Throughout this year’s general election campaign, the tactics of Peter Hain have been vote Labour to keep the Tories out. As it worked? Different politicians will say different things. Both Wales and Scotland kept faith with Labour while England voted for the Tories; Wales was so close in having another Tory Government even though we never voted for it in large numbers.
Lets look at Mr Hain’s tactics, it seem to have worked in Ynys Mon, Llanelli, Blaenau Gwent, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham (all saw a Tory rise and perhaps those might have gone to both Liberal and Plaid candidates). Where Plaid and the Liberals failed to win. The tactic failed in Cardiff North, Vale of Glamorgan and Aberconwy where people voted for a Tory win.Another factor was the leaders debate and the Nick Clegg factor helped in Ceredigion but failed in Montgomeryshire (down to the defending MP than party policy). This might be a simplistic view, as I earlier said the Tories will win the most seats but it will be Labour who will form the next government with the Liberals and deals with SNP and Plaid.