Bad apples could spoil it for everyone

The charge of “bringing local government into disrepute” is one often bandied about by protagonists who are engaged in the time-honoured tradition of attacking the messenger when the message don’t suit. (See previous post)

But few could argue that such an accusation would be inappropriate in the case of Gorseinon mayor Victor Bruno - who is arguably culpable of having reduced himself and his once respected town council to a status somewhere between laughing stock and lunatic fringe.

It was a depressing experience to read the account in the local paper of how the latest meeting descended into anarchy as he ignored further calls for his resignation. We even find ourselves in agreement with the editorial viewpoint that it is democracy which suffers most from such arrogant disregard of political accountability.

There are influential figures within Welsh Assembly Government circles who are seriously suggesting that local “capacity building” is a viable way to sustain minimum service standards at community level. Whatever the merits involved, they will have to convince others that events at Gorseinon are untypical of the norm and that bodies such as One Voice Wales are capable of intervening if necessary. They appear have a challenge on their hands.