Politics

KIP-Con coalition not ruled out

Published

9 years ago

March 14, 2016

THE LEADER of the Welsh Conservatives has failed to rule out a potential deal with UKIP as part of a ‘rainbow coalition’ following the Welsh Assembly elections in May – after publicly calling for Plaid Cymru to confirm that they would not enter a coalition with Labour.

At the UKIP conference in Llandudno, both party leader Nigel Farage and Welsh leader Nathan Gill expressed hopes that UKIP AMs could work with other parties.

Mr Gill said: “We welcome the opportunity of doing what’s right for Wales and if that was the right decision, if we could really between us work it out, work as a cohesive group of three parties or two parties – and actually really believe that we can improve the lot of the people of Wales then of course we’d do it because we are about making the lives of our fellow citizens better.”

Whether or not Labour or Plaid Cymru would work with UKIP is debatable, especially as both parties are campaigning for the Assembly elections on a pro-EU membership basis. It is unlikely that what the Conservatives repeatedly refer to as ‘Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party’ would do business with UKIP, and would probably form a minority government – as they did this term – instead.

Having ruled out a coalition with the Welsh Conservatives, it would be surprising if Leanne Wood considered entering a ‘rainbow coalition’ with UKIP. The party suffered a loss of popularity after the 2007 coalition, and it is assumed that the fallout from a UKIP coalition would be at least as damaging.

Which leaves the Welsh Conservatives. Nathan Gill praised Andrew RT Davies for his stance on the EU, saying that the Welsh Conservatives’ leader was ‘very brave and patriotic in what he has done’.

Mr Farage went even further. In a speech at the party conference, he said that UKIP would be going into the assembly with ‘a constructive mentality’: “If we can work with other people and that delivers better results that’s good.”

“The fact that Davies has taken the stance that he has taken, probably long-term makes it easier to work with them. We will be entirely pragmatic.”

When questioned by the national media, Mr Davies was somewhat unwilling to discuss post-election deals. However, he added that he ‘regretted’ other parties (read Plaid Cymru) had not ruled out any deal with Labour.

“I think the one thing that unifies all parties that aren’t in Government here in Wales in the Assembly is that Labour is the problem,” he added.

A deal with UKIP could be problematic should any senior members, especially Mark Reckless, watch Mr Davies’ speech to the Conservative Party conference last year, in which he emphatically stated that UKIP was ‘not the answer.’

In this speech, Mr Davies reserved much of his ire for strategy director Mr Reckless: “When the good citizens of Rochester and Stroud gave Mark Reckless the boot in May, they saddled him to us – he has come now to be a candidate in next year’s Assembly elections,” he said.

“He is a part-time resident in Caerphilly, for goodness sake!

“I have to say, as you go out, there will be collection buckets at the door, so that you can give generously so that we can boot him back over to you, and you can do with him what you will!”

Last year, Mr Davies challenged Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood to rule out entering a coalition with Welsh Labour, and accused her of hypocrisy when she failed to do so.

The Herald asked Mr Davies if he could indicate whether or not he would be prepared to enter into a coalition with UKIP, bearing in mind their similar views on EU membership. We also asked if Mr Davies still stood by the remarks made in his conference speech. At the time of going to press – three days later – we had received no reply, and a voicemail message left with the senior press officer went similarly unanswered.

News

Welsh Conservatives mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Published

2 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY is a time for reflection and remembrance. It allows us to honour those who suffered and renew our commitment to combating hatred and prejudice in all its forms.

Reflecting on the day, Welsh Conservative Leader Darren Millar MS, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the unimaginable suffering endured by millions during the Holocaust. It is a day to honour the memory of those who were murdered and to reflect on the persecution faced by Jewish people, Gypsies, Roma, disabled individuals, and members of the LGBT community.

“By hearing the voices of survivors and acknowledging this dark chapter in history, we strengthen our commitment to building a world that rejects hate and discrimination in all its forms.

“Eighty years after the liberation of the concentration camps, I urge everyone in Wales to take time today to reflect on these lessons, stand firmly against antisemitism, and challenge racism wherever it persists.”

Also Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Equalities, Dr. Altaf Hussain MS, said:“We cannot forget the unimaginable horrors that millions of people faced during the Holocaust. Tragically, the scourge of genocide continues to plague humanity.

“The millions of Jews, Roma, disabled individuals, and members of the LGBT community persecuted by this evil regime deserve to have their stories preserved as a timeless lesson for us all.

“It has been eighty years since the liberation of the concentration camps and now more than ever we must deeply reflect on the powerful accounts shared with us by the remaining survivors. May their bravery and commitment to speaking out against the horrors committed during the Holocaust continue to inspire the change we need, so that we may all live in society that is fully respectful of people’s religion, race, gender and sexual orientation.”

News

Joyce Watson MS announces decision not to seek reselection

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

JOYCE WATSON MS, Labour Senedd Member for Mid and West Wales, has announced her decision not to stand in the next Senedd Election.

In a statement issued on Friday (Jan 24), Ms Watson said: “I have taken the very difficult decision to not stand as a candidate at next year’s Senedd Election.

“Serving the Labour Party has been the privilege of my life. To do so representing Mid and West Wales has been an incredible honour. I must thank all the people I have met and worked with on issues and campaigns across the years, and thank Labour members and colleagues for their trust and support.”

Reflecting on her personal journey, Ms Watson shared her roots in Tywyn, Manorbier, Cosheston, and Cardigan, where she grew up as one of eight children. After raising her family across the region, she settled in Pembrokeshire.
“I never dreamed that one day I would be elected to serve the people and places I know and love so well,” she said.

Throughout her tenure, Ms Watson focused on making a tangible impact. She highlighted her work addressing human trafficking, advocating for the construction industry, and representing the Senedd on international platforms, including Europe and the Commonwealth. She also established the White Ribbon campaign against domestic violence in Wales.

“Since I was first elected, our young democracy has grown in strength and confidence. The next election, under new rules and boundaries, will be transformative,” she said.

Ms Watson explained her decision to step aside, saying:
“It feels like the right time for me to step aside for new candidates, and to devote more time to my wonderful family.”

Looking ahead, she acknowledged the challenges of recent years but reaffirmed her commitment to Labour values:
“The past two decades have brought huge upheavals, at home and abroad, that present us with huge challenges. I remain convinced that the solutions to these problems are more co-operation and social justice, not less. I believe that Labour values are the best path to a fairer future.

“So, although I will be stepping down from the Senedd in May 2026, I will never stop fighting for these ideals.”

Ms Watson’s departure marks the end of a notable career of public service, with her contributions leaving a lasting impact on her constituents and beyond.

News

County Hall lights up to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Published

2 days ago

January 25, 2025

Tom Sinclair

COUNTY HALL in Haverfordwest will be lit in purple on Monday January 27 to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

This year Holocaust Memorial Day marks the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and remembers the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust and those killed in genocides that followed.

The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘For a Better Future’ and focuses on what everyone can do to create a better future.

This includes speaking up against Holocaust and genocide denial, challenging prejudice and encouraging others to learn about the Holocaust and more recent genocides.

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Cllr Jon Harvey, said: “This year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is particularly poignant as we remember the moments that Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated and the horrors of the Holocaust revealed to the world.

“We all have an opportunity to take action for a better future. A better future where people are not suffering prejudice or persecution because of their faith, ethnicity or other characteristic.”

Council Presiding Member, Cllr Simon Hancock added: “On Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the Jewish victims of the Holocaust and all the others who suffered under Nazi persecution and the genocides that have followed.

“As we honour their memories, we also pledge to fight prejudice, discrimination, and antisemitism in society today.”

You can see more information on Holocaust Memorial Day at: https://hmd.org.uk/