Local Conservatives 'can't face both ways for ever' on hospital closure says Lib Dem campaigner.

5.43.28pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Oct 2006

Nick Tregoning at Fairwood Hospital

Recently-selected Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly candidate for Gower and Swansea Councillor Nick Tregoning has called for local Conservatives to make their position on the closure of Fairwood Hospital plain.

Councillor Tregoning made his call as a consequence of events at the last Swansea Council meeting where Tory new boy Rene Kinzett proposed a motion that, if passed, would have meant Swansea Council giving its approval to proposals that would close both Fairwood Hospital and Ward One at Hill House.

"Local Conservatives cannot continue to face both ways for ever on this issue," said Councillor Tregoning. "Councillor Kinzett proposed his motion at the very meeting where the Conservative Councillor for Fairwood Ward, Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams had already made his own support for the work done at Fairwood Hospital and its staff absolutely plain. Not only that, but Conservative regional AM Alan Cairns has also been most vociferous in his opposition to the closure proposals."

"People are entitled to ask which of these two opposing positions represent the real policy of the local Conservative Party," he continued. "They cannot duck the issue of local health reorganization in this way."