I'm hearing stories that the bloodletting within Labour in NPT with regard to deselection of existing councillors is worse than a haemophiliac falling into a bathful of leeches. It's suggested some 25 existing Labour councillors will no longer be on the ballot papers in May, and I still don't know if this is the final total. Whether 25 hopefuls will take their seats after the votes are counted is highly unlikely. Now obviously some of these will have stood down anyway, but that figure, if true, suggests a massacre almost worthy of Pol Pot. In fact it's 50% of their existing complement of councillors!

The bulk of the carnage seems to be in Afan, with many Port Talbot and Aberavon seats losing their representatives. Any theories or actual reasons why are welcomed on the letters page of the Ferret. Or were the existing set actually as frigging useless as I always thought?

I have heard of certain Councillors whom I shall not name and have had the chop going on "sick leave" now, presumably drawing their allowances for sod all until May. (Much like a few others we know then!!)

In Neath North we know Alan Lockyer and Mark Protheroe are reselected (don't feel neglected if I say no more, Alan - you'll have your moment in the spotlight in future posts), along with Peter (Reverend) Rees and Andrew Jenkins in Neath South. Peter will be around 80 if he sees out the next stint, helping our Council to retain valid comparisons with the House of Lords. If I get to that age I'd like to think I could spend my time behaving quite disgracefully, being extremely rude to people I don't like and coming on a bit strong with members of the opposite sex. No change there then, Stan!

I'm looking forward to seeing the official announcement about Alltwen where my old friend sparring partner on the Ferret, David Lewis, was formerly the Labour councillor until he declared UDI. Old Finbarr as I affectionately call him has been exceedingly quiet of late. If he does stand again, which I very much doubt and many are saying he's gone, I assume he will do so as an Independent. I reckon Labour will struggle there to be honest no matter what Finbarr decides to do. I miss the old codger actually. It's much less fun winding up the Invisible Man, Councillor Rob James. Finbarr gave me more of a buzz, maybe because under that brusque exterior I felt there may even have been a sense of humour.

We know Rob James is standing for Labour in Lliedi, part of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. Who is to replace him in Bryncoch South, well I haven't heard. Not that it matters that much because most people living there have absolutely no idea who Rob James is anyway. They know Janice Dudley (Plaid Cymru) because she can be guaranteed to deliver a leaflet to your door every five years.

In fact I've not heard of anyone in the frame for Labour in Bryncoch South. If you know different write in. This seems to apply in other areas too - in the Swansea valley it's suggested they are finding it a problem getting good candidates to stand. (Much like the rest of NPT then).

And Ms Cari Morgans, Labour councillor for Tonna is standing down. Maybe working for Stephen Kinnock as office manager is taking its toll.

Already in the frame for Labour as her replacement is a lady named Leanne Jones, who presumably comes highly recommended as she's already on the public purse working in Christina Rees' office in Windsor Road. I don't think she's local to Tonna - I thought she lived in the Melin, but you know how cronyism selection processes go in Labour. Here's a photo of Leanne standing by a street sign for Tonna, just to prove she's ever been there. But people of Tonna - beware. For all you know it's been photoshopped!

Then in Ali Thomas' old Onllwyn seat, standing is a local man (Banwen, I believe) named Dean Cawsey. Those familiar with the workings of Communities First will recognise both Dean and Leanne as both worked for the organisation set up in the NPT area. Oh, and Dean also now works in Christina Rees' office as her Office Manager.

Here's a nice photo of Christina and her staff in the office. Good practice for Dean and Leanne I'd have thought. A huge spread of food to get down your neck, as training for all those freebies you get invited to. For those that don't know, it's Christina and Dean on the right, and if you're unsure which is which these days, Christina doesn't have facial hair - then to the left is Leanne (again - no beard), with a gentleman whom I won't name, or show his full visage as I don't believe he's putting himself up for election in NPT. But some may think that if you could see him he looks remarkably like the fiance of Christina Rees' daughter. If they are one and the same then no doubt he got the job on his own merits, after a full and proper advertising and interview process as recommended by IPSA, didn't he?

Much more to come when I've time. Sorry it's so brief.

"Let them eat cake...."