Jess Blair
@jessblair.bsky.social
Trying to make democracy a bit better 🗳️
Either travelling or planning the next trip 🗺️
Cat convert 🐈⬛ 🐈⬛
Views my own
Either travelling or planning the next trip 🗺️
Cat convert 🐈⬛ 🐈⬛
Views my own
Reposted by Jess Blair
Be part of Wales’ changing democracy – join us at the Senedd for expert insights on the changes ahead, and learn how to prepare your organisation for post-election engagement.
Book here 👉 https://ow.ly/yK7N50XgONb
Jess Blair Joe Rossiter Maria Drave
Book here 👉 https://ow.ly/yK7N50XgONb
Jess Blair Joe Rossiter Maria Drave
October 28, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Be part of Wales’ changing democracy – join us at the Senedd for expert insights on the changes ahead, and learn how to prepare your organisation for post-election engagement.
Book here 👉 https://ow.ly/yK7N50XgONb
Jess Blair Joe Rossiter Maria Drave
Book here 👉 https://ow.ly/yK7N50XgONb
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.
September 25, 2025 at 1:22 PM
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.
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...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Automatic registration looking unlikely for next Senedd election
First minister says it will be a
www.bbc.co.uk
July 8, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Jess Blair
🥀 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
🎥 We hear from @prifweinidog.gov.wales plus those looking to succeed her
🏴 Elin Jones on why she's stepping down as Llywydd
📺 10:45pm
May 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
🥀 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
🎥 We hear from @prifweinidog.gov.wales plus those looking to succeed her
🏴 Elin Jones on why she's stepping down as Llywydd
📺 10:45pm
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...
www.gov.wales/written-stat...
Written Statement: Innovating Democracy Advisory Group | GOV.WALES
Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
www.gov.wales
April 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
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...
www.gov.wales/written-stat...
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-...
nation.cymru/opinion/why-...
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...
nation.cymru
April 6, 2025 at 9:14 AM
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-...
nation.cymru/opinion/why-...
Reposted by Jess Blair
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
March 22, 2025 at 12:46 PM
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
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...
Misbehaving Welsh politicians may face recall vote www.bbc.com/news/article...
Misbehaving Welsh Senedd politicians could be voted out
Members of the Senedd could face a referendum on their future if they are suspended.
www.bbc.com
January 23, 2025 at 12:04 PM
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...
Misbehaving Welsh politicians may face recall vote www.bbc.com/news/article...
A topical and important event coming up next week. 👇
EVENT:
Was 2021 a false start for 'Votes at 16' in Wales?🗳️📊
29th Jan 2025 at 12.00
The Welsh Election Study and ERS Cymru present and discuss the data from the 2021 Welsh Parliament election and what recommendations should follow for 2026. Register below! 👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-false-st...
Was 2021 a false start for 'Votes at 16' in Wales?🗳️📊
29th Jan 2025 at 12.00
The Welsh Election Study and ERS Cymru present and discuss the data from the 2021 Welsh Parliament election and what recommendations should follow for 2026. Register below! 👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-false-st...
A False Start? Votes at 16 in the 2021 Welsh Election
Camgychwyn? Pleidleisio yn 16 oed yn Etholiad Cymru 2021
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 22, 2025 at 12:20 PM
A topical and important event coming up next week. 👇
Some end of 2024 listening now up at @hiraethpod.bsky.social!
🚨NEW POD🚨
In our last pod of 2024, friend of the pod @jessblair.bsky.social speaks with former FM Mark Drakeford about reforms to Welsh democracy under his premiership, political compromise in dealmaking, and 'the best old people's home in London'. #Wales #Cymru
open.spotify.com/episode/6Z0u...
In our last pod of 2024, friend of the pod @jessblair.bsky.social speaks with former FM Mark Drakeford about reforms to Welsh democracy under his premiership, political compromise in dealmaking, and 'the best old people's home in London'. #Wales #Cymru
open.spotify.com/episode/6Z0u...
Renewing Welsh democracy, half-a-loafers, and the best old people’s home in London
Hiraeth - Welsh Politics · Episode
open.spotify.com
December 31, 2024 at 9:27 AM
Some end of 2024 listening now up at @hiraethpod.bsky.social!
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...
open.spotify.com/episode/3JL0...
3 - Dysfunction (The Civil Service - part two)
Y Pumed Llawr - The Fifth Floor · Episode
open.spotify.com
December 17, 2024 at 10:27 AM
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...
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 🥇😬
Our new report on the 2024 General Election, A System Out of Step, explores in depth the most disproportional election in British history, in terms of how we voted and what we got. Our research reveals the full, worrying picture from this election. www.electoral-reform.org.uk/a-system-out...
A System Out of Step – New report on the 2024 General Election
Today we have published our in-depth report on the 2024 General Election, A System Out of Step.The General Election in 2024 was not only the most disproportional election in British ele
www.electoral-reform.org.uk
December 10, 2024 at 6:40 PM
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 🥇😬
Well this nearly gave me a heart attack when it went off. Stay safe everyone.
Emergency alert message sent to millions of people across Wales and south west England as #StormDarragh approaches bringing winds of up to 90mph
December 6, 2024 at 7:14 PM
Well this nearly gave me a heart attack when it went off. Stay safe everyone.
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.
November 27, 2024 at 1:13 PM
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.
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-...
Pay As You Go extended to almost 100 stations
Rail passengers travelling across the South Wales Metro can now access easier ways to pay and great value fares with a new Pay As You Go system.
news.tfw.wales
November 27, 2024 at 11:25 AM
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-...
Reposted by Jess Blair
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! 🏴
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! 🏴
⚠️ Pontypridd has been hit by devastating floods and our wonderful independent bookshop, Storyville Books, has seen much of its stock destroyed.
If you’re able to buy a book from them, this would go such a long way to help support them rebuild in the aftermath.
👉 uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyvi...
If you’re able to buy a book from them, this would go such a long way to help support them rebuild in the aftermath.
👉 uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyvi...
Storyville Books Bookshop UK
Nestled in the rolling hills of the South Wales valleys, we are the only independent bookshop in Pontypridd, selling new books and more.
uk.bookshop.org
November 24, 2024 at 6:49 PM
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! 🏴
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! 🏴
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.
Galw am yr hawl i ddewis olynwyr i wleidyddion sy’n cael eu symud o’u swyddi
Mae’r Gymdeithas Diwygio Etholiadol yn cefnogi’r ymgyrch #gwleidyddiaeth
✍️ Chris Haines, Gohebydd Senedd ICNN
Mae’r Gymdeithas Diwygio Etholiadol yn cefnogi’r ymgyrch #gwleidyddiaeth
✍️ Chris Haines, Gohebydd Senedd ICNN
Galw am yr hawl i ddewis olynwyr i wleidyddion sy’n cael eu symud o’u swyddi
Mae’r Gymdeithas Diwygio Etholiadol yn cefnogi’r ymgyrch
golwg.360.cymru
November 19, 2024 at 3:22 PM
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.
Oh to be a cat on a radiator on this freezing cold day.
November 19, 2024 at 2:55 PM
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!
November 16, 2024 at 9:57 AM
For anyone at Welsh Labour Conference today we’ve got a cracking fringe this lunchtime!
The next stop on the trip around Wales. 👋 Llandudno!
November 15, 2024 at 3:50 PM
The next stop on the trip around Wales. 👋 Llandudno!
A few days travelling around Wales for work. First stop has been Aberaeron. Beautiful 🏴
November 14, 2024 at 11:07 AM
A few days travelling around Wales for work. First stop has been Aberaeron. Beautiful 🏴