Jonathan Edwards takes Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Well dear readers, I hate to be smug but, as I rightly predicted on this very blog some time ago, Jonathan Edwards has been selected by Plaid Cymru members to succeed Adam Price.Roughly 9.30pm last night the man from Ammanford won the ballot, securing the required number of votes in the first round of voting.Having interviewed him today – it’s apparent that party members have chosen the candidate who is most likely to be able to mirror Adam Price’s success. His politics and background are very similar to the current incumbents, and their close relationship is something that is likely to endear him to the local electorate.It will be interesting to s

Barnett: What the Tories say...
The Barnett formula is not popular.Nor is it fair according to Gerry Holtham who issued a report on the subject back in July. The formula is based on population and not on the age of that population or the levels of poverty amongst that population.Peter Hain says it’s worked alright until now but accepts that Wales could lose out in the future and to make sure that doesn't happen he’s said (if Labour win the next General Election) come B

Pawb a’i Farn – or is it?
Pawb a’i farn – is the BBC’s Welsh language equivalent of Question Time. Roughly translated it means “Everyone and their opinions” but according to the Welsh Conservatives that title may be far from accurate.If you haven’t seen it – the programme works much in the same way as QT

He Will Not Veto!
Well Peter Hain says he's not going to veto a referendum (which means Labour and the Tories seem to be on the same page)...He’s just told Plenary: "If I am the Secretary of State in receipt of an Assembly request to call a referendum, I would not veto that request."It appears he has actually been convinced by the All Wales convention report!But he still seems to think that the "new system is starting to work and is starting to work well."It’s not an unequivocal show of support – but it clears things up a bit!So I guess the ball is now fully in the court of the new Labour leader. If that new leader is Edwina Hart it seems uncl

Clear as Mud
So what is Welsh Labour’s stance on the timing of a referendum? Well if you read this statement sent out yesterday lunchtime by Peter Hain, Rhodri Morgan and Gary Owen (Welsh Labour Chair) it seems obvious.“ Our internal policy process has already begun: Welsh Labour’s Welsh Joint Policy Committee has met, prioritised the need to campaign for a General Election victory, and agreed to start considering the All Wales Convention report in detail as a prelude to stepping-up wider Party consultation with AMs and MPs, councillors, trade unionists and members as soon as the General Election is over.“Holding on this long would make it difficult to foresee a