'Rabble' row leader Meryl Gravell survives by 5 votes
THE leader of Carmarthenshire Council has survived a vote of no confidence.
Independent councillor Meryl Gravell overcame Plaid accusations of being "a dictator" to win the crucial motion at County Hall by 36 votes to 31 yesterday.
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Meryl Gravell
Mrs Gravell, who did not speak in the motion, said afterwards: "I would like to thank the council for their vote of confidence in me.
"I would particularly like to thank those members who spoke in support of me today for their kind words, and to all those councillors and members of staff who have privately been so supportive."
It was "high noon" when the full meeting of Carmarthenshire Council turned its attention to the motion by Councillor Peter Hughes Griffiths, leader of the Plaid group.
The showdown was prompted by comments Mrs Gravell made during a visit by Carwyn Jones to Llanelli drug intervention centre Chooselife, as campaigners opposed to the downgrading of services at Prince Philip Hospital protested outside.
She was filmed calling some of the protestors "rabble" and saying the council "wouldn't have a problem at all" if its 9,000 employees "worked as hard as" Chooselife director Alan Andrews.
She has since apologised and said her comments were misunderstood.
Firing the first shots in the debate, Mr Hughes Griffiths said it was unfortunate that protestors were called "rabble" and he said her staff comments were a "nasty kick in the teeth" for employees after job losses and a reduction in salary for some.
"The people out there are openly questioning the credibility of the leader of this council," he said.
He was supported by Plaid councillor Tyssul Evans, who said she acted like a "dictator" and "belittles anyone who disagrees with her views".
He said: "There's to be only one view and everyone else has to agree."
Mr Evans said it was unbelievable that she had "stooped so low".
But independent Welsh nationalist councillor Huw Lewis, who left the Plaid group last year, said personal attacks on council members were unacceptable.
He said: "I was present on that day and heard what was being shouted at individuals.
"It was a complete disgrace and wholly unacceptable. The leader was responding to that quite naturally."
Liberal Democrat councillor Ken Rees, who works with the Independents, said Mrs Gravell should be judged on her record, but Councillor Sian Caiach, leader of the People First group, said her overall performance was getting worse.
And Councillor Stephen James, deputy leader of the Independent group, accused Plaid of electioneering and said the leader did not criticise staff.
"No one in this chamber supports the staff more than Meryl," he said.
Councillor Kevin Madge, leader of the Labour group which rules in coalition with the Independents, said: "We have all made mistakes when we speak.
"She's made it publicly known she's apologised and that's where we should draw the line."
david.price@swwmedia.co.uk
8 Comments
by josh13
Thursday, February 09 2012, 8:12PM
“@topdexter - point taken but it's give and take in everything, we have a decent pension package, hence my not going on strike last year, we have a good sick pay package, I can work flexi time in school holidays and take annual leave when required, not when I'm told I can have it. I appreciate that we have a good deal and I don't milk the system, I don't go sick and I do my job, yes sometimes if you did a time and motions study, I work about 2 hours a week over my contracted hours, no I don't get paid for those hours but I do have the security of a wage if I needed to go off sick, I don't have childcare issues as I can work those flexi hours in school holidays, yeah for me it's a good trade off.”
by cymraekmackem
Thursday, February 09 2012, 4:52PM
“I can't believe that this woman says these things and protects this man. I know many of the county council workers were in post when he was doing his best to terrorise Llanelli.”
by antyall
Thursday, February 09 2012, 4:10PM
“I watched her alleged rant twice yesterday on the news and I must admit I found it incoherent. The way that she conducts herself in posture and dialogue looks very unprofessional. she must be doing something right to be reelected. maybe this time round she and a lot of others will lose their seats.”
by toptexter
Thursday, February 09 2012, 2:19PM
“sorry to say this, bit if you are doing a lot of unpaid hours that are not in your job description, you are going against the grain of what many people have been fighting over decades for - workers rights. it doesn't sound like the council have forced you to do it so you are forfeiting your rights... and this is how things evolve into workers having no rights at all :-(
as for thhe poor excuse mr madge made 'we all make mistakes'....maybe he should go to.
it just goes to show how much the council is split and that is unstable. she knew what she was say, calling people rabble in a slow slow manner.
are there actually 9,000 jobs in carms council? it used to be more than that... or do they add in subcontracting firms into the figures?”
by josh13
Thursday, February 09 2012, 11:53AM
“as a hard working council worker, - and I do work hard, from extra unpaid hours to doing jobs that aren't part of my job description, I have not been off sick in 7 years, I work in rain, snow, wind and sun, I love my job and like thousands of my colleagues, we have accepted new conditions to protect the jobs we love, it was one thing taking the cuts (that we all know deep down are necessary in this economic climate) - but being told that I don't work as hard as Alan Andrews, (albeit a generalisation and not aimed directly at myself) - that Mrs Gravell was an insult that I for one have taken personally, yes - elections soon........”
by dogfa
Thursday, February 09 2012, 9:55AM
“i dont want to read about this awful person who wallow's in self righteousness
id much rather post a comment on the arrests in pontadawe and swansea regarding terrorists!!!!”
by Johnyuz
Thursday, February 09 2012, 9:39AM
“Readers comments in the Evening Post and Llanelli Star (and readers = voters) concerning the abhorrent and high-handed attitude shown by the County Council leader have obviously not been read by County Councillors themselves
Might I suggest that the ordinary people of this county take this into account in the forthcoming elections?
Perhaps it is time for a "clean sweep" at County Hall – I seem to remember a time when a Councillor Hughes (??? possibly 40+ years ago) acted in a similar manner to the present incumbent.
Then the people of Llanelli used their collective vote to express their distain (exit said Councillor and his cohorts)
Might I suggest it is time for such grass roots action again, forget Party politics, and vote for those candidates that truly listen and reflect the opinions of the populous that is Llanelli”
by weslangdon
Thursday, February 09 2012, 8:56AM
“Labour and Plaid worked together very well at a National level, why not locally? There is no need for independents (Tories) to rule the roost in Carmarthenshire. The primary blame must lie with Labour.”