WHAT are we to think of a Pembrokeshire county councillor telling Wales’ First Minister to “just shut up woman”? A breath of fresh air, or a ‘nasty sexist soundbite’?

It should be made clear that the outburst on social media was part of personal comment made on a local news post covering the Prif Weinidog’s New Year message and was not addressed to Eluned Morgan directly.

However, when councillors are elected, they agree to the Pembrokeshire County Council code of conduct which upholds seven principles of public life: Selfnessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

“Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example… treating everyone with respect,” states the code. “Consider others as they carry out their duties” and “express your point of view without being aggressive”.

The code applies equally to using social media at work or at home, in official and personal life.

In referring to each other as ‘honourable’ in Commons debates, Members of Parliament recognise that there is a need for courtesy, showing respect to the individuals and their positions, regardless of any political disagreements.

Councillor Dennison may be ‘amazed’ his remark made the headlines, but the comment, which also described the Welsh Labour leader as a “really useless politician,” epitomises this era of social media where invective trumps debate.

It also serves as a reminder of his alleged involvement in a Facebook ‘smear campaign’ against Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall. This falsely claimed the independent candidate was a closet Labour sympathiser after she was pictured with Labour Party members in Tenby. ‘It is quite simple’, she later said. “I was mayor of the town, the Minister for Health [Eluned Morgan MS] was visiting and there was an opportunity to show her the excellent work being done at a local drop-in centre and food bank.’

There is nothing unusual in Wales’ First Minister delivering a New Year’s message. Indeed, the newly elected leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar, gave his own message, in which he made it clear his target is to become First Minister in 2026!

So in response, a Happy New Year to all who serve in the Senedd, filled with achievements for a better Wales. In 2025, may the First Minister find the resources to fulfil the goals set out in her speech, the time to listen to local concerns, and the courage to effect positive change.