Apologies that the blogging has been light during the past two weeks. We had expected to be in the US and the plan was to blog my experiences there, but as you know, we never made it. We did manage a relaxing holiday in Dorset, however, in a lovely cottage in a tiny village outside Bridport.

Being in Dorset allowed me to follow the UK general election. We spent most of our time in an area covered by two constituencies and I found it fascinating to see how different elections are down there compared to north-west Wales. The number of householders willing to put posters in their gardens was really surprising. Watch out for Dorset South and Dorset West on the night – they could throw up some very interesting results.

Here on Anglesey too the campaign is gearing up to an exciting finish. I’ve been out of party politics for a long time, so it was a surprise to be at the last campaign meeting for party workers last night seeing how well organised things are here for Plaid. Apparently the number of workers is higher in this election than it has been since 1997 and our candidate, Dylan Rees, has worked so hard during the past three years. With only three days to go until polling day all the stops are being pulled out to ensure victory.

Things in the country in general have been fascinating too. The TV debates have made this a tight contest between three parties UK-wide. Nick Clegg has been propelled into a place he could never have imagined – proving how important the mass media is. The politicians, of course, have always known how important presentation and media coverage are – it’s just us the public who have been complaining about spin over substance.

Out there on the doorstep – in the little canvassing I have done – there is no doubt that there is real anger in people still following the expenses scandal. Trying to persuade people that they’re not ‘all the same’ is difficult. This will either affect turnout or throw up some very unexpected results.

When the financial and banking crisis first exploded it was suggested (by Martin Scott for one?) that not only a new economics would rise up from the mess but also a new politics. At the time, with the Tories riding high in the polls, I could see how we would get a new politics. It would have depended a lot on having a different electoral system which would force the parties to find consensus over issues. Today, however, we appear to be on the brink of that new era. Should the polls stay pretty much static over the remaining few days, we will have a balanced parliament and a real possibility of voting reform in the near future. This surely is the most exciting aspect of the election.

I’ll be spending most of my time this week electioneering. Blogging may well be affected, though will not disappear!