A rebel Labour councillor who quit the party in a row about the shortlist for the Islwyn seat has rejoined the party.
Ynysddu’s Jan Jones was one of four councillors who resigned from the Labour Party angry that no-one local from the Islwyn Labour Party had been selected to stand to replace outgoing MP Don Touhig.
She was joined by Jonathan Wilson, Phyllis Griffiths and Dave Rees. Cllr Rees has said he will stand in the upcoming general election as an Independent candidate.
Cllr Jones has returned to the party fearful that a split in the Labour vote could cost the party the seat.
She told the South Wales Argus: “I had big concerns, but when all is said and done, you’ve got to look at the wider picture – there’s an election coming.
“The position is we have seven very capable candidates and I will put my trust in the local Islwyn Constituency Party to choose a candidate.”
Caerphilly council’s Labour leader Harry Andrews said he was “delighted to welcome Jan back into the fold”.
Cllr Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “I said previously that the Labour Party in Islwyn was in disarray and this latest episode just highlights what a shambles the party is in.
“People will no doubt want to carefully consider whether they can support any candidates from a party involved in such an internal political war.
“The public can be assured that we in Plaid will ensure that Caerphilly County Borough Council will continue to run services as normal whatever the splits in Labour locally.”
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Councillors princilpes fly out of the window.
Cllr Jan Jones told the public in a blaze of publicity, glory and defiance, that she was resigning from the Labour party as it was in conflict with her principles.
It is so sad to witness how shallow these principles were and how they were cast aside within a week of her scathing attack on her beloved Labour party and its leaders. I wonder if she has now written to Mr Brown to ask forgiveness and get her letter of condemnation and resignation withdrwn.
Cllr Allan Pritchard
Oakdale