Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Is Mick Bates retiring?

Was at a meeting in Welshpool tonight when I bumped into Edna Mopbucket, who does a bit of cleaning and tidying around the municipal offices of Wales. Edna works quietly and unobstusively - and often sees and hears snippets that she passes on to me. I could see she was bursting to share some gossip with me last night. And I could also see that it was a snippet about which she wasn't too happy. Anyway, in the end I wheedled it out of her. She reckons that the long standing Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, Mick Bates has decided not to stand at the next Assembly Election, and will make an announcement shortly. Now even though Mick has always been my opponent in Montgomeryshire, and Edna is my best friend, I know that she carries a bit of a torch for him. I think its because Mick is a big powerful man, and Edna likes them that way. She's always had a touch of the 'hots' for Councillor Bob Mills in Powys, and Labour Assembly Member, Carl Sargeant as well - and both of them are powerful men. I told her I was a bit doubtful about the veracity of this bit of gossip, and that she ought to check up with Mick before going around telling people like me - because I'm just no good at keeping it to myself. I'm bound to let it slip somewhere.

7 comments:

JB said...

Glyn,

He's going for selection against Westminster perhaps?

There could be truth in the rumour that he's also fed up with our MP.

JB said...

Oops! I did of course mean that he would go for selection FOR Westminster.

It's that senility agian.

Anonymous said...

ar you sure this is true glyn. ive heard nothing from the liberal camp abiut this. edna must have had a drink or two before you met her.

Anonymous said...

His wife who is a teacher is retiring this year, so it makes sense that he wouldn't want to stand at the next Assembly election doesn't it? So I reckon ole Edna's right.

I've also heard a bit of gossip that he is trying to distance himself from the Montgomeryshire MP - for rather obvious reasons - doesn't want to be tarred with the same brush I daresay!

frankie said...

Wouldn't surprise me as Buddug his wife is retiring from her headmistresses post this summer. Their family is expanding too (another grandchild on the way) so they probably both want to hang up their hats and spend more time being grandparents.

You know the joys of being a grandfather only too well Glyn. As for me - still waiting and both my sons are in their 30s!!

Glyn Davies said...

I fear that Edna was correct, and that we shall all find out officially tomorrow. I've been making generous comments about Mick for tomorrow's media, though they might not get printed of course. Now this blog invites you to suggest who might stand in his place. My office suggested that it might be Lembit Opik!

US correspondent said...

Well, the announcement that Mick Bates is to stand down is on mediaWales/icWales/BBC Wales etc.