The row being played out in Caerphilly County Borough between Plaid Cymru and Labour shows no sign of abating following another email row.
Plaid are claiming Labour is in “disarray” after it was leaked an email to a Labour councillor warning that Labour’s Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert is “under pressure” from Plaid candidate Ron Davies.
The latest email row follows a war of a words between the two parties in today’s Western Mail with Ron Davies said to have accused fellow councillor Ray Davies of copying propaganda techniques used by fascists.
In a recent newsletter, Cllr Ray Davies criticised Ron Davies and Cllr Colin Hobbs over their support for a housing scheme on the site of Bedwas Colliery.
The next item criticises two Independent councillors for calling for an end to free prescriptions, free bus travel and free swimming for pensioners. Ron Davies, who is an Independent councillor, complained to Ray Davies in an email.
According to the Western Mail, he wrote: “You should know, given your long political experience, that it is frauds and totalitarians who have to rely on lies and half truths. You have remained slavishly loyal to New Labour despite all their betrayals.
“For the sake of your own remaining dignity and history of service, do not fall into the trap of using the tactics of fascists.”
Ron Davies has denied accusing Ray Davies of being a Fascist. Read the full Western Mail article.
The row has now intensified with Plaid claiming that Labour is in “disarray.”
Senior Labour councillor and Shadow Cabinet Member David Hardacre, wrote an email last month to colleague Cllr Harry Andrews expressing concern at Labour councillors’ ability to oppose the Plaid-led Caerphilly Council.
Councillor Lindsay Whittle, leader of the Plaid group on the council, described the comments in the email as a “backhanded compliment”.
He said: “It is clear that Labour realise privately, even if they won’t admit it publicly, that Plaid is doing an extremely good job of running the council.”
“We are managing the challenging financial circumstances left by the mess of the last Labour Government in an efficient and conciliatory way, unlike the confrontations which Labour are provoking in other councils such as Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot.”
Ron Davies, who goes head-to-head against Mr Cuthbert next year for the Caerphilly seat, added: “Labour are clearly in disarray. They talk about being a responsible opposition but yet their bury their heads in the sand when it comes to discussing the financial challenges faced by the council.”
Labour’s AM Jeff Cuthbert responded and said the email from Cllr Hardacre was about six weeks old and was nothing more than his opinion.
He said: “How Lindsay Whittle can regard it as a ‘backhanded compliment’ is beyond me.
“I suspect that this is nothing more than an attempt by Plaid to mask their growing unpopularity in Caerphilly.
“In terms of next year’s Assembly Elections I take nothing for granted but I certainly don’t feel ‘under pressure’.
“I intend to carry on with my job until dissolution. The electorate will decide who is to be the Assembly Member after May.”