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.

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• 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.