News

‘I am sympathetic to Lib Dems’ says Simon Hart

Published

10 years ago

February 5, 2015

Simon Hart MP

CONTINUING our interview with Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire MP, this week we look forward to May’s General Election and Simon Hart’s ambitions for the next Parliament.

We asked Mr Hart whether the fixed term of this Parliament had led to its last year being wasted on campaigning for a General Election that everyone knows is coming at a fixed point in time.

He disagreed: “I wouldn’t go that far. Every Parliament comes to an end and those are, more or less, predictable, whether a government goes to the country after three or four years. In the final period before an election, very little legislation can get on the statute books because it falls when the election comes along. That period might seem pretty dreary, but that has always been the case. Our country needed certainty in May 2010 and the fixed term of this Parliament helped to provide that.”

The plight of Liberal Democrats, who are widely anticipated to face heavy losses in May, was something with which Simon Hart empathised: “I am probably more sympathetic than some of my colleagues would be. I have a good working relationship in the House with my LibDem colleagues, LibDems in Wales, and with – I think – LibDem voters in my constituency.

“We should remember that it would have been simple for the LibDems to sit back in 2010 and watch the Conservatives try to deal with the economic mess we were in. They could have watched a minority government wallow and be unable to achieve anything or tackle the economic problems it faced. They could have sat back and done nothing, but they did not. The Liberal Democrats made a big, unpopular decision to go into a coalition when they could have acted expediently in the own self-interest. But they did not. That decision has come at a price; I think, however, that history will judge the LibDems’ decision to go into a coalition far more kindly than current commentators.”

Apart from being a member of it, we then asked Mr Hart what his ambitions were for the next Parliament:

“I want to continue as an MP, of course. I love what I do. There are times when you have to fight many frustrations, days when you wonder ‘what’s the point?’, but what I do as an MP is deeply satisfying. That satisfaction comes in a number of ways: I like sticking up for the little guy against a big bureaucracy or the sort of big organisation that can dominate people’s lives; I enjoy the satisfaction of helping a constituent – even if it is in a small way – to sort out a problem.

“I look at my constituency: I enjoy visiting new business and I am delighted to see the children of friends find jobs that could last a lifetime. Everything I care about in life is within thirty minutes or so of where we are now sitting. In terms of a specific fight: I want to continue to fight the battle for local health care.”

He continued: “I am a small cog in the big wheel of an administration that has fought hard to make the UK a growing economy and I want the next Parliament to see the job through that the current government has started.”

About the General Election, Simon finally added: “Party apart, people in this day and age – when it comes to casting a vote – will, I think, look at the individuals who are their candidates as well as their party badges.”

The interview ended and Simon left the office, hurrying off to his next engagement. The purpose of the interview had been to look at his experiences as an MP representing his constituency. The extent and scope of his ambition seemed reassuringly modest and constituency-focused.

There are a few who would have liked him to be probed more fiercely about his links with the Countryside Alliance, about his voting record in this Parliament, about the UK government’s record on welfare. But that was not this interview’s goal. Mr Hart’s is the first of a number of interviews we want to have with General Election candidates before the starting whistle is blown and so-called ‘election-purdah’ begins.

Closer to the election, the questions will change to focus on the specific, as opposed to the general. It is at that time – when we put the same questions to all candidates on health, welfare and their ambitions for the next Parliament – that people can judge the candidates both on their policies and their personalities.

Crime

Man accused of witness intimidation remanded in custody

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of intimidating a witness in a legal case involving him has been remanded in custody following a hearing at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 14).

David Rees, 62, of St Dogmaels Road, St Dogmaels, is charged with intimidating a witness, contrary to Section 51(1) and (6) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

The alleged incident occurred on October 30, 2024, near Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court, where Rees was attending a hearing for allegations of possession of an offensive weapon and common assault.

The original charges against Rees stem from a dramatic incident in St Dogmaels on September 16, 2024, which prompted an armed police response. Rees is accused of assaulting a man at a local building plot and being in possession of a concealed weapon—a sword stick, a bladed weapon hidden inside a walking stick. The episode resulted in a significant police presence, including armed officers, canine units, and a helicopter, in the usually tranquil village.

At his initial court appearance on October 9, Rees did not enter a plea to these charges. The hearing was adjourned for clarification from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and Rees was granted conditional bail, with restrictions preventing him from visiting certain addresses or contacting named individuals.

Prosecutors now allege that on October 30, while on bail, Rees approached a key witness in his case, Tom Long, at Harbour House in Trefechan, near the court.

Rees is accused of telling Long to withdraw his complaint, an act intended to intimidate him and interfere with the course of justice, the CPS allege .

At Thursday’s hearing, prosecutor Eurgain Lloyd argued against granting bail, citing the defendant’s alleged actions while on conditional bail and the risk of further interference with witnesses. Defence solicitor Geraint Parry, of Geraint Jones and Co., contested the remand, but magistrates Mrs M Hambidge, Dr M Morel Du Boil, and Mr H Davey rejected the application.

The court determined that the seriousness of the charges and the potential risk to the administration of justice warranted remanding Rees in custody. The magistrates cited the alleged offending on bail as a key factor in their decision.

Rees will remain in custody until his next court appearance, scheduled for November 20, 2024, at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court. This mention hearing, estimated to last 10 minutes, will take place at the Aberystwyth Justice Centre. A trial on the intimidation charge is set for December 19, 2024, with an estimated duration of 20 minutes.

The charges and the nature of the allegations have drawn significant local attention. The earlier alleged incident in St Dogmaels left the community shaken, with a heavy police presence continuing into the evening to reassure residents.

The subsequent charges of witness intimidation further complicate the legal proceedings against Rees, as the court seeks to ensure the integrity of the justice process.

This case continues to develop, with key hearings scheduled in the coming weeks.

News

Police appeal after fatal collision on A48 near Cross Hands

Published

3 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal road traffic collision on the A48 eastbound between Cross Hands and Cwmgwili.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:05pm on Friday (Nov 15).

A grey Isuzu D-Max was involved in the crash, which tragically resulted in the death of a 55-year-old man at the scene. His family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers.

Emergency services closed both the eastbound and westbound carriageways while attending the scene.

The westbound carriageway and one lane of the eastbound carriageway reopened at midnight, with the eastbound carriageway fully reopening at 12:30pm on Saturday (Nov 16).

Police are urging anyone with information that could assist their investigation to get in touch. You can contact Dyfed-Powys Police via the following:
🖥️ | Submit information online
📧 | Email: [email protected]
💬 | Direct message on social media
📞 | Call: 101

Please quote reference: 24*970191.

Education

Haverfordwest High VC School raise £12,775 for Children in Need

Published

3 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THIS week students at Haverfordwest High VC School have raised a record breaking £12,775 for Children in Need. The week has been led by an incredible group of Senior Prefects and their Year 12 and 13 Children in Need Army. The Sixth Form events have consisted of:

150 students taking a Big Dip at Broadhaven Beach.
Bushtucker Trial – where students went up against HHVCS staff to eat some gruelly delights.
Buffee and Barnes’ Wednesday Night Takeaway – a quiz night held at Haverfordwest RFC.
A carwash – where staff, pupils and brave members of the public had their cars washed.
Our Head Boy Harry shaved and dyed his hair. Closely followed by Year 12 Oscar and Kayden shaving their heads in front of the entire Sixth Form Block
Senior Prefects Katie and Ffion conducted a half marathon around Haverfordwest and were joined by Head Boy Harry and Deputy Head Boy Finn.
Year 12 Libby and Year 13 Molly held a sponsored silence – it was a lovely day!
Netball and football matches
A bake sale
Sweet shop led by Year 12 Leah, Queenie and Chloe.
Cyclathon – where students cycled all day outside the Sixth Form Block on spin bikes.
Leg waxing – Brave Year 12 and 13 boys had their legs waxed in front of the whole school.
Fun Run – which involved pupils from across the whole school.
Teddy and Pudsey ears sale.
The younger year groups also played a huge part in the fundraising efforts with Achievement Leaders planning a range of events including:
Year 7 danceathon – where students danced all day to some disco classics. Led by Senior Prefect Lucy and her sidekicks Brianna and Carys.
Year 8 Awesome Auction – hosted by Year 8
Year 9 Quiz
Year 10 and 11 football and bingo

The week was topped off with a whole school fancy dress. We couldn’t be more proud of what our pupils and staff have achieved. This amount of money will make a huge difference to children in need.