A LABOUR councillor has defended the party’s actions following their decision to stay in opposition.
As the Free Press reported last month Denbighshire's Labour group decided not to take part in the running of Denbighshire County Council, despite winning the most seats in the election.
Instead a rainbow coalition of Tories, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrat and Independents seized control.
Denbigh councillor Colin Hughes, deputy leader of the Denbighshire Labour group, says their decision will help them fight any cuts to frontline services.
“Firstly, with 18 seats we could not take power - the magic number required to form a sole administration would be 24,” said Cllr Hughes.
“Why have we not gone in with the ‘rainbow coalition?’ The answer is very simple in that we will not sit in an executive with conservatives as their values are completely opposite to ours.”
Speaking to the Free Press last month former councillor Paul Marfleet, said: "Labour members are instructed by their national masters to not take up their seats. Their view is that if they are not in absolute control, they prefer to be in opposition.”
The move was also called “unusual” by political expert Professor John Curtice.
“In answer to Mr Marfleet, we do not answer to our masters - our rules are formulated by our grass roots members and represent values of social justice and equality,” said Cllr Hughes.
Shane Brennan from Pwllglas who stood in the elections for the Ruthin ward representing Plaid Cymru, recently said in a letter published in the Free Press on May 30, that Labour were “taking the comfortable life of a backbencher while at the same time voting for a substantial increase in their leader’s allowance”.
Cllr Hughes, said: “In answer to Mr Brennan, go ask the leader of the party you represent if a conversation took place regarding coalition between Plaid Cymru and Labour and you should find out that your elected councillors preferred the status quo with the Tories and Independents.
“The scrutiny committees that challenge the decisions made by the cabinet in Denbighshire will have a much greater Labour membership this next five years and we will be strong when it comes to fighting cuts to the services that the people of Denbighshire use.
“When there is a threat to front line services, there will be eighteen Labour councillors united to fight that threat - the question to ask then will be, is the person that I voted for fighting against the cuts too?” added Cllr Hughes.
