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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 personality | Tony 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 threat | Real 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. |
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