Kirsty’s reflection this week on those happenings was most revealing. She said, “We didn’t cover ourselves in glory.” Indeed, indeed, as the Sensible Wing said afterwards.
Welsh Politics
Jocelyn Davies a Plaid leadership contender?
Deputy minister Jocelyn Davies jointly hosted with her leader the weekly cabinet press briefing. Ieuan Wyn Jones had the star billing, both with his announcement on an £11m boost for business research, and because he can speak with the authority of a party leader.
Ms Jocelyn Davies was there mainly to talk about housing, in particular the new LCO on social housing and the protection of vulnerable people.
But, apart from these two issues, it was extremely instructive to note the relationship between the pair.
Welsh Conservatives
Did Tory racists force Oscar to join Plaid?
The biggest surprise was that he had ever been chosen as Plaid’s second nominee for South East, for he is clearly out of sympathy with any idea of “independence”. He said he a strong believer in the United Kingdom, and seemingly in the Royal Family.
I asked him whether he suspected racism among the Tories and whether he believed that the Tory Party had really changed its spots?
Welsh Politics
When Darling’s squeeze is around your throat
PLAID ISN’T too happy with the London government attitude to the amount of money which Cardiff gets to run Wales each year.
The Assembly is worse than even a community council; they can raise their own rates while the Assembly has to depend 100 pc on London.
Welsh Politics
Mistrust
The Welsh Labour Party issued a statement at noon on Tuesday from Rhodri Morgan and Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Wales, which was read differently by the two coalition parties.
It is clear that Labour is more cautious on a referendum that Plaid Cymru. Labour fears that a No vote “could set back devolution for several decades”. Of course, some senior figures in Labour have an aim of “setting back devolution for ever”.
Welsh Politics
What do you pay to attract foreign jobs ?
TALK OF the Cardiff government undertaking a sea-change in its industrial policy was somewhat overwhelmed by publication of a report on that most sensitive of subjects – the level of expenses paid in governmental sources,
Welsh Politics
Is the Assembly about to revive the Bank of Wales ?
THE WELSH Assembly bank is at last to be set up, deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones told us earlier today
