Given tomorrow's big day and tonight's decision by the Labour Party, I thought it would be timely to reprint a story from BBC Wales on March 1st.
"Peter Hain has ruled out Labour governing in coalition with Plaid Cymru if there is a hung assembly after the elections in May. He said coalitions were a matter for First Minister Rhodri Morgan, but Labour would not accept one with Plaid.....
Asked by Plaid's Adam Price to clarify his position on a Labour-Plaid coalition, Mr Hain said: "I'm ruling it out. There is no prospect of that at all. This is a matter for Rhodri Morgan and his fellow Welsh Labour Assembly Members. But I don't think Welsh Labour would accept that."
Oh well - seems like four months is a very long time in politics.
p.s. did you see the piece by the independent film-maker Jamie Campbell on Newsnight tonight when he followed Gordon Brown trying to get him to answer a few questions with no success - unbelievable but also quite scary.
"Peter Hain has ruled out Labour governing in coalition with Plaid Cymru if there is a hung assembly after the elections in May. He said coalitions were a matter for First Minister Rhodri Morgan, but Labour would not accept one with Plaid.....
Asked by Plaid's Adam Price to clarify his position on a Labour-Plaid coalition, Mr Hain said: "I'm ruling it out. There is no prospect of that at all. This is a matter for Rhodri Morgan and his fellow Welsh Labour Assembly Members. But I don't think Welsh Labour would accept that."
Oh well - seems like four months is a very long time in politics.
p.s. did you see the piece by the independent film-maker Jamie Campbell on Newsnight tonight when he followed Gordon Brown trying to get him to answer a few questions with no success - unbelievable but also quite scary.
Comments
The red/green could still be blocked by National Council but this is unlikely.
In the end, it was not the thought of working with your colleagues that swung the group, but the prospect of having to trust the Lib Dems. A real opportunity has been missed to 'break the mould' because of their spineless NEC.
I doubt that a similar rainbow option will come again for a generation.
Plaid Cymru has now indisputedly come of age. It has gained stature as a serious and concerned political party, and as the only Party of Wales, the party which puts Welsh interests first.
It has taken on the role as the conscience of the people, and is well on the road to success. It is donning the mantle of power and testing the waters of bi-partisan government.
I would urge all rainbow warriors as well as supporters of other parties to back Plaid in its new venture in creating the conditions for nationhood.
http://alanindyfed.blogspot.com
It would have been a tonic for Wales to have a new type of government which excluded Labour as it would have energised the country.
Alan - I am afraid I cannot share your enthusiasm at all. The Conservatives will form a very effective opposition to this new alliance and I give it until the New Year before the cracks start to show in this new partnership.
We are certainly looking forward to the local council elections next year, especially in Aberconwy where Plaid will now have to explain to their voters why they are now supporting Labour in office, given the vehement anti-Labour stance they took during the election.
Cynics will be cynical and positive people who so hoped for a new era will take yet another knock back.
Politics Bah humbug!!
I wonder if the copper who spoke his mind still has a career today?
I am looking forward to seeing the leaders of Plaid and Labour trying to justify the complete u-turn that they have made since the election. It will also be interesting to find out the views of the voters, especially in the non-Labour heartlands of Wales.
Certainly this decision makes Ynys Mon an interesting seat for the next GE...