Comments on: What a good race for the Roses http://waleshome.org/2009/10/what-a-good-race-for-the-roses/ Independent analysis from and about Wales Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:00:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Rhys http://waleshome.org/2009/10/what-a-good-race-for-the-roses/comment-page-1/#comment-1129 Rhys Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:03:46 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=3545#comment-1129 "His paper is, as far as I can tell, an internal document that looks at the possible impact of a Conservative government on Labour from a Plaid perspective." Nice try Daran but I think you know as well as I that this was a paper written to be published. It's just another attempt to try and push the "it's Plaid vs the Tories" message at the next election. It is puff-piece journalism. You should be pleased that you are running more original stuff. “His paper is, as far as I can tell, an internal document that looks at the possible impact of a Conservative government on Labour from a Plaid perspective.”

Nice try Daran but I think you know as well as I that this was a paper written to be published. It’s just another attempt to try and push the “it’s Plaid vs the Tories” message at the next election. It is puff-piece journalism.

You should be pleased that you are running more original stuff.

]]> By: Daran Hill http://waleshome.org/2009/10/what-a-good-race-for-the-roses/comment-page-1/#comment-1123 Daran Hill Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:08:28 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=3545#comment-1123 Anthony, I agree with your take on Parry's analysis. The statement that "Melding is in a minority of 2 in his own party regarding gerater devolution" is very wide of the mark indeed. Rhys commented: "Quite a contrast with the dull Jonathan Edwards piece in today’s Western Mail." Jonathan's piece was in yesterday's Mail, I think, and can be accessed here: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2009/10/23/plaid-strategist-predicts-a-tough-time-for-labour-in-wales-91466-24996308/ His paper is, as far as I can tell, an internal document that looks at the possible impact of a Conservative government on Labour from a Plaid perspective. That is a very politically driven perspective and, I would suppose, is intended to be so. Although I would take issue with his analysis as being simplistic in perceiving Labour as a creature of two wings, "Welsh" and "Unionist", there is much in his thoughtful paper (at least in this summary) which is persuasive and worth consideration. One factor which doesn't seem to be covered though is the capacity of Welsh Labour to develop distinct policy. Until this leadership election, it has hardly been the real place of "Ideas Wales" for years (with the exception of the thinking of one or two people). The ability to develop Welsh policy is a major issue for the Welsh Conservatives too. David Melding has probably done more than any individual within that party to make such an aspiration a reality. But the great thing about David is that he can be the truest servant of his party but at the same time write a column like this which is more thoughtful and balanced than pretty much anything else I have seen published on the internet or in print relating to the Labour leadership candidates. Having read the excellent column several times, I can find nothing which persuades me that he gives any clue as to "who the Tories would prefer to do business with." Rather, he has approached the topic without an eye on political advantage. It is his honesty, insight and delightful writing style which makes David ideal to be our first regular columnist on WalesHome.org In short, the two articles are so different I cannot see how and why they should be compared. One examines Labour from a functional perspective and seeks to position another political party in relation to political change. The other gives an honest critique of individuals, and reflects on the way the current election can benefit Labour and Wales. Both are worth a read. Incidentally, Jonathan is a good thinker and writer and I'm pleased agreed to contribute to WalesHome too, and we hope to be publishing his first article in the near future. Anthony, I agree with your take on Parry’s analysis. The statement that “Melding is in a minority of 2 in his own party regarding gerater devolution” is very wide of the mark indeed.

Rhys commented: “Quite a contrast with the dull Jonathan Edwards piece in today’s Western Mail.”
Jonathan’s piece was in yesterday’s Mail, I think, and can be accessed here:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2009/10/23/plaid-strategist-predicts-a-tough-time-for-labour-in-wales-91466-24996308/
His paper is, as far as I can tell, an internal document that looks at the possible impact of a Conservative government on Labour from a Plaid perspective. That is a very politically driven perspective and, I would suppose, is intended to be so. Although I would take issue with his analysis as being simplistic in perceiving Labour as a creature of two wings, “Welsh” and “Unionist”, there is much in his thoughtful paper (at least in this summary) which is persuasive and worth consideration.

One factor which doesn’t seem to be covered though is the capacity of Welsh Labour to develop distinct policy. Until this leadership election, it has hardly been the real place of “Ideas Wales” for years (with the exception of the thinking of one or two people).

The ability to develop Welsh policy is a major issue for the Welsh Conservatives too. David Melding has probably done more than any individual within that party to make such an aspiration a reality. But the great thing about David is that he can be the truest servant of his party but at the same time write a column like this which is more thoughtful and balanced than pretty much anything else I have seen published on the internet or in print relating to the Labour leadership candidates. Having read the excellent column several times, I can find nothing which persuades me that he gives any clue as to “who the Tories would prefer to do business with.” Rather, he has approached the topic without an eye on political advantage. It is his honesty, insight and delightful writing style which makes David ideal to be our first regular columnist on WalesHome.org

In short, the two articles are so different I cannot see how and why they should be compared. One examines Labour from a functional perspective and seeks to position another political party in relation to political change. The other gives an honest critique of individuals, and reflects on the way the current election can benefit Labour and Wales. Both are worth a read.

Incidentally, Jonathan is a good thinker and writer and I’m pleased agreed to contribute to WalesHome too, and we hope to be publishing his first article in the near future.

]]> By: Anthony Hunt http://waleshome.org/2009/10/what-a-good-race-for-the-roses/comment-page-1/#comment-1119 Anthony Hunt Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:49:41 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=3545#comment-1119 Don't really see the point ParryJones is making there - all three are given an equally fair hearing. An interesting and genuine analysis that steers well clear of the presumptions, cliches and straw men that have built up around the candidates. The point David makes on the parellels between the Blair-Morgan relationship and the Morgan-Lewis is particularly insightful. Don’t really see the point ParryJones is making there – all three are given an equally fair hearing. An interesting and genuine analysis that steers well clear of the presumptions, cliches and straw men that have built up around the candidates. The point David makes on the parellels between the Blair-Morgan relationship and the Morgan-Lewis is particularly insightful.

]]> By: parry jones http://waleshome.org/2009/10/what-a-good-race-for-the-roses/comment-page-1/#comment-1116 parry jones Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:02:57 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=3545#comment-1116 It's an interesting analysis that tells us more about who the Tories would prefer to do business with methinks. Peel away at Melding's piece and you see Huw is given favourable coverage because he would be the most likely to smash the One Wales coalition, which could in theory rule Wales indefinitely. Edwina is somewhat feared because she has the oomph to take devolution onwards. And that is the great unspoken in all this - what do the candidates think of greater devolution etc? No wonder it's ignored - Melding is in a minority of 2 in his own party regarding gerater devolution. It’s an interesting analysis that tells us more about who the Tories would prefer to do business with methinks. Peel away at Melding’s piece and you see Huw is given favourable coverage because he would be the most likely to smash the One Wales coalition, which could in theory rule Wales indefinitely.
Edwina is somewhat feared because she has the oomph to take devolution onwards. And that is the great unspoken in all this – what do the candidates think of greater devolution etc? No wonder it’s ignored – Melding is in a minority of 2 in his own party regarding gerater devolution.

]]> By: Rhys http://waleshome.org/2009/10/what-a-good-race-for-the-roses/comment-page-1/#comment-1111 Rhys Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:36:26 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=3545#comment-1111 An excellent analysis, both generous and thoughtful. Quite a contrast with the dull Jonathan Edwards piece in today's Western Mail. Keep it up. An excellent analysis, both generous and thoughtful.

Quite a contrast with the dull Jonathan Edwards piece in today’s Western Mail.

Keep it up.

]]>