German shrubs for WAG garden

Rumours reaching us at Politics Cymru suggest the £70,000 worth of plants bought to decorate the Welsh Assembly Government's new offices in Aberystwyth have been imported from Germany.

The building, which has cost £20 million to build opens in September. It will be the new base for the Mid-Wales branch of the Department for the Economy and Transport, the Forestry Commission, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Department for Rural Affairs.

With such a team on the inside you would have thought they could have found some locally-sourced shrubs for the outside! (No doubt they would have been cheaper as well.)

Dewi Dau

Splashing the Cash

A few pints of Guinness in New York: £3,500

A year's worth of flights from Hong Kong: £70,000...

...Another Welsh Liberal Democrats FOI: priceless!

* * * *

Every Tuesday as we three Dewis sit in the Senedd's cafe sipping our not-too-pleasant coffee between doses of Nick Bourne and Kirsty Williams, we keep ourselves entertained (yes, we really are that sad!) by wondering what Freedom of Information request the Welsh Liberal Democrats have submitted in time for this week's lecture.

But our game has been inconsiderately spoiled this week as it is perfectly clear what dirt Kirsty's trusted aides have been digging for in time for the year's final set of press briefings. It also seems convenient that this information comes ahead of the only WAG briefing which can be filmed by the country's media.

So WAG officials have spent nearly three-quarters of a million tax-payer's pounds on promoting Wales abroad using 34 credit cards. That figure includes more than £250,000 spent by the New York office alone on kids' furnishings, and food and drink at the Irish pub, Clancy's (£3,500). And the WAG must be sending all it's youthful staff across the pond because employees at the Big Apple office have also also spent £2,500 on teen clothing.

And what about the Hong Kong office? Well £70,000 was spent by its staff on flights during 2008-09 and nearly £22,000 on overnight accommodation.

With all that money to throw about surely us journos can be provided with some decent coffee on our Tuesday morning expeditions to the Bay.

Anyway, here's what Kirsty has had to say:

"Every taxpayer in Wales deserves an explanation from the Labour-Plaid government. Whilst we're in the middle of a recession it's disgusting to know that public officials are flying first class, staying in the most expensive hotels, eating in the best restaurant - all at the swipe of the Welsh credit card."

And in what has become a familiar dig at Ieuan Wyn Jones - Kirsty Williams recently slapped him on the wrist for mislaying a few laptops - the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats had this to say:

"The minister for Economy and Transport has some serious questions to answer. What if any procedures are in place to monitor and police spending? What kind of guidance allows civil servants to to take first class flights and live this superstar lifestyle? How can we be sure that all of this activity directly generates investment into Wales? Quite frankly what on earth is going on and what will be done about this?"

Seems the Lib Dems are providing the questions for us to pose at the WAG's briefing tomorrow as well then!

They really are determined to take the fun out of our Tuesday morning.

Stay tuned to see what was said at the three briefings.

Dewi Dau

image used courtesy of SqueakyMarmot @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/squeakymarmot/2058416937/

Over the Rainbow? Apparently not.

A tip - if ever you decide you'd like to know why the Rainbow coalition never came to be, please don't go asking Bethan Jenkins or Peter Black.

In fact this recent twitter exchange between the Plaid and Lib Dem AMs should be enough to make you lay the matter to rest!

It seems the friendly exchange began after an interested twitterer by the name of Marcuswarner, asked the following, innocent question:

#senedd is it only the 6 lib dem AMs that believe their 2007 coalition yarn?5:23 PM Jul 7th from web

@ Marcuswarner - it seems they are delusional. Eveyone at the conf yesterday were well aware of their role in the coalition negotiations....5:30 PM Jul 7th from web

@bethanjenkins you were considering rainbow option weeks after LD exec vote. Your rejected it. Nothing delusional about that.5:36 PM Jul 7th from web

@peterblackwales- your party refused it before that.5:37 PM Jul 7th from web

@bethanjenkins no it didnt Bethan.My party voted for it. Stop rewriting history.8:28 PM Jul 7th from web in reply to bethanjenkins

@peterblackwales i think you are the one doing that.8:40 PM Jul 7th from Tweetie in reply to peterblackwales

@bethanjenkins not at all. Review the events not the myths generated by your spin doctors.8:44 PM Jul 7th from web in reply to bethanjenkins

@peterblackwales- that's a really hard accusation- lying. I never wanted Rainbow. Why would I want to lie about the whole thing?about 23 hours ago from web

@bethanjenkins Your preferences at the time are irrelevant. You have adopted Plaid lies designed to spin a particular view of past events.about 15 hours ago from web

@peterblackwales- no I haven't. I will defend it so we could continue this for agesabout 14 hours ago from web

@bethanjenkins well if you are persisting in saying we voted against then clearly you have adopted Plaid liesabout 14 hours ago from web

@peterblackwales -http://www.timesonline.co.u...about 14 hours ago from web

@bethanjenkins article is incorrect in saying the Exec vetoed it as was evidenced by subsequent conf. Vote figures support my view on lies.about 10 hours ago from web in reply to bethanjenkins

@peterblackwales oh please can we leave this now? This is going nowhere!about 5 hours ago from Tweetie in reply to peterblackwales

@bethanjenkins I am not going to concede on the lies and misinformation Plaid are putting about. It is important that history not rewrittenabout 5 hours ago from web in reply to bethanjenkins

@peterblackwales- I have consulted a well know political pundit on this, and that person agrees with my analysis. I have nothing more to sayabout 4 hours ago from web

@bethanjenkins well he cant be that independent if he supports your distorted view of history #plaidrewritehistoryabout 4 hours ago from web in reply to bethanjenkins

@peterblackwales- he is not 'my' pundit! He is independent. What a laugh.about 4 hours ago from web

So there we go then. Things may be awkward in the corridor from now on. Or then again they do say "wrth gicio a brathu mae cariad yn magu"!

Thoughts anybody?

Dewi Dau

Please sir, I want some more!

So after this, what is the Assembly Government planning to do about swine flu?

Pig ignorance could work:

Maybe not. But it does seem the WAG is trying to say it's not really up to Cardiff Bay to do anything. Even though health is one of the devolved fields of competence, the WAG is arguing this is an exceptional situation and one where Westminster needs to get involved. But those in London aren't so keen on that idea - they're already in quite a bit of debt, don't you know!

Apparently it's going to cost tens of millions of pounds to roll out the vaccination programme across Wales and that's why the WAG is going cap in hand to the treasury asking for some financial help.

The WAG assures us whatever Mr Darling's decision is following Rhodri's pitch to the Treasury, the Welsh public have nothing to worry about: the WAG will find the funds if it has to.

In the meantime, whilst we await the Chancellor's answer, here are a few questions this episode seems to have thrown up:

What does all this say about the devolution settlement? Does it show that Wales isn't ready for more responsibility? Or do we just need a bigger budget? How ironic is it that everybody's up in arms when Westminster gets involved in the LCO process, but now - when we need some money - we're quite happy to ask for Westminster's involvement?

Or does this just show that the current Assembly government is unable to look after its piggy bank (see what I did there?) and simply isn't up to the job?

Thoughts?

Dewi Dau

Image used courtesy of Artifex @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/artnow/3496268779/

AMs' Expenses | Treuliau ACau

Our AMs' expenses are out today.

Yesterday Ieuan Wyn Jones and David Melding told the BBC's Politics Show they had nothing to worry about.

But which AMs are getting up this morning after spending a sleepless night in their second home?

Which AMs are turning on their extravagant flat screen TVs, bought at the taxpayer's expense, in fear of finding their name pop up on the local news?

Which AMs are on edge as they feed their dog this morning, scared that the tin of Pedigree Chum may have somehow found its way onto an expenses claim?

We'll be trawling through the info today. But in the meantime here's the link for you to go looking for your AM's expenses. Maybe you can help us out be drawing our attention to some cheeky claims!

Os hoffech edrych ar y wybodaeth yn y Gymraeg, cliciwch yma.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Dewi Dau

----------------------

Update:

Just a few findings we've been tweeting today.

Thanks to @annahwt for this: Mike German claims £745 for return flight to Paris.No cheaper/greener alternative? http://tiny.cc/dbI5U
less than 20 seconds ago from web

Eleanor Burnham claims 45p for a newspaper: http://www.allowances.assem...
28 minutes ago from web

So here's what the BBC have found in the expenses: http://bit.ly/10pDZ5 .....
30 minutes ago from web

.....and as per usual, Golwg has: http://www.golwg360.com/UI/...
30 minutes ago from web

The Three Dewis are now fully-fledged journalists having got our results today!But no rest for the wicked: dodgy expenses claims to look at!
about 1 hour ago from web

Dewis off to a meeting now. Back this afternoon with more expenses news!
less than a minute ago

Rhodri Glyn: £217.33 for cleaning materials inc. two rolls of Carmarthenshire County Council bin bags: http://tiny.cc/trNEE 24/11/2008
8 minutes ago

Looking through expenses. Looks like @peterblackwales claimed £12 to get into the Eisteddfod last summer: http://tiny.cc/Bv0Mr
12 minutes ago

A Taste of Wales in the US of A

The 43rd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival gets underway in Washington today and this year, Wales takes centre stage.

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex and research organisation. It's composed of 19 museums, 9 research centres...and a zoo. Each year it arranges a festival to celebrate the cultural traditions of places inside and outside the United States. The event attracts around a million visitors each year.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan and a host of Welsh stars have gone over to the US to promote Welsh culture.

Betty Belanus is a senior curator at the Smithsonian Centre for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. I spoke to her about the festival and about people's awareness of Wales in America.



Find more about the event here and here.

Dewi Dau

Court summons, big tellys...and wigs!

And so at last the expenses scandal throws up a bit of light entertainment.

Surely the award for most extravagant/curious/intriguing claim must go to...you guessed it, the Honourable member for Montgomeryshire, Mr Lembit Opik!

Once again the Daily Sport's columnist, and one time star of Ant and Dec's Saturday night takeaway, has well and truly taken the biscuit:

"MPs' expenses: Mother of All Wigs for Lembit Opik's fancy dress" reads one headline on The Daily Telegraph's site today.

"Lembit Opik claimed £30 for two fancy dress wigs from Hamleys on his office expenses," we're told.

The Liberal Democrat housing spokesman submitted a receipt for the 'Mother of All Wigs', (£19.99), and a 'Filmstar Wig' (£9.99).

This of course comes after it was revealed he claimed for a court summons and tried to claim for a 42" plasma TV.

Now we all know how important it is to make an effort at these fancy dress parties. And I'm sure Lembit was carrying out some useful parliamentary duty at the shindig: a bit of networking here, a spot of lobbying there. All of which would have been seriously undermined without a thoroughly convincing and utterly impressive disguise.

There's nothing worse than turning up to an event dressed in jeans and a shirt when all the other guests are Marilyn Monroe, Darth Vader or Mickey Mouse (apart maybe from turning up to a party as the only one in fancy dress - Bridget Jones style - that is!).

In total a third of Welsh MPs have now paid money back. Find out more here.

What we'd like to know is which filmstar you think Lembit Opik was trying to resemble?

Send us your witty suggestions by the usual means!

Dewi Dau

Made in Portugal - the highest point in Wales

It was with much anticipation and long-awaited excitement that Rhodri Morgan banished the "highest slum in Wales" to memory and unveiled the brand new visitor centre on the top of Snowdon last week.

It was also with much interest and intrigue that John Bufton was elected as Wales' fourth MEP. He of course hails from the euro-hostile UK Independence Party.

And it was with much irony that these two events took place within such a small space of time.

You may remember the controversy surrounding the announcement that the new centre's roof would be formed of granite imported from Portugal - despite there being plenty of granite laying about on the peaks of Snowdonia.

This is because under EU rules, it is illegal for contractors to insist on using locally sourced material when the material's cost goes above a certain threshold.

Back in 2006 the Snowdonia National Park's chief executive, Aneurin Phillips, said:

"Under European law the Authority cannot insist that local people use local materials only. The Authority encourages people to use natural materials wherever possible and preferably from local sources.

"Up to the 1980s it is true that the Authority required only Welsh slate but it lost a legal case and the advice that we received from solicitors in this case is that we would be in breach of European treaty principles if we stipulated in the contract that the contractor must use local materials only," he added.

Ironically, granite was chosen by the architects in the first place because it would blend in with the Snowdonian surroundings!

And curiously Mr Bufton and his researchers seem to have missed out on their first opportunity to do some Europe-bashing - and it is surely doubtful the MEP will ever be offered a higher stage to perform on!

Dewi Dau

Looking after your rabbit: a WAG's guide!

How do you care for rabbits and how do you cope in hot weather?*

Send your tips on a postcard to...the Welsh Assembly Government!

According to the Tories, those are just two areas into which Assembly ministers have launched consultations since the start of the year. It's alleged there have been 92 seperate consultations during that time and the Tories suggest the government is "in danger of becoming paralysed by consultation-itis." (Witty eh?)

The shadow minister for the environment in the Assembly, Angela Burns said:

"While some consultations are an important part of government decision making, it seems ministers cannot open an envelope without ordering one.

"Asking for so many reports and consultations is putting additional stress on staff and undermining the work of government," she added.

The AM for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire also thinks there might be political motivations for the WAG's obsession with consultations:

"Ministers are disguising their reluctance to act on key issues through the smokescreen of ordering more inquiries."

Mrs Burns conceded that: "The government is right to consult on major issues such as the future of local hospitals or issues like the Severn Barrage. We have always argued that the public must have a say on crucial issues such as these."

But she suggested "constantly asking others what to do is a clear sign of a government in crisis. It is clear ministers have run out of ideas and can’t make decisions for themselves."

Mrs Burns also questioned the WAG's reasoning behind holding a consultation into the welfare of rabbits.

According to the WAG website, the purpose of the 'rabbit' Code of Practice "is to provide advice on how to meet the needs of your rabbit. It applies to all persons who have responsibility for rabbits kept as a companion animal."

But Mrs Burns wasn't impressed: "We all support the highest possible standards of animal welfare, but in the middle of a recession many people will question why ministers are spending six weeks looking at the best way to look after pet rabbits."

If you own a rabbit you may want to read more about how to look after it here!

And for those of you getting concerned about coping in the hot weather this summer, have a look here! You'll find how the WAG plans to "reduce the risks to health associated with extreme heat."

Dewi Dau

*Perhaps a future consultation could look at how rabbits cope in hot weather.

Tomorrow Wales present their case

And so as Elfyn Llwyd and Adam Price call for constitutional reform and a general election in Westminster, today Tomorrow Wales - the 'unofficial' 'yes' campaign - put their case forward for reform outside the Assembly.

Around a hundred people gathered on the steps of the Senedd to back the "Declaration for Welsh Democracy", presented by the Most Rev. Dr Barry Morgan and apparently signed by "prominent Welsh writers, actors, sportsmen, poets, churchmen and politicians"

They include British Lions Team Manager, Gerald Davies and the swimmer David Davies; two of Wales’s National Poets, Gillian Clarke and Gwyneth Lewis, and actor Mathew Rhys.

The Declaration highlights four principles that the government system in Wales should fulfil:

* To be efficient in its use of time and resources
* To be comprehensible and transparent
* To promote wide participation by he public and civil society
* Respect for the autonomy of the National Assembly as the elected body that represents the people of Wales.

"It is very important that people are aware of what is at stake in the debate on Wales’ constitutional future and I am confident that the Declaration will be an aid in raising awareness of this," said Dr. Barry Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales.

"I would urge everyone who believes that Wales needs a system of governance that would allow the Assembly to get to grips with changing the lives of the people of Wales for the better, and which will be stable, accountable and democratic, to support this Declaration," he added.

Dewi Dau

Motion for Dissolution of Parliament

“That this House requests the Prime Minister to seek a dissolution of the present Parliament”

That's the motion Plaid and the SNP have put before Westminster today. It's due to be debated in Parliament shortly.

Here's what Plaid's leader in Westminster, Elfyn Llwyd has been saying:

"Plaid Cymru and the SNP are giving Parliament the chance to give the people back their say – and this can only be the beginning of a shake-up in the political system. We need reform of MPs' expenses, the first-past-the-post system, a fully elected House of Lords, a fixed term Parliament, and in Wales, a referendum on full law-making powers."

But will the big man be there? Mr Llwyd's not too sure:

"With such an important debate, I would presume that the Prime Minister would be in attendance, especially given the current amount of interest in Parliament and from the media.

"However, unfortunately the Prime Minister has a record of not being around when the going gets tough - and tomorrow may be no different."

Plaid promise us, "this debate will be a reflection of the extent of concern currently surrounding the state of Parliament as expressed by the public. " Not sure we should be expecting egg-throwing but it should be quite exciting!

We'll keep you up to date here on Politics Cymru and on Twitter.

*Update :15:25

In response to Gordon Brown's statement this morning, Mr Llwyd said:

"The proposed reforms are overdue but at least this is a start and I’m pleased that the impetus is now there to get things moving. We will repeat calls this afternoon for the dissolution of Parliament and a General Election. Reforms need to be implemented but through an inclusive and wider discussion process. "

The Prime Minister announced this morning that a referendum to change the voting system could take place - but only after the next General Election. He also told MPs a debate on legislation regarding MPs' code of conduct in light of recent revelations would also happen.

"Plaid have emphasised the need for a referendum to give the public a say on important democratic issues including: the present voting system, the power of the Whips, the Royal prerogative and calling for a fixed term parliament," said Mr Llwyd.

"Real electoral and expenses reform at Westminster is long overdue, but by addressing these measures we can begin to rebuild the public’s trust," he added.

Predictably the Plaid MP for Dwyfor and Meirionydd has also pre-empted a defeat in the Commons tonight when the Plaid/SNP motion is due to be voted upon:

"Even if we lose the vote tonight, we will have sparked a debate about the wider constitutional issues as Mr Brown has already demonstrated," said Mr Llwyd.

Dewi Dau

Dim croeso i ddysgwraig o'r Wladfa! | Welsh learner sent packing!

Mae dysgwraig o Batagonia wedi cael ei gwrthod rhag ddod i Gymru i ddysgu'r Gymraeg gan y Swyddfa Gartref.

Bwriad Evelyn Calcabrini oedd aros efo teulu yng Ngogledd Cymru i ddysgu Cymraeg ond ar ôl iddi wynebu swyddogion mewnfudo ym Maes Awyr Heathrow fe gafodd hi ei throi i ffwrdd.

Mae Politics Cymru wedi cysylltu â Llywodraeth y Cynulliad am ymateb ond fe ddywedon nhw wrthon ni nad mater iddyn nhw ydy mewnfudo a materion yn ymwneud a ffiniau'r wlad.

Mwy i ddilyn - cadwch lygad!

Dewi Dau
------------------------------------------------

A Welsh learner from Patagonia who was hoping to visit Wales to improve her understanding of the language has been turned away by immigration officials.

Evelyn Calcabrini was turned away at Heathrow airport after being questioned by officials.

Politics Cymru has spoken to the Welsh Assembly Government. They told us they could not comment because immigration is not a devolved field.

More to follow - keep an eye!

Dewi Dau

Nick Bourne and Mike German talk to Politics Cymru

Nick Bourne was like the cat who got the cream in the Tories' weekly press briefing today. We caught up with the leader of the opposition in the Assembly, here's what he had to tell us:



We also got an opportunity to quiz the Welsh Liberal Democrats' spokesman on Europe, Mike German, in his office in the Assembly. We asked him if he thought Lembit Opik was still the right man for the job in Montgomeryshire and what Labour's result means for Welsh politics.



Dewi Un and Dewi Dau

Parti Plaid - sgwrs efo IWJ a Jill Evans

Un sedd yn unig gawson nhw ond heddiw roedd byddin y Blaid allan i ddathlu ei llwyddiant yn yr etholiadau Ewropeaidd.

Roedd y baneri allan a Ieuan Wyn Jones yn wen o glust i glust wrth gyflwyno tusw lliwgar iawn o flodau i ASE Plaid Cymru, Jill Evans.

Mi fues i’n siarad efo’r ddau ohonyn nhw wedi i’r dathliad ddod i ben.

Dyma'r sgwrs efo arweinydd Plaid Cymru, Ieuan Wyn Jones. Fe ddechreuais i drwy ofyn iddo am ei ymateb i ganlyniadau'r etholiadau:



A dyma ddywedodd Jill Evans wrtha'i pan ofynais i iddi hithau am ei hymateb:



Dewi Dau

Plaid Cymru's Election Party

The flags were out and so were all the usual suspects. Plaid Cymru had rounded up all the troops for their election party today where Jill Evans MEP was presented with a most impressive bouquet of flowers following her vctory in yesterday's election.

But did the party really have cause for celebration? Should they not have done better given the problems facing the major parties in Westminster at the moment? And what does UKiP's success mean for Wales?

Those are a few of the questions I put to Plaid Cymru leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones:



I also spoke to the party's MEP, Jill Evans:



Dewi Dau

Labour activist: It's time for Rhodri to go!

And so the fallout of yesterday's results begins and much of the attention has been firmly focused on Labour's failings here in Wales.

Not since the days of Lloyd-George has Labour not won the popular vote in Wales.

Earlier today I spoke to Marcus Warner - Labour activist and political blogger. He says it's time for a change of leadership - in the Bay and in Westminster.

I began by asking him for his reaction to the results.



Visit Marcus' blog by clicking here

Dewi Dau

Politics Cymru covering Europe!

Politics_Cymru Nick Robinson: "What we are hearing from Wales is extraordinary. We are talking about a night that is reshaping the political map in Britain."half a minute ago from web

Politics_Cymru Declaration: BNP take 6th seat in Yorkshire and Humber.5 minutes ago from web

Politics_Cymru Kirsty Williams won't be happy losing here - Brecon & Radnorshire - Con 6135, LD 4858, UKIP 2818, Lab 1964, Plaid 1623, Green 1513, BNP 61517 minutes ago from web

Politics_Cymru receives early reports from those in the know UKiP have taken a seat in Wales.But Tories also claiming they've taken 2 seats.19 minutes ago from web

Politics_Cymru RT @DaranHill Brecon & Radnorshire - Con 6135, LD 4858, UKIP 2818, Lab 1964, Plaid 1623, Green 1513, bnp 61521 minutes ago from web

Politics_Cymru Source tells us that Plaid has won Ynys Mon, Llanelli and Conwy!22 minutes ago from web

Find more like this by following us on Twitter - it's going to be a big night!

Dewi Dau

"All bets are off"

News reaching us all the time here at Politics Cymru.

Sources have told us the 4th seat really is too close to call.

It could go to Labour, to the Conservatives, to Plaid, the Lib Dems or UKiP: "it really is that up in the air," said one source.

"All bets are off," said another who actually reckons UKiP could well be in the driving seat based on local elections results in England. The three main parties are going to take a kicking from the electorate, he said, and it's likely voters have backed UKiP out of protest against the mainstream parties.

Interestingly he claimed Labour have no chance of getting a second seat.

What are your thoughts? If Plaid takes the second seat from Labour will that have an effect on the One Wales coalition in Cardiff Bay? If UKiP gets a seat does that show people don't realise how much Wales has benefited from Britain's membership of the EU?

Remember you can track developments throughout the day by following us on Twitter.

Dewi Dau

Hain is back - back again

So now we've had a bit of time to digest this news what does it all mean for us here in Wales?

Well compared to self-proclaimed devo-realist Paul Murphy, Mr Hain is a passionate devophile. He was the architect of the 2006 Government of Wales Act which gave us limited law-making powers. We all know the LCO process isn't perfect but it does give the Assembly more power than it previously had whilst the Act also allows for the Assembly to call a referendum during this mandate - something Plaid is eager to exploit.

Will this be enough to dissuade Plaid Cymru from calling for the dissolution of parliament next week?

Plaid needs to be clever here. Elfyn Llwyd, Adam Price and Hywel Williams must surely recognise that their interests would be better served by a Labour Secretary of State who is a fan of the Assembly than a Tory Secretary of State for Wales who doesn't seem overly keen on transferring more powers to Cardiff Bay.

Thoughts?

Dewi Dau

Ears to the ground

Vaughan in the know?

A few suggestions are beginning to reach us regarding the European elections. The turnout was less than 30% in most Welsh parliamentary constituencies. There are also rumours that Labour have fallen to third place in Llanelli and Carmarthen East losing out to Plaid Cymru and UKIP in both constituencies. We'll see!

Interesting that that the Tory Guto Bebb has predicted UKIP will grab a seat in Wales. For that to happen the party will have to come fourth and win 50% + 1 of the vote of whichever party is on top. I would guess that would require some 15% of the vote. The party got 10.5% last time. Time will tell.

PS: The English Democrats' candidate has been elected the mayor of Doncaster. Blimey these are strange elections!

Update: According to the main elections officer, 30.5% of the welsh electorate votes yesterday. That slightly more than expected

Translation by Dewi Dau