WalesHome.org

AS BETSAN Powys remarked yesterday in a post detailing the mood in all three leadership camps as they approached the task of wooing the membership, the Carwyn camp is not over playing its hand. She wrote: “They seem confident (never complacent) that Carwyn (note the use of the first name at every opportunity) won’t do at all badly there.”

The same message was clear today in press statements from Carwyn’s campaign manager Leighton Andrews: “Canvassing for the support of members is going very well and the response across the length and breadth of Wales is encouraging. However, there is a long way to go in this election and there are no favourites in this race. There will be no complacency over the final three weeks of this election. Carwyn is working flat out to win as much support from our party members as possible.”

The candidate himself said the same when he launched his manifesto on Monday. No complacency, working flat out, all to play for, no favourites.

Team Carwyn may think that – and they really do – but the bookies still place the Counsel General in pole position half way through this campaign. That might not promote a feeling of complacency, but it doesn’t promote a sense of panic or problems either. The unflappable Carwyn is exactly where he was when this campaign started: the bookies favourite. Will the betting change as the next three weeks unfold?