Councillor Joan Peters is a longstanding Conservative Councillor who has been badly treated by her own party. It is a tribute to her loyalty therefore that she has decided to stick with them.The saddest thing about her enforced removal as leader of the Conservative Group was the shabby way in which it took place. Rumours have it that Welsh Conservative Leader, Nick Bourne, even took the trouble to travel all the way to Swansea to make sure that there were no hitches in Rene Kinzett's little coup. When we put this to Tory spin doctor Richard Hazlewood on his blog he failed to post our comment. We are happy therefore to give him or Nick Bourne the opportunity to deny it by e-mailing us. We will, of course publish any reply as an update to this post and correct anything here that is inaccurate.
Mr. Hazlewood's post was a masterpiece in political spin. It was though rather a kick in the teeth for Councillor Peters. It was almost as if she had become persona non grata. When your own party starts to promote your sacking as 'good news to kick off the New Year', then you know that you have become a non-person.
Fortunately. Joan Peter's colleagues in the Administration value her rather more than her fellow Conservatives and it is likely that she will remain in the Cabinet for the time being.
Update: The following e-mail has been received which we are happy to reproduce in full so as to clarify events:
I note from your website that you allege Nick Bourne AM travelled to Swansea to attend a Conservative Group meeting at which Joan Peters was replaced as Leader by Rene Kinzett.
This is not true. Nick Bourne was abroad on Assembly Business when the meeting was held so I would be grateful if you would make this clear. Nick has played no part in this matter at all.
Paul Morris
Group Administrator
Welsh Conservative Group
Perhaps we can now establish the whereabouts of Alun Cairns and Welsh Conservative officials during this meeting.
Further Update: Paul Morris has now confirmed that Alun Cairns was not present, however the Chairman of the Welsh Conservative Party was. No wonder Joan Peters was so aggrieved to find the Welsh Conservative establishment lined up to facilitate the coup d'grace that was instituted against her.
