Politics
Welsh Traffic Commissioner ‘would improve safety’


Plaid calls for traffic commissioner: Would provide ‘level playing field’
for operators
PLAID CYMRU has called on the UK Government to establish a dedicated Traffic Commissioner for Wales after the Commissioner for Wales and the West Midlands said that it would lead to higher standards.
The current Traffic Commissioner for Wales and the West Midlands, Nick Jones, appeared last week at the Assembly’s Enterprise and Business Committee.
Mr Jones revealed in committee that having a dedicated Welsh Traffic Commissioner would “certainly lead to higher standards of safety” and that it would also “provide opportunities to the Welsh Government” to direct the Commissioner to do other things such as looking at the safety and regulation of taxis.
“The paradox is that there are eight traffic areas with seven traffic commissioners- I’m Traffic Commissioner for Wales and separately Traffic Commissioner for the West Midlands- which means that there’s far less time for community engagement and for engaging with Welsh Government,” Mr Jones told the Committee.
“If there was a separate Traffic Commissioner for Wales…I believe that it would in the medium-term and certainly in the long-term lead to higher standards of safety and would lead to increased likelihood of there being a level playing field for compliant operators.
“Safety standards in parts of Wales appear to be lower than in England. That in large part is because of the absence of regulatory effect. If there was a (Welsh) Traffic Commissioner there would be opportunities for better education.”
Plaid Cymru has long called for Wales to have its own dedicated Traffic Commissioner to oversee the bus industry and also to look at other aspects of road transport. The establishment of a Traffic Commissioner for Wales is widely supported by civic society, by the majority of Assembly Members, and was recommended to the UK Government by the Silk Commission.
The current UK Government is opposing the recommendation, but Plaid Cymru now believes they must “think again”.
Plaid Cymru Shadow Transport Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth AM commented: “The Traffic Commissioner’s revelation in committee was hugely significant. We heard directly from the current Commissioner that having a dedicated position for Wales would lead to higher standards of safety in the medium and long term, as more time would be dedicated to looking after the bus industry here.
“This means the Welsh bus passenger would gradually get a better and safer service, and that the majority of bus operators who play by the rules would not be undercut by others. It would also mean that Welsh taxi passengers could potentially get a better regulated service, giving future governments the chance to work with the Commissioner to address issues that we know are out there in the taxi industry.
“Wales is already a registered traffic area for commissioning purposes. The Welsh Government is already paying out of its own pocket for extra officials for the Commissioner because he doesn’t have the time to look at Wales as comprehensively as they’d like.
“Now is the perfect time for the Conservative UK Government to think again about its opposition to this proposal. It would be very odd for Wales to continue to receive a lesser service than the traffic areas in England and in Scotland. The Conservatives have compromised on some other devolution issues which Plaid Cymru have raised, and this is a matter of common sense where they need to do the same again.”
News
Independent Alun Wills wins Prendergast by-election by 39 votes

HAVERFORDWEST’S Prendergast ward has a new county councillor after Independent candidate Alun Wills emerged victorious in a closely contested six-way by-election.
Wills secured the seat with 199 votes (31.6%), defeating five other candidates: Kaleb Jenkins (Welsh Liberal Democrats, 160 votes), Mike Mathias (Welsh Conservative Party, 136 votes), Scott Thorley (Reform UK, 71 votes), Alison Tudor (Welsh Labour, 57 votes), and James Henry Purchase (Wales Green Party, 8 votes).
The by-election, held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, was triggered by the resignation of former Conservative councillor Andrew Edwards. Edwards stepped down in December 2024 following a controversial tenure marred by allegations of racism. In 2023, he faced public backlash after reportedly stating that “all white men should have black slaves.” Although he withdrew from the Conservative group and served as an independent councillor following the scandal, he ultimately resigned from his role, citing family reasons.
The Herald at the time questioned if the recording of him saying those words was created by using Artificial Intelligence.
A shift in representation

Edwards originally won the Prendergast seat for the Conservatives in 2022, securing a decisive victory over Labour. However, his departure and the controversy surrounding his comments resulted in a highly competitive race that ultimately saw the Conservatives lose their grip on the ward.
Wills’ victory as an independent marks a significant political shift, reflecting voter dissatisfaction and a changing political landscape in Haverfordwest.
Priorities for the new councillor
Speaking after his win, Wills vowed to “insist on council tax value for money” and pledged to do his “utmost to revive the fortunes of Haverfordwest town centre.”
He will take office at a time when Haverfordwest’s regeneration remains a key concern for residents. Major projects such as the Western Quayside redevelopment and the proposed Public Transport Interchange are already in motion, with the aim of boosting the local economy and improving connectivity.
Additionally, Wills is expected to focus on tackling rising council tax costs, an issue that has sparked growing frustration among residents.
With an independent now representing the ward, the political landscape in Pembrokeshire continues to evolve. The question remains whether this result signals a broader trend of voters shifting away from traditional party politics.
News
Wales set to ban supermarket junk food promotions

New rules could reshape the way snacks are sold
SHOPPERS in Wales may soon find fewer tempting offers on unhealthy snacks as the Welsh government plans to ban the promotion of junk food in supermarkets.
Under the proposed regulations, retailers with 50 or more employees will be prohibited from placing sugary, salty, and fatty foods near tills, store entrances, or at the end of aisles. Similar restrictions will apply online, preventing junk food promotions from appearing on homepage banners, category pages, or checkout screens.
The crackdown, which could come into effect in March 2026 if approved by the Senedd next month, would also spell the end for buy-one-get-one-free deals and free refills on sugary drinks.
Health Secretary Jeremy Miles defended the measures, highlighting concerns about childhood obesity. “With nearly a quarter of children in Wales overweight or obese by the time they start school, we must take action to help people make healthier choices,” he said.
Retailers who fail to comply with the new rules could face fines of up to £2,500.
Industry concerns
The proposed legislation is similar to rules introduced in England in 2022 and follows a consultation launched last year. However, the Welsh Retail Consortium has raised concerns, particularly over limits on promotional pricing, arguing that price competition benefits customers.
“Restricting meal deal offers and category promotions could impact affordability for consumers,” a spokesperson warned.
Some smaller businesses, such as independent sweet shops and specialist chocolatiers, will be exempt from the restrictions.
The Welsh government says the new rules are designed to curb impulse buying of unhealthy foods and encourage better dietary habits across the nation. However, with opposition from some in the retail sector, the debate over balancing public health and consumer choice is set to continue.
Education
Alarming new Estyn report reveals Welsh education in crisis

WALES’ education system is in turmoil, with an alarming new report from Estyn exposing deep-rooted issues plaguing schools across the country. The watchdog’s findings highlight “stubbornly low” attendance rates, a critical shortage of teachers, and a growing crisis in pupil behaviour, all of which have worsened under Labour’s leadership of the Welsh Government.
The report warns that the continued failure to address these systemic problems is leading to declining educational standards and increasing pressures on teachers, many of whom are leaving the profession due to stress and inadequate support. With concerns mounting, opposition parties have called for urgent action to reverse the decline and restore confidence in Welsh education.
Schools under pressure

Estyn’s findings reveal a bleak picture of the current state of schools in Wales. Pupil absenteeism remains persistently high, with attendance figures showing no significant improvement since the COVID-19 pandemic. This, coupled with recruitment difficulties, has left many schools struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels, further exacerbating the challenges facing educators.
Adding to the crisis, Estyn highlights deteriorating pupil behaviour, with reports of increased disruption in classrooms leading to talented teachers leaving the profession. The watchdog criticises the Welsh Government for failing to provide clear guidance and sufficient resources to tackle these pressing issues.
Political fallout
Reacting to the report, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, condemned Labour’s handling of the education system, stating: “The Welsh Conservatives have long warned about the crises facing our schools—soaring absenteeism, teacher recruitment struggles, and rising school violence.
“Estyn’s report makes it clear that pupil attendance is ‘stubbornly low,’ recruitment issues are undermining educational standards, and pupil behaviour is driving talented professionals out of teaching.
“Labour’s failure to address these challenges has left Welsh education in crisis. Weak guidance, underfunding, and a lack of support for teachers are failing our children. Welsh education is broken under Labour—only the Welsh Conservatives can fix it.”
The Welsh Government has yet to formally respond to the criticisms, but Labour ministers have previously defended their education policies, pointing to ongoing investments in school infrastructure and teacher training programmes. However, critics argue that these efforts have fallen short, leaving schools ill-equipped to tackle the fundamental issues identified in Estyn’s report.
Calls for urgent reform
Education unions and opposition parties are now demanding immediate intervention to prevent further decline. Among the key recommendations are increased funding for schools, stronger behavioural policies, and targeted support for struggling pupils. There are also calls for a review of teacher recruitment strategies to attract and retain high-quality educators.
With Welsh education at a crossroads, the pressure is mounting on the Labour-led government to take decisive action. As schools continue to grapple with these mounting challenges, the future of education in Wales remains uncertain, with many questioning whether real change will be delivered before it is too late.
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