AFTER regaining the parliamentary and Assembly seats from independent control during the most turbulent six years in local politics, the Labour Party has set its sights on taking control of Blaenau Gwent council.

The history is well-documented and the ‘family falling out’ over the Assembly female shortlist of 2005 seem to be forgotten as new AM Alun Davies returned a majority of more than 9,000 votes.

Mr Davies hit the ground running over the weekend, out in Abertillery with Blaenau Gwent Labour Party leader Hedley McCarthy, meeting his new constituents and eager to talk about his priorities for the future.

“There is such a history in Blaenau Gwent with the Labour Party and, ultimately, we share the same values and ambitions for the future.

“They are part of a family and, when they fall out, it can be difficult to recover.

“We felt that we were doing the right thing and we lost the last Assembly election as a consequence.

“People felt they were misled, but now we have gone back to them, listened, and the people and the party have come back together.”

Labour group leader Hedley McCarthy is confident that he’ll be taking the reins come next year.

“When you take into account the last four major election results in Blaenau Gwent – European, parliamentary, council by-election in Tredegar and now the Assembly, it’s quite clear that people are calling time on the Independents.

“This is no great surprise as the last three years has shown that they are out off their depth.

“We are determined to work with both Alun and Nick Smith to create lasting and worthwhile improvements.”

Deputy leader Steve Thomas added: “We cannot afford to get complacent, much work has been done to regain the trust of our constituents.

“We have learned lessons and look forward to the next council elections and the opportunity to serve the good people of Blaenau Gwent.”

Mr Davies said that, while campaigning, 75 per cent of the issues raised were related to the council: “It is my intention to work closely with Hedley and the Labour Party and I hope to see Hedley as leader next year.

“Now it’s about delivering on the priorities I campaigned on – high-quality jobs; regeneration, particularly in our town centres; making right decisions on education.

“I want to be a politician who is on the side of the ordinary person.”

Council elections are usually the first Thursday in May but an official date has not been released yet.