Thursday 26 May 2016

"Not A Coalition" because Labour would not endorse it?

It is understandable that a number of Labour AM's appear to be unhappy about the "Not a Coalition  agreement that has seen the sole Liberal Democrat join the Welsh Government as Education Secretary.

According to the Wasting Mule

"Several senior Labour members are expressing concern about the deal that has brought Wales’ sole Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams into Carwyn Jones ’ new Cabinet.
Ms Williams has been appointed to the powerful role of Cabinet Secretary for Educationafter a special conference of her party agreed to allow the deal to go ahead.
Several senior Labour members are expressing concern about the deal that has brought Wales’ sole Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams into Carwyn Jones ’ new Cabinet.
Ms Williams has been appointed to the powerful role of Cabinet Secretary for Educationafter a special conference of her party agreed to allow the deal to go ahead.
But Welsh Labour has not held a similar conference, even though party rules say proposed coalition deals have to be approved by delegates before they can go ahead.
It is understood that concerns were raised about Ms Williams’ appointment by a number of Labour AMs at an Assembly group meeting on Monday".
The Mule  finds  an anonymous " prominent party member",  who said....

 “A number of new AMs – Lee Waters, Jeremy Miles and Eluned Morgan – went hard at Carwyn for not going through proper process.
Carwyn spoke to the ‘party development board’ by phone, but there was no prior consultation with the group or the part’s Welsh Executive.
“Carwyn was also repeatedly asked by [Swansea East AM] Mike Hedges to explain how it wasn’t a coalition, but his reply was unconvincing.
“The left are angry that the Lib Dems are in government, but the biggest issue most people have is that no process was followed. Carwyn just bounced the party into it, for all his talk of a more open and listening style.”

The Lib Dems did call a special conference  to endorse the "Not A Coalition" but as Gwynoro Jones  pointed out   

Some 100 people out of a membership of around 3000 present! That is No endorsement at all ! Truth is only the 'fan club' were present!!Nevertheless a crucial decision taken. I voted against not because‪ ‎Kirsty Williams is joining a Wales Labour cabinet - in fact as a former Labour MP and social democrat it is good news. Being a believer in a‪ ‎progressive alliance in UK and Welsh politics

It could be that given this arrangement has no real endorsement there will be some Lib Dems  hoping that that there are no byelections  in one of the few marginal seats ( yes I know find one) they could win  or a  defection .

Would the new Lib Dem AM immediately join the Government and given at least a ministerial job outside the cabinet?

Or sit on the opposition Benches?

It would be interesting to find out.  


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