News
Covid report says Wales was ‘too slow’ as inquiry criticises four nations’ response
Second UK inquiry report finds Welsh ministers over-relied on London guidance
THE WELSH GOVERNMENT was “too slow” to act in the opening weeks of the Covid-19 pandemic and relied too heavily on UK Government advice, according to the latest findings of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
The report – the second major publication from Baroness Heather Hallett’s inquiry – concludes that all four governments across the UK provided an “inadequate” response in the run-up to the first national lockdown, making sweeping restrictions “inevitable.”
In Wales, the inquiry found ministers failed to shift away from London’s lead quickly enough, and were late to recognise the seriousness of the developing situation in early 2020. It also warns that the Welsh Government was behind the curve again during the second wave in October 2020, a period which saw Wales record the highest Covid death rate of any UK nation.
More than 12,000 people in Wales died with Covid-19 between 2020 and August 2024. Unlike Scotland, Wales does not have its own national inquiry.
‘Heavy dependence’ on UK advice
Over a three-week evidence session, the inquiry heard from 31 witnesses including bereaved families, clinicians, civil servants and senior politicians. The report says both Mark Drakeford, then First Minister, and then Health Minister Vaughan Gething “relied heavily” on UK risk assessments without sufficiently considering Wales’ specific circumstances.
It adds that Welsh ministers should have “recognised the seriousness” of the threat during January and February 2020 and taken earlier preparatory action.
The inquiry also highlights strained relationships between Westminster and the devolved administrations, noting that while Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland attended COBRA meetings, there was a sense that key decisions “had effectively already been made” by the UK Government before discussions took place.
Slow cabinet discussions
The report criticises the pace of formal decision-making in Cardiff Bay, saying the Welsh Cabinet failed to consider Covid matters quickly enough in February 2020. It also notes that after Wales’ first confirmed case, Mr Drakeford travelled to Brussels for St David’s Day events rather than attending a cabinet meeting.
As the pandemic progressed, differing approaches to easing restrictions created public “confusion,” with devolved governments often adopting more cautious measures than England.
‘Careful and considered’
Despite these shortcomings, the inquiry draws a sharp contrast between the atmosphere within Whitehall and that within the Welsh Government. It describes the UK Government’s internal culture as “toxic and chaotic,” while Welsh ministers viewed their own cabinet as more inclusive, with Mr Drakeford characterised as a “careful and considered leader” who maintained constructive relationships with colleagues.
Call for reform and clearer communication
The report recommends new communication structures to improve coordination between the four nations during future emergencies, along with reforms to clarify internal decision-making processes within each government.
Welsh Government response
Responding to the report on Thursday, First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “I welcome the second report published by the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry. It is important that we remember the huge loss and suffering experienced by so many people as a result of Covid-19. Today, our thoughts must be with them above all else.
“We will spend time reading the report and will work with the other UK governments over the coming months to consider and act on the recommendations. We are committed to learning lessons from the pandemic and will continue to take an active part in the UK inquiry.”
Crime
Milford Haven disturbance sees two women arrested
TWO WOMEN were arrested following a disturbance at the Mount Estate in Milford Haven on Saturday night (May 9).
The Herald understands the arrests followed an altercation involving four people.
Video circulating on social media shows two women lying face down on the ground outside while handcuffed and restrained by police officers.
In the footage, officers can be heard telling one woman that she is being arrested on suspicion of assaulting police.
Both women were then taken away, each flanked by officers.
Other women can be seen speaking to those detained while they remain on the ground.
The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for further details, including confirmation of the number of arrests, the nature of the incident, and whether anyone was injured.
News
Wales enters new political era after historic Senedd election
WALES has entered a new political era after voters delivered the biggest political upheaval since devolution.
Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd, Reform UK surged into second place, and Welsh Labour was reduced to its worst result since the creation of Welsh devolution in 1999.
The result ends Labour’s long dominance of Welsh politics and leaves Cardiff Bay facing weeks of negotiations over who will form the next Welsh Government.

Labour dominance ends
For the first time since the Senedd was created, Labour is no longer the largest party in Wales.
The party fell to just nine seats in the expanded 96-member chamber, a result which has sent shockwaves through Welsh politics.
First Minister Eluned Morgan also lost her own seat in Ceredigion Penfro before announcing that she would stand down as Welsh Labour leader.
The scale of the defeat reflects deep public frustration over the NHS, public services, the cost of living, and the perception that Welsh Labour had run out of energy after decades in power.
Ken Skates has now been appointed interim Welsh Labour leader as the party begins what is likely to be a long and painful rebuilding process.
Plaid’s historic breakthrough
Plaid Cymru finished as the largest party with 43 seats, a landmark result for Rhun ap Iorwerth and his party.
It is the closest Plaid has ever come to forming a government in Wales, and gives the party the clear first opportunity to try to lead the next Welsh Government.
However, Plaid fell short of the 49 seats needed for an outright majority.
That means Rhun ap Iorwerth must now decide whether to seek a formal coalition, a confidence-and-supply arrangement, or attempt to govern as a minority administration.
The party campaigned strongly on the NHS, childcare, housing, rural Wales and economic renewal. It must now show that it can move from opposition into government and turn those promises into delivery.

Reform becomes major force
The other major story of the election was the dramatic rise of Reform UK.
The party won 34 seats, becoming the second-largest group in the Senedd and reshaping the political map across Wales.
Reform made major gains in former Labour heartlands, particularly in areas where voters have become disillusioned with Cardiff Bay politics and traditional party loyalties.

Its success means the next Senedd will be noisier, more confrontational, and far less predictable than before.
Reform will now have a large platform from which to challenge Plaid Cymru, Welsh Labour and the Conservatives on public services, immigration, the economy, and the future direction of Wales.

Smaller parties gain ground
The Conservatives were reduced to seven seats, leaving them much diminished after years of trying to present themselves as the main alternative to Labour.
The Wales Green Party won two seats, giving the party its first real foothold in the Senedd.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats won one seat, ensuring they remain represented in Cardiff Bay.
The new electoral system, which expanded the Senedd from 60 to 96 members and introduced 16 larger constituencies electing six MSs each, helped create a far more proportional result.
It has also produced a chamber in which smaller parties and tactical negotiations will matter more than ever.

What happens next?
The key issue now is who can command enough support to govern.
Plaid Cymru, as the largest party, will be expected to lead the process of forming an administration.
But without a majority, every major vote will matter. Budgets, major laws, confidence votes and key policy decisions will all require careful negotiation.
A formal deal with another party may prove difficult. A minority Plaid government is possible, but it would need support from other MSs to survive.
That means the next few weeks could be decisive for the future of Wales.
A changed country
This was more than a bad night for Labour or a breakthrough for Plaid and Reform.
It was a clear sign that Welsh politics has changed.
Old loyalties have weakened. Voters who once backed the same party for generations have shown they are prepared to move. The next Senedd will be more divided, more unpredictable, and more difficult to control.
For Wales, the message is stark.
The Labour era is over. Plaid Cymru now has its greatest opportunity yet. Reform UK has arrived as a major force. And whoever forms the next Welsh Government will have to prove quickly that change means more than a different set of faces in Cardiff Bay.
Community
Haverfordwest Castle redevelopment on track for 2028 reopening
Major project will create new visitor attraction, events space, museum and improved town links
HAVERFORDWEST Castle is on course to reopen in 2028 following a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the historic site into a high-quality visitor attraction.
County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, recently visited the site to see the progress being made.
He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, it was lovely to visit the Haverfordwest Castle Redevelopment Project and see the progress that has been achieved.
“I am very much looking forward to the Castle reopening in 2028.”

The project will see the mediaeval castle conserved for future generations, while the Inner Bailey has been landscaped so it can host events for up to 500 people.
These could include concerts, plays, craft fairs, Christmas markets and other community events.
The wider castle grounds are also being improved, with new interpretation explaining the history of the site, as well as family-friendly activities.
The building which houses Haverfordwest Museum, the Governor’s House, is being conserved, while the museum exhibition inside will be completely refurbished and modernised.

The former gaol building will also be transformed into a visitor attraction telling the story of Pembrokeshire’s past and future in an interactive and family-friendly way.
The attraction will include a café, shop, community spaces and exhibition areas.
Work is also taking place to improve the physical route between the castle and the town centre at Castle Back, with better signage planned to help visitors find the castle and navigate Haverfordwest more easily.
The castle is expected to reopen in 2028.
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