Labour & Independents Unite? - 02/03/08

Both Cllr Meryl Gravell, Leader of the Independent Group and Cllr Martin Morris, Leader of the Labour Group on the county Council have some explaining to do. According to a letter by P Richard Rosser in the Llanelli Star Labour and Indpendent have "a strong understanding to share power again in the local elections in May" . It appears as well that the two leaders have agreed that at least some candidates of the groups will not oppose each other. Rumours abound. It appears that Labour will not have a candidate against Independent Cllr Meryl Gravell.

One can understand different groups coming together to form a coalition AFTER an election if no group has overall majority, but to do so BEFORE an election is most unusual. Surely in the interest of true democracy the electorate should have as wide a choice as possible.

Does this mean that Labour and Independent candidates will have the same manifesto Labour has been dominant over the years in the valleys giving the electorate little democratic choice, (other than Plaid cymru) and no doubt they are preparing to do so in Carmarthenshire by denying the electorate an opportunity to have a choice. This has given paid to the myth that a so called independent candidate is independent; they are evidently not and no doubt the electorate will come to their own conclusions on this.

Over the last 4 years Plaid Cymru with only 16 members on the council has been an effective opposition and succeeded to change the mind of the administration on several occasion (Annedd / Carmarthen Town Centre / Payment of rates at Post Offices). The Party aims to bring back true democracy to Carmarthenshire County Council. Plaid Cymru will give the electorate a choice next May with an exciting progressive programme and we invite both Labour and Independent candidates who are uncomfortable at the democratic deficit in Carmarthenshire to look at our programme and consider joining us.