Caerphilly

Ron Davies career takes another step towards resurrection as he takes his place as part of the Caerphilly Council Cabinet. The new cabinet member will have responsibility for regeneration and the countryside.

The fact that Plaid has taken control in Caerphilly sets up new council leader Lindsay Whittle with a real run at Wayne David’s seat when the Westminster elections come around. If Ron does not stand at that election then the familiarity that he still has with traditional Labour voters in the area could come to Plaid given Ron Davies’ position in the Plaid run Council.

It will be an extremely difficult election for Plaid to win. However, with the Labour Government suffering an almost daily dip in the polls, Gordon Brown’s popularity at an all time low, the notoriety of leading the local council and Plaid riding high with the One Wales turns this seat from a Labour stronghold to an interesting marginal. With so many Labour seats being targeted come the next election it will be left to just the local party to defend the seat. Plaid will have their target seats and Caerphilly will no doubt not be top of that list but certainly now it is one to keep an eye on.