Tuesday 13 November 2007

Drowning in Clear Red-Green Water

I am so pleased that an Assembly Member has pointed out that John Griffiths, AM for Newport East was waffling such utter nonsense when he appeared on the Politics Show last Sunday.

As Huw Lewis AM states, "I am at turns intrigued, bewildered and not a little worried by this political pitch."

In my view, Huw Lewis, AM for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney was short changed when sacked from the Welsh Assembly Government before a coalition was formed with Plaid Cymru this year. Huw may be anti-Plaid/Nationalism, but he is an able politician and one of a very few Labour AMs that punch above their weight, or even deserve their seat in the Assembly.

The reason behind Huw's dismissal made him an easy sacrifice for Rhodri Morgan to make, but to leave talentless fools such as John Griffiths in government is inexcusable. Even the irony doesn't escape us, with him being a Deputy Minister with special responsibility for skills. Not to mention the hypocrisy of a government minister appointed by the Queen and swearing an oath to Her Majesty, while also known as a staunch republican, albeit in the closet when it suits.

Perhaps I underestimated Rhodri Morgan's strategy in doing this, and that he's actually thinking long-term and about how Labour will survive post coalition. After all, someone has to make waves when it comes to Plaid's ambition and that is a tall order now that they are in government, which may take more effort than the work of just one man.

And that is because the 'Red-Green' label is just that – a label
Speaking as a woman, when I go shopping, I may be attracted to labels, however, most of them end up in the bin at the end of the day.

14 comments:

Anonymous 14 November 2007 at 01:37  

Not to mention the hypocrisy of a government minister appointed by the Queen and swearing an oath to Her Majesty, while also known as a staunch republican, albeit in the closet when it suits.

Oh come on!

Miss Wagstaff 14 November 2007 at 09:28  

He does seem to have kept this quiet since becoming a minister. What does make it a little awkward is that since this year, Welsh Ministers are 'appointed' by the Queen, which makes him not a man of principle.

What wouldn't a person overlook for their own ambition?

Anonymous 14 November 2007 at 11:13  

The end result of that argument is that only monarchists can serve as ministers, (or as AMs and MPs for that matter since they all have to swear an oath)

So it seems that republicans may not stand for office in your world.

Otherwise please tell us how a republican can be part of the Assembly or Parliament without being a hypocrite.

Miss Wagstaff 14 November 2007 at 11:29  

David - As we all know there are quite a few republicans in the Assembly. I am not saying that their opinion is wrong or that they shouldn't stand for office - I make no such suggestion in this post.

What I am saying is that, unlike Leanne Wood for example, John Griffiths is less vocal (or has simply lost his voice), and that seems to serve him well in this case. There is no reason why he can't take the oath on becoming an Assembly Member and Welsh Minister, but still make his firm belief publicly known. It can simply be said that Welsh Labour wouldn't like it.

Two oaths and no principled voice.

Anonymous 14 November 2007 at 13:02  

David and Sanddef are always moaning about the monarchy. In an independent Wales we should give them a retired AM or Neil Kinnock as Head of State.

Anonymous 14 November 2007 at 13:50  

the talentless nobody is Huw Lewis.

Huw Lewis was purposely moved out of Labour HQ Transport House to become an AM because he was so appallingly bad, what does that say about the Welsh Labour Party and their so called aspirations for devolution.

Give me John Griffiths over Huw Lewis anyday at least what you seen with John is what you get.

Anonymous 14 November 2007 at 13:56  

"Give me John Griffiths over Huw Lewis anyday at least what you seen with John is what you get."

What if you see nothing? Do you get nothing?

Anonymous 14 November 2007 at 14:31  

Anon 13.50 - You are John Griffiths and I claim my £10. Tosser.

Anonymous 14 November 2007 at 14:35  

"Huw Lewis was purposely moved out of Labour HQ Transport House to become an AM because he was so appallingly bad"

Hahhahaha! What? So Welsh Labour rated him so lowly that they made him an AM. Terrific. Bravo!

Anonymous 14 November 2007 at 20:41  

What wouldn't a person overlook for their own ambition?

That's a bit weak, MW. Not a good start.

Miss Wagstaff 14 November 2007 at 22:21  

"That's a bit weak, MW. Not a good start."

That doesn't sound like a pre-coalition Ordovicius.

Anonymous 19 November 2007 at 00:00  

look back at huw lewis when he taught at Afon Taf.
Ask his pupils what they thought of him
I was one and I wouldnt rate him on the richter scale.
We were glad when he went to transport house.
John Griffiths - well most people I know have more than a good word for him

Anonymous 13 January 2008 at 14:34  

Deputy Ministers this term are proving to be a little quiet. Oh yes - they've always been less vocal and leave the conversation to their 'real' Minister masters.

Anonymous 13 January 2008 at 14:35  

Bring back Huw Lewis. Certainly a man with passion for the job.

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