A quick post in response to two specific points made by Bethan Jenkins on her blog yesterday. Bethan says that it is ironic that the Welsh Liberal Democrats are attacking Plaid Cymru for being gutless in government, though that has not stopped her criticising One Wales for the same failings. She says that ‘Plaid is fighting for more powers’, and ‘are spearheading the debate on the future of Wales’. Really?
That is why they signed up to the toothless talking shop that is the Welsh Constitutional Convention then, a body that has effectively sidelined debate on the 2006 Government of Wales Act and the LCO system. Presumably it is also why they have failed to respond to requests from the Welsh Liberal Democrats to form an all-party ‘yes’ campaign.
The truth is that Plaid Cymru have ducked a proper debate on the future of Wales so as to avoid upsetting the coalition government apple cart. Instead they have reverted to type, seeking to push for full independence in a way that can only undermine a future referendum on dismantling the complicated, cumbersome, wasteful and time-consuming LCO system.
As for the charge that the Welsh Liberal Democrats failed to make a decision as to whether to join a coalition after the 2007 elections, that is simply untrue. The Party’s Conference voted in favour of the rainbow coalition only to see Plaid Cymru opt to play second fiddle to Labour instead. You have made your own bed Bethan, it is no good complaining now.
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Still in denial about sinking the Rainbow, I see. Tut tut.
Those are the facts Simon. You should not believe the Plaid Cymru propaganda.
It’s not qa case of “believing plaid Cymru propaganda”, Peter. I was following events at the time, and I distinctly remember the Welsh Lib Dem politicos voting against a coalition. That’s a fact.
Well I was at the Conference when they voted for it. You must have missed that. Also when Plaid decided on who to go into coalition with they have both proposals on the table in front of them and could have opted for either. They chose Labour. Fact!
That’s a very selective memory you have there, Peter. No doubt you’ve also forgot blogging your opposition to your party entering a coalition.
There’s another fact for you.
I am not denying opposing the coalition Simon but I lost and the party voted in favour of it. You are a fine one to lecture me on selective memory.