Labour Tribalism. Pssssst - Don't Tell Carwyn!

In the recent Welsh election, it was very noticeable how at a national level, Labour avoided attacks on Plaid and steadfastly refused to even 'de-couple' from the coalition. It was part of their grand plan and to be fair, worked very effectively. However, at a local level they were as dirty as I have ever seen them. Oh, how it took me back to the good old days in Swansea Council elections.

For instance, in the Aberconwy campaign, two Labour activists (including one very senior one but I won't name him - he knows who he is) entered the Plaid office one day. This was just before it was broken into and vandalised, including spray paint being daubed. The two scoundrels pretended to be Plaid supporters and chatted for some time with the amiable and impressive Plaid candidate. While one chatted away asking his opinions about Plaid's leadership etc, the other recorded it all on his mobile. Within about 48 hours, the conversation had been put completely out of context and reproduced on an official Labour campaign leaflet.

This offensive little orange leaflet was on top of the one that actually lied about the Plaid and Liberal candidates, so there was obviously a consistency to Labour's underhand campaigning in the locality. Labour have worked very hard at projecting an image of a statesmanlike Carwyn and have been quick to distance any dirty campaigning from him. Yet, his claim of 'no tribalism'  is with respect not worth the e-mail that it was typed in. Tribalism is found in all parties in Wales and there is no point denying it, but for the party with many elected reps who base their very political soul on it, taking the moral high ground is a very dangerous game. You may well regret that particular statement, Carwyn.