News

Labour hits out at Greens and Reform in escalating housing and tax row

Published

3 months ago

March 15, 2026

Party accuses rivals of “all words, no actions” as battle over renters and council tax intensifies ahead of Senedd election

A POLITICAL row has broken out ahead of the next Welsh Parliament election after Welsh Labour launched a twin attack on the Greens and Reform UK over housing policy and council tax.

The party issued a strongly worded response following comments by Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski (pictured) during a recent interview on BBC Politics Wales discussing renters’ rights and housing shortages.

Welsh Labour accused the Greens of saying they support tenants while opposing legislation aimed at increasing house building.

A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: “The Greens say they want to back renters. Then why did they block the bill in parliament that will deliver more houses?

“All words, no actions – that’s what you get from the Greens.”

Labour pointed to the vote by Green MPs against the UK government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which ministers argue would help speed up the delivery of new housing.

The spokesperson added: “At a time when families across Wales are struggling to find somewhere affordable to live, blocking legislation designed to build more homes simply doesn’t make sense.”

The criticism also referenced proposals by a Green-controlled council in Bristol to consider selling council houses in order to fund housing services.

The exchange highlights growing political competition between Labour and the Green Party of England and Wales as housing increasingly dominates the political agenda.

Across Wales, shortages of affordable homes, rising rents and pressure from second homes have pushed housing towards the top of voters’ concerns.

Welsh Labour also used the opportunity to criticise the growing influence of Reform UK, which has been campaigning heavily on council tax and cost-of-living issues.

Responding to comments from James Evans discussing Reform’s stance on council tax, the spokesperson said the party had failed to deliver tax cuts where it holds power.

“Reform has no leg to stand on when it comes to talking about council tax rates,” the spokesperson said.

“They promised tax cuts in the English councils they run and haven’t delivered – in fact just over the border in Worcester council tax has gone up by nine per cent.”

Political observers say the exchange reflects a wider shift taking place in Welsh politics as the next Senedd election approaches.

With the expansion of the Welsh Parliament and the introduction of a new proportional voting system, smaller parties are expected to find it easier to gain representation.

That has encouraged parties such as the Greens and Reform to push harder into territory traditionally dominated by Labour.

For many voters, however, the debate ultimately centres on familiar concerns: the rising cost of living, the availability of housing, and the level of council tax bills.

With the election campaign beginning to take shape, those issues are likely to dominate the political battleground in Wales in the months ahead.

News

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

Published

3 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

3 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

4 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).