Welsh Labour’s attack-blog, Aneurin Glyndwr entered new territory yesterday when it directly criticised the performance in government of the Deputy First Minister.
In this instance the author was unhappy at the way that Plaid Cymru are handling the economy portfolio and the contradictory message being sent out by the Government as a consequence:
But the big story that the BBC are continuing to ignore is the chaos that is Plaid’s policy on economic development. We are in the middle of a financial crisis; just about the one thing that politicians of almost every other party can agree on is the need to bring new jobs into Wales.
With unemployment rising, and everyone else tightening their belts, it is simply a disgrace that senior Plaid politicians are allowed to get away with continually campaigning against LNG jobs in Milford Haven, and the new Defence Training Academy in St Athan.
Plaid Deputy President and MEP Jill Evans has a well-paid job in Brussels (for now) so these new jobs might not mean much to her, but they are so important to our communities. Her behaviour is deeply irresponsible.
We at Aneurin Glyndwr certainly have our differences with Ieuan Wyn Jones, but ultimately we believe him to be an honourable man who wants the best for his country. Now the time has come for him to show leadership, as Deputy First Minister of Wales, he should publicly denounce Jill Evans and other senior party figures, before they put more Welsh jobs at risk.
Let us not forget that this website is run by senior Labour Party figures – former Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain; Eluned Morgan MEP; and Alun Davies AM. It carries the endorsements of the current Secetary of State, Paul Murphy and the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan. In the circumstances it would be difficult to argue that this personal attack on Ieuan Wyn Jones’ inability to control his own party and deliver on his portfolio is not an official one.
It is now apparent that Plaid Cymru’s insistence on acting as an opposition within government is beginning to try the patience of senior Labour Ministers and is creating strong tensions within the coalition.
Ieuan Wyn Jones’ authority in his own party has already been weakened by these attacks from senior Plaid Cymru members on his actions as a Minister, now the Nationalists’ indiscipline is threatening to unpick the threads tying together the One Wales Administration.
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