Independent candidate Aaron Carey says West Wales is being ignored by Cardiff Bay

Published

2 months ago

April 30, 2026

Calls for stronger local voice as he criticises health cuts, planning delays and lack of jobs in rural Wales

INDEPENDENT Senedd candidate Aaron Carey has said West Wales needs a stronger voice, claiming politics has become too polarised and detached from the needs of local communities.

Carey visited The Herald office in Milford Haven for an interview with Herald editor Tom Sinclair, as part of the paper’s coverage of candidates standing in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency.

REASON FOR STANDING

Explaining why he decided to stand, Carey said: “Politics is too polarised at the moment.

“You’ve got this end here, this end there, and all they seem to want to do is throw mud at each other and lose sight of what the actual people in the community on the ground want.”

He said there was a clear disconnect between Cardiff Bay and rural West Wales.

Carey said: “There’s this disconnect between especially the rural areas of West Wales, but South Pembrokeshire as well. They don’t seem to know what’s going on.”

Carey accepted that the new electoral system made it difficult for independent candidates, saying the “cards are stacked” against individuals standing without party backing.

But he said independence would also be a strength if elected, because he would not be bound by a party whip.

He said: “If it’s a great idea, why would I go against it? If it’s a bad idea, I’ll go against it.

“I can come back and talk to the people and say, ‘Do you actually agree with this?’ I can take that back to Cardiff and fight the corner.”

On healthcare, Carey said Withybush Hospital had suffered years of “salami slicing”.

He said: “The salami slicing over the years of the health service, with Withybush especially, has been absolutely disgusting.

“One week it’s gone. That bit’s gone. That bit’s gone.”

Carey said services should not be removed before any new hospital is built.

He added: “Keep everything at Withybush until it’s there and see how we stand.”

ECONOMY

On jobs and the economy, he said West Wales needed major investment to stop young people leaving the area.

Carey said: “You need something that’s a reason for people to travel inwards instead of outwards.

“I’ve got children myself, and I can’t see what future they have here.”

He said he would like to see a nuclear power station developed locally, arguing it would “supercharge the economy”.

On housing and planning, Carey said construction was vital to the local economy and that delays were holding communities back.

He said: “If there’s not construction going on, there’s nothing developing. There’s nothing happening.

“Construction is a sign of a strong economy. Tradesmen get paid, they go and spend money in restaurants and everything snowballs from there.”

Carey also criticised sewage discharges into local waterways and said environmental concerns had to be balanced with health and the economy.

On climate change, he said: “I think we contribute to it. A lot of it is a natural course that we go through anyway.

“I think we’re probably speeding it up a little bit, but not to the extent perhaps some people are pushing it.”

YOUTH DISORDER

Asked about recent youth disorder and knife-related incidents in Pembrokeshire, Carey said the loss of youth provision was part of the problem, but added that discipline also had to start at home.

He said: “Over the years, they’ve run out of places for young people to go.

“But a lot of it stems from not enough discipline at home, if I’m honest.”

On farming, Carey said he did not want to see more pressure placed on farmers.

He said: “They’re the ones feeding us.

“I’d like to see them supported more to diversify, if they want to, into different food stocks, animal stock, vegetables, however they want to do it.”

On education, Carey said standards in Wales were “not at all” good enough, but stressed that teachers were not to blame.

He said: “I don’t put that fault on the teachers. They’re not getting the support they need.”

Carey said children should be allowed to develop according to their strengths, whether academic or practical.

He said: “You can see which way a child’s going.

“If they’re good with their hands, nurture it. Don’t just say, ‘You’ve got to sit there and not move and do your maths.’”

AGAINST RAISING TAXES

In a quick-fire section, Carey said he would prefer to cut spending rather than raise taxes, supported more renewables, and said Wales should have the same or fewer devolved powers.

Asked why voters should back him, Carey said: “I will stand up for you, the people.

“I don’t have any other agenda. I don’t have party politics to worry about. I don’t have a whip to worry about.

“I’m only accountable to you and nobody else.”

Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir to perform at Royal Welsh Show

Published

4 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE HAWKSTONE FARMERS’ CHOIR, winners of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, will perform at the 2026 Royal Welsh Show.

The choir will sing in the main ring on the afternoon of Monday, July 20, the opening day of the show at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.

Formed by Jeremy Clarkson as part of an advertising campaign for his Cotswolds-based brewing business, the choir has since grown into a national success story, using its platform to raise awareness of mental health within the farming community.

Aled Rhys Jones, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir to the Royal Welsh Show.

“Their performance on the Monday in the main ring, in front of thousands of visitors, will be a truly special occasion.”

He added that it would be the choir’s first official performance in Wales since winning Britain’s Got Talent, and said many choir members had strong links with the Royal Welsh.

Lead soloist Rosie Jones, a beef and sheep farmer from Mid Wales, said: “What an honour to be invited to sing at the Royal Welsh Show 2026.

“This fairytale journey just keeps growing, but the greatest thing to come from it is the community we’ve built within the choir and beyond.”

The Royal Welsh Show is one of Europe’s leading agricultural events, celebrating Welsh farming, food and rural life.

Picture caption:

The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir (Pic: Britain’s Got Talent / ITV).

Local Government

Security privately arranged by Mayor at Beating of the Bounds

Published

5 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed that security personnel seen at this year’s Beating of the Bounds were privately arranged and paid for by the town’s Mayor.

The council issued a statement on Tuesday (June 16) following queries about the presence of security staff at the civic event.

It confirmed that the arrangements were made by the Mayor and Admiral of the Port, Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner, and were not commissioned by the council.

The statement said the decision was taken by the Mayor as a personal precaution in response to safety concerns connected with his role as a councillor.

NO SPECIFIC THREAT

The council stressed that the presence of security personnel should not be interpreted as an indication of any specific threat to the event, participants, or members of the public.

It added that the event “proceeded safely and successfully” and that there were no incidents of concern during the day.

The Beating of the Bounds is one of Haverfordwest’s oldest civic traditions, with the Mayor and Sheriff travelling to the White Stone, the historic boundary marker of the Port of Haverfordwest, to reaffirm the ancient boundaries and rights of the town.

Hundreds of people attended this year’s event, which included a flotilla, music, entertainment, stalls and family activities along the riverside.

COUNCIL CONDEMNS ABUSE

In its statement, the council said it remained committed to ensuring civic events were “welcoming, inclusive and family-friendly” occasions.

It said appropriate planning and risk management arrangements were undertaken for all public events so residents and visitors could attend with confidence.

The council added: “While the security arrangements were a personal matter for the Mayor, the council recognises the importance of supporting the wellbeing and safety of all elected members and staff.

“The council condemns all forms of abuse, intimidation and threatening behaviour directed towards those serving their communities.

“Respectful public discourse is fundamental to local democracy, but there is no place for conduct that seeks to harass, threaten or intimidate others.”

The council thanked everyone who attended and contributed to what it described as another successful Beating of the Bounds, celebrating Haverfordwest’s history, traditions and community spirit.

Image: Darth Marty Media

Local Government

Major improvement works completed at Fleming Crescent

Published

9 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW roofs, structural upgrades and solar panels have been installed across three residential blocks at Fleming Crescent as part of a major housing improvement scheme.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the project has delivered safer, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for residents, with the full replacement of roofs serving 54 flats.

The works also included structural improvements designed to support the long-term performance of the buildings, alongside the installation of solar panels to help improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for tenants.

The council received a funding contribution from the Welsh Government through the Optimised Retrofit Programme, which supports energy-efficiency improvements alongside wider investment works.

The scheme was completed on schedule, with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd appointed as the main contractor.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “Delivering a project of this scale on schedule is a significant achievement.

“The new roofs and external upgrades will help reduce future maintenance issues and improve the long-term resilience of the buildings, while the solar panels form an important part of our wider decarbonisation programme.

“By working closely with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, we have delivered high-quality improvements that will benefit tenants both now and in the future.

“Pembrokeshire County Council continues to invest in housing improvements across the county, ensuring homes remain safe, modern, energy efficient and fit for the future.”

The project has also received national recognition after being shortlisted for a Constructing Excellence in Wales Award.

Neil Griffiths, Managing Director of W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, said: “We are proud to have delivered this important project at Fleming Crescent to a high standard and within the agreed timescales.

“The combination of full roof replacement and solar panel installation will provide long-term value, improve the performance of the buildings and support better outcomes for residents.

“It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council on this scheme.”