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Morgan warns on Blair wrangling Morgan warns on Blair wrangling
(1 day later)
Rhodri Morgan has warned Labour's Welsh delegates not to allow the Blair leadership issue to overshadow next year's assembly poll.Rhodri Morgan has warned Labour's Welsh delegates not to allow the Blair leadership issue to overshadow next year's assembly poll.
"Let's not give any reason for the people to penalise Labour for internal bickering," he told Labour's conference in Manchester."Let's not give any reason for the people to penalise Labour for internal bickering," he told Labour's conference in Manchester.
He warned party members that the electorate cannot be taken for granted.He warned party members that the electorate cannot be taken for granted.
"We must never presume on the patience and forbearance of the people out there who expect the best from us," he said."We must never presume on the patience and forbearance of the people out there who expect the best from us," he said.
"That's why it is so important we get our leadership transition done in a way which reflects credit on our party democracy and our maturity, as well as our determination as Labour politicians to put service to the people above personal ambition.""That's why it is so important we get our leadership transition done in a way which reflects credit on our party democracy and our maturity, as well as our determination as Labour politicians to put service to the people above personal ambition."
A few hours before the first minister took centre stage, he along with a room full of Welsh delegates warmly welcomed the prime minister to their first meeting in Manchester.A few hours before the first minister took centre stage, he along with a room full of Welsh delegates warmly welcomed the prime minister to their first meeting in Manchester.
Tony Blair said the party must focus on future policy, not personalityTony Blair said the party must focus on future policy, not personality
Tony Blair told the Welsh contingent that the party must focus on past achievements as well as future policy - not personality.Tony Blair told the Welsh contingent that the party must focus on past achievements as well as future policy - not personality.
Yet, the first minister is concerned that a leadership contest during the spring of 2007 will be a distraction, diverting the party's energy away from the Assembly election next May.Yet, the first minister is concerned that a leadership contest during the spring of 2007 will be a distraction, diverting the party's energy away from the Assembly election next May.
Early on in his speech, his words of warning were targeted at Labour MPs.Early on in his speech, his words of warning were targeted at Labour MPs.
"If we lose our popularity now through too much self indulgence, they've got three years to work on getting back into the voters favour. We've got barely six months.""If we lose our popularity now through too much self indulgence, they've got three years to work on getting back into the voters favour. We've got barely six months."
Real threatReal threat
With a streak of determination, the Welsh assembly leader declared that a coalition in Cardiff Bay is not an option.With a streak of determination, the Welsh assembly leader declared that a coalition in Cardiff Bay is not an option.
"Our aim is to continue as Labour - not Labour plus anyone else. Vote Labour and get Labour - that's the plan.""Our aim is to continue as Labour - not Labour plus anyone else. Vote Labour and get Labour - that's the plan."
He does, however, recognise that there is a real threat for Welsh Labour.He does, however, recognise that there is a real threat for Welsh Labour.
"The Tories are rising from beyond the grave and the other parties are preparing to provide an alternative," he said."The Tories are rising from beyond the grave and the other parties are preparing to provide an alternative," he said.
But, shrugging the threat away - he labelled any future 'rainbow coalition' in Wales as a "ragamuffin, ragbag and bobtail ramshackle coalition".But, shrugging the threat away - he labelled any future 'rainbow coalition' in Wales as a "ragamuffin, ragbag and bobtail ramshackle coalition".
Despite the colourful descriptions, this conference address did not mask a worried leader.Despite the colourful descriptions, this conference address did not mask a worried leader.
More than once, Mr Morgan pleaded for the help of delegates, MPs and the wider Labour movement to restore self-discipline to ensure that a coalition government is not returned to Cardiff Bay next May.More than once, Mr Morgan pleaded for the help of delegates, MPs and the wider Labour movement to restore self-discipline to ensure that a coalition government is not returned to Cardiff Bay next May.