A LIB DEM with a sense of humour gave his backing yesterday to health minister Edwina Hart to succeed Rhodri Morgan as leader of the Labour Party in Wales, writes Clve Betts from the Assembly press gallery.
The individual – who shall remain nameless – wanted Edwina to win because of the “liveliness” which would ensue.
That means, it is reckoned that Edwina, AM for Gower, would upset enough people to ensure that the Assembly is a very “lively” place.
Mrs Hart is certainly either first or second in the race. She is extremely able and cuts a fine figure for Wales.
I spoke also to a prominent Labour figure – not an AM – who is also supporting Edwin. And, unlike my Lib Dem figure, he possesses a vote.
He cited her ability, the public figure she cuts, and the prominence she would give to Wales. But he also admitted her one failing.
In the piece written by David Williamson in the Western Mail, Mrs Hart is quoted is saying about herself, “You get on with people.”
My Labour contact agreed with my Lib Dem contact. That Mrs Hart is a very lively character. In the way that she can be superb with a person or an issue one day, while the very next she will cut them dead.
I wonder whether the “liveliness” that many see in Mrs Hart is the “liveliness” that the Assembly necessarily wants.
Mind, there’s another side to the job. The current administration in Cardiff is a coalition. According to Plaid ministers, Mrs Hart is a true pillar of that coalition. She helped to build it. And she’ll keep it going.
Whether Mrs Hart is nice to journalists and such characters is beside the point when you’re running a coalition government.
So there !
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