Blog Review 51

• Paul Flynn says Huw Lewis is talking cobblers.
• Huw Lewis’ comments on the pamphlet launch can be seen here.
• Peter Black gives his views on Huw Lewis’ document and also notes Don Touhig’s comments.
• Martin Eaglestone disagrees with Huw Lewis’ evaluation of the party.
• Cleckanndra says it’s too late to save Welsh Labour.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare says Don Touhig has failed to understand the political climate in Wales and looks at the political career of Huw Lewis.
• Independence Cymru gives his review of Huw Lewis’ publication.
• Welsh Ramblings looks at the question of Welsh Independence and Don Touhig’s response.

Welsh Blog Awards

Thanks to everyone that voted. I am happy to congratulate the winners below. It was close in some of the categories. Hopefully next years awards will have many more blogs to consider.

Best Politicians Blog

Adam Price

Best Media Blog

Vaughan Roderick

Best Other Political Blog

Normal Mouth

Best Welsh Language Political Blog

Annibyniaeth I Gymru

Blog Awards

Tomorrow the Welsh Blog Index Blog Award Winners will be announced. You have until 8pm today to get you votes in before they are counted up.

Many thanks

Blog Review 50

• Cleckanndra looks at separate parliaments for Wales and England.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare looks to Scotland for the future of Wales.
• Independence Cymru looks at Scotland’s Independence and tackles some myths around Welsh Independence.
• Ordovicius looks at the White paper announcement by the SNP.

Blog of the Week 6

This weeks blog of the week, and in fact blog of the next two weeks as I will be away on holiday and unable to change it, is Vaughan Roderick. The BBC’s welsh language political blogger has given some interesting insights over the last few months. He is regularly breaking stories and many blogs, most notably Ordovicius, make regular reference to Roderick’s online collumn.

Blog Review 49

• Matt Withers helps Labour realise a fault in their plan to connect with Welsh Language voters.
• Adam Price gives a follow up to his proposal to a coalition with the Greens and People’s Voice.
• Glyn Davies says its crunch time for the Tories.
• Independence Cymru looks at Wales and Westminster’s relationship.

Blog Reviw 48

• Matt Withers looks at the Plaid reshuffle.
• Cascittuni looks at the debate around the conservative’s logo and says the party don’t have a hunger to win an election. More on the logo with Damon Lord.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare examines the possibility of an early election.
• Miserable Old Fart looks at Jan Morris and Huw Lewis’ dispute.
• View From the Glen returns with a post about Tory defector David Anstee.

Blog Review 47

• Ceredig analysis Wigley’s speech.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare looks at Labour’s attempts to win back Welsh speaking voters.
• Normal Mouth reviews the political influence of Dafydd Wigley.
• Ordovicius questions why restrictions are placed on Wales because of foot and mouth in Surrey.

Blog Roll Update

I will be going away on holidays at the end of next week so I’m trying to get the house ship shape! During the clean out I have binned the following blogs as inactive or retired.

• Assembly Notes
• David Cornock (original BBC)
• Peter Hain
• Emma Greenow
• Glamorganshire
• Pontygwindy
• Sion Owain
• Taffia Don
• View From The Glen
• Labour Mark

Ladies and Gentlemen behind these blogs please let me know if you ever return and I shall once again add you to the blogroll.

As a result of the clear out it is even more important that you all help keep me aware of any new blogs or current blogs not on the radar. Keir Hardly will be going up shortly.

Blog Review 46

• David Cornock looks at the Conservatives apology over the David Anstee defection. A copy of the apology is published on Leighton Andrews blog.
• Huw Lewis sees Dafydd Wigley’s Eisteddfod speech driving a wedge between Welsh AM’s and MP’s.
• Paul Flynn reminisces about a clash he had with Tony Blair over education policy.
• Glyn Davies is still angry that the Rainbow failed to materialise.
• Normal Mouth discusses Elin Jones’ decision to cut short her holiday.

Blog Review 45

The defection of Rhondda Tory David Anstee has been covered heavily in the blogs today.

• David Cornock examines the claims and counter claims of the Tories and Labour.


• Leighton Andrews welcomes his new Rhondda member.


• David Jones MP claims never to have heard of him.


• Peter Black brings the Ian Dale blog about the issue to our attention.


• Former Labour candidate in Arfon Martin Eaglestone welcomes the news of the defection.


• Cascittuni notes that he has never heard of David Anstee despite being Secretary of the South Wales West Conservative Council.


• Guerrilla Welsh Fare says the defection will create more pressure for David Cameron.


• Ordovicius looks at the hype around the defection.


• Welsh Women’s Voice asks if there is actually a difference between the Tories and Labour anyway.

In other blog news.

• Welsh independence looks at if Wales would be too small and too poor.


• Miserable Old Fart examines Dai Havard MP’s claims that taxation money belongs to Labour.


• Ordovicius notes Elin Jones aim try and keep Wales free from Foot and Mouth.


• Welsh Ramblings notes that the One Wales Government has handled their first major challenge well to date.

Blog of the Week 5

This week’s blog of the week (although a day late I’m sorry!) is Normal Mouth. Although a Labour supporting blog it is always very insightful and as neutral as a partisan blog can be. The topics explored are very often issues that have seemingly passed others by and are always excellent start points for debates.

There is also an excellent section “Questions to a Welsh Political Blogger” which helps gives insight into our fellow bloggers ideas and motives.

Blog Review 44

• Vaughan Roderick looks at the demands on Plaid Ministers.
• Dylan Jones-Evans looks at Wales Crachach.
• Glyn Davies gives his views on the Foot and Mouth crisis.
• Ceredig attempts to uncover whose problem is the Barnett Formula.
• Labour blogger Homage to Catatonia gives reasons for keeping the number of Welsh MP’s as they are.
• Independence Cymru calls on an allegiance to Wales.
• Welsh Women’s Voice comments on speculation of Rhodri Morgan’s departure.

Blog Review 43

• Bethan Jenkins congratulates Plaid on two by-election wins.
• Nick Bourne gives his comments on the coalition discussions sighting the Lib Dems failure to ratify the All Wales Accord as the defining moment. More here from Dylan Jones-Evans.
• Peter Black looks at suggestions that Plaid could form an election pact with People’s Voice and the Greens.
• Glyn Davies outlines his strategy to win a Parliamentary seat.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare attempts to update Peter Blacks history.
• Homage to Catatonia gives some ideas to the Lib Dems to pass the time.
• Normal Mouth Questions if Wales is underrated at a UK level.
• Valley’s Mam notes the Conservatives have lost faith in their leader.
• What is Wales looks at the childishness of Chris Bryant.

Eyes and Ears

The somewhat thankless task of running the blog review has become ever more increasingly frustrating as blogs disappear or remain static. I am counting on those active bloggers among us to be my eyes and ears. So if there are any new, or as yet unnoticed welsh political blogs not covered please let me know in the comments section or by email at welshblogindex@hotmail.co.uk

Also please use the same form of contact for the Welsh Blog Index Awards. A number of bloggers have already given their nominations and time is fast running out with only around a week to go.

Many thanks

Blog Review 43

A lot of focus on Lembit Opik in today's blogs.

• Matt Withers looks at the implications of Lembit Opiks possible London Mayor challenge.


• David Cornock says Lembit has ruled out standing. Much to the dissatisfaction of Eleanor Burnham. More here from Tom Bodden and here from Ordovicius.


• Glyn Davies suggests that the Lembit for London story was a political strategy created by the Opik camp.


• Cascittuni gives his update on a few issues in the press recently.


• Guerrilla Welsh Fare notes yet another attack on David Cameron.

Blog Review 42

• Ceredig looks at the Barnett formula review.
• Guerrilla Welsh Fare looks at the transparent approach Rhodri Glyn Thomas aims to bring to the Culture portfolio.
• Independence Cymru gives his views on a future for Wales.
• Normal Mouth gives his list of top twenty political blogs in Wales. He must have forgotten this one!
• Ordovicius looks at the introduction of Home Information Packs.
• Valleys Mam looks at the DWP’s strategy for tackling child poverty.
  
  
• In what is becoming an ever decreasing welsh political blogsphere Glamorganshire seemingly has retired his post.