History of the Rainbow negotiations and some thoughts on the future
On June 28th on my blog I had said I would return to look at the dealings of the parties in the run up to the Labour/Plaid deal after some water had flowed under the bridge- and so I do so now.
Since about the middle of the last Assembly, and certainly very clearly after the St David’s Day lecture which I gave in 2005 on the need for a non Labour alternative in the National Assembly, I was very committed to the project of trying to develop a non Labour programme. Initially there were few other advocates in my own party. Only David Melding can lay legitimate claim to have argued the case. Others were open minded, some like Alun and Glyn were initially sceptical, though to be fair as time wore on they rowed in behind the idea- in Glyn’s case very powerfully.
The media were, for the most part, with some honourable exceptions, sceptical of the whole idea - they saw the difficulties and did not see the possibilities.
There were, in the second Assembly, periods of intense and constructive opposition with co- operation on such issues as top-up fees (against ) and the 2005 budget. This co-operation was assisted by an easy relationship for the most part with the other two opposition leaders - Ieuan Wyn Jones and Mike German. Certainly there were many policy differences, occasionally profound ones, but I always felt that the goodwill that generally existed contributed to narrowing the areas of significant dispute.
Much work went on at this time in trying to identify areas of agreed policy, areas where compromise was possible and areas which were off limits where no likely agreement could be forged- most obviously on Welsh independence. This work was carried on on the basis of identifying areas of agreement in opposition but for my part there was no doubt that this work might come in very useful at a later date. I don’t doubt that view was shared elsewhere.
After the inconclusive Election this May, I made it clear in statements to the media and, consistent with what my Party had said in the election, that I was very happy to talk to Plaid Cymru and to the Liberal Democrats but not to Labour.. The clear message being that Ieuan as the leader of the party with the second most seats should pick up the phone. He did. I made it clear that we could consider a role in government but not supporting a government from outside of the government (the so -called New Zealand option) as I said ” We do government. We do opposition but we do not do limbo .”
I met with Ieuan, a good meeting. Another was then arranged with Mike there as well– this time in Aberystwyth. I remember saying whilst we could just about explain a chance meeting with the three of us in Cardiff it would be much more difficult to explain how the three of us happened to bump into each other in Aberystwyth.. No excuses were needed. It was a good meeting and from this time on activity intensified with policy discussions , productive ones carried on in goodwill with give and take on all sides.
Some memories are abiding ones. The Plaid team was led by Ieuan and Adam Price.. Adam is engaging, able and effective but I do recall saying to our own team that if a Westminster politician featured as prominently in our team we would be accused of being run from Westminster.! I did receive support from Cheryl and met with David Cameron to discuss the wider implications of any deal. He was incisive and supportive.
What was the turning point ?– undoubtedly the fateful Wednesday in Llandrindod Wells when there were two crucial meetings : the Management Board of the Welsh Conservative Party and the Executive of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. I was confident of the endorsement of my own party particularly with Cheryl’s strong support along with that of our Chairman, Lyndon Jones and the message of support from Jonathan Evans in Brussels, although the unanimous vote was gratifying and unexpected. I let Ieuan and Mike know the good news. I made an announcement to the media outside the Metropole in English and Suzy Davies did the same in Welsh and we had a brief celebration at the new opportunity with the party’s officers and Cheryl. I then left for Cardiff with Cheryl and Matt Lane, our director.
En route I took a call from Ieuan- it was a bombshell - the Liberal Democrat Executive had refused to back the deal.
I could scarcely believe it. All received wisdom was that it would be the Welsh Conservatives or Plaid Cymru that would call off talks rather than the party which was supposed to be the most in tune with coalition politics Mike texted apologies which signified both his regret and his frustration and I rang Ieuan to arrange a meeting between the two of us for the next day to see if anything could be salvaged. Co-incidentally David Cameron was in Wales at this time as he was spending time with the Dyfed- Powys police in Welshpool and he rang to discuss the options that now existed and to offer his support.
While the Liberal Democrats were able to overturn their executive decision, I think the damage had been done. There were clearly senior Liberal Democrats who opposed a rainbow coalition like Kirsty Williams who was on the executive and others like Roger Williams and Lords Livesy and Carlile who were not.
That said Plaid Cymru did have an opportunity to step up to the plate after the Liberal Democrats had reversed their earlier disastrous decision and chose not to do so. I am sure many of their supporters must have wondered why.
By now Rhodri Morgan had truly woken up to the prospect of a government without Labour, and from this moment on he played his hand well, having previously seemed badly out of touch with events.
I fear Labour domination in this new alliance. I do not believe Plaid have secured adequate, let alone strong representation, in the new government. Out of 14 government posts they hold 4. This is only one more than the Lib Dems held when they were in alliance with Labour in the first Assembly and they have 150 per cent more seats than the Lib Dems then had and there are now more government posts too.
For my part I believe we have as a party come out of this stronger not weaker. I believe that we have adjusted well to the new realities of Welsh politics. I certainly felt we could do business with Plaid and The Lab Dems on the right terms and I respect Mike German and Ieuan Wyn Jones, whatever. our policy differences, and I wish Ieuan well in government.
The very real danger we face is Labour domination - the government is Labour still!
