The creation of a new coalition cabinet seem to be a apposite time to launch a new blog dedicated to an analysis of contemporary Welsh politics, with a focus on activities in the National Assembly. As a blog virgin I enter the arena with some trepidation, but am happy to nail my colours to the mast at this early stage. I am not active in politics at the current time, but am firmly of the left and of the nationalist persuasion. So a Red/Green coalition government creates a framework I cannot avoid relating to.
The Coalition Cabinet has just been announced, and what a message it sends about Ieuan's bargaining powers when negotiating with Rhodri. Having assured his party that the agreement was going to avoid placing Plaid ministers in stereotypical niches - the language and rural affairs - what do we end up with? The Language and Rural Affairs. Rhodri 2 - Ieuan 0. The appointment of Jocelyn as Deputy Minister for housing is to be welcomed warmly, but while Elin and Rhodri Glyn both have their strengths, how on earth can Ieuan contemplate creating his party's first ever ministerial team and leave out the party's most effective communicator and biggest hitter - Helen Mary Jones. She is the surely the most able member in the entire Assembly to tackle the Social Justice brief, but instead of that we end up with a recylced Brian Gibbons - a well meaning and principled man, but totally lacking in the substance, leadership and drive that Helen Mary would bring to the brief. Maybe it's that word "leadership" that drives Ieuan to keep her on the backbenches. If so may that be an indicator of his inherent small-mindedness.
Elin will bring sincerity and considerable political acumen to the rural affairs brief. I'm sure she will win the confidence of the farmers' unions even if Siambo has to be sacrificed to get it.
Rhodri Glyn will be charged with steering through a new Welsh Language Act - a task that would be hugely enhanced by a public commitment from his new ministerial office that whereas his predecessor (Alun Pugh) had a penchant for bikes, Rhodri Glyn will be touring round the hospitality boxes of the coming World Cup demonstrating a new found fondness for the Wagon.
As the new cabinet will be operating in recess for the next few months it may take a while for the team to gel. Rhodri Morgan has succeeded in keeping his entire previous cabinet team (surely another indication of weak bargaining from Ieuan) so there is a distinct possibility the Plaid members will be seen as an unwelcome add-on. A bit of a wart on the side of the established team. Do Ieuan and Rhodri (as he recovers his health) have the leadership skills to avoid such a scenario I wonder?
Thursday 19 July 2007
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