JUST over a month ago, the Leader of Newport Council announced that she wanted Newport to become ‘the City of Democracy’.

Fast forward and this week’s meeting of full council, due to be held on December 6 - has been axed.

This is in full agreement with the opposition Tories.

No explanations have been given, just that it’s cancelled.

This is probably the first time since the Council was created in the 1990s that there has been a long period (around four months) where the whole council hasn’t met.

Under Labour, Newport City Council has been criticised by the Wales Audit office for its lack of openness and transparency.

Minor tinkering to scrutiny processes doesn’t alter the fact that Labour consistently gag questioning and debate and Newport’s residents are being short-changed.

Perhaps in the light of this, leader Councillor Wilcox should quietly ditch her efforts about the City of Democracy because it’s clearly a misnomer.

Carmel Townsend St Julians ward councillor