News

Election hopefuls battle it out

Published

11 years ago

April 22, 2015

CONSERVATIVE candidate Simon Hart was the only representative of the country’s last coalition government to attend an all-

Delyth Evans talking to PPF member Andy Martin

Pembrokeshire day of hustings on Friday (Apr 17).

The morning session saw Stephen Crabb and Nick Tregoning pleaded other commitments, while in the South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West hustings, Liberal Democrat ‘challenger’ Selwyn Runnett joined Plaid Cymru’s Elwyn Williams and John Atkinson of UKIP on the absentee list.

However, as the seat has been something of a two-horse race between red and blue since 1997, it could be argued that the presence of Mr Hart, along with Labour candidate Delyth Evans, allowed people to see the contrast between different probable futures for the constituency. The Green Party’s Gary Tapley, attending the second hustings of his political career, was also in attendance.

The event, held in the Albany Hall, Haverfordwest, was organised by Pembrokeshire People First, a charity set up to enable and empower people with learning disabilities. PPF coordinator Karen Chandler started the ball rolling with a brief summary of what the group have achieved, before introducing the candidates.

Many of the questions asked referred directly to changes in the country’s benefit system over the last five years. In response to a question which pointed out that under changes to the Disability Living Allowance 1 in 5 people may not be able to live independently any more, Mr Hart stated that the policy was not designed to make people miss out, and blamed delays in processing, as well as less-than-perfect communication. “Nobody in this room who needs support should fall foul of the system,” he added.

Ms Evans said that when dealing with vulnerable people it was ‘more important to get things right,’ and added that one of the priorities for a Labour government would be ‘clearing the backlog’ of claims waiting to be processed ‘so people know where they stand.’ She also criticised the negative language used to describe recipients of benefits. Mr Tapley disagreed with the use of private companies ‘with targets to meet’ for assessments.

Mr Hart was also the only candidate across two constituencies who spoke out in favour of the ‘bedroom tax’ on the day, saying that he had witnessed extreme levels of overcrowding in council accommodation due to a shortage of available properties. His assertion that discretionary payments could be made by the local council to make up the shortfall was challenged by Ms Chandler, who pointed out that in Pembrokeshire those payments were only issued for a maximum of 6 months.

Ms Evans said that the Labour party promised to scrap the tax. “It penalises people who can’t help their situation and hasn’t solved the problem,” she said. Mr Tapley concurred, saying that it was ‘awful to mess with things without a solution in place’.

The Herald spoke to Sophie Hinksman, co-chair of the Learning Disability Advisory Group after the hustings: “I can understand Simon Hart’s point about overcrowding,” she said, “but the bedroom tax should be scrapped. It’s a bad idea, and it’s not fair to everyone.”

Another issue that PPF members felt strongly about was the Human Rights Act. In response to a question from Chairman Jeremy DeWilton regarding their promises to protect the act, Mr Hart claimed that it had ‘run its natural course’, and should be replaced by a Bill of Rights. “The Human Rights Act has been used by lawyers to protect the undeserving,” he added.

Ms Evans pointed out that the last Labour government had signed the UN Charter of Rights, and that her party had no plans to alter the act. “It is more important to make sure that it is put into practice – to make sure organisations like the County Council understand you have human rights,” she added.

Mr Tapley, whose face bore the expression of a schoolboy who has turned up at his science lesson with meticulously completed art homework, admitted that he was unsure of the party stance on the issue, but said that personally he was in favour of keeping the act. “People focus too much on what a few bad people do, rather than what it is for,” he said, and looked relieved when he was told that maintaining the Human Rights Act was in the Green Party manifesto.

In response to a question from vice chairman Ed Lewis asking ‘how can we trust you to do the things you say you will do?’ Mr Tapley was more forthright. “I keep my word – that’s who I am. Doing this won’t change me, if I’m voted in my duty is to you,” he declared.

Describing trust as ‘very important,’ Ms Evans said that the current lack of trust in politicians saddened her. “Most politicians are not liars,” she commented, before saying: “I try not to say things I don’t think I can do.”

Mr Hart agreed with the low public opinion regarding politicians. “They seem to be ranked with estate agents and journalists,” he joked. This remark, hopefully not a slur on Lib Dem candidate Mr Runnett, led me to wonder where the estate agent connection came in. Surely not the ubiquitous identical signs scattered across the south county?

Further questions were addressed to Ms Evans and Mr Tapley, after Mr Hart was forced to leave early.

The Herald spoke to the chair of PPF afterwards. Mr DeWilton said that he was impressed by the way candidates answered the group’s question: “Hopefully they’ll stick to what they said they want to do,” he said.

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Community

Podcast plans signal new era for Herald as studio project gathers pace

Published

2 minutes ago

April 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW chapter in local journalism is set to begin as Herald prepares to launch a dedicated podcast and video interview series, building on more than a decade of reporting across west Wales.

The project, which is expected to begin recording within weeks, will see a wide range of guests brought into a fully equipped studio to discuss the issues shaping Pembrokeshire and beyond. From politics and community campaigns to business, crime and personal stories, the aim is to give a platform to voices that matter locally.

The move marks a significant step in the evolution of Herald, which has grown from a traditional print publication into a digital-first news platform reaching millions of readers online each week.

Editor Tom Sinclair said the idea had been years in the making, even if it had not been fully realised until now.

“We’ve actually had the equipment for a long time,” he said. “It was originally purchased as part of a large production setup, but at the time the audience and the technology just weren’t there in the way they are today.

“Now everything has changed. People watch video, they engage with clips, and they want to hear directly from the people involved in the stories.”

The Herald understands that the studio has been assembled using professional-grade equipment originally sourced from a public sector production facility, alongside cameras, lighting and audio systems built up over many years.

The result is a broadcast-style environment capable of producing multi-camera interviews, discussions and recorded segments suitable for both long-form viewing and short clips for social media.

Sinclair said the focus would be on straightforward, honest conversations rather than heavily produced content.

“This isn’t about slick presentation or trying to be something we’re not,” he said. “It’s about asking the right questions and letting people speak. That’s what we’ve always done in print, and this is just the next step.”

Initial plans include a series of structured interviews with local figures, alongside topical discussions reflecting the biggest stories of the week. With the Senedd elections approaching, the new format is also expected to provide a platform for candidates and campaigners to set out their positions directly to voters.

Interest in the project has already begun to build, with members of the public, campaigners and political figures contacting the Herald to take part. The Herald understands that a number of early guests are being lined up, with recording expected to begin shortly once final technical preparations are complete.

The introduction of podcasts will also open up new opportunities for local businesses, with episode-level sponsorship packages being explored as a way to support production costs while promoting local services.

Sinclair added that the project would remain rooted in the community.

“We’ve spent 13 years building an audience and earning trust,” he said. “This is about using that platform in a new way — not replacing what we do, but adding to it.”

While the format is new, the goal remains the same: to inform, to question, and to reflect the voices of Pembrokeshire.

Readers, businesses and potential guests interested in taking part in the podcast series can contact the Herald via email at [email protected].

Entertainment

Surf and skate weekend set to launch summer in Broad Haven

Published

8 minutes ago

April 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Wood N Waves festival to feature competitions, live music and free entry

A NEW surf and skate festival will kick off the summer season in Pembrokeshire this May as Rwts Rooms and Resto hosts its “Wood N Waves” weekend in Broad Haven.

Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10, the event promises a mix of sport, music and community spirit, with organisers building on the strong response to last year’s concept launch.

The weekend will include surf and skate competitions, lessons for beginners, and open riding, alongside a dedicated skate ramp set up for the event.

Live music and food will also be on offer, creating what organisers describe as a “start of season party” for locals and visitors alike.

Importantly, entry to the event will be free, with organisers keen to make the weekend accessible to everyone.

A spokesperson for Rwts Rooms and Resto said they were “stoked” to officially launch Wood N Waves after the positive feedback received last year.

They added that further details, including schedules and competition information, will be announced soon.

The event is expected to draw crowds to Broad Haven as Pembrokeshire’s coastal communities prepare for the busy summer season.

Health

Paramedic graduates told to look abroad as Wales freezes recruitment

Published

14 minutes ago

April 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Students urged to seek work overseas despite millions spent on training

NEWLY qualified paramedics in Wales are being advised to apply for jobs overseas after a recruitment freeze left graduates with no roles in the Welsh NHS.

The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust has confirmed it will not be hiring newly qualified paramedics this year, citing financial and operational pressures.

The development, first reported by BBC Wales, has sparked anger among students and political figures, with some branding the situation “short-sighted” and a waste of public money.

Students left in limbo

Final-year paramedic students say they have been encouraged to look for work in countries including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Around 70 students are expected to graduate this summer from courses at Swansea University and Wrexham University, having completed degree-level training heavily subsidised by Healthcare Education and Improvement Wales.

Some students have undertaken placements more than 100 miles from home, expecting to move into frontline NHS roles after graduation.

Traditionally, graduates would enter the service as Newly Qualified Paramedics on Band 5 salaries, progressing to Band 6 after a period of mentorship.

However, opportunities have been shrinking. In 2025, only around a third of graduates secured paramedic posts, with others offered lower-paid technician roles instead.

‘Deeply disappointing’ decision

A spokesperson for the ambulance service said the organisation was facing a “difficult financial and operational landscape”.

They added: “Regrettably, as things stand, we are not in a position to employ newly qualified paramedics this year.”

Graduates are now being encouraged to consider roles as emergency medical technicians or to seek work elsewhere in the UK—or abroad.

Despite bursary conditions that would normally tie students to Wales, HEIW has confirmed the current cohort are now free to pursue employment outside the country.

Political backlash grows

The decision has prompted sharp criticism from across the political spectrum.

Jane Dodds described the situation as “a staggering waste of both talent and taxpayers’ money”, warning it made little sense while ambulance response times remain under pressure.

Plaid Cymru figures estimate that training costs of up to £150,000 per student could mean nearly £10 million of public investment failing to benefit Welsh patients.

Welsh Conservatives said the situation reflected a failure of workforce planning, while Welsh Labour insisted it remained committed to ensuring the NHS has the staff it needs.

Government response

A Welsh Government spokesperson said ministers were working closely with the ambulance service, HEIW and universities to address the issue and support affected graduates.

But for many students, the immediate reality is stark—after years of training for frontline roles in Wales, their careers may now begin thousands of miles away.