Thursday, July 06, 2006
Setting the tone
There are times when the political tone can be created by a series of media stories and there is nothing much that the politicians can do to alter it. That is how the Tories came unstuck when, after a series of headlines following 'Black Wednesday', their record for economic competence was shot to pieces. After that it was downhill all the way.
This morning's Western Mail has made an attempt to perform the same trick. It leads with a story about Labour's Black Wednesday and backs it up with a succession of articles that together paint a very depressing picture about the competence of the Labour Assembly Government and the survival of one of Tony Blair's closest allies.
Inside we can read how Labour plans to create all-women shortlists for the 2008 Council elections will set off mini-Blaenau Gwents across Wales. There are allegations that the £131 million Communities First programme is ineffective and suffering major problems. Rhodri Morgan explains why Labour got a kicking in Blaenau Gwent whilst Plaid Cymru claim that the Assembly has been misled over the Welsh Language Board merger.
In addition the Assembly Government has come under fire for its annual report, an eight page A5 booklet that looks more like a large postcard than a substantial document of achievement. If anything can give the impression of a government that has run out of ideas and energy then it is this document. And then of course there is John Prescott.
The only good news for Wales Labour is the Tory Assembly's Leaders attempt to position his party as a serious alternative government and potential coalition ally. For although the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader for one, states that "We would work with other parties, subject to an agreed programme, and its approval by the party," it is highly unlikely that he could take his group along with him in any coalition in which a Conservative is put forward as First Minister. In fact if the Tories do get to be the second largest party after next May's elections (and that is a very big 'if'), and if Labour fail to secure a majority, then Nick Bourne will not find it very easy to convince other parties to join him as junior partners in a coalition of any sort.
This morning's Western Mail has made an attempt to perform the same trick. It leads with a story about Labour's Black Wednesday and backs it up with a succession of articles that together paint a very depressing picture about the competence of the Labour Assembly Government and the survival of one of Tony Blair's closest allies.
Inside we can read how Labour plans to create all-women shortlists for the 2008 Council elections will set off mini-Blaenau Gwents across Wales. There are allegations that the £131 million Communities First programme is ineffective and suffering major problems. Rhodri Morgan explains why Labour got a kicking in Blaenau Gwent whilst Plaid Cymru claim that the Assembly has been misled over the Welsh Language Board merger.
In addition the Assembly Government has come under fire for its annual report, an eight page A5 booklet that looks more like a large postcard than a substantial document of achievement. If anything can give the impression of a government that has run out of ideas and energy then it is this document. And then of course there is John Prescott.
The only good news for Wales Labour is the Tory Assembly's Leaders attempt to position his party as a serious alternative government and potential coalition ally. For although the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader for one, states that "We would work with other parties, subject to an agreed programme, and its approval by the party," it is highly unlikely that he could take his group along with him in any coalition in which a Conservative is put forward as First Minister. In fact if the Tories do get to be the second largest party after next May's elections (and that is a very big 'if'), and if Labour fail to secure a majority, then Nick Bourne will not find it very easy to convince other parties to join him as junior partners in a coalition of any sort.
