Politics

Rhun ap Iorwerth looks to a new kind of politics

Published

11 years ago

April 20, 2015

THE PARTY OF WALES’ Rhun ap Iorwerth has tonight set out why his party is part of a new kind of politics. Plaid, he said, is rooted firmly in the communities it represents, and is committed to working in the best interests of those communities. Taking part in a debate for the voters of tomorrow and first time voters on BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat, Rhun said that in this election Plaid Cymru offers voters an opportunity to make a difference to their communities and future prospects.

The Party of Wales’ Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Plaid Cymru knows that winning votes is about earning trust. More and more people are coming to the conclusion that the old Westminster parties have let them down too many times, because they don’t have their best interests at heart, and people are now looking for an alternative. “The Party of Wales off ers a new, positive politics.

We are a grassroots party, firmly rooted in the communities we represent and our reason for existence is to deliver the best deal possible for them and for Wales. “By voting for Plaid Cymru, people can make a real difference to their local areas and their futures, and by maximising Wales’ economic prospects we can build a better future for the young people of today and for generations to come.”

Related Topics:

Up Next

Jobs scheme helps a further 300

106 Comments

ixzxirzi

February 4, 2026 at 1:54 pm

https://askoff.ru
Enriquecix

February 4, 2026 at 8:29 pm

anderson pest control reviews [url=https://otvetnow.ru]https://otvetnow.ru[/url] jefferson county bail bonds
uxxwanzt

February 8, 2026 at 10:36 am

https://asklong.ru
xmmfbeqa

February 11, 2026 at 9:59 pm

https://qtjpqhtfcs.wordpress.com
rmcrjglm

February 11, 2026 at 11:28 pm

https://iagperjusu.wordpress.com
koodpwpl

February 12, 2026 at 1:54 am

https://xrsaugpsya.wordpress.com
sfzvqvuz

February 12, 2026 at 2:27 am

https://gxvkxeawwa.wordpress.com
nahntvhp

February 12, 2026 at 4:24 am

https://azacgxicis.wordpress.com
bzymtozj

February 12, 2026 at 6:44 am

https://zfcejfyxiv.wordpress.com
ymsirikv

February 12, 2026 at 8:34 am

https://cxadxqpked.wordpress.com
xawygssd

February 12, 2026 at 9:21 am

https://akiwdiycje.wordpress.com
gwmggdqo

February 12, 2026 at 11:04 am

https://iqakruyprf.wordpress.com
xvmjuzac

February 12, 2026 at 1:44 pm

https://dgaiyziytk.wordpress.com
ohrxmblp

February 12, 2026 at 2:51 pm

https://hrjcdfdcvj.wordpress.com
pqithggm

February 12, 2026 at 6:07 pm

https://wryxvrrhxe.wordpress.com
rjnlhwtv

February 12, 2026 at 7:28 pm

https://thfdcufqah.wordpress.com
hcfyyjzz

March 5, 2026 at 11:09 pm

https://jtgcuqvaay.wordpress.com
wcmobzhm

March 6, 2026 at 1:44 am

https://ugqawktzhq.wordpress.com
wdkwkxeb

March 6, 2026 at 5:26 am

https://hasydhpvfy.wordpress.com
hyjlenrz

March 6, 2026 at 7:16 am

https://ueaypwvzuu.wordpress.com
wjkcxmqs

March 6, 2026 at 8:11 am

https://vzwsksgvux.wordpress.com
sqkrpwpr

March 6, 2026 at 11:55 am

https://sqeehscytd.wordpress.com
nihowtnz

March 6, 2026 at 3:46 pm

https://kddvjdpfpv.wordpress.com
ptzcxstm

March 6, 2026 at 5:53 pm

https://repcgifctk.wordpress.com
fdibmdac

March 6, 2026 at 8:06 pm

https://kustcdxijq.wordpress.com
aylkxgyg

March 6, 2026 at 11:20 pm

https://sqhfdjrquq.wordpress.com
dtaarrlc

March 7, 2026 at 12:56 am

https://yajxkakytu.wordpress.com
jdpdbizk

March 7, 2026 at 4:10 am

https://giidetrszs.wordpress.com
rnjnecvj

March 7, 2026 at 6:02 am

https://svyuirxpae.wordpress.com
rckqrxym

March 7, 2026 at 8:21 am

https://xsvpzkiyje.wordpress.com
migicmbz

March 7, 2026 at 12:40 pm

https://rjiurxiwgv.wordpress.com
dtqifzky

March 7, 2026 at 3:53 pm

https://gszvkhzgci.wordpress.com
unmvepvj

March 7, 2026 at 7:35 pm

https://uawujitxay.wordpress.com
jydwkneg

March 7, 2026 at 10:03 pm

https://kpxrhsvrar.wordpress.com
kjvszncc

March 7, 2026 at 11:50 pm

https://htriehhxdy.wordpress.com
fjtocjca

March 8, 2026 at 3:43 am

https://zgppvridtq.wordpress.com
ahredebq

March 21, 2026 at 1:48 pm

https://zzudvpusyw.wordpress.com
rtupopta

March 21, 2026 at 6:44 pm

https://lyagcpfwpq.wordpress.com
rvpniewj

March 21, 2026 at 8:04 pm

https://vfcszfpzcb.wordpress.com
uoyeyusn

March 21, 2026 at 10:12 pm

https://ijpsgtibdd.wordpress.com
xvjwloaz

March 22, 2026 at 1:50 am

https://bbudktdhdo.wordpress.com
nbssenmx

March 22, 2026 at 4:53 am

https://tqjhrbjrzv.wordpress.com
fwzbqvyz

March 22, 2026 at 7:50 am

https://txxbdjbcir.wordpress.com
mulubqam

March 22, 2026 at 9:33 am

https://ckbsqizjpk.wordpress.com
ywnibxqh

March 22, 2026 at 3:07 pm

https://olyfufoizv.wordpress.com
jzyxabnj

March 22, 2026 at 5:43 pm

https://mjejtbdecc.wordpress.com
jsyodayc

March 22, 2026 at 7:22 pm

https://snduazsogv.wordpress.com
zrblfcyf

March 22, 2026 at 9:58 pm

https://wccpcrdyhx.wordpress.com
blsqsmia

March 23, 2026 at 12:37 am

https://yjcftkejiq.wordpress.com
pritogwc

March 23, 2026 at 5:19 am

https://qwofcxhwfl.wordpress.com
qnrgtvni

March 23, 2026 at 8:48 am

https://yrzssotfpy.wordpress.com
plzospnf

March 23, 2026 at 11:06 am

https://xhlvpqtyim.wordpress.com
fnepqosx

March 23, 2026 at 2:00 pm

https://hbpjncswpf.wordpress.com
yzhrcxwl

March 24, 2026 at 4:35 am

https://cgcnzgfmws.wordpress.com
kqsazzah

March 24, 2026 at 7:41 am

https://tdocbwwnmc.wordpress.com
nhfxfqdx

March 24, 2026 at 12:44 pm

https://ivityniavo.wordpress.com
apobggxw

March 24, 2026 at 3:47 pm

https://wncaclkked.wordpress.com
acmzbfmx

March 24, 2026 at 5:38 pm

https://tpmtulmcmk.wordpress.com
sgtvhfja

March 24, 2026 at 9:59 pm

https://wkbvjijpry.wordpress.com
qxrjyrtr

March 25, 2026 at 12:52 am

https://mqhqxisngl.wordpress.com
ykvjxjze

March 25, 2026 at 2:48 am

https://vrxuhoyhpk.wordpress.com
alfholmy

March 25, 2026 at 6:44 am

https://reowucgwsa.wordpress.com
xkmlutle

March 25, 2026 at 12:26 pm

https://jdutyrirge.wordpress.com
xvaygsyq

March 25, 2026 at 4:33 pm

https://apfkycjgfb.wordpress.com
wqajwpxb

March 25, 2026 at 6:35 pm

https://ficcpnhwqv.wordpress.com
wesscbyz

March 26, 2026 at 1:15 am

https://bbfiuetlig.wordpress.com
zzmenrqr

March 26, 2026 at 4:51 am

https://hbclmjyygw.wordpress.com
qnhvryuv

March 26, 2026 at 5:10 am

https://tdxxfrobpl.wordpress.com
qdxxtvew

March 26, 2026 at 11:10 am

https://haaitoytgz.wordpress.com
qmyyidpo

March 26, 2026 at 4:53 pm

https://pufffrrowy.wordpress.com
xpzsoqvh

March 26, 2026 at 11:33 pm

https://omvrwwxyfa.wordpress.com
riztmmzi

March 27, 2026 at 1:03 am

https://ddvjfrjvdf.wordpress.com
zowfnesv

March 27, 2026 at 7:07 am

https://rdlzkogihn.wordpress.com
tbdrnxro

March 27, 2026 at 10:13 am

https://dvwoegfyew.wordpress.com
bzwifyct

March 27, 2026 at 1:32 pm

https://hhogywcqll.wordpress.com
umuctyvd

March 27, 2026 at 8:07 pm

https://rgacxuozvk.wordpress.com
gzqumfoc

March 28, 2026 at 2:00 am

https://pmvneyjzqi.wordpress.com
zperwsmt

March 28, 2026 at 3:20 am

https://xvljlrujrr.wordpress.com
gxzhjzkf

March 28, 2026 at 10:42 am

https://lxlqgvngsw.wordpress.com
uapbdgiq

March 28, 2026 at 4:45 pm

https://lquqmdmysv.wordpress.com
ykdcqida

March 28, 2026 at 10:32 pm

https://akxdpyyrgw.wordpress.com
pdrwzpyh

March 29, 2026 at 4:50 am

https://slgtnloguc.wordpress.com
hequeehk

March 29, 2026 at 7:10 am

https://fdliubejrd.wordpress.com
qvheuezh

March 29, 2026 at 2:18 pm

https://vwknbtbavk.wordpress.com
wcatjwzo

March 29, 2026 at 4:43 pm

https://gjslqfcuna.wordpress.com
rzckvtzk

March 29, 2026 at 10:38 pm

https://iartkjcyht.wordpress.com
sbnqpjij

March 30, 2026 at 4:24 am

https://sjebkvanwa.wordpress.com
swmecokn

March 30, 2026 at 6:31 am

https://nyqbxvsrvz.wordpress.com
itkkwaql

March 30, 2026 at 12:09 pm

https://wkfgslyxlw.wordpress.com
jfakptsh

March 30, 2026 at 7:06 pm

https://wkfgslyxlw.wordpress.com
hluqmzaz

March 30, 2026 at 9:08 pm

https://rzkqdnsswy.wordpress.com
gaototza

March 30, 2026 at 11:02 pm

https://olqfcfpfud.wordpress.com
evmontam

March 31, 2026 at 12:00 am

https://olqfcfpfud.wordpress.com
hjjbkjhd

March 31, 2026 at 4:25 am

https://yrpolfqizg.wordpress.com
hizzrorw

March 31, 2026 at 5:50 am

https://zgzpzpcqfh.wordpress.com
xvzpntar

March 31, 2026 at 1:05 pm

https://ughaavseby.wordpress.com
nqnuvtbr

March 31, 2026 at 5:50 pm

https://zfrvblsswy.wordpress.com
vvnjdrez

March 31, 2026 at 10:28 pm

https://nkxutnlyla.wordpress.com
ohtwttyh

April 1, 2026 at 3:17 am

https://ksemfakmni.wordpress.com
qvcnhidn

April 1, 2026 at 6:44 am

https://qfcojxkwdf.wordpress.com
kzbqweke

April 1, 2026 at 11:45 am

https://rujnwebqhm.wordpress.com
vttktjbq

April 3, 2026 at 1:27 am

https://fanvuqkaud.wordpress.com
ahxzggxa

April 3, 2026 at 3:10 am

https://rqiemzolae.wordpress.com
rtnpqgjj

April 3, 2026 at 8:53 am

https://ecbsmgtfya.wordpress.com
rxapscfh

April 3, 2026 at 2:30 pm

https://spplbzdsvh.wordpress.com
iczdtiud

April 3, 2026 at 7:53 pm

https://sgvxqmbkaf.wordpress.com

News

IFS report says Wales lags behind UK on economy and poverty

Published

3 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Jon Coles

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’s key Child Poverty Strategy lacks clarity, has no reliable way of measuring success or failure, and, crucially, does not account for the Welsh Government’s lack of control over the levers needed to deliver on it.

Those are the findings of a new report by the UK’s leading economic policy research body, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), which looks at Wales’s economic performance and poor employment record.

The IFS report, published on Wednesday (April 1), shows that Wales’s economic performance is the worst of the UK nations, with the lowest employment rate, the lowest incomes, the lowest productivity, and the worst poverty levels.

POVERTY STRATEGY LACKS FOCUS

The Welsh Government launched its Child Poverty Strategy in 2018, with five broad aims to reduce child and youth poverty. However, the IFS criticises how those aims have been set out, finding that the definitions are too broad to be measured accurately and lack focus. In particular, the IFS says the strategy’s aims are so nebulous that they ignore the impact of policy areas over which the Welsh Government exercises direct control, for example, health and education, on how outcomes might be measured.

The IFS report says: “Issues with the data mean a material risk that the Welsh Government might either appear to have met a future poverty target or missed it, by a large margin, when in fact the reverse is true.”

WG NOT IN CONTROL OF OWN POVERTY STRATEGY

In any event, several of the most direct policy levers available to influence employment and earnings, including minimum wages, employment law and benefits policy, are reserved to Westminster. However, even if these policy levers were available, it would be very challenging to achieve large, rapid reductions in child poverty with them. In addition, Labour has ruled out using the tax system to generate additional income to help it meet its aims.

Wales’s highest-earning regions are along the North East Wales border with England and in the Cardiff and Newport areas. In addition, proportionately more Welsh employees are public sector workers, who are also, far and away, the best paid in Wales. The average public sector wage is around £5,000 higher than the average private sector wage. And those jobs, too, are disproportionately centred in Cardiff, Newport and North East Wales. The best-performing areas by employment rate, Monmouthshire and Newport, are within easy reach of the English border.

POVERTY CONCEALED BY LOWER PROPERTY VALUES

Compared with the rest of the UK, the gap between men’s and women’s pay is lower in Wales, as are the differences in income and in the highest and lowest property prices. However, property prices are far lower in Wales than in England, as are incomes overall; in addition, there are so few higher-rate tax earners in Wales that the Welsh Government increasing their income tax would have a negligible effect on its revenue. In addition, because Welsh housing prices are much lower than elsewhere in the UK, and because housing costs are a factor in how poverty is measured, housing costs improve one of the key poverty metrics.

News

Carol Vorderman urges Welsh voters to reject Reform UK ahead of Senedd election

Published

4 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TV presenter and commentator to appear at Cardiff event aimed at mobilising anti-Reform voters before May 7

CAROL VODERMAN has urged voters in Wales to reject Reform UK at next month’s Senedd election, as she prepares to appear at a live political event in Cardiff focused on keeping the party out of power.

Speaking ahead of an emergency Guilty Feminist Welsh Election Special at the New Theatre, Cardiff, on Sunday, April 12, Vorderman said Wales faced a crucial choice at the ballot box.

She said: “Wales has a chance for a new beginning in May. But Reform, the chaotic London-based, privately educated, failed Tory party, needs to be sent packing.

“Already numerous of their 96 Welsh candidates have resigned or been sacked for revolting actions. Their last Welsh Reform leader Nathan Gill is serving time in jail for accepting Russian bribes while serving in the European Parliament. Their new Welsh leader was a Tory living in London until a few months ago.

“Farage is a thin-skinned and proven liar. Everyone must come out to vote to save our country. Cymru Am Byth.”

Vorderman is due to appear alongside Guilty Feminist host Deborah Frances-White, with Welsh comedians Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Priya Hall also on the bill. Organisers say the night will mix comedy, music and political discussion, with the aim of building strategy ahead of the election.

Frances-White said polling suggested the Senedd result could be close and argued that “it really matters who ends up making decisions about our lives”, adding that the event was intended as a “get-in-the-room” night to work out how to respond.

Reform UK’s current leader in Wales is Dan Thomas, who was unveiled by Nigel Farage in Newport in February. Thomas is a former Conservative leader of Barnet Council in London, although he grew up in Blackwood.

Vorderman’s reference to Nathan Gill points to a highly embarrassing chapter in the party’s recent history. Gill, a former Reform UK politician and ex-MEP, was jailed last year after admitting taking bribes from pro-Russian figures in exchange for speeches and statements in the European Parliament.

Asked for a response to Vorderman’s remarks, a Reform UK Wales source replied briefly: “Does she even live in Wales?”

It was a short answer, but perhaps not one likely to end the argument. With the campaign heating up, and with high-profile voices now piling in from outside formal party politics, the battle for attention ahead of May 7 is only getting louder.

Business

Calls for award-winning Pembrokeshire sauna to be permanent

Published

9 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to allow the permanent siting of an award-winning Pembrokeshire seaside village outdoor sauna, which has been featured in the national press, have been submitted to the national park.

Back in June 2024, a temporary two-year permission for a mobile wood-fired sauna at Saundersfoot harbour was granted by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee.

Since then, a further application by Kerry Evans of Hwyl Outdoor Sauna to make the siting permanent has been submitted to national park planners.

A supporting statement says, since its introduction the sauna has “become a popular and valued amenity for both residents and visitors, offering a space focussed on health, wellbeing and community connection”.

It went on to say: “The overall sentiment within the village has been strongly supportive, with many residents recognising the sauna as a valuable asset that enhances the amenities in Saundersfoot,” adding: “Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has received positive attention in regional and national press helping to promote Saundersfoot as a destination for coastal wellbeing and outdoor experiences.

“Media coverage has highlighted the sauna as an example of the increasing popularity of sea swimming and sauna culture around the UK coastline.

“Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has been featured in two books on the best saunas in the UK.

“The business has also been recognised through tourism and hospitality awards, further demonstrating the quality of the experience provided and the positive contribution it makes to the local visitor offer.”

Back in February, the business, set up by former superyacht worker and mum-of-two Kerry won Sauna of the Year 2026/27 at the Wales Prestige Awards.

At the time Kerry said: “I could not be more proud of what I have achieved with Hwyl. I am so grateful to my wonderful team, who have made this journey not only possible but genuinely so much fun.”

Kerry ploughed a legacy from her beloved late father into the venture of a Pembrokeshire seafront sauna.

The application for allowing the sauna to be permanent added: “Through the Welsh Government I have been able to secure the funds to install a cold-water shower on Saundersfoot Harbour, which will be open year-round. This will be achieved via Hywel Outdoor Sauna and a weather proofing fund, from the Welsh Government. This facility has also a GoFundMe to raise the remaining costs.”

It concludes: “Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has established itself as a valued wellbeing facility that benefits both residents and visitors. It enhances the amenities available in Saundersfoot, supports the local economy by encouraging additional visitor activity, and contributes positively to the community through charitable support and engagement.

“The permanent siting of the sauna would allow this successful local small business to continue operating and provide these benefits to the village in a stable and sustainable way.”

The application for a permanent facility will be considered by park planners at a later date.