Madam,

Having read a letter from Cllr Louise Hughes (‘Disparaging letter showed lack of respect to Forces’), I feel compelled to respond to Ian MacIntyre’s vitriolic comments about Cllr Hughes in a previous letter (‘War is not the way to resolve conflicts’).

His accusations that Cllr Hughes had been “returned unopposed” sounds a bit rich to put it mildly. When Cllr Hughes was first elected onto Cyngor Gwynedd some 10 years ago, she was elected with a thumping majority; the same was the case four years later. Now Mr MacIntyre has the nerve and audacity to criticise her for being “returned unopposed” in the 2017 elections.

As Cllr Hughes rightly points out, there was an opposing candidate, Mr MacIntyre himself, until he decided to pull out one hour before closing time for nominations!

Some people might say that it was a very selfish decision on his part to pull out at such short notice, therefore depriving the electors of an alternative choice.

Just for the record, Cllr Hughes is not the only councillor to be returned unopposed – not by a long way; in fact around 20 of Plaid Cymru’s councillors were returned unopposed, out of a total of 43 at the last election.

While this in itself is a sad situation, there is no point in moaning and complaining. At the end of the day it is up to the public to step forward and stand for election.

Yours etc,

Cllr Owain Williams, (Clynnog Ward), leader of Llais Gwynedd, Pistyll, Pwllheli.

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page