I had hoped to bring you news of a potentially historic step forward for Welsh politics. But as usual, the politicians have contrived to delay proceedings. Plaid's assembly group was due to meet today to make a final decision on whether to recommend a Rainbow or a Red-Green coalition to its National Council on July 7. However, they've decided to postpone that meeting until tomorrow because Labour's Welsh Executive meets this evening. I understand that the momentum is still with the 'Brown... Read Full Story

The Western Mail is today reporting that the 'Brown' coalition is more or less a done deal. Just a few days ago, all their correspondents were still predicting a rainbow coalition. They've also called a Lab-Lib deal and a previous rainbow pact as a formality before now. If there's one thing this circus of tribalism and talks has taught us, it's that there's no telling what will happen next. Plaid have a group meeting tomorrow, and the only thing that's certain is that it will go on for... Read Full Story

The more prescient among you may have come across whispers in some far-flung corner of the internet hinting that this blog will soon be following Tony Blair into retirement. These whispers have some truth, because I started them. (As Peter Black writes today, why would cheeky Wales on Sunday Journalist Matt Withers find his own stories when he can just pinch them from someone else?) More on that later. In the meantime, I shall press on with my end of year political awards. Of course, it's... Read Full Story

Pol Pot singing Nessun Dorma? Now, that really would be a must-see. Firstly, he'd have to rise from the grave (an achievement matched only in showbiz by Bob Monkhouse's apparent ability to be funnier dead than alive), and secondly, whatever you think about his politics, the act would at least be different. Paul Potts, on the other hand, is just another media-manufactured 'ringtones to riches' personality. His voice is OK, but if you're ever queuing outside Madame Tussaud's in London and hear... Read Full Story

Not another sausage roll and wine in a box gathering to keep Rhodri Glyn Thomas nourished and lubricated, I hear you cry. Well, no. Instead, it's my somewhat novel and absolutely not likely to happen suggestion to clear the air if or when the assembly gets full law-making powers and twenty extra members. Over the last tortuous couple of months, one thing has become abundantly clear: some AMs are in the wrong political party. Of course, they'd never own up to it, and there's something very... Read Full Story

Today's twist: Labour MPs have told Rhodri to cut out his after dark soirees with Adam Price and IWJ and snuggle up to Mike German and the Lib Dems instead. The Western Mail's Tomos Livingstone is now predicting a Rainbow coalition will rise from the ashes of the Red-Green talks, while Peter Black says everyone should get a move on. Quite right. With more waffle than a Birdseye potato processing factory flying through the air in Cardiff Bay, little actual work has been going on. There are... Read Full Story

It is exactly two weeks since Rhodri Morgan wrote to Ieuan Wyn Jones and Mike German outlining the terms of a possible agreement to keep him in government. Since then, Plaid have been negotiating a beefed up deal with Labour, the underlying document of which is just about finished, I understand. Now, whaddyaknow - Business and Budget Minister Jane Hutt has announced an independent commission to review the Barnett Formula and consider tax-varying powers for the assembly. A fortnight ago... Read Full Story

No decision yesterday in Plaid's group meeting, so that means the future governance of Wales is likely to hinge on next Tuesday's weekly get-together. Some people have already been speculating about the way Plaid AMs will vote, with almost everyone agreeing that Ieuan Wyn Jones is in the Rainbow camp. Of course, he would just say he wants whatever's best for Wales, which is a bit like that ruthless lady from the Apprentice saying she wants what's best for Alan Sugar. His own personal... Read Full Story

I've been tagged by Iain Dale and Matt Wardman to say two things about Gordon Brown. Two words, of course, would be easy. Good off! Or bugger luck! Or something like that:) Anyway, heregoes... Two things Gordon Brown should be proud of: His (Ed) Balls His Cow's lick Two things he should apologise for: Supporting the England football team Cardiff North (or was that Cherie's fault?) Two things he should do immediately when he becomes PM: Promote Peter Hain Demote Peter Hain Two things he... Read Full Story

Dear all, Somewhat surprisingly, and certainly unbelievably [no kidding], I have been asked to captain the Assembly's Football Team in the annual Parliamentary Shield competition supported [somewhat ironically] by McDonald's. This year the [pissup] event takes place in London on the weekend of the 4th and 5th August, giving us the chance to play against elected representatives from Westminster, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Scottish Parliament for the Parliamentary Shield and a... Read Full Story