WalesHome.org

IN AN INCREASINGLY desperate attempt to feel part of the action at tonight’s celebrations of Welsh Politician of the Year – and with thanks to those who tweeted the results or to the diners I had hoped to join who provided an up to date text commentary (before the vino kicked in) – here’s the list of winners:

• Welsh Politician of the Year – Carwyn Jones AM
• Member to Watch – David Melding AM
• Local politician of the Year – Dyfed Edwards, Leader of Gwynedd County Council
• Campaigner of the Year – Albert Owen MP
• MP of the Year – Paul Flynn MP
• AM of the Year – Elin Jones AM
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Patrick Hannan

These things are always subjective and open to interpretation, and many politicians and others don’t like the idea of awards and rewards of this type, but for me it’s always the highlight of the Welsh political year. Since most of my personal focus tends to be on Cardiff Bay rather than Westminster I’ll confine my remarks on these results to say that to my mind Carwyn, David and Elin have all had a fantastic year in which they have really come into their own. David’s masterly book, Elin’s stand out speech at Plaid Conference, and Carwyn’s powerful leadership campaign have all been real high points of the political year.

And as WalesHome.org’s only current Columnist, we take a little pride in celebrating with and for David Melding this evening.

The Lifetime achievement award to Patrick Hannan is also especially poignant and noteworthy and needs no embellishment. It is the first time an award has been made posthumously and that in itself is a tribute to a significant figure in Welsh political life over many decades.