THE unsurprising praise and plaudits heaped on the members of Newport Labour Council by their associate MP’s and AM’s etc., looks like a case of trying to fool the people of Newport. 

Anybody in Newport city with a good memory, knows that the Liberal Democrats/Conservative Coalition former council kick-started the Friars Walk Development guided by the late Liberal Democrat Councillor Ed Townsend. 

As David Hando said in his letter (Argus 27.4.17) the Labour Council “saw it through” - but that was its responsibility!  

What we are still waiting for is an apology from Newport Labour for the centre’s pedestrianisation farce, causing the downfall of the wonderful and historical Westgate Hotel, the near demise of the Indoor Market, the decline of the Market Arcade, lack of public toilets in Commercial Street and High Street areas, also the loss of central swimming pools - the Spytty Pool is only half (25 metres) of the Olympic Standard, litter-strewn and dog-messed residential streets, poor public park facilities and a lack of support for Newport County AFC! 

Why has Newport and the people been so neglected? 

Brian J Donovan
Darlington Court
Newport