Introducing Dafydd Elis-Thomas: First Minister
Monday, February 05, 2007
Dafydd Elis-Thomas has been such a success at isolating himself from Plaid Cymru that he could lead a rainbow coalition government after May's Assembly election. That's the view of 'election pundit' Dr Denis Balsom as reported in today's Western Mail.The idea is that after eight years as Presiding Officer, Dafydd El is considered to be above politics and could oversee a Plaid, Tory and Lib Dem coalition, with the three party leaders serving beneath him in the cabinet. Apparently this is the model of government used in Austria, Belgium and Switzerland. It's called a 'consociational democracy' - a term you may never come across again, so make the most of it.
But before Glyn Davies wets himself in eager anticipation, let's just reflect on the probability of this happening: near zero.
Dr Balsom admits he was merely speculating and considers a Lib-Lab coalition the most likely outcome. Lord Elis-Thomas has won few friends for his performances at the Senedd's throne. He's so far failed even to rise above a petty feud with his deputy John Marek - how would he cope with the mud-slinging of three competing leaders within his own cabinet? And then there's the already well-documented resistance of a number of key players within Plaid to any notion of a coalition with the Tories.
It's an interesting idea but in reality about as likely as Helen Mary Jones winning Miss Great Britain 2007.
Labels: Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Denis Balsom, First Minister, Rainbow Coalition, Wales, Welsh Assembly Election 2007
posted by Blamerbell @ 9:34 am,
1 Comments:
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At 8:53 pm,
bethan said...
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'It's an interesting idea but in reality about as likely as Helen Mary Jones winning Miss Great Britain 2007'.
But as a feminist she wouldn't even recognise the competition. And rightly so.
