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A Labour councillor from Monmouthshire has stepped down from the party group following a dispute over attending a council budget meeting instead of a cancer treatment appointment. Sue Riley announced her resignation from the Labour group last week, citing bullying concerns and frustration that a complaint she lodged with the party went unaddressed.
Riley explained her situation, revealing that she was asked to reschedule a critical medical appointment to participate in the budget meeting held in March 2025. “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,” she said. Despite her efforts to balance council duties and treatment—attending some meetings online even “with drains hanging out off me… straight after surgery”—she could not do so on this particular occasion.
The Labour whip for the council, Steven Garratt, stated that he had requested Riley to see if she could alter her appointment to avoid the clash, emphasizing the importance of her presence for a crucial vote. Nevertheless, the budget was ultimately approved thanks to a “pairing” system that allowed an opposition councillor to abstain and compensate for Riley’s absence. Although Riley remains the representative for Chepstow’s Bulwark and Thornwell ward, she now sits as an independent councillor.
Riley’s departure has reduced Labour’s presence on the council to 20 out of 46 seats. Notably, she participated in the council’s annual meeting in May, casting her vote with Labour to re-elect Mary Ann Brocklesby as council leader by a narrow margin. She resigned from the group the following week, stating, “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.” Reflecting on the lack of appropriate channels for her grievances, she added, “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.”
Diagnosed with stage four cancer three years ago, Riley shared details about her treatment schedule, which requires appointments at Cardiff’s Velindre cancer hospital exclusively on Thursdays—coinciding with the monthly full council meetings. In her commitment to council work, she even “pulled over beside the A465 to get the laptop out on the way home from Velindre” to participate remotely. Although she cherishes her role serving the community, Riley acknowledged the toll her illness has taken, saying, “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.”
Steven Garratt, who was unaware of any formal complaint lodged against him, reiterated that he had asked Riley about rescheduling the appointment due to Labour’s slim majority on the council that necessitates every vote. Mary Ann Brocklesby, the council leader, expressed regret over Riley’s departure but emphasized the group’s commitment to accommodating councillors facing serious illnesses. “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,” Brocklesby said. She also conveyed respect for Riley’s decision, adding, “We are very sad Councillor Riley has chosen to leave the party but we respect her decision.” Welsh Labour has been approached for further comment
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