Fancy a job?
I might have missed the top day for a new job hunt by 24 hours but if you're still keen to make a fresh start, then read on.
You'll already know there's an opening in the House of Lords for any Plaid Cymru sympathisers among you. Now that your party's 'doing' the Lords again, you may fancy your chances. If you do, then you'll need to get your names in by January 16th at the very latest. That's the day Plaid will be announcing their shortlist of candidates who'll then face hustings and the vote of the National Council ten days later: a lesson in being 'a bit democratic' which I suppose is just about more possible than being 'a bit pregnant'.
Where? Pontrhydfendigaid of course where the National Council voted for the coalition. (The London-based producer who gasped "you mean they're deciding on the future of the Welsh government in a place with no mobile phone signal, that we can't pronounce" take note).
Who will you be up against? Deputy Chairman of the Principality for one; the second to go for it is Janet Davies, former AM for South Wales West. The list grows by the day.
And who'll chair the hustings I wonder? Given to grill potential successors to Ann Widdecombe in Maidstone and the Weald, I look forward to seeing who Plaid can persuade to take on the Pontrhydfendigaid gig.
If that's not for you, then how about one of two new jobs as a Special Adviser to the coalition government? A bit of foraging in the minutes reveals members of the cabinet were told in November that the Privy Council has approved the request for two new Assembly Government SpAds, who'll be recruited "by open competition".
Open competition? Really? I can't imagine anyone has an objection to that but it doesn't always happen that way does it? Call me cynical but I always had SpAds down as political appointees. But if you spot the advert, decide to go for it and get it, you will remember who pointed you in the right direction, won't you?
Last but not least I gather there may be an opening soon as unofficial moderator of Eleanor Burnham AM's new blog. I don't know what the pay is like but the Welsh Liberal Democrats will forever be in your debt.
UPDATE: And the next ... Dafydd Williams, former General Secretary of Plaid Cymru has thrown his hat into the ring as well. Those with a long memory will remember he topped the list back in 1999 and had to watch it being ripped up when Plaid decided against taking seats in the Lords.
I'm Betsan Powys, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on .
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"Last but not least I gather there may be an opening soon as unofficial moderator of Eleanor Burnham AM's new blog."
Wouldn't suprise me one bit! Eleanor Burnham, like most of the Lib Dem bunch don't really seem to spend time concentrating on formulating policy . Instead they just spend time flip floping on different issues, ward to ward, constituency to constituency. Eleanor Burnham needs a moderator for everything she does, not just for her blogging - being so absent minded and absurdly riddicules. Those qualities are the only thing consistent about the Lib Dems!
"Government SpAds recruited by open competition."
What are the chances of a Conservative or Lib Dem supporter getting through that job sift? Probably about as much chance as Betsan becoming the Plaid Cymru Peer, Baroness Powys of Powys ;)
An article, in the main, devoted to the selection of a Nationalist Lord and poor old Ruben sees his chance to have a pop at the Lib Dems. I mean Elinor who exactly?? Being the smallest Party in the Assembly one wonders why some people appear so incredibly worried about them? It's either "absurdly riddicules" (sic) or poor old Ruben is a very bitter man....
Obviously Betsan you do not know the Labour SPads in the Assembly - if you can find one with an ounce of political nous you let me know!
Fancy a job in the Lords & Ladies, Betsan?
Dame Betsan Powys CBE
How does it sound? ;-)
Happy new year to you betsan
I hope Plaid are doing some background checks on their 'nominees' before they pass them on to the HoL Appointments Commission who will have the final say on who gets to wear the ermine robes.
Hope they are all registered to vote in the UK and have declaired all theo political donations oh and not forgetting to make sure they pay tax too.
On the railway, SPAD stands for Signal Passed at Danger (ie a red light), which is a very dangerous act and can be a sacking offence.
Just what are these people doing at Westminster?