S.Wales Evening Post - Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Councillors need to get back to debating what's best for Swansea instead of launching personal attacks on each other, says the city's leader.
Councillor Chris Holley made the comment after being questioned about the quality of debate in Swansea Council's chamber.
Last week, a row erupted after two councillors allegedly made comments about enforced sterilisation and compulsory long-term contraception for parents whose children had been taken into care.
The views were denounced by Swansea councillors on Thursday. However, concerns have been raised about whether debate in the chamber has degenerated into mud-slinging and personal attacks on councillors.
Councillor Holley said: "I think it has become personal, and it seems to be whatever is best for Swansea is being ignored — it's about individuals.
"Policy has disappeared. If it's about anything that benefits Swansea, it's just rubbished by the opposition.
"Just because an idea has been put forward, doesn't mean the opposition have to disagree with it."
Councillor Holley also criticised councillors who condemned their colleagues for being too old, referring to comments made earlier in the year by Tory leader Rene Kinzett.
He added: "I do think debate in the council chamber has degenerated into mud-slinging.
"Councillors need to remember they are there for the benefit of Swansea, and not for themselves.
"It becomes personal when councillors say people are past it just because they are of a certain age. That has certainly left a bitter taste in my mouth, and is something I totally disagree with."
However, Labour leader Dave Phillips said he believed debate in the chamber remained healthy, and there was even a place to discuss the importance of Twittering while council was in session.
He said: "I don't think there's mud-slinging in the council chamber.
"I don't think you should have to just agree all the time. If we did, we would all be in the middle of the road and we would all be run over.
"I think the standard of council debate is generally very good, and I believe most councillors are there to do a better job for their constituents. Politics is a serious business, and it affects all of us, but it's very easy to trivialise by taking one or two items out of context.
"The last council meeting covered not just sterilisation and Twittering, but services for the elderly, children's social services and councillors' remuneration, among other things."
However, Councillor Phillips said he did have concerns about the level of debate in Swansea Council.
He added: "Nonetheless, I am concerned that much of what we should be discussing about the future of our city is decided in cabinet — less and less is being brought to council. When it gets the chance, council does discuss matters in considerable detail — while the length of cabinet meetings can be counted in minutes."
