I was expecting a quiet summer!
A BANGOR broadcaster is gearing up to present his ninth live General Election programme, but admits he can’t remember an election campaign quite like this one.
Dewi Llwyd will present Etholiad 2017 on S4C, bringing all the results and latest developments from Wales and the United Kingdom right through the night.
“A week before Prime Minister Therese May called the election, I had told my work colleagues that I was looking forward to a relatively quiet summer,” said Dewi, who presents the evening radio news programme Post Prynhawn on BBC Radio Cymru.
“After the unexpected announcement, things have developed quickly. But following the sudden death of Rhodri Morgan, and the terrible terrorist attacks, the party campaigns, quite naturally, were suspended, as a mark of respect.
“Brexit certainly means that this election is dominated by one central issue.
“But the truth is, a general election can’t be confined to one issue. There are many aspects to Brexit - the economy, immigration, the impact on devolution and the countryside.
“Moreover, there’s no avoiding the battle of personalities.”
With Dewi presenting his second general election programme within two years and with the EU Referendum having been held between them, is there a danger that many voters will be screaming ‘Not Another one ?!’
Dewi assures me he is not among them and that the adrenaline will be as high as ever on election night.
“I hardly need to say that on election night things are highly exciting for me and it’s a huge career highlight. There’s so much to show, to analyse and to learn and so many questions to ask.
“And somehow the answers come from the knowledgeable Vaughan. With politicians and commentators more than ready to drop in, there is plenty to keep us awake in the early hours.
“In that regard, I should not forget one other key element - the cluster of bananas that are always on hand to give us energy!”
Etholiad 2017 will start this Thursday, June 8, at 10pm on S4C.