Lib Dem who apologised for calling Tories ‘f*****g awful’ chosen as Senedd candidate

A Liberal Democrat councillor who apologised for calling the Tory party ‘f*****g awful’ has been chosen as the party’s candidate in the Rhondda constituency.

Rhondda Liberal Democrats have selected Jackie Charlton as their candidate to contest the seat at this year’s Senedd Election.

She apologies last month after Cllr James Evans, the prospective Conservative Senedd election candidate for Brecon and Radnorshire, picked up on her tweet about the Conservative.

Cllr Charton later told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I made some inappropriate comments and apologise unreservedly. I am just down and depressed about where we are. Sorry.”

Jackie Charlton is a county councillor and community activist who has campaigned on disability rights, health and social care and on preventing a climate emergency.

Jackie is registered deaf and easily recognised by Lucie her Hearing Dog.

‘Passionate’

Commenting on her selection, Jackie Charlton said: “It is a real pleasure to have been selected to contest Rhondda on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. On so many issues Rhondda has been overlooked and this has never been more visible than following the devastating flooding recently.

“Local residents have often been overlooked on issues such as access to housing; local health & social care facilities; and through poor public transport connections between our local communities.

“I am passionate about bringing people together for a stronger democracy, improving life chances for the least advantaged and finding ways to protect the natural world while generating a thriving economy.

“I’m looking forward to fighting a campaign that champions the issues that matter to people locally.”

Rodney Berman, lead Welsh Liberal Democrat Candidate for South Wales Central said Jackie Charlton was a  “first-rate candidate”.

“Whilst progress has been made improving people’s livelihoods lately, Covid has halted progress in many areas whilst money and resources is rightly spent tackling this terrible virus,” he said.

“We need is a strong Liberal Voice in the Senedd, fighting for our needs and fighting to make sure our recovery comes first as we rebuild over the coming years. That is exactly what Jackie will do.”