Many of the rights contained within the Convention can be traced back to the Magna Carta and to other laws long established in the UK, and I believe that they remain incredibly relevant today as government works with international partners to protect human rights and strengthen democracy across the world.

Since 2000, the ECHR has been given effect in Britain through the Human Rights Act. On coming into office the Coalition Government established a Commission to investigate whether the Human Rights Act might be replaced by the creation of a UK Bill of Rights.

This Bill could protect and extend British liberties, incorporate and build on all our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. It would ensure that these rights continue to be enshrined in British law.  The Commission is consulting widely and aims to report no later than by the end of 2012.

The Government is now using its chairmanship of the Council of Europe (the body which oversees the Court) to champion the need for the reform of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

The ECHR has a vital role to play, but as its caseload has increased in recent years, so we have seen the development of lengthy delays, and questions raised over the quality of its judges. There is also concern about whether it gives enough weight to decisions made by legitimate national courts. 

This threatens its reputation as a beacon for the cause of human rights, ruthlessly focussed on defending human freedom and dignity. The Court must refocus itself on its original purpose – upholding the Convention and preventing the serious abuse of human rights. 

The European Court of Human Rights has recently blocked Abu Qatada’s deportation on the grounds that Jordan might use evidence obtained by torture against him – even though the UK and Jordan had previously reached agreement that he would not be tortured if he was deported.

The cleric faces terror charges in Jordan and the UK government says he is a threat to national security but a British judge decided earlier this week that his six-year detention could no longer be sustained after the ECHR’s ruling.

I think that this ECHR ruling has created a frustrating and difficult position for the UK but trust that the UK Home Office and the Foreign Office will work closely with the Jordanian government to find an effective solution to this case.

Later in the year, we return to the issue of voting rights for prisoners, a matter that deeply concerns me.

The Vale MP was grilled by some 60 pupils from Year 12, about his role as an MP, how he became interested in politics and what does a usual work day involve when up in Westminster.   

The baccalaureate politics students quizzed Mr Cairns on a wide range of topics that included Falkland’s policies and local education policies.

Mr Cairns said:

“I was delighted to accept the invitation from Meinir Thomas the Assistant Head at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg to come along and meet the Year 12 students.

“The pupils asked some really pertinent questions about the role of an MP, and about my opinions on issues that were important to them.  Topics included a discussion about the situation in Afghanistan and the Falklands to the Education Maintenance Allowance.

“I hope my contribution provided them with more of an insight into the political system and who knows, perhaps there is a future politician amongst them!”

Alun Cairns MP for the Vale of Glamorgan recently visited Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant, in Llantwit Major during their preparations for ‘Welsh Week’ at the school.

The new Welsh medium primary school in Llantwit Major is staging a Welsh Week from Monday 27^th February where it opens its doors to the local community with a variety of different events.  Activities will include something for everyone – from parents, children, Welsh learners, local residents and local organisations.

The Vale MP had visited the school earlier this term to see how the children and staff had settled in to their new school, which is located next to Llantwit Leisure Centre.

Mr Cairns said:

“Ysgol Dewi Sant’s Welsh Week promises to be a great success, including everything from story-telling, singing sessions, a visit from Sam Tan and the local fire service to Welsh language taster sessions. 

“A highlight of the week will be the arrival of Dilys, the shiny red camper van which is travelling around the Vale over the next few months, distributing information and telling local people about the Eisteddfod which comes to Llandow during August.

“The teaching staff and pupils are keen to involve as many as possible from the local community in enjoying activities that help promote, support and encourage the use of Welsh lanaguage.  It’s been fantastic to see the enthusiasm amongst staff and pupils alike in preparing for the multitude of events.”

You can find out more about what’s going on by emailing YDewiSant@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or by calling the school on 01446 709595.

Ysgol Iolo Morganwg recently celebrated a milestone in the scheme to deliver a Clean Energy Project at their twin community of Endonyiosidai in Kenya. As part of the ‘Wales for Africa’ initiative the Cowbridge Welsh medium primary school has established a Gold Star Community link with the remote Masaai speaking school, supported by the purposely created Moses Project Charity.

The schools have been learning and exchanging ideas about each other’s culture, heritage and life styles and thanks to a recent visit organised by The Moses Project, have been filming and exchanging videos so that they can share their experiences and communicate through film.

Teacher Mr Owain Jones who recently travelled to Kenya said:

“The videos proved to be a real insight, and have been of real value particularly this week during International Study week. The content can be used across all aspects of the curriculum – not only in Global Citizenship and Environmental issues – but is real for the children because much of it concerns issues surrounding the project the children have been working on.”

In 2007 Moses Kipaliash was teaching 50 children, aged 4 to 14, as an unpaid volunteer, in two daily sessions in a small mud hut on the Masaai plains south east of Nairobi. The hut was not officially recognised as a school by the Education Authority, despite it being the only school within a 2 hour walk. His motivation to do this was based on his belief that their young children needed an education – through the Masaai language, in order for future generations to be aware of their Maasai heritage, proud of the Maasai culture and able to speak the Maasai language. Moses is studying to qualify as a teacher.

Chairman of The Moses Project, Richard Owen, met Moses in Kenya through a mutual friend in 2007, and created the Cowbridge based educational charity.  The Charity began by assisting in building a 4 classroom school which has now been formally recognised by the Kenyan Educational Authority as a place of learning.

The Moses Project prioritises empowering the children of the two linked schools to take decisions that will benefit both school communities; help facilitate the ongoing international learning process within the two schools, and ensure that the success and the ownership of this and all future projects will belong to the children of Ysgol Iolo and Endonyiosidai School.

The children realised that power would greatly enhance the opportunities at the Masaai school and so set about raising money. All 200 Ysgol Iolo Morganwg children ran 1K every Tuesday for 10 weeks in the 10K for Kenya fun run and local MP Alun Cairns joined in, running alongside the children.  Coffee mornings, donations, gifts and parent’s 200 club have ensured that the total money raised reached close to a fantastic £5K.

A WCVA Clean Energy Grant was recently received for £12,400 which enabled the children to plan a larger scale project that will provide two solar wind generators at the two local Masaai primary schools. Laptops will allow SKYPE calls between the two schools as well as internet access to online educational resources; an electric pump will bring clean water to the school and lighting will allow one school to offer boarding facilities to older pupils who walk 2 hours a day to reach the school.  The Moses Project team in Kenya have been trained in IT skills and will be providing ITC education for pupils at the schools as well as adult learning sessions.

The project will also providing 300 fuel efficient stoves for the community, and since Mums currently spend a large amount of their time collecting wood – this will create free time for them to further support their families.

If you’d like to find out more, just visit www.themosesproject.org.uk.

As Barry & District readers will be aware, the government has recently sought to introduce a household benefit cap on the amount people can receive in benefits.  This forms part of a new welfare system that’s fair for all.

This benefit cap which is planned for 2013, when implemented, will mean that the welfare system will be fair to both those in need of help and for the taxpayers who ultimately pay for this safety net.

The Government has set the cap at £26,000 which is the equivalent take home pay of someone earning £35,000 per year after tax. This equates to around £500 a week.  There are many hard working households across Barry and the Vale that live on much less.

I believe that it would be unfair for households to receive a greater income from out of work benefits than the average weekly wage for working households.  The most vulnerable have already been made exempt from the cap and this includes those with disabilities and war widows. Those in work who are doing the right thing, such as people in receipt of Working Tax Credits, will also be excluded from the cap.

So far, the attempts to exclude Child Benefit from the overall cap have been resisted because if this were to be introduced, the cap would be set at such a high level that it becomes meaningless. I feel that linking the cap to the average weekly wage for households is the fairest way to apply this rule.

Perhaps I should also point out that just because the cap has been set at £26,000 it does not mean that everyone will be able to claim that amount.  Individuals will still be assessed and will be given the appropriate level of support relative to their needs.

The Government will continue with plans to get people who can work, off incapacity and sickness benefits and back into the employment.  I don’t believe that receiving welfare benefits should be a lifestyle choice, I think that if people can work then they should work.

I will be doing all I can to ensure that we provide support to the long-term unemployed in the Vale who in the past have been left behind when there are opportunities, so they get the chance to get into the workplace.

Alun Cairns MP joined three local schoolboys as they celebrated their successful campaign that led to the installation of rugby posts in their local park in Barry Island. Mr Cairns met the youngsters at Maslin Park for a practice kicking session over the new posts.

Inspired by the Rugby World Cup last Autumn, the trio were keen to be able to practice their kicking skills in their local park on Barry Island.  Their local MP joined their campaign team after finding out about their campaign via their facebook group.

John McAllister & Jack Jones who attend Barry Comprehensive, and younger brother Cameron McAllister who is a pupil at Barry Island Primary School all believe that not only local schoolchildren could benefit from the sporting improvement to the park, but that adults on the Island would also use the rugby pitch and posts.

The Vale MP contacted the council at the end of last year, to ask about their plans to regenerate and improve the sporting facilities at the park. 

Mr Cairns said:

“I was delighted to be invited to join the boys on the pitch at Maslin Park for a practice kicking session at the new rugby posts on Barry Island. 

“Credit must be given to the Vale of Glamorgan Council for their prompt and positive response to the boys’ campaign to improve the facilities at Maslin Park on the Island. 

“The new posts will be great for the children and adults on the Island to have a local sporting facility that all can enjoy.  I think the boys staged a great campaign, and it’s fantastic to see the rugby posts in situ – though I must confess that I do need to put in some more kicking practice if I’m to keep up with the boys!”

JustTextGiving developed by Vodafone on a not for profit basis is a service that allows charities to raise money via text message and provides a free, swift and convenient means of fundraising.  The service is free to set up, with every penny donated going to the charity, and works by allowing individuals to make donations by text message.

The Vale MP was keen to highlight that MIND in the Vale and Barry Young Mens Christian Association have already registered with the scheme as have the RAF St Athan Community Groups and The Welsh School Trust.

Donations can be made by the customers of any mobile network provider, without network charges and gift aid can also be claimed on each donation. 

Mr Cairns explained:

“I think that JustTextGiving is a great scheme that will encourage charitable donations, particularly among the younger generation who are more comfortable with using mobile technology.

“The fact that every penny donated goes to the charity and is a free service for the registered charities is crucial, and of course that gift aid can also be claimed on each donation is a bonus. The free service is definitely one that I’ll be looking to use when I look to fundraise for different local charities.”

To take advantage of this service, the fundraiser or charity just need to register for a unique 6-digit Vodafone Individual Code text code and follow the simple instructions at www.justtextgiving.co.uk.

The Glamorgan Hunt Ball held at the Vale Hotel last Saturday night included a horn blowing competition as part of the entertainment.  Sir Brooke Boothby, Fiona Martyn and local MP, Alun Cairns judged the competition which led to a tie between Rod Wilson and Tom Parker.

Mr Cairns commented:

“Blowing the horn is extremely difficult and the standard was extremely high.  It is a traditional part of any Hunt Ball.  We couldn’t find a difference between Rod Wilson and Tom Parker.  They were both excellent in giving the ‘going home’ and ‘gone away’ calls.” 

The joint letter also asks for amendments to be made to the National Planning Policy Framework to help protect the rural landscape and heritage sites across the country.

It also asks for the Planning Inspectorate to be told that these factors, as well as the views of local residents, to been given more weight in their decisions to counter-balance recent decisions which have given more weight to regional, national and European renewable energy targets.

Alun Cairns said:

“I’m delighted to be part of this campaign. Not only is onshore wind production inefficient and intermittent, it would also increase the price of energy bills to every home and business across the Vale.

“I am keen to see the amount of money available in subsidy for onshore wind reduced and this saving then being spread across other renewable energy types. It should also be spent on local energy efficiency measures.

“It is also important that the new planning regime the Government is introducing ensures that local peoples’ views are taken fully into account and that the system recognises the importance of the beautiful countryside and heritage coastline assets that we have.”

Mr Cairns explained:

“The Citizenship Foundation, in partnership with Aviva, is giving the young members of the Vale a platform to voice their views on important economic decisions by taking part in Chance to be Chancellor.

“I think it’s great that the online tool ‘Chance to be a Chancellor’ challenges young people (14-18) to make informed decisions on real taxation & spending policies and would urge as many pupils and students across the Vale to take part.”

Organised by the Citizenship Foundation, in partnership with Aviva, Chance to be Chancellor is open to all 14-18 year olds across the UK.

Running until the 20^th February, participants can enter into a national competition to win great prizes and visit HM Treasury in London.

To find out more and get involved visit: www.chancetobechancellor.org.uk