Sorry Vera but I must disagree on a few points…
"Vera's" letter talks of the destruction that was brought about when the mines were closed by the Tories, and she is right – they were indeed very dark times. She is also right when she says that the Conservatives did nothing to replace jobs ad bring prosperity to the valleys.
But here is where I have to take issue with the lady, because the problem is LABOUR DIDN'T EITHER.
Now it could be argued – and I have on several occasions – that the Conservatives were doing what we expected them to do, they weren't acting out of character in any way. Labour, on the other hand, have a lot to answer for, because of the things pointed out in this mocked up letter, because they were supposed to represent the working class, the miners and their families and communities. They were supposed to protect us, we were supposed to be able to trust them. They let us down and they continue to do so.
I have no love for the Conservatives, but I cannot forgive the Labour party for deserting all their principles and putting their quest for power before the people they were supposed to represent.
Vera's tale conveniently leaves out the fact that the Labour party were in control between 1974 and 1979 and governed over an economic crisis, including the "winter of discontent." It was their appalling record that allowed the Conservatives to retain power for so long following that. Labour returned again in 1997 for thirteen years. They also took control of the newly formed Welsh Assembly in 1999 and have been in charge in Wales alone or in coalition ever since. Just what do we have to show for it?
Sorry Vera but you need to take off those rose tinted glasses and stop voting out of habit based on history.
Karen Roberts
Welsh Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Rhondda
