Politics

‘Unacceptable complacency’ over Brexit

Published

7 years ago

July 12, 2016

THE FIRST MINISTER today appeared to admit that his government failed to make preparations for a public Brexit vote said the Tories; despite having issued dire warnings before the poll about the impact of a vote to leave the EU.

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, quizzed the First Minister in plenary on his government’s preparations for a vote to leave the EU.

He also pressed Mr Jones on the need for the Welsh Government’s response to the referendum to be reflective of the will of the Welsh people.

Speaking outside the chamber, Mr Davies repeated calls for ‘Leave’ campaigners to be given a role in formulating that response.

He said:“The First Minister repeatedly warned of the dire consequences of a vote to leave the EU, and yet it appears that he didn’t think it necessary to get his government to prepare for such an eventuality.

“Such complacency is unacceptable and explains, in part, his failure to see this result coming.

“In contrast, we learnt yesterday that the UK Government undertook detailed contingency planning – in particular, planning for the impact on financial stability.”

Mr Davies also stressed the need for ‘Leave’ campaigners to be given a role in preparing Wales’ response to the referendum result.

He said:“It is vital that the First Minister moves to endorse the will of the Welsh people and accepts the result of Thursday’s vote fully and without qualification.

“Despite the expectations of many, including Carwyn Jones, Wales has proven itself to be a Eurosceptic nation, but we cannot ignore the fact that significant numbers of people supported a remain vote and we will respect their views and ensure that their concerns are addressed.

“Clearly, both the Labour Party and Plaid Cymru misunderstood this. Those parties, unlike the Welsh Conservative Party, do not reflect the balance of opinion which exists amongst the Welsh public.

“As negotiations in relation to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU continue, the Welsh Government must ensure public opinion is better reflected as part of this process.

“ Wales needs strong leadership that reflects the wishes of its people, and ensures the best deal for our country in this new era. That must include a role for those politicians of all parties who campaigned for a vote to leave.”

News

Councillors elected to Haverfordwest Town Council

Published

15 hours ago

September 27, 2023

Tom Sinclair

The declaration of results for by-elections to two Haverfordwest Town Council Wards
are available on the Pembrokeshire County Council website.

The elections to the Priory and Portfield Wards took place on September 19 th , 2023.

Cllr Peter Lewis and Cllr Tasha Jones were elected to the Priory Ward and Cllr Roy
Thomas to the Portfield Ward.

Returning Officer Will Bramble made the declaration of results at the Picton Centre,
Haverfordwest, following the closure of polls and counting.

The full declarations are available on the election results page of the Council’s
website.

News

Ben Lake launches election campaign at Crymych

Published

2 days ago

September 26, 2023

Tom Sinclair

BEN LAKE launched his election campaign at Crymych Rugby Club last Thursday and met with a packed room of supporters to outline his priorities as Plaid Cymru’s candidate for the new Ceredigion Preseli seat.

Ben Lake has represented Ceredigion in Westminster since 2017, increasing his majority in the 2019 election to 6,329 votes.

The new Ceredigion Preseli seat extends from Cardigan to Llanrhian along the Pembrokeshire coast, and includes the inland wards of Crymych, Clydau, Maenclochog and Cilgerran.

After the launch, Ben Lake said:

“I am grateful to all who joined me at Crymych Rugby Club last night and am truly humbled by everyone’s support.

“My priorities were I to be elected as the Member of Parliament for Ceredigion Preseli are clear – a fair deal for rural communities, investment in infrastructure and increased funding for public services, and a thriving, sustainable economy that has the needs of communities rather than those of large corporations as its focus.

“I look forward to getting to know more people and communities across north Pembrokeshire over the next few months whilst also continuing to serve the communities of Ceredigion to the best of my ability. I will do my utmost to convince the people of this wonderful new constituency of Ceredigion Preseli that I am worthy of their support.”

News

Petition calling for scrapping of new 20mph speed limit at 150,000 signatures

Published

1 week ago

September 19, 2023

Tom Sinclair

A SENEDD petition calling for the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the 20mph law, has now passed 150,000 signatures, a Senedd petition record The Herald understands.

The previous record called for non-essential items to be sold in supermarkets during the firebreak lockdown.

As of Sunday (September 17), 30mph roads have been reduced to 20mph where cars mix with pedestrians and cyclists. It is thought around 13,000km of road will be affected.

The move has proved controversial with a poll for ITV Wales revealed this week that just 31% of people support the policy, while 66% are opposed to it.

The Welsh Government says research shows that changes will reduce pollution and fatal crashes.

In response to the news of record breaking numbers of people supporting the petition in Wales, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, Natasha Asghar MS said: “For more than 150,000 people to sign a petition within such a short space of time highlights the extent of public outrage towards Labour’s disastrous policy. Labour and Plaid Cymru have refused to listen to public opinion and are continuing to wage their anti-worker, anti-road and anti-motorist agenda. Labour can still U-turn on this disastrous rollout and deliver what Wales wants by scrapping blanket 20mph zones across Wales.

“With little to no consultation from the public, the people of Wales are using this petition to send a clear message to Labour in Cardiff Bay – they have had enough of this socialist agenda and are tired of being dictated to.”