The Diamond in the Rough Award for All-Round Ministerial Competence
Winner: Jocelyn Davies (Plaid, South Wales East)
It's very rarely a government minister can stand up and say. "I delivered everything I promised." Housing isn't one of the top portfolios all in all, but when the job is done right, it makes a difference to everyday lives. Despite attempts by Westminster to stifle moves towards ending right-to-buy, the Housing LCO was passed. There is definite groundwork for significant improvements in housing in Wales for the future thanks to Jocelyn's efforts.
Runners up: Jane Davidson (Lab, Pontypridd)
Wales is a far more sustainable place now than it was 10 years ago. Recycling rates have improved dramatically, building codes have sustainability and the environment at their heart and the youth of Wales have a much greater understanding of their role in maintaining their environment. Considering the limited scope of Assembly powers regarding energy, I doubt Jane managed to do everything she would've wanted to. But it's not a bad record all in all.
Elin Jones (Plaid, Ceredigion)
Is it any surprise that the three listed here are all women? Rural affairs isn't the most glamorous job in government, but Elin has taken to it in her stride. I would've chosen her as winner if it wasn't for the badger cull and Glastir "issues". Elin is someone who clearly understands her brief in depth, listens to the agricultural community and is more than capable of delivering as well.
The Samuel L. Jackson Award for "gettin' shit done"
Winner : Jane Hutt (Lab, Vale of Glamorgan)
A surprise choice? Knowing that there were swingeing cuts coming down the line would've made the job of Finance Minister something of a poisoned chalice. Jane has managed to pass a budget that involved difficult decisions but was fair, balanced and spread the cuts over a wider area than that in England. No easy task and deserves more credit than was given.
Runners up: Leighton Andrews (Lab, Rhondda)
Despite the disappointing PISA results, Leighton has shown he isn't someone who rests on his laurels. Some big changes Welsh education are on the way. He's tackled several issues head on, including the thorny issue of Higher Education funding and has shown he isn't afraid to use muscle when it's needed, whether that's dealing with the teaching unions or with coalition partners.
Carl Sargeant (Lab, Alyn & Deeside)
Anglesey Council has had ongoing problems for decades. Carl has finally managed to get a grip on the situation that threatened to get out of control. It's a pretty big step that Cardiff Bay should (de-facto) take over the running of a council, considering the disproportionate power and influence local authorities wield in Wales. Carl has shown he isn't afraid to take big decisions when all other avenues have been exhausted.
The Award for Effective Backbenchery
Winner: Alun Davies (Lab, Mid & West Wales)
Loud, bordering on obnoxious (by AM standards), not afraid to push for answers. The beast of Blaenau Gwent?
Runners up:
Johnathan Morgan (Con, Cardiff North)
An AM with a deep-seated and genuine concern about Welsh health services, especially mental heath, resulting in an LCO.
Dai Lloyd (Plaid, South Wales West)
Made good use of the short debates, always sharp and asks the right questions.
The Comfy Chair Award for Assembly Inquisition
Winner: The Welsh Liberal Democrats
You can guarantee the best researched and most probing questions in the Siambr will come from the Welsh Lib Dems. They are annoying. They are like the smug know-it-all swot at the front of the class that demolishes your arguments without breaking a sweat. This is a good thing and what we should expect and want from the opposition.
Best Party Leader
Winner: Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnor)
She's grown in stature over this Assembly term. She isn't afraid to ask difficult questions and has made One Wales ministers sweat on more than one occasion. She has the mannerisms of a shrill sixth-former sometimes, and it grates, but there's no denying she's an effective leader of an effective party of opposition in the Assembly. She doesn't deserve to be punished in May for her UK colleagues actions.
Runner Up: Ieuan Wyn Jones (Plaid, Ynys Mon)
Perhaps he's not the best minister. Perhaps he's too laid back, too glib. What you cannot argue with is that he's a good "manager" and a good leader. He's led Plaid to power at national level for the first time and by and large they've delivered. He's also been an excellent transport minister, but his record as economy minister (despite the difficult nature of the brief) leaves a lot to be desired, even if it isn't as bad under detailed scrutiny as his detractors would say.
Best Parliamentarian
Winner: David Melding (Con, South Wales Central)
The Welsh Conservatives "thinker". David is someone I can respect. He has a pragmatic (perhaps even progressive) attitude towards devolution, a sharp mind, and is one of the first people you can point to as the example of an all round "good AM" when the quality of AMs is criticised.
Runners up: Gareth Jones (Plaid, Aberconwy)
He's understated, but Gareth Jones is one of the best committee chairs in the Assembly. There's no doubting his commitment to the Assembly as an institution and in making the most of scrutiny.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Plaid, Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Mr Assembly himself. A constant steady hand at the heart of Assembly procedure. Perhaps the role of Llywydd
Most Effective Campaigner
Winner: Ann Jones (Lab, Vale of Clwyd)
It's very rare that a campaign ends with a new law. Ann managed to do it by ensuring new homes in Wales will have fire sprinkler systems fitted, saving many lives in future. That's what I call an "effective campaigner".
Runners up:
Bethan Jenkins (Plaid, South Wales West) – Swansea Visteon pensions justice.
Jeff Cuthbert (Lab, Caerphilly) – Fought tenaciously on the subject of disabled access to railway stations.
Peter Black (Lib Dem, South Wales West) – A bit of a woolly subject, but at least he opposed the badger cull using evidence not emotion.
...................PART TWO TOMORROW.....................
Winner: Jocelyn Davies (Plaid, South Wales East)
It's very rarely a government minister can stand up and say. "I delivered everything I promised." Housing isn't one of the top portfolios all in all, but when the job is done right, it makes a difference to everyday lives. Despite attempts by Westminster to stifle moves towards ending right-to-buy, the Housing LCO was passed. There is definite groundwork for significant improvements in housing in Wales for the future thanks to Jocelyn's efforts.
Runners up: Jane Davidson (Lab, Pontypridd)
Wales is a far more sustainable place now than it was 10 years ago. Recycling rates have improved dramatically, building codes have sustainability and the environment at their heart and the youth of Wales have a much greater understanding of their role in maintaining their environment. Considering the limited scope of Assembly powers regarding energy, I doubt Jane managed to do everything she would've wanted to. But it's not a bad record all in all.
Elin Jones (Plaid, Ceredigion)
Is it any surprise that the three listed here are all women? Rural affairs isn't the most glamorous job in government, but Elin has taken to it in her stride. I would've chosen her as winner if it wasn't for the badger cull and Glastir "issues". Elin is someone who clearly understands her brief in depth, listens to the agricultural community and is more than capable of delivering as well.
The Samuel L. Jackson Award for "gettin' shit done"
Winner : Jane Hutt (Lab, Vale of Glamorgan)
A surprise choice? Knowing that there were swingeing cuts coming down the line would've made the job of Finance Minister something of a poisoned chalice. Jane has managed to pass a budget that involved difficult decisions but was fair, balanced and spread the cuts over a wider area than that in England. No easy task and deserves more credit than was given.
Runners up: Leighton Andrews (Lab, Rhondda)
Despite the disappointing PISA results, Leighton has shown he isn't someone who rests on his laurels. Some big changes Welsh education are on the way. He's tackled several issues head on, including the thorny issue of Higher Education funding and has shown he isn't afraid to use muscle when it's needed, whether that's dealing with the teaching unions or with coalition partners.
Carl Sargeant (Lab, Alyn & Deeside)
Anglesey Council has had ongoing problems for decades. Carl has finally managed to get a grip on the situation that threatened to get out of control. It's a pretty big step that Cardiff Bay should (de-facto) take over the running of a council, considering the disproportionate power and influence local authorities wield in Wales. Carl has shown he isn't afraid to take big decisions when all other avenues have been exhausted.
The Award for Effective Backbenchery
Winner: Alun Davies (Lab, Mid & West Wales)
Loud, bordering on obnoxious (by AM standards), not afraid to push for answers. The beast of Blaenau Gwent?
Runners up:
Johnathan Morgan (Con, Cardiff North)
An AM with a deep-seated and genuine concern about Welsh health services, especially mental heath, resulting in an LCO.
Dai Lloyd (Plaid, South Wales West)
Made good use of the short debates, always sharp and asks the right questions.
The Comfy Chair Award for Assembly Inquisition
Winner: The Welsh Liberal Democrats
You can guarantee the best researched and most probing questions in the Siambr will come from the Welsh Lib Dems. They are annoying. They are like the smug know-it-all swot at the front of the class that demolishes your arguments without breaking a sweat. This is a good thing and what we should expect and want from the opposition.
Best Party Leader
Winner: Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnor)
She's grown in stature over this Assembly term. She isn't afraid to ask difficult questions and has made One Wales ministers sweat on more than one occasion. She has the mannerisms of a shrill sixth-former sometimes, and it grates, but there's no denying she's an effective leader of an effective party of opposition in the Assembly. She doesn't deserve to be punished in May for her UK colleagues actions.
Runner Up: Ieuan Wyn Jones (Plaid, Ynys Mon)
Perhaps he's not the best minister. Perhaps he's too laid back, too glib. What you cannot argue with is that he's a good "manager" and a good leader. He's led Plaid to power at national level for the first time and by and large they've delivered. He's also been an excellent transport minister, but his record as economy minister (despite the difficult nature of the brief) leaves a lot to be desired, even if it isn't as bad under detailed scrutiny as his detractors would say.
Best Parliamentarian
Winner: David Melding (Con, South Wales Central)
The Welsh Conservatives "thinker". David is someone I can respect. He has a pragmatic (perhaps even progressive) attitude towards devolution, a sharp mind, and is one of the first people you can point to as the example of an all round "good AM" when the quality of AMs is criticised.
Runners up: Gareth Jones (Plaid, Aberconwy)
He's understated, but Gareth Jones is one of the best committee chairs in the Assembly. There's no doubting his commitment to the Assembly as an institution and in making the most of scrutiny.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Plaid, Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Mr Assembly himself. A constant steady hand at the heart of Assembly procedure. Perhaps the role of Llywydd
Most Effective Campaigner
Winner: Ann Jones (Lab, Vale of Clwyd)
It's very rare that a campaign ends with a new law. Ann managed to do it by ensuring new homes in Wales will have fire sprinkler systems fitted, saving many lives in future. That's what I call an "effective campaigner".
Runners up:
Bethan Jenkins (Plaid, South Wales West) – Swansea Visteon pensions justice.
Jeff Cuthbert (Lab, Caerphilly) – Fought tenaciously on the subject of disabled access to railway stations.
Peter Black (Lib Dem, South Wales West) – A bit of a woolly subject, but at least he opposed the badger cull using evidence not emotion.
...................PART TWO TOMORROW.....................
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