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Senedd election ‘a moment of reckoning’, says Welsh Labour leader

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Conference kicks off in Llandudno as Labour announces £11m boost for Port Talbot

THE next Senedd election will be a “moment of reckoning” for Wales, Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan is expected to tell party members this weekend, as senior figures gather for the Welsh Labour Conference in Llandudno.

Baroness Morgan will deliver a keynote speech on Saturday (June 28), urging supporters not to take victory for granted, warning of growing support for rival parties.

“The next Senedd election won’t be a routine affair,” she is expected to say. “It will be a moment of reckoning. Reform are rising. Plaid are mobilising. And across the country, people are asking big, serious questions about the kind of future they want for Wales.

“This is not a moment to look away. This is the moment to look forward – a moment of maximum opportunity and, yes, also of serious threat.”

She will call on members to get involved, pointing to the “unique opportunity” presented by Labour holding power both in Cardiff and Westminster.

Warning over NHS reforms

In a direct attack on Reform UK, the Labour leader will accuse the party of threatening the Welsh NHS.

“Reform don’t want to protect the NHS – they want to dismantle it. Rip it up and replace it with an insurance system. Privatised. Profit-driven. Out of reach for the people who need it most. Because in their world, your health depends on your wealth.”

She will contrast this with Labour’s approach, saying: “We are the party of answers – not the party of excuses. Not the party of fear.”

£11m investment fund for Port Talbot

Also speaking at the conference, Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens will announce a new £11 million Economic Growth and Investment Fund for Port Talbot and the surrounding area.

The fund includes £6.78 million from the UK Labour Government and £5 million from Tata Steel UK, and is designed to support firms offering skilled, well-paid jobs matched to the needs of the local workforce.

Jo Stevens is expected to say: “Look at what we have achieved together as two Labour governments investing in Wales’ future. We have invested in our economy. We have invested in our public services. We have invested in our people. We have ended Tory austerity.”

She will describe Plaid Cymru and Reform as “two sides of the same coin – divisive nationalists determined to rip our country apart. One with no plan to pay for the NHS, another with plans to sell it off to the highest bidder.”

Backing steelworkers

On the future of the steel industry in South Wales, Ms Stevens will add:

“This new fund is a powerful example of what can be achieved when Labour governments, trade unions and business work together to deliver for communities.

“The Tories abandoned our steelworkers. Reform want to cancel the Electric Arc Furnace, throw away 5,000 jobs, and send people back down the mines.

“We said we would back the steelworkers of Port Talbot, their families and businesses dependent on Tata Steel – and we have delivered on that promise.”

Top Labour names to speak

The Prime Minister, the Welsh Secretary, and the First Minister will all address the party conference on Saturday (June 29), with speeches scheduled at 10:05am, 10:30am, and 2:10pm respectively.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

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THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

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Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

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A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

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Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

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Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.

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