Dropping in on Islwyn?

We hear that Labour activists in Islwyn are scanning the skies for parachutists following the news that MP Don Touhig will not be standing in this year’s general election.

In the past, later than expected announcements of this sort usually signalled a rapid selection process which saw the expeditious installation of a bright young researcher or somebody’s assistant into the frame. Blaenau Gwent changed all that, of course, but old habits are known to die long and lingering deaths at Transport House.

There will undoubtedly be a few looking for prior indications that an accommodation has been reached to enable a latecomer to sneak in under the wire. But, as one cynic at the Ebbw Vale WM observed last night, the only sure indicator will be how speedily Lord Touhig of Oakdale is installed. Another possibility discussed was that Don had been persuaded to hold on to his resignation letter until Alun Davies was committed elsewhere. Bitchy or what?
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(PLR)