This week’s letters which have been sent to the Beacon editor for print

Lantern parade was organised by town council

As a council we are concerned that the details contained in the article relating to the Christmas Lantern parade in last week’s Beacon are not conclusive and do not reflect the reality of the organisation for the Lantern Parade.

The parade is funded entirely by Monmouth Town Council and its organisation is supported by a town council working group made up of councillors and members of the community.

On the evening of the parade a number of councillors were in attendance. Councillors were at the Lost Children Post, they arranged for the additional bins to be delivered by MCC and, along with volunteers of the Monmouth Litter Group, ensured the site was clear at the end of the night.

We are unsure as to who wrote the article/ press release that was published but it is clear that any reference to the town council’s heavy involvement has been ignored.

This is an event that the town council takes great pride in and it is a shame that the residents of Monmouth are not aware that their local council provides this special evening for them to enjoy especially as it uses public funds.

We would appreciate that this issue is addressed in the next publication of the Beacon as it is too significant to ignore.

Caitlin Williams,Town Clerk and RFO,Monmouth Town Council

Editor’s note: We apologise for omitting any reference to the town council in our report on the popular lantern parade in last week’s paper.

Loyalty should be to constituents

“You can tell a man by the company he keeps”

David TC Davies appears loyal to the rapidly disintegrating Westminster Tory Party and not to his constituents here in Monmouthshire.

This last week, in the wake of the “Partygate” scandal, and the profound hurt this has caused, he was unavailable for comment.

He then absented himself from the Welsh Affairs Committee on grounds of ill health, but on the same day recovered enough to attend his Prime Minister’s Question Time.

The Prime Minister is not leading and our MP is not representing.

Mr Davies then dutifully voted through the shameful Nationality and Borders Bill.

Will he explain his actions to his very unhappy constituents?

It is hard to keep up with the unrolling scandals. Sadly, I am confident that this letter and our discontent will however remain current through another week.

Su McConnelAddress supplied

Trust is vital

In the big scheme of things, No. 10 wallpaper and Christmas ‘gatherings’ are not that important (even if infuriating).

The problem is also not the charge that ‘there’s one rule for them and another for everyone else’ – who thought a Cabinet of Etonians, millionaires and tax avoiders would be any different?

But not being to trust our leaders to tell the truth undermines our country at home and abroad.

From telling the Queen that prorogation of Parliament was legal and signing international treaties with the intention of not following them, to minor political everyday happenings we just seem to get lies or misleading statements.

It demeans our democracy, is an insult to the public and the many decent politicians and it our reduces our ability to work effectively on the international stage.

This has now reached an unacceptable level and, regardless of who they usually vote, for I’m sure many readers would agree.

However, as our MP has accepted the PM’s patronage with a junior job in the government, unless he resigns, he cannot speak out even if he wished to.

It’s time for a change.

Stephen MartinAddress supplied

Thank you

“Llamau wishes to thank the people of Monmouth for their generous donates again this year and also pupils and staff at Overmonnow School.

Thanks

Kath Beavis