News

Badger and the cost of everything

Published

11 years ago

March 4, 2015

badger84image GREETINGS to you all from Badger’s sett readers. The recent downpours have been distressing as they have compelled Badger to have his annual bath unexpectedly early. Nevertheless, one makes do with the cards dealt and so Badger’s loofah and coal tar soap have had an early excursion. Being the frugal sort, Badger likes things that last a long time and is prepared to pay a little extra for durability (but not the price of Bryn Parry Jones!). And that readers is where Badger has some issues with current trends in our public life.

If everything is based upon providing the minimum for the least then the world of public service provision has gone mad. Time and time again across the UK demented ideologues have tried to treat essential services like public transport and its infrastructure. policing. prisons, health, and education as though they are things that could and should be delivered by private money for private profit. Successive governments of whatever stripe have bought into the lie that “the discipline of the market” is all that is needed to make public service delivery fairer, better, more efficient and — of course — cheaper. There are other factors that are important to public services. not least of which is the service element itself.

Forgetting the fact that public services often deliver essential services free at the point of delivery (please note, Badger did not say “free”) and that people depend upon those services to learn, live
and survive is to ignore that most important service element. Taxpayers are relieved of part of their income, whether directly or indirectly, and some of that money goes towards providing them with public services. Far too many people have bought into the fallacy that all human relationships are shaped by calculations of profit and loss and that a service is a product to be delivered like a bag of crisps or a fizzy drink. No wonder economics is called “the dismal science”, readers. And it is cost-cutting that is at the heart of the Welsh Government’s drive to cut health services in our county. Badger does not blame the Board for the direction of that policy.

That would be like pelting the monkey when the organ-grinder plays a false note. The Welsh Government “reviewed” health care in a report it commissioned and with terms of reference it set. It received the outcome of its rigged review and over the last few years it has imposed its wishes across Wales. Readers. virtually every strategic decision coming out of each and every consultation. has come up with the result the Welsh Government wanted. It’s a miracle, readers. Or not. if like Badger you are somewhat less inclined to think that Mark Drakeford and his predecessors are wonder workers. Goodness knows, readers. how many hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money have been wasted on the con job perpetrated by Welsh Labour on the people of
Wales. Its “review” has always been about cuts. The aim has always been to trim the budget. For all the fine words from the Bay uttered by Welsh Labour ministers, the outcome boils down to slashing services in the vain hope that not too many more people die as a result. Faced with a gaping hole in its health budget, the Welsh Government has decided to pack it with “efficiencies” and “service improvements” and artists’ impressions of maternity suites that look like a Premier Inn without Lenny Henry.

All the glossy pictures in the world will not save one life or deliver one child safely into it. Mark Drakeford promised a safety net not an artists’ impression of something not yet even built (Did the unit closing come as a bit of a surprise. Health Board?) Nothing can hide the fact that Mark Drakeford’s “robust safety net” is held together with something less than a lick and a promise. How lucky is Mark that the Senedd isn’t sitting so he can be asked about it? It is the nature of nets that they have holes, readers. Mark Drake ford’s net has hole. One bloody big one and nothing else. Lies, damned lies, and politicians’ promises. It’s almost enough to make Badger think that Mark Drakeford is an extremely large hole, himself. The Board is still recruiting staff to staff the magic ambulance it says will replace a dedicated maternity ward with consultant cover. As for specialist equipment, that will presumably materialise at the same time as the specialist staff to crew the magic ambulance. The Health Board has the advantage of being unelected. Welsh Labour Senedd members and aspiring Labour politicians do not. Which one of our local Labour politicians will be the first to say that the Welsh Government has treated, is treating and will continue to treat Pembrokeshire’s voice with contempt.

The first transfer from Withybush took two and a half hours. Badger does not know how mother and baby are doing. but Badger hopes it is well. And if it is. it will be thanks to those doing a difficult job in impossible circumstances. The credit will not go to the Health Board and still less will it go to Welsh Labour in Cardiff Bay. Every life lost in transit that could have been saved in Haverfordwest; every mother hoicked away from her family and friends at a distressing and difficult time; every child kept in pain for a minute longer than necessary. The Health Board and Welsh Labour can have the “credit” for those. And when they are given the proper “credit” for ripping apart caring communities they might just realise that while they know the cost of everything. readers, they know the value of nothing.

News

Questions raised over delayed west Wales express coach as FOI row deepens

Published

13 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Concerns mount over transparency after Transport for Wales delays response on key documents

QUESTIONS are being raised over the future of a long-promised express coach service linking north and south west Wales, after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request triggered a delay by Transport for Wales.

The proposed express route between Bangor and Carmarthen was identified in a Welsh Government-backed business case in early 2025 as a key project capable of cutting journey times by up to 90 minutes.

However, more than a year after a public consultation was held, there has been no clear update on funding, delivery, or timelines.

Now, a detailed FOI request submitted to TfW is seeking answers — including business case documents, internal communications, and consultation results — but the transport body has said it needs more time to respond.

FOI delay sparks concern

In a reply dated Friday (Mar 27), TfW said it was relying on Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act, which relates to commercial interests, and that it required additional time to carry out a public interest test.

The authority has indicated it will respond fully by April 28.

But the applicant, Dr John McTighe, has challenged that position, arguing that most of the requested information — including meeting dates, consultation documents, and performance data — cannot reasonably be considered commercially sensitive.

He has warned that failure to provide the non-sensitive material promptly could result in a referral to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Contrast with north Wales rollout

The FOI request also highlights the introduction of the TrawsCymru T51 service between Wrexham and Rhyl, which was launched in 2025 and is set to receive a fleet of new vehicles this year.

Critics argue that while the north Wales route has progressed quickly, the west-coast express proposal — described as a “headline ambition” for improving north–south connectivity — appears to have stalled.

The Herald understands that the Bangor–Carmarthen route was backed by a positive business case and formed part of wider plans to improve long-distance public transport links across Wales.

Transparency questions

The request seeks details of meetings, internal correspondence, and consultation analysis — including the results of a public consultation which TfW said would be assessed using specialist software.

It also asks for information on how passenger numbers and performance data are monitored across the TrawsCymru network.

Concerns have been raised that key performance data, including annual passenger figures and punctuality statistics, are not routinely published in full.

Calls for clarity

The delay has prompted fresh calls for transparency over how decisions are made on publicly funded transport services in Wales.

There is particular concern in west Wales that strategic investment may not be progressing at the same pace as elsewhere, despite longstanding commitments to improve connectivity along the western corridor.

A spokesperson for Transport for Wales said the organisation is considering where the balance of public interest lies before releasing the requested information, and confirmed a full response will be issued by April 28.

The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.

Local Government

Oil spill alert after pollution hits Pembroke stream and Castle Pond

Published

13 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Heating oil believed to have entered water via culvert as investigation and clean-up continue

AN UGENT investigation is underway after a suspected heating oil spill contaminated the Commons Stream and spread into Castle Pond in Pembroke.

Pembroke Town Council first raised the alarm, warning residents of a potential pollution incident affecting the watercourse. Officers from Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team and Natural Resources Wales are now on site working to identify the source and contain the spill.

Further information from local county councillor Aaron Carey suggests the oil likely entered the stream through a culvert near Foundry House, indicating the source may lie somewhere to the south of that location.

The substance is believed to be domestic heating oil. It is not yet known whether the spill was accidental or the result of a possible attempted fuel theft.

Residents in St Daniel’s Hill, South Road and Orange Gardens are being urged to check their heating oil tanks for any signs of damage or unexplained loss.

Witnesses reported seeing a blue-green sheen on the water near the castle side earlier today, raising concerns about the extent of the contamination.

Clean-up efforts are ongoing, and members of the public may notice increased activity around the stream and pond while teams work to manage the incident.

Anyone with information or concerns is advised to contact the relevant authorities.

News

Reform UK candidate quits days after Nazi salute row

Published

14 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Corey Edwards stood in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg and appeared at national hustings shortly before stepping down

REFORM UK Senedd candidate Corey Edwards has stepped down from the upcoming election, just days after controversy over a photograph appearing to show him making a Nazi salute.

The party confirmed on Thursday (Mar 27) that Edwards had withdrawn from the race, citing mental health issues. A spokesperson said: “Corey Edwards has informed us that he is stepping down as a candidate for the Senedd election this May, citing issues with his mental health.

“We wish him well for the future and hope his privacy can be respected at this difficult time.”

Edwards had been selected as Reform UK’s lead candidate for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, meaning he was in a strong position to be elected if the party secured a seat in the constituency.

His withdrawal comes shortly after a photograph emerged, first published by Nation.Cymru, which appeared to show him performing a Nazi salute. Edwards said the image, taken in 2019, could be “misinterpreted” and claimed he had been imitating either a scene from Fawlty Towers or Welsh footballer Wayne Hennessey, who was previously involved in a similar controversy.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the image “looked terrible” but confirmed Edwards would not be removed as a candidate at the time, describing him as “a human being” and referencing the sitcom scene as context.

Edwards had also appeared publicly as a Reform representative at a national youth hustings event in Cardiff on Thursday (Mar 19), alongside politicians from other major parties.

In a statement, Edwards said: “Like many young people, I have made mistakes. But I am proud of the person I am today and the values I stand for.”

The Herald understands that Reform UK has not yet confirmed whether a replacement candidate will be selected for the constituency.