Defection in the Assembly – Mohammad Asghar AM leaves Plaid for the Conservatives
Mohammad Asghar makes history in the Assembly today
First elected on the South East Wales regional list in 2007, Oscar (as he is known) ironically took the fourth list seat for Plaid from the Conservatives, unseating Laura Ann Jones. In doing so he became the first ever AM elected from an ethnic minority.
He is now stating that he is joining the Conservatives because of his respect for the Royal Family and the United Kingdom.
This is a first in two ways – the first time an Assembly Member has defected from one party to another; and the first time anyone has ever left Plaid because of their love for the UK and the monarchy. Jaws are more than dropped this lunchtime…
A full press release will follow, but in the meantime consider this. Adam Price is known to be looking for a seat in the Assembly in 2011 and one of the options being discussed has been a list seat in South Wales East. Does not that possibility look a little more realistic now?
Trust me to be off sick and out of the Bubble on a day like today…
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I have no axe to grind on this one, but it worth noting that Oscar has stated many times that he joined Plaid because they were the only ones to offer his daughter work experience. Since becoming an AM he has caused great concern on the Plaid corridor at some of his statements and the amount of time he continues to spend working as an accountant. It was widely rumoured that he was facing deselection ahead of 2011.
He hasn’t been an asset for Plaid or achieved anything in particular. All I can recall was that he invited the Israeli ambassador to visit the Senedd. He can barely deliver a contribution and Plaid have much better options to represent ethnic minority communities.
His election was good for Wales because it is essential to have ethnic minorities represented in the Chamber. Just a shame about the actual quality of AM.
From his Plaid biog: (http://www.plaidcymru.org/content.php?nID=133;lID=1)
“Mohammad also holds a pilot’s licence and enjoys flying…” from one political party to another!!
Jumping before being pushed? I wonder what the Tories have promised him and his daughter – a Lordship perhaps from David Cameron?
The Plaid smear machine whirrs into action!
I can understand what alot of Plaid supporters are probably thinking, but it seems to me that this is more of an issue of failure by Plaid party officials and management. Didn’t anyone ever talk to the fellow? Was there not proper research into his attitudes and fitness for the role? Was he ever brought into any policy discussions or planning or his views sought? Basic personnel management could easily have avoided this so-called ‘jaw-dropping’ non event.
It obviously isn’t a non-event. It’s the first time an AM has ever crossed the floor, and that AM happens to be the first from an ethnic minority.
Well, if he is not happy in Plaid, best to move on – but the way to have done it would have been to resign and let the next in line take over. This to me isn’t how democracy works – people voted for a Plaid representative and they get a conservative!
Not impressed by this gentleman – how could he sign up to Plaid if he was a royalist?
As he was elected on the PC list, he should resign and the next person on that list should be then be the AM.
Just another reason why there should not be any PR AMs.
If someone resigns from the Assembly their seat goes to the next person on the list, so doesn’t the seat beling to the list/party not the individual?
Is there scope for a legal chalenge from Plaid?
Andy, there is no room for a legal challenge. The Government of Wales Act 2006 does not say a Member who takes another whip must resign their seat.
Does Mohammad Asghar agree with the Tory party in Europe and their far right partners ?
Dear all,
Thank you for taking time out to write all of your comments. I understand that you all may feel shock and dismay about my Father’s move across the floor in the Welsh Assembly.I have noted all of the comments and am touched by your concern. However I am confident in my Father’s ability and decison to move.
The Conservative Party has welcomed us with open arms and believe me when I say the best of Mohammad Asghar is yet to come…..
Thank you all for your comments
Natasha Asghar
Natasha
You cannot take for granted that your Father was selected on a list. By not resigning his seat to allow the next list member take up the position awarded to plaid he is undermining his mandate and effectively robbing the South east Wales Area of its correct political balance.
You must see this – Unfortunately in this sad affair your father cannot hold onto the seat and his moral obligation – one must go.
Leigh Thomas
Islwyn
Natasha,
Whilst I respect your Father’s right to follow his principles and convictions, as an elected representative I do think he has, at least, got an obligation to properly explain to the wider electorate how and why his political trajectory has developed in the way it has and why he ever joined the Welsh Nats.
This is not least because of the potential damage that his actions could do to the perceptions of minority ethnic members of all parties seeking to be selected to representative offices. I am aware of smears and innuendo spread – by certain senior local party members – against a minority ethnic candidate for the Labour selection in Swansea West which I considered disgraceful and racist. I do hope that your father’s example will not hurt Parvaiz Ali’s chances of winning the nomination to take over from Andrew Davies!
David Collins
Both ‘Oscar’ and his daughter are typical Tories – they have no interest in serving people, but a lot in helping themselves, She has shown herself to be nothing – she can’t even think for herself!
This article from January 2008 has ‘Oscar’ stating his long held respect for Plaid’s policies
http://www.socialistunity.com/?p=1587
Total joke, total betrayal, they should both be expelled from Welsh politics