Jess Blair

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Jess Blair Joe Rossiter Maria Drave

Fascinating keynote from @mickantoniw.bsky.social at the @iwa-wales.bsky.social AGM today on the breakdown of trust in democracy and the need for radical constitutional reform.

Automatic registration looking unlikely for next Senedd election First minister says it will be a

Not a surprise to hear AVR likely not going to be in place for 2026 but it’s a problem of the Welsh Government’s making to some extent. And it’s the 400,000 missing off the register who will bear the consequences of this.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🥀 Support for Labour plummets in ITV Wales' poll - all the reaction from our panel @jessblair.bsky.social @adrianmasters84.bsky.social @jaclarner.bsky.social

🎥 We hear from @prifweinidog.gov.wales plus those looking to succeed her

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Elin Jones on why she's stepping down as Llywydd

📺 10:45pm

Written Statement: Innovating Democracy Advisory Group | GOV.WALES Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Pleased to have been appointed to the Welsh Government’s Innovating Democracy Advisory Group. There’s a huge amount of work to do to get democracy in Wales to work for everyone. Looking forward to getting started.

www.gov.wales/written-stat...

Why the next Senedd could be the least representative of women ever Jessica Blair, Director of ERS Cymru The Senedd hit the headlines back in 2003 when it became the first legislature in the world to reach 50:50 gender parity between men and women. It was a proud mome...

Wrote this for @nation.cymru on why the next Senedd could be the least representative ever. I really hope that’s not the case but it’s up to the political parties to stop it from happening.

nation.cymru/opinion/why-...

Really interesting discussion @plaidcymru.bsky.social conference between @jessblair.bsky.social and @rhunapiorwerth.bsky.social discussing the impact the new electoral system will have for Welsh democracy and how it should lead to improved representation and diversity

Will be sorry to see you go, Mick. It’s been great to work with you.

Misbehaving Welsh Senedd politicians could be voted out Members of the Senedd could face a referendum on their future if they are suspended.

Under these plans voters could remove a badly behaving MS (good) but not get to decide on their replacement (very bad). In order for this to work & rebuild trust we need proper accountability, not a half measure.

Misbehaving Welsh politicians may face recall vote www.bbc.com/news/article...

A topical and important event coming up next week. 👇

Such a shame. But well done to you all for all the work you’ve put in to create something in what has, at points, been a real vacuum of political analysis and debate. Definitely brought to light issues that may not have been covered previously in as much depth or with different perspectives.

Some end of 2024 listening now up at @hiraethpod.bsky.social!

Yes. More like a series of interviews edited into a story than a traditional podcast but I’ve really enjoyed. Perspectives I hadn’t considered before and some real honesty from the interviewees. Not sure they’d have been so open in any other context.

3 - Dysfunction (The Civil Service - part two) Y Pumed Llawr - The Fifth Floor · Episode

What am I doing on my first day off of the festive season, you ask? Listening to the latest @waterslee.bsky.social podcast in the gym. Think this one might be the best yet. Some genuinely jaw dropping anecdotes 👀

open.spotify.com/episode/3JL0...

Turns out the General Election in July was not only the most disproportional election in British history, but also one of the most disproportional seen anywhere in the world. That’s quite the achievement 🥇😬

I’m sure these were a thing until quite recently. Or am I just getting old?

Well this nearly gave me a heart attack when it went off. Stay safe everyone.

He says absolutely not 😂

Absolutely love Malaga(And here’s an interaction 😂)!

Update on this: my check in didn’t work but my check out did so now I have an active journey on my account which has been going for many hours now. #goingwell

Feminist Scorecard Report

Launch event for the Feminist Scorecard report

This year’s Feminist Scorecard has been released by WEN Wales & Oxfam. Spoiler alert; things aren’t good. 🔴 ratings for both fair finance & caring responsibilities. No significant progress made in any of the 6 areas.

YouTube video by Trafnidiaeth Cymru / Transport for Wales Pay As You Go extended to almost 100 stations

I’m just getting the feeling that my station isn’t allowed in the cool kids club www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6li...

Thought I’d give the new TfW Pay as You Go system a try after seeing it’s been rolled out. Tapped a suspicious looking machine on the platform but nothing showing on the app. Anyone know which stations are included? Ive belt & braced it and bought a ticket too 🙃 news.tfw.wales/news/pay-as-...

10000% this!! @storyvillebooks.bsky.social is an amazing independent shop in #Pontypridd and was at the heart of the wonderful @eisteddfod.cymru fringe this year.

They’ve been hit hard and because they’re a real shop, not a river-based wesbsite, they have stock that’s been damaged. Donate/Buy! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

I’m genuinely considering taking the idea of a human sized radiator bed on Dragon’s Den.

Thanks for flagging!

Prior to photographing my cat on a radiator I was in the Senedd arguing that voters should have a fuller say in who replaces a politician who’s been kicked out for bad behaviour.

Max the cat warming himself on a radiator and looking very happy about it.

Oh to be a cat on a radiator on this freezing cold day.

For anyone at Welsh Labour Conference today we’ve got a cracking fringe this lunchtime!

Llandudno bay from the path towards the Great Orme.

The next stop on the trip around Wales. 👋 Llandudno!