Plaid Conference, Llandudno
Posted on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 12:36pm
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Conference season is upon us again. Where did the summer go? Political parties are preparing for discussions and motions( well not if your in Labour or the Tories, mind) and social events, guest speakers, and finding out ways to get the headlines above opponents…
I’m looking forward to ours,which is in Llandudno this year. I plan to speak on a few motions- one on criminal justice, child poverty, and extending IVF treatment in Wales. I’ll also be chairing a Shelter Cymru fringe meeting, taking part in a panel discussion on new media and its impact on politics and society, as well as taking the chance to catch up with members.
Plaid HQ have been working hard to make this conference a success, and I’ll try and get back in to the swing of things by blogging from the conference hall and fringe meetings. You can rely on me for twitter updates, and a few pictures also. So watch this space.
George Monbiot is our speaker at the Conference dinner. You can guarantee that he will mention the political spat in Machynlleth over the Tesco development, especially given that he’s mentioned it in a previous Guardian column! There’s going to be live music throughout conference, and another round of policy speed dating. It’s all go!
I am a little disappointed however that our conference clashes with a lecture in Merthyr on Friday, titled ‘What would Keir Hardie say now- A New left Narrative’ organised by Wales 20:20. John Cruddas is the guest speaker alongside, shock horror, Huw Lewis AM and others. The poster tells us that ’a new narrative for Labour will be unveiled in our valleys as it was with the election of Keir Hardie; be there to hear it.’ Why they are announcing a new narrative for Labour in a public lecture is a little perplexing, but I hope to send some spies to find out what will be said:-)
You’ve got to give it to Huw Lewis, at least he’s trying to start a debate. We all know that this is a blatant attempt to gain momentum for his Labour leadership campaign in Wales, and why not? Carwyn Jones’s silence is deafening, and I haven’t seen Jane Hutt out and about since stating her intention to stand. And all is still up in the air about whether Edwina Hart will actually put her name in to the ring at all. The rumours that Rhodri Morgan will be staying on until the General Election are supposedly all untrue, so it’s only a matter of time before the official race gets underway, and Rhodri can then retreat to his caravan in Mwnt!
Anyway, I’m off to prepare for Conference. Apologies for the long delay in blogging. I am back, and will be blogging much more often from here on in!
