Aberystwyth mon amour
Congratulations Monsieur Blamerbell/ Llongyfarchion i Monsieur Blamerbell ... aka Cardiff School of Journalism student Ciaran Jenkins, whose blog - to those of you who don't know - was nominated in the CNN International political blog awards last night.
To a woman who spent much of her day surrounded by bards, welcoming the National Eisteddfod to Cardiff next year, "Bravo surtout à Ciaran Jenkins, vainqueur du premier prix" sounds very much like he got through the 'rhagbrofion', stormed the stage and won.
Though the CNN International website is woefully slow in breaking the news another, gracious contestant reports that the most popular blogger 'in the Cardiff region' took the top prize. Blamerbell is probably in a gutter somewhere 'in the Paris region' celebrating with absinthe but when he crawls home, he'll no doubt want to know what happened in Aberystwyth, today.
Plaid Cymru's National Executive has agreed with the Assembly group that Plaid should continue talking to Labour. Gareth Jones, Aberconwy AM, fervently anti red/green, left early. He wouldn't say much but made it clear enough to those who asked that his feelings haven't changed. Others were briefing that the deal with Labour is just too good to turn down: that they've given in on everything Plaid wanted 'and then some'. Intriguing, if true.
I still don't know what that means in terms of a referendum on full powers. Will Plaid accept a 'get-out' clause on the timetable, or not?
On tomorrow's edition of Maniffesto on S4C, Martin Eaglestone - Labour Assembly candidate in Arfon and the man who lost his biro and his way a bit when he launched a guerilla attack on Plaid's conference in Caernarfon - spells out why he's quite relaxed about the 'brown' coalition. Why? Because it keeps the Tories out and that's what really, really matters.
By the way Herbert, we rang around the 40 Labour Party Constituency Chairs this week so that we would indeed get to talk to those who are in favour of, or at least ready to accept a deal with Plaid, as well as those who shudder at the thought. On Friday morning we reported the fact that most were ready to support Rhodri Morgan but that no, there was no love lost.
I looked around the massive UWIC sports hall today and spotted Jenny Randerson, Lib Dem AM and Cardiff Council leader Rodney Berman in the crowd. I bet they were trying their best to listen to the Archdruid but like me, were checking their mobiles to find out the latest news from Aberystwyth.
The rainbow could still make it but how long before the Lib Dems force the pace?
"A oes heddwch?" In the world of Assembly politics, you must be joking.
I'm Betsan Powys, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on .
°ä´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô³Ù²õÌýÌý Post your comment
Betsan,
I was not referring to who the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ have rung up, but who they have interviewed both on radio and television. In every case they are members selected from areas where there is historical hostility between Plaid and Welsh Labour. It seems more the case of looking for interviews to support a particular view rather than interviewing to present the range of views.
Lets have some balance and give a voice to the majority of the membership who are supportive of the Plaid deal. Contact CLPs in the cities and you will get avery different picture.
I'm starting to think that Blamerbell is the only one to get some success out of the recent election to the Assembly (so far) :-D
Congratulations Blamerbell on an excellent blog.
Merci, arigato gozaimasu, diolch!
Just one thing: I'm no longer a student.
I prefer 'freelance' journalist now. But 'unemployed' will do:)
Must keep the Tories out Must keep the tories out.
Does Labour actually have any policies other than must keep the tories put.
Are we to have another four years of government based soley on an ideology for the intellectually challenged and non thinkers. I really do wonder if Rhodri has got any ideas about what is best for wales what with his swimming ducks and planes.
The time has come for the other parties to get of their backsides and sort this out - this is their chance - if they don't take it and let Labour off the hook we will be stuck in a one party state for ever. It sbetter to hand out the crumbs rather than have to take them.
If plaid seriously think people will look kindly on them next election if they prop up Labour they have a shock coming. People will see vote green get labour as a truism - and does anybody really believe that Labour will not use that in its campaign to woo Plaid voters. I used to be a Plaid member - If I hadn't already left I would have resigned my membership if they support Labour.
After the weekend, the Welsh Liberal Democrats will feel left out with these special conferences and will have to meet again. If they carry on like this, they'll have to start collecting funds earlier for the election in 2011 - coffers running empty with all this changing of minds? :-D
Well said.
Any news lately.....
I know very little French. You got me confused my lady.
Between the males/females...masculine/feminine..
"mon amour" could mean a m/f lover.
A "vainqueur" could mean a m/f victor....
I'm told (by my brain after 4 pints of Fosters in 89minutes) that absinthe is a fem. French noun. Larousse has never let me down...but it's a hell of a fight for them to keep the the American/English words out.
Especially nowadays with communication so quick......
Pob Hwyl cariad.....Jerry