Tom Griffin is a graduate of Oxford University in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Since serving on a Capitol Hill Democratic staff and campaigning for Bill Clinton and the Congressional Black Caucus, he has worked in Westminster and been a senior manager at a major international high-tech company based in the valleys. Currently heading the public affairs team at the University of Glamorgan, he is researching a PhD in presidential rhetoric and communication in America’s healthcare debate. He is the former chairman of the Pontypridd Constituency Labour Party and a member of the Co-Operative Party’s parliamentary panel. An average French horn player, he is a thoroughly unexceptional WRU-qualified rugby referee, on his day the worst in Wales, with a heavy emphasis on amateur enjoyment of the game. He writes for WalesHome.org in a personal capacity.

Brassed off

I have a secret, a dark, sinister, shameful secret. I want to be a bass trombonist in a brass band

The Ministry’s in a flap

Reform of the MOD is in the headlines. A nettle often grasped and never yet properly pulled. But it puts a new perspective on our feline woes

Obama does God – and that’s a good thing

By all accounts, Barack Obama’s speech last week in the wake of the Arizona shootings reclaimed his crown as a dazzling orator, and he has squarely answered his right wing enemies

Raising a hat to political style

Vince Cable’s biggest mistake this week was not his unguarded commentary, but his choice of headgear. Let’s hear it for the well-dressed politician

For the love of rugby

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “Who so would be a man must be a non-conformist, and preferably play in the pack.” Tom Griffin agrees

Obama’s re-election just got easier

Tom Griffin analyses the mid-terms and pens an advice memo to the President

The words that defined a generation

Theodore Sorensen, speechwriter and confidente of John F. Kennedy, passed away yesterday at the age of 82. Tom Griffin, who once met with him, reflects upon his life

Forget The West Wing: it’s Radio Time in Britain

The leaders’ debates were bad democracy and worse television. But is it the shows or the scripts that need changing?

Keep our valleys, tidy

The valleys may have problems, but it’s my home – so start looking past the stereotypes and see the riches of vibrant Welsh communities