Politics

Welsh ministers row back on promise to ban lying politicians

Published

5 months ago

November 5, 2025

THE WELSH Government has rowed back on a promise to bring in a ban on lying politicians – a commitment previously made to avoid defeat in a key Senedd vote.

Welsh ministers promised to introduce a law before the next election to disqualify Senedd Members and candidates found guilty of deliberate deception.

But the Welsh Government has now brought forward proposed legislation which falls short of a commitment made to the Welsh Parliament.

Mick Antoniw, then-counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, struck a deal with Adam Price just before a vote on creating an offence of deception in July 2024.

He said at the time: “The Welsh Government will bring forward legislation before 2026 for the disqualification of members and candidates found guilty of deception through an independent judicial process.”

In return for that commitment, Plaid Cymru and independent Rhys ab Owen abstained in a crunch vote – enabling ministers to remove plans for a ban from a previous elections bill.

But the accountability bill introduced this week does not create an independent judicial process for sitting members, with deception to instead be handled internally initially.

Under the bill, the Senedd’s standards committee could recommend a “recall poll” after an investigation – giving the public a vote on whether to remove a member between elections. A vacant seat would automatically be filled by the next candidate on the political party’s list.

However, the process would remain political – with a recall poll triggered by a simple majority vote in the Senedd – giving rise to concerns about members marking their own homework.

The committee, which is made up of politicians from the main parties, must first issue recall guidance that will need to be approved by a two-thirds supermajority.

Neither does the bill implement the promised ban for candidates in time for May’s election, which the Welsh Government described as “not feasible”.

Instead, it creates a duty for ministers to introduce rules prohibiting false statements in elections – which could include a new criminal offence – at an unspecified later date.

In the Senedd on Tuesday November 4, Mr Price – who has spearheaded calls for a ban – warned of a “collapse in trust” in democracies worldwide.

The former Plaid Cymru leader welcomed plans to make the Senedd the first parliament to introduce a general prohibition on deliberate deception in the context of elections.

But he questioned why the change could not be introduced for the next election “when we’re going to face a flotilla of bot farms etc and political actors with nefarious aims”. The former MP added: “The bill, currently, is completely silent on [sitting] members.”

Jane Dodds, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wales, said: “For me, introducing the deliberate deception element in 2030 is doing something after the horse has bolted.”

Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats

Sam Rowlands, for the Conservatives, backed plans to give voters greater power to hold politicians to account – warning a Senedd recall mechanism has been lacking for too long.

Elin Jones, the Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd, cautioned of potential legislative obstacles. She noted clauses imposing duties on the courts – to notify the Senedd if a member is convicted of a crime, an automatic recall poll trigger if a politician receives a custodial or suspended sentence – have not yet received consent from the UK Government.

Under the bill, the standards committee will become a legal requirement for every Senedd term and non-politicians could be appointed to sit on the committee for the first time.

Douglas Bain, the standards commissioner who investigates Senedd politicians, would be given “own-initiative” powers to launch investigations without first needing a complaint.

In this afternoon’s statement, Julie James said the duty on ministers will lay the foundations for the creation of an offence to tackle deliberate deception by candidates.

Julie James MS, counsel general and minister for delivery

The counsel general cautioned: “This is incredibly complex. It isn’t something we can rush,” before stressing: “By including this duty in the bill, we are ensuring that the work to create the offence of deliberate deception will continue to be taken forward.”

Ms James, a former solicitor, raised the need for further consultation as well as a fuller assessment of the impact on the justice system and human rights.

She said: “This bill represents a landmark moment in this Senedd’s history. It will strengthen Welsh democracy and ensure that representatives… are held to the highest standards.”

Business

Pembroke South Quay boat shed expansion plans submitted

Published

6 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PADDLEBOARDING and canoeing company’s call for an extension to a boat shed at Pembroke’s South Quay, below its historic castle, has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, G Booth of Paddle West CIC, through agent James Dwyer Associates, seeks permission for an extension to the stone-built boathouse, adjacent to the cliff on South Quay fronting the Mill Pond, Pembroke.

A supporting statement says: “It is intended to erect a single storey ‘lean-to’ building, or ‘shed’ for the storage of boats, such as canoes and kayaks, and related equipment, on a vacant space adjacent to the existing stone-built boathouse.”

It adds: “The boathouse and the intended adjacent boat storage shed is located, as is to be expected, in close proximity to water, the Mill Pond. The Mill Pond is the main area of activity for Paddle West, a Community Interest Company, providing boating activities, kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding, frequently for young people and families.”

It goes on to say: “It is intended that the structure would be lightweight, erected on the exiting hard standing. The ‘shed’ would be used for the storage of boats and related equipment.”

With regard to the historic setting, it adds: “Although the stone-built boathouse appears not to be listed, it is recognised that the walls above are listed and together they are a piece.

“Accordingly, through form and external materials proposed, timber cladding and profile sheet roofing, the aim is to ensure that the structure would be subservient and muted and not detract or compete with the visual aesthetic of the boathouse or historic walls. In effect the addition would blend into the background.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

The boathouse is sited near to the new Henry Tudor Centre in South Quay, which is due to open in Spring 2027.

The centre, expected to receive around 30,000 visitors a year, will tell the story of Henry Tudor, son of Pembroke, his Welsh ancestry and his impact on our national story, Welsh culture and our wider British heritage.

The restored derelict South Quay buildings will also house a new library and community café, and a healthcare, social services and supported employment facility in the adjoining premises.

Community

First person of colour to be elected mayor of Haverfordwest

Published

8 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE town council will soon have its first-ever person of colour as mayor, and its youngest mayor in a century.

Haverfordwest Town Councillor Randell Iziah Thomas-Turner, aged 37, is to become mayor this May.

Cllr Turner said: “Tonight [March 19], I had the honour of accepting the nomination as mayor-elect — a moment that will forever stay with me.

“In doing so, I am humbled to be making history as the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest and the youngest mayor in a century. This is not just my achievement, it belongs to every person who believes in progress, representation, and the power of community. This is a new chapter for our town — one built on unity, opportunity, and hope.

“My mayor-making will take place this May, and I cannot wait to officially step into the role and begin serving the people of Haverfordwest with pride, passion, and purpose. Haverfordwest is the best in the West — and together, we are just getting started.

“Diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength to embrace. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together with respect and openness, we unlock new ideas, stronger solutions, and deeper understanding.”

It’s a double celebration for the Thomas-Turner family.

Wife, and fellow town councillor, Dani, has been voted as sheriff of the town for the second-year-running, the first woman to serve as sheriff for two consecutive years.

“The coming civic year will be one to watch as my husband Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner is becoming the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest’s history,” said Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, adding: “It’s going to be a year of history and memory making for sure.”

Business

Pembrokeshire hospitality rates relief scheme backed

Published

8 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A WELSH Government-funded scheme to provide rates relief for hospitality businesses has been backed by senior Pembrokeshire councillors.

A report for members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet at their March meeting said: “Welsh Government has introduced the Food and Drink Hospitality Rates Relief, this relief is aimed at eligible businesses in Wales in the food and drink hospitality sector for example, pubs, restaurants, cafes, bars and live music venues.

“The aim of the relief is to support eligible businesses to manage continued cost pressures. The relief will apply to all eligible occupied properties by offering a discount of 15 per cent on non-domestic rate bills for the period April 1 to March 31, 2027. The relief is capped at £110,000 per business across Wales.

“As this is a temporary measure, Welsh Government is providing the relief by reimbursing local authorities that use their discretionary relief powers under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.”

It concluded: “The food and drink hospitality rates relief 2026-27 requires the local authority to adopt a discretionary scheme [as outlined] and in accordance with the criteria and conditions specified in the guidance issued by Welsh Government.

“It is proposed that Cabinet resolve to adopt [the scheme] which can be applied to administer the relief. Welsh Government will reimburse local authorities for the relief provided in line with their guidance via a grant under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003.”

Members backed the recommendation.

All eligible businesses must apply for this relief by the March 31, 2027, and an application form will be available on the council’s website from the April 1.

The maximum cash value of the rates relief allowed, across all properties in Wales occupied by the same business should not exceed £110,000. Businesses claiming the relief must declare that the amount being claimed does not exceed those limits.