Party to disband

Feb 28 2008 by Jackie Bow, South Wales Echo

A VALLEYS political party is disbanding in a bid to pave the way for an Independent-led council.

Merthyr Tydfil’s People Before Politics leader Councillor Steve Morgan confirmed it has applied to the Electoral Commission to de-register. He says the goal is to topple Labour at the May elections by not splitting the Independents vote. “What we have discovered in these four years is unity among independents and growing closer together is vitally important if Merthyr is to be led by an independent group,” he said.

People Before Politics won nine of the 33 council seats at the 2004 elections. Coun Morgan stepped down as leader during his late father’s illness but picked up the reins again. In the meantime, five councillors had left the party – one defected to Labour, three formed their own Merthyr Independents group and one formed an access to the countryside alliance with an independent.