WELSH LABOUR has confirmed the ranked list of candidates for the new Senedd constituency of Sir Gaerfyrddin.

The party selected a shortlist for each of Wales’ sixteen new constituencies earlier this summer, with local members taking part in recent weeks to determine the order of their preferred candidates.

Candidates have already been announced for Clwyd, Sir Fynwy, Torfaen, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr, Gŵyr Abertawe, and Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd.

Welsh Labour’s ranked candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin are:

1. Calum Higgins
2. Dawn Evans
3. Martyn Palfreman
4. David Darkin
5. Lewis Davies
6. Andre McPherson

The rankings remain provisional and will require formal endorsement by the Welsh Executive Committee. Further announcements for the remaining constituencies are expected in the coming weeks.

MS raises alarm over lack of transparency as ICO refuses to probe MOD silence

A SENEDD Member has accused the Information Commissioner’s Office of taking an “untenable” position after it refused to investigate a complaint about the Ministry of Defence’s failure to provide details on Afghan resettlement in Wales.

South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies said the ICO’s handling of his office’s request “defies common sense” and risks fuelling public suspicion about the level of scrutiny applied to the UK Government’s Afghan relocation schemes.

Complaint dates back to October request

Mr Davies’ office first wrote to the Ministry of Defence on 15 October 2025 seeking detailed information about Afghan resettlement activity, including the MOD’s decision to utilise the Holiday Inn Express in Rhoose for housing evacuees under government schemes.

The request also sought figures relating to criminal incidents, safeguarding issues and public safety linked to the various Afghan resettlement programmes operating across the UK.

When repeated follow-ups went unanswered, a member of Mr Davies’ staff submitted a formal complaint to the ICO on his behalf — a standard practice in parliamentary offices.

ICO: complaint rejected because staff member sent it

However, an ICO case officer informed the staff member that the complaint would not be investigated because the individual who submitted it was not the same person who made the original request for information.

Mr Davies said this was “highly unusual,” noting that elected representatives routinely submit correspondence through staff. He warned that the ICO’s decision risks undermining confidence in public oversight mechanisms.

Sky News raised concerns over alleged misuse

The row comes against a backdrop of increased public scrutiny of Afghan resettlement schemes following a recent Sky News investigation. The report alleged that some applicants had exaggerated or fabricated claims of assisting British forces during the Afghanistan conflict.

The investigation cited cases of allegedly fake Taliban threat letters, staged videos purporting to show torture, and claims of attacks that could not be verified. These allegations have driven renewed calls for transparency in how resettlement decisions were made.

Davies: public safety questions remain unanswered

Mr Davies said that the MOD’s silence — and the ICO’s refusal to intervene — leaves elected representatives unable to fulfil their responsibilities to constituents.

“There are serious questions regarding the government’s various Afghan resettlement schemes – relevant both nationally and to my own constituency,” he said.

“It is concerning how obstructive authorities have been regarding the release of information, particularly that concerning crime rates and public safety. There are serious concerns many people may have been brought to Britain under false pretences and the MOD’s failure to be open and transparent will only exacerbate this.”

Formal complaint lodged

Mr Davies has now written directly to the Information Commissioner urging a review of the decision and calling for immediate steps to secure disclosure from the MOD.

He argues that without access to accurate statistics, the public cannot have confidence in oversight of the Afghan resettlement programme or the processes used to verify applicants’ claims.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S national park is expected to have a far better financial situation than previously feared, with a current underspend of nearly £600,000, and an expected balanced budget at the end of the financial year.

At the November meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Audit & Corporate Services Review Committee, a report for members said, as of September 30, the half-way mark in the financial year, the authority’s revenue position showed a net surplus of £563,000 against an expected budget deficit of £371,000; £934,000 better than expected.

It said the overall income generated by the park is £577,00 higher than budget, with trading income £232,000 over budget, through higher centre admission fees (£86,000), café sales (£23,000) and car park income (£139,000).

“The good summer weather and increased admission prices has contributed to this result,” it said.

Other financial boosts include a one-off sum of £113,000 received as compensation for increased national insurance costs, £165,000 received for capital expenditure, a payment for the National Designated landscapes Scheme received in advance, and increased merchandising sales making an additional £68,000 of profit.

It said costs overall are £404,000 under budget, but the capital programme for the year has increased from the original budget of £1,675,000 to a revised budget of £1,979,000 due the inclusion of Phase 2 of the Traeth Mawr/Newport Sands redevelopment.

It says that, at the end of the financial year, the position is forecast to be even better, with a £591,000 surplus.

“However, this assumes there is no catch-up of underspends by departments,” the report says, adding: “If we do spend in accordance to budget, then we will continue to expect a net deficit which will be met out of earmarked reserves.

“The most realistic scenario is a balanced budget for the year buffered by the additional revenue funding of £1.4m received from Welsh Government in the prior year, carried forward as an EMR and used to balance the budget.

“No deficit is therefore forecast for 25-26. Note this is estimated, before the impact of pension reserve movements and depreciation adjustments. This forecast assumes income targets are achieved and costs remain under control.”

Speaking at the meeting, Chief Executive Tegryn Jones said: “From a medium to long term the financial situation is very bleak, however it’s been a fairly positive year for us.”

He said a two per cent increase in the settlement from Welsh Government was predicted for next year, equating to a £0.75m pressure.

Members agreed to note the report as well as noting and approving the movement in earmarked reserves and increased capital budget to date.