While I've been computerless for the last couple of days, I've been listing some of New Labour in Wales' confusing messages....
1) Rhodri Morgan has stated that he wishes to fight this Assembly election on Welsh issues alone- child poverty and the future of the economy being two main issues. Yet Rhodri has this week concerntrated all his efforts on attacking the Leader of the Conservatives, David Cameron, and his lack of previous political experience. This strategy of attacking Cameron personally- no doubt due to the fear of a 'Cameron factor' affecting Wales in the next election has come about as opposed to looking closer to home -to the Conservative leader in Wales, Nick Bourne.
2)Following a failed attempt by Labour MP's in Wales to oust Tony Blair during the summer of 2006, and despite most Labour MP's and AM's lending their support to Gordon Brown for the PM's job, you'd think that Blair would get the message that any words of wisdom on the forthcoming Welsh Assembly election would be unpopular. After the disaster in Blaenau Gwent, you'd assume that Rhodri Morgan would be sensible enough to hide Blair from view. Yet in the last few weeks alone, we see Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie parading around the marginal Cardiff North Consistuency, and a desperate 'support Rhodri' speech last night from Blair at Labour's Conference in Llangollen. Both events will most likely have a negative affect on the Welsh electorate, regardless of Blair's shameless scaremongering when warning of a Tory led coalition come May the 4th when New Labour fails at the polls.
3) Rhodri Morgan has always said that he will not comment on the Iraq war as it is not a devolved issue- we all remember the Question Time debate, and Rhun ap Iorwerth's half hearted attempt at questioning him further on the issue on last night's Dragon's Eye.
Yet Rhodri Morgan has been bold enough to comment on Blair's current exit strategy from Iraq, expressing the fact that it is 'very problematic". So Rhodri can have an opinion on some elements of the war, but not others? He can comment on Welsh troops who are out there, but not on whether they should be there or not....
4) Another confused message, which could come up for debate again soon is whether or not Labour in Wales will use 'Welsh' funds for the Assembly election, or whether we will see them dip in to the pockets of London Labour.
'Welsh' Labour would then definitely only be a construct of their own imagination.
2 comments:
Totally agree with your comment about attack on David Cameron. Rhodri is desperate to disassociate himself from Westminster issues when it suits him - and focus on Westminster issues if he thinks can gain some benefit. I have been away for a few days - and you have promted me to post on my blog, reminding Rhodri that Nick Bourne is our leader in Wales - and that his opposition in this election is the Welsh Conserevative Party.
I am surprised that you would want to remind Rhodri Morgan to sway his efforts of attack in the direction of Nick Bourne. Is Rhodri Morgan not helping you by attacking Cameron, who is pushing the Tories up in the polls somewhat?
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