Swansea leader Chris Holley stands by 'crass' letter to Vince Cable
UNDER fire city leader Chris Holley has said he stands by his leaked letter to Vince Cable in which he accuses a Labour-dominated Assembly of failing to do enough for Swansea.
Councillor Holley said he was peeved that the letter was leaked by what he claimed was a "Cardiff-based" journalist on his blog.
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Swansea Council leader Chris Holley
But Mr Holley's actions have been branded "astounding", "insulting" and "crass" by opponents.
Labour's Swansea West AM Andrew Davies said he was writing to the council's chief executive and monitoring officer today, questioning whether Mr Holley's use of council-headed paper was an inappropriate use of public resources.
In his letter, dated June 16, Mr Holley warned MP, new Business Secretary and fellow Liberal Democrat Dr Cable that Swansea would be ravaged by big public sector cuts because they provided 38 per cent of the city's jobs.
Mr Holley said the city centre "has had no investment by the private sector for the last 30 years", apart from small-scale stuff.
Quoting Mr Holley's letter, without correcting any of the grammatical errors, it reads: "This has had a very demoralizing effect on the people of our city."
The letter goes on: "Why are we writing to you is because we need help from Westminster our devolved Government in Wales will not help us in Swansea not only because we are of a different colour party the main reason is that the current administration in Cardiff does not need to worry about winning seats in the city when you look at the last general election figures they retained three seats and they that will be the same in the elections for the Welsh Assembly next year."
To date he has not received a reply.
To read the letter in full click here.
Mr Holley told the Post: "I said what the vast majority of people in Swansea think which is that we, as a city, have had less investment than many parts of Wales."
Mr Kinzett said the letter essentially asked the Business Secretary to redirect public money to Swansea to help the Lib Dems, with Assembly elections in 2011.
"It is astounding that the leader of the council can have such limited political intelligence," said Mr Kinzett. "It is crass, and it is insulting."
Mr Kinzett, a former Lib Dem himself, also mocked the letter's grammar and "rambling and ranting style".
Andrew Davies, Labour AM for Swansea West, said it was plain wrong to suggest the Assembly discriminated against Swansea.
"The infrastructure for the council's own ftr scheme (bendy bus) was all Assembly money," said Mr Davies.
"Most of the money for the new bus station is from the Assembly."
Mr Holley said: "My opponents will say what they like about it.
"If sticking up for Swansea is a crime, then I have committed a crime."
See letter in full on www.thisissouthwales.co.uk
richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk
45 Comments
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by john, swansea
Thursday, September 09 2010, 8:15PM
“Polan,Newport(Gwent,Pembs,IOW and others)REne may have a house in Sketty but definately does not live there or he would have put in more appearances as an elected councillor in Swansea.”
by Andrew, Gower
Thursday, September 09 2010, 6:55PM
“Swansea city centre resembles the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. Can't they just knock it down and turf over it.
What would there be to miss. Small scale chain stores and coffee shops. Does anyone even shop there anymore?”
by Keyser Söze, East Hambul
Thursday, September 09 2010, 5:12PM
“Linda, Neath
Please itemise what you assume is wrong with my previous posting.
Cllr. Holley's Letter.
Far from encouraging inward investment, the semi-literate rant from the Leader of Swansea Council may deter businesses from taking an interest in the area.”
by Polan, Newport
Thursday, September 09 2010, 3:30PM
“Andy, the difference is that I know for sure Mr Kinzett lives in Sketty, whereas you are going purely on misinformation from whoever. So with that, I wish you well in dealings at the rumour mill.”
by Andy, Sketty
Thursday, September 09 2010, 8:35AM
“Polan ... He lives and works in London. I hope you will now, in turn, apologise for offering totally incorrect information,”
by Polan, Newport
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 6:36PM
“Andy,
Well I wrote that from London, so although I live nearer Newport, I will assume a more correct area for this post. So, you are not able to tell us where Mr Kinzett lives, I can tell you it is Sketty, if you wish to dispute that, then tell us all where you know he lives, or apologise for offering totally incorrect information.”
by Linda, Neath
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 10:17AM
“Keyser Söze, East Hambul a man/woman who believes what they are told without question hahaha. I reiterate, Keyser, an apt name by the way, the political scandal in Wales, which is draining money that should be utilised in far better ways in such a deprived area, is the fact that we have a ruling Labour administration in Cardiff and a few labour controlled councils who are acting like this is Custers Last Stand. We all know what happened to Custer. To personally attack a man who is trying his best, in very difficult circumstances, to help Swansea, is petty and vicious.”
by Andy, Sketty
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 9:41AM
“Polan - Keep an eye out for him .... he lives a LOT nearer you than me.”
by Polan, London
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 11:41PM
“Perhaps Andy would like to put his money where his mouth is and tell us when Mr Kinzett actually lives. As far as I am aware, he lives in Sketty, that not being the case, can Andy tell us all where he does live or take back his accusation of contempt.”
by Keyser Söze, East Hambul
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:49PM
“Dai R Straits, Swansea
And don't forget that the LibDems didn't give the go-ahead for the Liberty Stadium, they just screwed up the Local Govt side of the scheme.
Oh, and there's the fantastic I.T. system that failed.
Social Services going from leading light to basket case.
And the beautifully planned City road system with its 21st century traffic lights.
And all the vindictive referrals to the Ombudsman which have cost the local taxpayers thousands upon thousands of pounds.
There are much more Holley & Co's blunders and I'm sure that voters will be reminded of them at the next by-election, the 2011 Assembly elections and the 2012 Local elections.
One thing I do agree with in your post: People should not rush out and vote.
People should wait for an election day.
Linda, Neath
A newspaper that is owned by the Daily Mail & General Trust supporting Labour? Ha ha ha ha ha!
Back to the Subject of the Article
Cllr. Holley is a disgrace to Swansea and his infantile letter to a Government Minister requesting favouritism for political party reasons should have him kicked out of the LibDem Party. It should have him kicked out but, I know that the LibDems will do no such thing.”