News

Democracy is there for the benefit of the country not the politicians”

Published

12 years ago

February 6, 2014

THIS WEEK The Herald spoke with Preselli Pembrokeshire MP, Stephen Crabb. He started by saying:

“Back in my school days at Tasker Milward I asked if we could have a daily newspaper in the sixth form common room and they gave us ‘The Independent’. I think the teachers were keen that we got a balanced view and rightly so!

“That developed into an interest in practical politics later on, after university, when I was living and working away in London. My mum brought me and my brothers up on her own in a council house and I found it really rewarding working with youngsters that I could relate to. I was then asked to become a governor of a large inner city primary school, and from there I started taking a closer interest in political issues – especially those concerning young people, education and poverty.

“I remember sitting next to a Labour MP at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1996 and he advised me that if I wanted to do anything in politics I had to join a party and get stuck in. I took his advice, but didn’t join the party he suggested. He is still an MP and we have become very good friends since then”.

He went on to describe his week, saying:

“My typical week involves leaving Pembrokeshire either on a Sunday night or early Monday morning. I get back to the constituency late on a Thursday night. At the moment, because of the Wales Office job, once every couple of weeks I also do a mid-week visit to Cardiff to meet with Welsh Government ministers and others.

“Every Friday and most Saturdays are working days in Pembrokeshire doing surgeries and meeting with local businesses and other groups. I try to keep Sundays completely clear. The amount of time I have for constituency duties has not changed – that is protected time in the diary.

“I am incredibly fortunate to represent the seat where I grew up and being the local MP is, and always will be, the most important aspect of the job”.

The Herald asked Mr Crabb what were the key issues and events from last year in which he was involved, and what he thought 2014 would bring:

“The biggest issue facing our county last year, as now, was the threat hanging over Withybush Hospital. In 2013 I was also very busy with the decisions being taken by the Ministry of Defence over Cawdor Barracks, the home of the 14 Signal Regiment.

“Again, this was an issue where we knew that the desire to move the base had been around for some years. I fought very hard first of all to try to hold off that decision, but when it became imminent my priority was to secure an agreement from ministers that the Regiment wouldn’t move before 2018.

“I was able to get that agreement and that’s provided an important opportunity to ensure that we are not suddenly left with a hole in the local economy when the Signals move up the road to St Athans.

“On a happier front, I was closely involved with HSA in seeing the Haverfordwest Skatepark project clear its final hurdles and construction underway. To see to it finally open at the end of the year was thrilling for everyone involved.

“I want to see the country continue to improve, the economy to get stronger, and for Wales and Pembrokeshire to continue to feel the benefit of that. If that happens, it means my work both as a Wales Office Minister and as MP is bearing some fruit”.

On what the best and worst aspects of the job are, and how he felt about elections, he said: “I’ve fought three general elections now. I’ve lost one and I’ve won two and I definitely know which feeling I prefer. Democracy is there for the benefit of the country and the people; it’s not there for the benefit of politicians.

“In terms of what’s really fulfilling, unquestionably it’s when I see hard-work paying off and results coming through, whether for individual constituents and businesses, through casework, or at a community level working in partnership with others to secure more investment in Pembrokeshire. Perhaps the worst aspect of the job is the number of hours of my life I now spend travelling each week. I have come to dislike driving very much”.

Finally, we asked the MP when we might be treated to seeing him on Question Time, to which he said: “I was just wondering the same thing!”

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

13 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

14 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Childcare funding boost announced in Wales

Published

15 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.