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That was the delightful description by Roger Roberts (and he was in favour!) of the possible Plaid-Tory-LibDem coalition at today's special members conference at Llandrindod Wells. The conference agreed that it was a bold step, but voted 125-77 in favour of the proposition that "Conference endorses the proposals in Working Together for Wales as the basis for forming the government in the National Assembly".
Supporters pointed to the successful operation of "rainbow coalitions" in Swansea, Bridgend, Cardiff and Wrexham. The working document (The All-Wales Accord) contained about 75% LibDem policies and that this was the best chance we had of putting them into effect. STV elections for local government and smaller class sizes were valuable prizes to be gained.
Many felt we should respond to the electorate, who had largely rejected Labour - only 32% of the vote - and who were looking to the other parties to come together to provide stable government.
To those of us who were concerned that the Plaid policies which had been introduced were uncosted, Mike German promised that a positive vote would enable him to go to the civil service to refine the cost estimates. There had not been time to do this on the tight time-scale of the selection of a new First Minister.
There were no illusions that the coalition would be easy, but the Accord was in the nature of a contract which could be enforced on AMs of the member parties.
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I would agree with the Aberavon & neath Lib Dem blogspot over the sucessful operation of rainbow coalitions various parts of Wales, specifically in Swansea and Bridgend. However, I feel such a rainbow coalition would not work in Neath Port Talbot County. While I see Plaid Cymru may be up for such a coalition, the ratepayers would be up to their usual low standards, and upon crucial votes will come up with the farmiliar tune of "We aren't political" and not follow any coalition line.
The Aberavon & Neath Lib Dems should remember this!
Labour are certainly aware of this foible and are aware that no-coalition would exist for any lenght of time between Plaid, the Lib Dems and the Ratepayers.
Labour are also aware that in the recent vote to approve the budget a number of Ratepayers voted for the budget thus supporting Labour who set the budget. I'm sure that when the labour administration are in a minority in NPT County, the Ratepayers will vote with them when required and leave planning meetings when asked.
There has been a change in the non-political line by the Ratepayers. They stood in the recent Assembly election and out-voted us in Aberavon. We must give them their due - they canvassed harder than us, and were clearly more in touch with our traditional voters there.
Is there any reason to believe that this will not continue into the council chamber? Already we have seen them side-by-side with John Warman and Keith Davies, in resisting recent (in my view) undemocratic and oppressive council decisions.
- Frank Little
To Dai Lloyd, AM: enough already!
Your rant on Radio Wales this morning was not conducive to the cooperation which the three non-Labour parties will need in the immediate future, never mind a probable coalition.
You should recognise that Plaid's good showing in the Assembly elections was as much due to anti-Labour feeling as a sudden resurgence in a belief for Welsh independence. Conservatives made gains, too. Your talk of "betrayal" and of a missed opportunity for the historical destiny of Wales, though directed at this party, will not fill Conservatives with trust, either.
Maybe we upset you during the budget negotiations, when our media presentation caused you to go off in a huff and allow Rhodri Morgan his inadequate education allocation. We have, I hope, learned from that and will not, in future, make claims that jeopardise cooperation with other parties.
Big people show tolerance and magnanimity. The reverse betrays a lingering inferiority complex.
- Frank Little
There is no rainbow coalition in Cardiff, it's minority.
I have been much amused by the Lib Dem claims that the rainbow policy agenda was uncosted because of Plaid policies, when in fact any costing problems came from many last minute additions to the policy list from guess who? Yes, the Lib Dems.
No wonder Dai Lloyd was so scathing.
You know full well that the Liberal Democrats insist that all manifesto promises are independently verified and independently costed before committed to paper. So, on what evidence do you base this assertion, Ian?
- Richie Northcote
Speaking to the negotiators after you dumped the deal to allow Rhodri to be elected as First Minister.
On this issue, your policy of 60% domestic refuse recycling by 2011 is uncosted and in terms of Wales impossible-unless of course you intend to build several incinerators to get to that figure (which would have to burn recycled materials to reach it). In reality, many Welsh Councils will miss the 2010 40% figure despite valiant efforts and I make no party political swipe on them missing it. It was a very stiff target when considering where they had to start from. Your mistake was looking at some English Councils who were achieving or close to achieving that target and making the assumption that Welsh Councils could do the same. Of course they can, but not unless they are given the time and recourses to do so. You will aslo find that many of the Councils who do reach that target in England rely on incinerators to burn some materials that are potentially recyclable.
>your policy of 60% domestic refuse
>recycling by 2011 is uncosted
I'm sorry to be cynical, but this need not involve any government cost at all, apart from that in passing the legislation. Costs would fall on local authorities.
- Frank Little
I too am going to be cynical here. Ensuring that 60% of household waste is recycled would result in a 60% reduction of household waste being sent to landfill and thereby saving the Local Authorities 60% on their landfill tax bill.
This would more than compensate against the cost of implementing a 60% recycling rate.
- Richie Northcote
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