Residents expressed lots of frustration with both the Senedd and the Vale of Glamorgan Council when we were out door knocking in Cowbridge this evening. That’s the beauty of canvassing, you get an unfiltered view of what people outside the bubble are thinking. It’s why I’m such a fan.
NHS waiting times came up a lot. Unlike in past elections, far more people seem to realise it’s Senedd ministers, not the Westminster government, responsible for the NHS in Wales. This can only be a good thing. Labour and Plaid have got away with their appalling record for so long because people don’t know they’re responsible. It’s time that changed.
It doesn’t matter where you go in Bridgend and the Vale, there’s a real incredulity that the NHS is in such a state, yet cash has been found to blow £120 million on 36 more Senedd members. The figure wasn’t recited back to me, I’ll admit I added that in. But the issue came up time and time again.
It was also interesting to hear Plaid blamed too. It seems it’s starting to cut through that the separatists were behind Senedd expansion as well as Labour. But one gentleman did say he was thinking of voting Lib Dem because he was angered by the 36 more Senedd members. He’s not now, because I told him they support it as well. But it shows why communication is so important. We need to hammer this message home.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council are not popular either in Cowbridge. The Labour-run Council put up council tax again this year, by an inflation busting 5.9%. At the same time, services have been cut. A few people complained that litter bins have been removed across the town. Nick Wood, Robert Fisher and Charles Champion, the town’s 3 Conservative councillors, oppose this, and voted against the council tax rise. This was well received.
I always find the Council’s position bemusing. They claim they’re hard up. But they also found time and resources to declare the Vale a “County of Sanctuary” for asylum seekers. Conservative councillors, I’m pleased to say, voted against this. Their priorities are their local communities and they’re not willing to countenance any distractions.
All in all, it was an interesting afternoon. So much so I’m already looking forward to getting back out. Meeting the public is my favourite part of the job.