News

Plaid Cymru warns Brexit has cost Welsh economy up to £4bn

Published

1 year ago

February 2, 2025

PLAID CYMRU called for Wales to rejoin the single market and align with EU law, warning Brexit has cost the Welsh economy up to £4bn.

Adam Price led a debate to mark Friday’s fifth anniversary of the UK exiting the EU in 2020 after the referendum in which Wales voted 52.53% “leave” and 47.47% “remain” in 2016.

The former Plaid Cymru leader said: “I think it would be magical thinking, wouldn’t it, it would be stretching credulity, to say that Brexit has been a triumph, the kind of step change that was promised to us at the time of the referendum.

“Nor has it been the complete cataclysm in totality that some had feared. The real picture is mixed. The problem lies in the make-up of that mixture.”

Mr Price told the Senedd that London and the south East weathered Brexit relatively well while the Welsh economy has lost out to the tune of billions of pounds.

‘Nobody knows’
Urging the Welsh Government to back membership of the single market and customs union, he asked: “What is Wales’s European strategy? Well, the problem is this: nobody knows – we don’t know, the UK doesn’t know, Europe doesn’t know.”

Mr Price called on ministers to commit to aligning Welsh and European law, pointing out that Northern Ireland automatically keeps pace with EU law through the Windsor framework.

He said Scotland continues to do so voluntarily through its continuity act – an idea adopted from Wales that was later repealed by the Senedd.

In the wake of the referendum, Steffan Lewis, the former Plaid Cymru Senedd member who died aged 34 in 2019, proposed preserving EU law and maintaining regulatory alignment.

Mr Price said this would ensure world-leading standards in areas like the environment, help businesses access markets as seamlessly as possible and send a pro-European message.

‘Vegetables to Viagra’
Darren Millar, who became leader of the Tory group last month, told the Senedd that Brexit resulted in a “huge repatriation” of powers to the UK and Cardiff Bay.

He said: “We were told Brexit would lead to rising unemployment, a collapse in house prices and shortages of every imaginable commodity, from fresh fruit and vegetables to Viagra. Yet what happened? Well, the prophets of doom were completely wrong.”

Mr Millar accused Plaid Cymru of hypocrisy: on one hand calling for independence but, on the other, wanting to “shackle” Wales to the “barmy and bloated bureaucracy” of the EU.

He told the Senedd: “There’s an inconvenient truth that Plaid and Labour would like us to ignore, and it is this: the people of Wales spoke very clearly on this issue. They voted to leave the EU. Plaid Cymru, the so-called party of Wales, wanted to ignore their voices.”

‘Tory Jackanory’
Accused of hypocrisy for retaining EU citizenship, Mr Millar hit back: “I have held an Irish passport for decades, long before the Brexit referendum. And I find it contemptuous, frankly.”

His Conservative colleague James Evans accused Plaid Cymru of being out of touch, clinging to the past and refusing to respect a decision made by the people of Wales.

Plaid Cymru’s Llŷr Gruffydd responded: “Well, that’s the best episode of Tory Jackanory I’ve heard in a long time, I have to say. Honestly. Honestly. The brass neck of Conservatives telling the rest of us that we’re out of touch. Really. Really.”

Labour’s Alun Davies told the Senedd he fully agreed with the Plaid Cymru motion and he was disappointed with the UK Government’s position.

He said: “We need, as a parliament and as politicians, to be honest with people and to speak clearly about what we want to see. Brexit has diminished Wales. It has damaged Wales.”

‘Regrettable’
Responding to the debate on January 29, Rebecca Evans said Wales remains committed to maintaining a strong relationship with the EU despite a “hard, chaotic, Tory Brexit”.

Ms Evans, who was appointed economy secretary in September, told the chamber that the Welsh Government has maintained a presence in Brussels to further the country’s interests.

She hailed the Taith international exchange programme set up following the previous UK Government’s “deeply regrettable” decision to quit the Erasmus scheme.

Mr Price pointed out that Taith’s budget has been cut by £1.6m in the Welsh Government’s draft spending plans for the new financial year.

Senedd members voted 40-11 against the motion, with one abstention.

The Tories’ amendment was similarly voted down, 27-14 with 11 abstaining, before the Welsh Government’s amended version of the motion was agreed by the same margin.

Commenting on the fifth anniversary of the UK leaving the EU, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said: “Five years on from Brexit, Welsh companies are suffering under mountains of red tape and trade barriers. Our small and medium-sized businesses in particular are struggling to cope with the increased costs.

“These costs are also been passed onto Welsh customers through inflation.

“We must repair the trading relationship with our EU neighbours that was so badly ruined under the Conservatives. Their deal has been an utter disaster for our country – for farmers, fishers and small businesses.

“The UK needs to lead in Europe and the world. We cannot rely on Donald Trump – a man who has threatened to invade a NATO ally – to secure our continent. Strengthening ties of diplomacy and security with the EU is urgent.

“So far the Labour Government has failed to show the urgency and ambition needed to fix our relationship with Europe. Ministers must be in a parallel universe if they think we can grow the economy without boosting trade with our nearest neighbours.

“That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling for a new UK-EU customs union deal that will massively boost growth in Wales and give us the best possible hand to play against President Trump.”

Local Government

Mayor and deputy mayor appointed in Milford Haven

Published

23 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has congratulated Cllr Mark Woodward after he was inaugurated as the town’s new Mayor and First Citizen.

Cllr Woodward was formally appointed on Monday evening, with Cllr Kathy Gray confirmed as Deputy Mayor.

Following the ceremony, Cllr Woodward said it was a “true honour and privilege” to take on the role, adding that it was something he had “never in my wildest dreams imagined would happen to me.”

He thanked his fellow councillors for their trust, as well as residents who had sent messages of congratulations.

Cllr Woodward also paid tribute to his wife Eva, who now becomes Mayoress, saying her support had helped make the moment possible.

He said: “I promise I will do my absolute best and fight hard and passionately for my beloved adopted town.”

With Cllr Gray serving as Deputy Mayor, Cllr Woodward added that residents could “rest assured it will not be a quiet year.”

Local Government

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park chief to be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru

Published

23 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PARK CHIEF RECOGNISED

PEMBROKESHIRE Coast National Park Authority Chief Executive Tegryn Jones is to be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru at this year’s National Eisteddfod.

Mr Jones has been named among those who will be admitted to the Gorsedd in recognition of their achievements and contribution to Wales, the Welsh language and local communities.

He will be admitted in the Blue robes, which are awarded to people who have given distinguished service in areas including public life, local and national activity, journalism, media, sport, science and law.

Originally from Lampeter and a fluent Welsh speaker, Mr Jones has played a prominent role in Welsh public life through a career spanning environmental, educational and community leadership.

Before joining Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, he served as Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy and also worked for the General Teaching Council for Wales.

He was nominated for his work in education, youth work and the environment, as well as for developing environmental initiatives at both local and national level.

In Pembrokeshire, he is also closely associated with the development of Welsh-medium education through his long-standing involvement with Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest, where he was the first Chair of Governors.

Mr Jones said: “It is a great honour to be recognised by Gorsedd Cymru, particularly in a year when the National Eisteddfod returns to Pembrokeshire for Eisteddfod y Garreg Las.

“The Welsh language belongs to all our communities, and I have been very fortunate to work with so many people who care deeply about its future, whether through education, culture, the environment or public service.

“The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is one of the jewels of Wales and provides an outstanding landscape that contributes to the environmental, social and economic goals that are essential to Wales’ future.

“I am very fortunate to lead the National Park Authority and extremely proud that this work has been recognised by the Gorsedd.”

This year’s National Eisteddfod, Eisteddfod y Garreg Las, will be held in Llantwd, North Pembrokeshire, from August 1-8, 2026.

The event will be especially significant as it marks 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan in 1176, just across the river from this year’s Maes.

News

New RSPCA poll shows opposition to badger culling in Wales

Published

24 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CULLING ‘NOT THERE’, CHARITY SAYS

NEW polling from RSPCA Cymru suggests there is no clear public support in Wales for badger culling as a way of tackling bovine TB.

The charity says the new Welsh Government must “listen to people’s love of wildlife” after a survey found that just over a quarter of people in Wales actively support the culling of badgers.

The polling, released today (May 13), comes as 96 Members of the Senedd prepare to take their seats in the newly-expanded Welsh Parliament, with bovine TB expected to become one of the major animal welfare and farming issues facing the next administration.

RSPCA Cymru said only 27% of those surveyed supported badger culling, while 46% were opposed. A further 28% said they did not know.

The charity is calling on Plaid Cymru, which is seeking to form a minority government following the appointment of Rhun ap Iorwerth MS as First Minister, and on MSs from all parties, to reject culling and focus instead on what it describes as a science-led, cattle-focused approach.

The survey of 1,033 adults in Wales found that 63% of respondents were uncomfortable with badger culling being carried out using lethal methods approved by government authorities.

More than two-thirds, 68%, said they were uncomfortable with public money being used to fund the culling of badgers.

The polling also suggested that the issue could affect political support. More than half of those surveyed, 52%, said they would be less likely to support a political party that backed badger culling, while only 7% said they would be more likely to do so.

RSPCA Cymru said the figures showed that badger culling was “unsupported by a clear majority” of the Welsh public.

Billie-Jade Thomas, senior public affairs manager for RSPCA Cymru, said: “How the new Welsh Government approaches bovine TB will be one of the biggest talking points concerning animals in Wales in the coming years.

“This polling should remind all newly-elected Senedd Members that the Welsh public cares about how badgers are treated, and politicians must listen to people’s love of wildlife.

“There is a clear lack of public support for badger culling in Wales, and those supporting such action could see their support wane among their constituents.”

She added: “Wildlife control and badgers were featured in several parties’ Senedd manifestos, including Plaid Cymru, Wales’ new biggest party.

“We now hope MSs from all political groups recognise that badger culling is unsupported by a clear majority of the Welsh public, and they should instead prioritise a science-led, cattle-focused approach to combatting bovine TB.”

The polling also found that almost 98% of people in Wales consider protecting Welsh wildlife to be important, with 69% saying it is very important.

Badgers were among the most popular species named in the survey, with 73% of respondents choosing them as one of the species they were most concerned about when asked to select their top three.

RSPCA Cymru said badgers remain one of Britain’s most distinctive and misunderstood wild mammals.

Ms Thomas said: “Badgers are such wonderful creatures and, like all wildlife, deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

“A growing body of evidence suggests that the majority of bovine TB infection occurs between cattle, with scientific evidence suggesting that badger culling is not an effective way to reduce the disease in cattle.

“The new administration must always tackle bTB in a way which does not needlessly pose a threat to one of our most distinctive, well-loved yet misunderstood species of wildlife.”

RSPCA Cymru’s manifesto for the seventh Senedd, Securing A Better Future For Animal Welfare in Wales, calls for badger culling to be rejected, describing it as ineffective and inhumane.

The poll was carried out online by Savanta between April 24 and May 12, 2026. Figures were weighted to be representative of adults in Wales.