Sunday, December 21, 2008
Media Wales continues campaign
This morning's Wales on Sunday continues their campaign to unseat Nick Bourne as leader of the Welsh Conservatives. The latest protagonist is former Welsh Conservative leader, Rod Richards. Unsurprisingly, he does not give Nick Bourne long and even argues that he should resign now for the good of the party.
This is the sort of opinion that could have been solicited from Mr. Richards at any time in the last eight years. There is no denying that the former Welsh Office Minister is value for money. Asking him to condemn Nick Bourne is roughly akin to requesting Senator Joseph McCarthy to pronounce on communists. The outcome has a certain inevitability about it as well as producing some colourful points of view:
Speaking to Wales on Sunday, when Mr Richards was asked if Mr Bourne could lose his job within a matter of weeks he said: “You would think so.
“I think a lot depends whether he is pushed or if he jumps. Personally, I don’t think he will jump so it will be up to the party. A lot might depend on if the London office has a view on it.
“He is not going to last much longer that is for sure.
“I would like to see him gone by the end of the month so that everybody can have a happy new year.
“Nick was not elected in the first place. He’s the only leader ever not to be elected at the Assembly. He was appointed by William Hague.
“If you ask the members of the Conservative Party in Wales they will say he has to go.”
“He says he was using the iPod for speeches and learning Welsh. “I’m sorry but there’s no politician who likes to listen to other’s speeches.
“As for the Welsh – what is the end product? He has been learning Welsh for ages and I’ve never heard him speak a word of it. I occasionally see David Davies being interviewed on S4C but never Nick.
“He will certainly be no loss. I mean, a bloody trouser press? That’s the kind of thing you use in a hotel.”
Asked what the Welsh public would think of Mr Bourne’s reign as leader if he did leave his post, Mr Richards replied: “Nick who?
Still maybe Rod's time has come. The pressure on Mr. Bourne does not appear to be easing at all and I would suggest that when the Conservative Group in the Assembly convenes in the new year some harsh words will be spoken.
My guess is that a compromise will be struck that enables a dignified transition at sometime next year and that the most likely successor will be Cardiff North AM, Jonathan Morgan. That possibility brought forth further views from Mr. Richards:
“Jonathan is an experienced hand by now and I don’t think it will be long before he has his feet under the table.” he said.
“Whether he will make a good leader is another matter.
“My fear for the Conservative voice in Wales is that we will become even more indistinguishable from Plaid and Labour under Jonathan because he is to the left of centre of the party.
“One of the problems with the Assembly is that there isn’t really much choice. That’s why the people of Wales find it so boring.”
Oh dear!
This is the sort of opinion that could have been solicited from Mr. Richards at any time in the last eight years. There is no denying that the former Welsh Office Minister is value for money. Asking him to condemn Nick Bourne is roughly akin to requesting Senator Joseph McCarthy to pronounce on communists. The outcome has a certain inevitability about it as well as producing some colourful points of view:
Speaking to Wales on Sunday, when Mr Richards was asked if Mr Bourne could lose his job within a matter of weeks he said: “You would think so.
“I think a lot depends whether he is pushed or if he jumps. Personally, I don’t think he will jump so it will be up to the party. A lot might depend on if the London office has a view on it.
“He is not going to last much longer that is for sure.
“I would like to see him gone by the end of the month so that everybody can have a happy new year.
“Nick was not elected in the first place. He’s the only leader ever not to be elected at the Assembly. He was appointed by William Hague.
“If you ask the members of the Conservative Party in Wales they will say he has to go.”
“He says he was using the iPod for speeches and learning Welsh. “I’m sorry but there’s no politician who likes to listen to other’s speeches.
“As for the Welsh – what is the end product? He has been learning Welsh for ages and I’ve never heard him speak a word of it. I occasionally see David Davies being interviewed on S4C but never Nick.
“He will certainly be no loss. I mean, a bloody trouser press? That’s the kind of thing you use in a hotel.”
Asked what the Welsh public would think of Mr Bourne’s reign as leader if he did leave his post, Mr Richards replied: “Nick who?
Still maybe Rod's time has come. The pressure on Mr. Bourne does not appear to be easing at all and I would suggest that when the Conservative Group in the Assembly convenes in the new year some harsh words will be spoken.
My guess is that a compromise will be struck that enables a dignified transition at sometime next year and that the most likely successor will be Cardiff North AM, Jonathan Morgan. That possibility brought forth further views from Mr. Richards:
“Jonathan is an experienced hand by now and I don’t think it will be long before he has his feet under the table.” he said.
“Whether he will make a good leader is another matter.
“My fear for the Conservative voice in Wales is that we will become even more indistinguishable from Plaid and Labour under Jonathan because he is to the left of centre of the party.
“One of the problems with the Assembly is that there isn’t really much choice. That’s why the people of Wales find it so boring.”
Oh dear!
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Does seem odd that both oposition parties have left it over 18 months to change leaders. If nick hangs around until the european elections his successor will only have two years to turn things around.
Also interesting that Rod is labelling Jonathan Morgan as left. In a fair two horse race I think either Andrew RT Davies or Darren Millar could win as the rightwing candidate against Morgan.
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Also interesting that Rod is labelling Jonathan Morgan as left. In a fair two horse race I think either Andrew RT Davies or Darren Millar could win as the rightwing candidate against Morgan.
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