Think Different. Think Plaid
Posted on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 12:22pm
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…so the Plaid slogan goes. First day of motions and speeches at Conference today. So far so good. I really enjoyed the new media workshop yesterday. Adam talked about how we are using new media to reflect the energy and the change in the party, but for us to be careful not to see it as a the answer to everything. Duncan Higgitt talked about the threat to broadcasting in Wales, and its relationship with new media, while Daran Hill spoke about how Plaid are leading the way with regards to the technology revolution. I looked at how we can use new media more effectively as a campaigning tool and to inspire new members.
I went to a workshop then on Wales after 2010, with a high profile panel- Wigley and Ron Davies to name a few, and chaired by Heledd Fychan.
Ron Davies talked about how Labour is losing trust with the electorate, that class politics has gone, and that Labour have lost its core vote, and destroyed democracy. Harsh words, but I wouldn’t expect any less from a former Labour member! What did ring a bell with me was when he said that his intention of supporting the creation of the Assembly in the first place was to create more of a sense of Nationhood in Wales, and to strengthen the economy. We still have much more to do. He also noted that Rhodri Morgan has not achieved what he set out to do when he became First Minister- and that was to create an independent Labour party in Wales. Surely this would have strengthened any clear red water between Wales and Westminster?
The discussion on who will win the next General Election was also fascinating, especially the comments on the current tensions in the Conservative ranks between MPs and AMs over issues such as the Welsh language and devolution. Wigley asked whether a Tory PM would continue with the commitment to have a referendum on a Parliament for Wales, would it scrap part 4 of the Government of Wales Act? What is certain according to Wigley is that the General election of 2010 will shape the discussion of the Assembly election, and therefore Plaid must be strong and show clear leadership.
There are fringe meetings starting at the moment. People are buzzing around the stalls, and speaking to friends. More debate this afternoon to follow. I’ll blog at that point…
