This man is a Hero!

For those that don't recognise him this man is Stuart H Evans, Independent Councillor for Blaenavon. Since May 2008 he has been leader of the opposition and has to be congratulated for his dignity and integrity in carrying out that position.



However the main thing he should be congratulated for is his refusal to accept a position on the cabinet, with an extra allowance of £13000 plus.

It may look like a liberal idea to offer a cabinet post to the leader of the opposition but it is one of the most divisive aspects of the constitution, giving the leader of the council effective control over the opposition leadership.

For the £13000 the opposition leader hold no portfolio and has no specific duties, it is basically just a perk, almost hush money. They just have to turn up to some of the cabinet meetings. They may have a say in theory but after a while they realise they have no effect on decisions so they say very little. Then, when it becomes time to challenge the decisions in the council, they do not, because, although they had little say, they feel they have been a part of a collective decision.

It worked for years with Margaret Pead, a conservative member who led the opposition, she said virtually nothing in Council, and offered no effective opposition.

Stuart refused to be put in this position. This decision will have cost him personally over £50,000 in the four years of this labour administration. This man is a hero, a man of principle, someone you can trust. We need more like him in power.