Aberconwy Tories Knifing Guto in the Back?

My nearest neighbour in the blogosphere is Oscar, a Conservative supporting blogger, but not a party hack. When he thinks it is right to do so Oscar isn't averse to giving Tories who he doesn't think are up to scratch a kick up the rear.

The latest Tory to be awarded an Oscar is Aberconwy PPC Guto Bebb:

Where has Gutto Bebb been of late?

He has appeared looking at the rubbish some where in the junction, hardly Westminster stuff though is it?

If the Conservatives have any chance of capturing this seat, Gutto needs to get off his ****, and get about, get to know his patch and the people in the area.

It is getting to look more and more like a lost cause here in Conwy/ Aberconwy, which is a shame, this seat is theirs for the taking, but each day and week is lost as there appears to be no active interest and involvement in the area they wish to capture at the next election.

Personally I think that Oscars' post is a bit harsh. Guto's profile is very high in the Welsh language media. It is so high that one might even think that Guto is the only Welsh speaking Tory in the World.

The profile problem seems to be one that is of the party's making rather than the candidate's. When journalists approach the party for a quote or an interview they only suggest Guto when the journalist wants a response in the language of Heaven. Because Guto has had his tuppence worth of media attention in Welsh, he is never, ever considered for promotion of the party by speaking English.

Whilst canvasing in the 2003 Assembly election a former Conservative voter told me that she would never vote for Guto, because he is a Welsh Nationalist in Tory drag. A fair point.

To many in Aberconwy and other parts of Wales, the Conservative party is perceived to be the anti Welsh party. A party that is the opponent of all things Welsh, a perception that many members and supporters of the party adhere to.

I suspect that the reason why some Conservative supporters in Aberconwy are sticking the knife in and suggesting that Gutto should consider his position as the PPC, and perhaps move aside for a more pro active candidate, is because Guto's profile is just too Welsh for comfort in a basically anti-Welsh party.