The Western Mail ran this curious story yesterday by their Chief Reporter, Martin Shipton. It claims that an activist called Hayzell David, in Plaid's Women's Section, has written a discussion paper calling for a merger between Plaid and the Labour Party. The said Mr Shipton then went on Good Morning Wales to expand on his story, acting the role of wise pundit. But something didn't seem quite right to me. It wasn't just the odd spelling (Hayzell. Really - anyone ever seen that one before?); the story just didn't ring true.
So I asked around a little - you know, who is this Hayzell David? None of my Plaid contacts have ever heard of her, and she most certainly is not an activist in the Women's Section. Sadly, Ceredig House does not have access to Plaid's membership records, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the party disowning her publicly in the next day or two.
Back to the odd spelling - any clues there? An anagram perhaps? A few minutes' work with pencil and paper produced "Lazy Devil Had". Clearly, someone has been well and truly had - so who is the "Lazy Devil"? Surely this couldn't possibly be a less than complimentary reference to the journalistic diligence of the Western Mail's Chief Reporter? You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment. He surely checked out the bona fides of Ms David thoroughly before running his story didn't he?
I expect some red faces at the Western Mail and the BBC over the next day or so. And maybe Peter Black and Ordovicius will think twice in future before believing anything they read in our 'national newspaper'.
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- David Cornock
- Glyn Davies
- Guerilla Welsh-fare
- Leanne Wood AM
- Miserable Old Fart
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- Tomos Livingstone (Western Mail)
- Valleys Mam
- Vaughan Roderick (BBC)
- Welsh Blog Index
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21 comments:
And maybe Peter Black and Ordovicius will think twice in future before believing anything they read in our 'national newspaper'.
What on Earth are you on about, Ceredig? If blogging about it implies belief then you yourself are a believer. Try reading posts more closely in future before jumping to conclusions.
Aren't blogs wonderful? In the past we would have accepted anything, well most of what was in our newspapers.
We can almost trace the source of this one! Same spin, same style etc. Read the blogs again .
ordovicious gets so grumpy!
Hayzell is a real name - but the only examples I can find are for MEN named Hayzell.
Maybe the Plaid Women's Section has been infiltrated?
Any sleuth out there who can fathom the identities of anonymous and nonconformist? ;-)
ordovicious gets so grumpy!
You mean you feel stupid?
Ordovicius,
Of course, blogging about something doesn’t imply that you believe it. And a number of your posts very helpfully draw attention to stories which others of us might have missed, and do so without comment or spin. However, in the post that I was referring to, you accurately and fairly reported the story from the Western Mail, and some comments from Adam Price, and then went on to say:
“To many members and supporters of Plaid, both of the above views will be news to them. Even if Labour were to become autonomous, that hardly means that they would be pro-independence. Just look at the Welsh Liberal Democrats! But if Welsh Labour were to become an autonomous party, a "sister-party" to UK Labour rather than just one of its branches, a Welsh version of the Catalan PSC, then would that be good enough for Plaid's 'merger' enthusiasts for them to change camps?”
Since the only person to have referrred to any ’merger’ is the fictitious Ms David, I’m afraid that I interpreted these comments on the story as implying that you gave the story a certain degree of credence, but I obviously misinterpreted them.
Anonymous (the first),
Clearly you’re giving us a strong hint here, but I’m reluctant to jump to conclusions. I’ve re-read the blogs very carefully, but I’m still not quite there. How about another crumb or two?
Since the only person to have referrred to any ’merger’ is the fictitious Ms David, I’m afraid that I interpreted these comments on the story as implying that you gave the story a certain degree of credence
Nope. Just being hyperthetical.
Ordovicius said...
"You mean you feel stupid?"
Well not really, after all I wasn't the one who fell hook line and sinker for this little wheeze.
Well not really, after all I wasn't the one who fell hook line and sinker for this little wheeze.
Then we have something in common ;)
Ceredig said:
"Clearly you’re giving us a strong hint here, but I’m reluctant to jump to conclusions. I’ve re-read the blogs very carefully, but I’m still not quite there. How about another crumb or two? "
there's one particular blogger who was saying almost exactly the same very prolifically the last few days. He even suggested it was a false name on Ordos:D
Ceredig - I have had it confirmed to me that HD is not a member of Plaid. Adam Price has also confirmed this in his most recent pots and gives you a 'hat tip'!
Well done Ceredig...one of the few to take a step back and look at the thing properly! Sorry to say Ordo but it does look like you read what you wanted!
Well done Ceredig...one of the few to take a step back and look at the thing properly! Sorry to say Ordo but it does look like you read what you wanted!
Its amusing how ready the red-green brigade are to jump on the fact that Shipton was had and yet ignore bona fide statements by Adam Price, like the one I pointed to. Im afraid it's the case that you are reading what you want, where I am merely highlighting what others have said. The fact that even Adam Price is pointing to my post suggests to me that I have touched a raw nerve. Are Plaid's left really that worried about next Saturday? Interesting.
Ordo said:
"Are Plaid's left really that worried about next Saturday?"
They should be.
This recent outburst has left a lot of red faces.
Ordo -"Are Plaid's left really that worried about next Saturday? "
Could well be, but it'll have sod all to do with this stupid hoax.
Anon - "They should be.
This recent outburst has left a lot of red faces. "
Outburst by whom exactly? Adam Price or the hoax? And who's faces are supposed to be red?
Could well be, but it'll have sod all to do with this stupid hoax.
I wasn't refering to them being worried about the hoax, Gwe.
Have posted an alternative 7 for July 7th on my blogg.
Oi, achei teu blog pelo google tá bem interessante gostei desse post. Quando der dá uma passada pelo meu blog, é sobre camisetas personalizadas, mostra passo a passo como criar uma camiseta personalizada bem maneira. Até mais.
These Portuguese bloggers must be desperate for a readership.
Never mind all this. The big news today is that Conwy County leads the way in gay weddings. What will the lovely Darren Millar say about that?
Thanks, Anonymous. I clearly understand your point - but I am not convinced. I think we need to look elsewhere for the cuplrit - and I suspect that (s)he will eventually be unmasked.
Can't believe the Portuguese bit. Suppose I'd be encouraged if I thought Rodrigo had actually read the blog.
Are the left worried? I think that's an oversimplification. I think the only thing that Plaid's left would worry about would be the resurrection of the rainbow; they'd be much more relaxed about the defeat of red/green. And Bourne and Jones have well and truly buried the rainbow by now, for the next four years at least.
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