Joe Allen
@joeallen82.bsky.social
Off-brand Joe Allen in Cardiff. I work at the TUC.
Hard to disagree with ex-Plaid MP Cynog Dafis' assessment of the party's approach to energy policy.
"...loitering in its historic comfort zone of easy opposition."
nation.cymru/news/plaid-c...
"...loitering in its historic comfort zone of easy opposition."
nation.cymru/news/plaid-c...
July 29, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Hard to disagree with ex-Plaid MP Cynog Dafis' assessment of the party's approach to energy policy.
"...loitering in its historic comfort zone of easy opposition."
nation.cymru/news/plaid-c...
"...loitering in its historic comfort zone of easy opposition."
nation.cymru/news/plaid-c...
Data is from London, but a useful insight for the never-ending argument in Cardiff about holding gigs in public parks.
June 1, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Data is from London, but a useful insight for the never-ending argument in Cardiff about holding gigs in public parks.
2,430 Romanians in Wales voted in their presidential election at polling stations in Swansea and Cardiff yesterday.
And (thanks to Romania's excellent election website) we can see that they favoured the defeated populist candidate George Simion (53%-47%).
And (thanks to Romania's excellent election website) we can see that they favoured the defeated populist candidate George Simion (53%-47%).
May 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
2,430 Romanians in Wales voted in their presidential election at polling stations in Swansea and Cardiff yesterday.
And (thanks to Romania's excellent election website) we can see that they favoured the defeated populist candidate George Simion (53%-47%).
And (thanks to Romania's excellent election website) we can see that they favoured the defeated populist candidate George Simion (53%-47%).
Where would 18% put Welsh Labour in the history of Senedd list votes? Marginally more popular than Rod Richards' Welsh Tories in 1999.
May 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Where would 18% put Welsh Labour in the history of Senedd list votes? Marginally more popular than Rod Richards' Welsh Tories in 1999.
There is a broad consensus in Wales against energy infrastructure between Reform-Plaid-Tories that will command 70ish Senedd seats (out of 96) next year.
So this is most likely where we'll end up too👇
So this is most likely where we'll end up too👇
May 3, 2025 at 10:47 AM
There is a broad consensus in Wales against energy infrastructure between Reform-Plaid-Tories that will command 70ish Senedd seats (out of 96) next year.
So this is most likely where we'll end up too👇
So this is most likely where we'll end up too👇
A spluttering economic system desperately looking for growth? A society flirting with a Christian revival?
This is the UK's Francis Spufford era.
This is the UK's Francis Spufford era.
April 24, 2025 at 8:22 PM
A spluttering economic system desperately looking for growth? A society flirting with a Christian revival?
This is the UK's Francis Spufford era.
This is the UK's Francis Spufford era.
This is really interesting and wide-ranging (downplaying indy; sceptical on Future Gen Act impact; narrower idea of Nation of Sanctuary).
Bit below caught my eye - suggesting Welsh Labour has gone too far in tackling second homes.
Bit below caught my eye - suggesting Welsh Labour has gone too far in tackling second homes.
March 25, 2025 at 9:34 PM
This is really interesting and wide-ranging (downplaying indy; sceptical on Future Gen Act impact; narrower idea of Nation of Sanctuary).
Bit below caught my eye - suggesting Welsh Labour has gone too far in tackling second homes.
Bit below caught my eye - suggesting Welsh Labour has gone too far in tackling second homes.
Gwynedd and Pembrokeshire took action against locals being priced out in favour of second home owners.
And it's working.
And it's working.
February 17, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Gwynedd and Pembrokeshire took action against locals being priced out in favour of second home owners.
And it's working.
And it's working.
My biases are in the other direction (I *do* generally think that we've created restrictions on building that go beyond what we can afford).
But this is a good read on the Wylfa controversy and the risks associated with excessive YIMBY glibness.
backofmind.substack.com/p/the-only-g...
But this is a good read on the Wylfa controversy and the risks associated with excessive YIMBY glibness.
backofmind.substack.com/p/the-only-g...
February 15, 2025 at 11:01 AM
My biases are in the other direction (I *do* generally think that we've created restrictions on building that go beyond what we can afford).
But this is a good read on the Wylfa controversy and the risks associated with excessive YIMBY glibness.
backofmind.substack.com/p/the-only-g...
But this is a good read on the Wylfa controversy and the risks associated with excessive YIMBY glibness.
backofmind.substack.com/p/the-only-g...
No, political is here is lobbyists, political researchers and people in political roles at charities.
'Other' breakdown below.
'Other' breakdown below.
February 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
No, political is here is lobbyists, political researchers and people in political roles at charities.
'Other' breakdown below.
'Other' breakdown below.
A reminder that the current Senedd is dominated by a handful of middle class professions.
Every party that cares about Welsh devolution should be trying to broaden their recruitment and give us a Senedd that looks more like Wales. (2/2)
Every party that cares about Welsh devolution should be trying to broaden their recruitment and give us a Senedd that looks more like Wales. (2/2)
February 13, 2025 at 2:13 PM
A reminder that the current Senedd is dominated by a handful of middle class professions.
Every party that cares about Welsh devolution should be trying to broaden their recruitment and give us a Senedd that looks more like Wales. (2/2)
Every party that cares about Welsh devolution should be trying to broaden their recruitment and give us a Senedd that looks more like Wales. (2/2)
Sneering comments like this about a politician having previously had a normal job is why Senedd candidate selection over the next few months is so important.
Parties can't keep disproportionately selecting people with no working background beyond politics (1/2)
Parties can't keep disproportionately selecting people with no working background beyond politics (1/2)
February 13, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Sneering comments like this about a politician having previously had a normal job is why Senedd candidate selection over the next few months is so important.
Parties can't keep disproportionately selecting people with no working background beyond politics (1/2)
Parties can't keep disproportionately selecting people with no working background beyond politics (1/2)
If you insist on making projects as expensive as possible the cost will fall on bill payers. Or the energy projects just won't happen.
February 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
If you insist on making projects as expensive as possible the cost will fall on bill payers. Or the energy projects just won't happen.
Welsh Tories 🤝 Plaid 🤝 Reform on high-cost undergrounding.
February 13, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Welsh Tories 🤝 Plaid 🤝 Reform on high-cost undergrounding.
Lots to agree with in this. Welsh Government has been too hands-off while housing supply has collapsed.
The article actually understates how historically low completions are. The current rate is by far the lowest since the war.
The article actually understates how historically low completions are. The current rate is by far the lowest since the war.
February 10, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Lots to agree with in this. Welsh Government has been too hands-off while housing supply has collapsed.
The article actually understates how historically low completions are. The current rate is by far the lowest since the war.
The article actually understates how historically low completions are. The current rate is by far the lowest since the war.
Extraordinary finding.
February 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Extraordinary finding.
Also striking how quickly the Welsh Gov settled on a narrow reading of the Welsh pro-Brexit vote.
The immediate response was "OK we accept the result. But how do we maintain the status quo as much as possible". (2/2)
The immediate response was "OK we accept the result. But how do we maintain the status quo as much as possible". (2/2)
February 9, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Also striking how quickly the Welsh Gov settled on a narrow reading of the Welsh pro-Brexit vote.
The immediate response was "OK we accept the result. But how do we maintain the status quo as much as possible". (2/2)
The immediate response was "OK we accept the result. But how do we maintain the status quo as much as possible". (2/2)
Lots of interesting stuff in @instituteforgov.bsky.social interviews with ex/current Welsh ministers.
Mark Drakeford on the Brexit ref & the impact of the "underpowered" Welsh remain campaign because activists were tired from the Senedd election.
Was this really that big a factor? (1/2)
Mark Drakeford on the Brexit ref & the impact of the "underpowered" Welsh remain campaign because activists were tired from the Senedd election.
Was this really that big a factor? (1/2)
February 9, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Lots of interesting stuff in @instituteforgov.bsky.social interviews with ex/current Welsh ministers.
Mark Drakeford on the Brexit ref & the impact of the "underpowered" Welsh remain campaign because activists were tired from the Senedd election.
Was this really that big a factor? (1/2)
Mark Drakeford on the Brexit ref & the impact of the "underpowered" Welsh remain campaign because activists were tired from the Senedd election.
Was this really that big a factor? (1/2)
Why did the Welsh Government's push on the foundational economy have little/no impact?
@waterslee.bsky.social suggests it was a combination of a lack of interest from his colleagues + Covid.
@waterslee.bsky.social suggests it was a combination of a lack of interest from his colleagues + Covid.
February 8, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Why did the Welsh Government's push on the foundational economy have little/no impact?
@waterslee.bsky.social suggests it was a combination of a lack of interest from his colleagues + Covid.
@waterslee.bsky.social suggests it was a combination of a lack of interest from his colleagues + Covid.
Cardiff is a fairly low density city at about 2,500 people per km². It'd be a better city if we made it denser.
February 8, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Cardiff is a fairly low density city at about 2,500 people per km². It'd be a better city if we made it denser.
Relevant excerpt from Lee Waters' interview with the IFG
February 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Relevant excerpt from Lee Waters' interview with the IFG
Plaid made the right call in not giving sitting MSs preferential treatment in selection.
MSs have the benefit of name recognition & track record (the latter not always an uncomplicated boost, obviously).
I can't think of any justification for rigging the process in their favour.
MSs have the benefit of name recognition & track record (the latter not always an uncomplicated boost, obviously).
I can't think of any justification for rigging the process in their favour.
February 1, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Plaid made the right call in not giving sitting MSs preferential treatment in selection.
MSs have the benefit of name recognition & track record (the latter not always an uncomplicated boost, obviously).
I can't think of any justification for rigging the process in their favour.
MSs have the benefit of name recognition & track record (the latter not always an uncomplicated boost, obviously).
I can't think of any justification for rigging the process in their favour.
Wales currently has one mid-table and two bottom of the table cities on this productivity analysis.
Too much discussion on economic development here is bald men squabbling over a comb stuff.
This @centreforcities.bsky.social event next week looks like a useful corrective.
Too much discussion on economic development here is bald men squabbling over a comb stuff.
This @centreforcities.bsky.social event next week looks like a useful corrective.
January 31, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Wales currently has one mid-table and two bottom of the table cities on this productivity analysis.
Too much discussion on economic development here is bald men squabbling over a comb stuff.
This @centreforcities.bsky.social event next week looks like a useful corrective.
Too much discussion on economic development here is bald men squabbling over a comb stuff.
This @centreforcities.bsky.social event next week looks like a useful corrective.
Wales should have the same powers as Scotland is a strong line.
And it was also John Smith's view when devolution was being revived in the early 90s.
(From Richard King's 'Brittle with Relics').
And it was also John Smith's view when devolution was being revived in the early 90s.
(From Richard King's 'Brittle with Relics').
January 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Wales should have the same powers as Scotland is a strong line.
And it was also John Smith's view when devolution was being revived in the early 90s.
(From Richard King's 'Brittle with Relics').
And it was also John Smith's view when devolution was being revived in the early 90s.
(From Richard King's 'Brittle with Relics').
Re-joining the single market (and therefore re-introducing freedom of movement) seems like a weird priority for Plaid one year out from the Senedd elections and facing the surge from Reform.
I'm sure there's a solid rationale for it, but can't see it going on the leaflets in Merthyr.
I'm sure there's a solid rationale for it, but can't see it going on the leaflets in Merthyr.
January 26, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Re-joining the single market (and therefore re-introducing freedom of movement) seems like a weird priority for Plaid one year out from the Senedd elections and facing the surge from Reform.
I'm sure there's a solid rationale for it, but can't see it going on the leaflets in Merthyr.
I'm sure there's a solid rationale for it, but can't see it going on the leaflets in Merthyr.