I suspect that it will hardly come as a surprise if I join the throng of those predicting a yes vote by Labour tonight and again by Plaid tomorrow. The wisdom of the majority hasn’t always (in fact, hardly ever!) been proved right over the past few weeks, but it looks as though we might actually have got it right this time.
Perversely, I find myself wondering whether that success might not be precisely because this particular proposal is one which is engendering so little enthusiasm – on either side. Seriously, apart from serial blogger AlaininDyfed, and Adam Price, converted rainbow supporter, who is actually enthusiastic for this deal?
Labour are busily tearing themselves apart very publicly, and even supporters of the deal seem to be supporting the deal with great reluctance. Indeed, most of the Labour supporters seem to be voting against the rainbow, rather than for the Labour-Plaid deal. This is despite the fact that the rainbow has been very publicly and irrevocably killed off by Ieuan Wyn Jones, who claims that he simply cannot depend on the ever-fickle Lib Dems. So Labour’s support will be the result of a majority of their members voting against an idea which is no longer even on the table.
Things look no better from Plaid’s perspective. The deal will be supported by the left in order to ensure that the rainbow does not rise, Dracula-style, from the dead; and by a proportion of rainbow supporters who will do almost anything to avoid another four years in opposition. So Plaid’s support will also be the result of a majority of members voting against something else, rather than for this deal.
So, today and tomorrow, both parties will vote for something for which there is no real majority in either, and a lot of bitter pills will be swallowed in the process. Pass the sugar bowl.
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4 comments:
I, for one, am reasonably enthusiastic about it. If you read it, it has firm commitments on the public services, care for heroin addicts, doing something concrete (excuse the pun) about housing. The latter is perhaps the most important in the short term in terms of delivering real and radical change, as will become apparent.
The referendum is something else as is the welcome news on neurological services, nurses' pay and a national approach to health care in Wales. None of which would have happened without One Wales (despite what Labour will say)
Ydi, Ceredig, that is the way of politics, isn't it?
But with this forthcoming alliance there is a good chance of delivering for the people of Wales.
What do they want, you ask? To be left alone to make their own decisions, and run their own affairs, from Cardiff, not from London.
This coalition stands a good chance of fulfilling this wish.
Your scary serial blogger,
Alan in Dyfed
I really hope the comment made on the 6pm news by a Labour AM (Caerphilly) was not representative of how they think of the coalition. He said that joining with Plaid was the only way to make sure they still led the adminstration in wales.
Plaid would not be propping them up, they would be expected to pull their weight and 'take part' in a new democratic government in Wales.
Hafod,
Thanks for the feedback. I draw a distinction, however, between being enthusiastic for the programme set out in One Wales, and being enthusiastic for the coalition which is to deliver it. Within the confines of the political system as is, and in the light of eight years of pretty uninspiring leadership in Wales, the attractions of the programme are obvious. However, what I have yet to find is any real enthusiasm for the coalition itself.
Anonymous,
I suspect that Mr Cuthbert is merely starting to lay the groundwork for ensuring that Plaid get blamed for the failures as well as taking credit for the successes. And who can blame him?
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