Sunday, May 18, 2008

The Non-Interview.

Just watched the Politics Show, which for logistical reasons, is not usually on my agenda. Adrian Masters was interviewing favourite to take over from Rhodri Morgan as First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales, Counsel-General, Carwyn Jones. I thought this might be interesting so switched off the electric carving knife to listen. Did I refer to it as an interview? Adrian asked him why Labour had performed so badly in last week's Council elections. Back came the answer. Nothing whatsoever to do with us in Wales. And anyway its not a problem because we did worse in 1976. Honestly, that's what he said. So it came as no surprise that when Adrian asked him what Welsh Labour might change in the future, all we had was 'We'll look at it and address any weaknesses we find'. Dull, dull, dull. Then Adrian moved on to 'The Succession'. The two of them just smiled at each other, employing language that did not convey any memorable meaning whatsoever. Have we really got to put up with another 18 months of this. Made me feel like writing to Sir Michael and asking for a bit of my licence fee back.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you sure he said 1976, Glyn? There were no elections that year. There were county council elctions in 1977 and district council elections in 1979 on the same day as the general election. He was never the brightest cookie in the jar I'm afraid.

Glyn Davies said...

gengis - fairly sure that Carwyn said 76, but cannot be absolutely sure that's what I heard. Perhaps he thought, What's a year or two that far back? its not important, but I'll ask the BBC tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Glyn, No need to ask the BBC just click the link below and watch again? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/default.stm

Anonymous said...

Yes he did say 1976. What an interview. When asked if he had any ideas you could hear the wind whistling in the trees. He seemed to know about Cardiff City then Welsh politics. If this is the best that Labour has to offer in Wales then the party is doomed. Even in his own constituency he fails to realise that the election was a disaster for Labour. Labour reagined control of Bridgend because of seats won in the Ogmore consttuency part of the local authority. Tory and Lib Dem candidates increased their vote in the Bridgend constituency. Labour did win back one of the seats lost in 2004 but it lost another in a traditional Labour area dominated by council housing. It could easily have also lost another seat after a recount. In a seat held by Labour between 1999 and 2004 and which was represented by Carwyn Jones until 1999 Labour polled just 12 votes! Labour was so short of candidates in Bridgend that 4 of its candidates had to be drafted in from Ogmore. Carwyn needs to take off those rose tinted glasses and start worrying about the Assembly election where if the Tories pick the right candidate he is there for the taking.

Frank Little said...

> the electric carving knife
Oh, very green! :-(

Glyn Davies said...

coity c - And in my opinion, he is the best candidate for the job, and I hope I have not scuppered his chances by commenting thus.


frank - I know, but its so much easier. Please don't tell anyone.