News

Plaid leader says election win would be used to map ‘road to independence’

Published

1 month ago

January 13, 2026

Conservatives accuse party of trying to “tear Britain apart” as parties gear up for Senedd poll

PLAID CYMRU leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has said his party would use time in government after the 2026 Senedd election to set out what he described as a “road to independence” for Wales.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday (Jan 13), Mr ap Iorwerth said Plaid’s next manifesto would explain how the party would use office to “make the case” for Wales taking “more levers of power” into its own hands.

“Of course, the manifesto will spell out how we will want to use our time in government to make the case for how we can do things differently in Wales, how we can set a different trajectory for us by taking more levers of power into our hands,” he said.

“You can call that independence now, you can call it the road to independence, whatever.”

The comments come as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the next Senedd election, due to take place on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

What Plaid is proposing

Plaid Cymru has long supported Welsh independence in principle, but the pace and mechanism of any constitutional change has been a recurring point of political contention.

In previous policy documents, Plaid has proposed producing a “Green Paper on the path to independence” and establishing a national commission to examine options for Wales’ political and economic future and involve citizens in that debate.

Mr ap Iorwerth’s latest remarks suggest the party intends to foreground that agenda in the run-up to 2026, framing independence as part of a broader argument for greater Welsh decision-making powers.

A Plaid Cymru news release issued the same day described the election as an opportunity to elect a Plaid-led government and referenced “bold plans” for Wales, delivered alongside the press conference.

Conservatives and Lib Dems hit back

The Welsh Conservatives responded by accusing Plaid of seeking to break up the United Kingdom.

Darren Millar MS, the party’s leader in the Senedd, said: “Plaid Cymru want to tear Britain apart. The people of Wales won’t let them.”

He added: “Plaid pretends to put Wales first, but in reality, they would bankrupt us to pay for their independence pipe dream.”

Mr Millar also criticised further devolution, describing it as a “salami slice strategy” towards independence.

Responding to Plaid Cymru’s press conference, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “Plaid Cymru’s plans for independence would do catastrophic damage to the Welsh economy and be thousands of times more damaging than Brexit, risking jobs, investment and public services across Wales.

Plaid may be trying to hide its support for independence, but it is the very reason the party exists. We have seen in Scotland with the SNP that once nationalists get into power, they waste money, time and political resources obsessing over independence instead of focusing on the day-to-day issues that actually affect people’s lives.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are clear: we will not support any government, formally or informally, that spends a single pound on independence. Our priority is fixing the real issues people face: fixing the NHS and social care, growing the economy and tackling the cost-of-living crisis.”

The political backdrop

The exchange lands in an already volatile pre-election landscape, with polls and analysis over the past year suggesting a more fragmented contest than Wales has traditionally seen, and growing competition for voters across parties.

It also comes against the backdrop of Senedd reforms that will change how voters choose their representatives at the next election, including an expanded chamber.

What comes next

Plaid Cymru has not yet published its 2026 manifesto. The party says the document will set out how it would use government to advance its case for greater powers, which Mr ap Iorwerth described as a “road to independence”.

The Welsh Conservatives say they will campaign against any further constitutional drift and will argue that independence would weaken Wales economically.

With the election less than 16 months away, both parties are expected to sharpen their pitch to voters on the constitutional question—alongside the more immediate concerns of public services, living costs, and jobs—issues likely to dominate campaigning across Wales in the months ahead.

Local Government

Independent group threatens to oppose council tax plans over education cuts

Published

6 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Councillors demand £2m savings removed amid safeguarding concerns in schools

THE INDEPENDENT GROUP on Pembrokeshire County Council has warned it will not support the Cabinet’s proposed council tax increases unless planned reductions to the education budget are reversed.

Cabinet has recommended a council tax rise of 4.6% for 2026/27, followed by 5% the following year and potential increases of up to 7.5% in future years. The Independent Group has criticised the proposals, describing them as a “ballot box” budget which they claim postpones difficult financial decisions for future administrations.

The group also said it had not been consulted during the budget process by Council Leader Jon Harvey, despite representing a significant number of councillors.

Safeguarding concerns raised

Councillor Huw Murphy said the group’s main concern relates to education funding, particularly following the recent placement of three Pembrokeshire schools into special measures.

He said: “The seriousness of the situation facing education in Pembrokeshire cannot be overstated. All councillors need to place school safeguarding above party politics.”

The Independent Group argues that reducing the education budget by more than £2 million would be inappropriate at a time when schools face financial pressures and scrutiny from inspectors.

The councillors have called for the proposed savings to be reinvested to help improve standards at Ysgol Harri Tudur, Milford Haven School and the Pembrokeshire Learning Centre in Neyland, as well as addressing wider infrastructure concerns including building maintenance issues at several schools across the county.

Budget pressures acknowledged

The group acknowledged efforts by the council’s finance leadership to achieve savings, noting projections that the authority could finish the financial year under budget.

However, Councillor Murphy questioned whether some efficiencies may have affected services, including education provision and safeguarding.

He also highlighted that councillors had previously reduced proposed education cuts during last year’s budget process following cross-party support.

Political tensions

The statement also criticised the position of councillors from other parties, questioning whether Labour and Plaid members would support reductions in education spending given the current challenges facing schools.

It further referenced previous proposals from Liberal Democrats councillors for higher council tax increases to protect school funding, suggesting the current position appeared inconsistent.

The Independent Group says it will only support the budget if education cuts are removed, placing what it describes as safeguarding, wellbeing and educational attainment as its priority.

The Herald has approached Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

Community

Smiles all round for Pancake Day celebrations in Tenby

Published

8 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TENBY was filled with laughter, cheers and the smell of freshly cooked pancakes on Tuesday (Feb 17) as the town’s annual pancake races brought residents and visitors together for a day of family-friendly fun.

The much-loved tradition, held to mark Shrove Tuesday, saw competitors of all ages take to the streets armed with frying pans, attempting to race while flipping pancakes without dropping them. Spectators lined the route in good spirits, many wrapped up against the chilly weather, as children, families and local groups took part.

Among the highlights were enthusiastic young racers proudly showing off their pancake-flipping skills, with some managing impressive mid-air flips while others focused on simply reaching the finish line with their pancake still intact. The event created plenty of memorable moments for families watching and taking part.

RNLI volunteers also joined the celebrations, bringing colour and community spirit to the occasion in their distinctive yellow gear, alongside a mascot character who proved popular with children.

The races form part of Tenby’s traditional Shrove Tuesday celebrations, which continue to be an important date in the town’s community calendar. Organisers said the event is designed to bring people together, celebrate local traditions and create a fun experience for families during the school half-term period.

Younger participants also took to the course in dedicated children’s races, many concentrating hard as they carefully balanced their pancakes while moving along the route under the watchful eyes of parents and marshals.

With smiles all round and plenty of successful pancake flips, the event once again proved why Tenby’s pancake races remain a cherished annual tradition for the community.

Photos: Gareth Davies / Herald.

Crime

Teen given community order after assaulting police officer at hospital

Published

8 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEENAGER from Neyland has been given a community order after admitting assaulting a police officer at Withybush Hospital.

Luke Davies, aged 18, of Springfield Avenue, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 16) for sentencing.

The court heard that on July 9, 2025, at Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest, Davies assaulted PC Elliot Jamie Williams while the officer was acting in the execution of his duty. The offence is contrary to section 89(1) of the Police Act 1996.

Davies had previously pleaded guilty to the charge on January 6, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until August 15, 2027. The order includes participation in drug rehabilitation and alcohol treatment programmes for six months, both to be carried out as directed by probation, along with regular court reviews.

He must also complete up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.

Davies was ordered to pay £200 compensation and £85 prosecution costs.

The case will return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for review on March 16 at 10:00am.