News

Welsh Labour rebels: Starmer worse than the Tories on devolution

Published

5 months ago

December 3, 2025

If the Tories did this we’d Be calling for a Judicial Review” – Shocking letter sent to Starmer

IN A BOMBSHELL that lays bare deepening rifts within the Labour family, 11 Welsh Labour Senedd Members have unleashed a blistering attack on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, branding his government’s approach to devolution a “constitutional outrage” and implying it’s even more damaging than the Conservatives’ record.

The extraordinary letter, signed by heavyweights including former Counsel General Mick Antoniw MS and ex-Deputy Minister Lee Waters MS, was fired off to Downing Street today. It demands an immediate end to the UK Government’s “Pride in Place” initiative – a Whitehall-run scheme doling out grants to Welsh councils for mundane fixes like bus shelters, park toilets and litter bins.

At the heart of the fury: the programme’s use of the UK Internal Market Act 2020 (UKIMA), the post-Brexit law rammed through by Boris Johnson’s Tories that allows Westminster to meddle in devolved areas without Cardiff’s say-so. Welsh Labour once dragged the Conservatives to court over UKIMA, decrying it as a blatant power grab that shredded devolution.

Now, with Labour in charge at both ends of the M4, the rebels are turning the tables. “If this was being done by a Tory Government, we would be calling for a judicial review,” they write starkly. “This must never happen again. Wales needs and deserves to be treated as an equal part of the UK – and the UK Government has a responsibility to deliver this equality.”

The signatories – a who’s who of Welsh Labour experience – read like a shadow cabinet in waiting: Antoniw, Hannah Blythyn, Alun Davies, John Griffiths, Lesley Griffiths, Julie Morgan, Jenny Rathbone, Rhianon Passmore, Carolyn Thomas, Mike Hedges and Lee Waters. Their collective voice carries real weight, especially as Welsh Labour licks its wounds from November’s Caerphilly by-election drubbing, where Plaid Cymru snatched a safe seat amid voter fury over Westminster’s perceived neglect.

The letter pulls no punches on the “Pride in Place” flaws. Funded partly by top-slicing the Local Growth Fund – meant as a clean replacement for lost EU structural cash – the scheme sees UK ministers in London picking Welsh winners and losers. “Why is the UK Government directly funding Welsh councils to fix bus shelters, reopen park toilets, and provide bins?” the MSs demand. It’s “ineffective and wasteful”, they add, forcing local authorities to beg Whitehall for scraps in a fully devolved policy zone like regeneration.

This isn’t abstract griping; it’s a direct hit on Starmer’s devolution credentials. The missive arrives just a day before the anniversary of his starry-eyed 2024 “devolution reset” pledge in Cardiff, where he vowed to end Westminster’s top-down ways and treat the nations as true partners. Instead, the rebels accuse Labour of “rolling back the existing devolution settlement” – from stalled reforms to the Barnett funding formula, to unfulfilled promises on rail infrastructure, policing and the Crown Estate.

Opposition vultures are circling. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds hailed the letter as proof that “Labour’s representatives in Wales have lost faith in Labour’s MPs in London”, exposing a “deep lack of understanding and a worrying disregard for the Senedd”.

Plaid Cymru piled on, calling it “damning proof that Welsh Labour in Cardiff and Welsh Labour in Westminster are now two completely different parties”. One Plaid source quipped: “Even their own side thinks Starmer’s worse than the Tories – that’s how low we’ve sunk.”

Downing Street was tight-lipped tonight, but a Wales Office spokesperson insisted the programme “complements the work of the Welsh Government” and gets cash “quickly to communities that need it”. They stressed local control over spending decisions, but dodged the UKIMA elephant in the room.

Behind the scenes, the tremors are palpable. A Cardiff Bay insider not among the signatories whispered: “This is the wake-up call. Starmer’s ‘new era’ talk was fine in opposition – but in power, it’s business as usual from London. If we don’t sort this, 2026’s Senedd elections will be a bloodbath.”

For Starmer, already buffeted by Budget whispers and leadership jitters, this Welsh revolt couldn’t come at a worse time. As one rebel put it in the letter: “The signs are clear that the public understands this – we must demonstrate that we do too.”

Will the PM listen, or will this fracture widen? In the pressure cooker of Welsh politics, today’s letter isn’t just shocking – it’s seismic.

Community

Free naloxone training session announced for Pembroke Dock

Published

3 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FREE life-saving training session is set to take place in Pembroke Dock next month, giving people the skills to respond to suspected drug overdoses.

RM Training and Security Solutions has confirmed it will host a naloxone (Naxoline) training course at The Cricketers in Pembroke Dock on Tuesday (June 9) from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

The session is being delivered in partnership with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) and is open to anyone, including security staff, venue teams, event workers and members of the public.

Organisers say the training is designed to be quick, practical and accessible, equipping attendees with the knowledge and confidence to act in an emergency.

Those taking part will learn how to recognise the signs of an overdose, what to do in a critical situation, how to safely administer naloxone, and gain an understanding of basic harm reduction.

Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses and can be administered via a nasal spray.

RM Training and Security Solutions said the session forms part of a wider effort to improve safety across communities, particularly in nightlife and public-facing environments.

Places are limited, and early booking is advised. Those interested can book via the company’s website or contact the organisers directly for more information.

Photo caption:

Life-saving skills: Free naloxone training will be held at The Cricketers in Pembroke Dock on Tuesday (June 9).

Community

Security firm meets councillors over town safety concerns

Published

3 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MEETING has been held at Haverfordwest Town Council offices to discuss community safety and security concerns in the town.

Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner welcomed RM Training and Security Solutions for what he described as a “productive and forward-thinking” discussion.

He was joined by Deputy Mayor-elect Cllr Adam Benson Davis and the Sheriff of Haverfordwest, Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, for the meeting with Ryan Mayne and Matthew Davis of RM Training and Security Solutions.

The discussion focused on concerns facing the community, including public safety, anti-social behaviour and the need for practical partnership working to help support residents, businesses and visitors.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said the meeting was open and honest, with all parties keen to look at constructive ways of improving safety and confidence in the town.

Further discussions are expected as councillors continue to explore possible community-led solutions.

Photo caption:

Town safety talks: Councillors met with representatives of RM Training and Security Solutions at Haverfordwest Town Council offices.

Community

Port invests almost £500,000 in Pembrokeshire communities

Published

5 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people, water safety projects and environmental schemes across Pembrokeshire benefited from almost half a million pounds of support from the Port of Milford Haven during 2025.

The Port said its investment reflected another year of commitment to strengthening local communities, building confidence among young people, improving access to the Milford Haven Waterway and supporting environmental resilience across the county.

Its community support focused on three main themes: a safe, inclusive and enjoyable Waterway; a skilled and confident community, with a particular focus on young people; and a sustainable and resilient environment.

Water safety projects delivered with Windswept, Paddle West and Blue Horizons CIC helped more people access the Waterway safely, including skills sessions and boat trips for people of all abilities and backgrounds.

The Port also supported Tenby Surf Life Saving Club and Porthmawr Surf Life Saving Club, helping provide training and safety equipment for volunteers carrying out lifesaving work.

Youth support

long-standing partnerships also remained central to the Port’s community investment.

Its continued work with Milford Youth Matters supported initiatives including Under the Bridge and the Winter Warmers scheme, providing safe and warm spaces for young people during the colder months.

Support for Megan’s Starr Foundation funded more than 300 hours of counselling for young people, helping improve mental health and wellbeing.

The Port also worked with Pembrokeshire County Council and Milford Haven Town Council to help keep a vital library resource open.

Support continued for the Torch Theatre, which delivered opportunities for young people outside traditional academic or sporting settings and won an award in 2025.

In partnership with the SPARC Alliance, the Port also helped encourage young women to explore careers in STEM, with 172 girls enrolled in the programme.

Environmental work

The Port said it remained proud to support the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer post, recognising the importance of protecting and sharing the county’s special marine environment.

It also highlighted its role with the Milford Haven Waterway Environment Surveillance Group, which has monitored the Waterway’s habitats and wildlife for more than thirty years.

The Port has also supported Cymbrogi Futures in delivering the Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon programme for schools across Pembrokeshire.

Anna Malloy, Communications and Marketing Director at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Our community investments are some of the most rewarding ways we support people across Pembrokeshire.

“Every year we see incredible dedication from local groups working to make our communities safer, more inclusive, and more inspiring, especially for young people.

“We are particularly proud that in 2026 the fund will be focusing further on supporting projects that help young people gain skills and grow in confidence.

“Our investment in people today helps create a stronger, more inclusive and ambitious generation tomorrow.”

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port, handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Waterfront.

Photo caption: Water safety projects delivered with Windswept, Paddle West and Blue Horizons CIC helped more people access the Waterway safely.