Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

MSs fighting for the ‘pawblic’ vote in first Senedd Dog of the Year competition

Politicians in Cardiff Bay and their dogs are going paw-to-paw in the first Senedd Dog of the Year competition next Thursday.

George Thompson
Monday 13 May 2024 15:58 BST
Darren Millar, Conservative MS for Clwyd West and his Whippet, Blue (Dogs Tust)
Darren Millar, Conservative MS for Clwyd West and his Whippet, Blue (Dogs Tust)

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Members of the Welsh parliament are battling it out for the “Pawblic” vote, in the first Senedd Dog of the Year competition.

Politicians in Cardiff Bay and their dogs will go paw-to-paw to see which canine contender has the “winning personality” on May 23.

The event is the first of its kind in Wales, following in the footsteps of the popular Westminster Dog of the Year and Holyrood Dog of the Year competitions.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes, regardless of breed, or “pawlitical” persuasion, will be strutting their stuff with their MS owners in Britannia Park, Cardiff, to see who will be crowned “top dog”.

The 2024 contenders are:

– Jane Dodds, Lib Dem MS for Mid & West Wales and her Greyhound, Wanda

– Jack Sargeant, Labour MS for Alyn & Deeside and his Cavalier King Charlies Spaniel, Coco

– James Evans, Conservative MS for Brecon & Radnorshire and his Cocker Spaniel, Bonnie

– Janet Finch-Saunders, Conservative MS for Aberconwy and her Welsh Collie, Alfie

– Darren Millar, Conservative MS for Clwyd West and his Whippet, Blue.

The MSs taking part will be asking for the public to vote for them online, while judges on the day will judge “the contestants on their good dog deeds and winning personalities”.

The event is jointly organised by The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust and is intended to celebrate the unique bond between pets and their owners and encourage responsible dog ownership.

To find out more or to vote for Senedd Dog of the Year, visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/sdoty .

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in