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Pembrokeshire votes to leave the EU with a majority of nearly 10,000

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PEMBS JPGBREXITERS had a majority over 14.2% in Pembrokeshire with 39,155 voters stating they wanted to leave, whist remain received 29,367 votes.

The declaration for Pembrokeshire was made by council chief executive Ian Westley at just after 3am.

The turnout for Pembrokeshire was 74.39% – more than at the last general election.

The council said that there were 33 rejected ballot papers.

Responding to the EU referendum result, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said:

“I am immensely proud to be part of a Party which delivered this referendum to the people of the UK, giving them an enormous opportunity to determine the course of their future.

“The will of the people has today been declared, and the result marks an historic moment of positive change for our country.

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“Wales has sent a clear message that it wants to be part of that change, and politicians of all stripes must now come together to deliver on this momentous constitutional decision.

“The campaign was not without its strong disagreements, and it is important that we reflect on those who voted and campaigned to remain.

“What unites both sides of the campaign is our belief in in the democratic process and our love for our country.

“I am sincerely grateful to all who voted and extend particular gratitude to activists and colleagues who campaigned with passion and conviction in all parts of Wales.

“I am also thankful to my team, who have throughout the campaign stood loyally by my side.

“Our priority must now be to continue working to deliver on our commitments to the people of Wales.”

Alice Hooker-Stroud, Leader of the Wales Green Party told The Herald: “I am deeply disappointed by the referendum result this morning. Many futures are uncertain, and I hope that the process of leaving the EU is carried out with careful consideration and without unnecessary haste.

My immediate thoughts are for the EU nationals who live in the UK, and the UK nationals who live in Europe. For the 150,000 people in Wales whose jobs rely on the EU, and for our farmers, whose income is directly subsidised by the EU. More than ever, we must now fight for a fair deal for Wales from Westminster. The EU has been plugging underfunding from Westminster for years. This woefully unfair deal cannot, and must not, continue.

We hope to see a wider debate surrounding Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland’s place in the UK, and will work with our Green colleagues in Westminster and with other Welsh parties, to campaign for a fair and respectful deal for Wales.”

Hannah Pudner, Deputy Leader of the Wales Green Party said: “This result demonstrates a seismic shift in politics in the UK. I’m alarmed by the result and deeply concerned that fear is dominating UK politics. There is clearly a huge disconnect between swathes of people in England and Wales and the UK establishment, founded in deep distrust in democratic processes, and resentment of mainstream politics.

I think there are a lot of people feeling isolated and alienated in the UK right now. Some expressed alienation from mainstream politics in their vote to Leave, but many who voted Remain also recognise the system is broken. This democratic deficit will not be fixed by leaving the EU. We must look to democratic reform within the UK as an absolute priority. Our task now is to make politics work better for everyone, everywhere.

I feel the campaign has reinforced and legitimised divisions within UK society – not just between those who voted to Leave and those who voted to Remain – but sadly and worryingly, divisions based on race, nationality and identity. The biggest task we have on our hands right now is to start the work of healing. We must concentrate on what unites us, not what divides us.”

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Business

Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

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PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that will investigate the closure of high street banks in Wales, as well as access to cash.

In November 2023, Pembrokeshire saw the closure of Lloyds Bank in St Davids, and in the coming months both Barclays Bank and Halifax in Haverfordwest are set to close. In recent years, Wales has experienced a rapid decline in the number of high street banking services available to the public. Already in 2024, 23 high street bank closures have been announced in Wales, while automated teller machines (ATMs) declined by nearly a quarter between 2018 and 2023.

The Committee willconsider how declining high street banking services are impacting vulnerable people and small businesses across Wales, who are often more reliant on cash than digital banking. It will also examine how Wales is being affected by the loss of high street bank services, and whether the problem is worse in Wales than other parts of the UK.

Mr Crabb is a staunch advocate for retaining community banking facilities, especially in rural communities like Pembrokeshire where many local branches remain the only source of face-to-face banking provision for miles.

Recently Mr Crabb challenged Barclays Bank senior management on their decision to close the bank branch in Haverfordwest– a move that will see Barclays not only pull out of the county town, but means they won’t have a branch left anywhere in Pembrokeshire. He has also engaged with LINK – the UK’s largest cash machine network – and continues to campaign on the basis that a Banking Hub is established and that ATM machines should be retained or installed, especially in areas worst affected by the closures.  

Following the launch of the inquiry, MP Crabb added: “It is really sad to see so many banks across Wales closing as online banking grows in popularity. Despite the advantages of online banking, for a rural community with an ageing population like Pembrokeshire, bank branches hold huge importance as they offer face-to-face customer service.”

“I am acutely aware of the inconvenience that the bank closures locally have already caused following hundreds of replies from constituents to my ‘online banking survey’ ”

“I am looking forward to gathering further evidence on this subject through the committee’s inquiry, and will continue to put pressure on the relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are made through the establishment of banking hubs as well as the instalment of ATM machines where necessary.”

“In this inquiry, we are particularly keen to hear from those likely to be directly affected by the shift away from cash and physical banks. I encourage anyone with first-hand experience of losing banking services to give evidence to the Committee”

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Trains resume between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock as works end

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TRAIN services resumed this morning (Thursday 28 March) after ten days of essential round-the-clock work to upgrade track and drainage between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

The railway was closed from Monday 18 March to Wednesday 27 March to allow Network Rail teams to replace more than 200 metres of track and 300 tonnes of ballast (track stones) between Pembroke station and Pembroke Dock.

Work to improve the drainage between Narbeth and Kilgetty stations was also completed at the same time.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work in Pembrokeshire demonstrates our commitment to improving the reliability of the service we provide to passengers along our route.

“We know that replacing the track can be disruptive and very noisy, so I would like to thank the residents of Pembroke for their patience while our team carried out this crucial work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “We’re pleased that our colleagues in Network Rail have completed this essential work and that Transport for Wales rail services resumed today.

“We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this work has progressed and look forward to welcoming passengers back in time for the Easter weekend.”

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Welsh Water has increased sewage discharges into waterways ‘by 40%’

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NEW figures released by the Environment Agency have shown that Dwr Cymru discharged sewage into waterways for a staggering 23,354 hours last year, a 40% increase on 2022. 

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are now calling for tougher action against sewage dumping in Welsh waterways.

The party has also called for a halt on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have dumped sewage into waterways.

Conservative MPs have consistently voted against measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis.

The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said: “It is a complete scandal that filthy sewage is being pumped into our nation’s rivers and waterways without consequence.

“It’s beggars’ belief that both the UK Conservative Government and the Welsh Labour government are allowing water firms to get away with this environmental vandalism.

“We as a party are calling for tougher action to stop sewage being dumped in local waterways. We have also called for a halt on bonuses for water company fat cats whose firms have pumped filth into our waterways.”

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