Council leader blasts Andrew RT Davies after visit to Rhondda
Rhondda Cynon Taf’s council leader has blasted Andrew RT Davies for suggesting people in Rhondda support his views on the UK Government’s controversial small boats policy.
The council leader, Andrew Morgan said there’s “no support for the Tories here” after the leader of the Welsh Conservatives took part in a ‘politics and a pint’ event at Rhondda Golf Club earlier this week.
Whilst there, Andrew RT Davies and South Wales Central MS, Joel James filmed a social media video in the club’s empty carpark which sparked fury among Rhondda residents after it was uploaded to Twitter.
In the video, RT Davies claimed Rhondda residents were keen for the UK Government to “deal” with the issue of small boat crossings causing “mayhem” to the immigration system.
Just like with Brexit, Labour are ignoring their traditional heartlands on small boats. pic.twitter.com/XaabNKryc3
— Andrew RT Davies (@AndrewRTDavies) March 28, 2023
The ‘politics and a pint’ event was said to be sparsely attended with one commentator on social media suggesting only a handful of people were present.
A day later, the leader of the Welsh Tories re-posted the video with the caption: “Keir Starmer fought against the deportation of a thug, who then went on to attack two women. The good people of the Rhondda won’t like that either. Just like with Brexit, Labour are ignoring their traditional heartlands on small boats.”
Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Andrew Morgan said: “It’s hugely disappointing that the Tory Leader in Wales continues to focus on divisive issues and then after a recent visit to RCT, said on social media that the people of Rhondda allegedly support his views.
“It’s clear what people in RCT think of the Tories, after the years of austerity they have inflicted on public services, there is no support for the Tories here.
“The Tory cost of living crisis hitting households across the country really should be their focus.
“The Tory’s including Andrew RT Davies have little to offer the people of RCT or Wales, as we don’t want their dog whistle politics here”
“Support”
The Welsh Conservative Leader is planning similar ‘politics and a pint’ events in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan over the next few weeks.
Davies posted to Twitter: “Fresh from our event in the Rhondda on Monday, looking forward to taking ‘Politics and a Pint’ to Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan over the next few weeks.
“Will be interesting to see if people share Rhondda residents’ strong support for Conservative plans to stop the boats.”
One Twitter user responded to the announcement: “Cardiff, one of the most multicultural cities in the UK. I don’t think you’ll find what you’re looking for there.”
Nation.Cymru contacted the Welsh Conservatives for confirmation of how many residents attended the event in Rhondda to discuss politics with RT Davies but not receive a reply.
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Typical Tory hates devolution loves delusion
Thomas and Morgan could always meet up in the Union Inn for a pint and find out how much they have in common.
Isn’t ‘politics and a pint’ now permanently associated with that other xenophobe, Farrage?
Apparently privately schooled toff Farage isn’t a fan of beer, prefers fine wine and uses a pint as a prop to look like he’s a man of the people. Sadly many are taken in by this shtick.
I think voters in Rhondda are far more concerned about the cost of living crisis, lack of jobs in the area, and the overall failing economy thanks to Brexit, than small boats crossing the Channel into England.
As Bill Clinton once said ‘Its the economy stupid!’
Neither of them hold decent values. One is a tory , the other licks their boots and lets Gove come to Pontypridd and take credit for EU investment as his levelling up. We deserve better.
Well said
Is it ignorance, or has RT “pelau” the size of the moon, to push a UK gov policy that the UN and ECHR have deemed illegal, and have the nerve to claim the people of Rhondda support it. He will go down in history , as , well, you know that bloke nobody knew his name, what’s his face, Tory Rees Mogg didn’t know him, that fool who tweeted like Trump, yeah that idiot.
Wait until RT Dopey realise their are 2 Rhondda valleys. bigoted evil scum that he is.
Ych. Him again. Cywilydd Cymru a gwarth Gwalia. I hope I am granted to live until the next Senedd election to see him, hopefully, lose his seat. Gwynt teg ar ei ôl a gweddill yr hen giwed Brydeinllyd unoliaethol eilunaddolgar cyfoglyd.
He must have a realy low opinion of the people of the Rhonda.
I wonder if it can possibly be as low as their opinion of him and Tory ‘policy’.
As a Cardiffian I can assure you RTD will not find a warm reception in Butetown, Riverside or Grangetown for his extreme views. If I were him I’d stick to Tory heartlands or leave Wales for good.
Unfortunately I agree with RT Davies, there are many people in the Rhondda Valleys who support the ‘Stop the Boats’ campaign. The most widely read newspaper is The Sun followed by the Daily Mail and Daily Express. Many people in the Rhondda vote Labour but are Tories at heart. Speak to people in the pubs and clubs of the Rhondda as I do, many hold right wing views. All Andrew Morgan is interested is keeping Labour’s 100 year old stranglehold on one of the poorest parts of Western Europe. I am a life-long socialist (former member of the Labour Party)… Read more »