In my last post I wrote about Mark Fisher and how I thought that he'd support Christina Rees against Boyo Kinnock in any two-way scrap for the new Neath and Aberavon Parliamentary seat. However, I reckon she can be assured of the support of at least one other local VIP in the Labour Party. They've known each other for some time - in fact, way, way back in time.
In November 2014 when Ms Rees won the candidacy for Neath in the run off with Mabel McKeown and Karen Wilkie, the President of Neath Constituency Labour Party was delighted with the members' choice and said, “Labour in Neath has a strong and hard working female candidate who will bring a breath of fresh air to national and local politics.”
http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/neath-labour-candidate-bring-breath-fresh-air/story-23950155-detail/story.html
The air in Neath certainly needed freshening after 23 uninterrupted years of the previous MP holding court. I doubt there's much the President of Neath CLP and me would agree on but I'm wondering if that's something? But the jury's still out with me as to whether Ms Rees is providing the sea change I desired. For one thing she seems to be running the same rather odd rental arrangements with the Neath CLP for her office in 39 Windsor Road as did her predecessor. In my opinion the landlord is getting a bloody good deal from this and I don't mean in terms of just collecting the rent that's due. The arrangements leave a lot to be desired in terms of transparency, though I would stress that the activities are sanctioned by IPSA, the MPs' expenses watchdog (before I get a solicitor's letter). That may make them "within the rules", something MPs are always quick to spout. But that doesn't mean they pass the test of being acceptable in the court of public opinion. More on this in a future post.
Anyway, back to that VIP backing for Ms Rees. The President of Neath CLP at that time, and Deputy Leader of NPT Council is, of course, Peter A. Rees. I've mentioned Mr Rees before, as he is the highest remunerated councillor in NPT. And has been for six years.
Peter Rees had a career in the public sector, teaching in schools and spending time in Her Majesty's Prison at Swansea, though not behind bars like the other people I know who've been there. I suppose that he taught or mentored there as well. There must be a tidy sum going into that Rees household every year then. £33K (plus) Council remuneration; looks like a working lifetime of public sector service - nice pension there then; Old Age pension; and even eligibility for a free bus pass and Winter Fuel payments. In a couple of years, providing the Tories don't screw things up with the BBC, he'll be eligible for a free TV licence to boot. And who said pensioners are struggling to make ends meet? I'd hazard a guess that Councillor Rees has more disposable income now than at any stage in his life. But I don't begrudge him any of it - no, honestly - with the exception of those big Council payments that is.
His Linkedin account gives more flesh on these bones:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cllr-peter-rees-a6917234
Under "qualifications" it is stated he acquired a :
Teacher's Certificate/Diploma Special Education, Religious Study/Special Education
1961 – 1964
So I wonder if he actually taught Religious Education or Instruction or whatever the buzzword for it might be these days. In which case, and as there are so many Rees' in this story and it's apt to confuse me, I think I'd better give him the moniker "Reverend Rees". It has a nice alliterative ring to it, don't you think? So, Reverend Rees he shall be from now on.
And he taught in Cynffig Comprehensive School. Guess who else went there? Yes, it was our current MP, Christina Rees. She was Head Girl, and was actually taught by the Reverend. To be honest, there can't have been more than about a dozen years of difference in their ages, so whether that was his first posting, who knows?
He writes a glowing testimonial for her on his Linkedin account.
"Christina Rees - An A-one student and an exceptional Head Girl. Always destined to be outstanding in everything she does. Best wishes in your future aspirations!"
August 21, 2014, Cllr. Peter taught Christina at Cynffig Comprehensive School
She then reciprocates on her own Linkedin account just one day later (you scratch my back etc).....
"Cllr. Peter Rees - I was in Cynffig Comprehensive School with Peter, who was an absolute inspiration to me and the other pupils. Peter has continued to encourage people to achieve their full potential in every career he has persued (sic) since leaving Cynffig. It is an honour to know him.
August 22, 2014, Christina studied with Cllr. Peter at Cymer Afan Secondary Modern"
Since Christina has a problem in spelling the word pursued, (it's not persued) let's hope it was Religious Education he taught - and not English!
Take note of the dates of these curious testimonials of mutual adoration. The Reverend's is first, and the following day Christina kindly reciprocates. The only thing is, in hers she is mixing schools up. He was an inspiration to her in Cynffig Comprehensive yet the footnote says she "studied with Cllr. Peter at Cymer Afan Secondary Modern". I am confused.
The dates of these effusive compliments for each other are significant for the following reason.
The announcement of an all women shortlist for Neath constituency at the last General Election took place in mid-July 2014.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-28343241
Cue those nice exchanges on Linkedin just over one month later.
Then Ms Rees won the candidacy on 1 November 2014 following which Peter Rees had all those nice things to say about her being a breath of fresh air.
The point is - neither of them say when Christina was taught by the Reverend in school, but she's the wrong side of 60 now. So unless she was by far the oldest student in Cynffig Comprehensive ever, IT MUST BE OVER FORTY YEARS SINCE SHE WAS TAUGHT BY HIM. So why, over 40 years later, would you suddenly want to refer to that on your CV? There's only one explanation. He was already singling her out as his favoured candidate. "Best wishes in your future aspirations" he said. At the time, these aspirations were clearly to secure the Neath candidacy.
And she, in turn, said some sweet things about the Reverend - after all, he was now occupying very influential positions in both the local Labour Party and the Council whose patch she was hoping to operate in.
And so it came to pass that the former "A-one student and an exceptional Head Girl, always destined to be outstanding in everything she does" had her aspirations fulfilled, and won the Labour Party candidacy for Neath. Then on 7 May 2015 the ever-dependable and obedient donkeys of the Town turned out in their thousands, and as was the custom going back generations, placed their cross against whatever name had "Labour" adjacent to it. And lo, she was duly elected the MP for Neath, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of the Reverend and her own destiny.
The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
To be continued ..............................
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POSTSCRIPT: That Cynffig school is quite interesting though. Other current Welsh politicians had links there too. Wayne David MP was educated there and his time there would have overlapped with Ms Rees. David Rees, AM for Aberavon, also taught there for a while. My God, (sorry, Reverend) what talent that place has supplied to the Donkey Party. Whoever said that comprehensive education was failing the brightest in our society was obviously ignorant of the genius that flowed from that place.
