What are the chances......?

Going now, on eBay, several signed copies of the above Welsh Assembly first day cover signed by Lord Kinnock, not in previous incarnations known as a great campaigner for the institution.

Next week on eBay a Queen's Golden Jubilee cover signed by Paul Flynn MP, a copy of Chris Mullin's diaries signed by Cheryl Gillan, and two DVDs signed by the Home Secretary....

"Fly Bluebirds, Fly"

I interviewed Neil Kinnock today on the big issue of the week: Cardiff City's visit to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final.

His prediction? A 3-1 win for Dave Jones's team.

His message? "Fly Bluebirds, Fly".

The former Labour leader, his tickets having safely arrived this morning, politely deflected my killer question. No, he hasn't got a spare ticket.

Beached

What is it with Neil Kinnock and beaches on the south coast of England?

It's many years since the former Labour leader memorably stumbled into the surf on Brighton beach. Today comes news of an intriguing clash with semi-naked protesters on Bournemouth's seafront.

The protesters were highlighting the Government's refusal to offer them full compensation for pensions they lost when their companies went bust.

Lord Kinnock arrived on the scene and was greeted by protester John Benson who called him
a "bloody traitor", a "bloody disgrace" and told him to "bugger off".

The former Labour leader said he had come to the protest to find the "guy who has been telling lies about me".

Despite the hostile reception Lord Kinnock sympathised with the protesters:

"They're very decent people and they're making a point... They've got a case they've been dreadfully let down by the system. The government has sought to provide some support and is
following it through still."

He may be pleased to learn that I think next year's Labour conference is in Manchester, which doesn't have a beach.

A peer at the opera

I've wasted hours of my life standing in an oak-panelled committee corridor trying to find out what Welsh Labour MPs get up to behind closed doors.

Now Paul Flynn has succeeded where I failed and lifted the lid on the "acrid with bitterness and ginger resentment" atmosphere at this week's meeting of the Welsh PLP.

http://paulflynnmp.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/07/acrid-with-bitt.html

The Newport West MP accuses Lord Kinnock of "an operatic rant" against the coalition deal with Plaid Cymru and suggests peers such as the former Labour leader may not even be eligible to speak at the group's meetings.

Whatever the result of today's special conference in Cardiff, the divisions in Welsh Labour opened up by the deal with Plaid are unlikely to heal overnight.