Following what spokespeople described as a 'purely procedural' debate at its conference last weekend, it now seems that Plaid will be taking early steps to reverse its position on sending members to the House of Lords. It looks as though many of those who gave fiery speeches against the idea last time are queuing up to give equally fiery speeches in favour next time round – the decision, I am told, is a ‘done deal’.
We will be told, of course, that Plaid remains opposed to the whole idea of a non-elected chamber, but on purely pragmatic grounds, it is better for the party to be represented anywhere that Wales' interests are discussed. Actually, I think that's an entirely honourable position - the only bit that the party will have trouble explaining is what exactly has changed. The pragmatic argument is, after all, exactly the one that got defeated last time Plaid debated the matter.
However, the outcome is certain, and Plaid will be sending its members to the so-called Upper House in due course. The only remaining question is who gets to wear the ermine.
The one obvious name which has been suggested by many is that of Dafydd Wigley. The beast of Bontnewydd to become the Lord of Bontnewydd. Wigley has said in the past that he would never go to the Lords, and he may yet resist; but I suspect that if his party prevails upon him then he would accept; and it would give him a useful role again in Welsh politics. It would also reunite, in the House of Lords, the famously amicable duo of Wigley and Elis Thomas, who worked so effectively together in the House of Commons during the late 70’s. And that means that Plaid would surely be keen to extract as many new members from the government as it could - and on a roughly proportional basis, they could surely expect another 1 or 2 on top of Wigley.
Perhaps we should ask Vaughan Roderick to get his virtual betting shop open on this one. What price Lord Cynog, for instance, or Lord ap Gwilym? And, in the interests of gender balance, who would be the first Plaid peeress?
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2 comments:
There always were lords and princes in Wales in early mediaeval times.
This may bring some colour and pageantry into the House. I suggest Dafydd wears a baldrick made in the pattern of the flag of Glyndwr
(tongue in cheek)!
Oh dear! here he goes again.
The Plaid Press Officer is still stuck in the past.
What exactly does Plaid actually stand for?
They disapprove of the Lords then they support them.
They are Nationalists, then Socialists or are they just National Socialists?
The Plaid Press Officer now has a link to 'unrepentant communists' on his blog.
This, presumably, falls in well with Plaid's policy of trying to please all the people all of the time.
Who are these people?
What do they want with us?
Your perplexed pal.
johnny.
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