You are a target when you become the leader of a council, according to Emlyn Dole - and he said he was glad about that. "It's what keeps you tuned in," he said. "It's about learning to deal with it effectively and turning it into a positive. My take on leadership is that the nearer your feet are to the ground, the more effective you're going to be."
He said he had an inkling what it would entail, having been opposition leader. But he described the walk across the floor of the chamber from opposition to council leader as "a heck of a walk". He said: "I'm more comfortable as a council leader; it's easier to be opposition leader."
Mr Dole's journey to his current role in Carmarthenshire has certainly been long and winding. The Carmarthenshire Plaid Cymru leader was born and spent his early years in Llannon, where his father was a minister, before moves taking in north Wales, North Carolina, and Maesteg. You can get more Carmarthenshire news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
