News

Eluned Morgan: Labour ready for ‘one hell of a fight’ before Senedd election

Published

9 months ago

September 28, 2025

Leader sets out ‘Red Welsh Way’ and new pledges on high streets, fair work and transport, while warning of risks from Reform and Plaid

WELSH LABOUR leader and First Minister Eluned Morgan used her UK conference speech to rally activists for “one hell of a fight” ahead of May’s Senedd election, setting out what she called the “Red Welsh Way” and warning that Reform UK and Plaid Cymru pose a threat to public services and stability.

Opening with “Siwmae,” Ms Morgan said Labour and Wales were “entwined,” but warned that polls were “not looking good” and voters were disillusioned. “We’re in this together, all of us on the front line,” she said, accusing opponents of offering “easy answers” without plans.

Ms Morgan framed Welsh Labour’s record around three principles—equality, security and community—highlighting social partnership in law, the Future Generations Act, universal free primary school meals, free prescriptions, free bus passes for older people and a Real Living Wage guarantee for care workers. “That, my friends, is socialism in action,” she told delegates.

New pledges for high streets and fair work

Citing concerns raised on doorsteps—particularly in Caerphilly, where a by-election is pending—Ms Morgan said a Welsh Labour Government would introduce licensing powers to curb the spread of vape shops “to keep town centres safe, balanced and welcoming.”
She said future Welsh Government support for businesses would be tied to “fair work” conditions: paying the Real Living Wage, ending exploitative zero-hours contracts and enabling trade union access. “Public money must mean public good,” she said.

Transport and late-night services

Ms Morgan pointed to £800m spent on new trains and the South Wales Metro, announcing from December new late-night services between Cardiff and the Valleys and a doubling of trains on the Wrexham–Chester line.

Partnership with UK Labour

“When Labour governs in Cardiff and Westminster, partnership delivers,” she said, crediting a record financial settlement with enabling safer coal tips, higher wages and “2.7 million NHS appointments delivered each month.” She added that people “need us to move faster… deliver bigger.”

Arguing that ambition outstrips current devolved levers, Ms Morgan called for youth justice powers for Wales, fair rail funding and greater control over “our wind, our seas, our energy.” “We will never stop pressing for every power, every pound Wales deserves,” she said.

Attacks on Reform and Plaid

Ms Morgan accused Reform UK of seeking to “gut the NHS” and prioritising profit over people, drawing a parallel with UKIP’s 2016 Senedd record. She criticised Plaid Cymru’s focus on independence as “promises without plans,” and said Wales needs “experience and stability in an age of instability” rather than “fantasy politics.” Some claims about opponents were framed as her assertions from the conference platform.

Switching briefly into Welsh—“Mae brwydyr anferth o’n blaen…”—Ms Morgan said Welsh Labour had “changed lives” but that progress could be reversed if the party loses next year. “Let’s build, not break… Labour never gives up. Labour never gives in,” she concluded. “So are you up for it, conference? Then bring it on!”

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.