My stitch-up detector has sounded an alarm on news from Pontypridd.
Intriguing reports tonight on the shortlist for the 'job for life' vacancy for a Labour candidate in Pontypridd. Kim Howell's retirement offers a wonderful opportunity for this rock solid parliamentary seat.
There has been behind-the-scene arm twisting to avoid an all-women shortlist. Press reports claim Kim Howells has been backing pharmaceutical drugs lobbyist Owen Smith.
Mr Smith was Labour's candidate in the 2006 Blaenau Gwent by-election, triggered by the death of Peter Law, who famously won the seat as an Independent the year before. Mr Smith was defeated by Dai Davies, who had been Mr Law's agent and who also stood as an Independent. Owen Smith disappointed by not seeking re-selection as Labour's candidate in Blaenau Gwent for the next general election. Mr Smith's father is Professor Dai Smith, the Welsh Arts Council chair and close butty of Kim.
Shock rumours tonight are that strong candidate Tom Griffin, who chairs Pontypridd Constituency Labour Party and used to work as a researcher for Islwyn MP Don Touhig, has not been short-listed. This could be judged to be another attempt to weaken the shortlist in order to ease the selection of Smith. Sadly such things are not unknown in the recent history of New Labour..
Among the names mentioned on the shortlist are former AM Delyth Evans, and international researcher Bethan Roberts. There are formidable candidates. Pontypridd party members have proved in the past that they are not willing to be bounced into selecting the favourites sons of New Labour. Their strong independent streak convinced them that Jane Davidson and Mick Antoniw were better than New Labour groupies that the party machine was trying to foist on them. There may well be a backlash against Owen Smith if the elimination of Tom Griffin is resented. I look for confirmation of the rumours.
It will be an intriguing ballot and Pontypridd may surprise again.
Finger friendly
David Cameron is giving practical backing to one of my campaigns.
In a not entirely serious blog I urged fewer handshakes. They are used by the insecure to express their strong personalities by inflicting pain. Greeting William Hague at the Tory conference David ignored the offered hand and tapped him on the shoulder. It looked odd but it is still a practical alternative to overused handshake. It was the point when Cameron's weekend peaked.
Platitude porridge
It troughed with his speech. Tory representatives queued for hours for a feast of oratory. They were served a porridge of platitudes. He made a strong case for politicians to use notes. I did not hear one idea or one phrase, that quickened the pulse, or excited the brain.
He had had a dreadful day. Over breakfast he saw the Sunday Time headline saying that Gordon Brown was on course to win more seats that Cameron. It's probably a blip but not one that a party leader can ignore. It's difficult message for him to give, 'Return to your constituencies and prepare for more opposition.'
The Tories are shocked and baffled. The harder they hit Gordon Brown, the stronger he bounces back
I see the Smith family operates by the same rules in politics as it does in academia…
Any retirement close to an election is going to be an HQ stitch-up. You'd have thought they'd learn after Blaenau, but no…
Posted by: Aidan | March 01, 2010 at 02:19 PM
Someone seems to be learning from Blaenau Gwent. Not the people you'd think, though.
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/5034607.Islwyn_councillors_quit_Labour_over_shortlist/
Posted by: DG | March 01, 2010 at 04:46 PM
I understand DG that this group who have resigned in Islwyn are supporters of the 'No Vote' in the future Assembly Elections and part of the os-called 'True Wales' group.. It may not be as it appaers.
Posted by: Paul Flynn | March 01, 2010 at 06:36 PM
On Pontypridd:
"It is unwise to expect local parties to act reasonably in their selections. Experience tells a tale of irrational choices. Faithful, talented, hard-working members have been ditched in favour of slothful rogues" Flynn 1997
Owen was drinking in my local (The Otley Arms) this evening, and so I took the time to introduce myself to him, I had previously been introduced to Tom at council by-election count just over a week ago.
I'm worried that the party in Pontypridd, by failing to put up the strongest candidate are giving votes away to the Liberal-Democrats. Whist we hope that the margin in Ponty can sustain the labour party I think that their complacency is dangerous and is already being noticed by the voters outside of the party.
Posted by: Mark | March 01, 2010 at 11:47 PM
'The Tories are shocked and baffled. The harder they hit Gordon Brown, the stronger he bounces back.'
True. Cameron is an upper class toff. This works against him because the huge majority of us are not born into millions, bullingdon clubs and shooting stags on your family's country estate.
Besides which he is obviously lacking in substance and in my opinion would make for a terrible prime minister.
I can't even see why Cameron is considered as a suitable prime minister. He is an upper class bullingdon boy who made his way into politics via a stint in PR. Does the man even shave yet?
What have the tories contributed as opposition during the Labour governments? It is the Labour backbenchers like yourself Paul who are the example.
The Tories are without credibility. All they and the overwhelming tory media are capable of is condemning Labour. But they fail the test as an opposition party entirely.
All I will say is that voting for Cameron to get rid of Brown is a pathetic action.
Posted by: Ad | March 02, 2010 at 01:18 AM
Oh, Ad, you are a funny chap,
'Though sometimes you do post some absolute crap.
Your latest idea's just plain ol' weird.
To judge a man by the strength of his beard?
Just imagine the fix we'd be in,
We could end up with Prime Minister Flynn.
It appears that you favour renewed class war,
Prompted by Socialism's obvious glass jaw.
What difference does it make, where Cameron went to school?
Better an educated toff than a working class fool.
Here's the final nail in your story.
With a Hat-Tip to 'Working Class Tory'.
Since class war is all the rage now for Labour, I've compiled a list of (known) privately-educated Labour MPs. Some will be standing down, but those who aren't you should punish by voting for someone else - even if you support the Labour government, because that government seems to be saying David Cameron et al are unable to think for ordinary people, yet are quite at ease being in a party with a disproportionately high number of old public schoolboys themselves! Labour even have an old Etonian (Mark Fisher).
Here's the list:
•Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood)
•Hugh Bayley (City of York)
•Hilary Benn (Leeds Central)
•Bob Blizzard (Waveney)
•Chris Bryant (Rhondda)
•Stephen Byers (North Tyneside)
•Charles Clarke (Norwich South)
•Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley)
•Jim Cousins (Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central)
•Alistair Darling (Edinburgh South West)
•Quentin Davies (Grantham and Stamford)
•Louise Ellman (Liverpool Riverside)
•Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire)
•Mark Fisher (Stoke-on-Trent Central)
•Barry Gardiner (Brent North)
•Linda Gilroy (Plymouth Sutton)
•Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East)
•Peter Hain (Neath)
•Patrick Hall (Bedford and Kempston)
•Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East)
•Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham)
•John Healey (Wentworth)
•Margaret Hodge (Barking)
•Geoff Hoon (Ashfield)
•Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley)
•Tessa Jowell (Dulwich and West Norwood)
•Sally Keeble (Northampton North)
•Ruth Kelly (Bolton West)
•Jim Knight (South Dorset)
•Ivan Lewis (South Bury)
•Martin Linton (Battersea)
•Ian Lucas (Wrexham)
•Denis MacShane (Rotherham)
•Fiona Mactaggart (Slough)
•Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley)
•John Mann (Bassetlaw)
•Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West)
•Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South)
•Bob Marshall-Andrews (Medway)
•Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton)
•Chris Mole (Ipswich)
•Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)
•Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West)
•Nick Palmer (Broxtowe)
•Gordon Prentice (Pendle)
•James Purnell (Stalybridge and Hyde)
•Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and Woolwich)
•Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West)
•Andrew Slaughter (Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush)
•John Spellar (Warley)
•Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West)
•Howard Stoate (Dartford)
•Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East)
•Mark Todd (South Derbyshire)
•Kitty Ussher (Burnley)
•Keith Vaz (Leicester East)
•Malcolm Wicks (Croydon North)
•Michael Wills (Swindon North)
•Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central)
•Shaun Woodward (St Helens South)
Does anybody else notice the high frequency of past and present Cabinet members, as well as government ministers? I hope that isn't an admission that a private education makes one more able to do a job
Posted by: Jolly Roger | March 02, 2010 at 04:56 AM
Jolly
The following is a quote from PF'S book.
Jeremy Paxman asked Rhodri Morgan if he was standing for the Welsh leadership. The reply was 'Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?' He later added 'I also understand that the pope is indeed a catholic and that the arboreal dwelling creature of the family Ursidae are not known to be users of the flush toilet.'
Well done Jolly for being aware that the Labour party has indeed moved to the right!
Posted by: Patrick | March 02, 2010 at 08:20 AM
An argument could be made that the people of Wales have never agreed to a Welsh parliament. The turnout might have been higher if the referendum had been about that issue.
Regardless of any other issues, I strongly believe that candidates should have lived in the areas they represent for at least a few years. Bringing candidates in from outside (ie from affluent areas in the South East, usually, I suspect) restricts the range of life-experiences represented, whether that's in Parliament or the local county hall.
Posted by: DG | March 02, 2010 at 01:59 PM
The short list in Islwyn, DG includes three people from other areas in south Wales. I would always like to see a person from the constituency included in shortlists where a suitable person is available.
Posted by: Paul Flynn | March 02, 2010 at 07:20 PM
"I would always like to see a person from the constituency included in shortlists where a suitable person is available."
It depends if a union fatcat on a six figure salary has bought a safe seat, doesn't it? The local candidates can eff-off.
Posted by: Kay Tie | March 02, 2010 at 08:15 PM
I can comfirm that your rumours are completely baseless. The executive (Harriet Harperson) was trying to force a women only shortlist on to the Pontypridd Labour party. In the end, Dr Howells was able to block it, thank God. However, three women applied and three women were put forward to the shortlist. For some reason there were only five people put through to the shortlist when Islywn has seven. Possibly to keep it a majority women shortlist. Either way, Dr Howells was not involved in the process and did not intervene.
Owen Smith did live in the constituency for a few years and I think he would make a fine candidate. Paul, I think you should spend less time spreading rumours about fellow MPs, especially Dr Howells who you seem to have a personal vendetta against, and more time fighting to win votes.
Posted by: Jesse Ventura | March 04, 2010 at 01:16 AM
What rumours are baseless, Jesse Ventura? It's no secret that an all-women's shortlist was feared in Pontypridd for obvious reasons. My comments about Kim have been to his face in the Commons or on this blog. He sadly shares the responsibility for the loss of lives in Afghanistan and Lebanon. I remain critical of other minister, especially John Reid and Adam Ingram who led our troops into a futile Helmand campaign that is our worst military blunder since the Charge of the Light Brigade. Chapter and verse is in my new book.
Posted by: Paul Flynn | March 04, 2010 at 08:27 AM
Actually Jesse, he's spot-on correct.
Posted by: Ponty People | March 05, 2010 at 03:43 PM
"worst military blunder since the Charge of the Light Brigade."
Are you really claiming that the expulsion of the Taliban from Helmand with the loss of 200 men over several years is a worse military blunder than say, the first day of the Somme (60,000 men lost), or Market Garden Get things in perspective Paul. Don't pretend that all of your critisisms of Dr Howells have been to his face.
So, there's no smoke without fire. Is that your view Paul? I notice you didn't address my charge.
Um, how is Dr Howells responsible for deaths in Lebanon? I seem to remember him criticising Israel over the bombing on the news in fact.
Posted by: Jesse Ventura | March 07, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Yes, Jesse, the stupidest and most futile decision since the Crimean war. Government said it would last three years and hoped not a shot would be fired in Helmand. Result 264 ADDITIONAL British deaths, uncounted Afghans deaths and a bill of £10bn.
As a Foreign Office minister Kim said calling for a ceasefire in the Lebanon would be a meaningless gesture. Israel and the US agreed. The rest of the world disagreed. It was not meaningless for the children buried alive alive at Qana, the other 1,000 dead or the million people made homeless.
You have not answered my question on why the rumours were false. What question do you think I have not answered.
Posted by: Paul Flynn | March 08, 2010 at 08:14 AM
You have not given any evidence for the alleged stitch up in the Pontypridd shortlisting. Please tell me it isn't simply a distgruntled party member spreading yet more rumours about something they almost certainly weren't a part of. Tom, apparently gave a weak performance in his interview. He was not removed from the running in order to force Owen Smith on the electorate. Anyway, Smith has lived the majority of his life in the constituency and is a strong performer, why shouldn't he be on the list?
As for your assertion that the Helmand campaign is "the stupidest and most futile decision since the Crimean war." I don't know whether this is indicative of somebody completely unversed in British military history or of someone so blinded by hatred of the US and his own leaders that he is willing to convince himself of anything that would compound his hatred. Possibly both.
Dr Howells condemned the Israeli attack against Lebanese civilian targets. I think your real issue for you is the victimisation of all of Israel's enemies. I think you would condemn any attack by Israel on Hezbollah (Iran) or Hamas, regardless of civilian casualties. I'm no fan of Israel, but I fear people such as you fail to see both sides.
Posted by: Jesse Ventura | March 08, 2010 at 03:32 PM
Hi Paul, this blog post made it into the Pontypridd Observer this week, when a local Lib Dem school-leaver attempted to misrepresent your cynicism as arrogance!
'Jesse's' claim that Tom Griffin performed badly at his interview is nonsense. People like Tom, who are educated, articulate, with an independent mind and local appeal are rare in the Labour Party. Taking this and everything else into account Tom should have been on that shortlist - As Paul suggests, the reason Tom wasn't is because the Party hierarchy thought he could win and they've wanted to fix it so those in the local party who edge towards Oxbridgesque-type candidates voted for Owen Smith for some time.
'Jesse' wants evidence. Well, as local party insider at the time Owen stood for Peter Law's seat, I was told in no uncertain terms then that the local party hierarchy was disappointed he was standing as they had intended him for Dr Kim's seat.
Posted by: Cllr Jonathan Bishop LLM | March 12, 2010 at 08:17 PM
"Please tell me it isn't simply a distgruntled party member spreading yet more rumours about something they almost certainly weren't a part of."
Question answered.
Posted by: Jesse Ventura | March 14, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Thanks Cllr Bishop. The local Labour party in Islwyn selected a candidate with strong local connections. The gang of four anti-Assembly councillors are now a gang of three. It looks like a satisfactory outcome there.
Posted by: Paul Flynn | March 14, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Sounds to me like Labour ought to adopt open primaries.
Posted by: Kay Tie | March 14, 2010 at 12:41 PM
"The harder they hit Gordon Brown, the stronger he bounces back", well eventually he went.
Posted by: financial spread betting | July 08, 2010 at 08:39 AM