Politics

Senedd seeks to cover up details of nepotism

Published

7 months ago

July 28, 2025

SENEDD Members recommended concealing information about politicians giving jobs to their colleagues’ family members despite a clear conflict of interest.

When the Senedd expands to 96 members next year, politicians will be banned from giving jobs to their own family members – which has been commonplace over the past 26 years. But a loophole will remain allowing politicians to employ each other’s family.

More than 15 of the current 60 Senedd Members (25%) have employed family members, directly or indirectly, in the past and ten (16%) currently do so.

Now, the Senedd’s standards committee, which handles complaints against politicians, has suggested the names of family members be withheld from the public register of interests.

However, half of the politicians who sit on the committee that made the recommendation themselves have family members employed by colleagues at a cost to the public purse.

Labour committee chair Hannah Blythyn is married to Laura Murton who is employed by First Minister Eluned Morgan – according to the current, more open register – and Peredur Owen Griffiths’ spouse Angela has a job with his Plaid Cymru colleague Sioned Williams.

South Wales East's Plaid Cymru MS Peredur Owen Griffiths — South Wales East’s Plaid Cymru MS Peredur Owen Griffiths

All meetings as part of an inquiry into declarations of interests were held in private, with the public and press excluded, and many of the related documents were declared secret.

Ms Blythyn and Mr Owen Griffiths did not recuse themselves nor declare an interest as the committee finalised its recommendations, according to records of latest meetings.

Their family ties were not mentioned in a 9,000-word report on the behind-closed-doors inquiry but reference was added retrospectively after a journalist raised concerns.

The pair flagged their interests at one earlier meeting but the transcript and video showed this was not in the public declarations part at the start of nearly every committee meeting. Instead, the declaration was made in private then disclosed in brief minutes weeks later.

In the report, Ms Blythyn wrote: “The committee was mindful of the need to minimise the release of information about family members, simply for being related to an elected member.

“To that end, we agreed publishing the names of family members employed by other members on the register was an unnecessary risk to their safety.”

Details would be provided to officials but hidden from public view. The nature of the relationship would still be disclosed although the name would not.

Political parties warned of online abuse of politicians’ family members identified through the register. Douglas Bain, the Senedd’s standards commissioner, also recommended omitting names.

Following the first review of the rules in nearly a decade, the report talks a good game on transparency – with the Welsh Parliament characterised as currently the UK’s most opaque.

Under other proposals, politicians would be forced to reveal the amount received from outside jobs – bringing the Senedd in line with parliaments elsewhere in the UK.

Douglas Bain, Senedd standards commissioner

The committee recommended lowering the current threshold of £350 for declaring gifts, benefits and hospitality – which is higher than elsewhere in the UK – to £280.

Some Senedd Members enjoy freebies including tickets to concerts and sporting events.

The Senedd, alongside only the House of Lords, does not require politicians to put a price tag on perks but this would be needed for publication in future. Members would have to provide a value for overseas visits for the public register too.

Politicians with property or shares portfolios would be under a closer microscope, with similar disclosure requirements to other UK parliaments. The Senedd would also introduce a voluntary category for registrations that fall outside strict requirements.

In her foreword, Ms Blythyn said: “Registering and declaring interests is an important tenet of a parliament. It provides transparency around financial interests and material benefits held by elected members which could be thought to influence them and their conduct.”

Ms Blythyn and Mr Owen Griffiths declined to take up an opportunity to reply after concerns about a conflict of interest were put to them.

But an anonymous spokesperson for the standards committee said: “Members are required to declare any interests at the relevant part of Senedd proceedings.

“Due to an administrative error, the original version of the report mistakenly omitted the declarations of interest made by two committee members. We apologise for this error and a correct version of the report is now available on the Senedd website.

“The proposals are based on extensive evidence and consultation responses including from the standards commissioner, political parties and experts from other parliaments.

“The recommendations will now be considered by the Llywydd [speaker Elin Jones], business committee, or the Senedd as appropriate.”

News

Reform’s Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire chairman resigns months before Senedd elections

Published

7 minutes ago

February 18, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Former General Election candidate steps down after just a few months in role as party faces upcoming electoral tests

THE CHAIRMAN of Reform UK’s Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire branch has resigned after only a few months in the role — just months before the crucial Senedd elections.

Stuart Marchant, who stood as the party’s candidate for Mid and South Pembrokeshire in the July 2024 General Election, confirmed he has stepped down from the position he has held since being elected chairman in October 2025.

Mr Marchant received almost 8,000 votes at the General Election, finishing third out of eight candidates. He later helped establish the Reform UK branch covering Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire in September 2024, initially serving as interim chairman before being formally elected.

In his resignation statement, he said he was no longer able to balance the demands of the role with his professional and personal commitments, adding that the position required someone able to devote full time and energy to it.

He said: “I have reached the conclusion that I am no longer able to balance the demands of the role — or the approach required to take the branch to the next stage — alongside my professional and personal commitments. The role deserves the full attention and energy of someone who can give it without compromise, and at this time I cannot do so.”

Mr Marchant said he remained proud of what had been achieved locally and thanked members for their support during his time in office. He added that he had confidence the branch would continue to grow under new leadership.

His resignation comes at a significant time for the party locally, with campaigning expected to intensify ahead of the Senedd elections later this year.

There is also an important local electoral test on the horizon, with a by-election due to take place in Hakin, Milford Haven, following the death of respected councillor Mike Stoddart. Reform UK is understood to be hoping to field a candidate, although no selection has yet been confirmed.

Reform UK has not yet announced who will replace Mr Marchant as chairman of the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire branch.

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.

Business

Bosherston bistro alcohol license antisocial behaviour fears

Published

9 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow the selling of alcohol as late as 10pm at a rural beauty spot former village tearoom will “create an absolute nightmare” exacerbating an already growing issue with antisocial behaviour, objectors have said.

At Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee meeting of February 19 members will consider an application by Sarah Jane Partridge and Robert John Secrett for a new premises licence at Bosherton Bistro, Old World Cottage, Bosherton.

A report for members says it is proposed the premises, formerly a tearoom called ‘Ye Olde Worlde Café’ would open 8am-10pm, selling alcohol from 9am on and off site, seven days a week in the village near the famed lily ponds.

Since the proposal for the site, close to the village pub The St Govan’s Inn was publicised, 13 objections were received, including Stackpole and Castlemartin Community Council.

In its submissions, the community council said it “will cause a significant public nuisance in the residential area”.

“Bosherston village is a remote village and currently has four well-established camp sites which already frequently cause late night disruption, littering and anti-social behaviour caused predominantly by intoxicated individuals.

“Residing next to the Stackpole Estate, an area of outstanding natural beauty (many areas covered by SSSI), noise generated by outdoor activities, such as the consumption of alcoholic beverages and indoor music and dancing, will generate unacceptable noise levels for residents and have an impact on local wildlife.”

It went on to say: “The provision of alcohol for such extended hours increases the risk likelihood of individuals engaging in criminal activities. Late-night alcohol sales are often associated with increased incidents of drunkenness, vandalism, and other public disorder offences. Instances of aggressive behaviour and trespass are already prevalent within the village by visitors under the influence of alcohol.

“The selling of alcoholic off-sales from such extended hours will likely pose an increased risk to public safety, exasperated by the influx of people late at night leading to confrontations, accidents, and a likely strain on local emergency services.”

Concerns raised by members of the public included “the application as currently written allows for a pub-style operation with morning drinking, off-sales, and dancing,” and “greater access to alcohol for unlimited campers cannot possibly result in anything but an increased problem with drunkenness, drink driving and antisocial behaviour,” and a call imploring “no to a licence, under any circumstances” says the alcohol licence “will not only make life for the residents in the immediate area an absolute nightmare, it will also have a hugely detrimental effect on the village as a whole and could threaten the peace and beauty of the surrounding ponds, beach and coastline.”

Another said: “One unintended consequence of this application has been increased discussions among neighbours regarding the prevalence of antisocial behaviour in the area. There is genuine concern that increased availability of alcohol may contribute to a rise in such behaviour, potentially placing significant strain on the already stretched emergency services.”

The application will be considered at the licensing committee.