Nick Bourne AM

The Cardiff North team is  a well oiled machine ( and no that is not intended other than to suggest operational magnificence ) and I have been out with the team on a couple of occasions.Jonathan is highly regarded in the constituency and with Sue Essex bowing out is well poised for success.

 My researcher, Craig Williams, is taking on Rhodri Morgan.Craig is, I believe the youngest candidate in a first past the post seat and is fighting it with enthusiasm and drive.I will be sorry to lose him as a researcher.

 Karen Robson, former Welsh Woman of the Year is a real star and our candidate in Cardiff South and Penarth. Karen tells me that she entered into politics following conversation with Dafydd Wigley. I find myself wondering what, other than the inspiration of  Dafydd, Karen has  in common with the late Phil Williams.Other than infectious enthusiasm and natural charm nothing occurs.

Andrew Murphy completes our Cardiff line up and is campaigning valiantly in Cardiff Central.He has a great future in politics.

I was out campaigning in Newport with Matt Evans on the day when the smoking ban came into effect.  It was slightly surreal to do a broadcast for Radio Two from Betty’s Café in Newport Market.  I followed Rhodri doing something from a pub in Pontcanna. We both, of course, supported the smoking ban as this had been an issue that split parties and had been decided on a free vote.  

Later that day, nostalgically, I was in Blaenau Gwent campaigning and it brought back many memories of the by-election there, particularly as when I rounded a corner I practically cannoned into Trish Law and then Dai Davies.  It was a glorious spring day and reminiscent of some of the weather that we experienced during that epic by-election campaign.  

In Monmouth with my researcher, Nick Ramsay, around Abergavenny Market and there are clearly a lot of people in the market who are not just not from Monmouthshire but not from Wales either, including one stall holder who seemed to specialise in selling patriotic Welsh goods but was actually from Hereford! 

Generally a very good reception, clearly the state of the NHS is a major issue.  Another issue that is raised time and time again, although not necessarily and specifically in these terms, is the strength of the supermarkets and the threats that supermarkets pose to suppliers, to independent shopkeepers and to the environment.  It is an issue I feel strongly about myself.  We all use supermarkets but we do need to recognise the threats that they do represent to, much of what we hold dear in communities throughout Wales.