Thursday, February 14, 2008

Ferrets in the sack

Amusing little spat between Plaid Cymru and Labour being reported in today's media. The BBC and the Western Mail are both covering the story. It particularly pleases me because I've been love-bombing Plaid politicians for years (apart from the odd moment when the inevitable frustration of constant rejection manifests itself in a niggardly form). The only way I cope with the constant spurning of my affection is by thinking of all the little spats there would be if the Rainbow Coalition had been running the National Assembly. Perhaps it'll develop into a full-on fight. And its Valentine's Day as well.

I do agree with what Plaid Cymru are trying to do here, even if does look like something of a stunt. If anyone wants to contribute to the Labour Party, then best of luck to them. But no-one should be contributing unless they've taken a conscious decision to do so. Plaid are making it easier for trade unionists to opt out of paying the political levy to Labour. Predictably union bosses are not happy with this, but if there isn't a need for it, the Plaid initiative will not make any difference.

But its only a little spat. The sort of thing that happens every day in most marriages. The Lib Dems and the Conservatives can have a harmless bit of entertainment though - which is all I'm doing by writing this post..

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

The best entertainment is yet to come. We all look forward to seeing our buffoon of an MP fighting for his political life. Now that will be entertaining.......
Does he even realise that Montgomeryshire has now been defined as a target seat by your party? Can you confirm that this is indeed the case, Glyn?

Glyn Davies said...

anon - Yes, Montgomeryshire is now considered to be a target seat. We've worked hard over the last few years to engage with the issues that are important in the constituency. The regional vote at the last Assembly election was hugely encouraging for us in that it was the first time that Montgomeryshire voted Conservative for many years - and by a large margin. We realise that it will need a massive 12% swing to us in order to win the next election. We believe that this is achievable if we work hard - but only if we work hard. At the very least, we intend to make a real fight of it.

Unknown said...

The content of my latest posting (on "Independence Cymru") is merely meant in jest in case you have any cause to wonder at my temerity.
It is only because your support is welcomed, as we are all working in the best interests of Wales and fair jurisprudence (apart of course from those who aren't)!

Anonymous said...

I also live in the area, in Newtown, so I can say with confidence that you need not be too scared of the task ahead. I used to vote Lib-Dem, but now if my life depended on it, I wouldn't give Lembit Opik my vote. He's a joke. And that is the general view of him up here.
People are leaving the party in droves and he's going to find it very hard to get workers out there come the election. I won't go into names, but I even know a family, who worked tirelessly for the LDs in the area for decades, yet now they are very vocal in telling everyone that they won't give LO their vote. Even the local "gentry" have withdrawn their support. A 12% swing isn't so massive under these circumstances. Good luck to you - you deserve it!

Dr. Christopher Wood said...

"What if" someone ran as an independent Lib-Dem candidate in Montgomeryshire - how about someone from the "family, who worked tirelessly for the LDs in the area for decades, yet now they are very vocal in telling everyone that they won't give LO their vote"? Split the Lib-Dem vote!

Unknown said...

What if we had an Independent Conservative candidate to and split both votes (sorry about that, Glyn!).

Glyn Davies said...

Alan and Christopher - The more the merrier, I say. At least you are not accusing me of being an 'independent' Conservative.

Anonymous said...

The way that Plaid Cymru have let down so many of their party since being in power, we should be looking out for an 'independent' Plaid Cymru candidate in many North and West Wales seats at the next election.

Glyn Davies said...

anon - In Montgomeryshire, I hope that traditional Plaid Cymru voters will consider voting for me. Not only is the Plaid leadership not delivering on the promises it made last May - but the typical Montgomeryshire Plaid voter has no time for this republican socialist stuff that is becoming the rhetoric at a national level. In my discussions with many of them (some being my family!), I find that they have more in common with me than with the stuff my good friend and Montgomeryshire girl, Helen Mary Jones has.