Today's Politics Show was a must-watch for every Welsh Conservative. The UK section of the programme focused on David Cameron and Boris Johnson. We already knew that David is a class act. And we now know that Boris is as well. He came through a potentially very difficult interview with flying colours, and added some vintage, unique Boris at the end. Only comment I'd make is that its a bit rich for all these people to accuse Boris of 'politicising' the position of Chief Constable of the Met - that's the Chief Constable who's been openly campaigning for the 42 day detention without trial period, and ID Cards. Wrong on both counts, but a big help to Labour
Then in the Welsh section of the programme we had the Nick Bourne 'apology'. Felicity Evens is a feisty customer, but she did go on a bit. I thought Nick acquitted himself pretty well, all things considered. Lets hope that little squall has been put to bed.
But the interview that really struck me was that with recently resigned Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain. It was seriously impactful. He does not want to see law making powers vested in the National Assembly for a decade - at least. He informed us that the Labour Party (MPs, AMs and activists) are opposed to law making powers. He predicted that if there were to be a referendum on law making powers, it would suffer the same sort of defeat as that which befell the 1979 referendum. This was devastating stuff. And he has every intention of repeating all this whenever he's asked. Personally, I've accepted that that any referendum on law making powers for the Assembly before 2011 is a dead duck. Surely the scales have fallen from the eyes of the last believer.
One big question now is whether the Coalition Government will survive intact. Its now becoming clear that Labour never intended to run with it - Peter Hain would have been closely involved at the time. It was just a cunning plan (as Baldrick would say) to dupe Plaid Cymru into propping up Rhodri Morgan and his gang in office. (Can I apologise immediately if this is too offensive to Rhodri) And I daresay a few Plaid Cymru activists are asking themselves, after watching the Hain interview today, whether their own leadership had any genuine commitment to a referendum either - or was it the sniff of the 'ministerial car'. I can see an early meeting between Rhodri Morgan and the new Leader of the Liberal democrats - just to consider the possibilities you understand.
10 comments:
While I can't fault the majority of your post Glyn, it can hardly be alleged that Plaid AM's chose Labour because of the "sniff of the ministerial car" when their other option was to lead the rainbow government, getting a "bigger car" in the process.
hen - fair point. I'd better withdraw that. Was getting a bit carried away.
I thought Bourne was utterly dreadful. He was evasive and unconvincing. Made me ashamed of my own party.
I firmly believe that David Cameron is the man to put GREAT back in Great Britain, Boris I've always had a lot of time for, and he's just proven himself to be the best man for the job. Now all we've got to do is hope and pray that David makes it to PM and you to MP, then by jove we've cracked it!!
Happy Birthday little Ffion.
Very sorry I left Nick Bourne AM out of the team, how could I have done that, when we need to see the back of Rhodri Morgan, just as much as Gordon Brown!!
Welsh Assembly Politics 'as usual' ... while the Welsh economy is misfiring what is the WAG doing? Oh, examining close up the various micro-valleys and blotches in Mr. Bourne's navel.
What about coming up with simple solutions to protect Welsh innovation? Too complicated.
So no concrete steps for fixing the low GVA necklace that burdens the Welsh economy? Putty is better.
So what are the AMs doing about this? Playing along with the game of distracting the Welsh public with stupid stuff while doing next to nothing to fix the Welsh economy.
Barry - I think you are harsh. He was up against it, and at least I thought he did OK.
anon 1 - agreed
Nick Bourne done a decent job of damage limitation (considering it was almost wholly of his own making). Time will tell if it was enough.
Peter Hain simply repeated exactly what he has said before when asked about the timing if the referendum. Hardly a "swoop" I seem to remember saying virtually the same thing word for word on the same programme earlier in the year.
I get the feeling (although I have nothing to back this up - just a feeling) although he'd never admit it - his real plan is to leave it long enough that the Assmebly will already have law making powers in almost all of it's devolved areas to the point where a referendum will be deemed (by the great & good) no longer necessary and the remainder will be devolved by default.
daitwp - I think there is a lot to be said for your feeling. I suspect its not only Peter Hain who might be thinking that way. I've been saying for months that it won't be long until the only voices calling for a referendum are those who want the Assembly abolished.
It wasn't the sniff of a car, but the sniff of money - look what Plaid and Welsh Labour are planning - a raid of the reserves ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7655271.stm
With Plaid's hand on the tiller - it was inevitable ...
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