tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post1146837603393478895..comments2024-03-26T09:38:39.888+00:00Comments on Borthlas: Closed cabinetsJohn Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-52862028772842845542009-04-08T13:31:00.000+01:002009-04-08T13:31:00.000+01:00It's not so much the concession that was the probl...It's not so much the concession that was the problem. It was the presentation of the concession. It would have been very easy to make cases such as:<BR/>1) Neutralize the concession: the lesser of two evils argument. The current funding position of Welsh Universities is unsustainable. Doing nothing will only drag Lampeter under (and in the event of a merger, take Trinity with it), whilst leaving Wales's academically strongest university, Cardiff, under-funded against its international competitors. (This can be later localized to attack Lib Dems in seats with universities in them.)<BR/>2) Use it to make a case: blame assignation. Observe the Byzantine way in which the WAG gets its revenue and its susceptibility to fiddling by Whitehall. Attack Gordon Brown and Alastair Darling for stealing Welsh money to cover up their own incompetence and cowardice (and if feeling particularly mischievous, invite the Welsh Labour Party to join in this condemnation). Use all this as an argument for fuller powers.<BR/><BR/>Yes, such presentation bears little relation to done-deal cabinet meetings (either in terms of being influenced by them or in terms of influencing them). Of course this was a horrible concession, but there's no need to dwell on that aspect: it should have been turned into an opportunity.James Dowdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11058389162481491681noreply@blogger.com