Saturday, November 10, 2007

New Lords and Ladies

The Western Mail today is running the story that Baroness Sian could be elevated to the House of Lords as one of Plaid's first nominees after they finally decide to nominate to the Upper House. As much as I would derive enjoyment from such an elevation, regrettably I just cannot see it happening.

I'm told by one who is in the know that Plaid could 'qualify' for three nominations - and there are three obvious candidates. Firstly there is he of the dark brown voice who would be able to resume the dual of the Dafydds which has given us all such pleasure over the years, from the red benches. And then there is Lord Elfyn Llwyd. I recall being the host of a dinner in Newtown soon after Dafydd Elis Thomas took the ermine, where Elfyn was present as the newly elected MP. I wonder if he remembers me congratulating him on becoming an MP - and wishing him a successful period of office until he too became drawn by the attraction of the red benches. Everyone laughed. Well as Bob Monkhouse used to say to those who had doubted his ability to become a successful comedian, "They're not laughing now."

But who is to be the third new Plaid peer of the realm. Sorry Sian, but it has to be Laura McAllister. She always talks so much sense and is admired by politicians of other parties - well me anyway. So there we are - Lord Wigley, Lord Elfyn and Lady Laura. And if Labour elevate Sue Essex, Wales will have a terrific presence in the House of Lords

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Laura is not a member of Plaid Cymru. Plaid really needs to stop this rubbish about the House of Lords . It is obvious that they are trying to get Wigley into the upper House in order to give a him a consolation prize for their absurd policy of placing the Sunderland winger Ryder top of the North Wales list. What is interesting about all this nonsense is that the SNP do not seem to be pushing for membership of the upper house for their hasbeens. It really is pathetic and I suppose sums up the fact that the average member of the Plaid upper echelons really hasn't got a clue about where they want to go politically. At this rate a cart horse from Cardigan has more chance of winning the National than more powers for the assembly before 2011. My money is still on the Taliban of Gwent led by the Osaman Peter Bin Davies and his boy the Mufti of Usk to cause an upset in any referendum.

Glyn Davies said...

anon - and Digby Jones, Neville Jones, Malloch Brown etc weren't party members either.

Lord Wigley would be a very good member of the Upper House - as would Lady Laura.

Where I do agree is that a Yes vote is far from certain. In fact, at this moment I would bet against it - despite my personal full blooded campaigning! I have been disappointed by the failure of many supporters to argue the case in public. David Davies, MP and his father, Peter are two men who disagree with me - but I admire the forthright manner in which they stand up to be counted. Unless the Yes supporters match them for conviction, they will deserve to win. This is why the Emyr Jones Parry Commission must engage with the devo-sceptics. there's a lot to play for over the next three and a half years.

Anonymous said...

so you would derive enjoyment from sians elevation. is this anything to do with the embarrassment this would cause the publicity mad opik?

Anonymous said...

Think it is unlikely that Labour will elevate an ex-Welsh Assembly member. Not, with respect, a sufficiently impressive record.

Glyn Davies said...

anon 1 - Yes

anon 2 - just don't believe it. Sue Essex is class compared to every Welsh Labour MP

Anonymous said...

You're not really a Conservative, are you, Glyn?

Glyn Davies said...

anon - Oh yes I am - but its by conviction and not any sort of tribalism. When I first voted (a long time ago) I 'suffered' from Plaid Cymru instinctive sympathies - but anyone reading my blog will know that I am deeply sceptical about the ability of the State to deliver solutions without partnership with the private setor. I am just not a socialist - just a typical 'small government' only moderately interventionist, libertarian, regional (Welsh) centre/right politician - which is my idea of a Tory in Wales.