A Llanelli Rural Council has quit the Plaid Cymru party after being left disappointed by their choice of candidate for the general election and their stance on Brexit.
Jordan Randall has been rural councillor for Swiss Valley since 2017 but has resigned from the party just days before the General Election on December 12 - a decision which will now see him become an Independent councillor for the ward.
Cllr Randall has claimed that personal vendetta's within the party, it's stance on Brexit and the choice of candidate for the upcoming election all contributed to his reasons behind leaving.
In his statement of resignation, the councillor has said: “This is not a decision that I’ve taken lightly but one which has been a long time coming. I've had the privilege of being a Llanelli Rural councillor in recent years to try my very best in making a difference where I can."
He also criticised the party for choosing Mari Arthur as its candidate for Llanelli in the upcoming electiion.
Ms Arthur will be standing against Labour's Nia Griffith who has held the seat since 2005. Neither the Lib Dems or Greens will stand against the candidate in Ms Arthur in Llanelli as part of a pro-Remain alliance pact between the three party's.
But the party's pro-Remain stance on Brexit was another reason for Cllr Randall's resignation.
“I am also not happy and have been for some time with Plaid’s position on Brexit as they are simply ignoring the wishes of the people of Llanelli as the town overwhelmingly voted to leave in the referendum, a decision which whether people voted to Remain or Leave ought to be one which is respected," he stated.
“Ongoing personal vendettas now seem to be the most important thing for Plaid Cymru at a local level. I no longer recognise the party. The party already lost a number of lifelong members in recent years due to the negativity locally. Astonishingly, they have also taken the decision to no longer have an all year round office presence within the town.
“Calls for national leadership have simply gone unanswered, with new leader Adam Price unwilling to intervene in any way to try to achieve a way forward."
In response to the resignation, candidate Mari Arthur said: "I am proud to have been born and bred in Trimsaran and still have a home there. I went to Graig Comprehensive School (now Coleg Sir Gâr) in Llanelli and have worked locally, nationally and internationally over the last 20 years. I am proud of my local connections which include being an active governor at Stebonheath school and a board member of Carmarthenshire Energy."
"My career is in sustainability, not politics. I am currently Director of Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales and I have set up a new business partnership, Afallen, which seeks to build a local supply chain that will keep work, skills and money in Wales. I have decided to get involved in politics because I'm so frustrated with the way Llanelli and Wales is being ignored at Westminster. This is my one and only motivation for standing for Partliament.
"Earlier this year, at a constituency meeting open to all members, I was unanimously selected as the Plaid Cymru candidate. I have been so pleased to be part of such a positive campaign, drawing on new and committed members. In fact, we have more members than ever in Llanelli. We need and deserve a more powerful voice for the Llanelli area."
Plaid Cymru were contacted but did not wish to comment.
