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Farage promises ‘fresh thinking’ for Wales but says policies will come later

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Reform leader hints at major changes ahead of Senedd election

REFORM UK leader Nigel Farage has said it is “too early” to set out detailed policies for next year’s Senedd election – but promised his party will be “very different to the status quo of the last quarter of a century.”

Speaking to BBC Politics Wales, Mr Farage said Reform would “use every devolved power we possibly can” to make life easier for Welsh businesses, adding that the party’s plans would bring “fresh thinking” to issues like the NHS and taxation.

Although Reform has yet to publish its manifesto, the party has surged in recent opinion polls, rivalling Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru as the main challengers ahead of next May’s election.

Mr Farage confirmed that former Conservative Welsh Secretary David Jones is among those advising the party, and said a full-time team is working on policies. “It’s mid-October – the elections are a long way away,” he said. “But what I can promise you is it’ll be very different to the status quo.”

When asked whether he was considering using Wales’s devolved income tax powers, Mr Farage said: “Watch this space. We’re thinking in all sorts of ways that will make this a very interesting campaign.”

He also dismissed claims that Reform’s Welsh campaign is simply a platform to build momentum in Westminster, saying: “Every election I fight is political theatre to get ahead in Westminster – but we’re taking this one very seriously indeed.”

Mr Farage was also questioned about his former Welsh party leader Nathan Gill, who recently admitted taking bribes to make pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament. Farage described Gill’s actions as “corrupt” and “treacherous,” saying he expects him to face a lengthy prison sentence.

Reform UK is currently campaigning in the Caerphilly by-election, where Mr Farage appeared this week alongside candidate Llyr Powell. The Reform leader said his party aims to prove it is “on the side of people working and people having jobs” across Wales.

The full interview with Nigel Farage will be broadcast on BBC One Wales on Sunday at 10:00am.

 

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Milford Haven School pupil praised after stepping in during real-life emergency

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A YEAR 11 pupil at Milford Haven School has been praised after putting his first aid training into action to help an injured member of the public following an accident.

Aryan, who is currently working towards lifesaving qualifications, including first aid training, found himself faced with a real emergency when a woman suffered a head injury after a fall.

Rather than panic, the teenager stepped in immediately and calmly took control of the situation.

According to Milford Haven School, Aryan used a first aid kit to treat the injury, helped make the woman comfortable, and provided clear aftercare advice while remaining calm and compassionate throughout the incident.

School staff said his actions demonstrated maturity, confidence and professionalism beyond his years.

Applying first aid in a genuine emergency can be far more challenging than practising in a classroom setting, but Aryan rose to the occasion and put his training into practice when it mattered most.

Milford Haven School said it was “incredibly proud” of the Year 11 pupil, describing him as “a fantastic example of courage, responsibility and care for others.”

The school added that Aryan’s response showed the importance of young people learning practical lifesaving skills and highlighted the positive impact they can have within the community.

Da iawn, Aryan — a credit to Milford Haven School and the wider community.

Photo caption: Helping hand: Year 11 pupil Aryan has been praised after using his first aid training to help an injured member of the public following a fall (Pic: Milford Haven School).

 

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Welsh Labour accuses Plaid Cymru of ‘reviews over delivery’ on housing

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Labour says urgent action is needed as Plaid Cymru outlines plans for housing and town centre reform

WELSH LABOUR has accused the Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government of relying too heavily on reviews and task forces rather than taking immediate action to tackle housing pressures and struggling high streets across Wales.

The criticism came after comments from Welsh Labour spokesperson for Housing and Communities, Jayne Bryant MS, who said Plaid Cymru had failed to match ambition with delivery.

In a statement issued on Tuesday (June 9), Ms Bryant said Labour supported efforts to improve access to housing and revitalise town centres, but argued that progress was being slowed by further assessments rather than concrete policies.

She said: “We all want to see better access to housing and thriving high streets across Wales. But yet again today, we hear of reviews and task forces from Plaid Cymru, but no immediate actions.

“The Welsh Labour Government delivered almost 20,000 homes in five years, protected Help to Buy Wales when it was scrapped in England, and improved renters’ rights. When will we see tangible action from Plaid Cymru?”

She added: “This is now a running theme from this Plaid Cymru government – discussion over delivery, reviews over rollout.”

The comments follow recent announcements by the Plaid Cymru-led administration indicating that housing access and regeneration will be subject to further assessment, with ministers signalling new reviews into how communities can be supported.

Housing remains one of the most politically sensitive issues in Wales, particularly in rural and coastal areas such as Pembrokeshire, where rising house prices, second homes and shortages of affordable housing continue to place pressure on local residents.

Town centres across Wales have also faced increasing challenges in recent years, with changing shopping habits, business closures and economic pressures prompting calls for renewed investment and reform.

Plaid Cymru has previously defended its approach, arguing that long-term structural problems require careful planning and evidence-based policy rather than short-term fixes.

The political row comes as housing affordability and local economic regeneration are expected to remain key battleground issues in Welsh politics over the coming months.

 

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Plaid MPs back motion against single-sex services code

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Welsh Government says it will apply the law following Supreme Court ruling on definition of sex

ALL FOUR Plaid Cymru MPs have backed a Westminster motion opposing the UK Government’s draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations.

The code follows the UK Supreme Court ruling that, for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, the terms “sex”, “woman” and “man” refer to biological sex.

Early Day Motion 240, tabled at Westminster on June 1, states: “That the draft Code of Practice for Services, public functions and associations, a copy of which was laid before this House on 21 May, be disapproved.”

The four Plaid Cymru MPs listed as supporters are Liz Saville Roberts, Ben Lake, Llinos Medi and Ann Davies, who all signed the motion on June 3.

The issue has sparked criticism from Conservatives and Reform, who argue the guidance is needed to protect women-only spaces such as domestic abuse refuges, hospital wards and changing rooms.

Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd for Casnewydd Islwyn, said: “Women in Wales deserve clarity, dignity and safety. That means having the right to single-sex spaces enshrined and protected in law.

“Plaid Cymru’s MPs have just voted against the guidance designed to make that a reality.

“Plaid needs to explain why they are siding against women-only spaces. These are not legal technicalities. They are refuges for domestic abuse survivors, hospital wards and changing rooms. Real spaces where real women have a right to privacy and safety.”

Laura Anne Jones MS also raised the issue in the Senedd, accusing Plaid MPs of a “complete betrayal of women and girls.”

She challenged Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams over women’s refuges, girls’ changing rooms and other protected spaces.

Ms Jones said: “It is shocking that all four of your Plaid MPs in Westminster backed a motion this week opposing single-sex services for women.

“This is nothing short of a complete betrayal of women and girls right across Wales.”

Responding in the Senedd, Sioned Williams accused Reform of trying to turn a sensitive legal issue into a culture war.

She said the Welsh Government had a duty to implement the law and was already applying the Supreme Court judgment.

Ms Williams said: “As a Government, we have a duty to implement the law, and as I said, we are already applying the current law, including the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“We have made clear that we will fully abide by our legal obligations. If the code of practice is approved, we will apply it lawfully in line with our legal duties.”

She added that Westminster MPs of all parties had the right to scrutinise whether the guidance “gets the balance right.”

The Welsh Government has now issued a further statement to The Herald.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to tackling discrimination and supporting women and girls, in a respectful and inclusive way that upholds the rights and dignity of all people.

“We respect the Supreme Court’s decision and are carefully reviewing the draft Code and its implications for Wales.

“We will lawfully and fully apply the EHRC Code of Practice in a way that continues to support inclusive services and work with public bodies and service providers to ensure the Code is implemented consistently, while maintaining dignity and respect for everyone.”

The issue remains politically sensitive, with opponents of Plaid’s position saying the draft code is necessary for clarity over single-sex spaces, while the Welsh Government says it will apply the law while maintaining dignity and respect for all groups.

 

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