In his regular blog for Caerphilly Observer, Caerphilly Council leader Lindsay Whittle gives his take on recent news.
General Election
Pounding the streets is tough enough when you’re fit and healthy but is, frankly, a lot harder when things don’t go to plan.
I fell down the stone steps in my garden over the weekend, severely twisting my ankle which became very swollen very quickly.
I had to take a trip to the casualty department in Caerphilly Miners’ Hospital and the treatment was excellent. It would do top politicians a power of good to spend time there to witness first hand the magnificent work of our National Health staff and local volunteers. It’s also good to know the ankle is not broken but, as they say, the show must go on and I’m still getting out and about talking to people – even though I can now hobble for Wales.
Politics can sometimes be a dirty business and it seems the 2010 election campaign is no different. Throughout the constituency Plaid posters mounted on posts in supporters’ gardens have disappeared. My own agent John Taylor had his stake taken in broad daylight while two were even uprooted and thrown on a resident’s roof.
There seems likely to be two possible theories – the local yobs living throughout the constituency think it is an amusing game worth playing. The other alternative is that political opponents, clearly worried about our campaign, are trying to do their best to sabotage it. Well, if that’s the case it won’t work. I’ll leave it to Observer readers to judge for themselves which is the most likely scenario.
I hope, of course, electors will support me when they go to the polls this Thursday because it is only Plaid that will always fight Wales’ corner. But most of all I want people go out to vote and give their verdict on 13 years of New Labour Government.
Councillors’ Allowances
In these difficult economic times it would have been wrong if the 73 members of Caerphilly County Borough Council had voted to take a sizeable increase in their allowances.
We have to be aware when considering rises that many people have been put out of jobs while others are struggling just to put food on the table.
I’m pleased that this Plaid-led administration has not increased councillors’ allowances since we took control of the authority from Labour in 2008.
I think it shows that the Plaid group is taking decisions based on what is best for our residents and not for us, unlike the disgraceful behaviour of MPs at Westminster. We’ve shown clearly that we are in touch with the people.
Lindsay Whittle,
Plaid Cymru leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council