Mrs May may as well run her campaign by video conference.

The Media keep on asking "Why Theresa May is so popular/" without pointing out that it is in part because they says she is,

There was extensive coverage of her visit to Scotland where she met the people.

Or rather a small group of activist  in a small church in Aberdeenshire.




She could as well as held a video  conference fro London and got the same sycophantic coverage from the Unionist Media

Indeed as John Dixon points out on his Borthlas Blog , she may not even have to exit.

He writes

For almost 70 years, the touchstone of researchers in the field of artificial intelligence has been the Turing Test. Devised by Alan Turing in 1950, the essence of the idea is that if a human can’t tell whether a particular conversation is with a human or a machine, then the machine passes the test and can be considered intelligent. It strikes me, though, that there’s a problem with this approach – what happens if an entity which in most other respects appears to be human fails the test? Should we conclude that we are not dealing with a human at all, but with a machine?This question came to the fore a few days ago, during an interview which Theresa May did on Radio Derby. When asked whether she knew what a mugwump was – trust Boris to have put her on the spot again – her response was “What I recognise is that what we need in this country is strong and stable leadership”. Now had any competent AI researcher been holding this conversation with an unknown entity, that entity would have been immediately identified as a computer; the researcher would have to record a ‘fail’ and note that no intelligence had been detected. Even the most basic of AI programmes would have come up with a better answer than that.So is she human or a machine? And how can we ever be certain?

Mrs May has refused to take part in the Leadership debate and ots clear from her face as she faces  SNP questions in Parliament why

The media seem to have accepted Prime Minister  Mays "Strong and Stable" mantra without questioning how she decided to call a General Election wit a working majority?

We face weeks of the Media eulogising  a Party Leader who cannot face criticism  or answer pertinent questions .

True that is true of most Politician's but Mrs May is worse than most her scowls of how dare you ask me that at PMQ is probably the worse I've ever seen.

Labour rule out Welsh Progressive Alliance

Although  I have supported of a Progressive Alliance I have argued  that this should not just be and Anti-Tory/Austerity agreement but one that had specific constitutional  reforms in mind including Abolition of the House of Lords,  further devolution including to England , and the introduction of PR.

I suspect the last would scupper any chance of Labour joining any such alliance, but  anyway a real Progressive Alliance bent on reform would take more than a few weeks to agree on.

Welsh Labour could have used this argument rather than slip onto its default tribalist  position,

Still they could have looked at a number of seats where they have no chance of winning.

However Welsh Labour’s campaign chairman has ruled out doing deals with anti-Tory parties in a bid to stop the Conservatives making history by winning the most seats in Wales for the first time since the 1850s.

A YouGov poll published this week signalled Labour is in danger of losing 10 seats to the Conservatives and being pushed into second place in Wales.

According to the Wasting Mule Caerphilly MP Wayne David, who will chair the Welsh campaign, stamped on the idea that Labour could cooperate with the Liberal Democrats to help them take back their former stronghold of Brecon and Radnorshire, which was won by the Conservatives in 2015.
Labour rules out 'shady pacts'

The constituency’s Lib Dem AM, Kirsty Williams, is Education Secretary in the Labour-led Welsh Government but Mr David ruled out any pacts with rival parties.

He said: “It is very, very difficult to cooperate with a party which propped up and participated in a Government which was profoundly right-wing as the Liberal Democrats have done. I think any pacts, alliances are off the table.

“This is not being considered because Labour is fighting this election in Wales as Welsh Labour and we are hoping to have success on that basis – not through shady pacts and backdoor deals with other political parties.

A deal with Plaid would be harder seeing that all three Plaid seats are Labour targets , whilst probably the only seat Labour would reciprocate on is Aberconwy.

Anyway a key battle will be keeping hold of Anglesey where incumbent Labour MP Albert Owen will face a challenge from former AM and MP and ex-Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones.

Mr David said: 

“Many of the messages as well as the personnel that Plaid Cymru are putting forward are voices from the past... I don’t think that is the way to enthuse people and convince them Plaid’s got ideas for the future.

The "Personnel from the past surly refers to Ieuan Wyn Jones who is standing again  17 years after leaving Westminster for the Welsh Assembly

However it comes after Labour selected  former Labour MP for Clwyd West from 1997 to 2005, so a full 12 years after loosing his seat,

Mr David goes on

“Separation, independence, cutting the country off from the rest of Britain was and still is a recipe for disaster.
“That’s a sideshow in this election campaign. I hope to goodness people won’t be persuaded to go for that message because it increases the chance of the re-election of a Conservative Government which most Plaid Cymru supporters surely would not want to see.
“My message to Plaid Cymru supporters is that if you care for Wales vote Labour.”

If pointing out  leaving Wales under the  permanent rule of the Tory party which will decimate much of the values I presume I and Mr David share. then I plead Guilty.

What is Labour going to offer Wales in the form of powers that will stop us being poor West Britons and one of the most deprived parts of Europe.

Recent Labour Governments have failed Wales and even if Wales were to win every Welsh seat  there is no hope they will fight for Wales in the Way the SNP group will fight for Scotland.

It is unfortunate there will be no agreement  but  it will never take place so long as Labour still live under the delusion  that their Hegemony here is impregnable.

Boris Johnson lovable eccentric or Tory bastard?

I'll get to Johnson later

Apparently In a speech in London yesterday First Minister  Carwyn Jones called on Theresa May to go head-to-head with him on the issues of the campaign.

Mrs May has already ruled out TV debates - and Carwyn's own leader Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn  has announced will not take part without her.

Of course Carwyn with  one eye on the polls , maybe thinks that the Corbyn brand , maybe not be to his advantage.

But Carwyn is not Nicola Sturgeon the leader of Party that does not take He orders from Westminster , hes only a Branch Manager and one of a Branch that hardly registers with Head Office .

So much so that his boss does not seem to know what are devolved issues as he criticises  large Class Room sizes when in Wales which is under Carwyn Mangnement

So Is Carwyn indicating that he's intends to run an independent Campaign , Does he see himself in the same position as Nicola Sturgeon?

The Conservatives said putting Labour in government would jeopardise the economy.

Calling on all parties to raise the tone of the general election debate, the Welsh Labour leader said

 Condemning a political culture in which “insults have replaced intellect,” Mr Jones said: “[This] is my appeal as we approach the real start of the General Election campaign – let the political class give the people an election they deserve. Let’s make this election a different sort of election.

“An election based on the issues, not personalities.”

Former UK Labour leader Ed Miliband became a target of derision after he was photographed eating a bacon sandwich.

His intervention comes days after the Conservative leader visited Wales and pointed to Labour-Plaid Cymru cooperation as an example of how the UK could end up with a “weak and failing Jeremy Corbyn propped up by a coalition of chaos”.

Mr Jones launched a strong defence of working with other parties, saying: 

“You will know that in Wales, we have long seen cross-party cooperation as a sign of strength and maturity. Sadly, that is being presented by some as a chaotic approach.
“This is just intellectually bankrupt. So, here’s my own challenge to the political class. 

“Grow up a bit. Remember what got you into politics in the first place.
“And debate the real issues that matter. That’s the approach I will be taking in the coming weeks.”I hope the Prime Minister – after her visit to Wales this week – will sign up to a similar approach, and I invite her to debate with me on these terms, when she is back in Wales during the campaign.”

  “The Brexit referendum campaign, whichever side you were on, was not a happy episode for our country. A campaign that centred too much on fear versus half-truths is no way for the United Kingdom to advertise our democracy to the world.“I make this pledge – and I challenge others to do the same – I want to use the next few weeks to raise the level of debate in this country. The Brexit campaign, and its aftermath has left too many people angry and feeling dispossessed.

If only this would happen but  I doubt if Plaid start climbing in the Polls "Welsh" Labour will not let lose its attack dogs like Llanelli AM Lee Waters.

Meanwhile Boris Johnson is under fire for describing UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as a security threat and not just a “mutton-headed old mugwump”.

It is something inductive of the political culture throughout the UK , that Public school boys like Johnson  can get a way with such insults treated as aristocrats and not the nasty viscous bastards they are .

Calling him Boris only adds to it 
A similar lovable  eccentric was former Tory AM Alan Clark

. He referred to Enoch Powell as "The Prophet". Clark once declared: "It is natural to be proud of your race and your country", and in a departmental meeting, allegedly referred to Africa as "Bongo Bongo Land".^[34] When called to account, however, by then Prime Minister John Major, Clark denied the comment had any racist overtones, claiming it had simply been a reference to the President of Gabon, Omar Bongo.

If an ordinary member of Parliament  made such a statement then he would have been treated with contempt.

Instead he was largely let off  Like Boris Johnson there seems to be different rules for people with posh accents who can quote the Latin Poet .
Horace.

It as if there a cultural cringe and we still regard them as our betters .

To mind they are Tory Bastards and should be treated as such,.

"Don't vote Plaid get ignored and be left defenceless"

Politics is as they say "A Funny Old Game" and  it could be that there could be a few shocks results on June 8th .

It is sadly clear that the Tories are likely to win and if the polls are correct win in Wales .

If that is the case maybe it is vital that Plaid make advances throughout Wales and its quick response , with only Plaid can defend wales may reach some parts where it has struggled in the past to get a significant share of the vote.

After all preserving a labour MP  who wil spend at least three months  deposing their leader  and finding themselves alienated from much of the electorate will hardly see any defence.

And if the last parliament was anything to go buy  virtually all the real opposition is going to be from the SNP group and it vital that we have MPs from Wales who can provide the same sought of opposition as our friends in the SNP.

However this will probably lead to the Labour  Mantra of 

"Vote Plaid Get Tories"

Plaid response should be 

"Don't vote Plaid get ignored and be left defenceless" 

One of the strange ironies of this election may be that Plaid in their Target seats  Ynys Mon, Ceredigion and Llanelli have not had time to select a candidate to nurse  the constituencies.

If you know that a General Election will almost be on a certain date then you have time to select a candidate who can spend months trudging the seats with his or her backers trying to get their name known.

I sometimes wonder how effective this is . Yes in marginal seats it may win you the necessary vote but is there any real evidence?

In Ceredigion Plaid have selected  Oxford Graduate Ben Lake

Currently a researcher for Plaid Cymru in the National Assembly for Wales, concentrating on education, finance, and transport policy. Ben may well have been groomed to replace current AM Elin Jones when she decides to call it a day.

If Plaid can hold its vote and there  a swing of Lib Dem  voters to the Tories , He may well be studying the Aberystwyth - London Time Table.

In somewhat of a polar move Plaid have selected former MP, AM  and Party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones  in its top target seat of Ynys Mon.

 The opinion polls suggest that   as a three way fight between Plaid, Labour, who hold the seat, and the Conservatives.

Again if the Plaid vote holds then Mr Jones may well make history  in the longest gap  between  leave the house and returning (17 years).

Who knows? What most expect to be the most practicable election in years may throw up a few surprises.

For the sake of all of Wales I hope so.

Do all "Leavers" want a Brexit based on xenophobia?

Unfortunately I have come to the conclusion that we are not going to stop Brexit and the sort of campaign the Lib Dems are campaigning  on yjt a vote for them is a vote to Remain.

But that does not mean that we should give the Tories a Free hand in the negotiations and they  and they allies should not be allowed to turn it into a Xenophobic Little Englander on the rest of the Eu,

It is clear that Theressa May is intent on using the General Election as a endorsement referendum on Brexit

In her speech in Bridgend yesterday she said

In 44 days, voters in Wales have a fresh chance to reject this kind of ‘politics as usual’. The General Election is a chance for them to turn their backs on the politicians who have turned their backs on them, and to embrace a new approach that is right for Wales and right for Britain.

Scotland voted to Remain  but Mrs May claims to speak for them , but beside that when has Tory policies ever been good for Scotland bit especially Wales

For this election is not about the kind of tribal politics that has held sway in Wales and elsewhere for many years. It is not about calling in old favours or relying on past allegiance. It is about the future.It is an opportunity to provide this United Kingdom with the strong and stable leadership it needs to see us through Brexit and beyond. It is a chance to lock in the economic progress we have made together over the past seven years.

How many ordinary people who have seen their Pay not meet inflation, or those who have sen their benefits slashed  or those who have been forced into Food Banks in echo of Victorian so called philanthropy have seen any economic progress?

But lets look at May on Brexit

And it is your chance to strengthen Britain’s hand as we negotiate with Europe to ensure we get the right deal for ordinary working people everywhere. A deal that will help us build a stronger Wales, as part of a more secure Britain.Securing that deal is my priority and we have the plan to do it. A plan to regain control of our own money, our own laws and our own borders, and to be free to strike trade deals with old friends and new partners all around the world.Yet our Labour, LibDem and Nationalist opponents – Plaid Cymru here in Wales and Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP in Scotland – are already seeking to disrupt our negotiations, even as 27 other European countries line up to oppose us.

For a start Mes May hand has not been weakened one iota in the House of Commons, she has lost not one Brexot vote .

The European Union has already indicated that an increased Tory majority will make no difference  in the negotiations from one side.

It will however if Mrs May riding on a Landslide thinks that she can bully the EU into agreeing all her terms.

It will do the opposite and the EU will look at the xenophobic rhetoric coming from the UK which will damage future relations,

Even Mrs May's hope that the US will ride to our rescue has bern shattered with Trump indicating its Europe he wants to work out Trade agreements with.

The Scottish Referendum always was base on "We want to leave as friends" the UK seems intent on leaving the EU as enemies .

Leaver or Remainer do you really want this. Do you want Brexit to leave a legacy of hostility with out fellow Europeans.

We are going to need friends in Europe not only with the likes of Norway but with EU members , May's attitude will leave us with none.

Wales set to vote itself out of existence,

It's not as if if we haven't seen it coming . but the latest Welsh opinion poll still come as a shock, pointing as it does to a Tory landslide

Conservatives: 40% (+12)
Labour: 30% (-3)
Plaid Cymru: 13% (no change)
Liberal Democrats: 8% (-1)
UKIP: 6% (-7)
Others: 3% (-1)

As Roger Scully points out 

Following the standard method of projecting poll results into seat outcomes – that is, assuming uniform national swings from the 2015 general election – our latest poll implies the following overall result. (Projected changes from the 2015 result are in brackets):

Conservatives: 21 seats (+10)
Labour: 15 seats (-10)
Plaid Cymru: 3 seats (no change)
Liberal Democrats: 1 seat (no change

A  full ten seats are projected to be gained by the Conservatives from Labour. The ten seats are: Alyn and Deeside, Bridgend, Cardiff South and Penarth, Cardiff West, Clwyd South, Delyn, Newport East, Newport West, Wrexham, and worryingly for Plaid Ynys Mon,

One of the first things to note that the idea of a Ukip vote was an anti-establishment protest is a myth,

The Ukip vote appears to have collapsed and seemingly transferred en bloc to the Tories.

It also reflects the whole Brexit phenomena where Wales=England and the idea that we were somewhat different  more tolerant , less xenophobic and left wing seems to be untrue.

With 40% of the vote in Wales it is clear that many of those around us , friends ,family and and associates are prepared to vote for a arty intent on privatising the NHS and destroying the Welfare state.

Even in Scotland the Tories riding on a  purely Unionist look to take seats

It seems unlikely now that we can have a progressive alliance . Labour in particular seem intent on suicide rather than surrender its position as the major opposition even with just 176 seats, rather than unite against what will be a viscous right wing goverment  that will keep itself in power  by Gerrymandering seats and making sure there is no alternative media (God help Channel 4 News).

The position in Wales is stalk, Only a vote for Plaid Cymru will preserve not only a Welsh  Political Identity, but (however outnumbered)  some  defence against the Tories.

Unless threre is a sea change the above map will be starring at us, It might despite Tory gains make the cause of Scottish Independence inevitable.

However it may be that on June 8th Wales may have voted to end its existence and become nothing more than  an appendege of England

The one day patriots who support Wales in the six nations  may be content with this but unless we start waking up it will be all we got.

So what is Leanne's plan? (Updated)

I wonder what Plaid Strategist are thinking over Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood apparently saying  she is actively considering standing as a General Election candidate in the Rhondda, after apparently ruling it out earlier.

As the Wasting Mule reports

In a round of interviews she told BBC Wales she had discarded the idea and said on the Andrew Marr show she did not want to give up leadership of her party - which she would have to do if she stood as an MP.
Later, she told BBC One’s Sunday Politics she was “actively considering” standing because Wales needs a strong voice in Westminster.
“We need a strong team in Westminster. That’s why I am actively considering it But also, we need a strong team in Cardiff Bay,” she told the programme during a debate of the four party leaders in Wales.
She said the Labour MP for Rhondda, Chris Bryant, is in "a very vulnerable situation", saying he had "consistently attacked his leader" and criticising his expenses record.
“I think we are in for a very interesting election in Wales, not least in the South Wales Valleys where people are desperate for change.”

 In a previous Blog  is stated some Pros and Cons on whether  Leanne should stand and came out on the Con side.

I still stick to this but am reminded of the quotations of two former Prime Ministers

When the artful prime minister of Britain, Harold Macmillan, was asked what he considered the greatest threat a statesman might face, he replied, 

"Events, dear boy, events".

The apparent possibility that the Tories will have a Landslide could change the game in Wales . Suddenly Labour are in retreat from the Tories , whether that means they could be possibly in retreat from Plaid in the South Wales Valleys is a mute point, In all likelihood Plaid will find it similar to the 1850's despite being the heaviest campaigner in a number of family seats.they will lose out to the sort of Tory candidate who hardly visits the constituency but turns up to the count and finding that they have come second,

However to quote my second Prome Minister Harold Wilson

"A week is a long time in politics".

Or rather in this case under a fortnight.

If Plaid make gains in particularly in the Rhondda in May 4ths council elections then Leanne would (no pun intended) have a very platform to start a run.

However she may have to make her mind up before then. 

Update 10.OO AM; Latest Tweet from Leanne seems to putthis to rest

LeanneWood‏Verified account @LeanneWood  13h13 hours ago13 hours agoMoreAfter much consideration, I'm not standing as MP for the Rhondda. Confident that @Plaid_Cymru will have very strong candidate
#teamPlaid17

33 replies97 retweets213 likes

 

 

I am not celebrating St George's Day, Even if its a Bank Holiday .

Listening to the BBC news this morning  I thought there's a mistake here surely?

Because they  claim

A Labour government would seek to create four new UK-wide bank holidays,

The holidays would be on each nation's patron saint day - St David's Day on 1 March, St Patrick's Day on 17 March, St George's Day on 23 April and St Andrew's Day on 30 November.

Mr Corbyn believes the move will "celebrate the national cultures of our proud nations".

The impression here that we will be celebrating the four patrons saints with a Bank Holiday throughput the UK.

Under the policy, the devolved administrations would have the final say on whether to approve the extra bank holidays.

The BBC points out that Creating bank holidays is a devolved power in Scotland.

Whereas England has no devolved administration so it will be up to Westminster and under the English votes for English laws rule.

Can we really expect Wales to celebrate ST Andrews Day, Scotland St George day and England St David's day,

Mind you many of us join in the Craic on St Paddy's day as they do throughout the world.

So it seems to me that what is intended is four separate Bank Holidays as each part has a unique day off.

Otherwise we will be having a Bank Holiday on March 1st and tehn on March 2nd

Labour says the UK has fewer bank holidays than other G20 countries.

Normally, England and Wales have eight bank holidays a year, Scotland nine, and Northern Ireland 10.

Labour says the average for G20 countries is 12. 

So have the BBC got this wrong?

Normally, England and Wales have eight bank holidays a year, Scotland nine, and Northern Ireland 10.

Labour says the average for G20 countries is 12. 

Mr Corbyn will say in a speech on Sunday:

"The four nations that make up our great country have rarely been more divided due to the damaging and divisive policies of this Conservative government.
"But where Theresa May divides, Labour will unite our four nations.
"A Labour government will make St George's Day - England's national day and Shakespeare's birthday - a public holiday, along with St David's Day, St Andrew's Day and St Patrick's Day.
"These holidays will be a chance for workers to spend time with their families, in their communities and with their friends.
"But they will also be a chance to celebrate the national cultures of our proud nations."

Certainly you can interpretate this has being us having the holidays on a UK wide basis, and maybe it is a part of Mr Corbyn Unionist thinking that which may be less of the Tories Empire 2.0 which some Brexiters seem to be hoping for and more of we are all together don't spoil it attitude and the bafflement of my English friends who can't understand why I don't automatically support their side when they qualify for the World Cup.

Lets face expecting us to  celebrating St George's Day  is an insult  and unless Labour may it clearer will be met with derision.

We are not voting for a President on June 8th

Of the last six Prime Ministers Thatcher, Major ,Blair ,Brown,Cameron, and May. Three were first given the Job without a General Election.

True we a not as bad as Australia where ,Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard was ousted by rival Kevin Rudd in a leadership vote in June 2013 - months before a general election won by Tony Abbott's Liberal Party and its coalition partners the National Party.

Ms Gillard herself had ousted Mr Rudd as prime minister in 2010.

Then in 2015 Tony Abbott was ousted as leader of the centre-right Liberal Party by Malcolm Turnbull.

But it is a truth that we are not electing a Prime Minister  in the manner of a Presidential Election .

I like a lot about Jeremy Corbyn despite he seems to a poor grasp of devolution and wonder if I really see him as a true progressive, and a left wing centrist .

He does not seem to be much of an advocate for Proportional Representation either.

But even if he was to become Prime Minister , I wonder how long before the Parliamentary Labour Party still consisting of Red Tories would seek to undermine and replace him ?

Mrs May even with a huge majority, will still lead a party that is divided over Europe and if she is seem as dithering over a true "Hard Brexit" face a coup.

Certainly if she looses a Second Scottish Independence  Referendum she is will 

be dead in the water

Unfortunate there is not going to be a progressive alliance for this election, which promises major constitutional change which introduces Proportional Representation , which means that every vote counts.

Yes we need to try and unite against the Tories , but that does not mean that this simply involves voting for Labour if that Party's incumbent or challenger of a marginal seat  is little more than Red-Tory Blarite  . who doesn't support the party leader and may even seek to either replace him or form a new party.

We must remind ourselves on June 8th we are not voting foe Jeremy Corbyn  or Theressa May to become Prime Minister but for a member of Parliament

For those of us in Scotland , Wales and indeed Cornwall if the polls are right Labour can't win anyway is it not time we sought to get out of the Tories clutches through voting for Parties that seek Independence?. 

May's meets the people or rather her own people.

I once read that during a General Election Campaign in the 1950'sthe then Labour Prime Minister Clement Atllee would visit Constituencies in a car driven by his wife stopping on verges for a picnic.

Times of course have changed the danger of terrorism means that senior politician need extensive protection and the murder of Jo Cox reminds us that even ordinary candidates are facing danger.

But does this mean that the likes of Theresa May does not met the public and her tours will be only photo shoots with Party members some of whom will not even be local but bussed in by the Party/

As Craig Murray points out a taxi driver was the only member of the public who managed to get anywhere near Theresa May on her much publicised “meet the people” election visit to Bolton on Tuesday

Mr Murray writes

Visiting Bolton on Tuesday , May arrived by helicopter, was whisked through town in an armoured convoy, spoke to a tiny audience of vetted conservatives, refused to answer any questions, and was whisked out again. In a precise example of what we have to expect in the next six weeks the BBC reported she had been to “meet the people”, and then gave us a series of vox pops from Labour voters in Bolton who were switching to Conservative.
The media picture with which we are presented is not just a distortion, it is the polar opposite of the reality. It was not a “meet the people” visit, it was an “avoid the people” visit. With not even other members of the political establishment being allowed to question her in debate, this is an Uzbek style election in the UK

That May’s police escort see it as their job to prevent any expression of dissent says everything about the kind of Britain she is creating. It goes along with her failure, twice, to accept Angus Robertson’s invitation to distance herself from the Daily Mail’s “Crush the Saboteurs” headline.
Disciplinary action should be taken against the policeman for the harassment of that driver – who it should be noted had already been forced to halt and pull aside for a period of time to let May’s convoy pass, and had complied. That we have a police force who think you are not allowed to show dissent to the Prime Minister is deeply troubling.

I do not believe that Politicians  should face being assaulted by members of the public , But surely they should actually face criticism and questioning ,

One thing about Mrs May is clear from Prime Ministers Questions is that she cannot face scrutiny and maybe that is why she wants to avoid a Leaders debate.

Vast sums of Tax payers money is being paid to protect Mrs May it should not be used to protect her from facing those who her polcies have harmed ,

Should Leanne stand in the Rhondda?

Is Leanne Wood  seriously considering putting herself forward for the parliamentary seat of Rhondda, Plaid Cymru sources  as BBC Wales.

They say 

Speculation is mounting the leader of Plaid will stand against Labour's Chris Bryant in the general election in June.
She has not ruled out the move, which would trigger both an assembly by-election and a leadership contest if she won.
Potential rival Mr Bryant did not want to comment.
Ms Wood took the seat of Rhondda from Labour in the 2016 assembly election when she beat Leighton Andrews, a former Welsh Government minister.
The party leader refused to tell BBC Radio Wales in an interview if she wanted to be on the ballot paper.
She said she had "not ruled anything in or anything out".

So should she? 

Pros

• It would lead to much needed coverage for Plaid as they are likely to be sidelined.
• Plaid could claim the Rhondda is their Govan the seat which was  the springboard for them in Labour's Scottish heartlands.
• It would increase the number of Target seats for Plaid.
• If she was to win then Plaid would probably retain the Assembly seat in the Rhondda which may be held on the same day,
• It might galvanize the Plaid vote in the South Wales Valleys and have a ripple effect.
• She  if the election is closer than predicted find her self part of Progressive Coalition government that can deliver real democratic change.
• It could make a election that looks to be gloomy for Non-Tories interesting.

Cons

• She will have to resign her Assembly seat on as I understand
• There is no guarantee that the UK (and ("Welsh") media will increase as a result of her standing.
• She might win but  Plaid lose the Assembly seat
• She might lose and Plaid lose the Assembly seat
• She will diminish the Assembly and put foward the idea that it is better to have small number of MPs in Westminster than being the opposition in Cardiff or even being the Government.
• This will be the last battle for the Rhondda constituency for the UK Parliament  as it will be abolished by the  Tories as they reduce the number of MPs
• With a potential huge Tory majority its going to be even more frustrating  and she not going to ring any concessions out of May as she has out of Carwyn Jones.

On balance it does not look that she will run. But she is a courage politician who might have been the only one who really believed she could win the Assembly seat. 

I believe that if she stood she could win , but does she really want to be a small fish in a large pond, rather than what she is now?

May's reason for calling an election is a dishonest ploy,

We are supposed to have fixed years Parliaments   so why is Theresa Nay calling an early election which will takes place Two years after the last one and just 4 weeks after the local government elections,

Forget the guff about strengthening the governments Brexit  position. After all despite the Poll lead , this can change and , I will be surprised  that it will change EU negotiators attitude one iota

The truth is Mrs May knows that she would be facing loosing her Majority and poll lead if Conservative MPs accused of breaking election spending rules at the last election face the possibility of being prosecuted and (resigning their seats )by the Crown 

Channel 4 News reported on Tuesday evening that the CPS is considering prosecutions  against over 30 individuals with regards to 2015 election expenses.

A decision has to be made by the CPS by late May or early June, meaning that any charges will land during at least the long election campaign period, and possibly even the short campaign.

Police forces who have sent files to the CPS relating to the spending allegations include Avon & Somerset, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire, the Metropolitan, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and West Yorkshire.

The Canary points out  that given the mainstream media’s reluctance to report the issue, we need to ensure it is kept firmly on the agenda and the allegations  around the ‘battle bus’ campaign, and associated expenses such as hotel rooms. 

Many argue that the campaign promoted prospective local MPs in key seats. Under election law, any expenditure which promotes a local candidate should be covered locally. But the ‘battle bus’ and associated costs were declared nationally. Each constituency has a fixed amount of money it can spend locally. And including the ‘battle bus’ expenditure would have meant many candidates overspent.

Two dozen Conservatives are understood to be under investigation over claims that they did not include battle bus spending in their local campaign returns. The Electoral Commission is also investigating the allegations in parallel to the police.

Since by the very fact the Tories sent their Battle Bus to these constituencies means these were marginal seats the Tories faced loosing everyone if the MP resigned and there were a series of  byelections.

Mrs May may be hoping that calling a General Election will result in any persecutions fall by the wayside  or that she will win a landslide and this will mitigate any future losses as those MPs who have been reelected resign after being prosecuted. 

Since its clear that the UK media are going to try and keep this "Spiked" its up to the ordinary user of Social Media to expose the real reason why May is  lacing a snap election.