I'd just about given up on it. For months I'd been prostrating myself before Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems, asking them (almost begging them) to consider us as a potential coalition partner after May 3rd. I know that I rattled Ieuan up a bit with the 'Wobbly Wyn Jones' stuff - but generally I've been craven in my sycophancy. I've even been nice to Mick Bates - which has left the poor fellow in such a state of confusion that he will probably go and lose his seat at the election. Tories being nice throws the whole political world into turmoil. Mr Cameron is showing us this on the UK stage. Anyway, I'd had so little response to my prostrating (and not a lot from my own side either) that I was on the point of going back on the attack. Never been one to flog a horse that is definitely dead. There would have been the usual ferocity and vindictiveness of the lover spurned.
And then, would you believe it. Up pops Plaid and tells us that they are interested after all. And its Adam Price of all people. Easily Plaid's star performer. Telling everyone willing to lend an ear that Plaid would be willing to talk to the Tories on May 4th. Now I know that its 'even' the Tories and we're grouped with the communists - and that Adam's 'local country solicitor' must be First Minister. But I'm not fooled. Plaid has announced that she's 'biddable' and we've been invited to make an offer. This is real progress. My book of '100 ways to insult Plaid Cymru' will be returned to the shelf. Mick Bates stays an OK bloke. Its back to the Old Spice aftershave and brushing my hair before going into the Debating Chamber. It sounds as if the Rainbow Coalition is back in business.
Good stunt by Martin Eaglestone. Got him stacks of publicity. No-one had heard of him outside North Wales until today. Every one's forgotten what his silly little petition was all about - but Adam's counter petition gave the story legs. Alun Ffred can't take anything for granted. I've read some psephologist who thinks that Martin's going to win - which would up the average standard of Labour AMs and drop the average standard of Plaid AMs.
9 comments:
old spice! you are showing your age when is the last time you used aftershave you need to bring yourself up to date in the scent you use if you want to attract plaid
but your opinion doesn't reflect that of Cameron, ur leader at all. On the Politics Show yesterday he showed little interest in working with Plaid. Are you still on your own on this one?
I'm not on my own now blodyn - not since Plaid so shamelessly put themselves up for the highest bidder. But you are right, in that I am not overwhelmed by enthusiasm to put Labour into opposition. Perhaps, things will change on May 4th. Wales has been a one-party-state for so long that its difficult for people to comprehend a non Labour-led Government. But nothing is acheived without sticking at it. I hope my stubborness is recogniosed some day
so would you agree to Plaid's red line issues- referendum on a Parliament for Wales, no privatisation in the NHS, New Welsh Language Act to name a few?
Personally, I would - except that the 'privatisation' point is not straightforward. I have no ideological objection to using the private sector if I am sure it would improve healthcare. For me, the interests of the patient comes before ideology
blodyn is typical plaid cymru frightened of the new tories because she knows a lot of plaid supporters like the things you say glyn. there are lots of plaid voters who do not like all the leftie rubbish some of them spout off
I am not frightened of the 'New Tories'. I am merely asking what Glyn would be willing to compromise on. It would work both ways. If all tories could sign up to a programme that Plaid and the Tories could work with then a coalition would not be a problem. The issue is if everyone could sign up to that.
The main areas where I could not agree with Plaid members is on powers outside the Assembly's powers. If we had tax raising powers or full law making powers, There would be little chance of us agreeing a programme.
Glyn. There is nothing shameless about putting Wales first. The Labour candidate's stunt has actually helped Plaid, in that it has exposed Labour's main election weapon (vote Plaid-get Tory policies), as a dud to all the assembled media.
Labour are now going to have to change their strategy or lose more seats than they planned and I'm afraid Glyn, those votes will not be going your way.
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