tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post2467743425486206236..comments2024-03-27T18:54:46.951+00:00Comments on Syniadau :: The Blog: One of ThreeSyniadauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876017048168055247noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-53993615684102086822012-02-27T10:43:11.235+00:002012-02-27T10:43:11.235+00:00In the current times with wages, pensions and bene...In the current times with wages, pensions and benefits under threat I see Leanne's politics as being a good thing rather than bad thing, especially as we can then also promote small enterprises and Welsh enterprise (because Wales isn't attractive to big business and can only be so thru grants and subsidies, and we can't afford that, we will always be outbid by low labour costs in eastern Europe China and India). It would be a waste of time to side with cuts to wages and pensions etc because people will putt hat ahead of what we are saying about independence. Everyone is focusing on Leanne being pro-independence but her better strength is when she talks about day to day issues. People are very worried about the future for their children and there being no prospects for jobs or a good pension. If and when Leanne talks about making the playing field fairer for small firms rather than finance capitalism that will go down well, or at least better than soemone else in our party saying the same thing. Elin would still be ok, but Leanne would affect more people in the east of Wales.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-15348205161869475112012-02-27T08:13:03.303+00:002012-02-27T08:13:03.303+00:00Welsh politics cultural not economic. People vote ...Welsh politics cultural not economic. People vote with parties they feel culturally closer to (or a significant number do at least). <br /><br />elin Jones answered the questions best, she's also not as dogmatic as Leanne, unfortunately, a large section of the electorate won't listen to her because of 'cultural' reasons. <br /><br />Leanne on the other hand is in danger of being a mouthpiece for the public sector unions but people will be more inclined to listed to her because they feel closer to her culturally.<br /><br />If Plaid can go into the next election with people knowing <br />a) the name of its leader <br />b) something about her and an added bonus, know her story and feel culturally close to her <br />c) that she's left wing, a nationalist and a fighter <br /><br />that's as good as it gets. With IWJ people didn't know him, and if they did they didn't feel close to him culturally and had no handly about who he was and why he was in politics.<br /><br />If Leanne is elected it will be news. If Elin win's it won't. <br /><br />Elin's the stonger politician but Leanne gets my vote because Plaid are in a hole and it needs to get out of it. Leanne is a risk but not to go for Leanne is a bigger risk.<br /><br /><br />Cymru BoyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-37189935247718767672012-02-26T19:59:26.368+00:002012-02-26T19:59:26.368+00:00Who is Cynog Dafis backing?Who is Cynog Dafis backing?Jac o' the North,https://www.blogger.com/profile/02032744625666336148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-37978239443658506222012-02-26T17:00:32.967+00:002012-02-26T17:00:32.967+00:00I'd just like to say how fantastically liberat...I'd just like to say how fantastically liberating this campaign has been for grass-roots nationalists, to hear two of the candidates articulating the case for independence with such purpose and passion. We all knew that Leanne would be fiery for independence from more of a leftist perspective but it's been great to see Elin more than matching her here, albeit more from a centrist perspective. We've also had the Lord providing some entertainment for members, putting the case for a completely different sort of independence, i.e his right to follow his own line completely on all matters, whatever party policy may be on a range of issues.<br /><br />I just have this sense that huge change is in the air- change within Plaid Cymru, change in Wales and change in the political landscape of the UK because of Scotland's independence referendum. Even Wales first ever triple crown win in Twickenham yesterday seemed to be indicative of this palpable sense of change. <br /><br />We have to be alive to this change, and Leanne just personifies this current sea-change for me. With her as leader, we will at last hear the type of unapologetic nationalist narrative that any self-respecting national movement should be promoting day in day out. This narrative would be embodied by an individual who can really connect with ordinary people, and who just exudes sincerity and passion. Qualities that people are crying out for from their politicians these days.<br /><br />Overall, it's been a great, positive leadership campaign, and I think it's going to be very close at the end of the day. I know some have been disappointed in Adam Price's broadside against Elin Jones, but I think he is absolutely right that Leanne needs to target DET's supporters for their second votes. Personally, I think it's perfectly plausible to think that many of DET's supporters will think "Well, we'd better play safe with our first vote, but maybe we can be more adventurous with our second vote." And, if there is any kind of rapprochement between DET and Adam Price, however odd that may appear at first, that can only encourage more of this type of thinking.<br /><br />I reckon DET will get around 25% of the vote, which means that Leanne( if, she is ahead on the first round as I believe she will be) needs up to half of these supporters' second votes. It's doable!Aled GJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-47129726581482216332012-02-26T16:04:36.236+00:002012-02-26T16:04:36.236+00:00Simple its an AV election, if no candidate gets 50...Simple its an AV election, if no candidate gets 50% + 1 of the votes cast the lowest candidate is eliminated and their second preference votes redistributed. So if Elin comes third her second placed votes will decide the election.Cibwrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621705905770341542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-53484991232968195272012-02-26T15:18:46.204+00:002012-02-26T15:18:46.204+00:00Will anyone advise me as to the nuances of voting ...Will anyone advise me as to the nuances of voting in this leadership election. For example, how does a second vote for Elin Jones help Leanne?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-35399390604977495562012-02-26T14:11:07.320+00:002012-02-26T14:11:07.320+00:00On sunday supplement this am, Elin spoke better th...On sunday supplement this am, Elin spoke better than I have heard her before, and I am glad I cast my second vote for her. DET was grumpy- loudly disrespecting the views of his opponents. Can anybody explain to me how a man who calls himself a socialist can , at the same time, be an unapologetic servile defender of a hereditary monarchy? Cognitive dissonance. Needs treatment.<br /><br />Leanne, though, clearly the brightest most statesmanlike of the three. I will back Elin as her deputy, though. I know I won't have a vote, but I will lobby the AMs. A dream ticket that will unite Wales and transform Welsh politics.Siônnynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00021974709953206048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-56210290182441510282012-02-26T13:15:08.576+00:002012-02-26T13:15:08.576+00:00When is Adam Price coming back to Wales?When is Adam Price coming back to Wales?Ambiorixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852370173881737294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-77447369901970136542012-02-26T10:46:48.392+00:002012-02-26T10:46:48.392+00:00Syniadau says with Leanne we would have a *party* ...Syniadau says with Leanne we would have a *party* capable of reaching into Labour's heartlands (which is, almostt half of our country).<br /><br />This isn't the cult of the individual. If we had Leanne as leader we would still hopefully have Elin Jones standing for Ceredigion as she is the best candidate to run there. To challenge Labour in Caerffili, Islwyn, Rhondda, the Cardiff seats, Merthyr, and yes also Newport and Swansea, Leanne couldn't stand in those seats. The party as a whole needs to be good enough and we need good candidates in those seats. We have sometimes had great candidates in those seats but they can't get anywhere because people just don't find Plaid worth voting for, even though they apparently don't hate us either. <br /><br />It is about what we can all be unlocked to do if Leanne is leader. It doesn't suddenly mean she is the candidate in every seat! It's up to local parties to improve their work and campaign harder and use resources more effectively.<br /><br />Leanne is far from perfect but then we don't have a big assembly group. But boy will we have a bigger spring in our step if she is leader, than the others. Labour are not invincible and will only be strong for as long as Plaid is unable to take them on. It is crazy to not choose her when you get these opportunities on a plate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-54231664269404663762012-02-26T03:57:13.908+00:002012-02-26T03:57:13.908+00:00Post triple crown, this is how I see it. Dafydd El...Post triple crown, this is how I see it. Dafydd El is Gareth Davies. Had his time, and some success, in the 80s. An establishment man by now. Elin is Stephen Jones. Dependable, trustworthy, a great servant for the cause. Unlikely to get the back line moving. Leanne is Rhys Priestland. A gamble, but might just break through in places where we didn’t know there were gaps. There’ll be the odd charge down, but she’ll inspire those around her and bring others into play.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-70444465237479573562012-02-25T22:15:13.133+00:002012-02-25T22:15:13.133+00:00This is a difficult election. All three candidates...This is a difficult election. All three candidates posses strengths and weaknesses in equal measure. <br /><br />In electoral terms, EJ will make little headway in the south and east; likewise LW in the north and west. DET offers a gradualist approach most likely to appeal to non-Plaid voters from north to south. Unfortunately he does not seem to appeal to the membership. <br /><br />I'm still not sure who to vote for.PEMBLETHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-44363244217259467462012-02-25T20:09:01.320+00:002012-02-25T20:09:01.320+00:00Quite right Anon 25 February 2012 17:00 ....For Pl...Quite right Anon 25 February 2012 17:00 ....For Plaid to be successfull they need to make a breakthrough in the South Wales Valleys!Ambiorixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852370173881737294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-83338539208954789472012-02-25T20:07:46.538+00:002012-02-25T20:07:46.538+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ambiorixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852370173881737294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-20420231211331089812012-02-25T17:00:32.901+00:002012-02-25T17:00:32.901+00:00If you don't elect Leanne you can forget ever ...If you don't elect Leanne you can forget ever challenging Labour.<br /><br />It might not even happen with her. But there is a chance.<br /><br />I actually think, just from the fact she is young, articulate and appears passionate, you are really missing a trick if you don't choose her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-10830944808735761402012-02-25T15:27:55.631+00:002012-02-25T15:27:55.631+00:00PS Glyndo - are you sure you are in the right part...PS Glyndo - are you sure you are in the right party? I know Leanne inspires people. A friend of mine - lifelong entrenched labour - though a patriotic one - saw the hustings in Cardiff, and is honestly thinking of shifting his vote if Leanne wins! I've been trying to persuade him for 30 years, Leanne does it in one meeting!Siônnynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00021974709953206048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-14576616662892822522012-02-25T15:20:06.210+00:002012-02-25T15:20:06.210+00:00I don't think Plaid have been in a situation t...I don't think Plaid have been in a situation to move Wales forward like this since Gwynfor in 1966. His election shocked the British establishment profoundly, and since then our greatest triumph has been to watch the Unionist parties gradually steal our patriot clothes. We lost our USP, but really, that was a victory.<br /><br />I think history will be kinder to IWJ than either you, MH, or I, have been to him. His boring solicitor mind actually made the One Wales thing work. How many of us in Plaid 20 years ago would have dared to dream of the Wales we live in now? Certainly not me, who was in despair about the country that my then infant children would grow up in. I now live in hope.<br /><br />I like and admire Elin, but she is no leader. FMQs between her and Carwyn would be far too comfortable and nice - tea and cakes rather than some serious jousting. She still has a lot to offer Wales though, and I hope that when she is defeated, she will not lose heart. I would love to see Leanne endorse her as the deputy. <br /><br />Poor seimon has not been forgiven for losing Ceredigion, which should be a safe seat by now. He is also too new to the Assembly, and was ill advised to stand.<br /><br />DET's obsequious attachment to the Monarchy has done him no favours. While leannes's republicanism might have put some people off, at least she has made it plain that the constitutional structure of an independent Wales would be up to the people of Wales, DET seems to refuse contemplating any arrangement that does not involve his beloved hereditary clan.<br /><br />As someone who, at the age of 14, was publicly pilloried (in front of more than 100 baying unionist boys - all the na-tionalists had been encouraged to stay home!) and humiliated by half a dozen teachers in the Carmarthen Grammar school for refusing to pay homage to Carlo following his shameful investiture, I was horrified the other day to hear the good lord sing the praises of King Charles! <br /><br />Which leaves Leanne. She has grown beyond recognition since she entered the assembly, and even more over the course of the campaign. Alone amongst the candidates, she has developed a quiet, measured and thoughtful tone when addressing the media, and the faithful, which is very impressive, and far more likely to attract new voters than any of her opponents. That is even before we have started on her intellectual input, which is considerable. At last we will have a philosophical base to our politics which is clearly articulated, easy to understand, and attractive to anyone not satisfied with the status quo.<br /><br />My vote has already been posted!Siônnynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00021974709953206048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-5405662622234724602012-02-25T14:45:01.620+00:002012-02-25T14:45:01.620+00:00MH - A pretty sound analysis regarding the choice ...MH - A pretty sound analysis regarding the choice facing us. I have long since come to much the same conclusion.<br /><br />Glyndo:<br /><br />There's a world of a difference between a party selecting someone like Leanne to be on the regional list, and quite another to elect her as leader of the party.<br /><br />The latter is the signal which Plaid would give to the populous post-industrial communities of South Wales, that it is a party for all of us who live in this country, regardless of background, language or culture.<br /><br />Above all I want the support of the people of Wales for much greater autonomy, for self-determination, and better still for sovereign independence. Not merely as an end in itself, but to make Wales a much better, fairer, more prosperous country. With it will come the dignity from having left behind a dependency culture.<br /><br />Of the three candidates, Leanne is best placed to move Plaid Cymru and Wales forward.maen_tramgwyddnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-62948482057683321632012-02-25T14:38:54.108+00:002012-02-25T14:38:54.108+00:002007 Assembly, 2008 locals and 2009 Euros all saw ...2007 Assembly, 2008 locals and 2009 Euros all saw a rise in the Plaid vote in leanne's backyard since she became an AM. However I don't think this really matters much, people in the Rhondda as in Ceredigion vote on a myriad of issues which would have included Plaid's media performance, messaging, leadership- not just because Leanne was regional AM. The same applies with Elin in Ceredigion. Her vote has been going down BUT that doesn't mean it's her fault there are all kinds of factors in play, and surely we can agree they are both AMs who can build our support.<br /><br />Glyndo many of your comments have been quite negative and that's a slight shame. We have to be more positive about all of our AMs because our opponent ts will not!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-43275149155801547982012-02-25T14:38:35.134+00:002012-02-25T14:38:35.134+00:00I'm a Plaid voter & supporter. But only no...I'm a Plaid voter & supporter. But only now have I joined the party - specifically to vote for the leader (this is perhaps the BIGGEST thing that can happen to a party, as with a new leader comes new style and politics). I won't be renewing, unless there is another leadership election, for the simple reason that I don't see the point on being a member of a political party. So don't take it as a bad sign- I'll continue to vote for Plaid.<br /><br />For the party - I am against any formal coalition for this Assembly. This could be a disastrous term for Labour, and we can capitalise on this come 2015. As coalition member we cannot. Although this is political and selfish in the short term; in the long term it could lead the Wales for a Plaid LED Government. <br /><br />Before the leadership election I though it'd be LW: 1, EJ: 2, and no vote for Daf El.<br /><br />However during the process this has changed. I have actually warmed to Daf El, I think he WOULD be able to lead. I think he IS now pro-independence. And genuinely think he is now a nice guy. However would he take the party forward? in my view no.<br /><br />With Elin Jones, it has boiled to this - do I want her as leader. And the answer is 'no'. She'll be a great Minister in the Government, terrific leader, terrific speech writer. But leader No. She also disappointed me with the whole Simon Thomas issue. Indeed, if I HAD to rank them I would put Daf El at 2.<br /><br />However I have now decided that LW is the leader for me, and I will not rank the others I am afraid. She matches the right policy and has real potential to break into the valley. My only worry is that she doesn't have 'fire in her belly' and I just don't feel all pumped up after hearing her speak. Nevertheless with time I think she could improve on this. She's a risk. She excites me. She's made me join a political party for the first time. Thus, she is a risk worth taking LW #1.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-32356464691103557942012-02-25T14:19:44.676+00:002012-02-25T14:19:44.676+00:00"But if we elect Leanne, we will get a party ..."But if we elect Leanne, we will get a party that is capable of reaching into Labour's heartlands,....."<br /><br />People keep saying this, without any basis of evidence. Where are the indications of a rise in support for Plaid Cymru, in her own backyard, since she became the AM?Glyndonoreply@blogger.com