Rhodri's letters
Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Here's what Rhodri Morgan is offering Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems in exchange for keeping him in power. Compare and contrast...
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Dear Ieuan,

How about some of this?

1. To take part in an "even-handed" and "seen to be independent" inquiry by the Assembly Finance Committee, possibly chaired by a Liberal Democrat on the Barnett Formula - which determins the way the Assembly is funded.

2. Bilateral "early" discussions on the Assembly's Budget.

3. A moratorium on existing proposals for changes at community hospital level and that already agreed changes in District General Hospital serves are not implemented unless and until associated community services are in place.

4. to involve other parties in significant public appointments e.g. chairs of NHS trusts.

5. a joint group to be set up involving Plaid Cymru and Labour members in the assembly and Westminster to assess the pre-conditions suitable for a referendum to be triggered on Scottish-style powers and to advise on the preparations which would need to be put in place prior to a referendum being called.

6. regular meetings between the First Minister and the leader of the opposition e.g on a weekly basis.

Tories r evil 4 eva.

Rhodri. xxx
**********************************************

Dear Mike,

Fancy a ride on my aeroplane? Here's what's on board:

1. an opportunity to work with government ministers on bidding for the powers to legislate on the Welsh Language and affordable housing.

2. To take part in an "even-handed" and "seen to be independent" inquiry by the Assembly Finance Committee, possibly chaired by a
Liberal Democrat on the Barnett Formula - which determines the way the Assembly is funded.

3. Bilateral "early" discussions on the Assembly's Budget.

4. A moratorium on existing proposals for changes at community hospital level and that already agreed changes in District General Hospital serves are not implemented unless and until associated community services are in place.

5. to set up a cross-party team to explore and report upon the practical experience of introducing proportional representation (the single transferable vote system) in local government in Scotland.

6. to involve other parties in significant public appointments e.g. chairs of NHS trusts.

Let's do it. Yeah. Groovy.

Rhodders. X
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So, Rhodri's taken the sting out of the health issue by giving in on hospital reconfiguration, for the time being.

But how come the Lib Dems get offered deals on the Welsh language and housing and not Plaid?

Looks like Rhodri's trying to become the prism which splits the rainbow.

The opposition parties could, of course, do most of this themselves with Labour in opposition. But without taking power "willy nilly", will they be given the opportunity to get worked up enough to justify a vote of no confidence?
**********************************************

Plaid's Adam Price MP is blogging again. Today he sets out his conditions for a deal with Labour, which he says is preferable to an arrangement with the Tories. These include a formal coalition with Plaid AMs in the cabinet, a joint programme for government and a referendum on full law-making powers within four years.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 5:07 pm,

31 Comments:

At 5:27 pm, Blogger gwe said...

Are these letters to be found anywhere on the web, perchance?

It was you smiling sheepishly in the back last night, wasn't it? Any further info on why Rhodri didn't show?

 
At 5:42 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does the rainbow coalition need an excuse for a vote of no confidence - can't they merely say we want to be in government?

 
At 8:06 pm, Blogger Geraint said...

Anonymous said...
Does the rainbow coalition need an excuse for a vote of no confidence - can't they merely say we want to be in government?

5:42 PM

-----------------------------------

Sums up the undemocratic power by any cost mentality of right wing alliance called the "Raninbow coalition." Need I say more?

 
At 8:07 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am stunned. I hope you are joking Blamers. You must be. Ok, yes, pull the other. Ieuan gets three kisses and Mike gets two?

 
At 8:10 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry, Mike gets *one*?

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

"Are these letters to be found anywhere on the web, perchance?"

Dunno

"It was you smiling sheepishly in the back last night, wasn't it?"

No. I was smirking, not smiling:)

"Any further info on why Rhodri didn't show?"

Car broke down? Airplane didn't take off?

"Does the rainbow coalition need an excuse for a vote of no confidence - can't they merely say we want to be in government?"

No. They can only take over after a vote of no confidence, for which they would need an excuse.

"I am stunned. I hope you are joking Blamers. You must be. Ok, yes, pull the other. Ieuan gets three kisses and Mike gets two?"

But Mike's is a capital X. Which is like a snog.

 
At 8:38 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hopefully the rainbow coalition will be a centre right coalition because that is what the people of wales voted for.

Welsh Conservatives – obviously centre right
Welsh liberal democrats – apart from jenny – centre right
Plaid - bisexual

Only 32% of Welsh voters voted for the one party that is committed – albeit in a half arsed way – to a centre left agenda.

 
At 11:09 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blamer, please don't ask me to check what Adam Price has said today. I don't want a Mr Gumby headache!

Last week, he was both for the Tory Coalition and for a deal to prop up Labour. Today, he's for a Labour/Plaid coalition. There's always tomorrow and the next day . . .

What was it that Henry IV of France said about James VI of Scotland? I forget.

 
At 11:17 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The footnote is more interesting than the posting... Adam has gone from backing the rainbow coalition (W Mail 26.5.07) to this very detailed support for a red-green coalition (his blog 6.6.07).
As he's the guy pulling the strings in Plaid, then there are two ways of reading this. Either he really sees the sense in linking with Labour as part of the radical Welsh tradition and, crucially, getting a referendum on greater powers.
Or he's playing a poker game to try to get more concessions out of the Rainbow partners and/or Labour.
For his sake, I hope he's not just playing what he thinks is a clever game... there's too much at stake.

 
At 11:56 pm, Blogger Blamerbell said...

He backed the rainbow coalition, but I understand his preferred option was always red-green.

Has he ever said anything to the contrary?

 
At 11:57 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

rhosmaen said...
"The footnote is more interesting than the posting... Adam has gone from backing the rainbow coalition (W Mail 26.5.07) to this very detailed support for a red-green coalition (his blog 6.6.07)."



Maybe he's been studying the best possible talent available. Choosing a coalition government is more than an academic exercise, without the right ingredients the result will be a disaster.

 
At 12:17 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I attended plenary this lunchtime and Rhodri Morgan gave a very positive response to Helen Mary Jones' question on hospital reorganization. Her main point was that "General Hospital"-type care and treatment were being withdrawn from rural areas without the provision of new community based services in GP's surgeries and cottage/community hospitals. I don't have a great deal of faith in what Rhodri Morgan promises, but I thinks minority government is forcing him into a corner.

He also kept referring to a "Holby City" model. Could anyone perhaps explain this.

 
At 12:21 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Iolo said

"What was it that Henry IV of France said about James VI of Scotland? I forget."

"The wisest fool in Christendom"

James VI of Scotland and l of England.

BTW and talking of things Scottish is not the Queen more Scottish than anything else (German)

 
At 12:25 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"He also kept referring to a "Holby City" model. Could anyone perhaps explain this."

Is that the fit nurse?

 
At 12:42 am, Blogger Ian said...

Many people like myself and Adam Price in Plaid would much prefer a red/green coalition in terms of policy, but are stuck with the unionist element of Labour setting the agenda and blocking this option.

It is down to the pro-Wales element of Labour to stand up and be counted or force themselves out of power through in-action.

One thing is for certain. For the sake of Wales there has to be radical change and I am not encouraged by the Labour Government's initial statements. I wish that I could say differently.

 
At 1:14 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Silurian, thanks for the quotation. We all know what happened to the Stuarts!

Ian, you may be genuine about a red/green coalition but, Rhosmaen, there is another possible theory about AP's latest (but, I suspect, not last) political stance. And, Ian, please keep up. Blamer's original post is real.

I seem to remember a year or two ago AP had a butty called Dewi S (I forget the surname).

Anyway, he's been back to Westminster, been laughed at by Labour MPs (as more pseudo-socialist than the pseudo-socialists), befriended by Cameronies and totally blanked by the SNiPs who must wonder how often he visits the planet with people on it.

After all, the SNP came first because they totally ruled out any coalition with the Tories, fought for independence and, oh, had a charismatic leader. QED?

 
At 1:33 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Adam Price? He was the guy that wanted to have Tony Blair impeached inj Parliament? Which have meant the Commons impeaching him, and a Trial by the House of Lords. Hows that for bizarre.

Iolo! talking of the Stuarts, Adam could have introduced A Bill of attainder just like they did against Charles l prime minister (the Earl of Strafford) and had Blair's head cut off.

But joking apart, with stuff like this could even Welsh Labour take him seriously.

He also claimed That Richard Nixon was impeached, which he was not.

 
At 2:02 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a Plaid Cymru supporter of the rainbow coalition the moment has been missed to grasp the reigns of power and the damage has already been done to Plaid Cymru.

Continuing to suck up to Labour believing they will tame the unionist wing will not win them votes where they need to make a break through, I guess Adam Price and his colleagues in Plaid Cymru must think there is something honorable about constant opposition.

Im sure Labour are resting easy - my votes are going elsewhere next election

 
At 3:52 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like Adam Price. Yep, I'll say it again. I like Adam Price.

He first came to my notice when he called for the impeachment of Tony Bliar and I thought to myself, MMMmmmm we've got a live 'un here.

Although I can hardly agree with much of what he stands for, I do however like his style.

I honestly think that Plaid needs a few more presentable live-wires like Adam as the current crew mainly seem have a distinct lack of personality.

The only other Plaid member that I have much time for is David Wigley, but I believe that he has unfortunately retired.

Adam's flip-flop over his particular choice of Rainbow colours just reinforces my view that you never really know where you are with Plaid as there is always that hidden agenda. We are always left wondering what they will be asking for next.

So, for today I'm,

Pricey's palliative pal.

johnny

 
At 8:57 am, Blogger Unknown said...

IMHO this is a very shrewd move - starting to play off the Rainbow members against each other - tempting Lib & Plaid with different things, offering the Conservatives platitudes.

The Rainbow must not blink now - it must stand behind Rhodri with a loaded gun and threaten it at every opportinity. But is must not come up with some contrived excuse for a vote of no-confidence. A real reason will come soon enough

 
At 9:29 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well consensus politics lasted for 24 hours then. Wheres the letter to Nick Bourne?

Rhodri needs to remember that planes work when a 100% of the bits are in place and working together - he nees to get out of his current mindset and realise that not everybody is part of the labour love in he projects.

We have had him for 8 years and things are no better - the education system is dire but it does meet the labour requirement of bringing everybody down to the lowest level. Health is a mess - we either need reorganisation of services or we don't - what is clear that the current service is not working properly.

As to the economy how expensive was bringing the WDA into the Assembly - from my sources most regard the former WDA staff as useless, overpaid and living on a different planet. As for WDA management they would struggle to find their own **** with both hands with the lights on.

Transport is a mess - can we really afford free bus fares

Agriculture - that doesn't happen in Labour constituencies so it doesn't matter.

I could go but I am now getting depressed - please pass the paracetamol.

 
At 9:32 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Adam Price and Plaid would be fools to go into government with Labour. Labour wouldn't stop laughing at them. Why be a juniour party begging for crumbs when Plaid could be leading a government and implementing a good part of their policies?

Plaid and Adam need to grow up and see they don't have a stable or trustworthy partner in Labour. Wales needs 4 years Labour free to get in some fresh air into Welsh politics. In 2011 Plaid or others can start talking to Labour - and maybe by then Labour will have learnt some humillity.

Don't know why the Rainbow don't just dump Morgan now. Why wait? Labour will run the 2011 election campaign with Vote Plaid Get Tory, so they may as well go into Government now with the Tories and LibDems. Plaid will look like fools and chickens if they wobble now and cwtch up to Labour.

 
At 10:34 am, Blogger Pads said...

rhosmaen:
/Adam has gone from backing the rainbow coalition (W Mail 26.5.07) to this very detailed support for a red-green coalition/

He hasn't changed his position at all.

“My preferred option all along... was that my party should reach some kind of accommodation with the Labour Party.”
(Adam Price, W Mail 26.5.07)

 
At 10:40 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Another day another report showing the weak government we have had for the last 8years. This time the WAO rips apart the free swimming initiative.No targets no evaluation.Why should we be surprised. Anyone could have told them that all that has happened is that those who used to pay to swim now have their fun subsidised to the tune of £25m by the taxpayer. There was no evidence that cost ever deterred anyone from using swimming pools. It was also nice to see from the report so many of the lumpen proletariat in Merthyr are now using their giros to join the JJB sports club at a mere £36 a month.

 
At 11:28 am, Blogger Aran said...

The 'Holby City' model is probably Labour's favoured future for the Health Service.

It's great - you have hospitals wherever you want them, and they're open from 8pm until 9pm every Tuesday evening.

Oh, and anyone who mows their lawn within ten miles of a hospital chops their own foot off, but every good plan has a downside.

 
At 3:32 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
"Well consensus politics lasted for 24 hours then. Wheres the letter to Nick Bourne? "


Rhodri must have run out of kisses.

 
At 7:46 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The 'rainbow' strategy is to pretend that ideology, principle and values are no longer part of Welsh politics and it is just a matter of 'contracts' as Opik put it. Please do not expect a genuine left of centre party to go along with this facade.

Rhodri has been clear all along that he is more than willing to work with other progressive politicians of the left i.e. many in Plaid and some the Lib Dems as there is a shared vision on equality, social justice and solidarity. These values are not shared with Tories and it would be hypocritical for any Welsh Labour administration to bring them into the government process.

Most people did not vote Plaid, Lib Dem or Labour in the expectation of having Tories deciding policy. Rhodri is just reflecting the genuine majority views and values of the Welsh people. To most the Tories in government is an anathema. Why on earth would Rhodri want to embrace people who hate left of centre policies and values.

 
At 10:59 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What the hell is all this left of centre rhwtsh? So this is the left of centre government who are doubling the tax on the lowest paid. What is so bloody progressive about that?. Where have you been for the last ten years.

 
At 11:08 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Am I alone in wondering why the mainstream Welsh media has failed to focus on Labour's 'confidence-building' deals with Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats?

A referendum on a Scottish-style parliament, a review of the Barnett formula and a moratorium on hospital reconfigeration seem a big deal to me. The voters might be pretty keen too. Blamer did a public service highlighting the content of the letters. But, elsewhere it seems, there's total silence. What's up?

I see my 'Westminster reality check' theory as a possible genesis of the new Labour/Plaid Cymru coalition plan didn't achieve any traction - at all. Obviously it was far too fanciful. So, by your leave, I'll withdraw the idea, with apologies to all readers for a piece of obviously irrelevant fiction! But I'm still totally puzzled.

 
At 7:24 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Looks awfully like a coalition between Labour and Plaid. Pretty inevitable really. Both socialist parties, with only marginal differences between them, now that most sensible Plaid representatives have dropped independence as a demand.

The big loser here will be Nick Bourne. He pushed the rainbow coalition in the teeth of considerable opposition within his own party. If Plaid go into coalition with Labour, there will be calls for his head on a plate.

 
At 12:40 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Iolo said...
"Am I alone in wondering why the mainstream Welsh media has failed to focus on Labour's 'confidence-building' deals with Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats?"


Maybe there is suspicion that Labour was not all that sincere. After all before any deal it has to be clear how it's dealing with the Unonists in its' party. Considering the small majority Rhodri should have discussed the new Laws with the other leaders as a matter of manners.

 

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