What a week it has been, turmoil at the IMF, Ken Clarke's comments over rape and the latest clashes between politicians the judiciary over privacy laws - but there were equally momentous events closer to home this week.
In Scotland this week, Alex Salmond was sworn in as First Minister for a second term as head of majority Scottish National Party (SNP) Government, his confirmation as First Minister was marked by the UK and foreign press, not bad for a regional Parliament.
In Ireland this week, history of equal significance was made when Queen Elizabeth visited. Given the history between Britain and Ireland it was another important step and has been seen by both sides as a success. As well as the political significance Ireland has also had a worldwide four day show case for tourists and business people through the international media and will have more with even the brief visits of Barack Obama tomorrow before he heads for the UK.
Meanwhile the closet Wales got to any non Welsh media exposure this week was being the host venue for the Heineken Cup Final – a thrilling match certainly but it hardly compares with the above as most rugby fans already know about the delights of Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium.
But the main Welsh political story of the week, two Lib Dems AM’s suspension after a balls up by the Party over selection and election rules has hardly made waves beyond the Bay bubble never mind foreign press. Yes it serious and needs addressing, but rather than being grown up about it, Labour (and the Tories) are exploiting Lib Dem misery for all its worth and sending out a signal that for all the warm words about co-operation after the election, they are firmly in charge and will set the agenda - in short nothing has changed!
Maybe Welsh Ministers efforts should have been focused on exploiting next week’s State Visit to the UK by President Barack Obama, as Denis Campbell said on the Politics Show Wales earlier today, why didn’t anyone from the Welsh Government, politician or civil servant think of sending a business and political delegation to London, in these difficult times Wales needs all the help it can get.Any source
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