Dafydd Elis Thomas Princiciple or Ambition?

Plaid have withdrawn the whip from its former leader, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomasf for not  attending the controversial vote of no-confidence over Wales' health minister Lesley Griffiths.

The AM for Dwyfor Meirionnydd said he had a "valid reason to preside over a graduation ceremony at Bangor University, where he is chancellor.

Which may seem reasonable, but it depends on whether Plaid AM were told to drop all prior engagements in order to vote..

However before the vote, Lord Elis-Thomas told BBC Wales that on the basis evidence he had seen he could see "no reason to pursue this vote of no confidence."

He added: "Plaid has put itself in a position of being the supporting cast to a play which was produced by the Welsh Conservatives, and that gets under my skin."

Now I hate an overwhelming Party discipline that doesn't allow for an individual concious and as chancellor of Bangor it was an important engagement.

But that doesn't mean you can constantly ignore the wishes of your leadership and if Dafydd Elis Thomas had been elected leader earlier this year then he would probably have quashed any dissent ruthlessly  His comments  ruthlessly.

His comments on supporting the Conservatives  has led to speculation that he feels that upsetting Labour would damage any chance  of a coalition with Labour and a desire for a cabinet position.

One can only speculate what his position would be if the Assembly numbers were such  that a Plaid/Con/LibDem  coalition could have taken control of the Welsh Government. Would he be so adverse to supporting a Tory motion then?

Rebellion on a matter of principee is honourable. Rebellion for your own personal ambitions is not.

Plaid should ask itself whether Dafydd leaving Plaid now will be less damaging  now or his  constantly providing the media with copy  that contradict the  Party policy and nibbles away at the authority leadership.

Perhaps he should be given a three strikes and your out. He's may be already on two after his latest act. 

And Dafydd  should ask himself what he wants for himself  To fuel his own  ambition or help the new generation of Plaid leadership to obtain their goals.