Kirsty and the Tories
Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 3:15pm
2 responses
I’ve always liked Kirsty Williams, and am confident that she could be a good leader for the Welsh Lib dems. Nevertheless, I am very disappointed by her admission today that she would work with the Tories to form a coalition in Cardiff Bay, if only to say that she has performed one hell of a u-turn. Despite her being one of the main players in the downfall of the Rainbow coalition last year, it looks like she has changed her mind completely.
This does stink of changing a mindset to appeal to those in the party that she quite obviously annoyed in turning down being in government last time around. Surely if you had a principled stand against that coalition from the outset, you should remain true to your values, Kirsty? Obviously not in the case of the Lib dems in Wales. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised really…..
The lib dems in Wales have got a real problem with Clegg’s right turn to try to hold on to his party’s seats in Southern England. There are no Tory votes to squeeze here with this cynical U-turn and cwtshing up to Cameron won’t play well with the more radical elements in the party.
To their left Plaid has set out its stall and could mop up dillusioned Labour votes.
So where do the Welsh Lib Dems go? U-turn all you like Kirsty – it won’t help the Lib Dems in Wales from oblivion.
Anyone who thinks Nick Clegg moved Lib Dems to the right with the policy to cut income tax should read the whole of his end-of-conference speech. The obvious effect of cutting the basic rate of income tax is that it will help low earners and help make up a little for increasing prices for food, gas/electricity and petrol. It may even make it unnecessary for some to have to deal with the chaos of Tax Credits any more – which I am sure will make many people cheer! Yes, it will help middle earners as well. What’s the matter with that? Middle earners lose their jobs, get caught up in the credit crunch etc. too. It’s good to know that one party at least is offering a policy that will be of some practical use in the current economic climate.