Had I written this piece this time last week, the mood music of the election campaign that I am describing would have been different. Labour had had a couple of good opinion polls and reports coming back from the doorsteps were fairly positive. However, a week being a long time and all that, things post …

These may be heady times in Wales following a deserved Grand Slam on the rugby field, but an even bigger Grand Challenge awaits this country in the field of science and technology. Wales has solid, world-class research in its universities and has some notable, innovative anchor companies such as EADS, Tata Steel and BT with …

I’d like to start by wishing everyone a happy St David’s Day. As I tuck into my Welsh cake this morning I had an opportunity to reflect on the current political situation in Wales. The week started brilliantly for Wales, with Scott Williams’ try bringing a victory against England in Sunday’s Six Nations game. Unfortunately …

The discussion about how to strengthen the economic base in Wales has sometimes become a debate between the merits of homegrown SMEs and the virtues of larger companies. The truth of course is that both smaller and larger companies have a vital role to play in regenerating Wales’ economic landscape. Larger companies employ more workers, …

So David Cameron, in a recent PMQs, has resorted yet again to the old trick of trying to deflect an attack on one of his policies by criticising what he purports to be Labour’s record in office. In this instance, he rounded upon the Welsh government’s running of the NHS in Wales to pretend that …

Carwyn Jones has provided Christmas cheer in Wales this month, by tying up the Welsh government’s budget for next year and providing financial stability in Cardiff Bay. After last year’s National Assembly elections Labour were left with 30 seats out of the total of 60. So initially the budget vote was tied with Labour’s 30 …

Politics has been relegated to the second most widely discussed topic in Welsh tearooms and pubs this month. Understandably Wales’ fantastic run in the rugby world cup has been the major topic of discussion for most of us. However, there have been some important political developments too. The Wales Audit Office produced a rather gloomy …

South Wales mining tragedy I can only begin by sending deepest condolences to the families of four miners: Charles Breslin, Phillip Hill, Garry Jenkins and David Powell, who lost their lives at the Gleision Colliery. I come from a mining family and I know the tightknit nature of their communities. This is a tragedy, not …