News

Herald links with Vote for Policies

Published

10 years ago

April 2, 2015

THE HERALD believes that voters deserve to know what they are voting for when they enter the ballot box.

We spoke with Matt Chocqueel Mangan, founder of the website Vote for Policies to find out how our readers can find out more about the policies parties stand for and how, sometimes, the results of a little digging can be surprising.

“The story goes back to 2010,” Matt told us over an uncertain telephone line. “I did not know who to vote for. I was not new to voting, but I am not a political person. I do not have a background in politics at all, my work has been in digital media and web design.”

We asked how he found out about parties’ policies: “In 2010 I found that it was incredibly dull and arduous to find out what was actually in parties’ manifestos. Smaller parties, such as UKIP or the Greens tend to put everything out there. Larger parties are rather more cautious and release only what suits them; they tend to want to set a news agenda rather than release the whole thing online.

“It occurred to me that voters should know which policies suit them, or tally with their beliefs and wishes, without having to pick their way through a lot of badly written jargon.

“So, we set up the website Vote for Policies, which took the policies the parties announced and allowed people to work their way through them without being distracted by the party political stuff that surrounded them on the parties’ websites or in their manifestos.”

The reaction to Vote for Policies took Matt aback: “It just really took off. This is not an opinion poll, all the site does is ask people which policy they prefer and it then matches those against the party the policy belongs to; there is no hidden catch to this and no political agenda.

“People have been surprised by what the results have told them. Around a quarter of users have said they are more likely to vote as a result of comparing policies; almost two-thirds have been surprised which party most closely matches with their individual concerns; a significant number have changed their voting intentions.”

The focus is very much on the individual, explained Matt: “This sort of blind testing is a revealing and worthwhile experience. There are no distractions from political spin and politicians. It empowers the individual by enabling them to make informed choices based on their own reactions to party policies.

“By this stage in the 2010 election campaign, we had 20,000 unique responses. In relation to May 2015, 200,000 individuals have already taken part by using Vote for Policies.”

The Herald has linked up with Vote for Policies for the current General Election campaign.

Follow the link on the Heralds’ Facebook pages and websites and show us what matters to our readers. We will be asking the General Election candidates for their reactions to what is revealed when you vote for policies and not personalities.

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk/survey/herald

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

12 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

19 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.