Gosh. Just heard Nick Bourne AM on a question to the Heritage Minister regarding supporting the commemoration of Owain Glyndwr! Whatever next? Supporting Welsh Independence?! I wonder whether their leader in Westminster knows what they are up to here in the Bay. After all, Alun Cairns Tory AM ( a Parliamentary candidate) has said on record during a debate last week that Cameron isn't their leader in Wales. For a Unionist party, they appear on face value to be on very shaky ground. But I know full well of course what the Tory strategy is in terms of merely appearing to be a unique Welsh party. However, we need only look at how Glyn Davies and his colleagues are refusing to accept that the decision on the right to buy be devolved to Wales to know that the cracks are appearing in the 'Welsh' Tory game.
The same divergence in opinion is clear from the Tory camp when discussing top-up fees. David Cameron has of course stated on numerous occasions that he now supports the rolling out of top-up fees, but his party in Wales purport to be able to take a differing line in opposing such fees here in Wales for now, at least ( or until the General election campaign kicks off) Again, there is a lack of consistency in the Tory spin machine, and a robust opposition in even admitting that they will have to take a UK Unionist opinion on most policy decisions and directions.
On the Referendum front, the Tories are holding a consultation process on whether they support future devolution for Wales. If this consultation results in a positive outcome to support a referendum on more powers for Wales, it will be highly interesting to see whether they place this in their Uk General election manifesto, and whether they will promise to enact on this if they take power on a UK level.
Of course, if the Tories win power at Westminster, or even if all the polls prior to the election indicate as such, I will be keeping a keen eye on Labour party activity in this area. I want to see whether or not those who are current devo sceptics in Labour's Unionist wing, (we all know who they are) and who are currently intent on talking down the referendum in the One Wales Government will be manouvering to change their mind, and to support future powers for our National Assembly in fear of losing all power in the devolved administrations.
3 comments:
Great post, Bethan. Seems like the Tories and Labour are adrift in Wales. What happened to Welsh Labour's campaign in defence of the Union?
Bethan
Regarding the future for the Assembly.
Reading on the new Cambria blog site, there is news of an alleged "Royal Charm Offensive" to get us in Wales to believe what a wonderful asset William windsor is for us. As if we haven't had enough sickening propagander about him and his brother already. This apparently is in preperation for a possible investiture for William windsor taking over from his father as Prince of Wales.
It is going to be more lavish so it is said, than the one that wonderful Christian (how we remember him) George Thomas did for his Father Charles windsor.
If true it makes you wonder how much credibility we can take from the Labour Party who must be in the forefront of it all in their commitment to a Parliment for Cymru.
Dear Bethan
To follow on from my previous message.
Looking at the "National Newspaper of Wales"( ha ha )today, it looks like it is already starting, and we are begining to fall for it by look of the photo shots.
Start with the young, treat the windsors like celebrities and it will escalate from there. They will win in the end you know because of our sad preocupation with the celebrity culture.
It won't be long before the Labour Party jump on that bandwagon
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