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The sharp-eyed may have noted a slight change to the masthead of this blog a couple of days ago. And given some of the speculation I've been reading and hearing, here's the explanation from the horse's mouth as it were.
Sometimes in life, I find that a particular song, book, or phrase sums up a point which I've reached, and I was listening to the radio as I was driving along the other day when they played "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers. The chorus runs:
You've got to know when to hold
Know when to fold
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
I've never been much of a gambler, but "knowing when to fold" is a skill which applies in a lot of other fields as well. It isn't easy though. When you've invested years of your life in a project - to say nothing of effort and money - there is a natural tendency to want to see things through. There's something of an emotional investment involved as well.
"Knowing when to fold" doesn't just apply to the forthcoming Assembly election, of course, but my attention has focussed very closely on that over the last couple of weeks. I've given it a great deal of thought personally. I've listened to the comments of a number of members as well. Their analysis is varied; some I agree with, some I do not - but the detail of that is a story for another day.
With all things, there comes a time to let go and move on, and the view that I should do so was sufficiently strong for me to heed the advice. The suggestion made in a comment on Vaughan's blog today that I will not be putting my name forward for the nomination in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire is entirely correct, although some of the other comments are well wide of the mark. It would have been nice though if the commenter concerned had allowed me to make my own statement in my own way. Plus ça change...
Plaid Cymru is fortunate in having plenty of other options available locally. That is something which was not the case back in 2004 when I was originally pressed to stand. I have encouraged Nerys Evans to apply, and I am confident that she will win the nomination if she does so. I wish her well, and hope that she achieves the success which she deserves.
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8 comments:
John, as many will know I'm often critical of Plaid Cymru - but I confess I'm saddened to hear that you have decided to 'fold'.
Plaid Cymru have, in my opinion, lost their way - you are one of their most thoughtful and intelligent advocates and they can poor afford to lose you.
I agree with druid, you are one of the gems Plaid has
you would be such an addition to the Assembly
Think hard on this
Come off it. Which seat are Plaid most likely to win - the list seat or the constituency? So Nerys gets the hard work and the high risk, and you walk into the easier win? And present it as a magnanimous gesture?
Cynical.
Druid and VM,
Thank you for the kind comments. Not everyone thinks the same way, though...
Anon,
Ouch. But badly off target.
"Come off it. Which seat are Plaid most likely to win - the list seat or the constituency? So Nerys gets the hard work and the high risk, and you walk into the easier win? And present it as a magnanimous gesture?
Cynical."
I don't think that Carms West & SP is anything like a given for Plaid. The conservatives' win last month must surely buoy them. But there are too many other factors afoot in the regional contest to consider it the "easier seat".
If genuine and sincere people have told you to consider your position then they are the people who should be listened to.
I take it however that the "folding" in this context doesn't mean we have to bury you. You are still going to be with us, yes?
I would add my voice to those calling on you to think again, you would be an excellent AM and I think your hard work is understood and appreciated (by my Dad if no one else :-) ).
Anon 2,
1. I think you've misread Anon 1's comment. I think that (s)he was suggesting that the list seat is more winnable than the constituency, and that I was seeking an easier route in via the list.
2. "Genuine and sincere" is a mighty big caveat, particularly when applied to politicians. There are those to whom I would never apply either adjective.
3. Folding is not the same as walking away; although it's not unknown for one to follow the other at some point.
Cibwr,
Thank you for your comments (and those of your Dad!). But I really had given it an awful lot of thought before coming to my decision. I'm immodest enough to agree that I could be a good AM, but Nerys already is an excellent AM.
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