The Arsembly Interview

Well what with me being down in Cardiff for my debut appearance on 18 Doughty Street today, I emailed Arsembly last night to see if he fancied meeting up, to my surpirse he said yes. When I asked if I could bring a tape recorder with me and interview him, to my even greater surpirse he agreed!

Not being all too familiar with the big city, I left it up to Arsembly to decide on the location. He chose a fabulous italian on St Mary's Street called Zizzi's.

I didn't have a clue what to expect when I met him, but for some reason I was taken by surpirse. He's softly spoken, polite and even paid for my pasta! As you'd expect, we chatted a bit about blogging and politics, and then I turned the tape recorder on. Zizzi's was was wonderful, but very loud, so apologies to Arsembly if I didn't get every single word down verbatim.


Why do you conceal your identity? What have you got to lose?

I don't go out of my way to conceal my identitiy, I'm talking to you now! A lot of people have worked out who I am now, which is fine, to be honest, I think quite a few people were dissappointed that I wasn't someone more exciting like a Labour or Tory spinner, so for that reason alone it is probably best not to out myself on the media!

I think it will spoil the effect of the blog if I post under my real name and it's always fun to keep people guessing! I never comment on the blog regarding speculation ove rmy identity. Loads of people in the comments make suggestions as to who I am, I just publish them and don't respond to any!

You have been accused of being pro-Tory, pro-Labour, and anti-nationalist. Just where do you stand in the political spectrum?

I am not a member of any political party - I never have been. I guess I would describe myself as a libetarian, first and foremost. I tend to vote Tory in the end, my views are pretty moderate, I don't care much to be honest, I just like the take the piss out of anyone.

I am not a nationalist, whether that makes me an anti-nationalist, I'm not sure, that would be for others to judge. I know all Plaid voters aren't nationalist.

Haven't decided who to vote for on 3 May yet, I haven't ruled out any of the big four. My vote, is up for grabs.

You've made what could be described as being rather savage attacks on certain individuals. Are you trying to settle some scores?


Well the politicians deserve everything they get. As for the others, I'm not settling old scores. I mean, Ioan Bellin spent the whole of the Plaid conference slagging off my blog to the media, I couldn't let him get away with that, and since the blog is my only platform, I went after him. Hopefully he'll think twice next time. I have eyes and ears everywhere. I was maybe a little harsh on Ciaran Jenkins, calling him a liar and a hypocrite. But the points I was making still stand.

Just what is the point of the Arsembly blog?

What is the "point" of any blog? I mean, first and foremost I suppose it is for the amusement of myself and others. But it does have a more serious objective, the Assembly establishment is far too cosy, always covering up for each other - a bit like the Freemasons, the blog exposes their secrets. Simple as that.

Are you just a would-be Welsh Guido? What are your blog influences?

(Laughs) I like Guido's blog a lot, and I would say he was my No. 1 influence, yes. I'm not sure I would go as far as saying I am just a Welsh version of him. Though I know a lot of people think that!

How do you rate the Welsh political blogosphere, and where do you see it going?

It's pretty crap, I think. I don't tend to read other Welsh poltical blogs that often. A few of them are pretty good some of the time, I suppose they say the same about mine. I don't care though

Why do you seem to hate the media in Wales so much? What's your problem with them?

I just think the Welsh political broadcast journalism is shit. I don't slag the papers of much, I think Shipton's pretty good and Tomos Livingstone. I can even tolerate Withers, he's young and keen, bless him!

Who is your favourite figure in the Welsh media?

Shipton

Who is your least favourite figure in the Welsh media?


Take you pick from the BBC poltical unit!

Err... I would probably have to say... No, I don't know.... I'll have to think about that.

(Waiter arrives with our food. Arsembly is having something called a Penne. I stick to what I know and have a Bolognese)

What for you has been the most cringeworthy moment in the election campaign?

Dunno really, it's been so boring so far. Nothing remotely interesting or cringeworthy has happened.

Who would you most like to see being returned to Cardiff Bay?

For comic appeal - Dafydd Elis-Thomas
For sex appeal - Kirsty Williams/Laura Anne-Jones/Leanne Wood
For hard work and effective scrutiny - Alun Cairns/David Melding

Who would you least like to see being returned to Cardiff Bay?


Too many to choose from!


Where do you see the Assembly and Welsh politics going in the next four years?


I really don't know. Thinks could improve drastically with the new powers but I doubt it. I am shit at predictions anyway.

Where would you like to see it going?

I would just like to see it delivering real improvements in the lives of the poeple of Wales. I don't care how or who.
I just think, I pay all this tax, my wife pays more than me, and what do we get back from the Assembly when, for example, our frist child is born in a few months? A fucking tree.

Who is the sexiest person in Welsh politics (including the media)?

Including the media. Hmm... I'd have to say Kirsty Williams, all the women fancy that guy who presents Maniffesto - is his name Arwyn or Carwyn, I can't remember...

Who is the least sexy?

Andrew Davies? I dunno

Who would you like to see as First Minister after May 3?

You mistake me for someone who gives a toss. I don't know, I don't care. I just want to see the place work better.

How are you going to vote on May 3?

Dunno yet, my vote is still up for grabs. It will be one of the big four.

Are you planning on writing any books on Welsh politics?

If someone wants to pay me to write a book and publish it, I will.

What does the future hold for Arsembly?

Watch this space (laughs). Well, the blog is growing from strength to strength. More people have asked to come on board, so hopefully soon we'll be able to provide a wider platform for comment and debate. So watch this space and if anyone is interested in getting involved, they should get in touch, they can do so anonymously obviously.

Was Sam Tyler back in time, in a coma, or just mad?

Stark raving bonkers.