Is this dodgy?

[JamesWales]

Nothing illegal but it's not a great look and people within his own party saying the money should be returned. I'm not sure about that, but I think it does leave him open to criticism especially with a big decision on the new train station in east Cardiff due.

Bit questionable to appoint Carwyn Jones to investigate too really.

Not a great start.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c89zrdz1jq1o

[jon1959]

Re: Is this dodgy?

He should return the money.

It may be a legal donation but it sends out all the wrong signals on policy and integrity. Perception matters.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Is this dodgy?

Hes either going to have to return the money or this is his nemesis

I would have preferred Jeremy Miles or Rebecca Evans to be in the job

Maybe he will stand down

[PontBlue]

Re: Is this dodgy?

He's not broken any rules but those rules are weak and accepting the donation was moraly and ethically wrong and will forever be a millstone unless / until he hands it back.

[Gofer Blue]

Re: Is this dodgy?

Give the money to Pembs. C.C. to sort out the Withyhedge pollution problem caused by the very same Dauson Environmental Group who donated the money.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Is this dodgy?

If it was a Tory accepting the donation, I’d be adamant that they should return the money, so why should I say different if it’s a Labour politician involved? When your only defence appears to be to say it’s not against the rules, you know you’re in trouble.

[Jordi Culé]

Re: Is this dodgy?

Nothing illegal but it's not a great look and people within his own party saying the money should be returned. I'm not sure about that, but I think it does leave him open to criticism especially with a big decision on the new train station in east Cardiff due.

Bit questionable to appoint Carwyn Jones to investigate too really.

Not a great start.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c89zrdz1jq1o

It's a terrible look for VG's political integrity and his subsequent non attendance when the matter was discussed at the Senedd. He's coming across as aloof and unaccountable for me.

You know it looks wrong when Sunak is able to suggest the whole episode should be investigated.

I wonder if Sunak's party are still taking Frank Hesters millions?

The whole political donations thing needs looking at.

[The Bloop]

Re: Is this dodgy?

The story is not going away and he can't carry on ignoring it, or saying it was all legal and within the rules. Aside from policies, I like politicians with integrity and those I can trust. If he doesn't return the money then he risks losing both the trust of the public and integrity within the party.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Is this dodgy?

It's quite startling that he's accepted this donation and then not immediately accepted he needs to back down

In the long term I think unless he holds his hands up he's had it

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Is this dodgy?

The story is not going away and he can't carry on ignoring it, or saying it was all legal and within the rules. Aside from policies, I like politicians with integrity and those I can trust. If he doesn't return the money then he risks losing both the trust of the public and integrity within the party.

I think he's lost both

[Eric Cartman]

Re: Is this dodgy?

No gifts, no jobs, no donations, no loopholes, funding for political parties comes solely from the public purse and is heavily audited. Implementation is difficult because it will favour larger existing parties but the rich have far too much influence in what is supposed to be a democratic system.

Politicians have proven they can't be trusted to not be corrupt so a massive change is necessary to secure the system.

[JamesWales]

Re: Is this dodgy?

I've always thought a good system may be one where people can donate as they currently can but 50% goes to a party and 50% goes towards the cost of the elections or providing equal advertising for all standing parties etc.

I like Vaughan Gething but I do think he's dropped a bollock here esp as it's on environmental matters and like I said theres a controversial railway decision due soon for East Cardiff (which I entirely support btw) that I think muddies the waters a bit

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Re: Is this dodgy?

Jane Hutt's quite happy. "all relevant rules have been complied with.."

Here we go again..

[Gofer Blue]

Re: Is this dodgy?

Give the money to Pembs. C.C. to sort out the Withyhedge pollution problem caused by the very same Dauson Environmental Group who donated the money.

I take it that this issue is of little/no interest to the Care-diffians. I think it might be a little different if this problem affected the capitol city!

https://www.mrw.co.uk/news/nrw-orders-withyhedge-landfill-owners-to-deal-with-odour-23-04-2024/

[+ the native hipster]

Re: Is this dodgy?

on the plus side we know 200k buys environmental policies, and 25k buys you taxi regulations , see it is all totally transparent