The Dresser
There are times - and this is one of them - when a Welsh dresser in a kitchen somewhere in the Llanuwchllyn area becomes the most familiar Welsh dresser on tv.
It belongs to Plaid's Parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd. He invariably sits in front of it when the cameramen roll up and political journalists want to know Plaid's thinking on impeaching Tony Blair/opposition to war in Afghanistan/doing any kind of deal with Labour/doing any kind of deal with the Tories.
For those who can't stop watching the News Channel at the moment then you'll have spotted that the dresser was back and may yet make another appearance if Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg fail to strike a deal. You'll have listened carefully to Mr Llwyd's words too I bet and noticed - as I pointed out in the last entry - that while Plaid talk in terms of talking to Labour ... just in case, they never did rule out talking to the Tories.
That's what Alex Salmond did on Friday. The message from the SNP leader yesterday?
"The assumption by some that the only option now available for a new UK
Government is a Tory-Liberal pact is not correct.
"There are alternatives and far more progressive outcomes available should
politicians have the will to seize the moment. Plaid and the SNP are indicating
that we do."
What do we read into those words from a Welsh perspective?
Mr Salmond and Mr Jones make it clear they would strive to strike a deal with Labour first. Sign up here for the progressive majority? Here we are, front of the queue.
Should that collapse and should any sign of a deal between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have long since collapsed too, then this way there is a door left open for Plaid: one that allows them to talk to David Cameron ... who would by then be working out whether a minority government can survive.
Plaid would, of course, have to go it alone. The Tories are, as a friend put it so vividly, "so much more toxic" in Scotland than in Wales. Yet neither would Plaid surely fail to spot the many dangers of propping up a government that would be about to - what was it again Mr Jones - inflict a series of "slash and burn cuts to Wales's budget (that) will hit our businesses and economy hard" ... as the Plaid press release put it just five days ago. How many millions would make Plaid calculate that it's worth it?
The chair in front of that dresser could yet become a pretty uncomfortable place to sit.
A blog entry worth reading here from a figure in the Labour movement whom it's easy to imagine would one day become a key figure in the Labour movement in Wales.
His take on the party's performance in Wales - lowest percentage since 1918 but a very decent haul of seats - is proof that not everyone is prepared to join in the act of giving a collective sigh of relief.
I'm Betsan Powys, BBC Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~35~RS~)
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Paddy Ashdown commented to Marr this morning;
Something along the lines of - Would the Rainbow Coalition with Labour relying on support by the minority parties, provide for stable Government.
He carefully avoided answering his own question, but asked another - that Rainbow Coalition would have to include Plaid & the DUP, how would a rational person view that.
I may have some words wrong, but that's roughly what he was saying.
There is another point in all this - the left and some in the MSM are trying to suggest a Lib Lab Government would be progressive.
That is absolutely wrong - for a start it would involve Labour as the main player, who after being in power for 13 years have now been rejected by the voters, and were demonstrably the most inept, incompetent and dictatorial Government the UK has ever had.
Surely the True Progressives are the Conservatives, now tempered by the Liberal Democrats influence.
So Betsan - instead of making a big issue of Plaid, who frankly have very little support in Wales, and look as if they will be decimated in the Assembly Elections next year - how about considering what the main players have to say and will do to get us out of the mess we are in.
For a start how about making it clear what the reasons for the problems we have here in Wales are, and given the economic constraints we are facing what the possible solutions are. - Begging bowls are not part of a realistic answer.
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Having just listened to Elfyn Llwyd on The Politics Show, the Welsh dresser is magnificent, as is the plate display ...
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West Wales,
The Tories are many things but progressive is not one of them.
Betsan,
I know that it's the job of journalists to look at all possibilities, but the prospect of Plaid doing a deal with the Tories on their own is non-existent; this being the politest term I could come up with.
I obviously do not want a Tory Government in London, but nor do I want an unstable set-up that will lead to yet another election. There appear to be dinosaurs in the Labour and Tory camps who want to create a situation where there will be another election this year. They do not want electoral reform and are too backward to accept that coalition government is the norm almost everywhere, except in Westminster.
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ianapharri #4
I don't think we will agree on politics. But we may agree on broader issues.
One definition of Progressive is "A person who actively favors or strives for progress toward better conditions, as in society or government."
I am certainly a progressive who favours moving steadily towards better conditions.
I want to live in a country that earns enough to pay for the public services we need, can educate our young, properly look after and support the old and other unfortunates, and also give us the freedom to make our own life choices.
Importantly we must ensure that those who are prepared to make personal sacrifices and work can benefit from their efforts.
Thatcher's policies meant that while the final result was successful in that the Nations economy was rebuilt, many through no fault of their own suffered badly.
That can never be allowed to happen again - and Cameron has made it clear that he will avoid as far as possible that sort of damage.
But we also must remember that no Labour Government has left office with the Country in a stronger position than when they took Office.
In 1997 the British Economy was the 4th richest in the world and growing today we are down at 11th and shrinking.
Remember 1979 I do, I also remember 1964 & 66.
Today our economy is saddled with an astronomical debt, and it isn't just the recession, Brown has been overspending for years.
We are crippled with bureaucracy and creaking efficient public services. Perhaps worst of all a Government system that strives to micro control everything to know everything - not just business, but you and me, our civil liberties have largely gone.
We are living in effectively a police state where even Council Officers have the right to spy, read your emails, and enter your home without consent from anyone.
That is Labours legacy, and that is not progressive, it is regressive.
So I suggest the real progressive agenda is with the Liberals and the Tories.
Like you I hope for a stable long term government that will deliver.
As for Electoral reform - that has to be the subject of a referendum and there is a debate to be had.
Right now - what is important is Political reform of both houses of Parliament.
Our Politicians must regain power of oversight and control from the Executive in the HoC.
The MP's must be people of honour and integrity, and we must have the right to get rid of anyone who fails to meet the highest standards.
As for the HoL I have concerns over a fully elected chamber, but not sure of the way forward.
The HoL as a revising chamber is the best in the World, the experts on its benches are among the most experienced and finest minds in the country. It's ability to make the Commons think again is invaluable to a democracy.
So what is the way to retain all of that - but also to remove patronage and make it subject to electoral scrutiny.
I really don't know.
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... extracted from the email received from DC yesterday ...
...
So first, I want to make clear that I do not believe any future government should give more powers to Brussels, be weak on immigration or put the country's defences at risk. So we will stand firm on these issues.
But I also believe there are many areas of common ground between us and the Liberal Democrats - such as the need for education reform, building a low-carbon economy, reforming our political system, decentralising power, protecting civil liberties and scrapping ID cards.
There are also areas where I believe we in the Conservative Party can give ground, both in the national interest and in the interests of forging an open and trusting partnership. For example, we want to work with the Liberal Democrats to see how we can afford to reduce taxes on the lowest paid. Of course, we hope to see a similarly constructive approach from the Liberal Democrats - not least on the urgent issue of tackling the deficit.
That's progressive ...
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The sticking point is PR, without that there can be no meaningful reform - there isn't mutch between the Tories and Labour on policy, let alone the Liberal Democrats.
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Its all pretty hypothetical at the moment.
Finally, its dawning on a greater number of people just how undemocratic is the UK's political system. Sixty-two percent of the population in today's poll favour reform of the electoral system by the introduction of PR.
The Tories are putting party interests before the country's, in refusing to countenance any form of PR. FPTP has allowed them to govern for much of the twentieth century on a significant minority of votes (as has Labour). The system is indefensible.
Labour's share of the vote in Wales (36.2%) was the lowest since 1918, and would have entitled it to between 14-15 seats under full PR, instead of the 26 seats they held. The Tories would have had between 10-11 (as opposed to eight), the LibDems would have had 8, and Plaid between 4-5. Instead, the majority of votes were discarded, and those people effectively disenfranchised.
Labour's very late conversion to electoral reform beggars belief. Blair and Brown have had large Commons' majorities over 13 years, which would have allowed them to have a referendum on PR, and to create a fully elected second chamber. Instead they did nothing. They have in practice proved themselves to have been as opposed to reform as the Tories.. again for selfish party interest.
Even now Brown favours AV, which could well result in Labour increasing its number of seats, without increasing its share of the vote.
If Clegg proceeds with a coalition/pact with the Tories without a firm commitment to a referendum on the introduction of PR, the LibDems will have no credibility with their own supporters, let alone the wider electorate.
The lack of accountability of the political class has in part led us to the present economic abyss. It has to change if the UK, and its four constituent nations, are to have any hope of progess.
I'm not hopeful that much will happen, although I've no crystal ball, but turkeys will not vote for Christmas.
It would make a change to actually live in a democracy, instead of a stitch-up.
As for Plaid (and the SNP), we'll have to wait and see if they can wield any influence. If they can, I hope they will lend support for electoral reform. Imo, I think its more important than gaining the occasional financial crumb for Wales. That would be short-termism. We need statesmen/women, as we already have a glut of useless politicians at Westminster, who can see further than just the next vote in the Commons.
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Anyway, one funniest comedy skits I've ever seen was that joint Plaid SNP political broadcast!!! It was absolutely hilarious
Little Ieaun was earnestly wringing his hands as he beseeched folk for their vote. Alex, whilst trying to look earnest as he gazed at the little Welsh chap, looked a tad embarrassed. Especially when Ieaun thundered about the influence a powerful Celtic block would have on Westminster!!
Ha ha, you couldnae make it up, Plaid researchers had predicted winning at least 8 seats!!! They won 3.
The SNP, fooled themselves to a much greater degree, they brainwashed themselves and hypnotised others, into believing they could win 20 seats!!! They got 6!!
Awww, isn't it a shame, the powerful Celtic block is not to be? But isn't it about time that Plaid with 11% support, was sidelined by the British media? And, what about a tribal land for you Welsh nats, say 11% of the Wales land mass?
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#9
Your skewed opinions are as simplistic as ever.
The UK's undemocratic electoral and broadcasting systems marginalise minorities and keeps power in the hands of the existing political elite. Plaid and the SNP suffered particularly badly in respect of both, with the added extra factor of the three leaders' debates aired IN Wales and Scotland on prime time TV, each of 90 minutes duration.
In Scotland the SNP came second with 19.9% of the votes. Under PR they would have been entitled to 11-12 seats out of 59. Labour actually got 41, with 42% of the vote... they would have got 24-25 with PR.
You take some kind of perverse pleasure in such a result.
The smaller parties lose out even more under FPTP, in that it encourages tactical voting to keep the least favoured or the most detested party out of power.
Tactical voting happens to a greater degree in Scotland and Wales, because the Tories are seen (rightly imo) as a truly nasty class-ridden party of privilege, which will cut and slash without regard in our two countries.
Thus the Labour party benefits disproportionately, to the cost of Plaid, the SNP and the LibDems, which were squeezed.
The Tories got a massive amount of extra media coverage in Wales, in comparison to Plaid. They also have a tremendous financial advantage, having raised millions for the election campaign. That money was largely spent in a handful of marginals, three or four of which were in Wales, which they won. Party funding is another major issue that needs to be tackled. Guess which parties don't want to change the status quo.
Plaid does not have the financial resources of either the Tories or Labour, measuring its funds in the tens of thousands instead, raised from its individual members, not from millionaires, big business or the unions.
You appear to revel in the democratic deficit so evident in British politics.
It is bad for ALL of us, whatever our political allegiance. Even Labour and Tory voters lose out, because they get governments and MPs who are arrogant, self-serving and corrupn, not to mention unnacountable and incompetent.
My opinions on this issue would be the same wherever I lived in the UK, and are not coloured by my support for the nationalist cause in Wales.
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5,
Thanks for a thoughtful response. I am certainly no apologist for New Labour or Gordon Brown, but as someone who works in the public sector, a few of the comments made by Cameron and co were very worrying. I was particularly concerned when they were asked to explain how they would pay for not putting up NI (I would not support the rise on employers but just on employees, by the way). One of the main savings listed was a freeze on filling posts externally in the public sector. This is clear double accounting as this has been going on across much of the public sector already. It has been particularly common in Wales where the Barnett squeeze has made things worse. For a party who wants to run the country not to have basic information like this is a real concern to me. Having said that, Labour didn't pick up on it either!
From my perspective, there is nothing progressive about bringing in cuts earlier halfway through a financial year, ensuring that jobs will be lost as there is not enough flexibility in a large public sector body to adapt quickly enough. Combining this with the tax relief on Inheritance Tax going through and £120 billion of lawfully avoided tax payments by the very richest not being touched by Cameron's plans, there is no balance/fairness here or any resemblance of it.
Westminster needs a stable Government and although my clear preferance would not by a Tory led one, any combination that led to instability and another election would be worse. Westminster needs to experience a successful coalition, as it is antiquated, arrogant and far too set in its ways.
9,
Shock horror. Welsh and Scottish parties stand up for Wales and Scotland. Get over it.
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Thing is, Bryn-Teilo, you are anti-British, well that's OK. But please remember, 89% of us do not share your separatist views!!!
Oh, by the way, I should imagine, that the British Labour party, are sick to the death of Irish-Welsh Druids!!...In once English Newport!!!!
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Today our home grown "robbing hoodies" changed the plot of the original "Robin Hood" story, in Wales we strive to be different, we rob the poor to subsidise the privileged few ........
... Ieuan Air resumes this morning.
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12/13. Well said and keep up the good work. The people on this blog who are BRITISH and proud of it have been proven that they reflect the will of the vast majority of welsh people. The "splitters" in Plaid Cymru and fellow travellers in media should hang their head in shame after the results of 2010 election. There are now three distinct and basically different parts of wales,i.e "welsh speaking heartlands" which are contracting as all young talented people travel to Caerdydd to work for BBC CYMRU/S4C,thenext being "Old industrial areas",that are stuck in relative poverty and heartland of old labour,and thirdly "very anglicised" areas that vote much like the better parts of england,rather than welsh wales. The people living in last category had better watch out as BBC WALES clearly wishes the welsh NATS and Scottish NATS to be presented as somehow reflecting the will of welsh as a whole and nothing could be further from the truth. All of the "freeing" up of the state from our lives as championed by our next Prime Minister will be denied to people who voted conservative because of the illegitimate body that is currently destroying wales down the Bay of Forlorn Hope. Why as a loyal subject of our gracious Queen and who holds a British Passport am I governed by a welsh body that is inimical to my interests. If we are not carefull the english will throw out the scots (and who can blame them) and the NATS and fellow travellers in media in wales will try and join the scots in splendid isolation.Read Minette Marrin in Sunday TImes
CUT SCOTLAND LOOSE- THENWE@LL HAVE A FAIR VOTING SYSTEM.
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#12
I'm pro-Wales. Nothing in my comment was anti-British.
I made some points concerning the political reality of living in the UK, which apply everywhere within it, but particularly in Wales and Scotland.
There are those who regularly post anti-Wales and anti-Welsh rants on this blog. Generally, they provide nothing positive to the debate.
The SNP is in government in Scotland, as is Plaid, in Wales. That is the result of democracy, as both electoral systems have an element of proportionality. Both parties are at a severe disadvantage in Westminster elections, some of the reasons for that I explained in my comment.
A new political reality is about to dawn on Wales, quite what it will be isn't clear. Five years from now the political map of the UK, and of Wales and Scotland is likely to be different.
I want a real democracy in these islands, so that your vote and mine, as well as everyone else's actually count towards forming the legislature, and thus the government.
I presume you would prefer to carry on with the present system, of alternate Labour and Tory governments, boom and bust, corruption, secrecy, increasing division between rich and poor, etc.
Its much better for the strength your arguments if you put forward positive ideas, and contributions.
I disagree with much of what he says, but West-Wales consistently does that, and therefore deserves respect, as do all those who genuinely and sincerely hold political opinions, of whatever colour.
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