Leading campaigners fighting for the retention of a Cottage Hospital in Tenby are demanding that recently re-elected AM Christine Gwyther make a strong stand on one of the most important issues in south-east Pembrokeshire for decades.
In the latest stage of their battle, Clr. Michael Williams, chairman of CATCH (Campaign for Action on Tenby Cottage Hospital) and the chairman of Tenby Cottage Hospital League of Friends, Mrs. Pat Wright, have written a joint letter to Ms Gwyther following her comments in National Assembly literature about the need for hospital beds to be retained in the town.
"With your party now holding exactly half of the seats in the National Assembly and the presiding officer not usually voting, Rhodri Morgan has a majority of just one over all other parties. This means that to carry on, he must have the support of every single Labour AM if he wants to enjoy an overall majority. As one of those Labour AMs you are in the privileged position of holding the balance of power," they claim.
"CATCH and the League of Friends therefore urge you to withhold your support to the Labour group in the Assembly until such time as Jane Hutt, the Labour Health Minister, can guarantee that the beds currently provided at the Cottage Hospital are not to be relocated to the private sector, and that they are retained in the proposed new facility in Tenby," they continue.
"It is, as you know, within the power of the Health Minister to instruct the Local Health Board and the NHS Trust to do so.
"We are guaranteed the support of all other parties in the Assembly, and so with your vote we could be assured of a new hospital with beds. Your colleague Nick Ainger MP has consistently said that 'money is not an issue'. Nothing need now stand in our way. Democracy could win out for once with your help.
"You are in the situation where you could deliver on your election commitment, as you effectively hold the balance of power in the National Assembly. This is a truly historic opportunity to make a stand on one of the most important issues in south-east Pembrokeshire for decades.
"Our request is that you put aside party political allegiances and put the long term welfare of your consituents in this area first."
When contacted by the Observer, Ms Gwyther said that she had received the letter from Plaid Cymru councillor, Michael Williams and co-signed by Mrs. Wright, which she felt appeared to be "more concerned with bringing down the Welsh Assembly government than with protecting the rights of residents of south-east Pembrokehshire."
"As the elected member, I will continue to fight for the best possible health services for south-east Pembrokeshire and will do so in an honourable way on behalf of my constituents," she said.
Ms Gwyther also said that on receipt of a letter from Pembrokeshire NHS Trust to Tenby Town Council, about the reprovision of services currently provided at the Cottage Hospital and the development of the full business case for the project, she had sought a meeting with Jane Hutt.
"I am dismayed by the NHS Trust's half-hearted approach, and have told the minister that the list of consultees is seriously flawed and incomplete," she added.