Lisa Stevens tweets Politics Cymru

And so onto our third and final Twitterview of the week (because the Tories never got back to us). This lunchtime the three Dewis took over the Prifysgol Aberystwyth University stall on the Eisteddfod maes to twitterview Labour's Lisa Stevens. She's second on the party's list of European candidates.

The whole event attracted plenty of attention - not least from chair of the All Wales Convention, Sir Emyr Jones Parry who seemed most impressed by this unusual concept!

Here's how the conversation went:

The Dewis are at the Eisteddfod for our third and final Twitterview coming up at 12 with @Lisa_Stevens. Any more questions anyone?about 6 hours ago from web

Lisa will be with us shortly! In the meantime - thanks to Aberystwyth University for letting us use their computer on the Maes!about 6 hours ago from web

Politics_Cymru@Lisa_Stevens Hi Lisa, are you there? Thanks for taking part! How's your campaign going?about 6 hours ago from web

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru hello all! Ready for my first 'twitterview'about 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens How's the campaign going?about 6 hours ago from web in reply to Lisa_Stevens

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru very well thanks - and the sun is shining!!about 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens Isn't it lovely? Since we're at the Urdd Eisteddfod why do you think young people aren't interested in European politics?about 5 hours ago from web in reply to Lisa_Stevens

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru I think many are actually interested in the issues - but just put-off by the 'yah-boo' macho style of politics...about 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens Isn't that just Westminster politics? How aware are they of what the EP is doing?about 5 hours ago from web in reply to Lisa_Stevens

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru Yes it largely is, but Westminster dominates the media and so perceptions. Also why young not aware of EP!about 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru@Lisa_Stevens What about the wider public, are they interested in what you're doing?about 5 hours ago from web

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru they're interested in jobs, the environment, rights at work... and often surprised how Europe has delivered for them on theseabout 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens from @Marcuswarner, how will you work together with the other Welsh MEPs on these issues?about 5 hours ago from web

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru @MarcusWarner the EP is all about cooperation and achieving consensus - across Party lines and national lines tooabout 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens So what's made you want to stand?about 5 hours ago from web

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru because I believe working through Europe is vital to tackling the challenges Wales faces - on jobs, environment, security...about 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru and because we need more young voices too!about 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens And what has Labour achieved in Europe so far?about 5 hours ago from web

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru billions of Euro-funding for Wales, improved righs for workers, environmental protection, slashing mobile roaming costs...about 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens "Plaid has demanded that the two current Welsh Labour MEPs publish their expenses". Would you publish yours?about 5 hours ago from web

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru all Labour candidates pledge to publish expenses and receipts every six months and we're calling on other parties to do alsoabout 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens Turnout's a big worry for this election. Will it be less than 40% do you think?about 5 hours ago from web

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru It's very difficult to say. I'm working hard to get as many voters out as possibe!about 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens But if it is low, will Labour be hit hardest?about 5 hours ago from web

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru Again, it's very hard to say! We are focusing on getting our message out - only Labour delivers for Wales in Europeabout 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens If you're not elected, it will be the first time in a long time Labour have lost a pop. vote in Wales. What will that mean?about 5 hours ago from web

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru I think we'll have to deal with the meaning of any outcome if it happens! I'm out campaigning to ensure we do win 2 seats!about 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Politics_Cymru @Lisa_Stevens Well thanks for your time Lisa! Do you think this has been a success? Will we be seeing more ‘Twitterviews’ in the future?

Lisa_Stevens@Politics_Cymru thank you! I think it's great new way to communicate! Enjoy the Urdd...about 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Thanks to @europlaid, @alanbp and @Lisa_Stevens for taking part in this week's historic twitterviews! Diolch yn fawr!about 5 hours ago from web

Y Tri Dewi

30 Years Since Thatcher...and 10 Years of the Welsh Assembly

We've not got a Podcast today (but do come back tomorrow for our Eisteddfod special from the Maes!).

Instead, the Dewis are looking back over some Welsh history.

It's been 30 years since Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister and most agree that her impact on Wales was profound. Here, Dewi Un explores her legacy:



Also recently we've been celebrating a decade of Welsh democracy and Dewi Tri went along to join the party:



Dewis Un & Tri

Alan Butt Philip tells Politics Cymru: Less than 1 in 3 people will vote next week

Welsh Lib Dems’ lead European candidate Alan Butt Philip has told us in our latest Twitterview that he expects to see just 30% of voters out at the polls on June 4th.

He seemed to think that might benefit the Lib Dems, though, because their traditional supporters “are keener to vote than most”.

The effects of the economic downturn, the expenses scandal and a general apathy towards Europe are all causing the main parties concern ahead of the vote next week.

So what did Alan Butt Philip have to say? See for yourself:

Before the Twitterview Dewis 1, 2 and 3 would like to say hello to the regulars! Also @emmagilliam @egrommet @rachelq82 @ruthmosalski

@politics_cymru hello, few tehnical probs but i'm here and ready to start

@alanbp Hi Alan! Thanks for taking part. How’s the campaign going so far? #ldtvabout 1 hour ago from web in reply to alanbp

@politics_cymru Hi there! The campaign is going really well. Lots of enthusiasm from supporters. Good interest from the general public #ldtvabout 1 hour ago from web

@alanbp So you haven't been tarnished with the same brush as other politicians in the wake of the expenses scandal? #ldtv43 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru Not really. People are relieved to discover I have a normal job so can't be involved in the scandal from Westminster #ldtv42 minutes ago from web

@alanbp So why do you want to be a politcian like the rest of them? #ldtv39 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymruThere is a specific job to be done representing Welsh people to the EU institutions. I have the experience for this #ldtv39 minutes ago from web

@alanbp How would your experience make you any different to the MEPs we’ve already got? #ldtv36 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru I have been involved in researching and advising those who influence EU decision-making as an academic for 30years #ldtv36 minutes ago from web

@alanbp from @annahwt With which of the other MEPs (Wales or otherwise) would you align yourself if elected?33 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru Obviously fellow Liberal Democrats in UK, and throughout Europe - there were about 100 in the last Euro-Parliament #ldtv34 minutes ago from web

@alanbp How aware are people as to what these elections are all about? #ldtv30 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru I think people are aware that the EU is important, but they don't really know the details. They want to know more #ldtv30 minutes ago from web

@alanbp Ok. So to paraphrase Monty Python: what’s Europe ever done for us? #ldtv26minutes ago from web in reply to alanbp

@politics_cymru Europe invests heavily in Welsh economic development - more jobs. Also Europe has cleaned up our air and water quality #ldtv26 minutes ago from web

@alanbp Are you geting that message across or is your pro-Europe stance hurting your chances? #ldtv22 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru The message that we depend on other countries and cross-border action does resonate with people - better than before #ldtv22 minutes ago from web

@alanbp So you're not worried voters will turn to anti-Europe and extremist parties particularly in light of the expenses scandal? #ldtv18 minutes ago from web in reply to alanbp

@politics_cymru Some voters will stay at home, but many are determined to back strong open-minded people and parties #ldtv18 minutes ago from web

@alanbp So how badly will the turnout be affected do you think? Will it be less than 40%? #ldtv14 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru Closer to 30% I would think and that's a real shame because the elected MEPs won't have a strong mandate #ldtv14 minutes ago from web

@alanbp And how would a low turnout affect you personally do you think? #ldtv11 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru I think that Lib Dem voters are keener to vote than most, so I don't expect low turnout to be our problem #ldtv10 minutes ago from web

@alanbp So you think you stand a good chance of being the Welsh Lib Dems’ first MEP then? #ldtv7 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru Yes. This election gives the LibDems the best chance we've have ever had. Our supporters sense this & are working hard #ldtv5 minutes ago from web

@alanbp Thanks for your time Alan! Do you think this has been a success? Will we be seeing more ‘Twitterviews’ in the future? #ldtv2 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru Yes, this is a great new medium. Forces us candidates to give short, snappy, understandable answers. After June 7th...#ldtv1 minute ago from web

We’ll let @alanbp get back to the campaign trail! Our next Twitterview will be with Labour’s @Lisa_Stevens – coming soon! Diolch bawb!

Y Tri Dewi

This just in: Twitterview with Jill Evans MEP

For those of you following us on Twitter this lunchtime you'll have seen our Twitterview with Jill Evans MEP! For those of you who missed it - where were you?! But you can read it in full here (and make sure you're following us tomorrow for our Twitterview with Alan Butt-Philip):

Before the Twitterview Dewis 1, 2 and 3 would like to say hello to the regulars! Also @egrommet @Marcuswarner @aledwg @aliguana @huwthomas

Just waiting for Jill then we'll get going with the World's first ever Twitterview...in Wales! about 1 hour ago from web

@politics_cymru Helo - barod i fynd. Hello - ready to go #pctv

@europlaid Siwmae Jill! How has the campaign been going so far? #pctv #plaidcymru about 1 hour ago from web

@politics_cymru #pctv Really good! Lots of support all over the country. Nice to be doing something a bit different today!about 1 hour ago from web

@europlaid Let's crack on then! Thanks to @Marcuswarner: being a minority party in Europe, do you think you lack influence? #pctv about 1 hour ago from web

@politics_cymru #pctv Ha ha! No, we punch above our weight. Euro' funding, EIB, local food, Workers' rights, Welsh lang status and on & onabout 1 hour ago from web

@europlaid So do you really stand a chance of getting a second MEP then? #pctv43 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru #pctv YES!about 1 hour ago from web

@europlaid Even if the turnout's low? #pctv 41 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru I hope turn-out isn't low although I fear it might be. The Labour vote is collapsing. People trust Plaid Cymru #pctv42 minutes ago from web

@europlaid Do people really trust any politicians right now? #pctv36 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru Some have behaved disgracefully. I have campaigned for reform and greater transparency. Hopefully this will now occur #pctv37 minutes ago from web

@europlaid In that case from @PhilBowen how can you regain the trust of the voting public? #pctv30 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru By radically reforming the system, being open and honest and putting people of Wales first #pctv34 minutes ago from web

@europlaid from @aledwg, in fallout of expenses scandal how worried are you about the threat from extremist parties? #pctv28 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru I have faith in the values and traditions of the people of Wales who will shun the lies and racism of the far right #pctv30 minutes ago from web

@EuroPlaid But are you doing anything to actively discourage people from turning to the extremists? #pctv 23 minutes ago from web in reply to EuroPlaid

@politics_cymru Yes, by winning the argument year in, year out & promoting our vision 4 Wales.This is who I am and why I'm in politics #pctv 26 minutes ago from web

RT @Plaid_Cymru Jill Twitterweliad / Twitterview : http://www.flickr.com/photo... #pctv 20 minutes ago from web

@europlaid from @annahwt Do you consider the EP to be giving sufficient weight to climate change issues? #pctv19 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru No. Labour and the Tories must stop blocking stronger laws. The EU should be leading the way. Much done but more needed#pctv22 minutes ago from web

@EuroPlaid So will that be a part of your focus over the next 5 years? #pctv14 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru It has been for the last 10 years and will be for the next 5. The climate & economic crises must be tackled together #pctv16 minutes ago from web

@EuroPlaid (that's if you're elected of course) #pctv12 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru Of course #pctv14 minutes ago from web

@europlaid from @aliguana Is Wales respected in Europe as a country, or a region of England? #pctv10 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru Increasingly so but we don't enjoy the benefits of Member-Statehood yet (no. of MEPs, Commissioner, vote @ Council etc #pctv9 minutes ago from web

@europlaid So thanks for your time Jill! Do you think this has been a success? Will we be seeing more ‘Twitterviews’ in the future? #pctv3 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru Thanks for the opportunity...an European first for Plaid again! How about a post-election twitterview? #pctv8 minutes ago from web

@europlaid We look forward to that then! #pctv2 minutes ago from web

@politics_cymru So that's a yes! Hwyl fawr :) #pctv6 minutes ago from web

Thanks to everyone who got involved! Diolch yn fawr iawn! We're doing it all again tomorrow with Lib Dem’s @alanbp so join us at 2pm! Hwyl!half a minute ago from web

Y Tri Dewi

How do you save a sinking ship? Socialism...

Fresh back from the Hay festival where I took the opportunity to listen to Roy Hattersley speak (Fry was sold out…). The former deputy leader of the Labour party was putting forward his case for a return to traditional socialism, government intervention in the economy, strong welfare state, social determinism etc…

A charismatic speaker Baron Hattersley fielded questions from the audience himself (slighting a Guardian journalist quite openly - who was supposed to act as chair). One Plaid Cymru member stood up and said "I agree with 99% of what you said, but I must say you sound out of date…” to which the former MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook said (paraphrased) “Christians haven’t stopped going on about the sermon on the mound because its 2,000 years old - if you think something’s right then say it". The member of Plaid, very publicly fooled, sat down having learned the lesson - don’t mess with the big guns or you will get burned.

It was refreshing to hear a politician talk of ideology again. Whether you agree with Keynes or not it was nice to hear a real opinion, not spun rhetoric from the centre ground - Roy was very firmly off the fence and proud of it (which is not true of many politicians nowadays). He is spending his summer advocating the move to Proportional Representation - which despite his claims otherwise is quite ironic. Now that the Labour party are looking like losing next time out some prominent figures in the party are seeking a change to PR, coincidence?

An interesting anecdote that came up during the 77 year olds speech underlines the current state of politics in my humble opinion. He told a story where Tony Blair once said to him “the people out there don’t want ideology… they want to be managed”.

So how do you save a sinking ship? By working together as a community as opposed to singularly as individuals according to Roy Hattersley. Expect to hear more from him in the coming months, he plans to spend his time explaining the evils or the free market (and why they’re to blame for the proverbial hitting the fan), the merits of PR, and why socialism isn’t dead all summer long…

Dewi Un

Politics Cymru in UK Political First...we think! Buddugoliaeth Gwleidyddol i Politics Cymru...ni'n meddwl!

On Tuesday the 26th May Politics Cymru will be participating in what is believed to be the UK's first political Twitterview (or Twinterview). This is an interview carried out in public on the microblogging site, Twitter.

All questions and answers will have to be less than 140 characters in length.

The only known example of such an event saw George Stephanopoulos of CNN 'twitterview' Senator John McCain two months ago.

Politics Cymru's Twitterview will be with Plaid Cymru MEP, Jill Evans. You can follow the historic event live by logging onto www.twitter.com and following Politics Cymru and EuroPlaid.

A second Twitterview has also been scheduled for 2pm on Wednesday with the Welsh Liberal Democrats' lead candidate in the forthcoming elections, Alan Butt Philip.

The Three Dewis

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Dydd Mawrth y 26ain o Fai bydd Politics Cymru yn cymryd rhan mewn Twitterweliad. Credir taw dyma'r cyfweliad cyntaf o'i fath ym Mhrydain. Cynhelir y cyfweliad yn gyhoeddus ar y wefan meicroflogio, Twitter.

Bydd yn rhaid i bob cwestiwn ac ateb fod yn llai na 140 llythyren o hyd.

Twitterweliad George Stephanopoulos gyda'r Seneddwr John McCain deufis yn ôl yw'r unig enghraifft gwybyddus o'r fath yma o gyfweliad.

ASE Plaid Cymru, Jill Evans fydd yn cael ei chyfweld gan Politics Cymru. Gallwch ddilyn y digwyddiad hanesyddol drwy ymweld â www.twitter.com a chlicio i ddilyn Politics Cymru a EuroPlaid.

Mae Twitterweliad arall hefyd wedi ei threfnu â phrif ymgeisydd y Demcratiaid Rhyddfrydol yng Nghmyru yn etholiadau Ewrop, Alan Butt Philip ar gyfer 2yh ddydd Mercher.

Y Tri Dewi

Podcast #22: Big News

It's been a big news week. The Speaker's out - could a Welsh MP be about to step into the role? A few more Welsh MPs have been getting into trouble over expenses and find out how little we know about the European Union!

It's fun times here at Politics Cymru. Comments, tweets and votes always welcome (and look out for the Twitterviews next week!)

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Y Tri Dewi

For Sale

A day late but worth a translation nevertheless: Ar Werth by Vaughan Roderick.

"The general belief is that Lembit will lose Montgomery and another Liberal Democrat could win."

It was telling today that Kirsty Williams didn't disagree with that statement in her weekly news conference.

Kirsty also announced that every one of the party's parliamentary candidates will have to sign a code of conduct promising to repay any profit made by selling second homes in Westminster. Current MPs will be expected to follow suit. No current member will be allowed to stand if he or she refuses to sign. That includes any member who was elected in 1997 before the huge rise in house prices.

Is Kirsty quietly hoping someone will refuse to sign?

What does Lembit have to say? It's time for us to visit his column in the Daily Sport.

"All the same, the general mood is to portray us all as naughty people on the make. It's a shame. You'd probably like most MPs if you met them. It's also a shame that the actions of the Telegraph have not been properly scrutinised. I suggest you stick to the Sport. You know what you're getting, and, unlike the Telegraph's info none of the boobs are remotely dodgy."

Translation by Dewi Dau

Brunstrom not going quietly

He just could not resist could he? Arguably the most controversial police chief constable in Britain has dipped his toe into the cesspool of MPs expenses. The North Wales chief is climbing on the bandwagon and suggesting that he may investigate MPs in his patch that have been fiddling the public purse. Now his idea makes sense treating the MPs just like everyone else, also his plan will undoubtedly win some public support, but does anyone smell a rat? Could it be that with a dream job in the Bahamas no longer in the offing Richard Brunstrom is starting to get ready for a push into the Senedd?

It may be the case that Richard Brunstrom is looking to investigate individuals who hold a position he himself covets? This is PURE SPECULATION of course but a recent article in the Daily Post got me thinking (I've looked but I can't find it online for some reason). With Brunstrom leaving in July (surely not enough time for a full investigation) he is taking the credit as the people’s champion without having to do the leg work - clever stuff.

It may be that, in keeping with my recent form with predictions, he just goes on the after dinner circuit and puts his feet up - but that’s not his style is it?

Dewi Un