South Wales Evening Post - 24 January 2007
Swansea Council's political merry-go-round has spun again - the result being another shock defection.
Councillor Margaret Smith has pulled out of the ruling administration and joined the Conservative group.
It is the latest twist in the tale of the party since Rene Kinzett took control earlier this month, just six months after his unexpected switch from the Liberal Democrats. He pulled his members from the ruling coalition.
But last week two Conservatives jumped ship and joined the Liberal Alliance, with councillors Joan Peters and Huw Rees making the surprise switch.
The latest defection has left the ruling Lib Dem-led coalition with just 31 members.
Labour has 32 members, while Plaid and the Conservative group each has four members.
Councillor Kinzett said he would not be looking to oust Chris Holley as council leader. Rather, he was calling for opposition members to be given control of scrutiny committees, something he said he urged when he was still a Lib Dem councillor.
He said: "It was impossible to hold them to account while the same people that take the decision are in charge of scrutinising the decision."
Councillor Kinzett said he was pleased to welcome Councillor Smith to the party.
She said: "I feel like I have come home to my true political party.
"I look forward to continuing to represent the people of Pennard to the best of my ability," she added.
"I can more easily do that in the Conservative group."
Alun Cairns, Conservative AM for South Wales West, said: "Margaret Smith has been a long-standing servant to the community, and the fact that she has chosen to join the Conservative group shows how the party has developed."
Councillor Kinzett said his party's grassroots support was pleased with the recent increase in political activity by the group and the addition of Councillor Smith.
He said: "She has been a member of the party for many years. This is her natural home.
"The Gower Conservative Group is delighted Margaret Smith is coming back to us.
"They also think it is great that we are at last having a voice on the council."
