News

Wales’ first minister keeps distance from Starmer before May vote

Published

5 months ago

January 28, 2026

Senedd race not Westminster

THE FIRST MINISTER has moved to draw a clear dividing line between the Welsh Labour campaign and the UK government as the Senedd election approaches in May.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday, Eluned Morgan repeatedly declined to offer a verdict on the performance of the Prime Minister, instead insisting that the election in Wales would be decided on devolved issues rather than UK politics.

Asked directly whether she believed Keir Starmer was doing a good job, Morgan said voters should focus on who would be responsible for running public services in Wales.

“He’s not on the ballot paper,” she said. “That is not what people will be voting for in May.”

She stressed that the Senedd election should not be treated as an opportunity to punish or protest against the UK government, arguing that decisions on health, education and public services were the priority for Welsh voters.

“This is about who is going to deliver the services people rely on in Wales,” she said.

Morgan warned that the election would present voters with what she described as a stark choice, claiming Reform UK would bring “chaos” while Plaid Cymru offered “pipe dreams” that would ultimately lead Wales towards independence.

Her comments follow remarks made last week suggesting Sir Keir Starmer would only campaign alongside her in Wales if he arrived with tangible benefits, such as funding announcements or new projects.

During the same interview, Morgan also appeared to play down her recent call for policing powers to be devolved to Wales, after the proposal was rejected by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood earlier this week.

When questioned about Westminster’s refusal to consider the request, Morgan redirected the discussion towards everyday concerns.

“I think people in Wales are focused on the bread and butter issues in their daily lives,” she said.

While maintaining that successive Welsh governments had consistently sought policing powers under both Labour and Conservative administrations at Westminster, she emphasised that the election would be about the future direction of Wales and growing the Welsh economy.

In a separate BBC Wales interview on Tuesday, Morgan again avoided describing the Home Secretary’s response as a political snub and declined to say whether she could persuade UK ministers to reconsider their position.

Opposition parties were quick to seize on her comments.

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar accused the First Minister of laying the groundwork for an independent Wales and attempting to outflank Plaid Cymru on nationalism.

Plaid Cymru, meanwhile, described Morgan as “powerless”, while a Reform UK Wales spokesperson said Labour and Plaid were focusing on constitutional arguments instead of tackling rising NHS waiting lists and declining educational outcomes in Wales.

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

Published

12 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

Published

13 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

Published

13 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).