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Until now I had always been a fan of Helen Mary Jones. But now she seems to wish to possibly destroy her party for the sort of narrow minded politics that Labour have been spouting. I can't understand that!

Modern Welsh politics is about negotiation and sharing of power. The rainbow coalition offers much more to Plaid than a junior position in a Labour coalition would. The manifestos are more closely aligned across the three than with Labour.

And if looking to the future, Plaid in Government with Labour is sure to lose votes to a Conservative opposition at the next election and possibly write themselves out of contention for even a coalition place, while Plaid as the leader of a coalition has a chance to increase share by demonstrating good solid leadership.

Helen Mary was a cert for the cabinet. But now, having so strongly objected to the coalition, can Ieuan Wyn possibly give her a seat on a cabinet that she doesn't want to exist? I'm sorry Helen Mary, but this time (possibly for the first time in my mind) you've got it wrong in a big way.

Of course, I should also have added, that if the gang of four succeed in persuading Plaid members to pull the plug on the Rainbow then it would look like another election is looming. What then for the Plaid vote? The party that pulled out of two possible coalitions and destroyed any chance of a stable government wouldn't rate as highly as one that tried to form something that had been elected by a majority of the electorate.

But there are many Tories who like the Welsh Language. And there are many Plaid people who support the fox-hunting farmers. The job's a good 'un - you'll see the principles being abandoned as the sniff of power enters their noses.

Remember people like John Reid, Gus McDonald, Peter Hain, Clare Short and Gordon Brown had principles once. But they ain't worth a thing if it don't give them that swing. And once the votes to get them into cabinet come their way they'll do anything to keep it.

This isn't about faith, hope and charity - this is the grubby world of politics. If your ambition is to make the world a better place, politics sure isn't the place for you. Watch and see as this turns into a bad episode of the Apprentice and the back-biting begins.

Three questions:

1) If Plaid's membership vote down the Rainbow and another election ensues, what would happen to Labour's vote?

2) If Plaid's membership vote for the Rainbow but HMJ and Leanne refuse to do their Zippy and Bungle act, will they be able to get a FM vote passed in favour of Ieuan Wyn Jones?

3) David Melding wore a monocle as a teenager. Which other Assembly Members have been associated with anachronistic optical equipment?

Is Helen Mary Jones turning into the Claire Short of Plaid? Will she be convinced to serve in a Plaid led administration to 'keep it real' to the plaid grassroots..?

With the chances of Plaid and the Tories working together high, what now for the relationship between the Welsh Tories and the English Tories? Will we see a similar relationship between the two as the one between the CSU (Barvaria) and the CDU in Germany? One where the two occupy the same ground but where the two clearly differ? Then again, Nick Borne is no Edmund Stoiber..I guess the point here is that the relationship between the two Tory parties will be an interesting one..!

How about the National Government? Oh, nevermind, the name's already been used. And the Tories might not like the name being applied to Wales.

Betsan - I know this is my third post to this but it is another one that I feel is important. I am confused by the lack of coverage by the UK (mostly London) newspaper coverage over what is happening in Wales. Obviously, these media outlets don't think it worth covering, so much for 'one nation' politics! If they have covered it then I've not found it online. It seems more like 'their nation'. I wonder whether this will change the circulation numbers of the national Wales based newspapers? Probably not..

And Ms Jones alternative is what?

A deal with Labour - how many people in Llanelli voted for her because she was not Labour. Any deal she may wish to have with Labour would be just as electorally damaging - vote Plaid get Labour.

THe conservative years of the 80's and 90's were 20-10 years ago. In the last ten years we have watched Rhodri "call centre" Morgan make no improvement. The NHS is overstretched, manufactuirng jobs going and service jobs drying up. Desperate times require desperate measures. Time to face the reality that faces us all.

Well done the strong minded women!!! At last someone has considered how the electorate may perceive this idea!!! It would appear that some are being blinded by the prospect of power rather than thinking about those who put them in possible power in the first place.

I wonder if some in Plaid are beginning to regret women only shortlists!!

Still don't seem to be reporting that they did this deal some time ago and that none of them ever had any intention of supporting Labour. Their antipathy towards Labour and its supporters and leadership is the one thing that unites them, other than a mostly centre-right membership.

The Rainbow is far too benign a concept. Suggestions:

The Coalition of the Chilling?

The Junta?

The Corrupt Collusion?

Betsan, one thing I am not aware of is the number of female AMs which Labour and the Lib Dems have.

If this indecision continues, I can see Trish Law banging some saucepans to get everyone's attention, and then saying to all the women to drop their party badges and govern as a 'Coalition of the Willing Women'.

Be warned, Rhodri and Ieuan - 'girl power' may be about to trounce your 'First Minister' ambitions for good !!

I totally agree with post no. 7 by Alistair about the sheer lack of coverage given to this unprecedented coalition across the UK media. What makes my blood boil though is the obsession the media had with the Scottish Election and still do. Yet history is being made in Wales and the Guardian, Times and Mail (all bought from Welsh shops) didn't even have a paragraph on this. And to rub salt in our wounds, most nationals brand to a Scottish audience such as the 'Scottish Sun' and the 'Scottish Daily Mail' - now we wonder why half the electorate doesn't have a clue who our First Minister is.

Isn't it about time HMJ acknowledged Plaid is a broad church with many supporters in the North and West not considering themselves a shadow Labour party. Keep our principles yes but at the same time we must not lose sight of the fact that it is Wales that matters. Surely with a majority non tory vote in the coalition of 9 or 8 if you exclude the PO then sweeping cuts in services will not transpire. I am not a Tory supporter but I have a lot of respect for David Melding, Glyn Davies (not now there I know) and the newly elected Paul Davies.

Let's get the historical chip off our shoulders !!

My overriding concern is this. If this coalition comes to fruition what will be the role of our man in Westminster be. Will he employ delaying tactics or possibly an out and out negative response to the promised radical policies promised by PC and LD ?

There's a few stories in the Guardian about the Irish elections.

They don't say it, but they are all English papers. I wish they would be honest and stop pretending to be "British".

Three of the four are list AM's , HMJ has a track record of ousting IWJ so leadership of Plaid whilst forcing another election is just up her street..

I wonder what are the rules for list AM's, can they defect to another grouping and retain their seats ?

The Urban Rookie Collective ?

The Not-So-Solid Crew ?