Smith could end up the big loser

WALES is to lose more than a quarter of its House of Commons seats ... if this Tory government gets its way.

The voters of Wales have every right to say what we think, without fear or favour. That is democracy in action – something in thin supply under Tory and Labour governments over the past 19 years!

I’d like to highlight one Welsh seat in particular, how it could affect the people of the Valleys, and one MP, in particular.

Pontypridd MP Owen Smith not only faces losing the Labour leadership race, but also his own Pontypridd constituency seat at the next general election.

The historic seat of Pontypridd will be swept away under changes being drawn up by the boundary commission. The proposals involve cutting the number of Welsh seats from 40 to 29, by merging neighbouring constituencies.

Where Mr Smith is concerned, the Pontypridd constituency will be merged with the Cynon Valley, the seat held by veteran MP Ann Clwyd. Smith’s backers may be hoping Ms Clwyd might be persuaded to stand aside to make way, and a space, for her young neighbouring MP. But despite being 78, sparky Ann Clwyd has shown little appetite for leaving Parliament. Even if she were persuaded, the behaviour of Owen Smith in forcing a Labour leadership election, and splitting the Labour Party, will have forced Labour members and supporters in the Cynon Valley to think carefully about whether they would want Smith to be their MP.

The Cynon Valley Constituency Labour Party is backing Jeremy Corbyn. It is one of 23 CLPS in Wales backing Corbyn, with just three supporting Smith.

The timing of Smith’s challenge, the fact that he is the leader of the172 revolting MPs who are trying to overturn the democratic vote of hundreds of thousands of Labour members, and the way his bid has split Labour when this Tory Government was in open warfare over Brexit, will have infuriated Labour members and supporters in the Cynon Valley... and across Wales.

Owen Smith is trailing Corbyn in all the polls, is facing defeat, and a potential backlash from grass-roots Labour supporters who will feel the Tory Government has been given a free hand to suggest grammar schools, sweep away boundaries and impose further cuts on the poor, ill, unemployed, and disabled, and disadvantaged... many, many of whom live in the Valleys.

Are Labour’s supporters in the Cynon Valley likely to just roll over and have Smith imposed on them?

My first newspaper, as a trainee journalist, was the Aberdare Leader. Unless the people of the Cynon Valley have changed, I know what their answer will be.

Oh dear, Mr Smith, when you risk everything ... you may, just, end up with nothing! Paul Starling Cardiff