Top 10 most powerful Welsh Labour Politicans

1. Paul Murphy (Torfaen) – The great leader, supreme protector. Serve and Obey

2. Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West) – A once great leader but now an ageing lion. Rhodri's health is so fragile that balloons have been banned at official WAG functions in case one pops unexpectedly.

3. Kim Howells (Pontypridd) – Chair of the Security and Intelligence Committee. Keep a close watch..........

4. Edwina Hart (Gower) – Runs the Welsh NHS, hard as nails

5. Chris Bryant (Rhondda) – Deputy Leader of the House of Commons and Curry House Plotter Part of the outer, inner circle, a Brownite to his underpants. One of the best communicators in Parliament

6. David Hanson (Delyn) Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice – Consistently the most impressive Welsh minister.

7. Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office. Small but perfectly formed.

8. Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) – now looks after English Soil

9. Jane Hutt Vale of Glamorgan Minister for Welsh children

10. Wayne David (Caerphilly) – Great Leaders Number 2

LATEST ODDS

Carwyn Jones 5 - 2
Edwina Hart 5 - 1
Huw Lewis 4 - 1
Andrew Davies 10 – 1
Leighton Andrews 8 -1

GOD BLESS WALES

Didn`t we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor

Bangor on Dee is one of the finest places to watch racing in Britain. On a cold November’s day I would take a day’s sport in Bangor over virtually all other potential outdoor recreations.

Bangor is unique in Britain in being the only racecourse without a grandstand but this adds to the spectacle. People stand, often in the drizzle as a faint orange sun crosses the grey sky, watching honest racing. But as cold and as wet as you get you Bangor somehow connects you to the action and the history of a sport. When the horses pound on the turf you can really feal them in your bones. It is wonderful space that harks back to another, possibly better era.

Bangor on Dee is served by two of politicians who remind one of a better era, the excellent Karen Sinclair AM and the slight eccentric but also excellent Martin Jones MP. If the Labour party is to put up a credible challenge to keep in places like Clwyd South then the candidates for the leadership and going to have to ship up to places like Bangor to talk face-to-face to the voters and support Karen and Martin. For this reason The Steamer is recommending that they attend the Bangor

Christmas meeting on the 17th December 2008.

LATEST ODDS

Carwyn Jones 5 - 2
Edwina Hart 5 - 1
Huw Lewis 4 - 1
Andrew Davies 10 – 1
Leighton Andrews 8 -1

GOD BLESS WALES

(SP) Starting Prices

There are 26 possible candidates but 5 serious ones. The runners with starting prices (SP) are

1. Carwyn Jones 2 - 1 – The bookies favourite. A cleaver, likable guy.......But fundamentally lazy and this race is more like Aintree's Grand National than Ascot's King Stands Stakes.



2. Edwina Hart 4 - 1 – Not officially running. Her odds reflect that as the only woman she will get the backing of the lady punters. Hard as nails, understands politics.....But from the Colonel Kurtz School of communication.



3. Huw Lewis 13 - 2 – . Will struggle to get to course. If he makes it through could be a contender with the Party.......... But 19 labour AMs hate him.



4. Andrew Davies 10 – 1 Thinks He has won it!!! ...........But sadly his fellow AMs lie ( to Him) and the unions will back a winner. Won't on this showing get on the ballot! Shame, would offer lots.



5. Leighton Andrews 10 -1 Would make the best First Minister by miles - bright, thoughtful, hard working, innovative, progressive ........... But no one is going to nominate him because he talks with a squeaky voice!
   

What is the SP

The SP is the odds prevailing in the on-course fixed-odds betting market at the time a race begins. As is traditional, they have been set by a panel of 4 experts who are going to help me readjust the odds over the coming year.


NB If anyone correctly guesses the panel of experts between now and the election I promise on the soul of Neil Kinnock I will send them a bottle of penderyn.

Just email JamesKeirHardie@gmail.com

GOD BLESS WALES