Sir,
As a longtime friend of Christine Gwyther and as a member of the Tenby and Saunderfoot Labour Party Branch, I must protest at the wording of Michael Williams's letter to Christine, in particular "Our request is that you put aside party political allegiances and put the long term welfare of your constituents in this area first," the inference being that she would do otherwise.
I can assure you that Christine would always attempt to support the Party on matters of national policy, but would stand up and argue the case against if she believed the policy was wrong or misconceived, and I can also assure you that when it comes to local issues she will always fight tooth and nail for the rights and needs of her constituents, regardless of their or her own political allegiances - for she represents all the members of the constituency.
I think she has amply demonstrated this in her actions to date, by her joint work with Nick Ainger in forcing the Health Authority to hold public meetings some two years ago, when otherwise there would have been none. Since then she has worked hard and so far has produced more effective results than all Michael Williams's posturing, pressuring the Health Minister, Jane Hutt, in to extending the period for the Pembrokeshire Local Health Board to research and properly work out their proposal and to force them to consult with local organisations and interested bodies, something they had failed and were loath to do.
Her campaign using a questionnaire and reply slip was extremely effective and added great strength to her argument when she presented over 2,500 replies to Jane Hutt, all but two of which insisted that there must be beds in the new Tenby Cottage Hospital, which will serve not only the residents of Tenby but also the wider area.
Norman Spence,
14 Lawnswood,
Saundersfoot.