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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Conservatives have abandoned Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend says Assembly Member
May 31, 2010 12:00 AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has accused the Conservatives of abandoning Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend following their decision not to accept the resignation of Alun Cairns from the Assembly.
Instead they have asked him to stay on both as the full-time MP for the Vale of Glamorgan and as an Assembly Member for a completely different area, seven times its size. This is despite the fact that there would have been no by-election if he had resigned his Assembly seat due to him being a list member.
"The fact that Alun Cairns has decided that he will not take his Assembly salary is admirable but it speaks volumes as to how he will be doing his job as an AM," said Mr. Black. "The intention is clearly to leave those who voted for him unrepresented. However, it does raise fundamental questions as to other aspects of his job.
"From what I can see Mr. Cairn's office in the Assembly is deserted. The door appears to be locked and the name plate has been removed from it. I do not know what will happen to his regional office in Porthcawl but if he retains that will he continue to claim Assembly allowances for it and if so what service will be offered from there?
"Will Mr. Cairns continue to employ Assembly Support Staff from his allowances and if so what will they be doing? It would of course be illegal to deploy them in the Vale of Glamorgan but how will they be assisting their employer when he appears to have washed his hands of the role of AM?
"Will Alun Cairns continue to hold surgeries, participate in local campaigns, and respond to correspondence from his constituents? All of these questions need an answer.
"For all intents and purposes the Conservatives have abandoned voters in Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend. It turns out that we were a convenient staging post to higher things and that for the next year at least will have one less AM representing us."
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