Monday 10 February 2020

Why Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price Need To Be More Populist


Hello there. Hope you're feeling well today.

It's been a while since I've chatted about Welsh politics on this blog yet things almost appear to have reached my prediction that things are moving towards a battle between the right wing and Plaid Cymru for the future of Wales.

Certainly the Conservative party has never been stronger in Wales. Leading in the latest polls and in the last election gaining seats in places like Bridgend.

At the same time  support for Welsh independence is on the rise (up 5% in the latest poll). And when the consequences of Brexit truly hit then it will I'm sure be even greater.

Yet despite of all there has been no great increase in Plaid Cymru's position. Polls whether actual or opinion suggests that there is no great momentum for it either.

So why is this? I would suggest that one of the reasons, not the only one but the one I'm focusing on today, is the Plaid leader Adam Price. After all when he was elected a few years back starting from what I would argue was a whispering campaign against the previous leader Leanne Wood, one of the arguments used against her was Plaid's supposed lack of progress (which I've discussed previously in this blog). But nothing really has appeared to have changed and especially in terms of Adam Price's contribution.

He is I think popular with the party membership but as Jeremy Corbyn has shown popularity in your party does not equate to electoral success.

So what does he need to do? Well as I've suggested previously Adam Price is too much of an ideas man. That's fine for internal Plaid planning but what the man or woman in the street wants to hear is the stirring broad strokes of a plan to lead them away from the misery of their current situation. That there is an alternative to the arrogant incomptence of Welsh Labour and it's Mr Magoo leader Mark Drakeford. Leaders lead from the front. they need to explain issues invited clear strokes. They may be involved in the detail but that's for others to explain to the media. In Plaid's case basically it's the creation of a fair and just society through independence for Wales. That is the message it should banging again and again. That may be populism, but when used correctly it's not the quasi fascist populism of other nations. It does not mean either though that Plaid and indeed Adam Price should not use it's methods.The

Donald Trump and Nigel Farage were succesful against the odds. They appealed to the electorate and so could Plaid. Adam Price needs to be less beuratratic and more bloody when dealing with his opponents. He needs to show that not only does he believe in an independent Wales, he would be a streetfighter for the cause too.

And therein lies his second problem. He is just too polite. In this regard he reminds me of the worst Plaid leader in my lifetime and the one who is the reason why it's progress always seems miles away from other nationalist movements like Sein Fein or the SNP, Iuean Wynne Jones. He too was too polite with dealing with opponents. Why be respectful to these people? They are helping to destroy Wales and yet meaphorically he is opening the door to them when he should be slamming it in their faces.

He has over a year until the elections to the Welsh Parliament the Senedd to sort it out. Specifically he needs to target the Welsh Labour voter who I would argue is hungry for change and would be willing to listen to Plaid. But should Plaid not be succesful then either a return to Leanne Wood or the other clear Plaid politician Rhun Ap Iowerth would need to be swiftly implemented.

Until the next time

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