A time to listen

ONE KEY theme has been emerging in this Labour election contest is the emphasis all candidates have been given to two way communication. This was clear in general terms from the visit Huw Lewis made yesterday, and in a Labour-specific context from the way he has structured his manifesto based on questions and exchange. It is also apparent in Carwyn Jones’ statement this morning that he would consult with the “wider Party on the findings and recommendations of the All Wales Convention.”

Edwina Hart - let Labour speak unto Labour

As ever, she speaks bluntly: “I know this is an issue that Party members feel strongly about. Members in my own constituency party often can’t see any clear connection between the ideas they discuss and feed into the policy forum and what appears in the party’s policy documents.

“I know I’ve learned so much from my discussions with party members and trade unionists and the radical steps I’ve taken in the Health Service owe a lot to the Labour Party’s policy process. I want to see those connections made much clearer and spread right across our work. We need the ideas and experience of party members and trade unionists – and they need to know we are listening. They’re the ones delivering the leaflets, and they need to know that they have had their say about what’s in them.

“I travel around Wales a lot but it’s the party grass roots activists who have more day-to-day contact with people. We have to listen to them.”

Edwina is also telling Party members in Wales that her party needs to be better at communicating the achievements of Labour, both the Assembly and UK Governments and also at illuminating the future, including challenging any possible Conservative government.

One charge levelled against the Health Minister has been that she is dictatorial and would not be collegiate enough in terms of how she manages the country and her party. This pledge to consult is clearly intended to reassure party members this would not be the case.