Carwyn Jones' Final Problem: Is He On The Way To Becoming The Welsh Tony Blair?

Hello there. Hope you're feeling well today.

Today (Sunday) Carwyn Jones, still First Minster of Wales is in all media giving "exclusive" interviews following his announcement last weekend that he will resign from the position in the autumn.

In these interviews the main thing he insists upon is that he did not make the decision to resign in the light of Carl Sargeant's suicide. He stated that he had made the decision months earlier.

Now, I am not saying that Mr Jones is lying, I have no idea. But as I have said in this blog before that since Mr Sargeant's death (the main enquiry of which is about to begin) the First Minister gradually began to lose the one skill he genuinely did have in politics which was as a politician. He surely knew as he uttered those words in the interview that there would be a proportion of the people who saw/read it, and I would guess the majority, who did not believe him because they consider him culpable in Mr Sargeant's suicide.

So these words, whether true or not are worthless. Just as he threatened to use the courts if publication of one of the enquiry reports was voted on by the Senedd to block it. Doesn't matter whether he was doing it out of innocent motives. Perception is the key. And the perception was not good.

Unless there is clear and conclusive evidence that the First Minister's actions were not a factor in Mr Sargeant's suicide then that is the issue that will hang around him until his dying day. Rather like Tony Blair (and as an aside Blair has aged more quickly than any other politican I know. Not only does he look old he sounds old as well) when he's wheeled out to talk about Brexit on TV few people listen to him because he is tainted with Iraq well this is I belive is what will happen to Mr Jones if he discusses Welsh affairs when he no longer First Minister.

Let me give you a few more examples from that interview that shows Carwyn Jones lost his touch as a First Minister. He said regarding his record that there was nothing that was unfinished? Really? A precarious econonmy. Bottom of International Education Leagues. I can really go on and on and yet he thinks there's nothing unfinished?

His proudest "achievements" were saving the Port Talbot Steelworks and the proposed Aston Martin factory at St. Athan. Again really? As I recall he was caught on the hop when the initial decision was made by Tata Steel to close the steelworks and the final deal was a combined Welsh/UK government and Trade Union initiative. He was not the only person involved.

He was you may remember also caught out when Tesco closed down their Cardiff call centre despite Welsh Government cash being used when it was set up. He doesn't mention that. So I've done that instead.

As for the Aston Martin plant I've written on this blog the possibility that should Brexit go pair shaped the plant might not be built in the first place. It might be an achievement.....but it's too early to decide.

He will revert to being an Assembly Member for Bridgend. Good. Perhaps then he can concentrate on a region that he seemingly has ignored during his time in the highest echelons of Welsh politics. Perhaps he can start on the urban tragedy thanks to Welsh Labour mismanagement that is Bridgend Town.

So is this situation fair on Mr Jones? Of course we don't really know at present. Hopefully the final enquiry will give a definitive answer. If it doesn't then possibly only History can be the final judge.

Until the next time.