Conwy's new Reform leader hits back and invites cabinet to join party
This decision led to a backlash from Aberconwy's Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders, who called on the pair to resign, arguing there must be a by-election to re-elect the seats on both Conwy County Council and Llandudno Town Council. Other criticism followed from Labour too, with fellow Llandudno councillor Mandy Hawkins going on record suggesting Reform could privatise the NHS.
Speaking to the local democracy reporting service today (Thursday), Cllr Emery defended her position, as well as that of Cllr Montgomery, as the new Reform Conwy leader. 'The last 24 hours we have been totally overwhelmed by the support that we have received from residents and supporters,' she said. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox.
'Despite this we have seen the classic mudslinging, misinformation, and school-ground name calling from the usual suspects in both Labour and Tory camps.
'The sudden interest in by-elections from Janet Finch-Saunders MS and Cllr Mandy Hawkins is fascinating. Particularly when you consider that both have been silent over the last three years when three councillors have left the Labour group whilst remaining councillors. Where were these calls for by-elections then?
'It seems that both of their comments are less about genuine concern for democratic values and everything to do with political point scoring. Also, we have to call out the misinformation coming from the Labour party that we or Reform are interested in privatising the NHS.
'Labour have said that the NHS was going to be privatised by the Conservatives time and time again. And guess what, the NHS hasn't been privatised, and Reform UK isn't going to privatise the NHS. Let's stop using the NHS as a political football to scare people into voting for Labour.
'We are open to new ideas about how we save the NHS because neither the Conservatives and more so Labour in Wales have delivered for people. We want a health service that works first and foremost for patients and is free at the point of use.
"We can disagree. We can debate on the issues. We can stand up for what we believe in. But let's leave the name calling and misinformation out of it because our residents deserve better.' She added: 'I'd be delighted to hear from any cabinet members who wanted to join the Reform party.'
It emerged yesterday too, that Old Colwyn councillor David Carr is also a member of Reform UK, despite being an independent councillor. Cllr Carr has declared his membership on his council profile website page.
The local democracy reporting service attempted to contact Cllr Carr for a comment. The local democracy reporting service also contacted all Conwy cabinet members to ask if they might be members of undeclared political parties, which included Reform UK.
Cabinet members Charlie McCoubrey, Emily Owen, Julie Fallon, Cathy Augustine, Penny Andow, Geoff Stewart, Nigel Smith, Goronwy Edwards, and Chris Cater all denied being members of any party than that declared. Cllr Cathy Augustine gave the strongest response to the question.
She said: 'My values and principles are such that everything to do with Reform UK is anathema to me. My only involvement with Reform will be to oppose them and their vile, divisive views at every opportunity.' Deputy leader Cllr Emily Owen also said: 'I can categorically and firmly put on record that my values and principles do not remotely align with that of Reform UK, and I want absolutely nothing to do with them.' The local democracy reporting service is awaiting a response from Plaid Cymru councillor Dilwyn Roberts.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 minutes ago
- The Sun
Labour minister for homelessness ‘threw out tenants then hiked rent by £700 a month' ahead of law change to BAN doing it
A LABOUR homelessness minister evicted four tenants from her townhouse before upping the monthly rent by £700. Rushanara Ali threw out the people living at her east London property and later re-listed it for hundreds more, as reported by The i Paper. 2 2 According to the news outlet, the Labour MP previously rented the four-bedroom townhouse out for £3,300 a month. But new tenants were forced to fork out an eye-watering £4,000 a month for the home - a stone's throw away from Olympic Park. The landlord MP, who owns two rental properties, is known for her fight against private renters"being exploited" and championed reform against "unreasonable rent increases". In fact, Labour's Renters' Rights Bill will ban landlords who are trying to sell their property from relisting it for higher rent less than six months after tenants move out. The new law is expected to come into force next year. Conservative shadow Housing Secretary, James Cleverly, said the allegations against Ms Ali 'would be an example of the most extreme hypocrisy and that she should not have the job as homelessness minister'. Laura Jackson was one of the four people who rented from Ms Ali. The self-employed restaurant owner was told in November she had four months to leave. Ms Jackson, 33, told The i Paper: 'It's an absolute joke. Trying to get that much money from renters is extortion'. The property was managed on Ali's behalf by two lettings agencies, Jack Barclay Estates and Avenue Lettings. Watch as housing minister reveals new plans to protect tenants They told tenants they'd be charged nearly a staggering £2,400 for the house to be repainted and professionally cleaned. But landlords are not allowed to charge tenants for professional cleaning under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Ms Jackson dubbed the "exploitative" charges "ridiculous and unfair". However, they were dropped when the firms were told the landlord was a Labour MP. It is understood Ms Ali was told of the fees and cancelled them. Ben Twomey, the chief executive of Generation Rent, said: 'These allegations are shocking and a wake-up call to Government on the need to push ahead as quickly as possible to improve protections for renters. 'It is bad enough when any landlord turfs out their tenant to hike up the rent, or tries their luck with unfair claims on the deposit, but the minister responsible for homelessness knows only too well about the harm caused by this behaviour.' A source close to Ms Ali told The i Paper her tenants were told their tenancy would not be renewed. They were reportedly offered a rolling contract before the house went up for sale. The townhouse was only relisted for rent after she did not find a buyer, said the insider. A spokesperson for Ms Ali said: 'Rushanara takes her responsibilities seriously and complied with all relevant legal requirements.' The property is on sale for £894,990, reduced from £914,995 listed last November. It comes as The Renters' Reform Bill is expected to come into force next year. The far-reaching bill will ban Section 21, also known as "no fault" evictions, as well as prevent landlords from increasing rents to deliberately squeeze hard-up renters out of their homes. The delay to the ban on Section 21 notices, as first reported by The Financial Times, is the first in a string of push backs. A host of other changes are included in the legislation including ensuring possession grounds are fair to both parties. This will give tenants more security but also allow landlords to recover their properties "when reasonable". Providing stronger protections against backdoor eviction will also be enforced. This will ensure tenants can appeal above-market rents which are designed to force them out. A new Private Rented Sector Landlord will be introduced to the Ombudsman, meaning renters can get impartial help if they have a grievance with their landlord. Tenants are also set to receive strengthened rights to request a pet in the property - a landlord will have to consider this and cannot refuse it unreasonably. Meanwhile Awaab's Law is due to be applied to the sector to clear legal expectations about the time frames within which landlords in the private rented sector have to take action to make homes safe where they contain serious hazards.
Rhyl Journal
9 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Asylum seekers who work illegally should be on ‘next plane home'
The Conservative Party leader and shadow home secretary Chris Philp have proposed a crackdown on illegal working amid fears a 'soft touch' is driving English Channel crossings. Migrants whose asylum claims are yet to be processed are not generally allowed to work but they can apply for permission to work if they have been waiting a year or longer for a decision. The Home Office last month struck an agreement with Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to equip these companies with tools to identify patterns of misuse and riders who are not allowed to work in the UK. The Government will share the locations of asylum hotels as part of the deal. But the Conservatives have called for illegal working to become a disqualifier in the asylum process, so that anyone caught is barred from becoming a refugee. 'If you come here illegally, take advantage of our asylum system, and then break our laws by illegally working, your asylum claim must be rejected and you should be on the next plane home,' Mrs Badenoch said. 'Under my leadership, the Conservatives will never allow Britain to become a soft touch for those who think they can break the rules and profit from it.' She also said that illegal working 'rewards illegality, protects perpetrators and mocks hard-working taxpayers.' Mr Philp said he had seen riders gathering at a hotel housing asylum seekers, which he described as 'an underground courier cartel operating right under this Government's nose'. He continued: 'Illegal working is a pull factor sold by smugglers as a reward to break in to our country and cross the Channel. 'That is why we are calling for new action: anyone who plays the system should have their status stripped, wages confiscated, and be deported.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has previously said that 'illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals and fuels organised immigration crime'. She described the Home Office's data-sharing deal as 'decisive action to close loopholes and increase enforcement', and added it sat alongside 'a 50% increase in raids and arrests for illegal working'.
Leader Live
9 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Asylum seekers who work illegally should be on ‘next plane home'
The Conservative Party leader and shadow home secretary Chris Philp have proposed a crackdown on illegal working amid fears a 'soft touch' is driving English Channel crossings. Migrants whose asylum claims are yet to be processed are not generally allowed to work but they can apply for permission to work if they have been waiting a year or longer for a decision. The Home Office last month struck an agreement with Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to equip these companies with tools to identify patterns of misuse and riders who are not allowed to work in the UK. The Government will share the locations of asylum hotels as part of the deal. But the Conservatives have called for illegal working to become a disqualifier in the asylum process, so that anyone caught is barred from becoming a refugee. 'If you come here illegally, take advantage of our asylum system, and then break our laws by illegally working, your asylum claim must be rejected and you should be on the next plane home,' Mrs Badenoch said. 'Under my leadership, the Conservatives will never allow Britain to become a soft touch for those who think they can break the rules and profit from it.' She also said that illegal working 'rewards illegality, protects perpetrators and mocks hard-working taxpayers.' Mr Philp said he had seen riders gathering at a hotel housing asylum seekers, which he described as 'an underground courier cartel operating right under this Government's nose'. He continued: 'Illegal working is a pull factor sold by smugglers as a reward to break in to our country and cross the Channel. 'That is why we are calling for new action: anyone who plays the system should have their status stripped, wages confiscated, and be deported.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has previously said that 'illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals and fuels organised immigration crime'. She described the Home Office's data-sharing deal as 'decisive action to close loopholes and increase enforcement', and added it sat alongside 'a 50% increase in raids and arrests for illegal working'.
