Lobby briefings - 14/07/09 (the last ones)

And so on to the last lobby briefings of the year.

We begin with a personal reflection on the year that was for Politics Cymru:



And here's what Rodders had to say in the WAG's final (and possibly his own?) press briefing:



Nick had a dig at IWJ in his:



While Kirsty reflected on her first term as party leader:



Side note: we've just finished at Cardiff University's Centre for Journalism Studies, not UWIC.

Pob hwyl/Happy recess!

Y Tri Dewi

Lobby briefings - 07/07/2009

It's that time of week again and so here are your video digests from today's lobby briefings.

Gerald Holtham took the reigns at the WAG's briefing and Dewi Un brings you a condensed version of what he had to say (you can see our interview with the chair of the funding review in full here).



Dewi Tri then went to listen to Nick Bourne. The Conservatives were responding to the Halthom report and discussing yesterday's expenses announcements:



And finally Dewi Dau brings you right up to date with what's happening in the Lib Dem camp (see if you can spot the mystery AM lurking in the background - seemingly intent on putting me off my game!):



So that's that for another week.

Hwyl am y tro.

Y Tri Dewi

Lobby briefings, 30/06/2009 (minus a Dewi)

With Dewi Tri AWOL there are only two videos to bring you from this week's lobby briefing.

First up, Dewi Dau brings you to speed with what was said at the Tories' press conference:



And Dewi Un brings you the latest from the Welsh Liberal Democrats:



So there you go, did Kirsty's explanations for Messrs German and Black's claims satisfy you?

Dewis Un a Dau

PS. If you spot a confused Dewi Tri on your travels, please return him to PC HQ - ideally before this week's podcast!

Lobby Briefings, 23rd June

We were down in the Bay this morning for today's press briefings and there's plenty to talk about once again in this week's video digests!

Dewi Tri covers the Welsh Assembly Government's press conference in this video. The Environment Minister Jane Davidson was in the hot seat this week.



Dewi Un brings you the news from the Welsh Conservatives...



...and here, Dewi Dau passes on what was said by Kirsty Williams and Peter Black in the Welsh Liberal Democrats' briefing.



Thanks for watching,

Y Tri Dewi

Three lobby briefings - three Dewis (what more would you want?)

And so in yet another Politics Cymru first, today we bring you a digest of what was said in each of today's three lobby briefings.

First off Dewi Un has some ground-breaking news from the Welsh Assembly Government's briefing, held today by Andrew Davies:



Dewi Dau brings you the latest from Nick Bourne and the Conservative camp:



And Dewi Tri shares all from the Welsh Liberal Democrats' press conference held, as always, by Kirsty Williams:



So was this at all interesting or useful? Let us know and this could become a weekly feature!

Y Tri Dewi (far from dead, extinct and ceasing to be!)

Press Briefings 9/6/2009

Myself and Dewi Dau popped down to the Senedd this morning to see first hand the reactions to Sunday's earthquake. This week will no doubt be full of retrospective analysis coupled with a lot of pontificating about the future of Welsh politics.

Firstly we had Rhodri Morgan’s lobby briefing. The room was packed (compared to usual), the two Dewis slotted into our usual back row seats (that’s where all the cool kids sit) eager to hear what Mr Morgan had to say.

Labour was “out-organised and outfought”- Rhodri’s opening salvo. Mr Morgan was clear in his belief that Labour voters had simply stayed at home, however he also believes that now the Conservatives have shown an ability to win in Wales the Labour core will once again take up arms against their blue enemy.

Mr Morgan conceded that centre left parties had done badly across Europe leading to a result that placed Labour “in the pits”. So the task of recovering from this low ebb? Similar to climbing mount Snowdon according to the First Minister. Labour activists will hope that Mr Morgan is right when he says that the Labour core is not as loyal as their Conservative equivalents when it comes to by-elections (Europe being essentially a by-election), so the great hope for Welsh Labour is that they show up at the next ballot and vote Labour.

When asked about his future Rhodri Morgan said once again what he’s always said – he plans to stand down on his 70th birthday unless something (like a general election) gets in the way. Asked about whether Eluned Morgan would be an asset to the Assembly, Mr Morgan refused to answer.

Next up Nick Bourne in jubilant mood, despite a lot of scrutiny from the assembled press his spirit would not be dampened. According to the Welsh Conservative leader they are the only party that can beat Labour in Wales. Challenged on his position as leader Nick Bourne said that the Tories here were a “secure and united group”.

1859 was the last time the Conservatives won in Wales and according to Mr Bourne not even UKIPs rise will stop them from repeating this result in the general and Assembly elections to come.

And finally it was time for Kirsty Williams and the Liberal Democrats. Despite being disappointed to not get the 4th seat they were pleased at the progress made in some target areas. Kirsty pointed at Swansea West and Newport East where the Lib Dems were within hundreds of votes from beating Labour into first place. And just like Basil Fawlty not mentioning the war – don’t mention Ceredigion(!) - a result that has been painted as a disappointment by the press was actually pleasing for Kirsty Williams.

That’s about it form today’s press conferences – more to come over the coming weeks!

Dewi Un