Oh boy
"David Cameron understands Wales" said Cheryl Gillan this week.
"He must explain it to me one day" whispered the man behind me. Count me in on that interview Mr Cameron.
"I think David Cameron likes Wales" she added thoughtfully.
Now we're told there'll be at least half a dozen Welsh candidates and activists sitting on-stage during the leader's speech. Given the hall has been packed for the past hour at least, they must be glad they're so well-liked. I think we can guarantee now they'll hear one line in the speech referring to Wales, the inevitable line about how he believes in the Union and that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland gain strength from moving forward together.
With Mr and Mrs Cameron already making their way to the hall, with the last lap of this round of party conferences in sight, an Email arrives from the Liberal Democrats. It's a reminder that I haven't yet got my accreditation form in for their Welsh conference on October 11th.
Oh boy.
I'm Betsan Powys, BBC Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~36~RS~)
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Are the Lib Dems selling tickets for Mike's farewell tour?
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'I think we can guarantee now they'll hear one line in the speech referring to Wales, the inevitable line about how he believes in the Union and that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland gain strength from moving forward together.'
What he actually said was something like...
'I want to be Prime Minister of the UK, not the Prime Minister of England' (These words were not in his prepared script, it seems). He certainly would never be PM of Scotland, or Wales. His words really show where he's coming from... England first.
To his credit, he spoke well, striking the right note, at the right time... to attract disillusioned Labour voters. To me, he looks and sounds like an upper class Porsche salesman. His appointment of Cheryl Gillan (MP for Chesham and Amersham) as Shadow Welsh Secretary says it all, as far as Wales is concerned, really.
If he gets to be PM, it will be because of the seats his party win in England, not because of support in Scotland and Wales.
It will mean more of the same for the people of Wales. We will have swapped one tory party for another, both having the interests of middle-England at heart. Put simply, we will have an English government, more Hagues and Redwoods or Gillans, more stagnation, unemployment and poverty.
I believe a Cameron victory will push the Scots into independence. Difficult to predict its effect on Wales in the medium term as the referendum on a legislative Parliament won't be taking place before 2011.
Will Labour oppose a referendum (1) because they are against further devolution because it will mean far less likelihood of a UK Labour government in the future with the consequent loss of Welsh seats, or (2) because if they support it and it is successful, it may lead to a Welsh Parliament dominated by the other parties, or (3) both the above?
The only reason that I can see for Labour supporting a yes vote is if the party has a strong Welsh base so as to dominate the Welsh Parliament during a period of Tory government at Westminster. Sadly for Labour, their support here seems to be going down the tube, fast.
Wales could well lose out once again, because Labour acts only in self-interest. Their MPs may well assist in denying us our Parliament, and condemn the Welsh people to a decade or more of harsh and unsympathetic tory rule.
But, in the long term.... Wales will get its Parliament, if not a sovereign Welsh government.
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david camerpn's speech today was up and down...some points i like...some points sounded verry thaterist!
yes we need self dicipline in schools, we need better justice system!
we need a government that is in our side...
in the end davy davies is just another margaret thatcher
the tories are just another unionist political party who look to Wales Scotland and England threw England first!
tories is for the tories....
we are going to see another tory like in the old days who in the end let the people of Wales and Scotland down....and then the rest of the UK with it....
I've seen many sources where many Scots will vote "yes" to independence....especially with the news report today which sounded like David Cameron sounding thaterist..
MAKES me wonder what will he do to stop Scotland getting independence which many people want up there...this is a bbc video on cameron's warning to Salmond:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7642768.stm
yes we would get a parliament...the labour would want more power here in Wales and so would the lib dem...so i guess they would back the idea....hoping they will get power to please themselves and there leaders in London....
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In the video Mr Cameron has forgotten that Wales is also a part of the UK when he says that he is passionately in favour of keeping Scotland and England in the UK. Also the bit about the high speed rail? He seems to imply that England is the UK!
""David Cameron understands Wales" said Cheryl Gillan this week."
What?! Who is this woman? Someone get her to hospital. Who is she to give an opinion (naturally everyone is entitled to have an opinion, just as we a right not to respect their ridiculous opinion, just adding this so that some people can't claim that I would repress justicse and free speech)?
Isn't she MP for somewhere in middle England (literally speaking)?
""I think David Cameron likes Wales" she added thoughtfully."
I repeat, WHAT?! I can understand that he likes Wales, I mean in a short break kind of way. Or possibly a place to own a retirement home, or a holiday home even.
""He must explain it to me one day" whispered the man behind me. Count me in on that interview Mr Cameron."
And me.
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"David Cameron understands Wales" said Cheryl Gillan this week..."
Lord Coe (Tory) explained it fully to him?
"Wales can......off!"
as they say at Eton. Often.
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It is interesting that Mrs Powys uses the words 'Oh Boy' to sign off. This song, written by Sonny West and Bill Tilghman was recorded by Buddy Holly and The Crickets on 30th June 1957 (or maybe the day after). It went to No 3 in the UK Charts, and had 'Not Fade away' on the B side. An appropriate metaphor for the Welsh Assembly?
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david cameron understands wales....
he understands wales is a part of his little kingdom when he becomes a prime minister...thats if he becomes 1!!
who reckons nickbourne deserves a sack for what he said about rhodders?
not a supporter of labour but poor rhody, bullied by some greedy tories! they keep blaming each other, probly wasn't from bourne himself....why cant they be honest....
who was it? david davies LOL
!!
probably cherry pie....
well just shows they're not a really honest party doesnt it!!
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Yea that dossier is quite insulting and isn't exactly relevant politically. Unless the Tories think that hair style or dress sense affects policy?
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Time for a (slightly early) retirement Rhodri. Or are your Plaid Cymru masters insisting you stay for a while longer.
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I am not a huge fan of Rhodri, but just curious Noah, why should he go early?
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Strange Lyn, why are YOU not a huge fan of
Rhodri?
Maybe at last, we have something in common.
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nothing to do with this site...but thought people would like to see this
PRESCOT PUTING HE'S TWO FINGERS UP TO SNP SUPPORTERS!
lol
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7653579.stm
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Imho this Welsh political blog is very poor. It needs to be much more stimulating... and there's been nothing since 1 Oct. Compares very poorly with the Robinson's and Taylor's.
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