October 25th - General Election.

I am working on the assumption that Gordon Brown will call a General Election on October 25th. OK, so I don't think he'll have the b**** to go for it - but I'm ready. I've been out and about in Meifod tonight and will be in Llanfair Caereinion tomorrow night. All in preparation for Llanfair Caereinion Show on Saturday. Over the last week, we've done Berriew Show and Llanfechain Show as well. We are going to keep up the pace until 1st October. Only then will I accept that its not going to happen and ease off a bit.

I really think that I'm in with a chance of winning. So many people are disillusioned with the current MP, Lembit Opik that, at times, I almost feel like defending him - almost I said! More and more people are treating me as if I was the MP - coming into the office with all sorts of issues. I'm having a job to cope. Today it was Healthcare Acquired Infections, renal dialysis, cataract treatments, inappropriate planning permissions, and a whole lot else. I have a few 'downs' but things seem to be going incredibly well.

And I've just been watching David Cameron on Newsnight. The BBC have put their best team up to test him - the kitchen sink even. I do find Michael Crick a bit of a pain though. David looks like a Prime Minister. I feel that Brown will not go for October, which is his best chance for victory by a mile, and that Cameron is going to take over as favourite to win by the spring. I'm doing the sort of work I love doing, and I genuinly believe that there is a good chance that I will be able to carry on doing it asa an MP. Over the last few days, I've taken some time out to think about life - my life. And what I want. And what I want is to have the people of Montgomeryshire elect me to represent them. I've tried three times and failed. I fear I would cry in public if I were to succeed. I will have to buy a box of tissues just in case.

Power of Chinooks

A friend of mine is in love with Chinooks. Whenever I see him he talks about them. Where other men have photographs of wives, children and/or lovers in their pockets, John has photographs of Chinooks. He has even persuaded the RAF to land the odd Chinook on his hill - and today was such the occasion for such a visit.

I went along. I've been before. It helps me 'get inside' articles about the theatre of war - Iraq, Afghanistan etc.. The sheer power of a Chinook helicopter is almost unimaginable. The visit happens like this.

First there is a drumming sound, which gets gradually louder. Then the ground starts to shake. And then this great ugly grey beast comes into sight, hugging the ground, hedgehopping, looking for all the world to be moving along on giant rails. The Chinook lands 40 yards in front of us - and the pilot gets out and gives us awestruck onlookers a casual wave. This elephantine beast then rises a few feet into the air and eases off some 100 yards to the West. And then the driver (or whatever) puts his foot on the gas and comes back about 50 feet directly above our heads. The sound is deafening. The sheer power is frightening. I can imagine a Vietcong soldier in the jungle dying of fright. I feel like throwing myself to the ground. Its just a little demonstration but it helps me understand how absolutely bloody hellish war must be. A Chinook is truly awesome - and its an educational aid as well.

Political ups and downs.

Not much blogging of late - so blogfest coming up over next hour. Been too busy campaigning. After all, there might be an election on October 25th. I don't think so, but..... Anyway, had an up and down morning in Welshpool today.

Firstly, as leaving my office, met a lovely lady named Jessie. An old friend, who told me that she'd voted Conservative in the Assembly election in May. Personal vote. I was floored. I had rather assumed that there was as much chance of Jessie voting Conservative as Dracula going vegetarian. She couldn't understand how I had lost my position as an AM of course. Bloody PR. And she's Scottish. No-one Scottish votes Conservative. She laughed when I said that I appreciated the sacrifice that she had made for me. Perhaps I really do have a chance of deposing the Celebtarian.

So, feeling good. I knew it wouldn't last. Called for a coffee at the Blue Cafe (at least that was its name 40 years ago) and caught the eye of a man who looked as if he wanted to engage in conversation. And what he wanted to say was that I was happy to speak to him since I became a politician - but before, I had been too arrogant to speak to him. And that he had every intention of of carrying on voting Liberal Democrat. I was quite upset about it. Call me a murderer, or any other sort of criminal - but don't accuse me of being arrogant.

I only have this trouble in the Llanfair Caereinion area. Problem is that I went to school there - and because I've been in the public eye ever since (YFC, rugby football, Council, Quangos, Assembly) all of my school contemporaries know what I look like. And I still have my hair. I simply don't recognise some of them - because I have not seen them change over the years. So, if you see me walking down the streets of Llanfair Caereinion, smiling inanely and waving at everyone in sight, you will understand that I am afraid some of my old school friends may be walking the streets, disguised in their much changed condition.

The way he tells 'em

I've decided to give fellow-blogger, Peter Black a bit of coverage - in particular a lengthy piece that he has written for Lib Dem Voice, which was published yesterday. I thought I should base it on three quotes (with my explanatory additions in brackets).

How about this one to start things off. "the outcome of these discussions (coalition talks) was that we (the Lib Dems) voted to go into a Rainbow Coalition with Plaid Cymru and the Tories, only to see the nationalists walk away and sign up to a deal with Labour".

Don't you just love the way he tell 'em!

And then we have "It (the One Wales Document) relies shamelessly on gimmicks such as grants for first time homeowners and free laptops for kids".

He must have clean forgot the one about free toothbrushes! Please no comments about light bulbs.

And now for the pure invention. "It is also the case that Tory proposals for tax cuts at a UK level could well lead to less money being available for services in Wales".

Tell that to the Cornerstone Group! There's plenty more as well.

The gods - they walk amongst us.

Mrs D has always had a thing about Welsh rugby playing farmers. Not only was I 'selected' from a range of suitors some 40 years ago - but her current pin ups fall into the same category (now that Henman has joined Pat Cash in retirement). The two who have been catching her eye of late are Mark Jones and Mike Phillips. I should add that her eyesight and judgement may well have improved over the years.

And I had a chat with Mike this week in Cardiff. I was relaxing in the Bay when I passed him having a coffee outside Mimosa - so I wished him luck for today's game, next month's World Cup and the battle for supremacy with Justin Marshall over the season. But if I'm honest, I cannot see what made him leave the Blues to go to the Ospreys. Well perhaps I can guess - but its not the sort of thing to say to a God when he's in relax mode.



That's the great thing about Cardiff. It may be our capit(A)l city, but its still small enough to seem almost 'small town'. Tim and Adrienne are forever texting to say they have 'spotted' someone famous strolling around the Bay. I will not be at all surprised to see Mrs D having a coffee at Mimosa next time we're down in Cardiff..

The Welsh Premier.

Peter Nicholas' Llanelli already look like the team to beat this season after this weekend's 2-1 win at Rhyl. The New Saints are still just about favorites for the title, but after the champion's shock defeat last week, it all looks a lot closer. And perhaps TNS conquerors, Connah's Quay could prove to be a surprise package this year - another good win yesterday over new boys Neath. Bangor City can never be ruled out either and will have been encouraged by a win at Haverfordwest.

At the other end, Caersws confirmed concerns about their survival post Mickey Evans by losing at home to Airbus, and remaining pointless - as do struggling promoted Llangefni who lost again. The men from Ynys Mon are finding the big league a bit tough as they went down to Carmarthen at home. Yesterday's biggest disappointment for me was Newtown's 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Port Talbot. I hope that Newtown are not going to be in a relegation dogfight again this season.

"Cameron scoring and delivering victory for the Blues" was my favourite headline today, and every other Tory candidate's dream come true - but dream it was. Unfortunately, it was ex-Cardiff man, Cameron Jerome scoring twice for Birmingham City to deliver victory over Derby County yesterday! The dream, and headline, was no more than a little premature. We will have to wait a couple of months.

As far as the Football League is concerned, it was good to see Steve Morgan's Wolves win again - should put the BBC's Ashok Ahir in a good mood. And I reckon every neutral in the land will be hoping that Spurs beat Man Utd this afternoon. Not only will it stop the obscene undermining of Martin Jol - but it would inevitably instigate calls for Alex Ferguson to be pensioned off. I can just see tomorrow's Sun back page now. "Fergie too old - Mark Hughes in secret behind-the-scenes talks with Board." Or even worse - "Board has full confidence in 'grey' Fergie". Farmers will understand that line.

The Importance of Horse Whispering

Here I go again. Risking it on my blog by saying what I think - what I genuinely think that is. I know its a risk because we have reached the stage where my innocuous and harmless little posts are being scrutinised for potentially embarrassing material. Its a good job I have Richard Hazlewood, Wales answer to Andy Coulson on hand to warn me about any little incendiaries that might be lurking amongst my random thoughts. I also accept that posting genuinely means the occasional need to backtrack - in the face of evidence. But this time, I have England's finest journalist (excepting Charles Moore and William Rees-Mogg) Boris Johnson making the case for me - in today's Telegraph.

Most of my political colleagues would have known that I wasn't the greatest enthusiast (I put in no higher because of the aversion to risk that is affecting me today) for my Party's opposition to top-up fees in Wales. All I will say is that I never advocated this policy in public myself. Sometimes I admitted that my personal view was different from the party's, if I was asked a direct question. But this isn't the point that I want to make today. The relevant aspect behind this post is that the 'No top-up fees' policy was, and is, financially credible only if the Government's targets for the inexorable rise in the percentage of young people taking degrees is reversed.

This was always rather an easy and populist argument to make. Only requirement was to rubbish 'media studies' for a guaranteed round of applause. This last week, there has been much entertainment about a degree course in 'whispering to horses'. Now you can't get much dafter than that. Except that you can. I don't know what the course in 'Equine Management' entails - but I do know that caring for horses is going to be every bit as important as caring for dogs, or cows, or cats - and no-one would employ a vet who did not have a degree. And media studies looks a very useful degree, bearing in mind the massive growth in communication that is happening across the world. This degree will be in more demand that a lot of much more respected degrees that lead only into academia. Nothing wrong with that of course. Everything as the market dictates.

What we have with top-up fees is 'the market' being used to direct students into financially rewarding careers. If they are paying for their university teaching, they are going to think about what they are going to do in the world of work later on. They will want something real for their money. And as Boris writes, every time someone makes a crack about a Mickey Mouse degree, they should be reminded that Disney has revenues on 33 billion dollars a year. So lets hear it for the horse whisperers.

Carry on Oldies

I hope my 4 kids have not read today's newspapers. And the same goes for every other young person with a parent approaching or at pension age. They would be utterly disgusted. The papers are full of 'stuff' about pensioners having sex. When I was young, I assumed sex was something that one retired from around fifty-ish. Older than that and it didn't seem at all 'nice'. Well, things have changed - and not just for the 90 year old Indian farmer I posted about yesterday.

Its on the front page of the Telegraph - and the whole of page 7 in the Mail. I dread to think what the Daily Sport did with this story. These are the facts, according to Dr Richard Susman of the National Institute of Ageing in Chicargo. 73% of the 57 to 64 year olds were still at it - as were 53% of the 65 to 74 year olds. And wait for it - 26% of the 75 to 85s were in there too. And it gets worse. In the US, warnings are going out to these silver threads about sexually transmitted diseases. Until today, all this post retirement activity had been a closely guarded secret. Now everyone knows. Edward and Karen are coming home tomorrow. I won't be able to look them in the eye. Oh, and johnny foreigner, this post should have a flag on it.

Indian Summer

Nanu Ram Jogi is clearly what we country types think of as a bit of a lad. I suspect he would be called 'Ram' for short if he lived in the rural Wales. Today's Telegraph records the achievements of this testosterone charged Indian farmer. He has just sired his 21st child at the age of 90. And he has attributed his remarkable powers of virility to a dose of camel's milk every day - and 'plenty of meat'. He also makes much of his 'lustrous' moustache.

And Nanu Ram Jogi has no intention of stopping here. He intends to carry on siring children until he reaches his 100th birthday. I did twice grow a beard when I was a young man, and did not notice any significant difference in virility. Perhaps I should try growing a 'lustrous' moustache and start drinking camel's milk.

Kyffin's Kindness.

I've learned from today's BBC Internet news service that Sir Kyffin Williams has left £50,000 to the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales. I have recently taken over as President of the CPRW, and greatly appreciate Sir Kyffin's generosity. It is very good news for us. When a man with Sir Kyffin's love of rural Wales entrusts a significant part of his legacy to us, it puts a great responsibility on us to ensure that the money is used to good effect.

Mrs D was a fan of Sir Kyffin's work - and felt some affinity with him as a result of an unusual meeting. It was one of my best surprises. I told her one morning that we were going for a drive, to meet someone she admired. We drove to the small property under the Brittania Bridge that he rented, and walked up to his front door (protected by sandbags) and knocked. Mrs D was floored when Sir Kyffin opened the door. ( I had telephoned him to fix it). She recognised him immediately - even though he had only recently emerged from one of his bouts of depression.

It was a wonderful visit. We sat down and enjoyed tea and conversation. He was at his best, laying into contemporary painters as 'con artists' who couldn't even draw. He really enjoyed being a reactionary. He then led us up to his studio in his garden, where he showed us his recent paintings, in the raw - before framing etc.. We were stunned by the casual way he was tossing works of art, that we would love to own, around his cold and draughty studio, as if they were cheap and cheerful Ikea prints. Mrs D puts up with a lot - but I stored up a few 'brownie points' that day.

Into the Fire

I could be heading into a hornet's nest next week. On Tuesday, I have arranged to meet Mr Tom Taylor, normally the most mild mannered of men. But I think I can see smoke rising over Shrewsbury - and it could well be pouring from Tom Taylor's nostrils as it might from those of an outraged dragon.

Tom is the Chief Executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust - which includes responsibility for the Princess Royal. Its only today that I have caught up with the news that the Princess Royal at Telford is one of the 29 hospitals that David Cameron has announced are on a closure list. It seems that Tom is unhappy about this and has asked for a correction. An apology was duly issued. But it now seems that the retraction (and apology) has itself been retracted. I am looking forward to discussing the background to all this with him next week.

I look on Tom Taylor as a personal friend - and greatly admire the way he has turned the Trust around, from a basket case into a secure financial position. But I suspect I could bear the brunt of his displeasure on Tuesday.

William John Biffen, 1930-2007

Today, I ventured a few yards over Offa's Dyke from my beloved Montgomeryshire into the village of Llanyblodwel. Lord Biffen of Tanat died last week, and today many of us who knew him joined his family for his funeral at Llanyblodwel Church. Owen Paterson MP, read a personal tribute. It was a very respectful service for a man who was widely respected by everyone who knew him.

John was complex politician. He was strongly Euro-sceptic, a strict monetarist and a huge supporter of Enoch Powell. But I would never have thought of him as 'right-wing'. In many ways, he was not as other politicians. He was invariably ultra-courteous to everyone. He was the antithesis of 'spin'. He would be horrified at the thought of 'working a room'. I remember him coming to help me canvass in Llanfyllin in 1997. He had no interest in 'pressing the flesh'. After he had spent the first 40 minutes explaining some financial point in great detail to the first person I introduced him to, I lost him. Eventually, I found him in a queue in the local supermarket buying some milk. I decided that the only answer was to retire to the local cafe for a coffee. I can still see him now, chatting to everyone who I could persuade to sit down at our table. No side at all. I thought that he was a really top man.

First time I met him, he was Leader of the House, and I was leading a deputation from Councils and the British Waterways Board seeking a debate relating to the Montgomery Canal. When I'd finished my spiel, I asked him if he could do anything to help force through a debate. He just looked me in the eye and said "Glyn, I am not without influence in this area". It was typical understatement. After that, I met him on occasions through a mutual friend, Peter Starbuck and we sometimes travelled to international rugby matches in Cardiff together.

John was a social liberal. He was not narrow minded or particularly partisan in his views. He was most anxious that today's service should end with the singing of The Internationale. I do not know whether it is possible for a deceased person to laugh - but I like to think that it was one last personal joke on his part - and that he chuckled silently to himself as he listened to the congregation doing their best to sing the impossible. It was a lovely service, which ended up with one of the funniest renditions of music that I have ever heard. He was a good man, and wonderful company.

Not fit to lead

So Kevin Rudd is a man of straw. The squeaky clean, church going, self proclaimed family man who plans to replace John Howard as Prime Minister of Australia has been caught out touring the strip clubs of New York. From reading reports of Rudd's nocturnal activities, it became obvious that he is unfit for high office. He is reported as saying that he did not have "a completely clear recollection of whether there were semi-naked women in the club or what they were doing". Well, in my opinion, any man with that sort of defective eyesight is simply too different from the stereotype Australian male, who defies 20 foot crocodiles and eats snakes for breakfast, to lead such a great nation.

Mind you, his self confessed 'failings' will probably help him become elected. We've all read of the response of his political opponents when an aged LordPalmeston was discovered to be enjoying the ministrations of a 'second' mistress. There was a determination not to allow the rumour to spread, because it would have ensured that the old dog would have 'swept the country'.

This reminds me of an occasion when I was in the company of a Liberal Democrat MP/friend some years ago. I'd met him in the Charing Cross area, walking out of the station in a state of absolute despair. "What is the trouble dear friend" said I. "Disaster" was the sad reply. "We are going to be annihilated in the polls and the forthcoming election". After much shaking of the head he added "Paddy has been caught - having an affair, and tomorrow's newspapers are going to expose it (so to speak, much as Paddy had clearly done)" I smiled, and patted my friend on the arm in a reassuring way, and said, "Well, he's so bloody insufferably pompous and self satisfied, that his poll ratings will probably rise when the nation discovers that he's been having a bit on the side - not that I approve of course." And so it came to pass. The following morning's headline in The Sun was "Its Paddy Pantsdown". The nation howled with laughter, and the Lib Dems poll ratings went up 2%. But then Paddy was renowned for his excellent eyesight. No way he wouldn't have recognised a semi naked woman if there was one gyrating around a pole in front of hi eyes. Rudd has got a lot to learn.

Trouble with Independence

Funny how a seemingly innocuous and oft-repeated remark can suddenly take on a life of its own. Oddly, the background to this observation is my opposition to the idea of 'Independence' for Wales. As usual, the potentially troublesome comment was posted on this blog, which is subject to 'trawlers' looking for opportunities to embarrass me. And as usual, the journalist who picks up on these things with the precision of a sniffer dog on a Semtex trail is Martin Shipton. He's been on the phone today, and I'm feeling a bit tense about how what I might have said will read in tomorrow's Western Mail.

What I posted was that I saw no reason why Wales would not flourish as an 'independent' nation. And that is what I do think. There are several reasons why we should oppose 'Independence', but that Wales could not survive as an independent nation is not one of them. In fact, I regard it as insulting to the Welsh nation to assert that she couldn't survive. Wales would not be the same country if it was not a part of Great Britain - but there is no reason why she should not flourish, both economically and politically. The government of this independent nation would certainly have less money to spend without the City of London tax base - and it would probably have to opt out of the international obligations that a British government accepts. I suppose that the reality would be that Wales success would depend on how well she would be governed.

However, I do think the idea of 'Independence' for Wales is a thoroughly bad idea. At a time when the world is becoming more interdependent, it seems illogical in the extreme to create an international boundary between us and our nearest neighbour along Offa's Dyke. It is downright stupid to turn our backs on services that can more sensibly and conveniently be provided over the English border just to provide the service within Wales. The decision by the current Assembly Government to require patients from North Wales to access neurological services 200 miles away in Cardiff or Swansea gives an idea of what would happen. And where I live in Mid Wales, the area has more affinity with the West Midlands from an economic perspective than with a Cardiff dominated South Wales.

I do not believe that many people support the idea of Welsh 'Independence'. I don't - and I would not favour putting forwards the option in a referendum on future governance arrangements for Wales. It is just not a sensible idea. It is crucial that opposition to the idea is based on sound argument, not on assertions that belittle the Welsh people. As we have seen in Scotland, the people might just become offended - and bloody minded. I'm told that Martin has written 600 words for tomorrow. I may have to leave the country.

The Welsh Premier.

This blog is going to cover the Welsh Premier League this season. I've lost my AM advertising hoardings on the pitches of my 4 local clubs - so I hope to do my bit to promote more interest through my blog. This weekend was the big kick-off - and it started Friday night with what may turn out to be the shock of the season. Absolutely no-one would have expected The New Saints to lose to Newi Cefn Druids - but they did 1-0. This is the equivalent of Derby stuffing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Rhyl, with victory over Carmarthen and Llanelli, with an impressive 3-0 win over my local club Welshpool will now be fancying their chances of lowering the TNS banner this season.

Newtown made a promising start, holding strong Bangor City at Latham Park. Newtown new boy, Marc Lloyd- Williams scored both Newtown goals. He has scored goals wherever he's played and should keep Newtown out of relegation trouble. I was sorry that one of the relegation favorites, Caersws lost narrowly at home. They played well by all accounts. I've always had a soft spot for the village team and I hope they can survive post Micky Evans.

Mixed fortunes for the League new boys, Neath being impressive in defeating Porthmadog on their own ground. Not such a good start for Llangefni though - going down at home to Connahs Quay. I'm hoping to get to see a few games this season.

Sunday Lunch with Friends

Started on the champagne at 12.30 today. 10 old friends out for a long and lazy lunch in the village. Big Mike (Evans) was there - which inevitable led to rugby reminiscences. Funny how we always talk about the violence - and ignore all those stunning match-winning tries I scored. He was telling me that he'd had an operation on his elbow a few weeks back, and found the remnants of a tooth. Not sure what this tells us about the way Mike played the game - but it did make me wonder about the bit of bother I'm having with my elbow. Could it be something similar. I was a bit prone to use my elbow as an offensive weapon when I played. Or maybe someone bit me. It would be a lot more interesting than the plain old arthritis which it probably is.

It was a big mistake to mention the redundancy payment which I received when I lost my position in the Assembly. All my friends have a healthy disrespect for politicians, and there was so much outrage about my 'good fortune' that everyone seemed to forget that I didn't actually want to be made redundant. Our brilliant hostess, Sheila tried to change the subject by drawing every one's attention to the sun which had started to shine on us in the Caebychan conservatory. It worked - but not until Frank had muttered something about the sun shining more on some than others. Hugh was just making a funny sort of gurgling noise and chanting quietly to himself "I read Simon Heffer and I'm British". Good job I'd been sneeringly described as a Tory right-winger earlier in the week. Probably saved my bacon today.

Everyone was keen on what George Osborne was writing in today's Telegraph about scrapping Inheritance Tax on personal residences. This policy idea is a real winner - and it will still be seen as 'ours' even if Gordon Brown nicks it. I really think that the British people (I hope Hugh reads this) have realised that our current Prime Minister is responsible for over-taxing us - and they are ready to talk tax for the first time since the 1980s. I'm really getting the hang of this right wing stuff.

How to kill a community

Been to Carno Show today. Continuation of my election strategy of making myself available to the people of Montgomeryshire. We leafleted every house in Carno last night to say I would be there today. I'm lucky that I really enjoy this sort of thing.

Paid off too. The commentator on the terrier racing, which could easily become my favourite sport, gave me a good plug when every single person was listening attentively. And Rid and Menna's Basset won a prize in the dog show. I felt quite proud. Fame through association. I've never seen a dog that I know winning a prize before. And my Uncle Cliff had come over from Pontrobert to win a dahlia cup - even if a vase of giant decs of the variety Sir Alf Ramsey was the best vase in Show.

But there was not a great turn-out - mainly because all the stock classes and the sheepdog trials had been cancelled as a precaution against the spread of foot and mouth disease. At least Carno Show didn't suffer the fate which has befallen several other shows this year - cancellation. There was a stand there promoting the cause of reopening the local Carno Railway Station, which was closed by Dr Beeching in the 1960s. What is really interesting here is that on 3rd Sept, the National Assembly is holding a special meeting locally to look at the idea, while the relevant Assembly Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones is widely thought to have already dismissed it. I will go to this meeting to observe what is a novel approach to democracy. It could be interesting.

Also visited the local school which was open for visitors and adjacent to the Show field. The School is earmarked for closure by Powys County Council. A real concern if this happens is the loss of a Welsh medium school in an area where many of the parents are non-Welsh speaking. In theory, the children could all transfer to the Welsh medium school at nearby Llanbrynmair - but the reality is that many will transfer to the non Welsh medium school at Caersws. The closure will be a blow to the Welsh Language as well as to the village itself. Today, I had a close look at how the communities of Mid Wales are being undermined. Makes me all the more keen to become the area's MP.

The Wagon and Horses

Haven't posted about a favourite restaurant for a while. So, I'm putting that right tonight. The Wagon and Horses in Newtown is unpretentious and outstandingly good. From outside, the Wagon looks like a typical 'local' pub, and indeed it is. And a first glance inside suggests that its no more than that - even if it has a real buzz about it. Its a great bar, even if you don't want to eat.

But the Wagon really comes into its own when you venture down the corridor to the restaurant at the back. The quality of the fare is terrific. We've been there 3 or 4 times over the last few weeks - and recommend it unreservedly. The lamb and chicken dishes last night were as good as anywhere we've eaten - as was the fish last time we were there. And the Sanserre was a reasonable £17 00 a bottle. But for the blandness of the location compared with the interest of the harbour at Aberaeron, I'd put the Wagon on a par with the Harbourmaster. Its safer to book early at the weekend. We're not the only ones to have noticed this gem of a restaurant in the heart of Montgomeryshire.

A Right-Winger - Moi?

Grateful thanks go to Welsh Conservative's Andy Coulson equivalent, Richard Hazlewood for sending me a copy of a press release which had emanated from the bowels of the office of Mark Tami MP. (Note deliberate use of the word 'bowels' - which gives a clue about my view of the emanated material). Mr Tami describes me as a right-winger. I shouldn't carp though, because this is rather good news for me - and I must ask him if I can use his quotes in my election literature. I have been described as a 'closet nationalist', and as a Melders-like 'pinko' - which has caused eyebrows to be raised amongst some of my more Conservative friends. It really is rather helpful to be contemptuously branded as a right-winger. And its all because of a post on my blog. Useful things, these blogs.

I'm supportive of many of the ideas contained in this weeks Redwood/Wolfson Report on economic competitiveness, which is now to be considered by the Party. I am particularly keen on the proposal that Inheritance Tax should be abolished. I'm also keen to see business taxes reduced. This is what seems to have led to the right-wing label. It all seems straightforward Conservative thinking to me.

I was basking in this new and novel blueish glow, intent on copying the evidence to my genuinely right wing friends (hoping that they would look more favourably upon me) when I visited the blog of Welsh Ramblings. Oh, No. All Mark Tami's work undone. It seems that my opinion (again expressed on my blog) that an 'Independent' Wales could be a successful nation (economically and culturally anyway) is groundbreaking for what WR terms a 'leading Tory'. Never mind that I am not in favour of an 'Independent' Wales (whatever that means). But I do think an 'Independent' Wales would almost certainly opt out of what I think of as our international obligations, and would probably give up on defence spending altogether. Thankfully, polling always puts the support for 'Independence' at about 15% of the electorate. Dangerous things, these blogs.

Talking about Tax.

I very strongly believe that taxation is too high. The 'State' takes too much of our money, and has become so dominant that the private sector is being undermined. Amongst other things, public services are failing the people and the housing market and pensions sector have been destroyed by Government interference. I know that this sort of talk is usually dismissed as 'swivel-eyed right wingery'. Problem is that I believe it. Its probably the main reason that I'm a Conservative. I also know that if the National Assembly for Wales had the power to raise tax and increase the role of the Government machine, it probably would, and there would be little chance of the coalition between Plaid Cymru and my party which I so want to see. But there is no prospect of such power being devolved - so the dream is still on!

Well tomorrow, the Conservatives will be talking about tax. We will be talking about abolishing the iniquitous Inheritance Tax - replacing it with a form of Capital Gains Tax, and exempting the family home altogether. Now, that's more like it - even if I must add that our Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne is not committed to this recomendation. And there will be talk of reducing Stamp Duty - on share dealing to begin with, and on homes as well, eventually. Great stuff. And there will be talk of cutting business taxes, which is one area where Plaid Cymru agree with us - or at least they did at the Assembly Election last May.

You will note that I have not referred to the name of the author of the report that makes all these recommendations - except that I do want to point out that the BBC has had to apologise for the prejudiced and thoroughly disgraceful way it has treated this politician over the last few days. Regrettably, whenever I mention the name, a strange mist envelopes the Welsh blogosphere, which scrambles rational debate. I must add that I do not think this anti-Tory bias has infected the BBC in Wales. Newsnight was much more fair tonight. Let the tax debate begin.