Plaid candidate bored by independence
Saturday, February 03, 2007

Lurking somewhere in a dusty corner of the interent is a blog called Welsh Independence.

It's trying to generate support for its mission by asking Plaid Cymru election candidates to put down their views on an independent Wales.

The latest entry, from Barry Shaw, candidate in the Vale of Glamorgan, is about as original as beans on toast. That's because he's lifted his 'personal doctrine' straight out of Plaid's pre-manifesto, Change for the Better.

The blog's authors are clearly so dedicated to the Plaid cause that they've completely failed to notice.










Side by side. A Plaid candidate tries to pass off a manifesto document as his own writing.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 3:18 pm,

10 Comments:

At 5:43 pm, Blogger Unknown said...

I think Barry Shaw's safe in the knowledge that it's the taking part in the Vale that counts for Plaid, rather than the winning.

At least he's on message I suppose, even if he lacks the literary ability to tow the party line in his own words.

 
At 7:24 pm, Blogger plaid wrecsam said...

Plaid candidate in "on-message" shock!

 
At 8:29 pm, Blogger Blamerbell said...

Err, no.

Lazy and lacking in imagination. He'd fit right in:)

 
At 4:41 am, Blogger Unknown said...

The Independent Wales blog was supposed to encourage discussion of independence - not just let these party hacks turn out the same old drivel.........

 
At 12:25 pm, Blogger Bonheddwr said...

Barry Shaw's comments are rather un-inspiring, and as you rightly state, the last section of his post has been taken directly from the Plaid Pre-Manifesto.

But I believe that it is important to give Plaid's candidates (the only party who supports Welsh Independence - on paper anyway) the chance to explain why?

But have a look at a few of the other contributions that are closer to what we were looking for:
e.g:
http://independent-wales.blogspot.com/2007/02/we-should-grasp-this-opportunity.html
http://independent-wales.blogspot.com/2007/01/we-should-make-our-own-decisions.html

I've also got in touch with a few members of the British Parties asking why they oppose Welsh Independence. Should be interesting...

 
At 2:40 pm, Blogger Blamerbell said...

"as you rightly state, the last section of his post has been taken directly from the Plaid Pre-Manifesto."

Worse.

I think you'll find the whole of his post reflects the pre-manifesto word for word.

 
At 7:48 pm, Blogger Ian James Johnson said...

Barry Shaw responds to constituent's questions about Plaid policy in the same way - he goes home, finds the relevant section and then forwards it to whoever asked.

It might not be the most revolutionary or innovative way of working, but it's politically far safer in terms of gaffes. I'd rather someone who goes away and checks their party policy than someone who makes it on the hoof, or, worse, just tells the voter what they want to hear.

 
At 8:15 pm, Blogger Bonheddwr said...

Thanks for that Blamerbell. The post (including his so called comments) has been deleted from the independence Wales blog!

 
At 8:18 pm, Blogger Blamerbell said...

ian, that's all very well. The problem arises when manifesto text is presented as if personally crafted.

That's not playing it safe, that's being deceptive.

 
At 11:07 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

get off your high horse, blamerbell. "candidate uses party literature shocker".

this is not a story - you aren't a beirniad at the eisteddfod, so keep your briefs on...

 

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