Friday 29 June 2018

Will Tory leadership contest affect a possible Plaid's?




So we are facing at least (probably) at least three battles  for the leader of three of the Unionist Branch Offices  and  (possibly) one for the only true Welsh Party.
Ogmore AM Huw Irranca-Davies is launching a bid to become Labour's new leader in Wales and first minister.
He joins Mark Drakeford, Vaughan Gething and Eluned Morgan in vying to take over from Carwyn Jones when he steps down later this year.
So far only Mark Drakeford has enough support from fellow Labour AMs to secure a place on the ballot paper.
It is understood Mr Irranca Davies is yet to ask his Labour colleagues to nominate him.
Anyone wanting to add their name to the ballot paper needs the backing of five other AMs.

Wales Online points out 



While at least four AMs are eyeing up their chances of succeeding Carwyn Jones it's far from certain that everyone who wants to stand will be able to. As things stand, a candidate needs the support of six AMs (including themselves) for their name to appear on the ballot paper.
So far, only the Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford has reached that threshold although the Health Secretary Vaughan Gething is only one short. Neither Mr Irranca-Davies nor another announced candidate Eluned Morgan appear close to crossing the line.
     

"Welsh" Labour  have 30 AMs if we assume  that current Third Rate Minister Carwyn Jones will not take part in the Nominations it means four is the maximum of candidates.

AM may have learned the "poor old Jeremy  let's nominate him even if we are not going to vote for him"  lesson so there may not be enough for at least one of the declairees.

After Andrew RT Davies's unexpected resignation it is uncertain whether the Conservatives will have a leadership contest. Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies has been chosen as the group’s interim leader and been endorsed by Nick Ramsay, the Monmouth AM who was the runner-up in the 2011 contest.

We maybe see the regional AM for South Wales West Suzy Davies a former solicitor, and was a founding board member of the Welsh International Film Festival throwing her hat in the ring
She was first elected to the assembly in 2011, and is also an assembly commissioner. Ms Davies has fronted the party's criticism of the Welsh Government's relationship with Pinewood, as well as the group's support of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.


Darren Millar  who was the  stand-in for Andrew RT Davies and Alun Cairns when the pair could not decide who would take part in a general election debate may decide he should do so in his own right again,


If he doesn't then we may see a battle between Davies and Davies o replace Davies.


Meanwhile, Ukip is in a battle to secure a future for the party. With Neil Hamilton seeking to get his job back after being replaced by Caroline Jones, an assembly member for south-west Wales in a recent coup. Since thenrty's UK deputy leader Mike Hookem has informed the group of five AMs about that there must be a ballot vote among the 1000 "strong" Welsh Membership ,

Since then  controversial (even for Ukip) AM Gareth Bennett is running in the party's Welsh Assembly leadership contest.

Mr Bennett was seen as the only Hamilton loyalist in the Assembly group but now he seems to have betrayed him.
 Meanwhile the he period in which nominations for a Plaid leadership challenge can be made will close this weekend.  somea activists have called for both Carmarthen East and Dinefwr’s Adam Price and Anglesey’s Rhun ap Iorwerth to mount a challenge to Leanne Wood.
 I wonder what will be the effect of Andrew RT Davies on any challenge on Leanne.

She may even welcome the opportunity to put forward a progressive platform and raise the Independence issue in contrast to the Unionist Parties where none of the candidates even argue for greater powers.

On the other hand avoiding claims that the party is split and putting a united face, could suit all the aspiring candidates who may have only until the next election to wait given that Leanne has said she will quit if she's nor first minister.

One wonders how much interest the UK media will pay to these contests however.


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