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Morgan predicts end to New Labour | Morgan predicts end to New Labour |
(about 1 hour later) | |
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has predicted the end of New Labour in a speech in Swansea. | First Minister Rhodri Morgan has predicted the end of New Labour in a speech in Swansea. |
He praised New Labour as the most successful electoral project in Labour's history but warned it was now showing its age. | He praised New Labour as the most successful electoral project in Labour's history but warned it was now showing its age. |
The comments indicated Mr Morgan believes New Labour may cease to exist once Tony Blair leaves office. | The comments indicated Mr Morgan believes New Labour may cease to exist once Tony Blair leaves office. |
Mr Morgan also called for "21st Century socialism" to reconnect the party with voters. | Mr Morgan also called for "21st Century socialism" to reconnect the party with voters. |
In the speech, at the city's Brangwyn Hall, Mr Morgan said New Labour was a product of its time, 1994 to 2007 - Tony Blair's time as Labour leader. | In the speech, at the city's Brangwyn Hall, Mr Morgan said New Labour was a product of its time, 1994 to 2007 - Tony Blair's time as Labour leader. |
New Labour strikes me a little bit like the Venus de Milo Rhodri Morgan | New Labour strikes me a little bit like the Venus de Milo Rhodri Morgan |
He said: "New Labour has been, by some distance, the most successful electoral project in the history of the party. | He said: "New Labour has been, by some distance, the most successful electoral project in the history of the party. |
"It has reached parts that other Labour programmes and projects and political leaders have not been able to reach, at least never on a sustained basis. | "It has reached parts that other Labour programmes and projects and political leaders have not been able to reach, at least never on a sustained basis. |
"But like any project, it was the product of its own time - 1994 to 2007 - that's the period, and the particular circumstances that caused it to come into being. | "But like any project, it was the product of its own time - 1994 to 2007 - that's the period, and the particular circumstances that caused it to come into being. |
"Time moves on and circumstances change. So today, New Labour strikes me a little bit like the Venus de Milo - you have to gawp with admiration at its quality and brilliance, but it is indisputably incomplete and beginning to show more than a few signs of its age." | "Time moves on and circumstances change. So today, New Labour strikes me a little bit like the Venus de Milo - you have to gawp with admiration at its quality and brilliance, but it is indisputably incomplete and beginning to show more than a few signs of its age." |
The speech comes six months before May's Welsh assembly elections. | The speech comes six months before May's Welsh assembly elections. |
Mr Morgan also insisted the assembly government is showing a new willingness to use 21st century technology, such as the internet and mobile phones to ensure people are "at the heart of decision-making". | Mr Morgan also insisted the assembly government is showing a new willingness to use 21st century technology, such as the internet and mobile phones to ensure people are "at the heart of decision-making". |
'Anti-Labour sentiment' | 'Anti-Labour sentiment' |
Nick Bourne, leader of the assembly Conservatives, said: "Rhodri Morgan is trying to sail on clear red water in a rapidly-sinking Labour ship. | Nick Bourne, leader of the assembly Conservatives, said: "Rhodri Morgan is trying to sail on clear red water in a rapidly-sinking Labour ship. |
"He knows that it doesn't matter whether it's New Labour, Old Labour, or any other form of Labour - his party faces being submerged in a tide of anti-Labour sentiment next May." | "He knows that it doesn't matter whether it's New Labour, Old Labour, or any other form of Labour - his party faces being submerged in a tide of anti-Labour sentiment next May." |
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson added: "How can Rhodri Morgan say that New Labour's time is up when he is a cheerleader for one of the creators of New Labour - Gordon Brown? | A Plaid Cymru spokesperson added: "How can Rhodri Morgan say that New Labour's time is up when he is a cheerleader for one of the creators of New Labour - Gordon Brown? |
"To claim New Labour is dead is as believable as a Labour election promise." | "To claim New Labour is dead is as believable as a Labour election promise." |
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Mike German said: "Rhodri Morgan's latest action in project 'cling to power' is a clear attempt to distance himself from the Labour Party and the Blair legacy. | |
"We have seen this tactic before. In Blaenau Gwent, Labour's candidates couldn't run far enough or fast enough away from London Labour policies." |