Blog Review 41

• Bethan Jenkins notes Peter Hain’s lack of influence on the Assembly and his changing views on the One Wales Government.
• Glyn Davies notes conservative’s criticism of their leader. More here from Guerrilla Welsh Fare.
• Normal Mouth examines the Brown leadership and doubts that Welsh Labour’s new Leader could have the same effect.

Blog of the Week 4

This week’s blog of the week is Ordovicus. A very active blogger whose political commentary contains views on domestic and European politics.

Blog Review 40

• Alun Cairns notes that Rhuanedd Richards has joined Simon Thomas as the second Plaid SPAD at the Assembly. More here from Ordovicuis.
• Glyn Davies notes he is blog of the week on the last day of the week.
• Martin Eaglestone notes Lembit Opiks competition for the most “liberal” Liberal.
• Independent Wales says that Wales is not part of the Union.
• Valleys Mam looks ate Gordon Brown’s Angels.

Blog Review 39

• David Cornock says Elinor Burnham will have to hold out longer for the leadership of the Welsh Lib Dems.
• Tom Bodden notes the appointment of former Ceredigion MP Simon Thomas to a special advisor role in the new One Wales Government.
• Alun Cairns declares his nomination to run for a Westminster seat.
• Bethan Jenkins comments on the ability to perform effectively as both an AM and MP.
• Peter Black comments on news Sian Lloyd is to dish the dirt on former partner Lembit Opik.
• Valleys Mam looks at Brown’s chances in the General Election.

Blog Roll and Awards

As stated in the blog of the week section we have lost fellow bloggers Amanwy and Seneddwr. The blog roll is getting smaller so please let me know of any political blogs in the Welsh blogsphere not currently being covered. Either email me at Welshblogindex@hotmail.co.uk or leave a note in the comments section.

Also don’t forget to get your nominations for the WelshBlogIndex blog awards.

Many thanks

Blog of the Week 3

With a number of blogs shutting up shop (amanwy and Seneddwr to name but two) and a number of blogs remaining inactive the “blog a week” section is already quickly running out of average Joes! There are still some to be looked at but this week's will be a familiar face to bloggers.

Glyn Davies was one of the pioneers of blogging amongst elected members and has been consistent since loosing his Assembly seat. Having recently won the nomination for the Tory candidate in Montgomeryshire (congrats) I am sure that the blog will provide the usual interesting insights. Noted for its honesty (it is as equally frank about Tory defeats as Tory victories) it is one of the Welsh blogsphere’s prize assets.

Blog Review 38

Seems only the Tories are blogging on a Monday morning!

• Alun Cairn’s speaks of the difficulty in being friends with the Government.
• Glyn Davies examines views of a Tory meltdown.
• Cascittuni threatens to resign over a vote of no confidence for Cameron.

Blog Review 37

• Peter Black looks at the Observers comparison of David Cameron and Neil Kinnock. More here from Guerrilla Welsh Fare.
• Cascittuni sees the by-election loss as a heavy blow for the Tories.
• Ordovicius gives his views on Peter Hain’s comments in the Western Mail.

Blog Review 36

• Peter Black looks at the idea of increasing the number of AM’s.
• Ceredig gives his on the cabinet announcement.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare looks at Peter Hain’s comments in the Western Mail.

Blog Review 35

• Tom Bodden looks at the new Cabinet line up.
• Bethan Jenkins congratulates the new Plaid Ministers.
• Paul Flynn berates Tories, Lords and his fellow labour MP’s on their views on the Welsh Language.
• Peter Black looks at David Cameron’s ideas on the West Lothian question.
• Martin Eaglestone notes the challenges for Plaid Ministers.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare describes the by-election as disastrous for the Tories. More here from Ordovicius.
• Gwe gives views on the Cabinet shake up.
• Welsh Ramblings gives views on the Cabinet Reshuffle and Labour’s widening splits.

New WAG Cabinet

The Cabinet Announcement

First Minister
Rhodri Morgan
Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economy and Transport
Ieuan Wyn Jones
Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery
Andrew Davies
Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
Brian Gibbons
Minister for Education, Children and Young People
Jane Hutt
Minister for Rural Affairs
Elin Jones
Minister for Health and Social Services
Edwina Hart
Minister for Sustainability and Housing
Jane Davidson
Minister for Heritage
Rhodri Glyn Thomas
Counsel General and Leader of the House, also Minister for Assembly Business and Communications
Carwyn Jones

Deputy Ministers

Social Services
Gwenda Thomas
Housing
Jocelyn Davies
Skills
John Griffiths
Regeneration
Leighton Andrews

Reaction so far from Bethan Jenkins, Guerrilla Welsh Fare, Glamorganshire,

Blog Review 34

The blogs are mainly dominated by news of Huw Lewis’ departure from the Government.

• Tom Bodden notes Huw’s unhappiness at being ousted.
• Vaughan Roderick notes Huw Lewis claim that he will be the only Government casualty. He also notes a few rumours about who will get what portfolio.
• Bethan Jenkins says she was shocked at the announcement.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare says the sacking will be a blow to Huw’s leadership ambitions.
• Normal Mouth argues that Rhodri Morgan has based the sacking on the wrong reasons.
• Ordovicius also notes the sacking.
  
• In other news. Glyn Davies announces his candidacy for Lembit’s seat. Much to the delight of Alun Cairns.

Cabinet Announcement

The BBC has just reported that Huw Lewis has been announced as the first casualty of the Cabinet reshuffle.

Blog Review 33

• Tomos Livingstone looks at a new role for Parliamentary Private Secretaries.
• Glyn Davies gives some handy tips in preparation for his Tory primary for Lembit’s Parliamentary seat.
• Glamorganshire claims Huw Lewis is distancing himself from his wife’s actions.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare is the latest blogger to comment on Chris Bryant’s Early Day Motion.
• Ordovicius notes the lack of a decision about the Cabinet make up.

Blog Review 32

• David Cornock looks at Chris Bryant’s recent publicity shot.
• Paul Flynn looks at how out of touch Neil Kinnock has become and Boris Johnson’s Mayoral bid.
• Damon Lord notes the speed at which Boris Johnson’s campaign has got up and running.
• Seneddwr announced his departure from the blogsphere. More on it here by Glamorganshire.
• Miserable Old Fart notes Chris Bryant’s calls to scrap Welsh Language first announcements. More here by Ordovicius.

Blog Review 31

• Nick Bourne examines the attack on the conservatives by their former member Sir Eric Howell’s. More on it with Glyn Davies and Cascittuni.
• Pontygwindy reflects on where the Lib Dems are after the coalition debate.
• Welsh Ramblings gives his guesses at the cabinet reshuffle.

Blog Review 30

• Alun Cairns blogs on a theft at the Assembly. More on this by Daniel Davies.
• Brit Nat Watch looks at the decision of some Labour AM’s to miss Ieuan Wyn Jones’ speech at the Assembly, and looks at how the Western Mail evaluated their performance at the last Assembly.
• Cleckanndra looks at the state of the Labour party.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare notes the Assembly’s decision to clear Nick Bourne over complaints relating to his blog.
• Luke Young looks at a few shocks to the system.
• Seneddwr looks at the hypocrisy of Jenny Willot.

Updated Blog Roll and Awards

I have added some new blogs to the blog roll. Remember is there is any blogs not listed that you would like to draw to my attention please email me at welshblogindex@hotmail.co.uk



Also remember to get your nominations for the Blog Awards in to the same email address and not the one noted in the origional post.

Blog Review 29

A lot of the blogging focus has been on the decision by David Cameron to appoint Lord Glentoran as Wales’ representative in the House of Lords.

• David Cornock notes that Lord Glentoran admits to knowing nothing of Welsh Politics.
• Tomos Livingstone notes that the Tories are on a slippery slope.
• Peter Black notes that the Tories have not changed.
• Amanwy sarcastically notes it will offer a strong voice for Wales.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare says the departure of Glyn Davies and Lisa Francis has ended the Tory pro Welsh agenda.
• Welsh Independence says the Tories have returned to the redwood school of thought.
• Miserable Old Fart says the Tories have shot themselves in the foot and asks why nick Bourne would allow this to happen.
• Ordovicius also highlights the appointment.

Blog Review 28

Most of the afternoon’s blog activity has been centred around Ieuan Wyn Jones’ appointment to the Welsh Assembly Government Cabinet as the Deputy First Minister.

• Betsan Powys notes the Labour AM’s missing from the chamber during Ieuan Wyn Jones’ speech. The same AM’s that spoke out against the coalition.



• Vaughan Roderick takes up a similar blog.



• Alun Cairns also posts about Ieuan Wyn’s debut speech as Deputy Minister also referring to the missing Labour AM’s as does Ordovicius.



• Bethan Jenkins notes a historic day for Plaid entering Government and the increasing support according to the Beaufort research Poll.



• Amanwy notes that the Conservatives have chosen a representative who confesses to having no knowledge of welsh politics as their welsh spokesperson in the House of Lords.



• Guerrilla Welsh Fare looks at the day Plaid took Office.

Blog Review 27

• Betsan Powys looks at the Prime Ministers first visit to the British Irish council and the possibility he could be meeting with Ieuan Wyn Jones.
• Vaughan Roderick draws attention to the recent poll conducted by Beaufort Research which shows support increasing for the Labour-Plaid coalition and a decrease in support for the Tories and Lib Dems.
• Brit Nat Watch highlights the split in the Labour camp over the coalition examining comments from the Aberconwy CLP and MP’s.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare looks at the implications of having nationalist leaders on the independence question as well as the Beaufort Research poll.
• Miserable Old Fart notes Ieuan Wyn Jones immediate promotion to First Minister.
• Normal Mouth gives his/her views on the public relationship of Plaid and Labour following the coalition agreement.
• Ordovicius looks at the odds for the next Labour leader in Wales.

Blog Review 26

• Daniel Davies looks at the impact One Wales will have on Labour’s parliamentary seats.
• David Davies gives his reasons for remaining seated for Tony Blair’s departure.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare looks at where next for our politicians at the Assembly.
• Welsh Independence looks at the future of a Welsh Republic.
• Miserable Old Fart gives a rebuttal to Seneddwr's assessment of Alun Davies.

A number of bloggers have sent their best wishes to Rhodri Morgan and I will send mine also. Get well soon!

What the papers don't say

Former Waterfront presenter Lee Waters has written this on the Guardian’s website. In fairness Amanwy had already flagged it up. Still worth a read.

Welsh Blog Index Awards Correct Email Address

I made a rather big error previously with this and gave the wrong email address to send your nominations to! If you have already nominated to the welshblogawards email I accidentally posted they will not have been seen and you will have to do so again at the correct email address which is welshblogindex@hotmail.co.uk

Because of this error on my behalf I shall be extending nominations until the second Monday in August.
The categories are: Best Media BlogBest Politicians BlogBest other Political BlogBest Welsh Language Political Blog
Best Overall Blog My blog roll will give an indication of what blogs fit what category. Please feel free to nominate any blogs that are not named on the blog roll. Send your nominations to welshblogindex@hotmail.co.uk or alternatively you can do it via the comments section if you don’t want it to remain anonymous. To vote you have to have an active blog running so make sure you note that when sending me your nominations. Any questions please leave in the comments section

Blog of the Week

This week’s blog under the spotlight will be Gwe. Like a number of the blogs currently dominating the Welsh Blogsphere it sprung up in election month. It has posted very intelligently thus far and has given some very insightful comments during the coalition period.

Predominantly concentrates on Welsh and UK politics this blog also dabbles in the debate further than our boarders in Europe.

Blog Review 25

• Betsan Powys looks at the Plaid vote as does Tom Bodden and Gwe.
• David Cornock looks at the excitement of Alistair Campbell’s diaries.
• Vaughan Roderick looks at where the Tories go from here.
• Peter Black looks at the funding of One Wales.
• Glamorganshire looks back at the weekend.
• Ordovicius looks at Kim Howell’s failure to understand the Red-Green agreement.
• Seneddwr looks at the votes and gives his forthright view on Alun Davies.
• View from the Glen calls on us to put aside tribal politics.
• Valleys Mam examines Dafydd Wigley’s comments on cabinet seats.

Blog Review 24

• Betsan Powys reports on the Beavan Foundation Q&A.
• Vaughan Roderick offers more on the Labour gang of four.
• Peter Black offers an update on his previous post regarding the roles of the presiding and deputy presiding officers.
• Glamorganshire looks at the outburst of Lynn Neagle.
• Ordovicius notes Leighton Andrews reluctant accepting of the Red-Green deal.
• Seneddwr states that the Labour AM’s and MP’s have left their fight back too late.

Blog Review 23

• Betsan Powys looks at the Unions attack on Labour MP’s interfering in the party’s democratic processes as well as Lembits promotion. More on Lembit here with David Cornock, Ordovicius, Welsh Ramblings and Alun Cairns.
• Vaughan Roderick looks at Kim Howells letter opposing the Red-Green deal.
• Adam Price examines the BBC’s poll into the Welsh language.
• Peter Black looks at the opposition to Red-Green within the Labour party as does Guerrilla Welsh Fare.
• Glamorganshire looks at Jane Davidson’s decision on Shambo.
• Seneddwr questions where Nick Bourne has gone and looks at his support within the party.
• View from the Glen looks at the lack of talent in Welsh Labour.

Blog Review 22

• Betsan Powys looks at the Lib Dem National Executive and the possibility of a leadership contest.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare notes the Western Mail’s articles on Labour splits and Mike German’s future.
• Normal Mouth examines the best way for Labour Unionists to put forward their position.
• Valleys Mam examines where Mike German goes next.
  
• Glamorganshire celebrates being blog of the week, although he will be waiting a long time for the wine to arrive!

Blog Review 21

• Betsan Powys reports which way Constituency Labour Parties are swaying on the coalition question.
• Adam Price puts to bed the question of the leak from Plaid’s women’s section. More on the subject by Gwe.
• Peter Black looks at the roles of the Presiding Officer and Deputy.
• Glamorganshire looks at working conditions in Cathay’s Park.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare examines Patrick McGuinness article in Today’s Western Mail.

Welsh Blog Index Awards

I am running the first annual Welsh Blog Index Political Blog Awards over the next month. There is a blog award being run by Ordovicius here and those who have not taken part should look into it. However this one will be a purely political award. The four categories are.

Best Media Blog
Best Politicians Blog
Best other Political Blog
Best Welsh Language Political Blog
Best Overall Blog

My blog roll will give an indication of what blogs fit what category. Please feel free to nominate any blogs that are not named on the blog roll. Send your nominations to welshblogawards@hotmail.co.uk The nominations will be open until the last day of July with the winners being announced over the following weeks in August.

To vote you have to have an active blog running so make sure you note that when sending me your nominations. Any questions please leave in the comments section.

Blog of the Week: 2

This week’s blog of the week is Glamorganshire. Another blog in infancy having been established in May. It has successful fused political insight with good natured humour. As well as an interesting read Glamorganshire is one of the more prolific bloggers in the comment sections of other blogs.

Blog Review 20

• Betsan Powys reports on Rhodri Morgan’s fight with Labour MP and the battle to clear One Wales.
• Alun Cairns says the Labour party have shown their leadership is dishonourable in trying to force the deal through.
• Amanwy notes Peter Hain’s off message farewell to Nick Ainger.
• Ceredig states that the leaked Plaid-Labour merger story was in fact a spoof.
• Damon Lord looks at Rhodri and Ieuan’s civil partnership.
• Normal Mouth looks at the One Wales document and its implications for voting systems in Wales.
• Seneddwr looks at the Lab-Plaid coalition for the Presiding Officer and his deputy.