On 1 March 2017, Rob James, the Labour councillor for Bryncoch South wrote a letter to the Neath Ferret, published on 2 March. The letter is copied below, under the title Rob gave to it "What do you want to be know (sic) as?"
The letter raised questions for the Editorial team of the Neath Ferret that I leave it for them to answer on the Ferret itself. My response to Rob takes the form of an open letter, printed under his below.
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What do you want to be know as?
Back in 2011, I was approached to discuss this very site. There was one goal, to create a balanced online discussion on the state of affairs in Neath. It appears that this site does not have the same goal and rather operates as an investigative journalist, and a little like a Facebook group.
I have absolutely nothing to gain from me messaging on here. Everyone knows I do not intend on responding in Bryncoch South. All I was intending on doing was to challenge the status quo.
I have no personal issue with any Councillor regardless of which party they represent. Some of the contributors on this site, do have a bias towards being anti-Labour.
What I will say to you all is this. There is a reason why the majority of Labour Councillors do not come on here for a frank exchange on their policies or what they have done as Councillors, it's because of this bias. Credit to Andrew, who has much more diplomacy than me and would have made a fantastic Councillor for Bryncoch.
You have had Bethan represent this area for nearly 10 years, Suzy has represented this area for a number of years, you have a UKIP AM and Peter Black represented this area from 1999 to 2017. Looking at some of the stories, whether it be the regular attacks on the former MP for Neath or the current MP for Neath, maybe the Labour Councillors or just Labour activists, you would assume there are no other parties operating here.
So, the editors on this site have a choice going forward after this election. I've make a choice to achieve a balance on here (maybe ask Stan not to call former MPs old c***ing dinosaurs, that would be a start), or continue shouting at the wind and be known as an anti-Labour website.
Posted by Rob on 01 March 2017
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Stan's reply, dated 5 March 2017
Dear Rob
Interesting letter, and since you mention me personally, let me reply.
I've made it perfectly clear what I think of many in the present day Labour Party, be it local MPs or local councillors. But I've also given credit to individuals in your Party, Andrew Jenkins locally springs immediately to mind. And if you followed what I posted last year you'd find strong support from me for your current leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
That support I offered Corbyn was denied him by the chap whose office you work in right now. And denied him by Christina Rees - my MP. And Stephen Kinnock. And Peter Hain. And many of NPT's "Labour" councillors. I have nothing but contempt for the disloyalty and treachery so many in your Party have shown towards your leader. On Corbyn's watch your Party has grown to unprecedented levels of membership, in the main from those it is there supposedly to represent. And still he is undermined at every opportunity by the likes of Hain and Kinnock.
Rees' "loyalty" has been secured for now by promotion. Seven months ago she was on the front stage with Owen Smith at his Wales launch for his humiliating leadership campaign. She snatched a photo of them arm-in-arm and used it as her profile picture on her Twitter site. A woman of deep loyalty and principle, following on from that other icon of principle, the hypocritical Peter Hain. What have the people of Neath done to deserve such paragons of virtue?
I'd qualify and expand your statement that most councillors won't come on the Ferret because they are fearful of a fair roll of the dice. It's too simplistic to say this. These are grown men and women who are well used to being in the public eye and having to deal with opposing views. I would say their absence is explained by (1) - having to face a very uncomfortable examination on the Ferret's pages that they can avoid by simply ignoring the Ferret. I don't blame them - it IS uncomfortable, but it's also uncomfortable for us being represented by people who will take office then refuse to engage and won't earn their corn. And (2) - because there's often no personal or political advantage in them posting there.
I have absolutely nothing to gain from me messaging on here. - Rob's own words, above.
Like you, I will give Andrew Jenkins credit for posting, and I'm sure other readers and contributors of the Ferret would endorse that. Didn't the editors award him Councillor of the Year 2016 alongside Martyn Peters, the Plaid Cymru Councillor for Dyffryn Clydach?
But is Andrew actually unofficial spokesman for the rest of you? Is he "The One", like Nero in "the Matrix", allowed a degree of freedom and latitude by the Reverend on the understanding that if a shitstorm results, he stands in the face of it himself, to ensure no dirt lands on those who skulk in the background and put bullets in his gun?
I don't run the Ferret, I'm not part of the editorial make up. What choice they make, if any, in terms of a change of direction is up to them.
Just one other matter. To quote from your post earlier "I have no personal issue with any Councillor regardless of which party they represent". Would you like to reconsider that statement?
Earlier in the week in a cheap attempt to discredit the reputation of your fellow Bryncoch South councillor, Janice Dudley (Plaid Cymru) you drew the attention of readers of the Ferret to a Twitter post (actually nearly two months old) by another Plaid Cymru Councillor, representing Llanbadarn Fawr, Ceredigion. You said "There is a lovely picture of her getting cosy with Plaid Cymru County Councillor for Llanbadarn Fawr Ceredigion". To me, your remarks insinuate something beyond a get-well visit to the gentleman concerned, who was in the stages of recovery following hospital treatment. I've since looked at the Tweet myself and I reckon you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself for such a scurrilous comment. If I was Mrs Dudley at the very least I would be having a quiet word with you. But as I've said previously, she is quite capable of speaking for herself and no doubt expects nothing better from you. That was a really cheap shot even by the standard of the gutter politics that accompanies an election campaign. You owe her an apology.
With a comment like that, as your days representing us here finally come to an end, you have revealed just what I have suspected for some time. In my opinion you have a lot to learn in the areas of class, manners, diplomacy and work ethic that I expect to see in an elected representative. Accordingly you do not command the respect from me that I would like to be able to give to a local councillor. No doubt this won't bother you. It's only me. And when all's said and done - you join a long list of senior Labour names, many of whom I am sure you are already on first name terms with. Our political system is riven with people just like you and them. You are collectively part of the problem in our politics, not the solution the public are crying out for. If only you personally could see beyond your ambition to realise it. You'll probably make a bloody good Labour MP with those credentials and skillsets. But not with my vote.
I bear you no malice and I hope that you will take something positive from the events played out here the last few months. I also hope that you and the people of Lliedi will both benefit as a result of what's gone on. It's now time for me to turn the page over on this chapter but you have a few colleagues yet that I'd like to turn my attention to. (You may get a mention but you may appreciate no longer playing a starring role).
I'll follow your new life in Carmarthenshire Council with interest. You are probably aware that some have tipped you for stardom and one day, who knows, the people of Bryncoch South may say - he was our local Councillor once and such was his presence you'd never have known he was there!
Regards
Stan.
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Here's a link to "Y Cyneifiwr", the Carmarthenshire blogger, who always entertains and surprises with the stories of everyday life in the world of Carmarthenshire politics. This one has news of the possible glorious future for Rob James.
http://cneifiwr-emlyn.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/llanelli-roundup.html
