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Welsh Assembly election

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Jilted at the altar?

  • Betsan Powys
  • 15 May 07, 05:25 PM

Just back from listening to Rhodri Morgan announcing that coalitions 'seem to be ruling themselves out'.

He'll keep talking to the Liberal Democrats and to Plaid Cymru and "we hope to be in a position to form a minority administration but one that has to be supported in order to have some kind of stability and sustainability".

Had the Lib Dems expected him to kick coalition talk into touch?

No. If you heard Lembit Opik on Good Evening Wales, that much is clear.

Now they're wondering why. Does Rhodri Morgan think that Mike German simply couldn't deliver a coalition? Have Labour discussed the big Lib Dem demand on introducing STV to local government elections (sooner rather than much, much, much later ...) and refused to concede any more ground? Is the Labour leader edging towards a deal with Plaid Cymru? Or he is grandstanding?

They clearly don't know.

This from Mike German, who must be wondering what happens now to the deal he must have thought he had within his grasp.

"It's not sensible to arrive at any conclusions at this time. I remain of the belief that the government of Wales should have stability and a clear programme for government."

Comments   Post your comment

  • 1.
  • At 07:58 PM on 15 May 2007,
  • Bedd Gelert wrote:

Hmm..The Lib Dems are vaguely reminiscent of a young woman who thinks it would be a really splendid idea to have a baby, but not to the extent that she would actually ever consider getting into bed with anyone...

  • 2.
  • At 09:32 AM on 16 May 2007,
  • John R. Walker wrote:

The last Lab-Lib wedding ended in divorce...

If anybody fancies a Lab-Plaid affair then I suggest they take a long hard look at 'Plaid Gwynedd' before jumping into bed 'cos the price is just TOO high...

Any chance we can just go back to being governed from London? PLEASE!

  • 3.
  • At 10:19 AM on 16 May 2007,
  • Mike Evans wrote:

Is it me or is anyone else tired of the posturing from these politicians? Labour appear worse with their talk of unpalatable deals and not being able to stomach working with A or B. Then you have Plaid pre election talking about being unable to work under a Conservative First Minister.
I would never consider voting for them but the only party to come out of this with any credit are the Conservatives, they appear to have quietly accepted that the Assembly is here to stay and they have accepted the reality that it's success will depend on co-operation.
Surely this Assembly reflects the views of the country i.e that it doesn't want one party in charge that it wants decisions to be made by concensus and that what we get in terms of policies will relect the "good bits" from all parties and not just all the bits from one.
Politicians are quick to quote the percentages that vote against a particular view or policy. Well the best any party can say in Wales now is that only 2/3 of voters voted against us!
I think that potentially this is great for Wales as it reflects the people's voice, engenders compromise and co-operation, and provides checks to one party rule. Maybe the votes received by Independents in the election signal a move to capable individuals with independence of thought and away from narrow minded party political line followers.
Main party should have the First Minister, no formal co-alitions, and all votes/policies should be decided and stand or fall on their own merits. We all know what happened to Charles I who believed in the divine right to rule. So Mr Morgan and his Taffia don't lose your heads.

  • 4.
  • At 04:38 PM on 16 May 2007,
  • Pads wrote:

Mike Evans: be fair now - Nick Bourne, the Conservative Leader, did say that he would not work with Labour.

That said, you make some good points. Politicians will just have to get used to cooperating, which has to be a good thing.

  • 5.
  • At 07:15 PM on 16 May 2007,
  • DisgustedDorothy wrote:

Hello from Scotland to the Welsh!
Seems like we are in a similar position,I think it could make for better government in the long run and I intend to be one of the interested watchers to make sure that it is open and fair on all fronts.I will try to keep an eye on all parties particularly the Lib. Dems since they appear to be playing games up here.
Good luck to the Welsh and may their politicians represent Welsh interests
above all others!

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