Welsh Assembly End of Term Awards : Part Two

The "Will Be Missed" Award

Joint Winners: Nerys Evans (Plaid, Mid & West Wales) and David Melding (Con, South Wales Central)

It's going to be a right old ding dong in Carmarthen West & South Pembs. come May, Nerys Evans, one of Plaid's "rising stars" is the most likely (in my opinion) to get knocked out of the three-way race. It won't be the end of her involvement in politics, being so young, but it will be a blow for Plaid should it happen.

David Melding isn't the top of the Conservative list seat for South Wales Central. If the Tories do particularly badly there and other parties, especially Labour, get a bigger share of the regional vote than they otherwise would, David will likely be squeezed out. The Assembly could lose one of, if not the best AMs.

Runners up:

Jane Davidson (Lab, Pontypridd)

One of the real performers of Welsh Labour down the years. I do believe that losing Jane will be a longer-term blow to Welsh Labour than they might expect. They're losing a very effective, likable and competent person who could very easily have been a Welsh Labour leader in the future.


Rhodri Morgan (Lab, Cardiff West)

Alun Michael was the first First Minister, Rhodri will be remembered as the first. His impact on Welsh politics shouldn't be underestimated, but it's unquestionable that he regained the Assembly some dignity that was denied it by the initial devolution settlement. I hope he enjoys his retirement.

Special Mention:

Brynle Williams (Con, North Wales)

Long-serving regional member for North Wales, Brynle Williams, sadly died this week at the (young) age of 62. There was no doubting his commitment to North Wales in the Assembly and his passion for farming, even if he was more famous to the public (at large) as a face of the 2000 fuel protests. Other people will be able to deliver better tributes than I could for Brynle, this Wales Home article by Daran Hill for instance. The universally positive words from his Assembly colleagues speaks for itself.


Welcome Aboard Award for ones to watch in 2011-2016

Winner: Vaughan Gething (Lab)

Should he win in Cardiff South and Penarth, Vaughan will become the first black AM. He's something of a rising star in Welsh Labour, having worked in trade union law and in other public and voluntary bodies, even at a fairly young age. This isn't a remarkable background for a Labour AM, but for me he'll be one to watch out for.

Runners Up: Mark Drakeford (Lab)

Almost certain to succeed Rhodri Morgan in Cardiff West. Obviously I would lean towards Neil McEvoy in this contest but there's no harm in having a strongly progressive voice, especially someone with the academic experience, in the Assembly.

Ron Davies (Plaid)

He faces a fight in Caerphilly and it's going to be close. However, should he win, I don't think I'll be the only one pleased to see Ron back in mainstream politics. The result in Caerphilly will give a good indication of how Plaid will do overall in the election. A bad night for Ron could mean a bad night for Plaid.

Wish You Were Here Award

Winner: Prof. Dylan Jones-Evans (Con)

The authority on the economy in Wales. He has the respect of people from across the political spectrum, including myself, and although I don't agree with many of the things he says, his steadfast commitment to improving the Welsh economy is contagious. We need (and deserve) people of the calibre of Prof. Jones-Evans in the Assembly.

Runner Up: Adam Price (Plaid)

It's not surprising that he isn't standing in May, being rather busy in the US and all. He's our Alex Salmond, but better. Like Prof. Jones-Evans I don't agree with everything he says, but he has the charisma and vision to take Wales forward. I'm convinced he'll stand for the Assembly in future and convinced that one day he can lead it too. Towards independence? Who knows. He's one of a few people, in my opinion, who would be able to make Plaid palatable to the Labour core vote in south Wales.


The Joe Calzaghe Award for maintaining tactful relations with Westminster

Winner: Carwyn Jones (Lab, Bridgend)

The newly elected UK Prime Minister decides to pop down to Cardiff Bay for a visit, something about a respect agenda. Supposedly the meeting between First and Prime Minister's was "frosty" to say the least. Carwyn is a rather large chap, and I'm sure he would've have a (c/o Paul Flynn) "bone crusher" special handshake for Dave.

Runners up: Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Plaid, Dwyfor Meirionydd)

Win the referendum then the next day decide that the Welsh Secretary post needs to go. The vitriolic response by Peter Hain made it all worth it. Successful troll is successful.

Andrew Davies (Lab, Swansea West)

Dr Bunsen vs Beaker. His questioning of Danny Alexander was "robust" shall we say.


The John Redwood Award for services to Welsh Nationalism

Winner: The Online Ultra-Unionist Community

Read "Betsan's Blog" or the Western Mail forums/article comments and you will read things about Wales and the Welsh that would've made Edward I blush. Reasoned criticism of the Assembly and WAG gets tangled up with other paranoid rants and conspiracy theories, usually (but not exclusively) involving the Welsh language.

It's come to the point where I believe bringing up Welsh in unrelated topics is a new "Godwin's Law" and a sign that someone has lost the debate.

Runners Up: Cheryl Gillan (Con, Chesham and Amersham)

She's a nice person, but Wales needs a better cabinet minister or we may as well not have one at all. I'm sure Wales would welcome a high speed rail link to London but Cheryl doesn't appear to like those new fangled things for her own constituency. How can an MP for one of the most wealthy and least deprived parts of the UK accurately represent people from some of the poorest at the UK top table?

Paul Matthews (True Wales)

Reverse psychology is great.

Mr/Mrs/Ms Cellophane 2007-2011

To be fair, there could've been quite a few names up for this one...............

Winner: Irene James (Lab, Islwyn)

I'm sorry.....you are?

"A member of the Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee; the Public Accounts Committee and the Sustainability Committee".

Oh. Alright then.

Runners up: Mohammad Ashgar (Con, South Wales East)

Shadow Heritage & Culture Minister:

"We want to bring the (Champions League) final here. You heard my word - 'final'. Which is one match, one or two matches. They can play a couple of matches around Wales - there are good grounds around . They could go to neighbouring cities also, no harm in that, but the final should be in Cardiff."

Yellow card..........yellow card..........red card.

John Griffiths (Lab, Newport East) and Lesley Griffiths (Lab, Wrexham)

As a scientist, I was really looking forward to a "National Science Academy" as stipulated in the One Wales agreement. What we got was a half-arsed promotion of STEM subjects in schools. Where's the "Academy" John? Lesley?