News

Kinnock says Reform is exploiting anger in Wales

Published

4 days ago

April 7, 2026

FORMER Labour leader brands party a “posh boys’ club”, accuses Nigel Farage of offering fantasy politics, and warns deep-rooted discontent is fuelling protest support across Welsh communities.

Lord Neil Kinnock has launched a blistering attack on Reform UK, accusing the party of feeding off frustration in Welsh communities while offering little in the way of substance.

The former Labour leader said Reform’s appeal was rooted in grievance rather than genuine answers, and dismissed the idea that the party speaks for working-class voters who feel ignored by mainstream politics.

Speaking about the rise of Reform in Wales, Lord Kinnock said the party was built on resentment and slogans rather than practical policies.

He said: “The only argument going for them is grievance and resentment. You can’t represent people on that basis.”

He reserved some of his strongest criticism for the party’s image and leadership, describing Reform as “a posh boys’ club” with no real concern for the lives of ordinary people in Wales.

“They don’t give a damn about the real wellbeing of the communities of Wales,” he said.

Lord Kinnock said Reform had been able to tap into genuine public anger, but argued it had done so without presenting any serious programme for change.

According to him, the party’s message was heavy on noise and light on detail, with promises that fell apart under scrutiny. He cited Brexit as an example, saying the economic rewards once held out to voters had failed to materialise.

He also took aim at Nigel Farage, accusing him of making grand claims about restoring industry in Wales without regard for economic reality.

In Lord Kinnock’s view, such rhetoric was designed to tell disillusioned voters what they wanted to hear, rather than confront the difficult truths facing post-industrial communities.

He said Reform’s politics were driven by fantasy and performance, not by any serious commitment to the future of Wales.

Lord Kinnock was equally dismissive of claims around immigration, which he said had been wildly distorted in public debate.

He argued that many migrants come to Britain to work, contribute to the economy and pay taxes, and said the suggestion that they are simply a drain on public services was untrue.

At the same time, he acknowledged that immigration had created pressures in some areas, particularly in the aftermath of Brexit, but insisted it had been inflated into a much bigger political issue than the facts justified.

He accused Reform of borrowing from a Trump-style playbook, making exaggerated claims, denying them when challenged, and then repeating them more forcefully when cornered.

He pointed to recent shifts in the party’s position on pensions and benefits as evidence of what he sees as an opportunistic and untrustworthy approach.

Lord Kinnock also criticised the role of the media and social media in Reform’s rise, arguing that views which might once have been dismissed as pub talk are now amplified to a national audience within minutes.

He said Reform had often been treated more generously by sections of the media than it deserved, partly because it provided easy headlines and instant controversy.

But while he was scathing about Reform itself, Lord Kinnock said the anger it is feeding on did not appear overnight.

He argued that discontent in Wales has deep roots, stretching back decades to the collapse of coal, steel and manufacturing communities from the 1980s onwards.

Those changes, he said, tore the economic heart out of many parts of Wales and were carried out without proper planning or meaningful replacement.

The result, in his view, was a lasting sense of abandonment that has never fully gone away.

He said communities hit by pit and factory closures were left feeling deserted by the political and economic system, creating conditions in which protest politics could flourish years later.

That same mood, he argued, also played a major part in Wales voting for Brexit.

Lord Kinnock said many Leave voters were not motivated by racism or ignorance, but by hope — hope that something different might finally improve their lives after years of austerity and neglect.

He said Wales had once enjoyed significant financial benefits from EU membership, and suggested that much of that support had still not been properly replaced.

Turning to Labour’s own position, Lord Kinnock admitted the party faces a difficult battle as the Senedd election approaches.

After nearly three decades in power in Cardiff Bay, he said Labour has the burden of office as well as responsibility for defending its record in a country facing deep structural problems.

He pointed to long-term underfunding, mounting pressure on the NHS, GP shortages, waiting lists, poor health outcomes and low incomes as factors driving dissatisfaction among voters.

He said Wales also faced additional challenges because of its geography, scattered population and limited number of major urban centres.

Taken together, he said, those pressures created a deeply difficult political climate.

Even so, Lord Kinnock insisted Labour still had strengths, praising the leadership of First Minister Eluned Morgan and saying there remained a clear desire within the party to deliver practical fairness.

He also warned that Plaid Cymru was benefiting from disenchantment with the status quo, presenting itself as an alternative for voters who want change but are not drawn to Reform.

Although talk of independence may no longer dominate every debate, he suggested the ambition remained at the heart of Plaid’s politics and said he believed that path would damage Wales rather than strengthen it.

In the end, Lord Kinnock’s argument was that the only lasting answer to Reform’s rise is to deal seriously with the conditions that have made voters so angry and disillusioned.

Unless insecurity, poor public services and economic decline are tackled, he suggested, parties built on protest and discontent will continue to find an audience.

He warned that a Welsh Government led by either Reform or Plaid would hold the country back at a time when stability and serious leadership were badly needed.

News

Fire crews and Dragon LNG test rescue response in major joint exercise

Published

8 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Milford Haven firefighters and Dragon LNG staff worked together in a realistic training scenario involving a workshop fire, missing casualties and a breathing apparatus emergency at the Waterston site.

MILFORD HAVEN Fire Station and Dragon LNG, Waterston, carried out a joint training exercise this week in the workshop and warehouse area of the site.

The exercise gave both organisations the opportunity to work through a different type of incident, as most of their usual joint training is focused on Dragon LNG’s liquefied natural gas process areas.

The scenario involved a fire in the workshop, with three people unaccounted for.

On arrival, the first fire crew was met by a member of Dragon LNG staff, who provided key information to the initial officer in charge. Once that handover had taken place, crews quickly set to work setting up fireground equipment while breathing apparatus teams prepared to enter the building.

A key part of the exercise was testing communication between the site’s responsible person and the officer in charge, before that information was passed on to breathing apparatus teams to ensure safe entry and the rescue of casualties.

Crews also practised new procedures, including the use of a smoke curtain at entry points to help control the amount of air entering the building.

A breathing apparatus emergency was also introduced during the exercise to simulate a firefighter in distress. The aim was to reinforce established procedures and help ensure the safety of crews operating inside the building.

Both organisations said the training provided valuable learning points for future incidents.

Milford Haven Fire Station thanked Dragon LNG staff for allowing crews to use the site’s facilities.

News

Farmers warn over rising costs and uncertainty

Published

8 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Conservative candidates Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz say feed, fuel and fertiliser pressures are leaving farm businesses under growing strain

FARMERS in Ceredigion have warned that rising costs and political uncertainty are placing increasing pressure on the agricultural sector.

The issue was raised during a visit to Penlanlas Isaf dairy farm in Talsarn, where Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz met farmers including FUW Ceredigion chair Emyr Evans and his family.

The lead Welsh Conservative candidates for Ceredigion Penfro said the rising cost of the “three Fs” – feed, fuel and fertiliser – was a major concern for those working in the industry.

Farmers told the pair that all three essential inputs have faced sustained price pressure, while many businesses have little ability to pass on higher costs. They said this is squeezing already tight margins and adding to wider concerns about the future of farming.

The candidates also heard that uncertainty linked to policy changes from both the UK and Welsh Labour governments is making it harder for farmers to plan ahead with confidence.

Paul Davies said: “The message from farmers was clear – costs are rising across the board, but it is the three Fs, feed, fuel and fertiliser, that are hitting hardest right now. These are essential inputs, and when their prices rise, it has an immediate and unavoidable impact on farm businesses.”

Samuel Kurtz added: “Agriculture is the backbone of our rural economy, but farmers are being squeezed from all sides. Global instability is pushing up the cost of feed, fuel and fertiliser, while uncertainty around wider policies is making it even harder for farmers to plan for the future.”

During the visit, farmers explained that higher feed costs are directly affecting livestock operations, while rising fuel prices are increasing the cost of machinery, transport and day-to-day work. Fertiliser prices, they said, also remain volatile, putting further pressure on already stretched budgets.

Paul Davies said: “These are not optional costs. Farmers cannot simply cut back on feed, fuel or fertiliser. On top of that, uncertainty around new schemes and regulations is creating real anxiety within the sector. Farmers need clarity and confidence, not more unpredictability.”

Davies and Kurtz said the Welsh Conservatives are committed to supporting farm businesses and ensuring government backing is properly targeted, with a focus on food production and long-term viability.

Their proposals include investing an additional £100 million in the agriculture budget over the next Senedd term, placing food security and productivity at the heart of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, taking action to eradicate bovine TB in both livestock and wildlife, increasing the amount of Welsh food and drink served in schools and hospitals, moving away from an all-Wales NVZ “farming by calendar” policy towards a more targeted catchment-based approach, and continuing to campaign against the Family Farm Tax.

Samuel Kurtz said: “We need a system that recognises the real pressures farmers are under and responds accordingly. That means backing farmers through rising input costs, reducing uncertainty, and ensuring they have the confidence to invest and produce.”

Paul Davies added: “Our farmers are essential to our economy, our food supply and our rural communities. Farming needs a friend right now, and farmers will always have a friend in the Welsh Conservatives.”

Crime

Police and partners launch summer crackdown after Tenby station stabbings

Published

8 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Extra patrols, more rail security and tougher action promised after violent disorder left four youths injured

POLICE and partner agencies have announced a reinforced summer safety response following the violent disorder at Tenby railway station which left four youths with stab wounds.

Dyfed-Powys Police said it will work closely with Pembrokeshire County Council, British Transport Police and Transport for Wales in the coming weeks and months to ensure a robust response to anti-social behaviour and violent offending.

The move follows the serious disorder on Tuesday, April 7, at Tenby train station. British Transport Police, which now has primacy for the investigation, said enquiries are continuing at pace.

In a major joint statement, Superintendent Louise Harries, BCU Commander for Pembrokeshire, said the force does not want the spring and summer season to be “defined” by anti-social behaviour or violent disorder.

She said: “The events which took place at Tenby train station on Tuesday 7th April were wholly unacceptable. Dyfed-Powys Police responded in the immediate aftermath of the incident, but now our colleagues at British Transport Police have primacy over this investigation and are conducting fast-paced enquiries into establishing the facts.

“Whilst we maintain a strong working relationship with our partners all year round, this incident has of course prompted further specialised joint work to robustly tackle anti-social or violent incidents, as well as ensure the peace of mind of our communities.”

Members of the public can now expect to see a visible police presence in hotspot locations over the coming weeks and months, aimed both at reassuring communities and deterring potential offenders.

Police said officers will make arrests and pursue prosecutions where necessary, and may also use anti-social behaviour powers to require individuals to provide their details or leave a particular area for up to 48 hours.

Superintendent Harries also thanked residents and business owners for their support following the Tenby incident, saying community intelligence and reports to police would be vital in shaping the response.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the incident had been “deeply concerning” and acknowledged the anxiety it had caused among residents, businesses and visitors.

Richard Brown, Assistant Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire County Council, said the authority was working closely with the police and other agencies to support the ongoing investigation and tackle wider anti-social behaviour issues.

He said parents and carers should remain aware of where young people are spending time, particularly in the evenings, as the county moves towards the busy summer period.

British Transport Police also confirmed a further three teenagers were arrested on Wednesday (Apr 9) on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and violent disorder. They have since been released on bail.

A 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man who had already been arrested in connection with the incident have also been released on bail while further enquiries continue.

British Transport Police Superintendent Jonathon Cooze said: “We recognise the concern felt within the community following the recent incident at Tenby station, and I would like to reassure the public that our investigation is progressing at pace.”

He urged anyone who witnessed the incident, or events leading up to it, to contact British Transport Police quoting reference 916 of April 7.

Transport for Wales has also confirmed it will deploy extra security teams at stations and on rail services across west Wales this weekend and throughout the summer months.

Simon Turton, Security Manager at TfW, said additional security would focus particularly on late-night services and key locations, backed by CCTV at stations and on-board trains, as well as body-worn cameras used by train crew.

The latest developments mark a significant escalation in the official response to the Tenby violence, with police, transport operators and the council all signalling a tougher and more visible approach as the holiday season approaches.