Sir Emyr's around Wales rally ends in 2009
Following on from my last post and the mention of yet another eminent man, Sir Emyr Jones-Parry, who was a major figure in Welsh news yesterday and today. He's certainly made the most of his media appearances yesterday and I enjoyed listening to him answering his critics on Dragon's Eye and then on Waterfront last night.
Don Touhig did make mischief yet again on Dragon's Eye, but I hardly think that a man whose political career has rarely got off the ground should question another on his unsuitability and lack of Welshness, and then attempting to make him look like a victim of his own success. Fancy taking on a career diplomat yet again, and with such a weak argument.
Sir Emyr:
Anybody who tells me I need a sat nav, I'll compete with them in a rally around Wales without a map.I did happen to cover my eyes when Sir Emyr started to question the original devolution settlement and wished him to stop while he had the upper hand. I guess even a diplomat can get it wrong sometimes, so there's hope for all of us.
Sir Emyr, you're always welcome at mine for dinner on your rally around Wales. Most of the population are behind you and you'll always find that we're proud of one of our own that has done good.
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18 comments:
Most of the population are behind you? Where did you get that assessment from? Just wait for the referendum. As for Jones-Parry, John Bolton the ex US rep at the UN sums him up as yet another smug Brit who looked down at the colonials who now run the former colonies. He probably sees the convention in the same light as some of his predecessors saw drawing up a constitution for Uganda in the early 1960s.The fact that he is a bright boy from the Gwendraeth with a science degree doesn't mean that the werin will take any more notice of him than the man in the moon. The key question is why are we wasting more taxpayers money on a convention that it will not change one person's vote in any future referendum. The Richard Commission has already provided a route map. If politicians believe in more powers for the assembly then they should have the courage of their convictions and set a date for a referendum. Although Jane Hutt's performance before the Welsh Affairs Select Committee suggests that we have a politcal class who haven't got a clue what to do with more powers. In any case how can you have more powers without taxation. As Peter Riddell in the Times puts it 'No representation without taxation'.
Anon 09:57 - Most of the population are behind you in terms of an eminant man in the role of Chair. I suggest you read my post again.
Don is starting to sound bitter and doesn't make the argument a good one. The chair does need to be a non-political eminent person as you put it. Let's hope that he maintains impartiality.
After watching last night's Dragon's Eye, I'm hard pushed to find a winner between the Don and Jones-Parry in the contest for most pompous and out-of-touch popinjay currently operating in Wales. What a pair of posturing buffoons. What a shambles.
Most of the population are behind you? Where did you get that assessment from?
Wow, Don can write as well as babble -presumably without an army of typing chimps- who'd have thought?
I agree with Sanddef. It was also pretty obvious that Miss Wagstaff meant in terms of an eminent person doing the job.
Anon, Jane Hutt's performance was bloody awful as outlined by Betsan Powys on her blog. It does make you wonder whether it was down to her or officials.
P.S. I also noticed that your blog was on Waterfront with a number of others.
Anon 09.57 I'd have thought that having a former diplomat to head the Convention was a good idea and a no-brainer.
Anon 14:05 - I did notice that Valleys Mam, Wales 20:20 (link now added) and my blog flashed up on the screen for a moment. I've been in touch with VM suggesting that we demand a fee :)
Anon 14:05 - I did notice that Valleys Mam, Wales 20:20 (link now added) and my blog flashed up on the screen for a moment.
As I suspected: Miss Wagstaff is in fact Mai Tits. I mean Davies.
Never underestimate Don Touhig. That was the problem in 1979 and we all know what happened then. It is clear that in Scotland a number of Labour Party members are now coming around to the idea of a referendum on independence because they know that the SNP will lose. In Wales whether or not there will be a'yes' vote for more powers depends upon voter's perception of how the Assembly is performing in the next few years. The first test will be how the consequences of the budget are felt thoroughout Wales. It is also interesting to actually see what EJP and his convention is meant to achieve. The Richard Commission held public meetings and hardly anyone turned up. This begs the question of how do you judge public opinion if the aim is have the right climate for a'yes' vote. A far better way to judge public opinion would be for the assembly to hold a series of rolling focus groups over the next few years. Focus groups in 1997 in both North and South Wales showed to the Labour party that the 'yes' vote was in trouble and they were a more accurate reflection of the result than any opnion poll at the time. The only logic explanation for the EJP convention is that it gives the impression that something is being done to move towards a referendum. It effectively kicks the whole issue into some unknown date in 2009 when EJP will report and by that time the blessed Rhodri will be First Bacon Mwnt. Any new Labour Leader will have to consult the party in Wales and effectively we will be back to square one. I really can't understand why nationalists who believe in more powers are not campaigning for a referendum now. What are they afraid of? After all we are told the people want more powers for the assembly and the only person opposed is stuck on Newport station waiting for the next train to London.
Pippa, e-mail me from the Blogpower site sidebar.
Never underestimate Don Touhig.
Leave it out, Don.
As I suspected: Miss Wagstaff is in fact Mai Tits. I mean Davies.
So Ords who do you think I am !
Doug twotwits is a no one nothing low level creep
The Sir, Guy - lets wait and see how he does
I am not impressed by titles just actions and outcomes.
I did notice my blog pop up ,do you think we make our pensions out of it Pippa lol
So Ords who do you think I am!
Leanne Wood's alter ego, of course. I thought everybody knew that ;)
Pippa, e-mail me pleae. Ian's away and I don't have your address [it's not in your sidebar].
jameshigham@mail.com
Ordovicius - Mai Davies!! Perhaps...
VM - Is Ordovicius correct? ;)
James - Will do! Have been away for the weekend. My email is top right.
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