Writing on Welsh politics, data, and whatever else is on my mind.https://ryanthomas.cymru/en-gbhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/welcome/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/welcome/Returning to writing: Wales, politics, data and the occasional personal pieceSun, 27 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/circuit-breakers/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/circuit-breakers/So, last week the Welsh Government finally decided that they were unwilling to guarantee any losses culminating from the proposed Circuit of Wales up to a value of £200 million.Mon, 03 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-swansea-bay-city-deal-conclusion/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-swansea-bay-city-deal-conclusion/The city deal presents a unique opportunity to bring investment into the Swansea Bay region.Fri, 17 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticsswansea-bay-city-dealhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-swansea-bay-city-deal-opportunities/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-swansea-bay-city-deal-opportunities/The city deal is a hugely complicated project that will require a lot of work by officials to make it a success.Thu, 16 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticsswansea-bay-city-dealhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-swansea-bay-city-deal-concerns/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-swansea-bay-city-deal-concerns/As a good cynic, I will start by looking at some of the concerns I have with the city region deal as currently proposed.Wed, 15 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticsswansea-bay-city-dealhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-swansea-bay-city-deal-projects/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-swansea-bay-city-deal-projects/The growth in the city deal's four main sectors will be delivered through eleven initial projects; - Digital Infrastructure - Gigabit fibre, 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi - Total Project ValueTue, 14 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticsswansea-bay-city-dealhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-swansea-bay-city-deal-introduction/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-swansea-bay-city-deal-introduction/Swansea Bay City Region Logo On Wednesday 25 January Carmarthenshire County Council agreed to delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to sign the Swansea Bay City Region deMon, 13 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticsswansea-bay-city-dealhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-welsh-government-on-brexit/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-welsh-government-on-brexit/Yesterday, Carwyn Jones and Leanne Wood made a joint appearance in London to launch the Welsh Government's white paper on Brexit, 'Securing Wales' Future'.Tue, 24 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/primary-education-in-llangennech/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/primary-education-in-llangennech/It was with a sense of trepidation that I entered the chamber in county hall last Wednesday. There were several items on the agenda.Mon, 23 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/a-need-to-do-things/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/a-need-to-do-things/I have a compulsive need to achieve things. By 12pm every day I want to feel like I have made a list of achievements, no matter how small or trivial.Mon, 28 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/dublin-awaits/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/dublin-awaits/So here I am sat at my kitchen table. I occasionally glance at the oven digital clock face while I wait for dinner to cook.Fri, 19 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-absinthe-drinker/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-absinthe-drinker/The Absinthe Drinker (Pablo Picasso, 1901) I was visiting Paris with my fiance Ana in February of this year.Wed, 10 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-eu/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-eu/I've been trying to write this post for a long time. Europe is a place and an idea that I am passionate about.Sun, 12 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/wanderlust/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/wanderlust/There are times that I feel an overwhelming wanderlust. It's not just a desire to jump on a plane for a weekend city break.Sun, 12 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/lunchtime-walk/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/lunchtime-walk/Earlier today I decided to go for a walk through Llanelli town centre.Fri, 03 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/government-spending-details-published/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/government-spending-details-published/The government has taken another great step forward today by publishing its spending charts for 2008/09 and 2009/10.Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/transparency-is-key-to-a-stronger-democracy/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/transparency-is-key-to-a-stronger-democracy/The Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition does seem, for the moment to be committed to greater transparency throughout government.Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/election-reaction-in-the-star/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/election-reaction-in-the-star/This week's Star had a picture of Nia Griffith on the front page, with the caption Victorious Nia: "We did not mislead people of Llanelli" After turning to page 4, the Star puSat, 15 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-last-progressive-party-in-town/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-last-progressive-party-in-town/Being a young, impressionable sort, I was partly looking forward to a hung Parliament because of a little dream about possible change brought about by Liberal Democrats.Sat, 15 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/no-platform/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/no-platform/There is a good article on Wales Home by Patrick McGuinness about the trouble with No Platform policies.Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/enter-supreme-commander-of-the-people-democratic-socialist-semi-monarc/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/enter-supreme-commander-of-the-people-democratic-socialist-semi-monarc/As one of the few voices on the Welsh blogosphere who will actually have a vote in so rumoured imminent leadership election of the Welsh Labour Party (which is telling in itseThu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/more-on-carmarthenshire-tv/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/more-on-carmarthenshire-tv/To be clear, I believe that the idea of the County Council launching an Internet TV station is a complete waste of taxpayer's money and will probably end up as another fluffyThu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/a-socialists-least-favourite-word-cuts/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/a-socialists-least-favourite-word-cuts/The Welsh Liberal Democrats are currently in emergency backtrack mode after National Treasury Spokesman Vince Cable announced that to sum up enough cuts the St.Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-maximum-wage/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-maximum-wage/This weekend at their conference, Plaid Cymru members passed a motion calling for a maximum wage.Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/my-first-eisteddfod-meirion-ar-cyffiniau-09/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/my-first-eisteddfod-meirion-ar-cyffiniau-09/I must say that I was reasonably impressed with my first Eisteddfod.Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/have-the-totnes-tories-started-a-trend/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/have-the-totnes-tories-started-a-trend/As soon as I heard about the plan by the Totnes Conservative Association to choose their candidate for the next General Election through an open primary I got a little excitedTue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/is-the-next-welsh-devolution-referendum-worth-it/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/is-the-next-welsh-devolution-referendum-worth-it/We all know the difficulties of the current devolution settlement for Wales.Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/looking-ahead-to-the-general/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/looking-ahead-to-the-general/I thought I'd power up Excel and draw a graph. As you can see, the victory in Llanelli belongs to Plaid, with a strong showing for the Conservatives and UKIP.The turnout was lTue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/cymraeg-yw-iaith-yr-ysgol/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/cymraeg-yw-iaith-yr-ysgol/I received a message from the Cymdeithas yr Iaith Facebook group yesterday.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/alternative-vote-and-ieuan-wyn-jones/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/alternative-vote-and-ieuan-wyn-jones/Proportional representation is a great idea in principle. Like many others, it is an idea that perhaps works better in theory.Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/a-very-british-revolution/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/a-very-british-revolution/Having had a few days to consider the implications of the Parliamentary and Constitutional crisis, is it now time to completely reform the way that British democracy works? DoFri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/news-update/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/news-update/Here are a couple of stories I missed while on Bloging vacation.Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/a-progressive-labour-vision-for-devolution/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/a-progressive-labour-vision-for-devolution/As the 'critical' Welsh Labour conference begins, I thought I'd play the role of youthful optimist and suggest a new approach that the Party should take to devolution.Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/2008-9-guide-to-political-blogging-in-the-uk/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/2008-9-guide-to-political-blogging-in-the-uk/In early September TOTAL POLITICS, in association with APCO WORLDWIDE will publish the 2008-9 Guide to Political Blogging in the UK.Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-welsh-science-academy-llanelli/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-welsh-science-academy-llanelli/The Llanelli Star reports today that Adam Price MP believes that Llanelli is in a prime position to lead national scientific development.Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/what-about-the-young-people/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/what-about-the-young-people/I have noticed that there have been a lot of anniversaries on the Welsh blogosphere recently. I have realised that I have been blogging for over 14 months on-and-off.Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/cockle-mortality-in-the-loughor-estuary/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/cockle-mortality-in-the-loughor-estuary/On Friday the Council released a statement Welcoming an Assembly Government investigation into cockle mortality in the Loughor estuary.Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/civil-liberties/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/civil-liberties/Sorry for the prolonged period of quiet on this blog. I've been uncharacteristically busy of late.Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/llanelli-and-the-next-general-election/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/llanelli-and-the-next-general-election/There has been a lot of discussion since the last Assembly election about the next General election battle for the Llanelli parliamentary seat.Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/musings-on-the-welsh-labour-party/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/musings-on-the-welsh-labour-party/Just when politics is beginning to get interesting again I am suddenly struck by a feeling of apathy.Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/so-what-now/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/so-what-now/Since the news that Plaid Cymru was excluded from an administration at County Hall there have been many posts across the Welsh blogosphere about the issues surrounding the rigFri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/a-day-of-labour-woes/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/a-day-of-labour-woes/Being a member of the Llanelli Labour party is not an easy thing this morning. I'm sure we are all licking out wounds.Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/election-results/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/election-results/Here are the results of the Carmarthenshire County Council election 2008. May contain errors.Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/elections-update/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/elections-update/Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones paid a visit to Llanelli on Wednesday, promising to bring an end to the "culture of incumbency which has dominated councils in Wales for farFri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/more-from-plaid-mwy-o-blaid-cymru/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/more-from-plaid-mwy-o-blaid-cymru/Plaid Cymru have launched a party political broadcast for the Carmarthenshire County Council elections on May 1st. Click here to see it.Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMTcypoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/what-the-papers-say/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/what-the-papers-say/One of the big issues challenging the democratic system throughout Wales today is the weakness of journalists in reporting on that which effects us day to day.Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/capitalism-and-consumerism/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/capitalism-and-consumerism/Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, a man that I respect for his intellect and understanding, used his Easter Sunday sermon to attack the world's greed for "comfoWed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/ams-and-pay/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/ams-and-pay/I have read many an article, blog and comment on the recent decision by the Assembly Commission on the advice of an independent committee to increase their wage by 8.2%.Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-identity-paradox/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-identity-paradox/I was reading Bethan Jenkins' post on the Our Kingdom blog and though I would express my thoughts on my Welsh identity.Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/brit-nat-in-wales-watch-shame/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/brit-nat-in-wales-watch-shame/A couple of days ago I decided to do a Google search on "The Llanelli Journal" to find out how much coverage this blog is getting.Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/society-calls-an-end-to-llanelli-town-centre/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/society-calls-an-end-to-llanelli-town-centre/2007 was quite frankly a disastrous year for our town centre. Headline after headline in the Llanelli Star bought news that another national chain was to withdraw from the forWed, 09 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/nadolig-llawen/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/nadolig-llawen/Rydyn ni yn agos i ddiwedd y blwyddyn hwn yn awr. Yn 2007 mae nifer mawr o bethau wedi digwydd yn hanes gwleidyddol Llanelli, pethau da a ddrwg.Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMTcypoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/eisteddfod-again/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/eisteddfod-again/The National Eisteddfod of Wales last visited Llanelli in the year 2000. The main events were held on the Festival Fields in the Stradey/Pwll area of town.Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/news-round-up/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/news-round-up/I've been awfully busy recently. It's that time of year, trying to get everything in order before Christmas. Here is a round-up of the news relevant to Llanelli and Wales.Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/stradey-park-part-two-kicks-off/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/stradey-park-part-two-kicks-off/I can understand the concerns of the locals living around Stradey Park over the proposed development of a huge housing estate to be built in their back gardens.Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/kidwelly-town-council/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/kidwelly-town-council/Here is an extract from the Gwendraeth Star from the 25th July. It makes me wonder what the point of community councils.Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/independence-for-llanelli/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/independence-for-llanelli/Many would argue that over the past eleven years Llanelli has suffered from being part of Carmarthenshire.Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/trams-for-swansea/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/trams-for-swansea/Although I hardly ever comment on Swansea, this story is very interesting.Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/kidwelly/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/kidwelly/Perhaps the forgotten town in Carmarthenshire, Kidwelly seems to go on without much help or interest from the outside world.Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/im-annoyed-so-im-rambling-on/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/im-annoyed-so-im-rambling-on/The land of my fathers is dear to me. But I must admit, the ruddy rain is getting me down. Should have gone on holiday abroad this year.Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpersonalhttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/mark-james/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/mark-james/Mark James, Chief Executive to Carmarthenshire County Council has yet again made it into the news.Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/lib-dems-get-it-right/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/lib-dems-get-it-right/There was an interesting article in the Western Mail (3rd August) reporting on a new Lib Dem policy of charging a £10 tax on domestic flights to fund a new high-speed rail netTue, 07 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/legal-threat-to-council-hecklers/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/legal-threat-to-council-hecklers/I was wondering through cyberspace and came across this bombshell.Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/cyngor-ddemocrataidd-i-lanelli/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/cyngor-ddemocrataidd-i-lanelli/Rwyn cefnogi y syniad i torri Sir Gaerfyrddin yn ddau gyda Bwrdeistref Llanelli i'r Dde.Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMTcypoliticshttps://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-works-cultural-powerhouse-or-white-elephant/https://ryanthomas.cymru/posts/the-works-cultural-powerhouse-or-white-elephant/There has been a lot of fuss being made about the "exciting" and "prestigious" but still proposed The Works development down on the Old Castle Works site.Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMTenpolitics