Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ BLOGS - David Cornock's blog
Β« Previous | Main | Next Β»

Stereo leadership

David Cornock | 17:09 UK time, Tuesday, 13 April 2010

There's a lot to be said for having lots of leaders. The work gets shared, the main man (or woman) can focus on the day job, and the party's message can reach more people more widely.

It also allows members of the party leadership to perform live media interviews simultaneously. What could possibly go wrong?

Plaid Cymru have a party leader, a president, an honorary president and leaders at Westminster and in Europe.

Ieuan Wyn Jones and Elfyn Llwyd took to the airwaves this morning from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales studios in Llandaff, Mr Jones speaking to Radio 4, Mr Llwyd speaking to Radio Wales.

Here's what Mr Jones told Today listeners: "We want to make sure that that voice is heard there - actually at a time when there's going to be a balanced parliament - as everybody is now predicting - it's important for Wales to be at the negotiating table when the election is over."

As everybody is now predicting? Not quite everybody. At the same time, Elfyn Llwyd told Radio Wales listeners: "These are ifs and buts. I've no idea what it's going to be. Do we know for example if it's going to be a balanced parliament? I rather doubt whether it is."

The hung parliament strategy is a driving force behind Plaid's manifesto. (Not that every policy is non-negotiable; the party says it's opposed to new nuclear power stations, except presumably on Anglesey).

The strategy's success depends not only on Plaid and the SNP winning more seats but also on them holding the balance of power.

More recent parliamentary arithmetic suggests Gordon Brown or David Cameron are more likely to call Nick Clegg, whose party are defending more than 60 seats.

Plaid have talked of a repeat of the 1974 hung parliament scenario, when they held two seats, and of later in the '70s when their three MPs won concessions.

Back then, in February 1974, the Liberals won only 14 seats; in October 1974 there were more Welsh and Scottish nationalists elected than Liberals. Even Alex Salmond might not bet on a repeat of that.

Which way would Plaid turn in a hung Parliament? Perhaps there was a clue in their choice of James Brown music with which to launch their manifesto - Labour used the godfather of soul before its launch yesterday.

The Tories used a Keane recording, Everybody's Changing, much to the annoyance of the band.

Plaid are unlikely to receive any complaints from the late Mr Brown over their use of Think, a less than subtle reflection of their campaign slogan "Think Plaid, Think Different".

Comments

or to comment.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iD

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ navigation

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Β© 2014 The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.