Labour Councillor Resigns Over Cancer Appointment and Budget Meeting Conflict
A Labour councillor has resigned from Monmouthshire council's Labour group, citing being told to prioritise a budget meeting over a critical cancer appointment.
Sue Riley left the Labour group last week amid allegations of bullying and expressed frustration that a complaint she submitted to the party had not been acknowledged.
"I found it intolerable that I was told to cancel an essential medical appointment in order to attend a council meeting. This I found totally unacceptable and have been asking for redress, which has not been properly forthcoming."
The Labour whip for the council, Steven Garratt, stated that he asked Riley if she could reschedule her appointment after discovering it conflicted with the council's budget meeting scheduled for March 2025.
In an interview with BBC Wales, Riley described frequently attending council meetings online despite her health challenges, including times when she had drains attached following surgery.
"But on that particular one, I just couldn't do it,"
she said.
The budget proposed by the Labour-led cabinet was approved due to a "pairing" arrangement, where an opposition councillor abstained from voting to compensate for Riley's absence.
Riley continues to serve as the councillor for Chepstow's Bulwark and Thornwell ward but now sits as an independent member.
Her departure from the Labour group reduces the party's representation on the council to 21 out of 46 seats.
She participated in the council's annual general meeting in May, voting alongside Labour to re-elect Mary Ann Brocklesby as council leader by a narrow margin of one vote, but resigned from the group the following week.
"I have done everything I can to address what I feel is unfairness and bullying and after a year of trying to get it addressed I have decided enough is enough."
"People are saying this isn't the forum for these complaints, but yet there is no forum. The only thing you can do is leave, and then when people ask you why you've left, be honest and tell them why."
Riley, diagnosed with stage four cancer three years ago, explained that she informed her party of her appointments at Cardiff's Velindre cancer hospital, which are only available on Thursdays, coinciding with the monthly full council meetings.
She recounted instances where she had to "pull over beside the A465 to get the laptop out on the way home from Velindre" to participate in meetings remotely.
Despite her health challenges, Riley expressed that she enjoys her community work and feels capable of continuing it.
"I was a very fit and healthy person four years ago. I didn't really plan for cancer and I did feel that I could make a difference [being a councillor] and I did do a lot of work."
Garratt stated he was unaware of any formal complaint against him but reiterated that he asked Riley if she could change her appointment due to Labour's need for every vote on the council.
Mary Ann Brocklesby commented on the situation:
"As a group and as Welsh Labour, we do expect councillors to turn up on key votes and when there are reasons they can't do that and we've had more than one occasion with councillors with serious illness or dealing with serious illnesses within family, we find ways to deal with it and will continue to do so.
We are very sad Councillor Riley has chosen to leave the party but we respect her decision."
Welsh Labour has been contacted for further comment.
