Daran at Wales Home made an interesting charge against fellow blogger Guerrilla Welsh Fare earlier in his piece about likely cabinets post-Rhodri. Che had written that Huw Lewis' nominating AMs are not fit for purpose in taking on ministerial roles, as it has been argued that he has been backed by the most anonymous and incapable Assembly Members. Daran's interpretation is that GWF "takes a swipe at some women politicians from working class backgrounds who might be appointed to the Huw Cabinet". Ramblings enjoys reading both Wales Home and GWF, and the Welsh blogosphere is enriched by both of them.
GWF doesn't need defending, but it goes without saying that Assembly Members are subject to any kind of performance judgement we, the people, deem necessary. There is a time for being cosy with everyone and generating consensus, but it's clear that GWF's central charge remains correct- the effectiveness of Lynn Neagle, Irene James, Joyce Watson, and possibly Ann Jones is being questioned on the basis of merit, not on the basis of gender or class.
The fact that very little is known about them outside of the commentariat is an immediate indication of their lack of standing. Let's be honest with ourselves, these are ineffective, loyalist AMs simply there to prop up their chosen party's rule.
To see an example of working class women who are doing a great service to the people of Wales look no further than the likes of Lesley Griffiths for Labour, Leanne Wood for Plaid and even in the Cabinet you have Edwina Hart. You might not agree with everything those women do, but they get their names about through campaigning on issues and taking a stand, with all three of those examples not afraid to go against party line. As far as Ramblings is aware Jane Hutt also comes from a working class background, and though she has been criticised for her Ministerial performances in the past you can't take it away from her that she is well respected.
Daran insinuates in a comment on Wales Home that a sexist agenda against women politicians is evident from "a few quarters". He should explain where he has detected this agenda, being very switched on to new media he is probably referring to the blogs. Let's make it even more clear, although we have not been accused, that there is no gender basis on this blog. We have shown that there are excellent women AMs from working class backgrounds operating in Wales and this is something we celebrate. If an AM is not doing their job very well we will say so. It does not serve the cause of democracy in Wales to have elected Members falling asleep in the Chamber and mouldering away in unassailable safe seats.
The truth that Labour supporters might find difficult to swallow is that it is their party that has the highest quota of deadweight, be it male or female. This is not a good thing or something we are crowing about, it needs sorting out straight away.
Scotland's Stance - an act of treason?
5 hours ago
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8 comments:
ok so have the same conversation then about the "dead weight" men in the Assembly and have a gender balance
I can think of quite a few who you could categorise in the same way
And no Jane Hutt comes from a very middle class background
But why are we bringing class as well as gender into this?
Why not hairstyles, dress and shoe preference
Grrrrrrrrrrrr
As you rightly say.
Some are dead weight and it is sad that voters are not more perceptive in choosing the right candidates.
It is a reflection on the electors and their prejudices and frankly their intelligence.
Thanks for the more impartial look here Ramblings. In my eyes random accusations like Daran's seem to do more damage to the reputation of femal AMs than good. If someone is not an effective AM stating so should not make you a sexist. I have many a concern about male AMs also. My comments were about female AMs in Huw's regard simply because he is only supported by female AMs. However my comments were not because they are female and not because they are working class. They were made because these AMs are simply poor at their jobs! In fairness Daran has accepted that he has over stepped the mark although still has not offered any apology or amendment to the blog
alan people can only vote for who ever comes through the selection process
Voters do not choose candidates
So may be the selection and selectors need looking at
This was a bit stupid of Wales Home. They had done well in presenting themselves as an 'independent' blog. The Labour mask has slipped with a pointless attack on GWF just because it is a popular Plaid blog. If I was them I would have tried to keep the pretence going for longer. The whole sexist line doesn't even hold up to scrutiny.
Once again arrogant Nationalists bemoaning the fact that the simple electorate are not as far sighted as them.
If only they would vote for the always excellent Plaid candidates.
Yes Mam, to make it clear..voters at the hustings who choose the candidates.
Anon: why do you accuse nationalists of being arrogant when they, not you, are the patriots?
Alan it is arrogant to think the electorate are too stupid to know what is best for them.
Your need to justify your own position on patriotism is of course understandable.
If my waking hours were spent worrying which flag flies where, I too would be touchy about it.
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