Professor: Tories on UKIP’s turf
The Conservative Party have now occupied what was previously UKIP’s political turf, according to a Professor of Welsh Politics at Cardiff University.
In his column in this month’s Barn magazine, Richard Wyn Jones says that the majority if not all of UKIP’s candidates in Wales could lose their deposits on 8 June.
He says that the Conservative’s decision to talk about issues concerning workers’ rights has been the “final nail in UKIP’s coffin”.
Voter appeal
“I’m sure this will (privately) give the market-worshippers who have dominated [the Conservative party] since the days of Margaret Thatcher chills,” he says.
“But the evidence collected by my co-workers and myself (amongst others) suggests that it will also appeal to many of UKIP’s former supporters.
“These voters are considerably poorer and more left wing (on some measures) than the Conservative’s traditional voters.”
He notes that after swallowing the Liberal Democrats in 2015, the Conservatives are now planning the same fate for UKIP.
The June issue of Barn is now available and costs £3.99.
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Interesting article, although I have never read Barn. I guess I wouldn’t as whether I have read this or the hockey magazine of the same name, they both appear rather exclusive. Whether I have played hockey or speak Cymraeg there are thousands who do not or are not privileged to do so. During the local elections last month I heard statements by English and Cymrieg experts about who was leading, who was doing well and those who were doing not so good. Some of these statements were well before the full results were anywhere near being announced and I guess… Read more »
Plaid did very well by the standards of a normal elections… but we’re in the face of the greatest political turmoil for generations. The Labour Party looks to be going nowhere, Brexit, Scottish Independence… its all on the go. Yet as much as Plaid made gains people in Wales turned towards Independents as an alternative to Labour to a greater majority. Not to slam Plaid again here but they have shown no inclination towards ensuring our history is taught to our people… in fact in their manifesto they specify they defend our identity then make no further mention of it.… Read more »
I agree, there are issues that Plaid need to be very clear about, obviously and without question language, history, cultural policies etc., should be at the fore like everything else, if not then they still need to be more specific. Plaid and its move south has caused a few to become wary and suspicious, just like it was from a south perspective when in the north. I feel they are appealing to more and strategically the March is a hard campaign. I, though not a member of Plaid, am pleased at their progress so far as the only ‘party’ there… Read more »
From an English speaking Cymraes a refreshing article to read, i would vote for an ” Annibyniaeth Cymraeg” yfory! but welcome the setting up of Nation.Cymru to give a voice to those options and discussions that are so woefully missing in the Welsh/british media diolch o galon.
Just to add it is Dafydd ap Gwilyms comment i found refreshing! oops….
I like that ‘refreshing’, because I always wonder if my comments, lengthy at times, are more sedative than anything else?! Diolch yn fawr iawn Christine!
Whatever language we speak we should all be all inclusive with our fellow countrypeople. Not scared of or rude with eachother and be prepared to teach eachother our language amongst everything else about us as a nation.
As I said before thank you very much!
Dafydd
There are many many people we could get on side you class them selves as “non-nationalists”……………they’re loss from the road to community empowerment is sorely lacking in Wales……….localism and internationalism can work side by side………….too much globalism is allowing injustice by the corporations on the avg person
Croeso! I agree the teaching of The history of Wales is woeful! i know very little of my own history, even though i work in the heritage sector, specifically for a tiny charity set up to protect some of our Nonconformist heritage. Plaids lack of influence in this area is a worry for me, so hopefully, if they are reading these articles!