(The following is a response from Cllr Cunnington to the news that The Independent Group - Torfaen is leaving the Torfaen Peoples Coalition. It is copied here with his permission.)
Following the election I was criticised by some of the newly elected councillors for not joining the Torfaen Peoples Coalition and was agressively jibed at for having the forsight to choose, in the interest of stability - to form a different strategically balanced coalition with some current Labour Councillors, another Independent Councillor and three Plaid Cymru members.
This has proved to be a stable situation where democracy is actually working following; the much needed re-working of the Labour Group, a “new listening man change of outlook” by the Leader, sound advice and sensible ideas from the Plaid Cymru members and some fresh ideas and experience from Peter Cathcart and myself.
For myself, I considered that following an initial pre-meeting of the TPC, it was clear that the main interest of the group was to “settle old scores”. It was also apparent that with so many people pulling in different directions that it was doomed from the start for disaster.
More importantly, I can confidently announce that - I am more convinced now than I was at the start that I made the right decision, since having heard first hand some of the ludicrous proposals that have been presented in the last ten months of council - and I firmly believe that had the Coalition been successful - Torfaen would have been wrecked and become a laughing stock as with some of the antics by its members.
Initially, this became apparent when, after Cllr Wildgust’s failure to campaign and organise an Historical Overturning Petion ( promising thousands and thousands of signatures by dissatisfied voters) and mass marches, (presumably bringing the streets to a standstill) - when after just two months as an Independent, he then decided to join the Peoples Voice party!. After several months, he then “left” the Peoples Voice Party and unsuprisingly has recently left the TPC as well - and is currently in the wilderness, I am not aware to date of any other party that he would be able to join, presumably after such memorable proposals like building a new Incineration Plant…baring in mind that after years of campaigning the good people of Torfaen have only just got rid of Rechem!
Since it was only a matter of time, as per my initial prediction; I now present the latest farce with the publication by Cllr Liz Haynes of the much awaited press statement, as follows:
“Statement from the Independent Group - Torfaen.
The Independent Group have reflected on their membership of Torfaen People’s Coalition.
On Monday 16th February 2009 at 6pm, at an Independent Group meeting, the decision was taken to withdraw from the Coalition.
In May 08, a Coalition was formed with the sole purpose of ousting the Labour Controlled Administration. Due to the decision of 5 newly elected members, this was not to be.
The Independent group are strong and focussed and we wish to step back from the Party politics that is currently evident in this Council.
As an Independent group, we will continue to work hard in our communities, whilst scrutinising the decisions within Council.
We are still opposition Councillors and even though not a Coalition, we will
continue to hold the Labour administration to account.”
It is apparent that the infighting within the TPC group has caused it to fall apart at the seams, yet still it persists in trying to blame the 5 councillors with any sense who didn’t join…with its failure by not being members ! - thereby acknowledging and confirming that the 5 councillors that they criticised initially have made the right decision. With statements like “scrutinising the decisions within the Council and holding the administration to account”, I would have to point out that thus far they can’t even hold themselves together let alone claim that they could run a council.
This alone confirms that a gung-ho approach, inexperience and personal ambition is ultimately rewarded with failure.
To date, as a result of lack of cohesion, direction and poor leadership, not one sensible proposal has been presented by the TPC, save for endless rhetorical questions and political diatribe in the council chamber much to the weary dismay of people in the public gallery…and councillors & officers. The subsequent current dissolution of the group will be a magor benefit to the people of Torfaen since presumably any remaining floating councillors with any forsight and sense will see fit to actively join in with business rather than theatrically voting against every proposal simply because they are in opposition.
Unfortunately, due to the initial lack of forsight and following a farcial 10 months where they have achieved absolutely nothing, manifest in the Coalition falling apart, it is difficult to to forsee any sensible councillor wanting to form an alliance with any of the former members of the TPC now posing as new Independent Councillors (Group?), since I am sure they would not want to be aligned with the same track record, or lack of it and its only a matter of time when the “new group” will fall apart when greed and ambition take root.
Thus far in council the TPC will only be rememberd for wasting ten months with continuous critisism, repeated pointless questions, monthly policy change proposals and taking up space.
Sadly, as a badly fragmented collection of groups with no direction or leadership even the largest formation of members as a sub-group will have little or no effectiveness since no one will take them seriously, given the nonsense thus far.
I can’t help saying - I told you this would happen….actually I did at the first meeting
Alastair Cunnington 19th February 2009
5 comments:
When Bob came to Blaenavon to do a TV piece at the leisure site recently - I didnt notice a 'new listening man' - quite the opposite in fact, he yelled insults at one member of the public and basically ran to his car.
I didnt in fact catch him listening at all in any of the meetings or dealings with him throughout the entire process.
It appears to me that this 'Listening man' has shouted his way through any opposition and refused to listen to anyone bar his officers.
Bob doesn't listen, he is too busy telling people how it should be and he cannot really cope with anyone who thinks for himself or does not agree with him. He is wedded to the party system and the way that is/was serving him so well that he really cannot understand how anyone can expect to be listened to if they do not belong to a party.
Tradition in Torfaen has been to have a leader for life, once "elected" he has enourmous power, he surrounds himself with yes men and the system will ensure that anyone who questions or challenges that leadership will be condemmed to some political backwater. This is not democracy. We had this with Brian Smith and we now have it with Bob Wellington. The labour members know this is true but they are doing very well thank you.
I think this man as tried very hard to cover his own actions.
I am sure the people who voted for him will make their own judgment in three years.
As for some of his comments; I find them offensive, to say that it is a stable council that has a leader that listens to the people is ludicrous. The latest example is the switching off of the lighting, 65% of people were against it, but it will still happen says his comrade, Cunningham. Call that democracy. why as? if you ignore.
And as for voting in the chamber, we have always said, that we will vote for the benifit of the people of Torfaen and will continue to do so whatever party or group has a motion.
The issue of the pool in Blaenavon moves to a different level now, information coming out says that prior to the damage to the pool the 'inner circle' had already decided that Fairwater School would close over the next three years. Interesting is it not. Duplicitous, yes it is.
Well done councillors we appreciate the work you sre doing for us.
Ian Williams
Peoples Voice
Dear Councillor Cunnington
Apart from supporting the labour regime, and being paid a lot of money for a few hours work chairing the odd meeting what have you done, or intend to do, to improve democracy in Torfaen? You and your classmates are in a unique position to alter things, and the promise implied was that you would. However one year has gone by and you have done nothing for the thousands of people throghout Torfaen who voted for independents and change that you (5) now, by accepting the balance of power, have a duty to represent.
Your reason for supporting labour, ensuring a stable government in Torfaen, will be seen as only an excuse for grabbing power if you don't do something positive soon.
What is your opinion of the other 4
of the famous five? Am I right in saying none of them now have paid employment other than the council? If so then Bob has truly bought their votes, they cannot afford to not do as they are told, for fear of losing thousands of pounds a year. Please explain to me how this cannot be true?
For Cllr Cunnington to use the excuse that "he wanted to ensure that Torfaen had stable governance" is absolute ...nonsense.
What they could have done, or, should have done, is rather than walking out of the first meeting of the - now defunct - coalition. They could have actually used the unique position they had, to ensure the representation of all groups including labour.
Remember we have Officers who provide the day to day running of this council. And the ideas.
His argument takes another tumble when a councillor who can neither read or write above KS1 was appointed chair of a committee.
I am not being 'personal' in this because I expect someone who represents me to be able to understand the complex issues they deal with.
What we also have to remember, is that many of our labour councillors have no other source of income. Hence...Wellington's tirade about some councillors being "worse off" tells you something does it not?
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