My Welsh Blogosphere – Gwilym Euros Roberts

I started blogging in March 2008 in the run-up to the Local Government Elections that were being held on May 1st. The aim of my blog then was to inform electors in the Ward of the issues that were in my view important within Blaenau Ffestiniog as well as to give them a little insight into my life and my views on anything and everything from football to food or music to mishaps that had happened as part of the campaign.

I was fortunate and honoured to be elected and since the election I have used the blog over the last year to inform electors in the Ward of what is happening in Gwynedd Council, to attack certain politicians at various levels for their crass and senseless behavior and to air my views on a whole host of topics ranging from my favourite tunes to the recent expenses scandal to engulf Westminster.

I know for a fact that my blog is read widely both locally by electors, by fellow Council Members across the parties, Officers and the press and media so I view it as being an important communication tool for the 21st Century.

Sometimes I have used the blog to counter things that have appeared in the press or on the radio, other times I have used it to start a debate or to give the insiders view on a story relating to the Council.

I also enjoy reading blogs from across the political spectrum as well as one’s that have no clear allegiance. My daily reads include, Miserable Old Fart, Cynical Dragon (groveler!), Valleys Mam, A View from Rural Wales, Blogmenai, Dylan Jones Evans, Iain Dale, Vaughan Roderick and Ordovicious…even if some of these take a swipe at me from time to time, I don’t take it personally!

One thing I do feel strongly about is anonymous comments, after a few months of running my blog, I implemented a policy of not publishing any anonymous comments, be they good or bad as I feel that it is only right and proper that if I put my name to what ever I write and stand by that viewpoint that everyone else contributing should do the same.

To close, I think that the Welsh Bloggers in The Pub is a great idea and I hope that I can be there on July 15th….is it true that the first round is on you Mr. Raybould?...If so? I’ll have a pint of Dark please.

(Gwilym Euros Roberts is 39 years old and is a member of Gwynedd Council on behalf of Llais Gwynedd, the group that was formed to oppose the ruling Plaid Cymru group’s plans to close a number of schools across the County at last May’s Local Government Elections. Llais went on to win 13 out of the 26 seats they contested and took some major scalps including Plaid President, Dafydd Iwan and the then Council Leader, Richard Parry-Hughes. Gwilym represents the Diffwys and Maenofferen Ward in Blaenau Ffestiniog and is a father to two children aged 13 and 12. Outside of politics he lists his interests as sport, travelling, music, current affairs and The Internet. His heroes are Gwynfor Evans, Nelson Mandela, John Charles, Bob Marley and Scooby-Doo. He also blogs here.)

This is the fifteenth in a series of posts giving a chance for Welsh bloggers to have their say on the state of the blogosphere and where it's going. If you're interested in contributing place feel free to contact me at welshbloggers@gmail.com