I have heard from a very reliable source that the Labour Government in Cardiff intend to go ahead with the Plaid policy of bringing the railways back under public control (re-nationalisation to some of you). Plaid's idea was to end the franchise system once the current one winds up and set up a 'not for profit' company along the lines of Dwr Cymru, managing the funding and re-investing profits into the service.When Plaid first floated the idea before the election (we did actually do a lot of policy work, despite what the media may suggest), ASLEF actually came up to meet IWJ in Wales and thank him for the proposal.
Of course, Labour will claim that they came up with the idea first (which they did not) and claim all the glory but if it's good for Wales, then so what? Whatever it takes to move Wales forward for the benefit of all and I doubt Plaid will have any hang ups about it. So the best of luck to Carwyn with this one and if he wants a few other Plaid policies to pad out his fairly empty if well meaning manifesto, then that's fine by me.
It's a great idea and I hope you're right. It does rather confirm Plaid's role as a pressure group on Labour and I think a lot in Plaid are happy with that, when push comes to shove. Good, technocratic policies are fine, but we haven't created a gripping national narrative that resonates sufficiently. We're far too nice - afraid of offending the Guardian - for that.
ReplyDeleteEfrogwr
I certainly recognise the perception and perhaps a few within Plaid are happy with this role, in terms of influencing the direction of Wales. However, I am not.
ReplyDeleteThere was a definitive purpose for going into the One Wales Government and on all our major red/green lines, we delivered for Wales. Yet, our role now is to re-define our direction and priorities and not to fall into the trap set by Labour of being just as you describe. I genuinely believe that the review now in hand will deliver on this and for the sake of Wales, it has to.
It does show the importance that all Parties should reconise that others have god ideas.
ReplyDeleteThere's an unfortunate tendency to oppose what are good policies because some other Party has thought of it.
This is particularly true of Labour who reject progressive polices from Plaid,SNP,Greens and dare I say it even the Libdems because come they from the opposition.
Though they were keen to nick some Tory polices.
To my mind it is more important that this measure goes through more than who gets the credit.
It would be even better if Labour pinched the idea of devolving Policing and Criminal justice to the Assembly. Can't see them going for STV though.
"When Plaid first floated the idea before the election (we did actually do a lot of policy work, despite what the media may suggest), ASLEF actually came up to meet IWJ in Wales and thank him for the proposal."
ReplyDeleteWhy wasn't this reported or mentioned at the time? Seems like a missed opportunity, would've really wound Labour up and could've been used in places like Llanelli.
If this comes about, then it is truly good news! Does it matter who tries to take the glory? Not really, it is what is best for Wales that is important.
ReplyDeleteI hope Labour take up the Bulid4Wales idea as well. It is the logical extension of the railway initiative.
Does either Plaid or Labour's policy actually involve taking the wlsh railway network into public ownership? Trains, stations, tracks signals etc? or will the not for profit company simply take over the arriva trains franchise and operate within the current system, leaving the actual control of the rail infrastructure with network rail, and answerable to the UK government?
ReplyDeleteIf its the latter then its clearly a rather small cosmetic change which neither party can boast about.
Full nationalisation of the welsh railways would hardly be radical or unrealistic, it is already the case elswhere in the UK (Northern Ireland)
It is a Plaid policy for Wales to have control of the lot, but this particular policy is already devolved and something we can do without London's permission. The one area still problematical is obviously that the rolling stock is largely (although not wholly) privately owned and I believe we could own or lease, whichever is cheaper for the taxpayer. If the private operator leases, what's the difference?
ReplyDeleteIn terms of what London is doing, it is certainly radical and a step in the right direction. For me, a privatised monopoly is a ridiculous concept that is nothing more than a license to print money for any sharp operating private firm.