READERS: Badger finds himself in an unusual position today. Admittedly a position not quite as unusual as the one involving a snorkel, a small rubber chicken on a spring, and a set of bagpipes which made last weekend so entertaining; but a very odd position, nonetheless. There have been times (many times), readers over columns (many columns) in which Badger has suggested that if the combined integrity of certain members of the IPPG were converted into manure, the resultant odour would not manage to stink out a matchbox. Now, readers, integrity comes in many guises: Badger always had a soft spot for the late Rev Dr Ian Paisley. Badger eschewed the late Doctor’s anti-Catholicism and immoderate social views, but there is always something attractive about absolute certainty and fixity of purpose. You did not have to agree with anything Ian Paisley (Lord Bannside) did and said to know that there was a man totally sincere in his beliefs and possessed of the will and integrity to persuade others to follow him. And that sincerity led him to reach a conclusion to his political career that caused him to understand that there is, indeed, “a time for war, a time for peace”. Badger never thought that the day would come that in a certain black-hearted and bleak way he would ever say that in a Council vote, Brian Hall acted with integrity and consistency. Not least as the only thing that Councillor Hall (Pembroke Dock: Market) has in common with the late Ian Paisley is an inclination towards a certain shouty, puce-faced rage. Along with John Allen Mirehouse (Hundleton), whom Badger respectfully suggests needs a long run up and a following wind to catch up  with current events, Brian Hall was one of only two IPPG councillors to stand up for the position their group has maintained since time immemorial.

The third councillor to back Bryn, Owen James (Scleddau), who palpably dances to a tune only he can hear, is unaffiliated. Daphne “Brains” Bush; David Pugh, the grants guru: and John “Cwrnbetws” Davies, Stalin to Jamie’s Krushchev, abstained. Of course, readers, Daphne might have been confused in the no confidence vote by the two IPPG voters ahead of her in the alphabetical list being Adams (For) and Allen-Mirehouse (against) and just picked the middle option. The other two are, by and large, yesterday’s men. Badger wants you to be very clear about this readers: apart from this paper’s revelation about his conduct towards councillors and the content of East Williamston blogster Jacob Williams’ website, no new information has reached the public domain about Bryn’s conduct since the last time the !PPG rallied around him to save his skin. Moreover, The Herald had the guts to publish a story about Bryn’s behaviour by following up a story that was known in County Hall for some time before it hit our front page. In other words, readers, it is not Bryn’s faults and flaws that have caused the MPG to abandon him but public knowledge of the same. Think about it readers: what has changed to compel Jamie Adams to drop the !PPG’s pilot? What has come to the !PPG’s attention that has changed their minds about whether or not Bryn retains their confidence? Nothing. There was no moment on the Road to Damascus. No blinding light that led them to the paths of righteousness. The IPPG made the same sort of decision that any political party would make:

even a political party which is not a political party. Faced with the little boy shouting that their emperor had no clothes, the IPPG voted to try and save its own skin. Now readers, Brian Hall is not the Messiah. In fact, Brian is notorious for being a very naughty boy. But Brian, who has been close to Bryn Parry Jones for many years, did not abandon Bryn for reasons of expediency. Brian stood by his man. And for that, Badger can sort of respect Councillor Hall. Brian Hall is wrong but he showed more spine than the hordes of the IPPG who played follow-my-leader after Jamie’s tortuous and tortured address. Brian Hall is wrong but, compared to others in the IPPG, he had the courage to be unpopular. Reverend Huw George, the Minister of Mirth and Pancakes (please, readers, watch last Friday’s webcast for more on this Batter of Faith; you will not believe your very eyes and ears!), will be familiar with John 15:13. In Badger’s King James Version of the New Testament, the verse goes something like “Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

The !PPG’s conduct reminds Badger of a famous political quote. In 1962, Harold Macmillan, the Tory Prime Minister, sacked seven of his Cabinet in an attempt to bolster his administration’s rapidly declining popularity and enhance its electoral chances. Even the loyal Selwyn Lloyd, then Chancellor of the Exchequer was thrown to the wolves. The Liberal politician Jeremy Thorpe, freely adapted the biblical text for political purposes. He opined: “Greater love bath no man than this: that a man lay down his friends for his life.” And so it was with the IPPG and Bryn. Theologians have found inventive ways to re-interpret the Bible. Some of the Ten Commandments are apparently negotiable, although – as a non-believer – Badger would hesitate to say which. Perhaps the Maenclochog Mystic can tell Badger which of The Commandments are open to flexible interpretation. When he exhorts his congregation to follow the precepts of “the good book”. perhaps Huw likes to skip over John 15:13 as one of those more “problematic” passages. However Huw chooses to mangle his words and play with their sense. Badger has concluded that there is more likely to be honour among thieves than honour (or a sense of shame) within the IPPG. Apart from — and in a very
limited sense Brian. A man called Brian.