The vote that really counts
The media this past week has been full of talk of the European Referendum in June and that is, of course, a very important vote. Most Liberal Democrats including those of us here in RCT, recognise the benefits of continued EU membership and hope that the yes vote will be conclusive.
However, our efforts in the next two months or so will be targeted on a different election. On May 5th the Assembly elections take place. Cllr Mike Powell will be our candidate for the Pontypridd constituency and he says people should not underestimate the importance of this election and should make use of their vote.
"On May 5th voters will once again be given the chance to break the Labour stranglehold on these valleys.
"For far too long people in this area have put their trust in a Labour party that has failed them at every step. The current AM for Pontypridd was brought in from Newport and cares more about his career and keeping his union backers sweet than about what is happening here.
"He has refused to challenge his council colleagues at all over nursery education cuts, school catchment changes, removal of free school transport for post sixteen students and introduction of charges for others, the removal of Pontypridd paddling pool, plans to build a new town in Talbot Green and a host of other things which are detrimental to the people he is supposed to represent.
"I am constantly hearing people say they are fed up of politicians not listening, of going ahead and doing just what they want, of the people they elect to represent them putting party politics before people.
"There is only one way to bring about change. Vote for it. On May 5th lend me your vote and find out for yourself if we really are all the same."