Just a quick blog to say that I am going away for a few days so I won't be blogging.
The last week has certainly been interesting. I was attending a wedding yesterday when Leighton Andrews came over to me (it was a pure coincidence that both of us were there before the consipracy theories start!) and told me that the Lib Dems had voted in favour of joining a possible Plaid led Government. Nothing surprises me with the Lib Dems.
For the record, last week I voted against the proposal that my party suspend negotiations with Labour, because I thought it was premature to do so at that stage. I think the way things turned out vindicates that position.
Pro rainbow and red - green advocates cannot dismiss different opinions as tribal whilst ruling out the other strategy. The only consideration should be what's best for Wales. Let's see what's on the table when we return from recess.
Have a nice week.
Showing posts with label Rainbow Coalition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rainbow Coalition. Show all posts
Sunday 27 May 2007
Monday 21 May 2007
Rhodri Morgan's sudden obsession with opinion polls
Later tonight, Rhodri Morgan will say this at the private members Athenaeum Club in Pall Mall:
'What do the public of Wales want now? Do they want a Labour-led administration or do they want a Plaid Cymru-led administration? Answers on a postcard please."
This after saying yesterday that there should be a public opinion poll on who should be the First Minister of Wales.
Suddenly, Rhodri wants to put everything to public opinion, just to be sure. If you want to be pedantic about arguing for public scrutiny on a regular basis, why was there not such a plan when discussing the reconfiguration of the Health Service in Wales before the election?
Come on Rhodri, your stronger than that. Make a decision for yourself!
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Rhodri Morgan yn darganfod esgus defnyddiol mewn barn cyhoeddus
Yn hwyrach heno, bydd Rhodri Morgan yn dweud hyn i Glwb Aelodau Preifat Athenaeum yn Pall Mall:
'What do the public of Wales want now? Do they want a Labour-led administration or do they want a Plaid Cymru-led administration? Answers on a postcard please."
Mae hyn ar ol datgan ddoe y dylai yna fod arolwg barn cyhoeddus ar pwy y dylai Prif Weinidog Cymru nesaf fod. Yn sydyn iawn, mae Rhodri eisiau mesur bob dim yn erbyn barn cyhoeddus, er mwyn bod yn hollol sicr.
Os wyt ti am fod yn hollol gywir am ddadlau o blaid craffiad cyhoeddus rheolaidd, pam nad oedd cynllyn tebyg pan yn trafod ad-drefnu'r Gwasanaeth Iechyd yng Nghymru cyn yr etholiad?
C'mon Rhodri, ti'n gryfach na hyn. Gwna benderfyniad dy hun!
'What do the public of Wales want now? Do they want a Labour-led administration or do they want a Plaid Cymru-led administration? Answers on a postcard please."
This after saying yesterday that there should be a public opinion poll on who should be the First Minister of Wales.
Suddenly, Rhodri wants to put everything to public opinion, just to be sure. If you want to be pedantic about arguing for public scrutiny on a regular basis, why was there not such a plan when discussing the reconfiguration of the Health Service in Wales before the election?
Come on Rhodri, your stronger than that. Make a decision for yourself!
....................................................................................................................................................
Rhodri Morgan yn darganfod esgus defnyddiol mewn barn cyhoeddus
Yn hwyrach heno, bydd Rhodri Morgan yn dweud hyn i Glwb Aelodau Preifat Athenaeum yn Pall Mall:
'What do the public of Wales want now? Do they want a Labour-led administration or do they want a Plaid Cymru-led administration? Answers on a postcard please."
Mae hyn ar ol datgan ddoe y dylai yna fod arolwg barn cyhoeddus ar pwy y dylai Prif Weinidog Cymru nesaf fod. Yn sydyn iawn, mae Rhodri eisiau mesur bob dim yn erbyn barn cyhoeddus, er mwyn bod yn hollol sicr.
Os wyt ti am fod yn hollol gywir am ddadlau o blaid craffiad cyhoeddus rheolaidd, pam nad oedd cynllyn tebyg pan yn trafod ad-drefnu'r Gwasanaeth Iechyd yng Nghymru cyn yr etholiad?
C'mon Rhodri, ti'n gryfach na hyn. Gwna benderfyniad dy hun!
What can I blog about apart from coalitions?!
I must admit that I'm finding it hard to blog at the moment. Its mainly due to the fact that I want to blog about different issues of the day, but then this is overtaken by constant thoughts on the negotiations that are taking place between the political parties this week- a very important week if anyone is to make a decision on who will govern Wales for the next 4 years. I would very much like to put it to the back of my mind, but its impossible given the weight placed upon us as AM's, and us as Plaid members, to finalise agreements by the end of the week.
Some other blogs have noted that I am of course stating the obvious when discussing the fact that any decision must go through Plaid's proper channels. I understand their comments, but I am merely stating that all is not black and white- that a Rainbow coalition is not inevitable at this stage.
Of course, Plaid members are not being silenced on this issue as Alun Cairns suggests on his blog, but I do believe that members are, like myself, thinking all options through clearly, and are cautious to make statements that could jeopordise the progression or stability of any said agreement. I have received many emails in the last few days- some from constituents, some from party members, both for and against the idea of a Rainbow coalition. These messages do little to help me in making a firm decision, but are effective in assessing public perception to what could be an entirely new form of politics here in Wales.
In my opinion, the pressure is on Rhodri Morgan to either cut a good deal with Plaid or face the end of his political career in opposition( and does he really want a seat in opposition to be his lasting legacy??) The question is, does he master enough authority within his own group to be able to deliver any deal with Plaid?
We are the party constantly criticised for having negative thoughts of the Tories due to our 80's Thatcher hang ups, but it would be enlightening if commentators could highlight the fact that many Labour AM's must equally get over their blinkered view of Plaid, so that they too can embrace the consensual politics of 21st century Wales.
A deal with the Lib dems and Labour is dead in the water as far as I can gather from speaking to the likes of Peter Black. Therefore, Rhodri Morgan must come up trumps with Plaid in the next few days, or other options will have to be explored.
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Pynciau heblaw clymbleidiau?
Mae hi yn anodd iawn blogio ar y funud. Rwyf eisiau gwneud sylwadau ar faterion y diwrnod, ond wedyn yn dechrau meddwl am y trafodaethau rhyngbleidiol a fydd yn rhedeg drwy'r wythnos - wythnos hynod o bwysig, yn terfynu gyda phenderfyniad ar bwy fydd yn llywodraethu Cymru am y bedair mlynedd nesaf. Mi fuaswn yn hoffi gallu meddwl am rywbeth gwahanol, ond mae'n amhosib gwneud hyn gyda'r pwysau arnom fel ACau ac aelodau Plaid, i ffurfio cytundeb erbyn diwedd yr wythnos.
Mae rhai blogiau eraill wedi nodi fy mod yn mynegi yr hyn sydd yn amlwg pan yn trafod yr angen i unrhyw benderfyniad gael ei wneud drwy gyfundrefn ffurfiol y Blaid. Rwyf yn cydnabod eu barn, ond mae'n wir nad yw clymblaid Enfys yn anochel. Nid yw'n wir, fel mae Alun Cairns yn awgrymu ar ei flog, fod aelodau Plaid yn cael eu distewi ar y mater, ond mae aelodau, gan gynnwys fy hunan, yn meddwl dros y dewisiadau, ac rydm yn ofalus am fynegi barn a allai beryglu sefydlogrwydd trafodaethau.
Rwyf wedi derbyn nifer o e-byst yn ddiweddar - gan etholwyr ac aelodau'r Blaid, o blaid ac yn erbyn clymblaid Enfys. Dydi rhain ddim yn gynorthwyol i fy mhroses o wneud penderfyniad, ond yn ddefnyddiol i asesu dehongliad cyhoeddus o beth all fod yn fath newydd o wleidyddiaeth yng Nghymru.
Yn fy marn i, mae'r pwysau ar Rhodri Morgan i lunio cytundeb foddhaol gyda Plaid, neu gwynebu diwedd ei alwedigaeth wleidyddol fel gwrthbleidydd (ai dyma beth mae o eisiau fel ei gymynrodd??). Yr unig gwestiwn yw, a oes ganddo ddigon o ddylanwad yn ei grwp i arwain at gytundeb gyda Plaid?
Ni yw'r blaid sydd wedi cael ein cyhuddo o hel meddyliau negatif am y Toriaid, yn sgil trychinebau Thatcher yn yr 80au, ond mi fydd yn oleuol os y bydd rhai gohebwyr yn tanlinellu'r ffaith fod rhaid i lawer o ACau Llafur wynebu eu rhagdybiaethau hwy am y Blaid, fel ein bod yn gallu symud tuag at wleidyddiaeth cyd-weithredol newydd i Gymru yr 21ain ganrif.
Mae cytundeb rhwng y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol a Llafur yn farw ar ei draed yn ol pobl fel Peter Black. Felly, mae'n rhaid i Rhodri Morgan wneud cynnig da i Plaid yn y dyddiau nesaf, neu mi fydd dewisiadau eraill yn cael eu ystyried.
Some other blogs have noted that I am of course stating the obvious when discussing the fact that any decision must go through Plaid's proper channels. I understand their comments, but I am merely stating that all is not black and white- that a Rainbow coalition is not inevitable at this stage.
Of course, Plaid members are not being silenced on this issue as Alun Cairns suggests on his blog, but I do believe that members are, like myself, thinking all options through clearly, and are cautious to make statements that could jeopordise the progression or stability of any said agreement. I have received many emails in the last few days- some from constituents, some from party members, both for and against the idea of a Rainbow coalition. These messages do little to help me in making a firm decision, but are effective in assessing public perception to what could be an entirely new form of politics here in Wales.
In my opinion, the pressure is on Rhodri Morgan to either cut a good deal with Plaid or face the end of his political career in opposition( and does he really want a seat in opposition to be his lasting legacy??) The question is, does he master enough authority within his own group to be able to deliver any deal with Plaid?
We are the party constantly criticised for having negative thoughts of the Tories due to our 80's Thatcher hang ups, but it would be enlightening if commentators could highlight the fact that many Labour AM's must equally get over their blinkered view of Plaid, so that they too can embrace the consensual politics of 21st century Wales.
A deal with the Lib dems and Labour is dead in the water as far as I can gather from speaking to the likes of Peter Black. Therefore, Rhodri Morgan must come up trumps with Plaid in the next few days, or other options will have to be explored.
........................................................................................................................................................................
Pynciau heblaw clymbleidiau?
Mae hi yn anodd iawn blogio ar y funud. Rwyf eisiau gwneud sylwadau ar faterion y diwrnod, ond wedyn yn dechrau meddwl am y trafodaethau rhyngbleidiol a fydd yn rhedeg drwy'r wythnos - wythnos hynod o bwysig, yn terfynu gyda phenderfyniad ar bwy fydd yn llywodraethu Cymru am y bedair mlynedd nesaf. Mi fuaswn yn hoffi gallu meddwl am rywbeth gwahanol, ond mae'n amhosib gwneud hyn gyda'r pwysau arnom fel ACau ac aelodau Plaid, i ffurfio cytundeb erbyn diwedd yr wythnos.
Mae rhai blogiau eraill wedi nodi fy mod yn mynegi yr hyn sydd yn amlwg pan yn trafod yr angen i unrhyw benderfyniad gael ei wneud drwy gyfundrefn ffurfiol y Blaid. Rwyf yn cydnabod eu barn, ond mae'n wir nad yw clymblaid Enfys yn anochel. Nid yw'n wir, fel mae Alun Cairns yn awgrymu ar ei flog, fod aelodau Plaid yn cael eu distewi ar y mater, ond mae aelodau, gan gynnwys fy hunan, yn meddwl dros y dewisiadau, ac rydm yn ofalus am fynegi barn a allai beryglu sefydlogrwydd trafodaethau.
Rwyf wedi derbyn nifer o e-byst yn ddiweddar - gan etholwyr ac aelodau'r Blaid, o blaid ac yn erbyn clymblaid Enfys. Dydi rhain ddim yn gynorthwyol i fy mhroses o wneud penderfyniad, ond yn ddefnyddiol i asesu dehongliad cyhoeddus o beth all fod yn fath newydd o wleidyddiaeth yng Nghymru.
Yn fy marn i, mae'r pwysau ar Rhodri Morgan i lunio cytundeb foddhaol gyda Plaid, neu gwynebu diwedd ei alwedigaeth wleidyddol fel gwrthbleidydd (ai dyma beth mae o eisiau fel ei gymynrodd??). Yr unig gwestiwn yw, a oes ganddo ddigon o ddylanwad yn ei grwp i arwain at gytundeb gyda Plaid?
Ni yw'r blaid sydd wedi cael ein cyhuddo o hel meddyliau negatif am y Toriaid, yn sgil trychinebau Thatcher yn yr 80au, ond mi fydd yn oleuol os y bydd rhai gohebwyr yn tanlinellu'r ffaith fod rhaid i lawer o ACau Llafur wynebu eu rhagdybiaethau hwy am y Blaid, fel ein bod yn gallu symud tuag at wleidyddiaeth cyd-weithredol newydd i Gymru yr 21ain ganrif.
Mae cytundeb rhwng y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol a Llafur yn farw ar ei draed yn ol pobl fel Peter Black. Felly, mae'n rhaid i Rhodri Morgan wneud cynnig da i Plaid yn y dyddiau nesaf, neu mi fydd dewisiadau eraill yn cael eu ystyried.
Wednesday 16 May 2007
SNP decision while Wales plays the waiting game.
English to follow below
Llongyfarchiadau mawr i'r SNP heddiw am sefydlu Llywodraeth yn yr Alban. Er ei fod yn lywodraeth lleiafrifol, rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y fedrir yr SNP cyflwyno newidiadau radical i wleidyddiaeth yr Alban. Wrth gwrs, mae hyn yn dibynnu ar ewyllys da cefnogaeth y pleidiau eraill, ond mi fydd yn ddiddorol iawn dilyn hynt a helynt y Senedd yn yr Alban.
Dros y ffin yma yng Nghymru, mae'r trafodaethau dal yn digwydd. Mae'r wasg yn erfyn am stori mae arna i ofn. Mi oedd 3 camera BBC yn ein cyfarfod grwp y bore ma! Roedd darllediad y BBC tamaid bach yn cam arweiniol hefyd, gan honi heddiw bod y Glymblaid Enfys yn edrych yn fwy o bosibiliad. Y ffaith yw nad yw'r glymblaid hwn ar lefel uwch neu llai na'r trafodaethau am yr opsiynau eraill ar hyn o bryd.
Rwy'n edrych ymlaen at gael y penderfyniad, beth bynnag yw hwnnw, gan fod pethau yn ddi-symud braidd nes bod Llywodraeth yn cael ei ffurfio. Fel dywedodd Dafydd Ellis Thomas yr wythnos hwn, dyw'r sefyllfa ddim yn 'creisis', na chwaith yn 'stalemate' fel a dywedodd Nick Speed yn ei darn ar newyddion HTV heno. Mae hwn yn benderfyniad mor bwysig i bob Plaid fel na fedrwn rhuthro mewn i dim heb pwyso a mesur pob opsiwn yn glir, ond byddech yn falch o wybod mod i wedi dod i benderfyniad. Er nad wyf am ei rhannu yma eto wrth gwrs!
Am y tro, fe a i ati i agor pentwr o ohebiaeth rwyf wedi derbyn ers Mai y 3ydd!
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A big congratulations to the SNP for announcing today that they will form a Government in Scotland. Even though it shall be a minority Government, I hope that the SNP can succeed in introducing radical changes that will benefit Scotland. Of course this depends somewhat on the good will and support of the opposition parties, but it will be very interesting to watch how the political scene develops in Scotland.
Over the border here in Wales, negotiations are still taking place. I fear that the press are by now desperate for a story. There were 3 BBC cameras at our group meeting today! I thought that their news coverage was a little bit misleading tonight as well, as it suggested that a Rainbow coalition was now much more likely than it was previously. The fact of the matter is that this option still holds the same ground as the other options on the table, and that's how it should be reported.
I am looking forward to the day when a decision will finally be made, whatever the outcome is, as I can foresee that things will be pretty slow moving at the Assembly until a Government is formed. As Dafydd Ellis Thomas said earlier this week, the situation is not a 'crisis' or a 'stalemate' for that matter, as Nick Speed suggested tonight on HTV Wales. This is such an important decision for Plaid that we can't just make quick decisions for the future at any cost. We have to weigh up each option clearly. You will be pleased to know that I have made up my mind, but I won't be airing it here for the time being.
For now, I will return to opening the huge bundle of post that I have had on my desk since May the 3rd!
Sunday 13 May 2007
Talks about Talks...
I've noted how other Welsh bloggers are tackling the issue of coalition deals of late- from reading Matt Withers's column today on a possible Plaid-Labour deal, Glyn Davies who favours a minority Labour Government until a Rainbow coalition takes over, Chanticleer on Lib dem internal wranglings, and Blamerbell, who suggests that a Parliament for Wales should not be a deal breaker due to its inevitability as written within the Government of Wales Act.
What underlines the arguments in the blogs are the red-line issues for each political party- where we are ready to co-operate and sacrifice on policy proposals or political viewpoints, and where we are adamant to remain head-strong and refuse to compromise. The problem with this is that undoubtedly red line issues will differ from member to member, from area to area, and they will also differ with regards to a party's approach to an opposing political party.
It is of course fair enough to say that for us, a New Welsh language Act would be a red line issue as one of many, but I don't think that it would be enough on it's own merit to justify, for example, a rainbow coalition for the next four years. Glyn Davies mentions my 'misguided socialism', but does not outline any clear reasoning for encouraging me to embrace the concept of a rainbow coalition further than that of creating an 'alternative' to Labour in Wales. What is the long term gain of such an outcome for Wales?
However, what is of interest to me is this- If there is a different Government in Westminster to the National Assembly (for example, there could be a Rainbow Coalition in Wales, and a Labour Government in Westminster) how will Hain's veto play out with regards to passing new powers, will a referendum on a Parliament for Wales be off the cards, and could this mean more effective scrutiny of a Labour Westminster Government? It is far from clear how this would pan out.
In my humble opinion, the talks about talks must now develop in to talks about Government here in Wales. We should be discussing our aims and objectives as parties, and whether or not working together is a viable option. It could all culminate with the impossibility of any deal between us due to ideological and practical differences. Until we reach the point where we know when we would be prepared to work with other parties, and under what auspices, we will not be sure of how best to go ahead with forming any style of working Government here in Wales.
What underlines the arguments in the blogs are the red-line issues for each political party- where we are ready to co-operate and sacrifice on policy proposals or political viewpoints, and where we are adamant to remain head-strong and refuse to compromise. The problem with this is that undoubtedly red line issues will differ from member to member, from area to area, and they will also differ with regards to a party's approach to an opposing political party.
It is of course fair enough to say that for us, a New Welsh language Act would be a red line issue as one of many, but I don't think that it would be enough on it's own merit to justify, for example, a rainbow coalition for the next four years. Glyn Davies mentions my 'misguided socialism', but does not outline any clear reasoning for encouraging me to embrace the concept of a rainbow coalition further than that of creating an 'alternative' to Labour in Wales. What is the long term gain of such an outcome for Wales?
However, what is of interest to me is this- If there is a different Government in Westminster to the National Assembly (for example, there could be a Rainbow Coalition in Wales, and a Labour Government in Westminster) how will Hain's veto play out with regards to passing new powers, will a referendum on a Parliament for Wales be off the cards, and could this mean more effective scrutiny of a Labour Westminster Government? It is far from clear how this would pan out.
In my humble opinion, the talks about talks must now develop in to talks about Government here in Wales. We should be discussing our aims and objectives as parties, and whether or not working together is a viable option. It could all culminate with the impossibility of any deal between us due to ideological and practical differences. Until we reach the point where we know when we would be prepared to work with other parties, and under what auspices, we will not be sure of how best to go ahead with forming any style of working Government here in Wales.
