Very Impressive

As noted in today’s Western Mail Edwin Hart’s camp with be pleased that they can claim that across the political spectrum she is considered the most effective Assembly performer according to the Ipsos MORI survey, even above Rhodri Morgan. No surprise that the award winning farmers champion Elin Jones came highest for Plaid whilst the well regarded David Melding topped the poll for the Tories.

The Lib Dems will be wondering if they made the right choice in supporting Kirsty Williams as leader. Not only has she publicly failed to perform since taking over the top job, indeed she has lead them backwards to become the official 5th party of Wales, but even privately she is falling down. She didn’t get a single mention as the Assembly’s top performer even though 5 of the 6 Lib Dem AMs completed the survey. With Jenny Randerson making the list perhaps this is further pressure for the Brecon and Rad leadership.

Having said that maybe we shouldn’t read too much into the poll. After all the hapless Nick Ramsey was given a mention!

More Positive News For The Referendum

You wait years for decent polling data on Wales and then you get a load at once. The most recent is today’s published by YouGov/ITV. As is the tradition for polling data in Wales the progressives supporting further powers are most pleased.

The results show that a large majority of people were in favour of increased powers for the National Assembly for Wales. 51% - 30%. A staggering 21% lead.

In a further boost for One Wales, and yet another rug pulled from under the feet of the now hugely out of touch Peter Hain, it shows that a majority of people want the referendum on or before the next Assembly election. 48% - 37%.

Morgan Makes The Case For Wales

This piece by Rhodri Morgan deserves a wider audience today. Whilst some Labour MPs have been trying to quash further devolution it is clear that Rhodri Morgan is getting behind the referendum in a big way following Sir Emyr Jones Parry’s report yesterday. Today the incumbent Fist Minister, who has been tipped to possibly lead a YES campaign, has been backing Plaid’s views.

Some of what Morgan has said goes far beyond a referendum and in fact makes a case for Independence itself within the EU.

“In population terms Wales is bigger than five member states and not very much smaller than another three. Malta has a population hardly bigger than Cardiff, but has a direct seat at the table and access to the entire EU decision-making machinery. The real Wales is, and has always been, forward-looking and outward-looking, a truly internationalist nation.”

Maybe Morgan is sensing that Labour have a stark choice between embracing nationalism or withering on the vine, a point potential Carmarthen East and Dinefwr candidate Jonathan Edwards made some months ago. Whatever the case certainly the Labour leaders message is a shot across the bows to his anti-Welsh Labour MPs and a firm statement of intent for the referendum.

The Best Laid Plans.....

David Williams carries an interesting report on how Alun Davies used an Assembly debate for a one man attack on Ieuan Wyn Jones. As Williams states poor Alun couldn’t even get his own side on board for the plot.

Sources tell me that Alun is walking around with his tail between his legs today after his lonely figure was pretty much made to look foolish as Ieuan Wyn ripped his arguments apart. Apparently Alun thought that he was guaranteed a winner but ended the debate quite embarrassed. He has been mocked openly by some other AMs who say that the Mid and Blaenau Gwent AM is fuming with the result of his efforts.

Ding Ding Round Two

Day two in the Cambria Politico vs. Huw Lewis saga and the CP blog has published the letter that they have received from Matt Greenough threatening legal action.

As I stated previously I can not recall seeing the content of the original post so can't comment on the issue. Clearly whatever was in it has certainly, rightly or wrongly, rattled Huw. If it was the content of the blog itself or maybe the combined pressure of running a leadership campaign I would imagine that Huw’s team did not envisage being embroiled in a legal battle just a week before the end of the leadership race. It can not be doing his campaign any favours to have lost focus in this way.

Update:

Cambria Politico has cheekily published a redacted version of their original post. This could fast become a case of the Steisand effect for Lewis.

Update II:

Excellent and reasoned argument from Syniadau which highlights why Huw or at least a member of Huw’s staff may regret their heavy handedness.

Quote of the Day

UKIP MEP John Bufton:

“As a party that supports democracy and devolution we do not support the idea of a Welsh Assembly Government with increased powers.”

It is certainly a novel way of supporting devolution John. Who would have thought it? Peter Hain and John Bufton political allies.

Come Join The Revolution

Historic is often a word that is used too casually in politics but today was certainly a day that lives up to it. It is important not to underestimate the impact of what was put forward by Sir Emyr. As stated in the Western Mail there is now no excuses for not holding a referendum. The words from Plaid AMs made it clear that it is not ‘if’ only ‘when’ that is in play now.

Labour MPs like Peter Hain, whose embarrassment at being made a fool of so publicly meant he hid away from the press, will undoubtedly try and slow the process down. What is clear however from today is that the momentum is far too great for that to happen. There was already a political will in place, if Hain and his anti-devolution views like it or not, with the Labour membership voting in favour of the referendum pledge by a whopping 78%. With the publication of the All Wales Convention report that political will has had the bonus of recognised public approval. This is the most in-depth referendum report in the history of devolution and it has come back with the confirmation that Plaid was strategically correct to create the One Wales Agreement and consistently right in their views.

It might make uncomfortable reading for Peter Hain, Paul Murphy and (un)True Wales but they are very firmly on the wrong side of this argument. However there is still time. Come over to the YES campaign with public opinion on you side and all will be forgiven. Remain as the political dinosaurs of your generation and hold back a golden opportunity for the progress of Wales and you risk consigning what will no doubt be the last Labour government in the UK to opposition for a very long time.

Update:

The excellent syniadau blog really sets out exactly why Labour MPs need to get behind a YES campaign.

Random Thoughts - Part XII

Peter Black on the All Wales Convention Report:

“This exercise has not so much advanced devolution as held it back”

Lib Dem Leader Kirsty Williams on the exact same report:

“Welsh Liberal Democrats believe the Convention has done a good job, bringing the voices of people from across Wales into a debate all too often dominated by politicians. Credit is due to Sir Emyr and his colleagues for providing a thorough report, following months of consultation and research.”

Seriously how can a group of only 6 AMs have so many splits!

It's All Gone Quiet......

David Cornock reports that after being embarrassed and shown up as a lonely and out of touch political figure Peter Hain has decided to stick his head in the sand rather than face the facts on a referendum. Best all round really. At the same time neither Cheryl Gillan nor David Jones could be bothered to face the cameras today.

It is also quiet on Cambria Politicos blog after they have been threatened with legal action by agents for leadership contender Huw Lewis. I can’t say I know of the content of the original article to comment on it but as Cambria Politico states there is concern about freedom of speech if a candidate for the First Minister’s position chooses to use legal threats to intimidate bloggers.

Update:

Has David Cornock been gagged? His post highlighting how Peter Hain, Cheryl Gillan and David Jones have all been avoiding the cameras today has been taken down?

What Sir Emyr Said

Today’s publication of the All Wales Convention report makes for very positive reading for those of us who are supportive of further powers in Wales. Not only does it make Peter Hain look like a complete fool (always a bonus) by highlighting the support for a referendum and the failure of the current system, but it makes a powers referendum now inevitable.

Of course, even though people like Glyn Davies, for their own narrow political interests, have tried to undermine the process claiming it would not happen, Plaid put this referendum on the table and momentum is certainly with the One Wales government in delivering it.

The report clearly highlights the major ineffectiveness of the current LCO system and shows up Peter Hain to be the lonely and unimportant figure he is. Today we have had the green light for the referendum. Now we must prepare Wales for the green light of the YES campaign. The fact is the discussion of 'if' has gone. The only game in play now is 'when' the referendum is held.