Comments on: An unmerry dance of giant steps http://waleshome.org/2009/11/an-unmerry-dance-of-giant-steps/ Independent analysis from and about Wales Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:13:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Adam Higgitt http://waleshome.org/2009/11/an-unmerry-dance-of-giant-steps/comment-page-1/#comment-2765 Adam Higgitt Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:14:48 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5207#comment-2765 It's a good argument Dunc, albeit one that perhaps overstates the extent to which people outside the bubble want further devolution. This is not the "it's not an issue on the doorsteps" defence; like you, I don't find that a credible reason for delaying constitutional change (or if it is, Labour never should have reformed the House of Lords or, come to think of it, introduced devolution in the first place). No, I'm talking about the one in five who want the Assembly abolished, the four in ten in who want Westminster to control health policy. And so on. We like to pretend they've all been won over by now, But they haven't. What's that got to do with the way Labour turns itself inside out every now and again over the subject? Only that if the party remains split, it is perhaps reflecting an ambiguity among the Welsh population, rather than simply itself. Too bad, you may say; parties play a part in shaping as well as public opinon. Quite right - it is intended as a point of mitigation, not justification. The other perennially missing element from the charge that Wales's future should not be allowed to dangle from Labour's indecision is the way that other parties' calculations now intrude as well. What is the May 2011 deadline for a referendum if not a date created for the sole purpose of pacifying Plaid's membership? What do we imagine will shape the Conservatives' approach should they win next year - a simple and uncluttered assessment of what is best for Wales? All parties put their own interests alongside (and often in front of) the broader interest. Let's not try and pretend this is a Labour disease simply because Plaid is uniquely united on the topic. It’s a good argument Dunc, albeit one that perhaps overstates the extent to which people outside the bubble want further devolution. This is not the “it’s not an issue on the doorsteps” defence; like you, I don’t find that a credible reason for delaying constitutional change (or if it is, Labour never should have reformed the House of Lords or, come to think of it, introduced devolution in the first place). No, I’m talking about the one in five who want the Assembly abolished, the four in ten in who want Westminster to control health policy. And so on. We like to pretend they’ve all been won over by now, But they haven’t.

What’s that got to do with the way Labour turns itself inside out every now and again over the subject? Only that if the party remains split, it is perhaps reflecting an ambiguity among the Welsh population, rather than simply itself. Too bad, you may say; parties play a part in shaping as well as public opinon. Quite right – it is intended as a point of mitigation, not justification.

The other perennially missing element from the charge that Wales’s future should not be allowed to dangle from Labour’s indecision is the way that other parties’ calculations now intrude as well. What is the May 2011 deadline for a referendum if not a date created for the sole purpose of pacifying Plaid’s membership? What do we imagine will shape the Conservatives’ approach should they win next year – a simple and uncluttered assessment of what is best for Wales?

All parties put their own interests alongside (and often in front of) the broader interest. Let’s not try and pretend this is a Labour disease simply because Plaid is uniquely united on the topic.

]]> By: a Change of Personnel http://waleshome.org/2009/11/an-unmerry-dance-of-giant-steps/comment-page-1/#comment-2759 a Change of Personnel Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:04:42 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5207#comment-2759 interesting piece Duncan, it will be interesting to see what the new Welsh Labour leader's priorities and style are like as First Minister because a lot will depend on it. interesting piece Duncan, it will be interesting to see what the new Welsh Labour leader’s priorities and style are like as First Minister because a lot will depend on it.

]]> By: Michael Cridland http://waleshome.org/2009/11/an-unmerry-dance-of-giant-steps/comment-page-1/#comment-2746 Michael Cridland Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:33:03 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=5207#comment-2746 Yes, but the Plebs did have one powerful weapon. The Tribune and his veto. So do the Welsh Plebs, the vote. They just need to go out and vote "veto" to the political class. And River Taff needs to run red like the Tiber! All we need is a Tiberius Gracchus. Yes, but the Plebs did have one powerful weapon. The Tribune and his veto. So do the Welsh Plebs, the vote. They just need to go out and vote “veto” to the political class. And River Taff needs to run red like the Tiber! All we need is a Tiberius Gracchus.

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