Comments on petition revealing

I refer to the front page item headlined 'Officer accepts petition over station fight' (Shropshire Star, June 13,) in relation to the Carno Station Action Group campaigners, which was accepted by the presiding officer at the National Assembly.

Of some concern however, were the comments by AM Mick Bates when he said "This petition will now go through the Assembly with it's new procedures.

"Under new Assembly standing orders, petitions are taken much more seriously than before.

"In the past they were given to the minister responsible and pretty much put in a drawer never to be talked about again.

"It's an exciting system that can really help people connect to our work in the Assembly and keep AMs on their toes."

If nothing else this is a damning admission to make, and serves only to confirm why the establishment has always lacked credibility with the people of Wales.

Even, their "new" law-making powers have to be approved from Westminster beforehand - a mockery of the term devolution.

Perhaps Powys householders will now realise just how their 14,000 signatures against ongoing council tax increases were dealt with, when presented to the Assembly First Minister during the 1999 campaign.

Like many others I remain unconvinced as to the value of this white elephant in Cardiff Bay or its part time members who seem to live in cloud cuckoo land.

Bernard Jones, Newtown