Unfortunately I've been quite ill the last few days, and I wasn't given a remedy when I sat down to watch the Politics Show in Wales today. A brief post this will be to say how outrageously and sickeningly pompous Lembit Opik was on today's show. Typical of the Lib dems really, in that they always seem to want to appear above all criticism, and Opik's performance, as a friend of Hain's really didn't wash today. If I wasn't so cynical, I'd say that there are a few people in the Lib dems vying yet again for a Lib-Lab pact- waiting ( or seeking to play a part in demolishing) for the One Wales Government to fall on its knees for whatever scheme some anti One Wales AMs and MPs will concoct next.
For the first time ever, I found myself agreeing with David Davies MP for Monmouth who was on Radio 4 yesterday. He stated clearly that no, and apology from Hain was not good enough as it allowes for other MPs to make the same mistake as Hain in the future, only to be smacked on the wrist for doing so. It is not political opportunism at all that Plaid has raised questions over this issue publicly. The fact is that the people of this area, and electors generally, have the right to know what has happened in this instance.
Touhig says on today's show that Hain willingly offered the information to the public with regards to his failure to register the money for his campaign, but I wonder had Hain not done so on his own terms, would others have been quick to take his moment of glory from him?
Yes, lets see what comes of the two inquiries that are underway at the moment, but lets also keep a keen eye on what Gordon Brown will do next. I am almost certain that his judgement on Hain will materialise before that of any inquiry.
11 comments:
I would not be at all surprised if the Lib Dems have already made Labour an offer to set up a Lib/Lab coalition deal after the Council elections-dumping Plaid.
These Weasils of Welsh politics are the reason why the Rainbow deal collapsed in the first place. The only problem is that Labour trust them even less than Plaid, which takes some doing.
Hain i think will have to go, the whole think-tank thing will be the undoing for him. How anyone can 'forget' to register that amount of money is beyond me but then again I suppose it depends on what one think of the person(s) who ran his campaign! Ultimately though Hain is responsible and will go - if he doesn't it would have to be asked just waht a member of the government has to do before they resign.
the problem with Touhig and Labour is that being in power without any realistic alternatives allows them the kind of withering contempt that they have for any type of rules and so Peter Hain will survive i have no doubt and be even more smug than before all this began.
Just as bad is that you in Plaid Cymru or the Tories as opposition politicians you have no power at all to change things sadly.
Bethan,
I am no way defending Peter Hain's oversight in declaring donations at all, in fact i think that it is vital that all public servants uphold the highest ethical standards. However, i believe you are sticking the knife into a rival that is a tactic employed by all politicians and is a main reason why politicians are held in such low esteem. Every week there is some 'scandal' that runs its course and the opposing parties just stick the boot in, Labour did it regarding the Plaid election adverts that broke the rules, plaid vice versa over hain. Although i am not pointing the finger personally at you, or indeed your party as i think this is systemic political problem, i was hopeful our generation of politicians such as yourself would perhaps break with the rubbishing 'calls to resign' political culture that is the reason why yourself and other politicians cannot muster anything but pitiful turnouts at elections.
On the matter of Peter Hain, firstly i think that political funding is the media narrative of the month- even today i notice George Osborne has come under scrutiny what seems a real trivial technicality. It was the same with loss of data the month before, with every single loss of data being reported like it was some new epedemic!
Secondly, i think political opponents such as yourself crucially keep forgetting this was an internal party election whose electorate are Labour Party members. Which i think despite not clearing Mr Hain or wrongdoing per se, does make the whole 'how can his constituents trust him' attack a bit less credible.
Also with regards campaign/constituency staff, as someone who has worked in both and MP's, AM's and Party office i can assure that many hundreds of things get signed off without the politician themselves checking every last detail. That doesnt mean the accountability doesnt stop with Peter Hain, just that it is hardly a heinous crime that his staff made a mistake without his prior knowledge.
Bethan, our generation want more from our politicians such as yourself, we dont want the political culture that is so poisonous to our democracy. Do you accept that essentially it is merely political point scoring from all parties back and for...Elfyn Llwydd one week, Don touhig the next week.
In pontypool most people think of the words 'all the same, pigs, trough'.
southpaw grammar- it is because people lose faith in politics that I have interest in this issue. What I say does not automatically reflect what, for example, Eflyn Llwyd says. My office is in Neath, and I am expected to give my opinions on this issue regardless of whether this was an internal Labour party fight or not.
As I've said previously, we need to sort out party funding,and individual donations to parties as scenarios such as this do not reflect positively on ANY political party.
I feel you are assuming what 'our generation' want and think in this respect. I'm 26, ok, I'm a politician, but I still find it interesting, and important. Just because we are younger doesn't mean that we wouldn't be interested in this issue which has dominated the headlines over the past few days.
Of course, there are numerous other policy and campaign issues that are important to 'our generation', and I hope that I am at least trying to represent them in my everyday work at the Assembly.
A bit off-topic here, but www.plaidcymrubont.blogspot,com has a new article by Dafydd Wigley, a person who, in contrast to Hain, has always shown the highest level of integrity. English version of the article will be posted soon.
Southpaw i've read some of your stuff - its hard not to be drawn to it after coming across you in the Western Mail for basically acting like a little kid. You suggest Bethan is sticking the knife in but thats what you tried to do after being caught out doing something you said you wouldn't when you got your new job. Your defence of Peter Hain is based on your open support for his candidacy. Just because it was an internal Labour election doesn't make what happen trivial in any way. He is responsible for his campaign and should have been on top of such a massive amount of money. And this business about the think tank reeks.
You also comment about the culture whereby people call for politicians to resign, which makes me wonder just when is it appropriate for ministers to resign? Under his govt. the ministerial code has meant absolutely nothing, and if Hain's campaign did filter money through that think tank he shoudl go, I can't see how he could possibly stay - he would lose all moral authority.
Regarding the blaming the staff issue (you like to mention that you've worked for politicians dont you!) that argument simply isnt good enough. In Hain's case it was a campaign about him, his deputy leadership ambitions and his name and integrity. Therefore he is even more responsible.
The key for politicians is to ensure the people they appoint are trustworthy, and do their job professionally.
Finally this 'our generation' stuff is nonsense. Some of the worst people/influences in politics are often young upstarts who are ruthlessly ambitious who will do and say whatever it takes to get on. Ring any bells?
Paul Flynn who's always fun to read has some pretty interesting stuff to say on all of this. Of course he can be accused of biasly supporting a fewllow Labour collegue but there seems to be some truth in what he says - particuarly about the role of the media in this.
Anon,
Just a quicky before i go to bed...
Peter Hain is in the wrong, i dont think he should resign per se, but equally i can appreciate why the matter made end up in his resignation.
To make it clear to you, i never once defended peter hain, i attacked the culture that is CROSS PARTY that seems to mean we have 'calls to resign' every week, whether it be the plaid election adverts, alun cairns website, dave collins' blog comments and now Hain.
With regards my sacking, bollocks is what you are talking. Leave your name and i can clarify how you can even begin to know what went on. Unfortunately the Western Mail did print a correction a few days later regarding my sacking essentially stating that i was not sacked for 'offensive material' but hey why let that get in the way of a gutless anonmyous post by someone who i guess works for an AM down the bay.
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/politics-news/tm_headline=am-aide-ousted-over-blog-comment&method=full&objectid=19904995&siteid=50082-name_page.html
Bethan,
what i am trying to say is that we need a new political culture for a new generation of politics because there is a sustained downward trend in people's people interest in politics. I was merely asking you to consider whether you believe such 'squabbling', regardless of party is a contributing factor. I know you believe politics needs to change...
I didn't see the correction so I apologise for that, I guess one shouldn't believe what they read in the paper then. However in terms of being anonymous it might well have better for you not to respond as publically as you did - but regardless of that i do apologise for poor information.
Reagrding your point on the cross-party culture problem you may well be correct in saying this - however Labour has to take a great deal of responsibility for much of this. As i said previously it is very difficult to know over what ministers should resign, something i think Labour must share some responsibility for.
I think its also fair, as Paul Flynn says on his blog, to question the medias role in this.
On Hain I cant see how he can possibly remain in office, the press are going to go after him until Brown pulls the plug.
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