SIMON HART, the former MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, is set to lift the lid on the political turmoil of recent years with his new book, Ungovernable: The Political Diaries of a Chief Whip, due for release on February 27, 2025.

The memoir promises a rare, behind-the-scenes account of life inside the Conservative government during one of its most chaotic periods. Hart, who served as Chief Whip under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, provides an unfiltered look at the party’s internal struggles, resignations, and public controversies that rocked Westminster between 2019 and 2024.

From power to crisis

Having first been elected in 2010, Hart represented South Pembrokeshire and parts of Carmarthenshire for over a decade before boundary changes saw him lose his seat in 2024. His political career saw him rise to the role of Secretary of State for Wales under Boris Johnson before taking on the crucial but often misunderstood position of Chief Whip in Sunak’s government.

In Ungovernable, Hart describes how he witnessed the Conservative Party unravel from a position of strength to electoral vulnerability. He provides firsthand insight into the party’s inner workings, dealing with rebellious MPs, scandal-ridden colleagues, and the battle to maintain discipline within the government.

Westminster’s scandals and secrets

Among the most revealing aspects of the book are Hart’s accounts of the defection of Conservative MPs to Labour, the fallout from Liz Truss’s 49-day premiership, and the struggles to manage a party fractured by Brexit, infighting, and scandal. He details the dramatic moments that saw fifteen Tory MPs leave their seats under his tenure, including high-profile figures such as Nadine Dorries, whose controversial resignation caused months of political tension, and Matt Hancock, suspended after his infamous appearance on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.

Hart also delves into Lee Anderson’s suspension over inflammatory remarks about the London Mayor, and the internal battles over government policies, leadership, and media spin.

Praise for an insider’s account

The book has already attracted attention from senior political figures. Rory Stewart, former MP and political commentator, described it as “a remarkable insight into a critical moment”, while Michael Dobbs, author of House of Cards, praised Hart’s blunt honesty, calling it a “balls-up-to-break-down account of how the Tories managed to fall flat on their faces”.

For Pembrokeshire readers, Ungovernable provides a unique perspective from a local politician who operated at the very heart of Westminster’s power struggles. Whether a supporter or critic of his time in office, Simon Hart’s memoir promises to be a fascinating and controversial account of one of the most dramatic chapters in modern British politics.

THE PORT of Milford Haven has issued a warning regarding a wall collapse on the hot water slip access to Milford Beach.

Residents and visitors are urged to stay clear of the affected area and avoid using this access route while investigations and repairs are carried out.

Please share this message to help ensure public safety.

Thank you.

IT WAS exactly 29 years ago. On the evening of February 15, 1996, at approximately 8:07pm, the oil tanker Sea Empress ran aground on rocks near St. Ann’s Head at the entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway in Pembrokeshire. The vessel, en route to the Texaco oil refinery in Milford Haven, was carrying over 130,000 tonnes of Forties blend crude oil. The incident led to one of Britain’s worst environmental disasters.

A catastrophic collision

As the Sea Empress navigated the narrow channel against an outgoing tide, strong currents pushed the vessel off course, causing it to collide with mid-channel rocks. The initial impact released approximately 2,500 tonnes of crude oil into the sea. Over the next six days, severe weather conditions and missteps in salvage operations hindered efforts to refloat and stabilize the tanker. The vessel grounded and refloated multiple times, ultimately spilling around 72,000 tonnes of crude oil and 370 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the surrounding waters.

Environmental devastation

The spill had catastrophic consequences, particularly for the ecologically sensitive Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. More than 200 kilometers of coastline were contaminated, impacting numerous habitats and species.

Wildlife impact

Though the spill occurred in late winter before many migratory species had returned, resident wildlife suffered extensively. Thousands of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, and the common scoter duck, were found dead or severely oiled. Estimates suggest that approximately 5,000 of the 15,000 common scoters in the area perished.

Marine life was also heavily affected. Intertidal species such as seaweeds, invertebrates, and rock pool fish experienced significant mortality. Grey seals inhabit the region, but their population suffered minimal direct impact due to the timing of the spill.

Economic and social repercussions

The disaster had profound economic consequences for local communities. A fishing ban was promptly imposed along the affected coastlines, suspending operations for fisheries targeting species like shellfish and lobsters. The ban lasted several months, resulting in substantial financial losses. While compensation schemes were introduced, many affected individuals felt the payouts were insufficient.

Tourism, a vital part of Pembrokeshire’s economy, also suffered. The spill occurred just before the Easter holiday season, leading to mass cancellations and a decline in visitor numbers. Popular beaches were covered in oil deposits, deterring tourists and impacting businesses reliant on seasonal trade.

Mobilization of cleanup efforts

In response to the crisis, a massive cleanup operation was launched, involving over a thousand individuals, including local volunteers, environmental organizations, and government agencies. The immediate priority was rescuing and rehabilitating oiled wildlife. Specialized facilities were established to clean affected birds, though survival rates post-release remained low.

Shoreline cleanup efforts presented significant challenges. Teams employed various methods, including manual oil removal and chemical dispersants designed to break down the crude. While dispersants proved effective in some cases, concerns arose about their long-term environmental impact. Most visible oil was removed from beaches within six weeks, but cleanup efforts in remote areas continued for over a year.

Investigations and accountability

Subsequent investigations identified pilot error as a primary cause, with misjudgments regarding tidal streams and currents leading to the initial grounding. The report also highlighted deficiencies in the port’s navigational aids and emergency response protocols. As a result, the Milford Haven Port Authority faced scrutiny and was fined £4 million for its role in the disaster.

Long-term environmental recovery

Monitoring of the affected areas revealed that natural recovery was underway, aided by the region’s dynamic tidal systems. By 2001, studies indicated significant habitat restoration. However, certain species, particularly those with longer lifespans and slower reproductive rates, continued to show reduced population numbers, underscoring the prolonged effects of oil spills on biodiversity.

Lessons learned

The Sea Empress disaster prompted significant reforms in maritime safety and environmental protection within the UK, including:

• Enhanced Navigational Protocols: Improved pilot training and navigational aids to prevent future groundings.
• Regulatory Changes: Introduction of the Port Marine Safety Code, establishing national port safety standards.
• Environmental Safeguards: Strengthened oil spill contingency plans and increased investment in spill response technologies.

The Sea Empress disaster remains a stark reminder of the fragile balance between industrial activities and environmental preservation. It underscores the need for stringent safety measures, rigorous regulatory oversight, and proactive environmental protection to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.