This candidate business takes a lot of time. Even with my access to Wi-Fi, via my new Netbook, this blog must feel neglected. She may even be upset that I've started a relationship with Facebook. Anyway, we're back together for tonight - and I've been reading the newspapers today. Let's begin with Mr David Davies, MP for Monmouth. Over the last few months, he's been the subject of much disparaging comment. In particular, there has been a huge hoohah following some comments he made about a rape case recently. Personally, I do not think all this frothing at the mouth is justified.
I've disagreed with David about several issues. Have done since I first met him about 12 years ago. Didn't agree with what he said last week about the rape case. Most significantly, we don't share the same approach towards devolution. But what I do like about him is that he has opinions, which he believes, and he's not afraid to express them. He's about as far from the political establishment as its possible to be, while remaining an MP. He and I have the same attitude to the 'standard' press release and 'approved' comments. How unusual and astute of Matt Withers to write a major article in today's Wales on Sunday, extolling David Davies' 'virtues'. Perhaps strengths and positives are better words. He describes him as a 'Politically incorrect firebrand' - and 'scourge of the political elite'. I also know him to be always polite and courteous and genuinely funny - much more so than some others who are portrayed as being 'nice', when I know them to be deceitful and unpleasant.
I do not know whether David will read Matt Withers' article, or whether he would take his advice if he read it. The David I know is not that good at taking advice!! Daresay I'll carry on disagreeing with him on some issues, but I still believe he could become a free thinking and innovative Minister if he puts his mind to it.
26 comments:
If he belonged to a different party, say the BNP, you would not say what you do, Glyn. Along with Lembit he must be an embarrassment to the party he represents. His views are quite out of sync with responsible political public opinion. They have even been described as 'dangerous'. He is entitled to his opinions, like anyone else, but I for one think he needs to guard his tongue.
However, your loyalty is commendable.
I think AlanInDyfed is the last person to claim to be part of responsible public opinion when so many of his WNP/PC supporters are openly racist against 'incomers' to Wales.
I am all for opinionated MPs who are free thinkers but come on Glyn. If David was a member of any party, and not just the BNP, Liberal, Labour or Plaid you would have berrated his comnments and rightfully so. Indicating that rape is conected to race isn't free thinking but irresponsible. It is a sure fire way of stoking racial tensions and driving people into the arms of the BNP.
"His views are quite out of sync with responsible political public opinion. They have even been described as 'dangerous'."
In other words, when the Westminster village is of one view and ordinary people of the other, he often sides with the latter. God forbid he not get with the programme and utter the same discredited PC drivel as so many other politicians, eh?
alanindyfed: the difference between Lembit and David Davies is that Lembit's political views are of a piece with the majority of Liberal Democrats, whereas Dai Twice is politically on an extreme limb of the Conservatives.
Another scaremongering myth - this time from Roman Jones. Quite untrue of course. I am surprised it comes from a "responsible" supporter of the Conservative Party. I had thought it was Labour who indulges in them.
Categorically, Plaid Cymru does not have openly racist views and many of its supporters are from ethic minorities, including English!
As I implied before Roman Jones would do better to go off and support Berlusconi.
Frank, extreme limbs stunt the growth. It is better for them to be pruned forthwith. Glyn knows this ("Our Garden in Winter").
Alanindyfed says that WNP/PC supporters do not have openly racist views. So they have closet racist views then?
As for myself being a Conservative 'supporter' - I speak for myself, not Conservative policy. I do indeed hope for a Conservative victory in 2010 both locally and nationally - but that is only the beginning of the journey back from the abyss, not the end. I am a proud Welshman, but abhor the rhetoric and views of the WNP/PC that wants to plunge Wales into a socialist hell under the thumb of the European Union. If another party expressed the views that WNP/PC did in the pubs and halls of Wales with regard to people moving in to the area, not speaking the language or holding a viewpoint different from the self-appointed nationalists, then they would be called fascists. Out of interest, can Alan tell me what his policy would be should Wales get independence from the UK to non-Welsh born or non-Welsh speakers living in Wales at that time?
Extreme limbs pruned? Night of the long knives maybe?
Glyn...read this:
http://welshramblings.blogspot.com/2010/02/tories-in-ynys-mon-to-anglicise-vote.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+WelshRamblings+(Welsh+Ramblings)
...before you hurry over to Plaid!
Roman, Esq.
Yes, you're very welcome. Non-Welsh people and non-Welsh speakers would be treated equally as with any citizen of Wales and any kind of discrimination not acceptable.
There are many immigrants living in all European states in this way.
I have no time for scaremongering nonsense or unfounded allegations.
Alan, you don't address the issue of what many of your party supporters openly say when I have met them in pubs across Wales. Perhaps I will take a dictaphone with me next time. Nor do you say why WNP/PC are so anti-UK but so pro-EU. Why exchange one supranational state for another, even bigger, even less democratic one? If there would be no discrimination in an independent Wales, can you categorically state here that a future WNP/PC government in Cardiff would make no laws on residency status on non-Welsh living in Wales, owning multiple homes nor allow employers to discriminate against non-Welsh speakers?
Cymru Am Byth! Plaid Cymru Erioed!
Roman Jones, I find these comments you make bigoted in the extreme. I am also a Conservative member, and truly hope for Cameron to be the next PM. However for you to use the language as a stick to beat Plaid Cymru with says more about you than anything else. So they're anti-English? Really? that's news to the Plaid candidate in my area who's English. But hey, why let the facts get in the way of your own blinkered prejudice. To be fair to Plaid, they have created a English language National Theatre of Wales, something that never happened under Labour. I would never vote for them, but to call them racist is pathetic and you need to grow up. More and more people are comfortable with having two languages, times have moved on, sadly it seems Roman, you have not.
Gavin - I'm not 100% sure the point you are making, but I will try and answer it. My point was not that Plaid Cymru/Welsh National Party had an openly racist manifesto, but that a lot of their supporters I have met hold views towards English people living in Wales that would make David Davies' views on immigrants seem wet liberal. That is why I took issue with Alanindyfed. I was not aware of an English Theatre being created - not very well publicised. Not sure what you meant about my views on two languages - I am comfortable with my native tongue and the global language of English. My point was that those PC/WNP supporters seem to have a problem with non-Welsh speakers. As for growing up, I have enough grey hairs already thanks. :-)
"I think AlanInDyfed is the last person to claim to be part of responsible public opinion when so many of his WNP/PC supporters are openly racist against 'incomers' to Wales." (Roman Jones Esq)
Good that Gavin Harris (a Conservative) brings some sense to the debate. I reject the view of the "bigoted" Roman Jones and his allegations that Plaid supporters are "openly racist". I suggest he apologises for these remarks which are patently untrue. This "Squire" reminds me of the Welsh gentry (crachach?) who forsook their Welsh roots and Anglicised themselves. Shame on them!
'a lot of their supporters I have met' - name them then. Give us the names, time and date of these people. Otherwise you can say anything but it's hard to take this sort of hearsay from yourself seriously. I have met Plaid supporters too, and I simply do not recongise your description, I have met and spoken to Dafydd Iwan and Wigley once or twice, found them to be v.nice people, I don't think these people exist apart from in your mind.
Yes, the National Theatre of Wales will be the English language version of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, which will be producing their first production soon. I am looking forward to seeing it. As I am aware I believe it was a manifesto pledge with Plaid. So it does destroy the myth that Plaid is just about Welsh language. I hope when the Conservative party will be elected on May 6th (something I'm helping towards by putting leaflets through doors for Matt Wright, the Con candidate in this area) that they will support devolution and not create obstacles or it will be disasterous for Conservative hopes of gaining power in the Assembly in the future.
I agree with on one point you raise alanindyfed, that Roman Jones remarks are untrue, in fact as a Conservative member for 6 years they bring some shame on the party. But in those years I haven't met anyone else from the party who has accused Plaid MP's or AM's of being racist, so perhaps we shouldn't take the silly mewings of one person too seriously.
Perhaps Alan and Gavin visit different bars to me (I guess there aren't many Welsh Nats in Ireland). You both miss my point - it is that people who complain about David Davies comments are often supporters of organisations who's members have similar strong views. The only difference is that David Davies had the guts to say it in public, but we will never agree on whether PC/WNP members say in private, I am just the messenger of what I hear. As for personal attacks upon me for being a bigot (evidence please) and that I want to Anglicise myself - is that not just another racial stereotype? Surely I can act and call myself what I like and still be part of the great Welsh melting pot, or is it a select club for who conform to PC/WNP template. It is possible to be a Welsh Patriot and not support PC/WNP!!!
As for bigotted views, has Alan or Gavin read about the Tesco Wars in Machynlleth?
'a lot of their supporters I have met' - Roman, what about those names, times and dates of these racists you have met. Otherwise we can only deduce that you might be telling porkies. Give us their names, I'm still waiting.
He says he is going to take his dictaphone next time, because we don't believe him;
I think he'd need a video camera too so we know who he's speaking to.
Gavin - Unlike the Labour Government, I respect peoples anonymity and do not record peoples names and political persuasions to then use this to identify them to their detriment. A lot of these people I met did not reveal their names to me anyway. Of course, I cannot name names of those I do know. Haven't you heard of data protection? But I can state they were in pubs in Machynlleth, Dolgellau, Newtown (once) and a few outlying villages to the west of Llangurig, and as for dates they were over numerous weekends throughout the previous 18 months.
I guess we must just agree to disagree. In many respects I think its good that Welsh people stick up for Wales and us Welsh in our native land. Its just the hypocrisy I oppose of attacking David Davies for trying to do the same for abused women from potential threats.
Data Protection?? what utter nonsense. You have spoken to 'lots and lots,' your words not mine, but you cannot name one person, just one name, only some vague references about nameless pubs you once drank at. Your argument is getting increasingly bizarre and comical. Perhaps you should hide a hidden camera in your pint the next time you attend these watering holes. It shows what a complete fool you have made of yourself on this issue I'm afraid Roman bach. I'm still waiting for the names, but I wont be holding my breath for them.
Roman, we are both on the same side. We are both Conservatives, and like me I'm sure you want David Cameron to be our next PM. I hate this corrupt Labour governemnt, the way they have virtually bankrupted this country, biggest deficit of the G20, the way they have failed with child poverty, the way they are using class warfare to appeal to their socialist wing. Its utterly pathetic. I also think Plaid are Labour's little poodles, led by Ieun Wyn Jones, poodle in cheif, who are keeping this tired, decrepit Labour party in power in Cardiff.
But calling people racist does not help anyone, in fact it probably puts off the public voting Conservative. Its such an ugly word and not one to use lightly. David Davies is free to his opinion and is someone I admire. But with freedom of speech comes responibility, he made a big mistake with his comments on Muslim soceity.
Since when have I been a Conservative?
My comments are my own, and should not be attributed to any party - I am an Independent!
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