Increasingly people are asking me whether I think I will win Montgomeryshire at the next election. "I reckon that I'm in with a chance" is my stock response. And because over-confidence is just not 'Montgomeryshire' I try to change the subject to one of the important local issues that are the basis of my 'campaigning strategy'. My theory is that no matter what, some good for Montgomeryshire will come out of my candidature. But just in case I'm elected, I am taking much more interest in what happens at Westminster - which is why Welsh Questions has become a matter of increasing interest to me. Lets look at some of yesterday's issues.
David Davies' question about the Welsh Language Legislative Competence Order that we are expecting to be published next week caught my eye. Must admit that I'm worried about this - from the perspective of wanting to see the Language continue to flourish. Fundamental to my opinion over many years has been that its successful future depends on the support of those who do not speak it. Once too many people feel that 'Welsh is being rammed down their throats' (a phrase I've heard too often), much of the goodwill that has underpinned the advance of the Welsh Language in recent years will dissipate. Most people have accepted the compulsion that secures the place of Welsh in the school curriculum - one of Lord Roberts of Conwy's greatest achievements, and crucial to the increase in numbers of Welsh speakers. I just hope that an argument about extra financial implications for private businesses of an LCO, at a time when many thousands of Welsh jobs are being lost will not put the advance that is being made by Yr Iaith Cymraeg into reverse.
Another question that I noted was from Don Tuohig. "When families across Wales are concerned about their future, does my Rt. Hon. friend think anyone gives a fig about the All Wales Convention. It is wasting £1 million of taxpayer's money, calling shambolic meetings, showing videos that give a distorted picture of Wales, and pandering to those who think the big issue of the day is independence". At least he didn't mention dishing out free curries! As far as I can see, and in his much more gentle way, Paul Murphy sort of agreed with him. And then Alun Michael rose to his feet and said that the current system of transferring power to the National Assembly was working like a dream. I really don't know which of the three would have worried Sir Emyr Jones-Parry, Chair of the Convention, and Lord Elis Thomas the most.
10 comments:
For the sake of le tout Montgomeryshire, you HAVE to win at the next election. Be bold, be brave and be bolshy. You have SO much ammunition against the current part-time MP, it would be criminal if you did not use it. For goodness sake, speak out. Segways, liaising with terrorists and sitting on a LONDON forum - none of this has anything to do with our concerns in Powys. Go forth and tell the people. Forget humility. Expose Me Opik for the fool he is!
No chance. The solid Liberals of Montgomery and the socialists who vote Lembit to keep your lot out will be joined by Conservatives who want to keep Labour out. Lembit's majority could even go up.
anon - not acording to Frank H Little!
Frank - Sooo dispiriting. The only reason I don't just give up now is because LO said much the same sort of thing in conversation with me on the street in Welshpool regarding his chances of success the day before the recent Lib Dem presidential election! I must concede that I do not think he will lose by the same humiliating margin in Montg. though - but you can never be sure.
Lembit's majority could go up!!!
What a joke......Frank should get real. Lembit Opik is a car crash in slo -mo. Why on earth does he think the BBC have pinpointed Montgomeryshire for an OB on election night? Not because LO's majority will go up, rest assured. He's dead man walking.
Absolutely right to put David Davies and Don Touhig together in this one Glyn. Both are rather obsessed with independence and come across as rabid dogs every time they speak on the TV.
I heard that Mr Touhig was asked what nationality he was once when walking through customs at Cardiff airport. He apparently exploded into a "Well I'm certainly not Welsh" rant, shouting "you bloody foreigners" as he threw his arms around in all directions. He then refused to speak to the security officer (who was from Barry) unless he denounced the Welsh language and shouted "Rule Britania" three times.
Luckily, he carries his medication with him. Mr Davies, on the other hand, seems to have a much more serious dose.
Anon - it never does to talk about those you disagree with in this way. Usually it helps to lose the argument.
Yes, Montgomeryshire is a very interesting one. There's bound to be a lot of tactical voting. If Plaid had any sense, they would vote Tory in order to help remove the much weakened Lembit. His vote is bound to go down a few thousand following his crazy behaviour over the last couple of years. That coupled with a few thousand tactical votes from Plaid, on top of your own local support, could well get you in Glyn.
Anon - You give me sonme encouragement, following the dispiriting comment of Frank Little. I hear that Plaid have selected a "21 year old girl from away" - not Heledd Fychan whom I'dbeen expecting them to choose. Beats me why they are keeping it secret.
Incidentally, Glyn, ydych chi'n siarad Cymraeg?
James D - Ydw. Dysgais i siarad dros yr wyth blynnedd diwetha. Row'n i yn y rownd terfynol 'Dysgwr i Flwyddyn' pan oedd y 'Steddfod ym Meifod. Dw i ar y panel Pawb a'i Farn ar 5ed o Fawrth!
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