A political anorak's weekend in Cardiff

Cardiff for this weekend is centre of the political universe (sort of), we’ve got the Assembly Powers referendum result being digested by the Campaigners, politicians, media and voters and two political conferences, both the Conservatives and Lib Dems are holding gatherings in the City.

First of all well done to everyone who voted to strengthen Welsh democracy on Thursday, as a jaded cynical soul at the best of times the result yesterday warmed my heart – now all Wales needs is a result in May like the one in the Irish Elections wiping out the largest party after decades of rule to restore people’s faith in welsh politics – but we’ll take one step at time!

There’s plenty of analysis and coverage in the Western Mail of the referendum result if you’re looking for more , the less said about BBC Wales and its Political Editor’s ‘impartiality’ over the referendum the better all round.

On to the conferences, Nick Clegg looks ever more haunted these days, maybe he knows the Barnsley by election result could well be repeated with Welsh Lib Dems in May, but if he is serious about moving the debate in Welsh politics on to tax raising powers for the Welsh Assembly then I for one welcome it.

My only quibble is that someone in the Lib Dems should give the Deputy Prime Minister a copy of the Holtham Commission reports before he and David Cameron reinvent the wheel.

As for the Tories, Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan needs to go and lie down in a dark room and get some better advisors. I agree with her that Labour is entrenched in Wales and they have always taken Welsh voters for granted, but she’s a fine one to talk about the dangers of dogma and ideology ruling the day. It seems the Tories still don’t get it.

Anyway I’m off to get more political gossip and then off home to wash my anorak!

If we believe ....

Things are getting serious and with less than a day to go until the referendum poll opens, it’s time for this blog to say YES FOR WALES and encourage readers to do so on Thursday.

It’s our future, we need to grasp it and stop letting the nay sayers win by continually talking Wales down.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant - Happy St David's Day

I don’t normally promote WAG’s press releases, but this is a really good idea for St David’s Day if you’ve got a twitter account – so let’s be proud and tell the world about Wales with our messages to friends and family with the #stdavidsday hash tag and twibbon.

More details here

If you've not got a twitter account then sit back and enjoy another fine Welsh tradition the Male Voice Choir with your Welsh Cakes and a pint of SA Brains.