Double standards in Wales
Posted on August 8, 2010Ah, the Conservative Future elections – always time for fun, games and embarrassment.
What with the Conservative Party in power for the first time in 13 years and a major programme of essential public spending cuts underway, you might have thought that CF candidates would be competing to show their support for the more radically conservative decisions their party is taking, or even urging them to go further.
Not in Wales, it seems. Take Zahid Raja, for example, who is running to be the Chairman of Welsh CF.
Leaving aside his enthusiastic involvement as an officer of the hyper-politically correct, hyper-socialist National Union of Students, Zahid appears to be strangely enthusiastic about increasing public spending, not cutting it – at least where his own personal interests are concerned.
While the Government implements massive spending cuts, would it look good for CF Wales to be lead by someone who, as a trainee doctor, campaigns for his own profession to be paid even more taxpayers’ money? Or who helps to run protests calling his own University “dicks” when they cut back?
The vast majority of young Tories whom I’ve met recognise the urgent need for public spending cuts. It would be bizarre for them to be led by someone who refuses to accept that the cuts might have to affect him once in while, rather than just everyone else.
Such a person would be a liability, giving credence to the Left’s criticism that Conservatives cut spending on others whilst protecting themselves.
The test of someone’s principles comes when they accept that they might have to take a bit of pain in order to do the right thing. That’s not a test Zahid Raja looks set to pass.
Tags: Coalition, Conservative Future, Conservatives, Elections, NUS, public spending, TaxPayers' Alliance, University, Wales, Zahid Raja
Categories: Politics, Public spending
I seem to remember Zahid speaking in defence of the BMA, against the TPA who would see the NHS cut. I wonder if this article as something to do with that?
11.08.2010 14:15
Seeing as I link in the article to that exact comment, it’s hardly a secret, SW!
11.08.2010 17:59
So, who are you exactly? You dont seem to be very important, why are you feeling the need to comment on the situation? If, as you seem to feel, you are important, havent you anything a bit more important to occupy your time with?
Anyway, must go, I havent time to play on the internet all day and write gossip columns!
11.08.2010 14:29
“… led by someone who refuses to accept that the cuts might have to affect him once in while, rather than just everyone else.”
Hasn’t a smattering of self-interest always been the hallmark of politicians? Regardless of party affiliation? As you say, it’s a viewpoint thats open to attack by “the Left” – and I’m certain that there are a few who will take ruthless advantage of that point
11.08.2010 14:31
This is not exactly a surprise that Ben Howlett’s man in Wales holds these anti-Conservative views.
11.08.2010 14:48
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Wallace, CJ Andrews. CJ Andrews said: RT @wallaceme: Crash Bang Wallace: Is this really how young Welsh tories want to be led? http://bit.ly/a8yeDt (@torydoc) [...]
11.08.2010 15:59
I must say, I’m going to have to dispute your argument sir. I don’t think this Mr Raja is interested in furthering his own career by encouraging public spending on the NHS, surely that’s just ‘More money for Doctors’? Something we can always agree on. Yes his degree is in medicine, but clearly his career is politics.
11.08.2010 17:59
Thank you… someone else who sees the hypocrisy in most things he says and does…
11.08.2010 18:59
I love this new blog. Your doing a good job Wallace! ignore the haters!
13.08.2010 18:27
[...] second reason I would urge any CF-ers out there to back Grant is the worrying alternative. Back in August I wrote about Zahid Raja, who is also standing in Wales. Consider the prospect of having a Welsh CF Chair who has already [...]
19.09.2010 15:34