There can no longer be any doubt that Plaid Cymru have made a total horlicks of the coalition discussions which led to the creation of the Labour/Plaid Assembly Government. Today, Dafydd Wigley has joined in the condemnation of Ieuan Wyn Jones decision to sign up to an undeliverable programme of government. No other way of putting it. IWJ's failure to take the First Minister role at the head of a 'Rainbow Coalition will haunt him forever - and so it should. He should have told Adam Price and the Gang of 4 to 'grow up' and stop contaminating the Plaid brand with 'socialist' baggage.
Now, I'm sure that Dafydd and Ieuan will try to play things down - but Dafydd's speech at the National Eisteddfod must be a body blow to our grandly titled Deputy First Minister. First of all he tells us that the agreed programme is completely unfundable - in other words, not worth the paper its written on. This is a stunningly serious assessment. He says that 102 of the 217 promises cannot be afforded.
Then Dafydd goes on to describe a referendum on full law making powers for our National Assembly as unwinnable - because of the likely opposition of Labour, the party that Ieuan has sold his soul to. In other words, the key victory that Ieuan claims to have won is worthless. You can't get more rubbishing than that. Within a few months, Ieuan will be under the cosh from many of his own party - and deservedly so. What is he going to be telling his troops when the Tories are more supportive than Labour of Plaid's dreams during the General Election campaign. Could it be that Dafydd Wigley has worked all this out, and is lining up his tanks? A situation to watch in 2008.
16 comments:
Is this Wigleys revenge for IWJ rasputin tactics to dislodge him from office a few years back.
Wigley is a powerful figure and one who is seeking to get back a power base.
he is also an able politician who knows how to get the most bang for his bucks
Watching with interest
By the way Glyn did you hear Rod Richards on radio Wales last night Some interesting insights there
"he is also an able politician who knows how to get the most bang for his bucks"
Unlike the new Government, he alledges...
I'd be very interested to see his costings. Hope this is all leading to something more incisive than a complaint about the Barnett formula.
Valley's mam - I didn't hear Rod, but he is always insightful. Areal waste of Welsh talent. A bit like Wigley.
Daran - agreed. I accept that the Barnett Formula should be looked at - but I'm not at all certain that it would bring more money to Wales. The interesting aspect is that Dafydd Wigley is saying this, and has clearly briefed the BBC about what he was going to say to increase its impact.
this is an unusually bitter blog from you glyn!
anon - You may be right. But it is hard to underestimate my disappointment about the failure of the 'Rainbow'. It was a huge missed opportunity for a real change. I think the scale of Dafydd's attack on the Plaid/Labour coalition is being seriously underplayed. Just imagine the hoo-hah if someone like Michael Howard or Michael Hesiltine launched into the Tory leader like that. It was bad enough when one or two nonentities did it.
Interesting post re this on Huw Lewis's blog. He seems to think that Dafyd Wigley's plan is a little subtler than many have suggested.
Funny I never rated Rod Richards , but after listening to him and his side of events - plus some comment on Wales and the way he would be playing it ,I have very much changed my mind.Didnt agree with everything mind you :>)
He did a half hour show
Worth going on to radio wales and downlaoding to listen too
Personally Glyn i don't think this is so much an attack on Plaid or the coalition rather on the Labour control at Westminster
It seems we can't quite work out what Dafydd means - an adept political move -meaning he can fire in several directions if he so chooses !
Positioning in relation to ieaun, red-green deal and Labour/London.
Alsp places him at odds with his local AM Alun Ffred Jones who came round to back red-green if gwe and the IWA article are to be beleived
phill - I prefer my analysis to Huw's. First time I've visited his blog. Will add it to my side bar.
Valley's mam - lots of people have inder-rated Rod. He's a talented man. I will try to meet him next week to talk through his ideas.
anon - you may be right, in which case it would be Dafydd launching into naive IWJ for swallowing it.
Martin - you are not the only one who has no idea what the old Plaid maestro is up to.
...and there's me, foolishly thinking that the National Eisteddfod was a celebration of music, poetry and dance, when in fact, it's barely more than a Nationalist w@nk-fest. Just another opportunity for a bit of networking for the crachach and their Nationalist pals.
It seems that the 'star' of the show was an embittered and disgruntled politician from the past who appeared to be unable to let go.
Sad really.
Your pal.
johnny.
Whatever Dafydd Wigley's motives, and none of us are in a position to intuit them, he remains a man of stature within the party but does not represent the contemporary stance of Plaid. Welsh politics has moved on and Ieuan with his "new dynamic" is the focus of the new approach. In my view, the decision to go with Labour, despite ideological differences (Plaid embracing both wings of the spectrum) was the correct one. In order that the programme for Wales could move on and deliver to the Welsh people Plaid had to have a foothold on power. As I see it Mr Wigley's remarks do not help in the new climate, and neither did his assertion that independence was not the ultimate goal of Plaid. Plaid is on course and consensus will help to achieve the vision of the original leaders in the best interests of Wales.
Johnny foreigner - you misunderstand our Eisteddfod. Its about all things Welsh. I will attend tomorrow to represent my political party, and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, speak in a debate organised by the Institute of Welsh Politics at Aberystwyth and meet other organisations which have nothing to do with 'cultural things'.
And I don't think Dafydd Wigley is 'embittered'. He is 'disgruntled' - but then he always was. He also disagrees with the decision to form a coalition with Labour. He thinks it is a mistake. I am pleased that he is willing to say so. He will be proved right.
And what's this about 'refusing to let go'. Why should he. He is an outstandingly able politician whom we cannot afford to let go anywhere.
alan - I knew you thought that Ieuan was right - just as you knew that I think he has made a monumental mistake. What you see as a 'new dynamic' I see as a lack of courage. Plaid seem more content with a foothold on power rather than accept the responsibility of leading. Time will resolve this one.
Sorry Glyn, it is YOU that fails to understand our Eisteddfod.
All definitions of the Eisteddfod state that it is a festival of music, song and dance and NOT all things Welsh, as you say.
You clearly concede that your attendance is for clear political purposes. Your response transparently shows this:
"I will attend tomorrow to represent my political party, and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, speak in a debate organised by the Institute of Welsh Politics at Aberystwyth and meet other organisations which have nothing to do with 'cultural things'".
It logically follows that as your attendance has nothing to do with 'cultural things', and, by your own admission, is for political posturing, it therefore shows that you and your political pals have hi-jacked this festival of Welsh culture for your own political purposes and nothing more.
You are attending what is, ostensibly, a festival of culture for the purposes of "nothing to do with cultural things".
Whilst I daresay that you will now say how much you enjoyed the music, song and dance, your prime purpose in attending is, again by your own admission, political.
Such hypocrisy ill befits you.
I still maintain that Mr. Wigley is an embittered and disgruntled politician. In fact, you agree with 50% of my assessment which is a step towards consensus, I suppose.
I have always admired Mr. Wigley's integrity and abilities as a politician, although, I don't for one moment agree with his politics.
Unfortunately and IMHO, Mr. Wigley, irrespective of the well-deserved plaudits heaped upon him, has had his day at the front-line of Welsh politics.
There are 'new kids' on the Plaid block and Mr. Wigley just ain't one of 'em. Although I daresay that they will humour and eulogise him as an elder statesman of Plaid.
I believe that he is perfectly entitled to his embittered and disgruntled status, IMHO, as he was ousted by a group that appears to have abandoned all pretence of 'integrity' and have clearly shown that they will 'jump into bed' with anyone that'll 'ave 'em.
My previous description of the Eisteddfod as a 'Nationalist w@nk-fest' was clearly erroneous. It now transpires that it has become a w@nk-fest for politicians of all persuasions and the perfect opportunity for a bit of networking and other such non-cultural activity.
In order not to waste your day I would respectfully suggest that, instead of debating and networking, you and your political pals get up and give a song, a dance or even a bit of recitation and enter into the TRUE spirit of the Eisteddfod and keep your politicking for the appropriate arena.
Your perceptive pal.
johnny.
johnny - I have to concede that there is much truth in what you say. Though I do enjoy Welsh 'song and dance', I don't expect to hear and see much of it tomorrow. I have won 2 bardic chairs in my youth, writing in the English language - and I have started the process of learning to write in Welsh in the hope of competing in the National. But this has nothing to do with my visit tomorrow. I am on a political and networking mission.
I also go to the Royal Welsh Show, where I do not see the animals - unless I go on the last day specifically for the purpose. Another political and networking mission. I don't pretend otherwise - which is why I think the charge of hypocrisy is a tad unfair.
And you may be right that Wigley's time is done. But I do not see any reason why a man in his early 60s should be discarded. I reckon that he is a better politician than almost every one of the Assembly Members that we have now, and that includes all parties.
Having said all that, I do not disagree with much that you have said - though I would have phrased it rather gently. Your amended description of the Eisteddfod is fair enough for many of those who attend.
Thank you Glyn, for your frank and thoughtful response.
Whilst I cannot claim any Bardic Chairs or suchlike, I can play the ukulele and would deem it an honour to accompany you, if you so wish, at next years Eisteddfod where, maybe, you will get up and show the rest of the Politicos the true flavour of the Eisteddfod.
I would suggest a rousing version of "Who do you think you're kidding, Mr. Hitler, Morgan or Wyn Jones etc." (delete or insert as required) You never know, we could win a joint chair in the politicky novelty section.
At least you concede that there is an element of exploitative behaviour in you and your pals' attendance at the Maes. I acknowledge your frankness.
You go on indicate that you intend to also exploit the Royal Welsh Show for networking and political purposes. This hardly does politics any credit and indicates to many that nothing is meaningful to a politician unless there is a means of exploiting it for self-serving political purposes. Somewhat hypocritical, IMHO.
You appear to be a little miffed at my use of the word hypocrisy. I believe that it is a perfectly apt description for such activity. You will note that my comment also stated that "such hypocrisy ill befits you". It certainly does.
There again, politicians frequently suffer from this affliction, particularly when personal and Party lines clash. I assume that it must go with the job. If this causes offence, please accept my apology and offer me another more apt descriptor for your blatantly non-cultural hi-jacking of a cultural event.
I note your comment regarding the discarding of a man in his sixties, notwithstanding his obvious talent. That description could equally apply to me having been used up and spat out by society after many years of loyal Service to Wales. Kindly pardon my cynicism.
Come to think of it, maybe Mr. Wigley could provide the bass line to our performance and prove his ongoing worth. Maybe a new career beckons. The Zimmers did it after all.
I am sorry that my less than gentle words are not to your liking but, as a renowned troll, I have my reputation to preserve.
Your partly 'pologetic pal.
johnny.
P.S. If you see me busking with my Ukulele, be a gent', kindly drop a few coppers in my cap. Pensions don't go very far nowadays. There's not much else for we political yet cultural pensioners apart from, of course, a bit of blog trolling, the library or shouting at the traffic.
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