The Western Mail’s Political Editor, Martin Shipton believes that Conservative Group Leader, Nick Bourne has shown poor judgement in allowing his nemesis Jonathan Morgan to go to the backbenches. He says that the decision is a watershed for the Welsh Conservatives:
Losing your best frontbencher and replacing him with a political lightweight is not the mark of a good leader.
But Jonathan Morgan’s removal from the Shadow Cabinet is merely the latest in a run of bad calls by Nick Bourne.
It is difficult to understand why Mr Bourne thought it appropriate to remove Mr Morgan from the health portfolio where he was doing such a good job. Labour is breathing a sign of relief that the shadow minister it most feared has been shunted into the sidings as chair of the audit committee.
While referring to Mr Morgan publicly as a “mate”, Mr Bourne knows full well that before Christmas his former Shadow Health Minister was seeking support for a leadership coup.
Removing Mr Morgan from the prominent role in which he excelled makes it more difficult for him to maintain a strong public profile, and diminishes his chances of mounting a successful coup in the future. So from Mr Bourne’s point of view, the AM who presented the biggest threat has been neutralised.
But it does not diminish the serious trouble the Conservative group is in, with a leader whose debating skills have gone off the boil and whose judgement has appeared increasingly flawed.
He goes on to say that the decision could have serious consequences for the Welsh Tories:
Health professionals were incredulous yesterday that Mr Morgan had been removed from his post, saying he had demonstrated an excellent grasp of the complex issues.
While accepting that politicians are moved on from time to time, they could not understand the timing of this particular reshuffle.
After nearly 10 years as group leader, Mr Bourne gives the impression of being determined to cling on to the leadership indefinitely, whatever the cost to his party, believing he can ride the tide of David Cameron’s success.
Meanwhile his party’s wish to form part of a ruling coalition after the next Assembly election has been dealt a serious blow.
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