It was a bit of humour. But I’ve now removed it.

I don’t think Plaid’s nationalism is a big issue in South East Wales. That has been Plaid’s own fear about itself. A far bigger issue in South East Wales has been Plaid’s prevarication over independence.

There has, since mewnfudwyr started to move to Wales in great numbers in the late 70s/early 80s been this issue. Some 20 years ago Cymdeithas yr Iaith highlighted the issue in one of their campaigns, making a huge amount of sense when they claimed that there wasn’t actually a shortage of housing in rural Wales, but that most of the housing was either second homes, holiday lets or priced way beyond what most local people could afford. They were also critical of interventions to build social housing as it not only led to massive over-development, (communities with far more housing than was needed, given that massive percentages remained empty for nine months of the year) and marginalisation of local people as new build social housing (this must have been in the mid 90s as then only new build social housing was allowed by the then Welsh Office. This was before HAs were again allowed to rehab) tended to be on the fringes of villages and rural towns when they really needed to be more central to collective community services.

About the only time that the influx of holiday home purchasers was really threatened in recent history was when Meibion Glyndŵr were engaged in their activities, when Dafydd ‘Thank the Welsh I’m a Lord’ Elis Thomas was completely hostile to what they were doing instead of, not condoning, or condemning, but pointing out why it was happening. I don’t personally think that burning houses down is actually a wonderful idea, but it was an indication that there were high levels of frustration at the level of immigration into Wales, and pressure on housing and other resources,as well as the cultural impact.

In response to Dafis, yes, I think that Plaid have a golden opportunity now, especially now things have been placed in sharp focus regarding the issues surrounding immigration. Though the present climate, immediately post-Brexit vote is still pretty volatile, and feelings are running high, it is allowing a start to discussion of the issue of immigration in a way that doesn’t pander to either the racist, xenophobic right, or the ‘right-on’ pretentious lefties and starts to look at the issue in a rational and logical manner, fundamentally in terms of resource needs and management. Of course, there are all the other issues, cultural, economic etc, but fundamental to all that, the issues of secure place to live, a place to send kids to school and healthcare are paramount. In Wales, there is also the issue of the Welsh language, the needs of which should, in my opinion, have a much higher priority than it currently does.

Whether Plaid is up to that challenge remains to be seen, but I think even they are aware of that challenge, and that they now only have one chance to get it right.

Oh yes! Loyalty and commitment pulls up abruptly when you venture near a Cardi’s deep pockets and short arms. It’s like an attempted raid by the gentiles on the inner sanctum of the holy of holies in the temple synagogue! A REAL stress test.

I see Alun Davies AM is spitting feathers as well as fibs accusing Plaid Cymru of doing a ‘deal with Ukip’. Nonsense of course. Voting in a FM by AMs is done in alphabetical order and requires a majority from all those elected in the Senedd.

Perhaps Alun, is still the quivering AM for Blaenau Gwent is still reeling from the shock of Plaid Cymru gaining a 30% swing in their favour during the election.

The reality is that the only ‘deals with Ukip’ that has previously been consummated was between Ukip and the British Labour Party. Mr Reckless was involved and it related to issues ranging from the bombing of Libya to privatisation of the NHS in England. Deals consummated, prior to Mr Reckless tourist jaunt to Wales, on the floor of the Westminster House in his role as MP for Rochester and Strood. The British Labour Party whips acted in their role as ‘Her Majesty’s loyal opposition’.

I posted something here earlier but it flew off into the ether, probably hovering over Korea by now ! Anyway, Gee, stick around. I fancy we’ll see some more sparks flying over next few weeks with increasing shifts away from those “non negotiable positions” people adopt when trotting out fibs before elections. As a distraction you could organise a whipround among Cardi farmers to buy our favourite girl a ceremonial tent. That will be a serious stress test of their loyalty and commitment !

“farcical alternative reality” sums up that possibility.

There again Carwyn’s emotional response suggests that it might not take too many bangs to the head to get him back on his stool, permanently. Then the real infighting could begin.
Also Darren Miller’s cameo last night on BBC, 10.40ish, suggests that ARTD might need to take stock of his own group despite the assurances of unity from that corner.
UKIP could fracture any time because such is their nature.
How’s about Kirsty as First Minister, with all other parties contributing to government of national unity – should tie us over for a few weeks !

Brychan You are being very hard on lounge lizards. They too have their pride and will resent any association with Mostyn the brown envelop man.

Any chance of one or two Labour members breaking ranks? For that matter, how many Labour rebels would it take for Leanne to rule the roost and stick it CJ and the Tories/UKIP? I mean, seeing as we´ve now entered some kind of farcical alternative reality who knows what could happen next?