Everyone's a winner on the Tory front bench
Monday, June 04, 2007
The Conservatives have announced their new shadow ministerial team.
Alun Cairns makes the Education portfolio a Bridgend affair. He is also just about the only assembly member who could literally squeeze into Carwyn Jones' shadow.
All the baggage that goes with that brief has been dished out to Paul Davies, who takes Welsh language, Culture and Sport. Expect this chap to be wheeled out as the Tories' token Mr Welsh over the next four years.
Elsewhere, Brynle Williams gets 'Farming', which is a bit like giving Darren Millar 'Christianity' (unfortunately he gets Environment instead) and Jonathan Morgan sticks with Health.
You can see the full list HERE.
Labels: National Assembly for Wales, politics, Shadow team, Welsh Conservatives
posted by Blamerbell @ 11:45 am,
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Redwood's rottweiler bites again
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Nick Bourne's been having quite an easy time of it as late. Admittedly, Labour piped up last week and accused him of being scared to leave his air-conditioned office, but that's about as heated as it's got.Enter Rod Richards, his predecessor as Tory leader.
"I regret the fact that these days all politicians from all parties are basically cardboard cut-outs," said Richards, obviously taking this photo (left) a little too seriously.
"As for the Conservative group leader Nick Bourne I have no regard for him whatsoever.
"I will not be voting in the assembly elections because nobody standing represents me or my views and I have taken a positive decision to abstain which shows my disdain for the way the assembly is operating. I certainly won't be voting Conservative because they don't deserve it and have no credibility in my view".
So the Tories are one vote down already. But it's no surprise that Richards, one of John Redwood's former enforcers, isn't a big fan of Nick Bourne. After all, he blames him for no less than his political downfall.
There was a time, you see, when Rod Richards was leader of the Welsh Conservatives. He was influential, respected and had first dibs on all the buffet lunches. But then he became embroiled in strange nocturnal activities and had to step down. Nick Bourne was the beneficiary and even when Richards was cleared, refused to give him back the whip. And so, an enemy was Bourne, with Richards branding him a "complete prat".
The relationship now seems much as it was then, except these days the Tories are in much better shape. It's hard to believe that just six years ago people were writing articles wondering if they'd ever win a Westminster seat in Wales again. It's also hard to believe that the man who was once the face of Conservatism in Wales is still so bitter about his political demise.
So, do Richards' views reflect those of other disillusioned Tories, or are they just the sole bitter fruit of an ancient feud? I suspect their impact will be minimal. For Bourne, this may simply be a case of vote lost, battle won.
A full version of Rod Richard's interview appears in the latest version of Parliamentary Motion magazine.
Labels: Nick Bourne, Rod Richards, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives
posted by Blamerbell @ 12:12 am,
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Honest John: Morgan calls for referendum on new powers
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Jonathan Morgan is stepping down from a comfortable regional seat to fight Cardiff North for the Tories. He's tried twice before, and failed. If he fails this time, he's out of a job.Jonathan, then, has more reasons than most to watch his back. But he's still the first politician to get his Honest John answers in. The challenge: to be as upfront as possible.
So here it is, and there's some interesting stuff. Despite not having a favourite album (what kind of person doesn't have a favourite album?) Jonathan hits out at the media and finds common ground yet again with Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats: he'd like a referendum on Scottish-style powers for the assembly.
Introducing, You versus Jonathan Morgan...
What have you done as a party or an individual to help engage young people in politics? (Marcus Warner)
In 1999 we had the youngest group in the Assembly. We have a young team of county councillors and candidates. Young people get on in our party.
Are alcoholism and drug dependency offences that should be punishable or illnesses that should be cured? (Sion Gwilym)
Clearly treatment is important. Drug dependency leads in many cases to dealing drugs and theft to fund the habit. This cannot be ignored by the criminal justice system.
What is your favourite album of all time? (Marcus Warner)
I don't have one.
What are you going to do to encourage a more comprehensive coverage of Welsh politics in the media? (Sanddef)
Nothing. It's up to the media to decide what to print or broadcast. I am fed up with being told that it's our job to get the voters out, especially when ITV/BBC put their Assembly programmes on so late at night that only bored shift workers get to see them!
Do many of the 'older' Tories feel a bit confused by the direction that David Cameron is taking? Many (not you) seem to disagree with his 'direction' but are happy to bask in his new media glory and I wonder if that is a problem? (Marcus Warner)
No problem at all. Overwhelming numbers know that we needed to change, however difficult that change is.
Is it true, as suggested by Dr Non Gwilym of StrataMatrix in Y Cymro last week, that you are seriously worried that you'll lose crucial votes to Sir Dai? (Sanddef)
No. I don't know where Non got her information from but there is no sign of UKIP. The anti-Assembly feeling is not an issue as it has been in the past.
Do you believe that the Welsh language should be given official status in Wales? (Hedd)
Yes.
Do you believe that the people of Wales should have the Right to Services in Welsh? (Hedd)
Yes, although as someone who lives in the real world there would be huge implications for how this could be achieved.
Do you believe that the people of Wales should have the right to work through the medium of Welsh? (Hedd)
Where possible yes, although I can imagine a series of examples of where this would not be practical.
Who is your political hero and why? (Marcus Warner)
Churchill, for being the best of British! A great leader who approached life with vigour.
How would you like to see the assembly develop in the future? (der)
I would like to see a referendum after 2011. Four years of the new Assembly measures should give ample opportunity to see if the new system works. I would campaign for a yes vote for Scottish-style powers in a referendum.
So, how does he do? Are you jumping up and down in the corridors of your depraved imaginations, exalting with joy at actually getting a politician to answer some of your questions? Or is it just the same old story?
Labels: honest john, Jonathan Morgan, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives
posted by Blamerbell @ 11:03 am,
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The facts about the Tories and devolution
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Conservative Mid & West Wales candidate Glyn Davies has had an epiphany. You can be a Tory and pro-devolution. Moreover, you can be a Tory and an advocate of even more devolution.
Glyn wants full law-making powers for the national assembly. But while considered something of a maverick, he is still standing on a Conservative Party ticket in the forthcoming elections. So where does the Tory party stand on devolution?
Well, they led the No campaign in 1997 and their 1999 assembly election manifesto was laced with bitterness and pessimism. Smack bang at the top of the document, then leader Rod Richards wrote this: "The transfer of further powers from Westminster to the Assembly would lead to the fragmentation of Britain making European federalism easier for the government to achieve."
Eight years on, the Tories still aren't sure. And it's difficult to find the hype surrounding the big Welsh strides they might make this time around reflected in the manifesto. True, the Tories call for more powers, but they call for more powers in order to:
• seek to establish St. David’s Day as a national holiday;
• introduce a Welsh symbol on car number plates;
• ensure that a separate Welsh option appears on census forms together with a question on the use of Welsh;
• petition the Queen to establish a Welsh order of chivalry.
Not quite a nationalist's wet dream:)
This debate must surely have come up during the manifesto negotiations. I can only presume that the other Tory AMs don't share Glyn's enthusiasm while there are still ultra-Unionists in the ranks.
Labels: devolution, Glyn Davies, law-making powers, manifesto, Rod Richards, Tories, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives
posted by Blamerbell @ 12:36 am,
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Poll says Labour set for assembly election losses
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Polls aren't easy to come by in Welsh politics, so when they happen we all sit up and take note.
For geeks like me, this was the most eagerly awaited edition of ITV's Wales Tonight for a long time. And it began with the revelation that time had skipped forward 24 hours, 'Welcome to Friday's Wales Tonight' grinned the presenters.
Back in the real world where Thursday succeeds Wednesday and precedes Friday, today's poll from ITV Wales/NOP does nothing to change the general impression that Labour are going to struggle in the forthcoming assembly elections. Meanwhile, Plaid aren't seeing the boost they think their new professional operation warrants and the Lib Dems may make small gains. The Tories will be happiest this evening, as their percentage of the vote is predicted to increase quite heftily in both the constituency and regional ballot. The results in full:
Constituency %
Labour 36 (-4)
Plaid 20 (-1)
Con 23 (+3)
Lib Dem 15 (+1)
Others 6
Regional %
Labour 35 (-2)
Plaid 20 (=)
Con 24 (+5)
Lib Dem 15 (+2)
Others 5
ITV Wales optimistically translated this into seats, with Labour losing four and the Tories gaining three. This election, however, is so finely balanced that these predictions are impossible to make. Constituency seats depend on a handful of votes in a few key marginals. These in turn have an enormous impact on the distribution of the regional seats.
Conclusion: bad news for Labour but the other parties should look at these results with a huge pinch of salt.
UPDATE: With Labour keeping schtum on their manifesto until Tuesday, it was with great interest that I listened to Jane Hutt on ITV's Wales Decides earlier tonight. Given 30 seconds to sum up why people should vote for her party in May's election she said Labour would be fighting this election on its record in government: 'we will keep free prescriptions, keep free bus passes, keep free swimming pools...' Not a single policy proposal. Not a single pledge. One begins to wonder if they'll bother to publish a manifesto at all when an homage to Rhodri Morgan would happily suffice:)
Labels: ITV Wales, Plaid Cymru, poll, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Labour, Welsh Liberal Democrats
posted by Blamerbell @ 6:12 pm,
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Thanks, it's just what I've always wanted
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
With the Lib Dem manifesto appearing tomorrow - and Labour due to release theirs not long after that - the key battlegrounds for the assembly elections are starting to emerge. Top of the list is the Santa clause: who can steal your vote with the most enticing candy?
The choice so far is between a laptop, a light bulb and a toothbrush.
I wonder what Labour has up its sleeve - pack of fags, bag of crisps?
Labels: Labour, laptop, light bulbs, Plaid Cymru, toothbrush, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Liberal Democrats
posted by Blamerbell @ 1:48 pm,
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Who to vote for if you hate the assembly
UKIP continue their assembly election campaign today under the banner 'Abolish the Assembly and Leave The EU'. With a manifesto that looks like it's been knocked up by someone taking their first tentative steps into the world of Microsoft Office, UKIP may not appear to be much of the threat. But don't rule out a protetst vote having some impact.
That's because it's not all rosy in the squiggly tree meadows of the Tory heartlands. Remember, this is the first election the Conservatives will fight as an entirely pro-devolution party. They are in unchartertered territory and there are still die-hard Tories who think the whole idea stinks.
Last time round the Conservatives did well despite remaining unconvinced about devolution, so UKIP will be hoping that it can soak up the votes of Tory discontents. Ironically, the beneficiaries of such a scenario could be Plaid Cymru, a party whose aims are inimical to almost everything UKIP stands for.
Labels: devolution, manifesto, politics, UKIP, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives
posted by Blamerbell @ 8:45 am,
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It's a landslide for Plaid Cymru
Saturday, March 31, 2007
If elections were won and lost on takeup of the social networking website Facebook, then Plaid would be the clear leaders. There are so far 144 members in the Plaid Cymru group and 38 members in its unofficial sister club. The Welsh Liberal Democrats muster only 28 members. But that's still 28 members more than Labour and the Conservatives, who don't seem to have joined the revolution yet.
And it's probably a good thing too. Facebook is for writing crap banter on your mates' walls. It's for stalking attractive women in American colleges. And it's for posting embarrassing photos of drunken misdemeanours.
Why is it that politicians have to come along with their fake hobbies and youth oriented soundbites to spoil it all?
Labels: facebook, Plaid Cymru, Welsh, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Labour, Welsh Liberal Democrats
posted by Blamerbell @ 9:50 am,
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Heart of Wales: policies to die for
Monday, March 12, 2007
How many Tory MPs, I wonder, can even pronounce 'Eisteddfod' let alone have the slightest clue as to what it is?Well, I suppose that doesn't matter. The Tories in Wales do their own thing these days.
Today, they've pledged to set up a £400,000 a year fund for the National Eisteddfod with an extra £100,000 in the first year. They claim it'll safeguard the long-term future of a great Welsh tradition.
We must now eagerly await the response from Plaid Cymru and the latest chapter in the head-to-head battle to be Wales' most Welsh party. Ironically, Plaid have in the past had to convince voters they are not just a party for Welsh speakers, while the Tories have had to shed their 'Made in England' image. Now, the tables are turned.
What a confused world it is, where the Tories are trumpeting their national pride while Plaid are allegedly promoting their conservatism. There couldn't be an election round the corner, perchance?
Labels: Conservative party, eisteddfod, Plaid Cymru, politics, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh language
posted by Blamerbell @ 5:37 pm,
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Peter Black: 'Are you with me chaps?'
Saturday, March 10, 2007
There follows a public information request for Peter Black.
At the Lib Dem conference later today, he will 'throw down the gauntlet to other parties on top-up fees for higher education.'
He will 'challenge the other parties to say where they stand.'
Unless I've missed something very obvious, Plaid and the Tories have positioned themselves pretty firmly in the anti top-up fee camp. If a Mrs Jane Davidson is reading, please would you make yourself known to a steward so that we can clear this matter up for Mr Black. Thank you.
Labels: Jane Davidson, Peter Black, Plaid Cymru, politics, top-up fees, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives
posted by Blamerbell @ 10:23 am,
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Give Gillan a grilling on TV tonight
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
It's interactive, it's live and it's a chance for you to put your points to Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan.18 Doughty Street web television, 9pm this evening.
Oh, and there'll be a short film from Blamerbell too.
See the Tories shine:)
[Pic: Cheryl Gillan ends child poverty by growing children as ears.]
Labels: 18 Doughty Street, devolution, Rainbow Coalition, referendum, Welsh Conservative Conference, Welsh Conservatives
posted by Blamerbell @ 5:30 pm,
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Does Labour's attack ad break the law? #2
Monday, March 05, 2007
The backstory: Labour release attack ad on the net. Ad contains the famous Redwood failing to sing anthem footage. Does the Labour party breach copyright?
The juice: I have it on good authority that Labour haven't received permission to use the Redwood pictures. YouTube policy states that videos which infringe copyright should be taken down.
Labels: attack ad, Copyright, Labour, Welsh Conservatives, YouTube
posted by Blamerbell @ 1:16 pm,
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Tory conference: snap, crackle but no pop
What a weekend. I haven't been surrounded by so many dreamy Conservatives since my days at Cambridge:)
But with the conference closed, the Tory to-do list is still crammed:
- agree a position on upgrading the assembly to a Scottish-style parliament
- decide whether to commit to PR in local government
- work out how to play Plaid Cymru: the only viable coalition partners
- hope Westminster approves the manifesto wish list (it's like a letter to Santa Claus says one notable hack)
The Conservatives did a very good job of keeping these debates away from the conference hall. But only the fuddiest of delegates would have left without sensing that this was a bit odd.
Make no mistake: behind closed doors these debates will take place. The results could make or break their next five years.
Labels: politics, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservative Conference, Welsh Conservatives
posted by Blamerbell @ 8:24 am,
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New blog - Mike Wood
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
New blog in the sidebar from Conservative Dwyfor Meirionydd candidate Mike Wood.If I've missed your blog please do leave a note in the comments. And don't forget to link back to this site:)
Labels: blog, Dwyfor Meirionydd, Mike Wood, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives
posted by Blamerbell @ 7:08 am,
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66 more days of handbags
Monday, February 26, 2007
The gloves are off, because as all good politicians know you can't sling mud if your hands are tied up.So much for parties putting forward a positive future vision for Wales at this election. Labour spent their conference slagging off the Tories and inadvertently drawing attention to David Cameron's current popularity. Plaid kicked out at Labour, and the Tories, in turn, volleyed a few missiles back towards Rhodri Morgan.
Nobody really bothered to attack the Lib Dems, so Peter Black stepped up to attack Plaid for attacking Labour.
Meanwhile, the Lib Dems claim they are whiter than white (or goldener than gold), but Alun Cairns reminds us that they fought the 2003 campaign on a misfiring 'Kick the Tories out' platform.
Soon, the twisting of facts and figures will go into overdrive, leaving voters disillusioned and confused. I've already received promotional literature from the Lib Dems asserting that Plaid 'betrayed students' and 'caved in' to help Labour 'sell out our students' over the assembly budget. Of course, Plaid would put it somewhat differently.
So, what's the answer? I'm afraid there isn't one. Negative politics is a cornerstone of modern electioneering. But parties should face up to it and stop claiming to be virtuous on the one hand while swinging the handbag with the other.
UPDATE: Apologies if you've seen a strange piece appear here about Nick Bourne. It's now deleted. The perils of using Google Reader...
Labels: Alun Cairns, David Cameron, Lib Dems, negative campaigning, Peter Black, Plaid Cymru, Tony Blair, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Labour
posted by Blamerbell @ 10:55 am,
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Whose rainbow is it anyway?
Friday, February 23, 2007
Just when it seemed that leprechauns and pots of golds were more plausible ideas than a rainbow coalition in the national assembly, it's popped back into the realm of the possible.That's because Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru's leader in Westminster, re-ignited the possibility of a coalition with the Tories at the precise moment he was shoved on the BBC's Dragon's Eye programme in order to rule it out.
Plaid were threatening to sue Labour for continually suggesting they might serve in a Tory-led administration after the election on May 3rd. That, they claim, is a lie: 'We will never serve under a Conservative First Minister'.
But what about a Plaid-led rainbow coalition?
'We are keeping our options open,' was the reply.
So as long as Plaid are the senior partner, the suggestion is that a rainbow coalition is still on the cards. Mixed news, then, for Nick Bourne who'll wonder what he's done to be so emphatically ruled out as a possible successor to Rhodri Morgan.
But what if the Conservatives win more seats than Plaid - do they not have the right to expect senior status in a coalition? What is Plaid Cymru's rationale for saying a coalition is an option only if they are in charge?
It seems that Plaid have taken the sting out of this issue only to then stick it in their eye. As it stands, the Conservatives can hang on to their hope of a pot of gold after May 3rd and Labour can still say 'Vote Plaid get Tory' with at least some justification. There's life in the old rainbow yet.
Labels: Dragon's Eye, Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru, politics, Rainbow Coalition, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Labour
posted by Blamerbell @ 9:00 am,
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Welsh politicians unclear on nuclear
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
The nuclear issue is back. Much to the prime minister's annoyance he couldn't simply go ahead with a nuclear project which might leave future generations with a profound legacy of toxic waste: he's been told he has to actually consult with interested parties first.
So, what does this mean for Wales? Well, it means Welsh Labour are at odds with the UK government. The Environment Minister Carwyn Jones would prefer to cover Wales in wind farms.
The Tories appear to be pro-nuclear and despite remaining unconvinced about the waste issue Glyn Davies, chair of the assembly's environment committee, would rather see a new nuclear power station than a severn barrage. They seem to think that nuclear is perfectly green, but not green enough to feature as an energy solution along with biomass, tidal, and solar power in their vote blue go green pledge. Does 'vote blue go toxic' not have the same ring?
The Lib Dems are characteristically anti-nuclear, but Plaid Cymru are moving in different directions. Their policy is to pretend to be opposed to nuclear power while their leader is actually in favour. 'Plaid Cymru does not support nuclear power,' says the latest policy document. But Ieuan Wyn Jones supports extending the life of the nuclear power plant in his own back yard.
A decision on the future of nuclear power is likely to be made very soon. If the Lib Dems play it right they could embarrass the other parties, who each have their own contradictions on this issue. With Tony Blair and his likely successor both very much in favour it may not make much difference, but if the Lib Dems fail to command the political high ground on this they really do deserve to be hung out to dry. As they keep reminding us, Wales isn't short of high windy spots for them to do so.
Labels: Glyn Davies, Gordon Brown, Ieuan Wyn Jones, Lib Dems, nuclear energy, Plaid Cymru, renewable energy, Tony Blair, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Labour
posted by Blamerbell @ 7:30 am,
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Women clear their desks at the Assembly
Monday, February 12, 2007
If, as expected, Labour lose seats in Mays' Assembly elections, one consequence will be an upheaval in the gender balance of the Senedd.
The Welsh Assembly has, until now, prided itself on being one of the few elected national bodies in the world with an equal number of women to men. In fact, there are currently more females than males in the chamber. But the predictable Labour defeats will change all that.
With the exception of Llanelli, it is men who are in the best position to step up in each of the key marginal constituencies. Indeed, on a truly disastrous night for the government, the number of women in the Assembly could fall to 26.
As it stands, the Tories are by far the least balanced party, while Labour have the highest percentage of women. Tory gains will only exacerbate the situation. And their crop of candidates for 2007 only perpetuates the trend: just 13 of the 55 candidates already announced are female.
Regardless of the new Cameron spin, in the Assembly at least, the Conservatives are still predominantly a party of men in suits.
Labels: Female, Gender balance, Male, Welsh Assembly Election 2007, Welsh Conservatives, Women
posted by Blamerbell @ 9:53 am,
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Conservative Assembly Members Exposed
Saturday, February 10, 2007
There's something very contrived about the way the Conservatives' website tries to portray Tory Assembly Members. The top line of each bio reeks of the sort of false chumminess more commonly heard on Saturday night TV.
Here's what they have to say about their current crop of AMs. I'm sure we can do better...
Glyn Davies
Tories say: Glyn provides the link between politics and rural Wales.
Blamerbell says: Glyn provides the link between politics and fantasy.
Mark Isherwood
Tories say: Mark brings a new meaning to the phrase 'hard work'.
Blamerbell says: Mark brings a new meaning to the phrase 'nice mustache'.
Laura Anne Jones
Tories say: Laura joined the Welsh Conservative Party in 1996 and from 2000 to 2002 was the Conservative Future area chairman for South Wales East.
Blamerbell says: Laura didn't have a proper job before getting elected.
David Melding
Tories say: David gives politicians a good name.
Blamerbell says: David gives politicians a tekkie name. Melding is computer jargon for a concurrent, object-oriented, dataflow, modular and fault-tolerant language.
Jonathan Morgan
Tories say: Jonathan boasts ability beyond his years.
Blamerbell says: Jonathan doesn't clean behind his ears.
Brynle Williams
Tories say: Brynle is one of those people who has made a name for himself organising a pressure group.
Blamerbell says: Brynle is one of those people who drives his tractor along country roads and refuses to pull over.
Labels: biography, Brynle Williams, David Melding, Glyn Davies, Jonathan Morgan, Laura Anne Jones, Mark Isherwood, spin, website, Welsh Conservatives
posted by Blamerbell @ 9:10 am,
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