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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 5h

He's been replaced with Lord Davies, the former Gower MP. Gentry's nomination for re-election was declared invalid because not one Tory area backed him. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Welsh Conservatives ditch party chairman after year in job

Lord Davies of Gower returns as party's most senior voluntary official in Wales.

www.bbc.co.uk

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 5h

Bernard Gentry is out as Welsh Tory chair after a year. Asked if he was forced out by senior party figures, he told me: "Some people might say that. You won't hear me saying that."

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 1d

A no-deal scenario is relevant now in a way it hasn't been in years gone by - but with ministers raising the risks opposition parties have had to address how unpalatable a scenario that would be

More on whats gone on today here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 1d

Morgan and Drakeford were open to talks with the Tories and Plaid respectively. Morgan even praised Darren Millar for his "grown up" letter offering a discussion - you don't see that every day. Drakeford also said he was looking forward to speaking to Plaid's Heledd Fychan

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 1d

Both the Tories and Plaid's finance spokespeople indicated they didn't want to see a situation where the cuts come to pass. The Tories have made a specific offer based on scrapping stamp duty on primary residences. Drakeford hasn't ruled out amending the tax, but won't scrap it

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 1d

The Welsh government started talking about the budget on Monday in apocalyptic terms, raising the spectre of mass redundancies because of statutory cuts if it cannot get a deal.

It has ended Tuesday with both big Senedd opposition parties ready to talk

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 19d

Gill spoke in the European Parliament in defence of those channels as they came under pressure in Ukraine. It was alleged he was bribed to do that.

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 19d

He had been stopped in Manchester Airport in 2021. Police were said to find WhatsApp messages between Gill and Voloshyn. Several of the allegations relate to TV channels linked to Viktor Medvedchuk, who is himself reportedly linked to Vladimir Putin.

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 19d

Nathan Gill appeared in the Old Bailey today to plead guilty to eight charges relating to allegations connected to Oleg Voloshyn, a man who was later described by the US government as a "pawn" of the Russian security services.

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 19d

Nathan Gill was at the forefront of the Brexit push in Wales in the mid 2010s. He's now admitted that he spent part of the tail end of his career taking bribes from a pro Russian politician in Ukraine to say things for him in the European parliament, and elsewhere
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Reform UK's ex-Wales leader Nathan Gill admits pro-Russia bribery

Nathan Gill admits eight charges of bribery while being a Member of the European Parliament.

www.bbc.com

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · 20d

There's a major Welsh by-election happening in Caerphilly next month. The prime minister is unsure if he will campaign in it
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Keir Starmer unsure if he'll campaign in Caerphilly by-election

Labour is facing a fight to retain the seat in a Senedd by-election next month.

www.bbc.co.uk

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Sep 13

Fascinating piece

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Sep 8

Plaid accused her of scaremongering.

Meanwhile Eluned Morgan said Labour is taking Reform very seriously, and accused it of dividing communities. A baseless smear, says Reform

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Sep 8

The campaign has begun

Labour's Eluned Morgan says her party would find it 'tricky' to pass a budget if it lost the Caerphilly election, warning of cuts as a result

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Labour warns of cuts if it loses Caerphilly Senedd by-election

The first minister says her party will find it harder to pass a budget if she loses the by-election.

www.bbc.co.uk

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Sep 4

More:
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Reform criticised for Caerphilly mailout on day of Labour MS' funeral

Reform accused of insensitivity ahead of by-election after mailout received on day of MS' funeral.

www.bbc.com

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Sep 4

A pallbearer for Hefin David's funeral was among those in Caerphilly constituency who received a mail out from Reform on the day of the service

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Sep 3

More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Date announced for Caerphilly Senedd by-election after death of Hefin David

A by-election to fill the seat held by the late Hefin David will be held next month.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Sep 3

Senedd by-election on October 23 in Caerphilly, Senedd presiding officer announces

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Aug 13

David was friendly with many in Wales' small band of political journalists and, as today's tributes have showed, politicians from across the chamber. It is devastatingly sad, awful news.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Hefin David, Welsh Labour politician and MS for Caerphilly, dies suddenly

Hefin David had been Member of the Senedd (MS) for Caerphilly since 2016.

www.bbc.com

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Aug 13

A big part of the ambitious 2016 Senedd intake, Hefin David was keen to make an impact. The Caerphilly MS was an independent voice in the Labour group who banged the drum for the causes he most cared about, autism among them.

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Reposted by David Deans

Steve Rosenberg @bbcstever.bsky.social · Aug 9

The speculation was:
UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Turkey, Switzerland, or the Vatican

The reality is:
USA

Wasn't expecting that.

Trump-Putin summit in Alaska next Friday.

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Aug 8

A source gets in touch with the Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg Labour shortlist

Bearing in mind Sarah Murphy is the incumbent

Others:

Helen Mary Payne
Camilla Beaven
Huw John David OBE
Jonathan Simon Cox OBE
Neelo Farr
William Rhys Goode
Carys Stallard

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Aug 7

All selection tips and rumours gratefully received

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Aug 7

For completeness and because I never put it here, here's the Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf list:

Bernie Bowen-Thomson
Lee Bridgeman
Jen Burke
Dan De'Ath
Matthew Hexter
Jackie Jones
Sarah Merry
Shavanah Taj

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David Deans @deansofcardiff.bsky.social · Aug 7

The Caerdydd Penarth Labour shortlist in no particular order

Helen Gunter
Huw Thomas
Laura Rochefort
Kanaya Singh
Ruba Sivagnanam
Mutale Merrill
Stephen Brooks
Peter Bradbury

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