A meeting of minds (From Penarth Times)

A meeting of minds

John Moses' criticism of the Plaid councillors of the Vale of Glamorgan (letters December 19) is apt and accurate in so far as it goes.

John's comment however that "Plaid is in bed with the Tory council" is not a true reflection of that relationship.

The nationalists' consistent and enthusiastic support for the Tories has made it obvious to us in the Labour group that they are not simply in coalition with them but are ideologically wedded to them.

Further proof of this, if needed, came at the last meeting of the full council when the Vale's delegates to the forthcoming local health boards were under consideration.

After 18 years of Tory government, during which the NHS was almost destroyed, it's clear to anyone with the remotest concern, that Tory involvement in the health service should be avoided at all costs.

Hence the Labour group proposed its leader, Councillor Neil Moore, as the council's representative on the LHB.

It was of no surprise to us at all however, that with the full support of the nationalist group, the Tory nomination won the day.

While the official statistics will record the political make up of the Vale council to be Conservatives 22, Labour 18, Plaid six, Liberals one, we in the Labour group know that, in reality, we are in opposition to a 28 strong Tory group.

Paul Gray Vale of Glamorgan Labour Group Little Dock Street Cogan