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Syria vote: Simon Hart MP takes on online opponents

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Simon Hart MP

Simon Hart MP

LOCAL MP Simon Hart has taken a stand against hostile correspondents following his vote in favour of airstrikes on terrorists in Syria.

On Wednesday night, after engaging in a running discussion on his Facebook feed in which he expressed his wish to listen the debate in Parliament before making up his mind, the Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire MP supported the Government’s motion that the RAF should participate in attacks on Daesh positions in Syria.

In common with other MPs who supported the motion, Mr Hart has subsequently come under fire on his Facebook page from those who, sometimes vehemently, disagree with his action.

Mr Hart has taken the unusual step of publicising the words of two correspondents, both of whom expressed the hope that Mr Hart’s home would be bombed.

Mr Hart attempted to face down any attempt to intimidate him by pointing out that those correspondents who have written aggressively have done nothing to sway his view and have undermined the efforts of those who have written in a less belligerent way.

Referring to the trolling messages and comments, a woman opposed to airstrikes in Syria, wrote: “We who feel this way should be free to voice our opinion in a civil and respectful way; we may be passionate about this and some people may have personal links to the people of Syria….however there is NO excuse for this abusive, despicable behaviour.”

Rejecting suggestions that the threatening comments should be reported to the Police, Simon Hart wrote: “I think the police have enough on their plates probably. Also these people are invariably cowards so are unlikely (I hope!) to follow it up. But the mindset troubles me.”

Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb has also received abuse on his Facebook page, with a string of contributors suggesting that he will have ‘blood on his hands’.

The level of abuse thus far levelled at local MPs is far below that being targeted at Labour MPs who voted with the Government on Wednesday.

 

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Batoot

    December 5, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    What manipulative and poor journalism! Actually Mr Hart’s ‘mindset troubles me’! He is a public servant and should listen to the views of the electorate. There is a deliberate attempt here to marginalise anyone with a different view than his own. As reported, why do the more vociferous and aggressive correspondents undermine the less belligerent Mr Hart? Surely all views including the aggressive deserve your consideration on their own merits, you are here to listen to your constituents!

  2. Pembssparks

    December 5, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    Mr No Hart thinks nothing of sending bombs over Syrian children but is ever so worried at thought of his own home being bombed, yes think about it Simon is it sinking in yet, how would you and your family feel when your going to bed tonight the thought that some foreign country far away is going to bomb your country, maybe your house, not nice is it.

    You voted for this, now grow some balls, stop crying and complaining and put up with the flack of a bad decision you made.

  3. Brian Hayes

    December 5, 2015 at 8:25 pm

    In the past the people were unable to get at the liars, thieves and hypocrites and their dreadful attitude towards the people they are meant to serve. ……but modern technology has changed all that……and from now on you lot are going to be subjected to howling scrutiny….and if you can’t cope without whining or running to the police then I suggest you clear off home. We have had enough of silly little boys pretending. to he men.

  4. Tomos

    December 7, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    @ Batoot:

    Surely it’s pretty clear?

    If you’re against violence you don’t threaten violence as it makes your case look pretty stupid

  5. Tomos

    December 7, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    @ Pembssparks:

    His wife and family are not MPs or public servants or maybe you think his family are fair game too ?

    There are a lot of nutters out there aren’t there sparks?

  6. Mark James

    January 3, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    You guys voted in these clowns.

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Community

Dog rescued after multi-agency response in Pembroke Dock

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AN ALSATIAN dog was rescued in Pembroke Dock after falling down an embankment and becoming trapped near the water’s edge.

Fire crews from Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest were called to the incident near Cleddau Bridge Business Park at 12:41am on Thursday (May 21), following reports that the dog, named Lunar, was unable to climb back to safety.

The rescue involved a multi-agency response, with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service working alongside HM Coastguard, the RNLI and Drone Search and Rescue teams.

Lunar was located and safely recovered by the RNLI boat team before being brought back to dry land and reunited with her grateful owners.

A photo released after the rescue shows Lunar, her owners, and members of the teams involved.

 

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Cymraeg

Welsh language report says students face mixed experiences across colleges and universities

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A NEW report has found that Welsh-speaking students face inconsistent access to Welsh language services across Wales’ colleges and universities.

The research, published by the Welsh Language Commissioner on Monday (May 25), gathered responses from more than 1,500 further and higher education students.

It examined four key areas: whether students can submit written work in Welsh, choose accommodation with Welsh-speaking students, access a Welsh-speaking personal tutor, and receive wellbeing support through the medium of Welsh.

The report also looked at the wider language culture on campuses, including how institutions promote Welsh language services and support students to use Welsh naturally in academic and social settings.

Osian Llywelyn, Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner, said colleges and universities had a vital role in helping students use Welsh as part of everyday life.

He said: “Given the importance of sustaining and developing the continued use of the Welsh language, it is essential to recognise the key role that further education colleges and higher education institutions play in ensuring that students have the opportunity to use Welsh naturally as part of their academic and social lives.

“While it is encouraging to see strong examples of good practice, that experience is not consistent across the sector. As a result, we have identified clear improvement actions, and we will be asking the relevant institutions to address them.”

Five improvement actions have been identified. These include standardising Welsh-medium assessment arrangements, proactively offering Welsh language services rather than simply making them available on request, addressing gaps in workforce Welsh-language skills, strengthening students’ sense of belonging through Welsh, and improving self-assessment and monitoring.

James Owen, Chief Executive of Medr, the body responsible for funding and regulating tertiary education in Wales, said the findings showed the need for more support across the sector.

He said Medr’s new Welsh Language Condition would place a clearer focus on providers promoting and supporting the use of Cymraeg, and on creating formal and informal opportunities for staff and learners to develop their Welsh-language skills.

Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, said students’ experiences of Welsh at college or university could influence their willingness and ability to use the language later in the workplace.

He said the report showed the need for the Welsh-language experience to extend “well beyond the classroom”.

The report will be officially launched at the Welsh Language Commissioner’s stand at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Anglesey at 11:00am on Monday (May 25).

 

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Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

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A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

 

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