Madam,

The news that Lord Elis-Thomas has resigned from Plaid Cymru and plans to sit as an Independent AM in the National Assembly, rather than to resign from the Assembly itself in order that a by-election can be held, is distressing.

Lord Elis-Thomas relied, in his re-election to the Assembly as a Plaid AM on 5 May this year, on his personal authority, which must now be brought into question in the light of his political volte face, and on his strong advocacy of Plaid Cymru, which support his current U-turn completely undercuts.

The people of Dwyfor Meirionnydd really do need an AM who sticks to what they say at the election.As the Labour candidate in the May election, I campaigned hard for the Welsh government to re-focus on Gwynedd. It is a county suffering from an AM failing to argue the case in the National Assembly for changes in policy, both toward and by Gwynedd. None more so than in health provision, in inadequate funding, and in inequality, all matters Lord Elis-Thomas claimed to oppose at that time, though whether merely as a Peer or a Plaid AM never seemed clear.

Lord Elis-Thomas’ manoeuvring brings democracy into further disrepute. He must surely, madam, resign his seat and stand as an Independent in the subsequent by-election so that the people of Dwyfor Meirionnydd can decide whom they want to represent them, knowing that what they see on the tin this time is what they get.

Of course, should Labour win that by-election the extra Labour seat in Cardiff would give the people of Dwyfor Meirionnydd an AM paying undivided attention to their interests, and the Welsh people a majority government freed from the machinations of idiosyncratic Independent and minor party politicians.

If ever Wales needed a government speaking with a single clear voice it is now as we fight for proper post-Brexit funding here in agriculture, tourism and health and welfare services.

Yours etc,

Ian MacIntyre, Arthog Terrace.

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