Skip to main content

Rhodri, beer and cheese




Whatever you say about our First Minister, he surely knows how to speak his mind, often without any thought of the consequences.

Of course, in the age of 'speak your weight' politicians, such candour can be refreshing but can also, if misinterpreted, be potentially damaging.

Today's interview in the Western Mail is one such example.

Whilst rightly predicting that the USA would remain Wales’ most important trading partner, he then goes on to say that

"There are some things which despite the huge technological advances America has they are hopeless at. One of them is beer and the other is cheese and I think we can help fill the gap in both cases. American cheese is dreadful, absolutely dreadful, and their beer isn’t much better.”

I must admit that I am quite partial to a bit of Monterey Jack and a pint of Sam Adams when over the pond but clearly the First Minister feels otherwise, although whether he should say it just before going on a trade visit to our most important trading partner is another matter entirely.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Dylan, Believe me after living in the US for 17 odd years you wont find many Yanks that will disagree with him about that!
March 05, 2009 11:18 am
Anonymous said…
The cheese that is!
March 05, 2009 11:19 am
Anonymous said…
is that the level of our economic development strategy!
March 05, 2009 11:51 am
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans said…
I take it you are talking about the processed american cheese although the american cheese society (www.cheesesociety.org) would say differently.

However, Sam Adams should not be toyed with on any account!
March 05, 2009 12:29 pm
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE IMPORTANCE OF FRANCHISING

When we talk about start-ups and entrepreneurship, rarely do we discuss the potential of franchising not only as a way of establishing new ventures in the economy but also as a method of growing existing businesses. According to the British Franchising Association, franchising is the granting of a licence by one person (the franchisor) to another (the franchisee), which entitles the franchisee to own and operate their own business under the brand, systems and proven business model of the franchisor. The franchisee also receives initial training and ongoing support, comprising all the elements necessary to establish a previously untrained person in the business. This enables individuals to start their own businesses without having to develop their own ideas and utilising an existing brand and established market. Of course, whilst each franchise business is owned and operated by the franchisee, the franchisor controls the quality and standards of the way in which the business is...
Read more

THE CRACHACH

Unlike me, do you consider yourself part of 'the establishment' here in Wales?  As thousands gather for the Eisteddfod in Mold this morning, they will, according to some social commentators, not be participating in the greatest cultural festivals of Europe. Instead, they will merely be bit-part players in one of the annual gatherings of the great and good of Wales.  Unkindly, this set of the movers and shakers in Welsh society is known as 'the crachach' , and constitute a social class all of their own, dominating the educational, cultural and media sectors of Wales and allegedly looking down upon any outsider with new ideas, reinforcing mediocrity and failing to see beyond the limits of their own narrow experience.  They are said to live in a comfort zone that awaits the expected invitation to the next glass of chilled chardonnay and canapés, forgetting that due to their lack of leadership and drive, Wales remains firmly rooted to the bottom of the UK prosperity league ...
30 comments
Read more

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CREATIVE CLASSES

One of my favourite academic books of the last two decades must be the “Rise of the Creative Classes” by Professor Richard Florida.  This was one of the first detailed studies of the growing group of individuals who use their creativity and mental labour to earn a living and not only included those in arts and entertainment, but also people working in science and technology as well as knowledge-based professions such as healthcare, law, business, and finance.  Fast forward to 2022 and Professor Florida has written an updated report on the creative classes although he and his team now identify a different type of individual who is taking full advantage of the growth in digital platforms, social media, and online marketplaces.  Such ‘creators’ are defined as those who use digital technology to make and publish unique creative content, whether in the form of video, film, art, music, design, text, games, or any other media that audiences can access and respond to.  They ...
Read more