For ‘more functionality’ read ‘cluttered’. As for Guido, his template is basically a blogdpot one, and Dale still uses blogspot too, despite the new template (currently AWOL).

So I predict that political bloggers will become ‘web stars’ and virtual soldiers in the upcoming political battles. The Americans have shown us how to do it. Some will remain independent, some will become affiliated to a newspaper/magazine and some will be vehicles for political lobbying (by the political parties or commercial interest).

Firstly, in England this has all already happened. Secondly, blogging in the UK and Wales will never be the same as blogging in the US, the demographics are entirely different as is the political circus here to there. The same can be said of Welsh blogs compared to English ones. Welsh blogs are already read by Welsh politicians and media, and as such are already ‘influential’ to political debate here. The difference is that here in Wales we don’t have ‘blogging stars’ in the media as is the case in England. This is hardly surprising when we remember that we don’t have any ‘politician stars’ in the media here either.

I have already posted my thoughts on the Welsh blogosphee. I think we have a healthy blogosphere here in Wales. We have -as Normal Mouth comments- “an innately meritocratic space, where anyone can participate and where quality of argument rather than status, financial clout power wins out.” This is essentially what blogging is about. It would not be a step forward for Welsh bloggers to focus on become new media ’stars’.