The sounds of Summer
"We know you're not on holiday anymore. We saw you in Tescos at the weekend!"
Caught Anon.
Tenby rocked, Ffynnon Gwenffrewi/St Winifred's Well is a must, Criccieth sizzled ... and that was the Summer. It's back to the Senedd where the corridors may be dead quiet but don't be fooled. If you listen carefully you'll still hear the sounds of Summer ... of pamphlets hitting desks and brand new columns making their mark, the signalling of what Wales ought to look like by 2020 and the spelling out of how we get there, of discontent, doors opening and of defections, of a coalition government that's 'Labour-led' or 'One Wales' depending on whose press release you're reading - and of backbench noises-off that seem unlikely to abate.
From the Wales Office comes the sound of engagement. Peter Hain is inviting us all to tell him what we think of the Westminster government's draft legislative programme. Emails in to the Wales Office by September 30th please. After all we've got a fair idea what he thinks of the One Wales programme ... And granted the Brown Bounce may barely be audible by now but could we still hear the snap of a quick election? The 'what if' meetings in my diary shoved in before the conference season kicks off in Llandudno next week still assume so. How does a future of rather more regular double-whammy election years grab you?
I don't know about the Wales Office inbox but mine was full to bursting. Emails on the Barnett funding Formula and the 'Goschen proportion' taking slightly more time to digest than the emails asking whether I want to buy baby clothes/fitness equipment? No. Were there any members of staff who wanted to take up a place on the "Journalist Nose Course?" Yes, really. Which AM or Welsh MP did I think should be invited to speak about politicians and spin/their relationship with the media? Any suggestions? Had I done the course about how to report the nations and regions properly? I have now. Thankfully I got the question about the pronounciation of Pwllheli and Machynlleth right.
Wales 2020? Roll on September 17th I say and its promise of a rollercoaster session ahead.
I'm Betsan Powys, 91Èȱ¬ Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on .
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Croeso'n ol ! Where on earth have you been that was outside of 'blogging' range ? Only teasing, I am all in favour of the French approach to summer hols, where everything shuts down for a month.
It is not as if the Westminster parliament is going to be sitting for another month ! Though I suspect that the holidays aren't as generous at the 'Senedd'.
Good to know that you were holidaying in Wales. Having spent time in both Devon and the 'Real West Country' [Pembrokeshire] I know that Wales has an awful lot to offer. Although whether we would welcome it becoming as busy as the English West Country..
Good to see you back Betsan. You've been away for a long time, but at least you missed the non story re Shambo that insisted on making the headlines.
Hopefully now you're back there will be some real politics for you to blog on so we can all get back into the commenting frame of mind!
I look forward with anticipation to the new political season almost as much as I do with trepidation to the rugby season!
Betsan,
It's got to be a Welsh MP, I'm intrigued as how these part time politicians intend utilising their spare time...wrecking the One Wales coalition no doubt or finding a controversial language issue to divide and rule us. I think the behaviour of Welsh MP's will draw as much media attention as the deliberations of the Senedd (Yes, I think we should change the name)
At least Vaughan did quizzes....
Free Sara Edwards NOW!
Hey,Adam Price (Plaid - Thinker (sic) is now calling for Wales to be an "English Region"!!!
"Wales would be beter off.." etc.) W. mail yesterday.
A sort of New Plaid Cumbria!
Anything to get Bethan Jenkins on the X Factor...and handy for Adam et al for the Ivy if/when the Assembly is moved to London... "closer to the real action!"
Welcome back Betsan ~ Paxo was talking about you!
Which AM or Welsh MP did I think should be invited to speak about politicians and spin/their relationship with the media?
Has to be Mr Spin himself, Mr Andrews. He's even a former 91Èȱ¬ spin-doctor and spin professor at Cardiff Uni. How many more boxes does the man have to tick??
Be interested to know your thoughts on the possible Mike German leadership challenge from his 5 LibDem AMs. I'm aware that he has lost a lot of grass roots support because he was so feeble over the possible LibDem/Labour coalition, which they subsequently lost.
Which of the 5 AMs could you see as LibDem leader?
Hi first time on the blog i see that the welsh assembly want to open offices in LLandudno spending i dont know how many millions and putting pressure on local councils wanting there tenants to move to a houaing assocation and if they dont they cant have the money [the council] to do up there properties also this would be an easy way for them not to help the homeless for me livieing in Gwynedd sad and black days i have sent neumrous letters to officers of the asembly with no response i still right to London to MPS excellent response the assembly has done nothing for me looking at Caernarfon online as to there article when the Queen opned the welsh assembly a big screen on the square and No one on the square that how much interest the locals had do you blame them when the cut the services up in the north of wales .