I'm in an Internet cafe (or is it shop) for the first time. Its called Crossfire, opposite the Dragon Hotel in Swansea. I'm meeting a Swansea City Councillor shortly - after the Council meeting which is considering allowing Dydd Dewi Sant as a holiday to all Council staff. I did that with my own Assembly staff years ago.
Feeling good today. I've pulled through all the trauma associated with Mrs D's knee operation six weeks ago - shopping, cooking, etc.. She drove off to Morrison's without me this morning. I felt quite emotional as I watched her drive off to shop for the first time. And the Hymac has arrived to redesign a part of our garden - partly to lay out a marquee site for son, Tim's wedding to Adrienne next July. The only member of the blogosphere whose been on a formal visit so far is our new Eurochamp blogger, Blamerbell.
Now the reason I'm wittering on about these things is because we are all getting bored by the bed hopping of the political parties in Cardiff Bay. It is time for decision. There's only so much that can be said. It still seems an even bet between the 'Brown Coalition' and the 'Rainbow'. Thats about it really. I know there is renewed discussion about a possible Lib Lab deal - but Mike German couldn't deliver it, even if he wanted to. Labour MPs really are living in another country. I hope that things might clarify a bit this weekend - so that we can start blogging about policy again.
I was interested (and pleased) to read that all parties in the Assembly agreed yesterday on a serious look at how the Assembly budget is calculated. I have always thought that there is danger in opening up this 'can of worms' but recent decisions taken by the Scottish Parliament will cause so much resentment in England, that the funding formula is bound to be reviewed sooner or later. I'm not sure what a Welsh Commission will acheive though, since any real change will be a matter for Westminster. There's still an important job for Welsh MPs to do.
10 comments:
It was Brown himself who said he wanted a government of all the talents. If we have the Rainbow in Wales then he cannot really refuse.
I am just waiting for the news when he asks a Tory to be in his cabinet! In fact we really need to get on with the Rainbow now. All other possibilities have been explored and found unworkable.
If red green is so unworkable what on earth does anonymous think they have been talking about all this time? It isn't overcoming fundamental differences but working out the detail for government. The 'rainbow' mob now seem to be trying to 'wish it'into existence.
Welsh Labour and Plaid together will have the popular support, the strength and political muscle to address the big issues such as hospital reconfiguration. The 'rainbow' couldn't even hold together to get a deal on the table. What chance would it stand in the tough realities of power, with all the pressure and unpopularity it inevitably brings.
Sorry avtivist but I still think the Rainbow is at least 50/50. The Brown (Red/Green) is the solution that Labour in the Assembly want - but not Labour at Westminster. So there is a real issue about what can be delivered as opposed to promised.
If the Brown Coalition goes ahead, the Lib Dems become almost totally irrelevent in Wales.
Acitivist said...
"If red green is so unworkable what on earth does anonymous think they have been talking about ..."
The talks have not been exclusively Red/Green. There appear to be fundamental differences or they would have come to agreement by now. The details may not be all that palatable for Labour so it may well have to be a Rainbow.
btw, wasn't it Labour who was cosing the hospitals?
dont rule out mike germans lot who are waking up to the fact that they could finish up finished if the red green government comes about
Anonymous said...
"dont rule out mike germans lot who are waking up to the fact that they could finish up finished if the red green government comes about "
They would finish even if the Red/Yellow link up happened. Too close for comfort. That would add power to the elbow of New Labour and on top of having a weak government we would see more closures of hospitals/shcools because that's the way they 'budget'.
anons - The position of the Lib Dems is fascinating. It is so odd that Labour at Westminster and probably in the Assembly want to do a deal with them - and might even givev then PR in local government - and many Lib Dems would like to do a deal with Labour. But for all sorts of reasons, the two parties cannot even discuss it. So the Lib Dems are praying for the Rainbow to save them from total irrelevence. Sometimes sitting astride a fence can inflict serious damage.
Glyn,
Labour and Plaid know that any approach from the Lib Dems is only about trying to 'frighten' Plaid back into the 'rainbow'.
That is known by both parties and will not work. If Plaid want the deal with Labour they will get it. There will be no discussions with the Lib dems if Plaid keep their nerve and see this through.
The Welsh Labour MPs are a red herring. Gordon will have signed this off and come the crunch they will fall into line or pay the usual price for defying the PM. None of them are that brave or foolish.
Time will soon tell.
activist - I agree with you. But it would be interesting if Mike German realised the pickle he's in and rang Rhodri with a genuine offer to deal. Won't happen because the Lib Dems have made such a pig's eye of it all.
Checkanndra - I have not ruled out an eventual return to the Assembly. Plaid's Gareth Jones is my inspiration - and a damn good AM as well.
I agree with the principle of what you say - but not the time table. I do think the policies of free provision in Scotland will cause serious resentment in England. In part, that was why I was so opposed to free prescriptions.
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