In this section, I'm looking in closer detail at what each of the candidates propose for Plaid itself : its policies, relationship with other parties and internal structures.
In the next couple of weeks I'll take a final look at the candidates views on independence and the possible directions Welsh nationalism could take under each potential leader.
Simon Thomas has withdrawn as you already know, so that leaves three other candidates.
Dafydd Elis Thomas (Campaign Website)
Dafydd believes that Plaid should aim to be a "party in government". He's called for something reminiscent of the "progressive alliance" mooted at Westminster in 2010 – a coalition with Labour and possibly the Liberal Democrats for the sake of "effective democracy". He takes a holistic approach to the nature of devolution in Wales, and believes it's his duty - and Plaid's - to ensure the Welsh Government delivers its pledges. If Dafydd becomes leader there'll be a One Wales II that much is clear. However, he does appear to rule out working with the Conservatives, unless Labour were no longer the largest party.
A key plank of Dafydd's campaign is sustainable development and a "green economy". He says he would like to "enforce sustainable development across Wales". He also believes that Wales can be a "world leader in sustainability and environmental issues". Dafydd understands the importance economic drivers are in environmentalism and would like to invest in green jobs as part of a wider green stimulus. He focuses on improving "green skills in the construction sector" as one way to kick start that process. Whether you consider his support for nuclear power a contradiction to these green ideals is for you to decide. I know what I think of it. Nuclear power? No thanks.
Thorium-fuelled nuclear power is a different story but the technology is probably decades away. Thorium is relatively abundant compared to the amount needed to fuel a reactor and guess which part of Europe has some of the largest reserves? Until then it has to be renewables all the way.
From his answers in the BBC Q&A , it looks like Dafydd has brushed off many of the findings of the Moving Forward report and certainly doesn't support a name change for example.
Elin Jones (Campaign Website)
Elin believes that Plaid has "more important things to do than revel in Westminster politics on a Welsh stage". She wants the party to to "reach out and listen" more and has broadly welcomed the Moving Forward report – including the proposed name change. Elin believes there's a "place in Plaid for everyone" but she would "expect discipline" from both new members and old members alike. I'm not sure what that means exactly. Elin is ambitious for where Plaid should go, saying that Plaid "cannot allow Wales to become a one-party state" and that the next Plaid leader "should aim to be First Minister".
Does that mean Elin isn't ruling out a possible coalition with the Conservatives to achieve that? She doesn't seem too enamoured with Andrew Davies, but goes on to say that it's Plaid membership that would decide any coalition, not the leader.
Elin goes into some detail on public services. She laments that "the NHS of Aneurin Bevan has ceased to exist" and goes on to say that Wales shouldn't follow the reforms of the English NHS. Elin also rules out profit motive in health services – but what if they were "nicer" forms of profit, like cooperatives or social enterprises? On education Elin believes that children should be "challenged by the education system to reach their fullest potential" – echoing the recent Estyn report that suggests that more able students in primary schools are let down.
As an economist, Elin touches on fiscal policy saying she supports "the distribution of wealth via progressive taxation" and that "income taxes based on ability to pay is the fairest form of taxation". She also underlines the need to tackle child poverty in Wales – as Labour have often laudably (but in my opinion misguidedly) targeted. Elin also makes the point that "economic policy needs to be tailored to Wales's needs not the City of London".
Elin would like to see a "second industrial revolution" based on natural resources exploited for Wales' benefit – echoing other candidate's calls for a "green economy" or a "devolution of control over natural resources". She believes Wales needs to "unleash talent" in small businesses – a nod towards that old chestnut of "less red tape"?.
On the future of the Welsh language, Elin says it isn't secure and that Plaid should continue to support its growth. Also, more interestingly, Elin says she would like Wales to become a "multi-lingual society beyond bilingualism". Does that mean a third language taught in primary schools becoming official Plaid policy? Judging by recent reports, Wales hasn't quite got the bilingualism bit nailed down just yet.
As an additional note, her maneuverings re. Simon Thomas/Jac-do show a somewhat Machiavellian side to Elin. There might be a bit of steel under those brightly-coloured cardigans after all. For some reason I quite like that.
Leanne Wood (Campaign Website)
Leanne has gone into some detail on where Plaid as a party could improve itself, perhaps more so than other candidates. She notes that Plaid need to sort out "policy inconsistencies", though she doesn't cite any particular examples. Somewhat surprisingly, Leanne hasn't mentioned public services in her campaign yet (AFAIK). I don't think any of us need to think twice about what her stance would be there though.
Leanne has a clear vision for the role Plaid could play, saying that the party should strive "to end war, inequality and discrimination" and that the economy should "distribute wealth fairly". The bedrock of Leanne's views and vision for the economy are in the "Greenprint for the Valleys" document and I intend to look in greater detail at that at a later date.
Leanne has also recently published a detailed document on possible green energy proposals, which you can read courtesy of Syniadau. She has consistency in supporting a green, decentralised economy based on cooperatives and mutualism – echoing The Collective Entrepreneur. In a nod to traditional capitalism she also believes that small businesses "needs to be supported to foster enterprise". Leanne has clearly put in a lot of hard graft in compiling these policy documents and setting out a clear policy direction for Plaid, but some of it does read as a bit wishy-washy at times (yes I'm a fine one to talk).
She plays to the gallery by saying Plaid need to break new ground in Labour heartlands by showing Labour voters that Plaid shares their concerns. That's probably the main reason she's built up such a momentum behind her. Of the three candidates I don't doubt that Leanne would be the most likely to be able to do this. However it's not a guarantee. An increase in vote share not matched by an increase in seats wouldn't do her any good.
Leanne wipes the idea of a coalition with the Conservatives out right away. A Leanne-led Plaid wouldn't work with anyone who would "obstruct the path to independence". Strong stuff, but is it pragmatic? I'm unconvinced.
For Plaid's structures, Leanne suggests several changes. The ones that stick out are proposals that local party meetings should be revamped - with open Q&As. On membership she would like members to be "clear what role they can play to further the aims of our independence project" with an interconnected "active tier" of members. I think that's an absolutely outstanding idea and I hope whoever wins the leadership takes that on board. She believes there needs to be "better communication between the grassroots, elected officials and the leadership".
As a Welsh learner herself, she approaches the Welsh language in a positive manner, saying that although Plaid needs to move away from "being seen as a Welsh language only party", Plaid should be unapologetic about its support for Welsh and treat it as an equalities issue.
In the next couple of weeks I'll take a final look at the candidates views on independence and the possible directions Welsh nationalism could take under each potential leader.
Simon Thomas has withdrawn as you already know, so that leaves three other candidates.
Dafydd Elis Thomas (Campaign Website)
Dafydd believes that Plaid should aim to be a "party in government". He's called for something reminiscent of the "progressive alliance" mooted at Westminster in 2010 – a coalition with Labour and possibly the Liberal Democrats for the sake of "effective democracy". He takes a holistic approach to the nature of devolution in Wales, and believes it's his duty - and Plaid's - to ensure the Welsh Government delivers its pledges. If Dafydd becomes leader there'll be a One Wales II that much is clear. However, he does appear to rule out working with the Conservatives, unless Labour were no longer the largest party.
A key plank of Dafydd's campaign is sustainable development and a "green economy". He says he would like to "enforce sustainable development across Wales". He also believes that Wales can be a "world leader in sustainability and environmental issues". Dafydd understands the importance economic drivers are in environmentalism and would like to invest in green jobs as part of a wider green stimulus. He focuses on improving "green skills in the construction sector" as one way to kick start that process. Whether you consider his support for nuclear power a contradiction to these green ideals is for you to decide. I know what I think of it. Nuclear power? No thanks.
Thorium-fuelled nuclear power is a different story but the technology is probably decades away. Thorium is relatively abundant compared to the amount needed to fuel a reactor and guess which part of Europe has some of the largest reserves? Until then it has to be renewables all the way.
From his answers in the BBC Q&A , it looks like Dafydd has brushed off many of the findings of the Moving Forward report and certainly doesn't support a name change for example.
Elin Jones (Campaign Website)
Elin believes that Plaid has "more important things to do than revel in Westminster politics on a Welsh stage". She wants the party to to "reach out and listen" more and has broadly welcomed the Moving Forward report – including the proposed name change. Elin believes there's a "place in Plaid for everyone" but she would "expect discipline" from both new members and old members alike. I'm not sure what that means exactly. Elin is ambitious for where Plaid should go, saying that Plaid "cannot allow Wales to become a one-party state" and that the next Plaid leader "should aim to be First Minister".
Does that mean Elin isn't ruling out a possible coalition with the Conservatives to achieve that? She doesn't seem too enamoured with Andrew Davies, but goes on to say that it's Plaid membership that would decide any coalition, not the leader.
Elin goes into some detail on public services. She laments that "the NHS of Aneurin Bevan has ceased to exist" and goes on to say that Wales shouldn't follow the reforms of the English NHS. Elin also rules out profit motive in health services – but what if they were "nicer" forms of profit, like cooperatives or social enterprises? On education Elin believes that children should be "challenged by the education system to reach their fullest potential" – echoing the recent Estyn report that suggests that more able students in primary schools are let down.
As an economist, Elin touches on fiscal policy saying she supports "the distribution of wealth via progressive taxation" and that "income taxes based on ability to pay is the fairest form of taxation". She also underlines the need to tackle child poverty in Wales – as Labour have often laudably (but in my opinion misguidedly) targeted. Elin also makes the point that "economic policy needs to be tailored to Wales's needs not the City of London".
Elin would like to see a "second industrial revolution" based on natural resources exploited for Wales' benefit – echoing other candidate's calls for a "green economy" or a "devolution of control over natural resources". She believes Wales needs to "unleash talent" in small businesses – a nod towards that old chestnut of "less red tape"?.
On the future of the Welsh language, Elin says it isn't secure and that Plaid should continue to support its growth. Also, more interestingly, Elin says she would like Wales to become a "multi-lingual society beyond bilingualism". Does that mean a third language taught in primary schools becoming official Plaid policy? Judging by recent reports, Wales hasn't quite got the bilingualism bit nailed down just yet.
As an additional note, her maneuverings re. Simon Thomas/Jac-do show a somewhat Machiavellian side to Elin. There might be a bit of steel under those brightly-coloured cardigans after all. For some reason I quite like that.
Leanne Wood (Campaign Website)
Leanne has gone into some detail on where Plaid as a party could improve itself, perhaps more so than other candidates. She notes that Plaid need to sort out "policy inconsistencies", though she doesn't cite any particular examples. Somewhat surprisingly, Leanne hasn't mentioned public services in her campaign yet (AFAIK). I don't think any of us need to think twice about what her stance would be there though.
Leanne has a clear vision for the role Plaid could play, saying that the party should strive "to end war, inequality and discrimination" and that the economy should "distribute wealth fairly". The bedrock of Leanne's views and vision for the economy are in the "Greenprint for the Valleys" document and I intend to look in greater detail at that at a later date.
Leanne has also recently published a detailed document on possible green energy proposals, which you can read courtesy of Syniadau. She has consistency in supporting a green, decentralised economy based on cooperatives and mutualism – echoing The Collective Entrepreneur. In a nod to traditional capitalism she also believes that small businesses "needs to be supported to foster enterprise". Leanne has clearly put in a lot of hard graft in compiling these policy documents and setting out a clear policy direction for Plaid, but some of it does read as a bit wishy-washy at times (yes I'm a fine one to talk).
She plays to the gallery by saying Plaid need to break new ground in Labour heartlands by showing Labour voters that Plaid shares their concerns. That's probably the main reason she's built up such a momentum behind her. Of the three candidates I don't doubt that Leanne would be the most likely to be able to do this. However it's not a guarantee. An increase in vote share not matched by an increase in seats wouldn't do her any good.
Leanne wipes the idea of a coalition with the Conservatives out right away. A Leanne-led Plaid wouldn't work with anyone who would "obstruct the path to independence". Strong stuff, but is it pragmatic? I'm unconvinced.
For Plaid's structures, Leanne suggests several changes. The ones that stick out are proposals that local party meetings should be revamped - with open Q&As. On membership she would like members to be "clear what role they can play to further the aims of our independence project" with an interconnected "active tier" of members. I think that's an absolutely outstanding idea and I hope whoever wins the leadership takes that on board. She believes there needs to be "better communication between the grassroots, elected officials and the leadership".
As a Welsh learner herself, she approaches the Welsh language in a positive manner, saying that although Plaid needs to move away from "being seen as a Welsh language only party", Plaid should be unapologetic about its support for Welsh and treat it as an equalities issue.
All of this accurately tells the reader something of the politics of the candidates. But it does not say how they will lead.
ReplyDeleteThe fear of many members in my area is that if we get Elin we'll carry on as we did under Ieuan, with the "chosen few" getting to decide everything and getting it wrong as they have done time and time again. In this camp I'd put hopeless individuals like Nerys Evans, Dai Lloyd and Myfanwy Davies - that last two were candidates that did no campaigning so far as I could see in 2011, preferring to "strategise" or whatever it is that these well-connected types do. If we get Elin, this useless lot come with her and Plaid will be lost as a party.
Thanks for the comment, Anon.
ReplyDeleteI think there's a danger that if Plaid create "cliques" within the party then it might, further along the line, cause problems regardless of who becomes leader. I'm sure there are cliques like that in every party - I can't see anyone but the current Labour front bench running Wales for example - but I'd hope Plaid are better than that. They've made good progress in opening up the party the last couple of weeks, but it would be typical if they screwed it up.
And I'd agree that Plaid has for too long spent more time looking at electoral strategy and navel gazing than actually coming up with concrete policies and ideas (as MH would say).