines.

It is with a very heavy heart we announce tonight that Wyn lost his long and brave fight with pancreatic cancer today. Thank you to everyone for the kind messages and the lovely pictures - it's really heartwarming to know how much he meant to so many. Life won't be the same without his fun, madness and the bass lines.

Nos da Wyn x

Virginia Elections

Ahead of State and Local Elections in Virginia - these are some of the best news sources relating to the election. I gave a brief overview of the elections on my SpectrumonAir programme PPS.

Washington Post - www.washingtonpost.com

Politico (Virginia news) - https://www.politico.com/news/virginia

Roll Call - https://www.rollcall.com

The Hill - https://thehill.com

NBC 12 (Richmond, VA) - https://www.nbc12.com/news/state/

Virginia Department of Elections - https://www.elections.virginia.gov

1st Round Regional Elections in France

Some places to go to for news about the first round of the Regional Elections in France which took place yesterday. The Second Round takes place next Sunday (June 27th)

Le Monde - national newspaper which has published all the results online on its website 

News pieces on the elections can be accessed by clicking on the name of the news outlet

Reuters

Politico Europe

The Guardian

BBC

France 24

Private Members Bills - UK House of Commons

Further to a piece I did on my PPS programme on Spectrum on Air, here are further resources concerning Private Members Bills

Allocation of time - s14 House of Commons Standing Orders

Detailed information about Private Members Bills

Current Private Members Bills

List of all bills currently before Parliament, with links to text, other relevant documents and progress.

Follow Wales

 This is not the OFFICIAL song for the Wales team in this years Euros - but is my personal favourite for celebrating the progress of Wales into this years competition - and now into the next rounds!

I'll be playing this song on my PPS show on Spectrum on Air (which airs at 12.00 UK Time today). I hope you'l tune in.

The Song is 'Dilyn Cymru' by Ail Symudiad (who are joined by some members of the Barry Horns.

You can visit their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AilSymudiadband/ and the Barry Horns on twitter.

The single is available on the iTunes store - and Apple Music or download the mp3 from Amazon. A book telling the story of Ail Symudiad is available to buy from here

On today's "PPS" show on Spectrum on Air, I'll be interviewing Nigel Long about the new blog he launched a few weeks ago. It's specifically designed to give practical advice to people living with disabilities - but I would recommend it to all. It is very easy to be unaware of the challenges that some people have to face, and the blog is full of useful advice that is worth sharing.

Do listen in to PPS which is broadcast between Noon and 1pm this afternoon (Monday, June 14th). Nigel's interview will be just after five past twelve. The Blog (Independence for People with disabilities) is available here. (Current plans are to post once a week - these are the current posts to date) https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2028104110589454384/3031428097999769615

Today's programme will also look at practical advice for maintaining good mental health. My co-host Shery Delfani and I will be discussing this just after half past twelve.

We will also be hearing from Spectrum on Air presenter & Managing Director, Suzanne Meeting

Do join me today - https://spectrumonair.com

Abacus

 Can/ Song: Abacus

Canwr/Singer: Bryn Fon Album: Abacus Prynwch Abacus / Buy Abacus: http://www.sadwrn.com/cd.asp?id=497 Welsh Music Blog / Blog Cerddoriaeth Cymraeg: http://welshmusic-cerddoriaethcymraeg... Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Welsh_Music Today I'll be playing a Welsh song on my programme "PPS" (which airs at noon on www.spectrumonair.com). I have always found that a very enjoyable way of learning a language is to listen to songs in that language - and to use a translation to enhance my own vocabulary. Of course many songs shorten words - but, over time both your ear for lyrics and vocabularly improves. I'm very grateful to, in particular, Marc Griffiths whose show on BBC Radio Cymru on Saturday evenings have introduced to music, singers and groups, who I have come to love - and have improved my Welsh.

One particular favourite is Bryn Fôn - and 'Abacus' - these are the lyrics in Welsh - and an English translation.

CYTGAN: Geiriau: Ti'n gadael i mi gredu bo gyn ti ddim diddordeb Wedyn cynnig cysur, y cysur mwyaf glandag Fethishi ymateb, mae'n rhaid mod i yn ddwl Ond roeddet ti 'di chwarae 'fo Abacus fy meddwl Ti'n gadael i mi greu y broblem o ddau un Wedyn cynnig ateb, dy ateb di dy hun Fedraim cael fy mhen rownd y sym anhygoel hon Ti chwalu'r Abacus, Abacus fy nghalon Mae un ag un yn ddau a chdi a fo 'di rheiny Dwi'n cyfri dim i chdi - yr un odd sydd ddim yn rhannu Ond cerddais lawr y bryn yn rhannu fy mreuddwydion Yn tynnu gwallt fy mhen Tynnu gwallt fy mhen A chyfri fy mendithion Ti'n gadael i mi feddwl fod rhywbeth yn y gwynt Ond gwn yn mer fy esgyrn - ddaw'r ateb ddim ynghynt Ti'n cynnig rhif dy ffon fel mathemateg pur A'r cwbl dwi angen ydi'r ateb i fy nghur Ti'n gadael i mi fynd efo cusan ar fy moch 'Di'r gawn ni rywbryd eto jysd ddim yn canu cloch Y batri aeth yn fflat yn y gyfrifiannell hon Ti di chwalu'r Abacus, Abacus fy nghalon CYTGAN: Mae un ag un yn ddau a chdi a fo 'di rheiny Dwi'n cyfri dim i chdi - yr un odd sydd ddim yn rhannu Ond cerddais lawr y bryn yn rhannu fy mreuddwydion Yn tynnu gwallt fy mhen Tynnu gwallt fy mhen A chyfri fy mendithion Un dau tri Mam yn dal y pry Pry wedi marw Mam yn crio'n arw Un dau tri Mam yn dal y pry Pry wedi marw Mam yn crio'n arw Un dau tri Mam yn dal y pry Pry wedi marw Mam yn crio'n arw Un dau tri Mam yn dal y pry Pry wedi marw Mam yn crio'n arw CYTGAN: Mae un ag un yn ddau a chdi a fo 'di rheiny Dwi'n cyfri dim i chdi - yr un odd sydd ddim yn rhannu Ond cerddais lawr y bryn yn rhannu fy mreuddwydion Yn tynnu gwallt fy mhen Tynnu gwallt fy mhen A chyfri fy mendithion Un ag un yn ddau a chdi a fo 'di rheiny Dwi'n cyfri dim i chdi - yr un odd sydd ddim yn rhannu Ond cerddais lawr y bryn yn rhannu fy mreuddwydion Yn tynnu gwallt fy mhen Tynnu gwallt fy mhen A chyfri fy mendithion LYRICS - ENGLISH TRANSLATION: You allow me to believe that you're not interested Then offer me solace, such unfeeling solace I did not respond - I must be a fool But you had messed around with the abacus in my mind You allow me to believe this two-one problem Then you offer an answer, your own answer I can't get my mind around this complex equation You've demolished the Abacus, the Abacus in my heart CHORUS: One and one is two and that is you and him I mean nothing to you -- that odd number that doesn't divide I walked down the hill, sharing my dreams Pulling the hair from my head Pulling the hair from my head And counting my blessings. You allow me to think that something's in the wind But I know in my bones that the answer won't come soon You offer your phone number like pure mathematics And the only thing I need is the answer to my ache You allow me to leave with a kiss on my cheek The "well meet again soon" just doesn't ring a bell The battery went dead in this calculator You've demolished the Abacus, the Abacus in my heart CHORUS: One and one is two and that is you and him I mean nothing to you -- that odd number that doesn't divide I walked down the hill, sharing my dreams Pulling the hair from my head Pulling the hair from my head And counting my blessings. One two three Mum catches the fly When the fly is dead Mum cries One two three Mum catches the fly When the fly is dead Mum cries One two three Mum catches the fly When the fly is dead Mum cries One two three Mum catches the fly When the fly is dead Mum cries CHORUS: One and one is two and that is you and him I mean nothing to you -- that odd number that doesn't divide I walked down the hill, sharing my dreams Pulling the hair from my head Pulling the hair from my head And counting my blessings. One and one is two and that is you and him I mean nothing to you -- that odd number that doesn't divide I walked down the hill, sharing my dreams Pulling the hair from my head Pulling the hair from my head And counting my blessings.

The Story of Wales

I am absolutely fascinated by Welsh History. I was born in Coventry, England - but both my parents were from South Wales (Betws, Ammanford & Seven Sisters, in what was Glamorgan, but is now in the Neath-Port Talbot Area - one of tthe principal areas, in effect the 'county') and as a child I was introduced to some Welsh history (my mother subsequently became a history teacher at the secondary school I attended - after I'd left). In recent months I have really taken to Welsh archaeology and history with vigour. If you are a BBC licence holder (sadly this is not available outside the UK) - there is an excellent series, presented by Huw Edwards - based on a book by Jon Gower. I rewatch the series regularly - and use the book to complement my other reading.

The series is available (UK only) by clicking this link - The Story of Wales

The book (available to all!) can be purchased by clicking this link

Other Links arising from PPS this week

 Further information about the upcoming French Regional Elections (June 13th & 20th)

Background information - https://21votes.com/france-elections/

Wikipedia article which shows candidates and lists for this months elections - https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Élections_régionales_françaises_de_2021

Sites with further Information

Le Monde

Politico Paris

Reuters Article on Macrons Party and its deal with the Republicans

The Storegga Tsunami - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/04/ancient-tsunami-could-have-wiped-out-scottish-cities-today-study-finds and Wikipedia

APPGs

 All Party Parliamentary Groups were the subject of a piece I broadcast today on PPS (Spectrum on Air).

There is further information on APPGs at https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/apg/ The list of APPGS as of 2nd June - with fuller details of each APPG listed is available at https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/210602/register-210602.pdf

The Times Article can be accessed (by Times subscribers only) here.

A subsequent row about a particular APPG [APPG for Energy Security] is reported at https://nation.cymru/news/cairns-energy-parliamentary-group-attracts-support-of-tory-peers-with-financial-interests-in-the-industry/

Recent Reports

On my PPS Programme (https://spectrumonair.com Mondays 12.00 BST, Wednesdays 01.00 BST, Fridays 10.00 BST - on demand at https://www.spreaker.com/show/process-people-sources for Wednesdays onward), I often draw attention to & summarise the contents of research or think tank publications.

On today's programme I highlighted a UCL-Constitution Unit Report from their Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland - which is available at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/sites/constitution-unit/files/working_group_final_report.pdf

I highlighted the following reports from the House of Commons Library - click on the link to get a summary or to download the full report(s)

Regulating Online Harms

An Overview of climate change Parliamentary briefings and publications

The Regulation of "Enforcement Officers" (formerly known as 'bailiffs')

How the rules on recognition  of UK qualified people seeking to work in the EU, or EU qualified people seeking to work in the UK

Other recent reports are available (in reverse order of publication at https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/type/research-briefing/