7 4 '07 - but have u heard it b4?
Thursday, February 15, 2007

September 2006: Plaid announce two key policies to coincide with their Autumn conference. They promise to give first time buyers £5000 towards a new home and to help students with their graduate debt.

January 2007: Plaid launch Change for the Better, a policy document which sets out their aim to "introduce first time buyers' grants" and "help reduce the debt burden of graduates".

February 2007: Plaid launch 7 4 '07, seven key policy ideas "to transform Wales". Party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones announces the first two policies at a press conference in Cardiff. "These are a "First home grant" and "Drop the debt". To help first time buyers Plaid would offer a grant of up to £5000 to help save towards a deposit on a home. To fight student debt a Plaid government would support students from Welsh universities and Colleges who live and work in Wales for five years by paying their student loan repayments during that period."

With 77 days until the assembly elections, how many more times can Plaid 'announce' these same two policies I wonder?

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posted by Blamerbell @ 10:04 am, ,


Plaid dragging their feet on independence
Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Acrobat finished searching my document. The find item was not found.

The document was Plaid's pre-manifesto, Change for the better; the find item was "independence".

In fairness, the word "independent" does feature twice:
"We will promote and maintain independent living for disabled people."
and,
"We will establish an independent National Commission on the Governance of Wales... releasing resources from bureaucracy for frontline services."

Not quite the pledges die-hard Plaid supporters would've been hoping for.

Yesterday, the independence debate went national, with the BBC's Newsnight hosting a more full and frank discussion on the subject than I've ever heard on mainstream TV. The 'Welsh question' was notable only by its absence.

In this week of constitutional argument and self-reflection, Plaid have kicked separatism into touch, while the SNP have it written in warpaint across their foreheads. Welsh nationalists may wonder if it's been a missed opportunity.

Plaid's leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones, was forced to clarify his position in the Western Mail. He said: "We have always understood that while the long-term aim of the party is independence, we want to see constitutional change taking place incrementally."

So why isn't this in the pre-manifesto, in black and white? The document sets out Plaid's aims for a decade, including a referendum on a Scottish-style parliament by 2011. Are we to assume, then, that independence isn't a Plaid priority for at least another ten years?

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posted by Blamerbell @ 2:17 pm, ,