Wednesday, July 13, 2005
More leadership speculation
The Western Mail devotes an entire page this morning to who might succeed Rhodri Morgan as First Minister. Nothing really new there except a realisation at last that a coalition of the opposition parties is not an option now and will be very difficult after the 2007 elections:
Mr Bourne is included in our list because if current voting trends continue, the Conservatives could overtake Plaid Cymru in 2007 to become the second largest party in the Assembly.
It is also very likely that Labour will not secure an overall majority, thus leaving open the possibility for an opposition alliance to take control of the Assembly Government.
By convention, if such an alliance were to be formed, the leader of the largest opposition party would usually expect to be elected First Minister.
The prospect of Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats countenancing such a move is, however, extremely unlikely.
There are many assumptions in this passage which may not come to pass. Perhaps the best thing is that people should stop speculating and just get on with the job at hand.
Mr Bourne is included in our list because if current voting trends continue, the Conservatives could overtake Plaid Cymru in 2007 to become the second largest party in the Assembly.
It is also very likely that Labour will not secure an overall majority, thus leaving open the possibility for an opposition alliance to take control of the Assembly Government.
By convention, if such an alliance were to be formed, the leader of the largest opposition party would usually expect to be elected First Minister.
The prospect of Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats countenancing such a move is, however, extremely unlikely.
There are many assumptions in this passage which may not come to pass. Perhaps the best thing is that people should stop speculating and just get on with the job at hand.
