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.

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.